Itinerary
- Day 1
Reykjavik
A shuttle bus brings you from Keflavik Airport to your Reykjavik accommodation. After settling in, the rest of the day is yours to explore. The Hallgrimskirkja Church stands out with its distinctive architecture, and the old town has plenty of colorful streets to wander. You can relax at one of the local cafes, check out the harbor, or visit the National Gallery of Iceland if museums interest you.
Included Activities
- Transfer from Keflavik International Airport to Reykjavik accommodation via included Flybus shuttle bus
Optional Activities
- Visit Hallgrimskirkja Church
- Explore old town streets
- Visit National Gallery of Iceland
- Explore harbor area
- Relax at cafes
Landmarks Hallgrimskirkja Church National Gallery of Iceland - Day 2
Reykjavik to Akureyri
At 09:00 your guide meets you and heads west past the Hvalfjordur fjord through Borgarnes. An easy walk takes you up the Grabrok volcano crater surrounded by greenish lava. The turf church at Vidimyri is worth seeing, then you'll drive through fjord valleys and over mountain passes toward Akureyri, the main town in North Iceland. By evening you can explore Akureyri on your own.
Included Activities
- Easy hike up Grabrok volcano crater
- Stop at Vidimyri turf church
Landmarks Hvalfjordur fjord Borgarnes Grabrok volcano crater Vidimyri turf church 
- Day 3
Akureyri to Lake Myvatn
You'll start in Akureyri and take in the views across Eyjafjordur fjord. Then it's on to Godafoss, the 'Waterfall of the Gods,' which is genuinely impressive. Lake Myvatn's geological features fill the afternoon with lava formations at Kalfastrond, the pseudo craters near Skutustadir, and the Hverfjall tephra cone. By day's end you'll soak in the Myvatn Nature Baths with geothermal waters and views across the whole area around 75°F/24°C.
Included Activities
- Visit Godafoss waterfall
- Visit lava formations at Kalfastrond
- Visit pseudo craters at Skutustadir
- Visit tephra cone Hverfjall
- Relax in Myvatn Nature Baths
Optional Activities
- Whale watching tour from 09:00-12:00 in Akureyri (April to October, available at extra cost)
Landmarks Godafoss waterfall Lake Myvatn Kalfastrond lava formations Skutustadir pseudo craters Hverfjall tephra cone Myvatn Nature Baths - Day 4
Lake Myvatn to Bakkagerethi
Morning takes you through Dimmuborgir, the 'dark castles' lava labyrinth where local folklore says trolls hide out. After that, you'll head to the hot spring area of Namaskard with its bubbling mud pools and steaming vents. Later in the afternoon you drive through remote highlands with moon-like terrain as you make your way toward East Iceland.
Included Activities
- Explore lava labyrinth at Dimmuborgir
- Visit hot spring area of Namaskard
Landmarks Dimmuborgir lava labyrinth Namaskard hot spring area Dettifoss waterfall 
- Day 5
Bakkagerethi to Oraefi
The East Fjords show off their dramatic landscapes and tiny fishing villages tucked at the ends of winding roads. You'll visit a collection of stones and minerals, then in the afternoon see Vatnajokull, Europe's largest glacier, which dominates the view across Southeast Iceland's terrain.
Included Activities
- Explore East Fjords
- Visit collection of stones and minerals
Landmarks East Fjords Vatnajokull glacier - Day 6
Oraefi to Hella
Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon with its floating icebergs opens the day, and you might spot seals in the water. Then it's Diamond Beach where large icebergs wash ashore. Driving along Vatnajokull's southern edge gives you views of Iceland's second-largest national park. The afternoon moves through lava fields and sandy deserts before reaching the black sand at Reynisfjara near Vik. You'll see Skogafoss waterfall at 60 meters and check out the Skogar Folk Museum with its traditional turf houses. Later, Seljalandsfoss waterfall lets you actually walk behind the falls.
Included Activities
- Visit Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon
- Amphibian boat tour on Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon (May-September, depending on weather conditions)
- Walk along Diamond Beach
- Walk on black lava beach at Reynisfjara
- Visit Skogafoss waterfall
- Visit Skogar Folk Museum
- Visit Seljalandsfoss waterfall
Landmarks Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon Diamond Beach Vatnajokull glacier Eldhraun lava field Reynisfjara black sand beach Skogafoss waterfall Skogar Folk Museum Seljalandsfoss waterfall 
- Day 7
Hella to Reykjavik
The Golden Circle route starts at Fridheimar where you learn about Icelandic horses and tour a geothermal greenhouse. Next comes the Geysir geothermal area with steam rising from hot springs and bubbling pools. Strokkur erupts roughly every 5 to 7 minutes and you'll witness that. Gullfoss is the 32-meter double waterfall dropping into the Hvita River. Then Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, rounds out the natural sights. You'll finish with a quick tour of Reykjavik, the world's northernmost capital, before heading back.
