Itinerary
- Day 1
Reykjavik
You'll arrive in Reykjavik and have the rest of the day to explore at your own pace. Check out Hallgrimskirkja Church with its distinctive architecture, walk through the Perlan Glass Dome, see the Sun Voyager sculpture, or wander around the harbour side. It's a good chance to get oriented and grab dinner somewhere that appeals to you.
Optional Activities
- Explore Hallgrimskirkja Church
- Visit Perlan Glass Dome
- See Sun Voyager
- Walk around Harbour side
Landmarks Hallgrimskirkja Church Perlan Glass Dome Sun Voyager - Day 2
Golden Circle and South Coast
Your Golden Circle day starts with a pickup heading to Þingvellir National Park where you'll see dramatic rift valleys at this UNESCO site. Next comes the Geysir geothermal area to watch Strokkur geyser erupt, then lunch stops near Gullfoss waterfall. After that, you'll drive south to see Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, walk around the black sand beach at Reynisfjara with its basalt columns, and finally reach your South Coast hotel by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Þingvellir National Park
- Visit Geysir geothermal area and watch Strokkur geyser
- View Gullfoss waterfall
- Visit Seljalandsfoss waterfall
- Visit Skógafoss waterfall
- Explore Reynisfjara black sand beach
Optional Activities
- Walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall curtain
Landmarks Þingvellir National Park Strokkur Geyser Gullfoss Waterfall Seljalandsfoss Waterfall Skógafoss Waterfall Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach - Day 3
Vík to Höfn
After breakfast you'll drive to Vik village with its black sand beaches and dramatic rock formations. There's an optional Katla Ice Cave tour under Mýrdalsjökull glacier for $201 per adult, or you can spend time exploring Vik on your own. Following lunch in the village, you'll head to Fjáðrárlufur canyon, then continue to Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon to see icebergs. Stop at Diamond Beach where ice chunks scatter across black sand before driving to your hotel in the Höfn area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Vík village
- View Reynisdrangar sea stacks
- Visit Fjaðráglufur canyon
- Visit Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon
- Visit Diamond Beach
Optional Activities
- Katla Ice Cave tour beneath Mýrdalsjökull glacier ($201 per Adult)
- Explore Vík area with free time
Landmarks Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks Fjaðráglufur Canyon Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon Diamond Beach - Day 4
Eastern Iceland to Egilsstaðir
This morning you'll head to remote eastern Iceland, driving scenic coastal roads to Djúpivogur fishing village with harbour and mountain views. You'll see the Eggs in Gledivík, an outdoor artwork of 34 bird eggs. Then drive to Egilsstaðir (the Öxi highland road in summer past waterfalls, or the coast route in winter through villages), have lunch there, then head to Borgarfjörður Eystri to watch puffins during summer months. There's an optional stop at Vök Baths geothermal spa for $47 per adult or time to explore Egilsstaðir on your own before checking into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Djúpivogur fishing village
- View Eggs in Gledivík artwork
- Drive Öxi highland road (summer) or coastal route (winter)
- Visit Borgarfjörður Eystri
Optional Activities
- Watch puffins in Borgarfjörður Eystri (summer months only)
- Vök Baths geothermal oasis on Lake Urridavatn ($47 per Adult)
- Explore Egilsstaðir on your own instead of Vök Baths
Landmarks Djúpivogur Eggs in Gledivík Borgarfjörður Eystri Vök Baths - Day 5
Lake Mývatn Area to Akureyri
After breakfast you'll explore Studlagil Canyon on the west side with striking basalt columns and blue glacial water, then drive to Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall. From there, head to the Lake Mývatn area and see Námaskarð geothermal area with bubbling mud pots and otherworldly landscapes. Walk through Dimmuborgir lava field with its dark rock formations, visit Skútustaðagigar pseudocraters with panoramic views, and stop at Goðafoss Waterfall to learn about ancient Icelandic sagas before reaching your Akureyri area hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Stuðlagil Canyon
- Visit Dettifoss waterfall
- Visit Námaskarð geothermal area
- Explore Dimmuborgir lava field
- Visit Skútustadagígar pseudocraters
- Visit Goðafoss Waterfall
Landmarks Stuðlagil Canyon Dettifoss Waterfall Námaskarð Geothermal Area Dimmuborgir Lava Field Skútustadagígar Pseudocraters Goðafoss Waterfall - Day 6
Akureyri to Laugarbakki
Start with breakfast in Akureyri, known as the Capital of the North, then take a walk to the harbour where there's an optional whale watching tour for $94 per adult, or explore the main street, botanical gardens, and church stairs on your own. After lunch, drive to Glaumbaer historic turf farm and open-air museum to learn about Iceland's rural past. Visit Borgarvirki ancient volcanic fortress, see Hviserkur striking rock formation rising from the sea, and check out Kolugljúfur canyon with cascading waterfalls before reaching your Laugarbakki hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Akureyri town
- Walk to Akureyri harbor
- Visit Glaumbaer historic turf farm and open-air museum
- Visit Borgarvirki ancient volcanic plug fortress
- View Hviserkur rock formation
- Explore Kolugljúfur canyon
Optional Activities
- Whale Watching Tour in Akureyri ($94 per Adult)
- Visit Akureyri botanical gardens
- Climb stairs to Akureyri church
Landmarks Akureyri Glaumbaer Turf Farm Borgarvirki Hviserkur Kolugljúfur Canyon - Day 7
Return to Reykjavik
After breakfast you'll drive to Grábrók volcanic crater for short walk to the rim and panoramic views, then visit Glanni waterfall in the Húsafell area. Stop at Hraunfossar cascading waterfalls flowing through lava, tour Sturlureykir traditional horse farm to learn about Icelandic horses, and see Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful hot spring with boiling water gushing from the ground. You'll take a break in Borgarnes before the final drive back to Reykjavik where your adventure concludes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Grábróк volcanic crater
- Visit Glanni waterfall
- Explore Hraunfossar waterfalls
- Visit Sturlureykir Icelandic horse farm
- Visit Deildartunguhver hot spring
- Return to Reykjavik
Landmarks Grábróк Volcanic Crater Glanni Waterfall Hraunfossar Waterfalls Sturlureykir Deildartunguhver Borgarnes - Day 8
Blue Lagoon and Departure
On your last morning, relax in the geothermal Blue Lagoon spa for about 3 hours on your way to the airport, soaking in the hot mineral water. By noon, you'll drive to the airport for your return flight home, leaving with memories of your Icelandic journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Blue Lagoon spa (approximately 3 hours)
Landmarks Blue Lagoon
