Itinerary
- Day 1
Reykjavik to Hellissandur
Your pickup happens at 9:00 a.m. from central Reykjavik, then you'll head west along the Snaefellsnes Peninsula coastline. Borgarnes comes first, where you can check out Viking history before moving on to the basalt columns at Gerduberg. The golden-sand beach at Ytri Tunga is next, followed by the hamlet of Budir with its dramatic landscapes. From there, the fishing village of Arnarstapi gives you a sense of local life. Later, you'll explore the black sand at Djupalonssandur Beach, where shipwreck remnants and historic lifting stones are scattered around. The day winds down at your rural accommodation in Hellissandur.
Included Activities
- Visit Borgarnes for Viking history
- Explore basalt columns at Gerduberg
- Visit Ytri Tunga's golden-sand beach
- Visit the hamlet of Budir
- Explore the fishing village of Arnarstapi
- Visit Malarrif visitor center and lighthouse
- Explore Djupalonssandur Beach with black sand
- Short hike along pebble-strewn shore
- Explore shipwreck remnants
- Lift stones to test strength like old fishermen
Optional Activities
- Tour Vatnshellir Cave - ancient lava tube in Snaefellsnes National Park (extra fee)
Landmarks/POIs Borgarnes Gerduberg Ytri Tunga Budir Arnarstapi Vatnshellir Cave Malarrif Djupalonssandur Beach 
- Day 2
Hellissandur to Reykjavik
After breakfast, you head to Mount Kirkjufell, the photogenic peak known from Game of Thrones. A quick stop in Grundarfjordur handles snacks and essentials. Then you'll see Hraunfossar waterfalls flowing through lava and Barnafoss with its tragic legend attached. Historic Reykholt is next on the route, where you can visit the hot spring pool of poet Snorri Sturluson. Before returning to Reykjavik around 6 p.m., you'll take in Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful hot spring.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Mount Kirkjufell
- Stop at Grundarfjordur
- Visit Hraunfossar waterfalls
- Visit Barnafoss waterfall
- Explore historic Reykholt
- Visit Snorralaug hot spring pool
- Marvel at Deildartunguhver hot spring
Optional Activities
- Unwind at Krauma Geothermal Baths (extra fee - book online)
- Visit Sturlureykir horse farm to meet Icelandic horses and explore geothermal heating system
Landmarks/POIs Mount Kirkjufell Grundarfjordur Hraunfossar Barnafoss Reykholt Snorralaug Krauma Geothermal Baths Sturlureykir Deildartunguhver - Day 3
Reykjavik to Kirkjubaejarklaustur
After breakfast, the Golden Circle starts at Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO site where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet in a visible rift valley. You'll see Thingvallavatn, Iceland's largest lake, then head to Haukadalur Valley to watch Strokkur geyser erupt every few minutes up to 25 metres high. Gullfoss, the Golden Waterfall, comes next. The Ring Road takes you past volcano Hekla, then to Seljalandsfoss Waterfall where you can actually walk behind the falls. The day ends near Kirkjubaejarklaustur.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Thingvellir National Park - UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Visit Thingvallavatn, Iceland's largest lake
- Visit Haukadalur Valley to see Strokkur geyser
- Visit Gullfoss, the Golden Waterfall
- Visit Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
- Walk behind Seljalandsfoss falls
Optional Activities
- See the Northern Lights (weather permitting, winter departures only)
Landmarks/POIs Thingvellir National Park Thingvallavatn Strokkur Gullfoss Hekla Seljalandsfoss - Day 4
Kirkjubaejarklaustur to Vatnajokull and back
After breakfast, you journey east through dramatic lava fields and glacier sands into Vatnajokull National Park. Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is where majestic icebergs float after breaking off from Breidamerkurjokull glacier, and seals might appear. From there, Diamond Beach shows you translucent icebergs on coal-black sand. You'll then reach Vatnajokull Glacier in Skaftafell for a glacier hike with certified experts who provide crampons. The hike takes you through crevasses, moulins, and into a natural ice cave. You return to Kirkjubaejarklaustur by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
- Visit Diamond Beach
- Glacier hike on Vatnajokull Glacier - guided by certified experts
- Explore glacier crevasses and moulins
- Tour natural ice cave
Optional Activities
- See the Northern Lights (weather permitting, winter departures only)
Landmarks/POIs Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Breidamerkurjokull Diamond Beach Vatnajokull Glacier Skaftafell 
- Day 5
Kirkjubaejarklaustur to Reykjavik
After breakfast, you begin the journey back to Reykjavik with a stop at Fjadrargljufur Canyon. Additional stops include the iconic Elhraun lava field and Reynisfjara, the famous black sand beach where you can explore a black basalt cave and see towering sea stacks offshore. Skogafoss comes next, one of Iceland's most impressive waterfalls at more than 60 metres high, with 527 steps to climb if you want the panoramic viewpoint. You'll arrive back in Reykjavik between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Stop at Fjadrargljufur Canyon
- Visit Elhraun lava field
- Visit Reynisfjara black sand beach
- Explore black basalt cave
- View towering sea stacks off the coast
- Visit Skogafoss waterfall
- Climb 527 steps to panoramic viewpoint (optional within visit)
Landmarks/POIs Fjadrargljufur Canyon Elhraun Reynisfjara Skogafoss 
