Project Description

Epic Iceland

7 Days / 6 Nights

MIR07-S

Reykjavik • Snaefellsnes Peninsula • Borgarfjordur • Vatnajokull • Vik • Blue Lagoon

Day 1: Arrival in Iceland

Transfer to your hotel by airport shuttle bus. Explore Reykjavik’s old town area, location of many museums and galleries on your own, or enjoy optional whale watching or horseback riding if time permits.

Hotel: Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura or similar (1 night)

Day 2: Reykjavik – Snaefellsnes Peninsula – Borgarfjordur B/D

Glacier-crowned Volcano – Volcanic Formations – Fishing Villages – Icelandic tales – Lava Cave
Depart Reykjavik with your guide and driver, traveling northwest via an undersea tunnel through Hvalfjordur (Whale Bay) on your way to the rugged coastline Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

Known as “Iceland in a Nutshell,” this area will show you an astonishing variety of natural landscapes that can be seen in Iceland, but all conveniently situated in one area. This is part of the remote and tranquil Snaefellsjokull National Park, named after the peninsula’s magnificent glacier-crowned volcano (last eruption: 250 AD). The mountain is said to be protected by a benevolent spirit, and you’ll surely feel recharged as you drive through this beautiful park.

You’ll visit secluded and charming fishing villages as you head along the northern peninsula. View Iceland’s most photographed mountain, Kirkjufell, and its surrounding fjord teeming with herring and orca whales. In nearby Grundarfjordur village, you’ll meet a local storyteller in his home for some funny insights, facts and fables about the Icelanders.

Continue along the coastline, making some amazing stops to admire columnar basalt formations and the
crashing waves of the North Atlantic. The afternoon’s highlight is a visit to the spectacular Vatnshellir, an
8.000-year-old lava cave located at the foot of the mystical Snaefellsjokull glacier. An expert cave guide will show you the amazing and beautiful features of Vatnshellir. The road then leads to the Borgarfjordur, a scenic and historical area of West Iceland Dinner and overnight in Borgarnes, a charming town that has connections to one of Iceland’s most famous Sagas.

If weather conditions are favorable tonight, you may head out on foot with your guide to search for the elusive Aurora Borealis in the area of your hotel. Otherwise, the northern lights hunt would be on Day 3, 4 or 5 (subject to weather conditions)

Hotel: B59 Hotel or similar (1 night)

Day 3: Thingvellir National Park – Gullfoss – Geysir B/D

Ancient parliament and Mid-Atlantic Ridge – Golden Waterfall – Lively Geysers
Head to the famous Golden Circle route, showcasing a trio of celebrated natural attractions. Start with a visit to Thingvellir National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), where Viking settlers established an annual assembly in AD 930. This parliament has now become the world’s oldest ongoing. Thingvellir is also a geological masterpiece, as it marks the visible site of the mid-Atlantic Ridge where the North American and Eurasian continental plates meet. You can walk along a path taking you between the canyon marking the location of the ridge.

Head through scenic farmlands to the celebrated Gullfoss waterfall, believed by many to be Iceland’s most beautiful falls. Nearby is the Geysir Hot Spring Area, alive with boiling mud pits, steam vents, and exploding geysers. The most famous of these is Strokkur, a high-spouting geyser that erupts every ten minutes.

As a local and cultural treat today, you’ll stop at tiny Laugarvatn village for a taste of traditional “hot spring bread“cooked in the warm ground by geothermal hot springs.

Hotel: Landhotel or similar (1 night)

Day 4: LAVA Centre – Seljalandsfoss- Skogafoss – Eldhraun – Southeastern Iceland B/D

Scenic Waterfalls – Lava Centre – Volcanic Views – Lava Flow – Magnificent Glaciers
Drive along the iconic South Shore , an area of Iceland that is beautiful to view in the winter. This is one of the main farm regions of the country, and the road will pass by typical Icelandic farms, often with Icelandic horses in the fields.

South Iceland is home to the LAVA Centre, an interactive, high-tech educational exhibition depicting volcanic activity, earthquakes and the creation of Iceland over millions of years. Enjoy both the exhibit and viewing an interesting film about Icelandic volcanoes at the Centre’s cinema. As you travel onwards, you might get a glimpse of Eyjafjallajokull, the famous ice-capped volcano whose 2010 eruption halted air traffic worldwide.

Stop at two spectacular waterfalls, each with its own charm and character. Depending on the trail conditions you can walk behind Seljalandsfoss. Skogafoss is one of the country’s most photographed waterfalls and is said to be the hiding place for ancient treasure.

Head onwards, passing over Eldhraun, the surreal and vast lava landscapes that were created in one single flow – the largest known in history. You’ll start seeing views of glaciers as you head into the southeast Iceland, and the region of Vatnajokull, Europe’s largest glacier.