Included Activities
- Visit Fridheimar - Icelandic horse stables and geothermal greenhouse
- Visit Geysir geothermal area and witness Strokkur eruption
- Visit Gullfoss waterfall
- Visit Thingvellir National Park
- Brief city tour of Reykjavik
Landmarks Fridheimar Geysir geothermal area Strokkur geyser Gullfoss waterfall Thingvellir National Park - Day 8
Reykjavik to Blue Lagoon and back
You'll drive through rugged lava fields to reach the Blue Lagoon where the mineral-rich geothermal waters sit around 104°F/40°C. This excursion has no guide, so you can relax at your own pace. In the afternoon, explore Reykjavik freely or stay longer at the lagoon for optional spa treatments. If you linger, just make your own way back to the hotel.
Included Activities
- Blue Lagoon excursion including entrance and towel
Optional Activities
- Optional spa treatments at Blue Lagoon (extra cost)
Landmarks Blue Lagoon 
- Day 9
Reykjavik to Ilulissat
A transfer takes you from your accommodation to Keflavik for a 3-hour flight to Ilulissat, Greenland. Once you arrive, another transfer brings you to the hotel where your new guide meets you. A guided walk through Ilulissat introduces the town, then you're free to explore the local museum or watch life at the busy harbor. Around 22:00, a sunset cruise heads out to the Ilulissat Icefjord, the world's largest ice sculpture park. The 3-hour cruise shows off changing lights and colors while you sip a drink on 'Greenlandic rocks.'
- Meals
- Dinner (2-course welcome dinner at hotel in Ilulissat)
Included Activities
- Transfer from accommodation to Keflavik International Airport
- Economy class flight from Keflavik to Ilulissat
- Transfer from airport to hotel in Ilulissat
- Guided city walk in Ilulissat (1-2 hours)
- 3 hour sunset cruise on Ilulissat Icefjord
Optional Activities
- Visit local museum in Ilulissat
- Observe Greenlandic life at harbor
Landmarks Ilulissat Icefjord - Day 10
Ilulissat to Sermermiut and back
After hotel breakfast a bus takes you as far as the road goes, then a guided hike leads to Sermermiut, an old Inuit settlement on the UNESCO World Heritage Ilulissat Icefjord. The settlement sits 1.5 km south of town surrounded by icebergs. You'll learn how Inuit cultures lived here for the past 4,000 years and see evidence from ancient times and old settlement plots. After the hike you visit a local family's home for coffee while they share stories about living in this remote part of the world.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided hike to old Sermermiut settlement at Ilulissat Icefjord
- Home visit with local family in Greenland
Landmarks Sermermiut settlement Ilulissat Icefjord - Day 11
Ilulissat to Ilimanaq and Disko Bay
A boat sails south along the Ilulissat Icefjord with towering icebergs and local fishermen in small boats visible. You'll stop at Ilimanaq where hunting and fishing drive daily life, and see historic wooden houses from a Danish trading station built back in 1730. Lunch features Greenlandic specialties at a local restaurant. On the return to Ilulissat, a whale watching cruise through Disko Bay might show minke, fin, humpback or blue whales, plus orcas, belugas, or maybe narwhals.
- Meals
- Lunch (Greenlandic specialities at local restaurant in Ilimanaq)
Included Activities
- Sail along Ilulissat Icefjord
- Visit Ilimanaq settlement
- Meal at local restaurant
- Whale watching cruise through Disko Bay
Landmarks Ilimanaq settlement Disko Bay - Day 12
Ilulissat to Eqi Glacier
After breakfast you head out early by boat for an 80 km journey north to Eqi, a calving glacier. The 5 km wide glacier front is one of Greenland's most striking sights. You'll get close enough to hear the remarkable sounds and see massive chunks of ice break off and crash into the water. The full boat trip takes about 7 hours before returning to Ilulissat.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat trip to Eqi Glacier
- View 5 km wide Eqi Glacier front
Landmarks Eqi Glacier - Day 13
Ilulissat to Reykjavik
Morning allows time to explore Ilulissat and do any last shopping. Later you fly back to Keflavik and transfer to your hotel in Reykjavik.
Included Activities
- Economy class flight from Ilulissat to Keflavik
- Transfer from airport to hotel in Reykjavik
- Day 14
Reykjavik to Raufarholshellir Lava Tunnel
A driver picks you up for an unescorted excursion to Raufarholshellir, one of Iceland's longest and best-known lava tunnels. A local guide leads a 3-hour tour giving plenty of time to explore the cave's passages and formations. After returning to Reykjavik, your final evening is free to spend however you'd like.
Included Activities
- Excursion to Raufarholshellir Lava Tunnel with local guide (approximately 3 hours)
Landmarks Raufarholshellir lava tunnel - Day 15
Reykjavik
After breakfast, the Flybus shuttle takes you from your Reykjavik accommodation to Keflavik International Airport for your onward flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer from Reykjavik accommodation to Keflavik International Airport via included Flybus shuttle bus
