7 Day - Complete Iceland - Standard Package

by Arctic Adventures · Whale watching · Glacier hiking · sea-angling · Snæfellsnes

PaceBusy

Four or so stops a day. Early starts, and you will be glad of the coach seat.

31 stops across 7 days in the operator's own itinerary — 4.4 a day.

7 Day - Complete Iceland - Standard Package  — Arctic Adventures

Would this be cheaper direct? No — we sell at Arctic Adventures's own price and take our commission from them, not from you. What you get here is one checkout across operators, one confirmation, and one place to change or cancel it. If you ever find it cheaper on their own site, tell us and we will match it or explain why we cannot.

  • Duration

    7 days

  • Difficulty

    Easy

  • Season

    All year

  • Starts in

    Reykjavík

  • Meeting

    Hotel pickup available

  • Languages

    EN, DE, IS, FR, DA, ZH, ES

  • Departs

    08:00

  • Minimum age

    8

  • Cancellation

    Free until 24h before

About this experience

PLEASE NOTE:
IF YOU REQUIRE A SINGLE ROOM OR OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES YOU NEED TO CHOOSE IT UNDER EXTRAS IN THIS STEP.


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.

Hotel for the night: Hotel Dyrholaey or Similar (subject to availability)

Day 2

The journey continues along the South coast in the direction of Skaftafell and Vatnajökull National Park. Then 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.

Hotel for the night: Hofn-Inn Hotel or Similar (subject to availability)

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.

Hotel for the night: Hotel Valaskjalf or Similar (subject to availability)

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 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 capital of the North.

Hotel for the night: Hotel Dalvik or Similar (subject to availability)

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. 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 Laugarbakki, a small village.

Hotel for the night: Hotel Laugarbakki or Similar (subject to availability)

Day 6

On this, our final day, we will find ourselves in West Iceland – an area which Lonely Planet voted as one of the best destinations in 2016. Borgarfjörður has many splendid sights and we will focus on these today. We stop at Deildartunguhver hot spring, the legendary waterfall, Barnafoss, (the Children´s Waterfall), and the Hraunfossarcascade, the atmospheric very low and wide falls where the water emerges, literally straight out of the lava field. Next on the agenda is the historic and picturesque site of Reykholt, home to Snorri Sturluson, the Icelandic historian, lawyer, politician, poet and the author of some Icelandic Sagas. See Snorralaug, Snorri´s pool, dabble your fingers and feel the temperature of the water in the place where Snorri is likely to have bathed.

Hotel for the night: Hotel Borgarnes or Similar (subject to availability)

Day 7

On this day you'll be picked up at 9:15-9:45 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 strength. 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 in your preferred location in Reykjavík.

Accommodation: Booking a hotel in Iceland has become increasingly difficult. By booking with us you are guaranteed an accommodation at a nice country hotel in one of the most popular parts of Iceland. The hotels we have partnered with are all of the same standard and among them are Hotel Katla, Hof Adventure hotel & Hotel Smyrlabjorg, Hotel Gerdi and others.

Description from the operator, Arctic Adventures. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.

Where you go

  1. Reykjavík
  2. Þingvellir
  3. Geysir
  4. Gullfoss Waterfall
  5. Seljalandsfoss
  6. Skógafoss Waterfall
  7. Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
  8. Vík - Coastal Village
  9. Day 2: Kirkjubæjarklaustur
  10. Day 2: Skaftafell
  11. Day 2: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
  12. Day 2: Höfn
  13. Day 3: Hengifoss Waterfall
  14. Day 4: Dettifoss Waterfall
  15. Day 4: Námaskarð
  16. Day 4: Mývatn Nature Baths
  17. Day 4: Hverfjall
  18. Day 4: Goðafoss Waterfall
  19. Day 4: Akureyri
  20. Day 5: Dalvík
  21. Day 5: Siglufjörður
  22. Day 6: Bifröst
  23. Day 6: Deildartunguhver
  24. Day 6: Hraunfossar Waterfall
  25. Day 6: Reykholt
  26. Day 6: Borgarnes
  27. Day 7: Arnarstapi
  28. Day 7: Hellnar
  29. Day 7: Vatnshellir
  30. Day 7: Djúpalónssandur
  31. Day 7: Kirkjufell

Included

Pick-up from your hotel in Reykjavík, a guided tour in a minibus, visit to Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss, Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, Reynisfjara, Skaftafell, Jokulsarlon Ice Glacier Lagoon, Hengifoss, Dettifoss, Lake Mývatn, Dimmuborgir, Námaskarð, Goðafoss, Mývatn Nature Baths (admission can be added), Deildartunguhver, Hraunfossar. Snæfellsnes sightseeing, Hotel room with bathroom for 6 nights and breakfasts.

Please note that food is NOT included on this tour, except breakfast at hotels and guesthouses.

