Day 1: Arrive in Reykjavík

Welcome to the Land of Fire and Ice!  Transfer to Reykjavik hotel (On your own).  We recommend the easy and convenient FlyBus Plus transfers, which can be booked through us.  If your flight lands early in the day, a great suggestion is to explore Reykjavík, the largest municipality in Iceland.

Ingolfur Arnarson, the first settler of Iceland, built his farm on the peninsula where Reykjavík stands today. The town got its name “Smoky Bay” after the columns of steam that rose from the hot springs in the area and made such a deep impression on the first settlers.

Dinner is on your own.  Reykjavik offers a multitude of restaurants and/or coffee-houses, making dinner a great way to get better acquainted with Iceland’s capital. Overnight stay in Reykjavík.

Day 2: Reykjavík – Geysir – Gullfoss – Skogar – Dyrholaey – Vik

Exploding Geysers – Waterfalls – Seabird Colony – Black Sand Beaches of the South Shore

Start the day with a short city sightseeing of Reykjavik. From Reykjavik head through the greenhouse village of Hveragerdi.  Visit the nearby Fákasel Icelandic Horse Park where you can get to know a little more about the unique Icelandic horse breed. Head on to the Golden Circle natural wonders. Explore Gullfoss, the “Golden Waterfall”, and the nearby Geysir hot spring area to see the famous Geysir and Strokkur, as well as numerous other hot springs and boiling mud pools. Continue along the south shore and stop to admire the waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss before continuing to Dyrholaey* nature reserve. Continue to the village of Vik. Dinner and overnight stay in the Vik area.

*Please note that Dyrholaey is closed during nesting season in spring, approximately mid-May until June 25th.

Day 3: Vik – Skaftafell National Park – Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon – Hofn

Lava Fields – Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs – Europe’s Largest Glacier

After breakfast continue your journey on the Ring Road.  Cross Eldhraun, the largest lava flow recorded on the planet in historical times. Visit Kirkjubaejarklaustur town, the former site of a 12th-century Catholic convent. The tour continues over Skeidararsandur sands to Skaftafell, a beautiful glacial area within Vatnajökull National Park. Continue to the stunning Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon to see the birthplace of icebergs. Throughout the day you will also enjoy magnificent views of the mighty Vatnajokull Glacier. Dinner and overnight stay in the Hofn area.

Day 4: Hofn – East Fjords – Egilsstadir

Narrow Fjords – Steep Mountains – Picturesque Coastline – Mineral Collection

Breakfast at your hotel.  Drive from Hofn through Almannaskard pass, stopping to admire the majestic coastline. Continue to the towering mountains plunging vertically into the sea that form the magnificent East Fjords. Explore Petra’s renowned collection of local stones and minerals. Dinner and overnight stay in the Egilsstadir area.

Day 5: Lake Myvatn Area

Highland Desert – Bizarre Lava Formations – Geothermal & Volcanic Activity – Rich Birdlife – Protected Salmon River

After breakfast Explore the empty vastness of the highland desert plateau Modrudalsoraefi as you head towards the Lake Myvatn area. On the way, stop at Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall.  Continue onwards to Namaskard pass with its boiling mud pools and vibrant colours. Explore the natural beauty of the Lake Myvatn area, including the pseudo craters at Skutustadir and the Laxa Salmon River. One of the Myvatn area’s claims to fame is that it is home to more species of ducks than any other place on Earth, with very diverse birdlife in general.

Dinner and overnight stay in the Myvatn area.

Day 6: Lake Myvatn Area – Akureyri – Siglufjordur

“Waterfall of the Gods” – Folk Museum – The beautiful Troll Peninsula

Start the day by exploring the peculiar lava formations at Dimmuborgir. Visit the magnificent Godafoss waterfall and the old turf farm Laufas. Afterwards, visit Akureyri, the colourful northern “capital“ of Iceland.  The town has charming buildings and beautiful view of the Eyjafjordur Fjord.  After spending some time in Akureyri, continue along the coastal roads of Eyjafjordur and the Troll Peninsula.  This is a beautiful drive along steep mountains with amazing views over the Arctic Sea and black sand coastline.  The destination is Siglufjordur, set in a beautiful fjord of the same name.  This town has some of the finest timber buildings in the country, beautifully restored to their original glory.   The evening and dinner is on your own at one of the town´s restaurants.  Siglufjordur is a very enjoyable and friendly town for an evening stroll. Overnight in Siglufjörður.  Dinner is on own.

Day 7: Skagafjordur – Borgarnes

Fertile Farmlands – Glacial Rivers – Unique Viking Horse Demonstration

This morning visit Siglufjordur‘s award-winning Herring-Era Museum. The museum recreates the atmosphere of the early 20th century, when Siglufjordur was transformed into a herring boom town, thanks to a large migration of herring.  Afterwards, head along   majestic mountains and narrow passes lead to Skagafjordur, considered to be one of the finest places in Iceland for horse breeding.   Enjoy an introduction to the unique Icelandic horse breed with its special fifth gait – the tolt. Continue towards the village of Blonduos built on both sides of the river Blanda.  Hrutey Island, a protected nature reserve, sits within the centre of this popular Salmon River. Cross the Holtavorduheidi plateau through Borgarfjordur to the beautiful town of Borgarnes. Dinner and overnight stay in Borgarnes area.

Day 8: Borgarfjordur – Thingvellir – Reykjavik

Europe’s Largest Hot Spring – Picturesque Waterfalls – National Park with Geological Wonders (UNESCO)

Drive to Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in the world. Stop to admire the beautiful Hraunfossar waterfalls before continuing via Hvalfjordur fjord to Lake Thingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest lake and Thingvellir National Park.  This UNESCO heritage site is where the world‘s oldest continuing parliamentary government was founded in the 10th century.  It is also the place where the North American and European tectonic plates meet.

Overnight stay in Reykjavík.  Dinner is on your own.

Day 9: Reykjavik – Departure

After breakfast it’s time to check out. Transfer to the airport (On your own) for your onward flight or back home.

Tour ends with Memorable Travelstories…!!