Itinerary
- Day 1
Reykjavik
You'll arrive in Reykjavik and have the day to explore the capital at your own pace. Check out the museums and galleries, walk through historic landmarks, or head down Laugavegur street for shopping. The climb up Hallgrimkirkja Church gives you solid city views from the top. After that, you'll join a northern lights boat tour in the evening with a guide who knows what to look for when tracking the aurora.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Northern Lights boat tour with expert aurora guide
Optional Activities
- Visit National Museum
- Visit Reykjavik Museum of Photography
- Visit Culture House
- Visit Phallological Museum
- Walk along Laugavegur shopping street
- Visit Hallgrimkirkja Church for city views
Landmarks/POIs Hallgrimkirkja Church Svartivoss Waterfall National Museum Reykjavik Museum of Photography Culture House Phallological Museum Laugavegur - Day 2
Reykjavik to Kirkjubajarklaustur
This morning you'll travel the Golden Circle route and stop at Thingvellir National Park to see the geological formations and historic parliament grounds. Later you'll watch Strokkur geyser erupt and see Gullfoss waterfall up close. The day continues with time at Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss where you can walk right behind the water. You'll arrive in Kirkjubajarklaustur village by evening, which is a good spot for northern lights viewing during winter months.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing at Thingvellir National Park
- Sightseeing at Geysir (Strokkur geyser)
- Sightseeing at Gullfoss waterfall
- Sightseeing at Seljalandsfoss waterfall
- Sightseeing at Skogafoss waterfall
Landmarks/POIs Thingvellir National Park Strokkur Geyser Geysir Geothermal Area Gullfoss Waterfall Seljalandsfoss Waterfall Skogafoss Waterfall - Day 3
Kirkjubajarklaustur to Hofn
You'll start the South Coast section at Reynisfjara black sand beach with its powerful waves and basalt formations. Depending on the season, you'll either do a guided crystal ice cave tour from October to April, or take a 3-hour hike through Skaftafell in Vatnajokull National Park to get near Europe's largest glacier. You'll see Myradalsjokull Glacier and Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, then walk across Diamond Beach with its icebergs. The day ends in Hofn, known for lobster and good for northern lights viewing.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing at Reynisfjara black sand beach
- Glacier Hike or Crystal Ice Cave tour (seasonal)
- All necessary glacier and safety equipment
- Sightseeing at Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
Landmarks/POIs Reynisfjara Beach Vatnajokull National Park Skaftafell Vatnajokull Glacier Myradalsjokull Glacier Katia Volcano Eyjafjallajokull Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Diamond Beach - Day 4
Hofn to Egilsstadir
You're heading away from the main tourist routes along the Eastern Fjords to Djupivogur fishing village. There you'll see the Eggin of Gleðivík sculpture showing 34 bird species. A scenic hike takes you to Hengifoss, Iceland's second-highest waterfall, and you'll also visit Litlanesfoss. Watch for reindeer during the drive. You'll spend the night in Egilsstadir, a riverside town in the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- View Eggin of Gleðivík sculpture
- Scenic hike to Hengifoss waterfall
- Sightseeing at Litlanesfoss waterfall
Optional Activities
- Reindeer gazing and photography
Landmarks/POIs Djupivogur Eggin of Gleðivík Hengifoss Waterfall Litlanesfoss Waterfall - Day 5
Egilsstadir to Akureyri
You'll head to Mödrudalur, the country's highest inhabited farm with its high-altitude coffee house. If the weather cooperates, you'll visit Dettifoss Waterfall with its powerful flow. Next you'll explore Lake Myvatn's geothermal zone including Hverfjall Crater and Dimmuborgir lava formations. There's time to relax at Myvatn Nature Baths with optional mineral-rich water (paid on-site). Before arriving in Akureyri, you'll see Godafoss waterfall where Iceland adopted Christianity in 1000 AD. Akureyri has nice fjord views and good restaurants.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing at Lake Myvatn
- Sightseeing at Namakarð geothermal area
- Sightseeing at Hverfjall Crater
- Sightseeing at Dimmuborgir lava formations
- Sightseeing at Godafoss waterfall
Optional Activities
- Visit Dettifoss Waterfall (weather permitting)
- Bathe in Myvatn Nature Baths mineral-rich waters (pay locally)
Landmarks/POIs Mödrudalur Dettifoss Waterfall Lake Myvatn Namakarð Hverfjall Crater Dimmuborgir Lava Formations Myvatn Nature Baths Godafoss Waterfall - Day 6
Akureyri to Laugarbakki
A three-hour whale-watching cruise leaves from Dalvik where you might see humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and possibly blue whales depending on season. There's an option to fish and cook your catch if interested. After the cruise, you'll explore Dalvik itself and its skiing reputation, then drive to Siglufjördur with its colorful houses tied to herring history. You'll travel the scenic Trollaskagi Peninsula past small fishing communities and through Skagafjördur fjord near historic Drangey Island. The night is in Laugarbakki with another northern lights opportunity.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Three-hour whale-watching cruise from Dalvik
Optional Activities
- Fishing during whale-watching cruise (taste what you catch)
Landmarks/POIs Dalvik Siglufördur Trollaskagi Peninsula Skagafordur Drangey Island - Day 7
Laugarbakki to Reykjavik
You'll return to Reykjavik with several scenic stops through the western region. There's time at Deildartunguhver Hot Spring and Barnafoss waterfall, then you'll see Hraunfossar cascades where water flows from the lava, and stop in Reykholt village. You'll pass through Hvalfjördur fjord and arrive back in Reykjavik around 5 to 6 PM. That evening, you'll join a northern lights minibus tour with guides monitoring the aurora forecast to position you for the best viewing.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Northern Lights minibus tour in Reykjavik with expert guides
Optional Activities
- Visit Deildartunguhver Hot Spring
- Visit Barnafoss waterfall
- View Hraunfossar cascades
- Stop in Reykholt village
Landmarks/POIs Borgarfjordur Deildartunguhver Hot Spring Barnafoss Waterfall Hraunfossar Cascade Reykholt Hvalfjördur - Day 8
Reykjavik
Your final day is relaxed with time to explore Reykjavik however you'd like before the tour ends after breakfast. You could take a scenic bike ride, visit nearby mountain-view areas like Seltjarnarnes or Mosfellsbær by bus, check out the Botanical Gardens, see the historic hot spring pools where laundry was done, or swim at Laugardalslaug, Iceland's largest pool. There are endless options across nature, shopping, restaurants, and museums throughout the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Seltjarnarnes peninsula
- Visit Mosfellsbær peninsula
- Visit Reykjavik Botanical Gardens
- Swim at hot spring pools
- Swim at Laugardalslaug pool
- Explore nature by bike
- Shop in Reykjavik
- Visit museums and restaurants
Landmarks/POIs Seltjarnarnes Mosfellsbær Reykjavik Botanical Gardens Laugardalslaug Swimming Pool
