Day 1: Welcome to Iceland!

Transfer from Keflavik airport to your accommodation in Reykjavik with the Fly Bus (included).Depending on your arrival time, we recommend that you take a trip to the famous Blue Lagoon Spa and have a swim in the geothermal warm water.

Overnight at a 3* hotel in Reykjavik, Fosshotel Barón or similar

Driving distance approx. 50 km

 

Day 2: Waterfalls and Akureyri the capital of the north

After breakfast we start our round-trip of Iceland by heading towards Borgarfjördur. We visit Reykholt and the splendid waterfalls of Hraunfossar and Barnafoss. Then we stop at Deildartunguhver; Icelan´s largest hot spring (in terms of water production per second).  From Borgarnes we drive to the North of Iceland through the Skagafjördur region, an area known for horse breeding and many Icelandic horses can be seen grazing in the fields of the Skagafjörður valley.  As we apporach the village of Varmahlíð we make a short detour and visit the Glaumbær museum, which is one of the best preserved turf farmhouses in Iceland, located just north of Varmahlíð (included in price).  Then we continue until we reach Akureyri, the major town in North Iceland. We visit the town with its beautiful church and botanical gardens, or shop at leisure.  If you are up to it after a long drive you might even want to race your fellow travelers up and down the church stairs, a popular thing to do when in Akureyri.

Overnight at a 3* hotel in Akureyri, Hotel Norðurland or similar

Driving distance approx. 420 km

 

Day 3: Waterfall and Lake Mývatn

Heading for a day excursion to Myvatn, we stop en route at the Godafoss waterfall,the waterfall of the pagan gods. Then to the Myvatn area where we spend the day exploring the wonders around the lake, which is one of Iceland's most interesting regions with fantastic volcanic formations, geothermal activity and the lake itself, teeming with bird life, particularly ducks. We take a walk at the Dimmuborgir lava formations and also a look at the Skutustadir pseudocraters. We visit the amazing boiling mud pools and steam vents of Námaskard, and then the Krafla area, where a series of volcanic eruptions took place from 1975-1984.  Drive back to hotel for a second overnight stay.

Second overnight at a 3* hotel in Akureyri, Hotel Norðurland or similar

Driving distance approx. 250 km

 

Day 4: Dettifoss Waterfall and Ásbyrgi

In the morning we drive to the charming fishing village of Husavik and from there we continue round the attractive stretch of coastline of Tjörnes peninsula until we arrive at Ásbyrgi, a horse-shoe-shaped gorge, reputed to be the hoof print of Odin’s eight-legged horse Sleipnir. Then to the mighty Dettifoss, Iceland's and Europe’s most powerful waterfall, which thunders 44 meters into a deep gorge.  You will literally feel the earth tremble beneath your feet so be careful around the edges as they may be slippery.  Then we continue our trip through the desert highlands of Mödrudalur to the village of Egilsstadir, on the banks of Lake Lögurinn, in the centre of Eastern Iceland.  If you are lucky you might catch a glimpse of theLagarfljótsormurinn, a large creature that lives in Lake Lögurinn.

Overnight at a 3* hotel in Egilsstaðir area, Hotel Hallormsstaður or similar

Driving distance approx. 340 km

 

Day 5: The East Fjords

Today's journey takes us south through the sheltered East Fjords and their small fishing villages. We pass the villages of Reydarfjördur and Fáskrúdsfjördur before we arrive in Stödvarfjördur where you have the option to visit Petra’s famous stone collection (entrance included). Next we drive to Breiddalsvík and Djúpivogur, and finally head to Iceland’s Southeast Region to the village of Höfn, also known as the lobster capital of Iceland.

Overnight at a 3* hotel Höfn area, Fosshotel Vatnajökull or similar

Driving distance approx. 270 km

 

Day 6: Skaftafell National Park , waterfalls and Icebergs

This is a day with views of some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes. We start with a drive along the southern side of Vatnajökull, Europe's largest ice-cap, to the glacial lagoon Jökulsárlón, where we will sail out between the numerous icebergs that fill the lagoon (30 – 40 min. boat tour included). Next we explore Skaftafell National Park, a breathtaking area right under Vatnajökull Glacier and known for its unique natural features.  Many wild flower species thrive in the shelter of the birch forest found on the lower slopes of the mountains. Here you can choose between many different hiking trails through the park and visit beautiful waterfalls like Svartifoss (approx. 1 ½ hour hike – 4 km round trip). From Skaftafell we continue over the Skeidarársandur black sand plains to Kirkjubæjarklaustur village and then on towards the village of Vík.  In Kirkjubæjarklaustur we will stop at Dverghamrar, Dwarf Rocks, a peculiar and beautiful formations of columnar basalt thought to have been molded at the end of the Ice Age.  Dverghamrar are a protected natural monument. When we reach Vík we can go for a stroll on the beach.  The black sand beaches of the south coast are famous and you can take a walk on them in the little village of Vík or in Reynishverfi.  You need to be careful though because the strong waves have been known to swift careless observers out to sea. We drive towards Dyrholey, a 120 meter high bird cliff from which you can enjoy a unique view over Iceland’s south coast. Dyrholaey is also one of Iceland’s largest puffin colonies in the summer time.

Overnight at a 3* hotel in Vík area, Hotel Katla or similar

Driving distance approx. 280 km

 

Day 7: Waterfalls and the Golden Circle

Today we start with a visit to the waterfall Skógarfoss, and the Skógar Folk Museum (entrance included). This is one of Iceland’s largest museums covering life in Iceland in past centuries. Next we stop at the waterfall Seljalandsfoss waterfall and after that we proceed to two of the country’s most famous sites. The first of these is Geysir, where the hot spring Strokkur ejects its water column high into the air every 5–10 minutes and where numerous small springs boil and bubble. Then we continue to Gullfoss, surely the country’s most famous waterfall, before we drive to Thingvellir National Park. This is a historical site where the Icelandic parliament was founded in the 10th century.  Thingvellir is also one of the geological wonders of the world and there you will see astonishing fissures and lava fields. After visiting this remarkable site, we continue to Reykjavik.

Overnight at a 3* hotel in Reykjavik, Fosshotel Barón  or similar

Driving distance approx. 300 km

 

Day 8: Departure

Transfer to Keflavik Airport with the Airport Shuttle Bus for return flight (included in the price).

Driving distance approx. 50 km