Iceland Complete

Welcome to the Land of Fire and Ice! Independent transfer on Flybus Shuttle (no guide) from Keflavik International Airport to Reykjavik. Ingolfur Arnarson, the first settler of Iceland, built his farm on the peninsula where Reykjavik 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. Once in Reykjavik, check into your hotel. If you arrive early in the day, you might want to explore Reykjavik’s old town area, location of many museums and galleries. You might also enjoy visiting one of the city’s outdoor geothermal swimming pools where you can shake off your jetlag. In the afternoon you could take one of our day tours, such as whale watching or horseback riding, both bringing you close to Iceland’s nature and landscape. 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. Tonight, there will be an information meeting at your hotel. You‘ll meet your guide and travel companions and learn more about the tour. Overnight stay in Reykjavik at Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura.

Breakfast at your hotel. Your guide will meet you at the hotel around 8:45am (Please be in the lobby with your luggage, ready for a great day in South Iceland! After a quick introduction to our home city of Reykjavik, head to the greenhouse village of Hveragerdi and then 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* and the black sand beaches of Iceland’s South Shore. Continue to Vik, Iceland’s southern-most town. Dinner and overnight at Icelandair Hotel Vik.

Breakfast at your hotel. Today you will be in a world of glaciers! You’ll be visiting the southern area of Vatnajokull National Park, named after Europe’s largest glacier. The total park area covers almost 14% of Iceland, making it the largest national park in Western Europe. Drive through vast sand plains created by glacial outwashes as you head east. Visit the national park’s famous Skaftafell area, a site of outstanding natural beauty. Enjoy the views of rich green landscapes and black sands dominated by several magnificent glaciers. You’ll also see Svinafellsjokull, one of the most beautiful glacial “tongues” that are slowly creeping down from Vatnajokull. Visit Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon where you’ll enjoy the breath-taking sight of icebergs floating in the fantastic 180m (591 ft.) deep glacial lagoon. Make sure that camera is charged and ready! Nearby is the dramatic beauty of the Diamond Beach, named for the shrinking icebergs that settle on the black sands before drifting out to sea. Your overnight is in Hofn, a fishing port in the shadow of Vatnajokull glacier. Dinner is on your own. Hofn has a nice selection of restaurants and cafes. The local specialty is langoustines (Norway lobsters), and you might enjoy the opportunity to try some for yourself! Overnight at Hotel Höfn.

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. We’re sure you’ll love the amazing views, so keep your camera ready. You will also pass villages, each with its own special history and charm. One of these is the tiny village of Breiddalsvik. Your group will visit the Beljandi Microbrewery and sample some of the wonderful beer. The local community came together in 2017 to transform a rustic warehouse into a charmingly quirky brewery. You’ll meet one of the townsfolk and get a feel for life in a small town, as well as see how great beer is made. The road brings you to Egilsstadir town, located near Iceland’s largest forest and a lake said to be home to a legendary (friendly) monster. The area also has an excellent reputation for locally sourced cuisine, and you’ll enjoy some of it at dinner. Dinner and overnight at Icelandair Hotel Herad.

Breakfast at your hotel. Explore the empty vastness of the highland desert plateau Modrudalsoraefi, desolate and yet hauntingly beautiful, as you head towards the Lake Myvatn area. On the way, stop at Dettifoss, Europe’s largest and most powerful waterfall. Continue onwards to the Namaskard pass with its boiling mud pools and vibrant colors. We often feel like we are visiting another planet when we come here, and you may the same way. It’s such a surreal experience! Explore the natural beauty of the Lake Myvatn area, including the pseudo craters at Skutustadir and the Laxa salmon river. You will probably see why this area has become so popular for film producers. Dinner and overnight at Sel-Hotel Mývatn.

Breakfast at your hotel. Start the day by exploring the peculiar lava formations at Dimmuborgir. The name means “Dark Citadels“ in Icelandic, and they certainly look as if they were built by fantasy creatures. Legend has it that elves live here, so be respectful during your visit.

After leaving Myvatn your group will visit magnificent Godafoss waterfall, one of the most important symbols of North Iceland. You’ll also peek into the past with a visit to the old turf farm Laufas. Enjoy a taste of some traditional Icelandic farmhouse refreshments and hear tales of life in the old days. Afterwards, you’ll see Akureyri, the colorful northern “capital“ of Iceland. The town has charming buildings and a beautiful view of the Eyjafjordur fjord. After spending some time in Akureyri, you’ll 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 its black sand coastline. The destination is Siglufjordur town, 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. You may even recognize some of the buildings; the town was a filming location for the popular Icelandic thriller series Trapped. The town is actually a relaxing and friendly place, and it’s lovely to spend an evening soaking in the hot tubs of your hotel while enjoying the scenic fjord views. Dinner. Overnight at Hotel Siglo.

Breakfast at your hotel. This morning visit Siglufjordur’s award-winning Herring-Era Maritime Museum. The museum recreates the atmosphere of the early 20th century, when Siglufjordur was transformed into a frontier-like boom town, thanks to a large migration of herring. The museum will transport you back to that exciting time. Afterwards, head along majestic mountains and narrow passes 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. This is a part of Iceland known mentioned in the ancient Viking tale, Vatnsdaela Saga. Cross the Holtavorduheidi plateau taking you into West Iceland. Drive through Borgarfjordur, a region that has been getting international recognition for its diverse types of scenery and its Viking history. Dinner. Overnight at Icelandair Hotel Hamar.

Breakfast at your hotel. Visit some of the beautiful natural wonders of Borgarfjordur. Drive to Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in Europe. Stop to admire the beautiful Hraunfossar waterfalls, where brightly blue water rushes through black lava formations. Nearby is Barnafoss, a waterfall with even more brilliantly blue colors. There is an interesting and poignant legend associated with this waterfall. Drive through the scenic and mountain lined 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. You will have the unusual experience of walking between two continents! Afterwards, head to Reykjavik for a last night in the colorful capital city, where your guide bids you farewell. Dinner on own. Overnight at Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura.

Tour ends following breakfast. Independent transfer on Flybus shuttle to the Keflavik Airport for return flight.