Hotel: Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon or similar (1 night)

Day 5: Glacier Lagoon – Vatnajokull Park – Vik B/D

Western Europe’s Largest National Park – Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs – Europe’s Largest Glacier
Today you’ll be in the southern area of Vatnajokull National Park, named after Europe’s largest glacier. The entire park covers almost 14% of Iceland’s landmass, and it’s considered the largest national park in Western Europe.

Start with a visit to Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon, where you can enjoy the breath-taking sight of icebergs floating in the deep glacial waters. With luck, you might also see seals relaxing in the area. Nearby is the stunning Diamond Beach,where crystal clear remains of icebergs linger on the black sand before disappearing into the ocean.

Then visit the national park’s famous Skaftafell area, a beautiful “fire and ice” region created by volcanic activity and ringed by many glaciers. This is the home to Svinafellsjokull, one of the most beautiful of the glacial outlets emerging from Vatnajokull.
Head west, passing through vast sand plains created by glacial outwashes. The road leads to Vik, Iceland’s southernmost village. Visit Reynisfjara beach, where you can take a walk on the black sands, admiring the extraordinary rock formations and thundering waves of the Atlantic Ocean.

Hotel: Hotel Vik or similar (1 night)

Day 6: Reykjanes – Blue Lagoon – Reykjavik B

Reykjanes Seacoast – Moon-like landscapes – Colorful Geothermal Area – Relaxing Spa
Today you’ll take a beautiful coastal road that leads onto the breath-taking Reykjanes peninsula. Reykjanes was designated a UNESCO Geopark in 2915 because of its many interesting geothermal
and volcanic features, and it’s a fantastic place to explore.

Visit Strandarkirkja, a pretty wooden church unique to those in rural Iceland. There is a long-standing tradition that prayers in the church have helped provide luck and success to fishermen working on the dangerous seas. The small church is built right into the coast with amazing views of the turbulent ocean waves meeting volcanic rocks and black sands. Look for a quaint set of painted elf houses nestled in the church grounds.

Drive to Lake Kleifarvatn, set in fascinating, stark, moon-like surroundings. This lake was the setting for a
popular murder mystery, The Draining Lake, by renowned Icelandic author Arnaldur Indridason.
Near the lake’s southern end lies Krysuvik, where powerful jets of steam escape from deep below the earth’s crust and sulphurous steam rises from numerous geothermal vents. You can see small hot springs, brightly colored mud pots, boiling pools and other types of geothermal activity.

Continue under low mountains along the shoreline to stop by craggy cliffs rising sheer from the sea. This is home to Grindavik, a town with a sizeable fishing fleet. After a lunch stop in Grindavik (lunch is on your own), head for the world-renowned Blue Lagoon. Set in a black lava field, this geothermal spa is a lagoon filled with warm mineral-rich seawater that provides the ultimate interaction and relaxation with Iceland’s raw nature.

Here you can enjoy a lovely soak in the healing waters of the lagoon a unique wonder of nature with pleasantly warm, mineral-rich water in the middle of a black lava field.

Return to Reykjavik, where the evening is open to enjoy the lively capital of Iceland.

Hotel: Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura or similar (1 night)

Day 7: Depart Reykjavik B

Transfer on your own to the international airport for your departure flight.

Package included:

  • Round trip airport shared transfers
  • English speaking guided tour from day 2 to day 6 based on seat-in-coach
  • Expert local English-speaking guide from day 2 to day 6
  • Free Wi-Fi on board motor coach
  • Accommodation 2 nights in a standard room with facilities in Reykjavik
  • Accommodation 4 nights in a standard room with facilities in the countryside
  • Icelandic breakfast (except arrival day)
  • 4 one-course dinners with coffee / tea (days 2-5)
  • Local storyteller visit in Grundarfjordur town (day 2)
  • Guided visit to Vatnshellir Lava Cave (day 2)
  • Use of safety equipment for cave tour on day 2 (helmets, torches/flashlights)
  • Geothermal bakery experience at Laugarvatn Fontana Baths (day 3)
  • Entrance to the Lava Centre and a volcano film at the Lava Centre’s Cinema (day 4)

  • Blue Lagoon bathing fee, including towel, silica mud mask and a drink of your choice (day 5)
  • Use of crampons/cleats (if needed) for walking on snow/ice covered surfaces
  • Northern Lights guided hunt on foot one selected evening
  • Northern Lights hunting kit on day 2 or 3 (use of flashlight, blanket and a hot drink)

Package Excluded:

  • Breakfast on arrival day
  • International airfare
  • Baggage porterage at airport/hotel
  • Personal travel insurance (highly recommended)
  • Swimsuit at the Blue Lagoon (rentals included)
  • Guaranteed early check-in (check-in time for most hotels in Iceland starts between 14:00 and 16:00
  • Guaranteed late check-out
  • Any service not specifically listed under “included”
  • Items not listed under inclusions
  • *Note: We reserve the right to alter routes without prior notice due to road conditions