8 Day - Ultimate Iceland Highlight Hitter

Day 1

The day starts with a pick-up from your accommodation in Reykjavík. First, we will head out to explore the famous Golden Circle, which includes Þingvellir National Park where Icelanders founded their parliament in the year 930 A.D., the oldest parliament in the world. The Circle includes Geysir hot springs and Gullfoss waterfall. Next, we will drive to the beautiful South Coast. Our first stop is at Seljalandsfoss, a unique opportunity to experience the power and wonder of nature. Don´t view this one from a distance – the walking path will take you directly behind the waterfall itself. Next, we will stop at the scenic Skógafoss, where the water crashes down over sea cliffs that marked the coastline of Iceland long ago. Watch out for rainbows – the incredible spray from this waterfall makes it an ideal spot to catch one or even two at a time. The final stop of the day is at Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, the home of the famous Reynisdrangar peaks, rumoured to be the figures of two trolls caught in the sun and turned to stone, and a basalt column cave. After that, we will make our way to a country hotel near the charming village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, where we will rest for the night.

Day 2

The journey continues along the South coast in the direction of Skaftafell and Vatnajökull National Park. At Skaftafell, another of Iceland´s three national parks, we will take a 3-hour glacier hike on one of Vatnajökull outlet glaciers, led by one of our skilled glacier guides. After that bracing experience, we will explore a little further Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon where we can expect to see floating icebergs and the occasional frolicking seal. Beside the glacier lake, we will find another black sand crystal beach, which is usually filled with clear icebergs that have floated back to shore. For the evening, we will lay our heads in accommodations in the pleasant seaside town of Höfn.

Day 3

The scenery continues as we follow the coastline of the East Fjords to Egilsstaðir, a picturesque town on the banks of the Lagarfljót River. On the way there, we will go for a 3-hour hike to Hengifoss, one of the highest waterfalls in Iceland which drops into a striking gorge. Next is Litlanesfoss waterfall – look for the red strata climbing the walls around the waterfall, created by volcanic ash and basaltic lava over thousands of years as the cliff was formed in the heat of many mighty eruptions. We will then make our way to our accommodation for the night.

Day 4

This day is filled with highlights of Iceland. Our first stop is at the magnificent Dettifoss, the largest waterfall in Iceland. Next, we head to the Lake Mývatn area. Here our first stop will be Námaskarð geothermal area, filled with mud pools and fumaroles, which are an interesting geological feature marking a vent for steam and hot gasses in the Earth´s crust. We'll then make a stop at Earth Lagoon (formally Mývatn Nature Baths), where you have the opportunity to bath in the hot spring pools. The entrance fee can be added when booking or paid on site. For those that don't wish to go in the water, they can stroll around the area and enjoy the views or sit down in the cafeteria. Next up, we will take a walk to the Hverfjall crater, caused by a volcano eruption 2500 years ago, and Dimmuborgir, the “dark cities” of lava formations that tower overhead. We will continue our drive around Lake Mývatn before heading in the direction of Akureyri, with a stop on the way at Goðafoss Waterfall. Our accommodation will be at an inviting country hotel near Akureyri, the second largest city in Iceland.

Day 5

We will start the day by exploring the town of Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland. Then, we will drive to the neighbouring town of Dalvík where we go for a 3-hour whale watching tour in Eyjafjörður fjord. Take this opportunity to enjoy the wonders of sea life, including humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and the occasional blue whale. If fishing interests you, give sea angling a try and taste whatever you catch. Next, we will travel the Tröllaskagi Peninsula, which will take us through a couple of fishing hamlets before we stop in the cosy village of Siglufjörður. Thereafter, we will head to West Iceland, where we will spend the night in a hotel in a small college community.

Day 6

On our final day, we will explore part of West Iceland, voted one of the best travel destinations in 2016 by Lonely Planet. We will stop at Deildartunguhver hot spring, Europe‘s most powerful hot spring. Next, we will view the Hraunfossar waterfalls flowing from underneath the lava field and walk to the nearby Barnafoss waterfall. Our final stop of the day is at the historic site of Reykholt where Snorri Sturluson, medieval historian, politician and writer of some of our greatest sagas, lived. In the evening you'll be dropped off at the accommodation in Borgarnes that you'll be staying in for the night.

Day 7

On this day you'll be picked up at 10 am, after you have had breakfast and check out of the hotel. You will explore the Snæfellsnes peninsula on this day, the first stop of the day is the charming coastal village of Arnarstapi and Hellnar, where you have the chance of having lunch before we head into the Snæfellsnes National Park. There you can upgrade to 8000 year old Vatnshellir lava cave tour or wander around the area with views of Snæfellsjökull glacier. Next up is the magnificent Djúpalónssandur beach, where you can find boat wreckage and "the lifting stones", where fisherman measured their strenght. The last main stop of the day is at Mt. Kirkjufell, which is probably the most photographed mountain in Iceland. In the evening, we'll drop you off at your hotel in Reykjavík.

Day 8

The activity for the last day depends on the season. In the summer months (Jun-Oct) you'll go to Landmannalaugar and in the winter months (Nov-May) you'll go snowmobiling on Langjökull Glacier.
Summer: In the morning you will be picked up from your accommodation for the Landmannalaugar day tour. The drive from Reykjavík to Landmannalaugar takes about 3-4 hours. Once in the highlands, you'll get a guided hiking tour through the area to Mt.Brennisteinsalda. You will also the opertunity to soak yourself in the geothermal pool of Landmannalaugar. Once back to Reykjavík, you'll be dropped off at your preferred location.
Winter: In the morning you will be picked up from your accommodation for the Snowmobiling on Langjökull Glacier day tour. The drive from Reykjavík to Langjökull Glacier Base Camp takes about 2 hours. Once at the base camp, you'll prepare for the snowmobiling ride, gear up and get instructions and go over the safety. You'll then ride the snowmobile on Langjökull and total duration on the snowmobile is 1 hour. After the highland experience, you'll head back to Reykjavík, you'll be dropped off at your preferred location.