Good to know

Warm outdoor clothing, a waterproof jacket and pants, headwear and gloves. Good hiking shoes are recommended. Please note that the tour does not include meals.

- Golden Circle - Þingvellir, Gullfoss Waterfall & Geysir Hot Springs

 - Seljandsfoss Waterfall, walk behind the water.

- Skogar - Skogafoss Waterfall.

- Skaftafell - Vatnajokull National Park

- A visit to Jokulsarlon Ice Lagoon & Icebergs 

- Vik, the coastal village

- Reynisfjara, basalt colums & black sand beaches

- Eyjafjallajokull Glacier / Volcano view*

- Hekla Volcano / Volcano view*

- Höfn village

- Hengifoss Waterfall

- Dettifoss Waterfall

- Lake Mývatn

- Mývatn Nature Baths

- Námaskarð geothermal area

- Dimmuborgir lava field

- Goðafoss Waterfall

- Deildartunguhver hot springs

- Hraunfossar/Barnafoss Waterfalls

- Mt. Kirkjufell

- Djúpalónssandur

- Arnarstaði

- Vatnshellir Lava cave

* Views are subject to weather conditions.

Cancellation for this tour

Free cancellation until 24 hours before departure; no refund after that. If the operator cancels for weather or safety, you get a full refund or a new date.

If the weather cancels this tour

Iceland's weather is real. What usually stops this one is sea state — the skipper decides an hour or two before departure; in winter this happens often. Here is exactly what happens to your booking.

  1. 1Arctic Adventures decides, and tells us. Operators cancel when it is unsafe or pointless, and we back that call every time — we do not ask them to run anyway.
  2. 2We contact you by email, and by phone if your tour is the same or next day. You choose: another date if there is one you can make, or a full refund. There is no fee and nothing to argue.
  3. 3The refund goes back to the card you paid with, through Stripe, usually visible within a few working days. If this tour was one of several in your booking, the others are untouched.

What you do not get is the day back. If this is the only free day in your plan, put a spare day next to it — the planner leaves days free with the rest-day option. And if you want out because the forecast looks bad, that is your own cancellation: free until 1 day before departure, the operator's policy after that.

Questions on the day: [email protected] · +354 497 1373. How cancellations work in Iceland →

Sold out on your date?

Seats come back — a cancellation, or the operator adding a vehicle. Tell us the date and we will check once a day and email you if one opens. One email, then we delete the address; nothing else is ever sent to it.

Who this is not for

  • Children under 8 cannot join this one.

Read off the operator's own conditions. If none of it applies to you, this is a good one.

Why we list it

Arctic Adventures is one of 154 operators we work with — chosen for reliability, honest descriptions and how they treat guests when weather changes plans. We don't list everything; we list what we'd book ourselves. The six checks every operator passes →

What travellers say about Arctic Adventures

Read all 5,129 reviews on Google →

Operator rating 4.6/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.

  • Kai Gilchrist

    ★★★★★ · 2 months ago

    This was a phenomenal trip with AMAZING sights. Our tour guide was informative, friendly, and easy to listen to. You will learn a lot and see nature at its greatest. We absolutely loved this tour and would recommend it to anyone. The car ride is comfortable and there is wifi as well! Shout out to our tour guide, Magnus (I hope I’m spelling his name correctly), who told us some hilarious stories.

  • Tatjana Kultaniemi

    ★★★★★ · a month ago

    I spent six days on a bus tour around Iceland with a professional guide. It was an excellent opportunity to gain a comprehensive overview of Iceland's breathtaking nature while also learning about the country's history and the everyday lives of its people. Iceland's landscape and animals are truly unique, featuring magnificent waterfalls, geysers, whales, seals, puffins, volcanoes, glaciers, and mountains. Every day brought new and unforgettable experiences. Of course, none of this would have been possible without our guide, Viko. He not only drove the bus safely but also shared fascinating stories about Icelandic history, culture, and way of life. He was willing to tailor the itinerary to our group's interests and wishes, making the experience even more enjoyable. I am very grateful for his professionalism, knowledge, and enthusiasm in interpreting Iceland's natural and cultural heritage. He played a key role in making this tour such a memorable experience.

  • Chloe Lamm

    ★★★★★ · 2 months ago

    I did the Iceland South Coast Full Day Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik. Such an amazing tour and one of the highlights of my trip to Iceland! Our guide, Erik, was incredibly knowledgeable and shared so much interesting information about Iceland throughout the day. We visited some of the country’s most beautiful sights, including stunning waterfalls, Vik, black sand beaches, and other breathtaking stops along the South Coast. The pickup process was simple and organized, making the day completely stress-free. The scenery was incredible from start to finish, and Erik helped make the experience even better with his knowledge, friendliness, and enthusiasm. If you’re visiting Iceland, the South Coast is a must-do, and I highly recommend taking this tour with Erik as your guide!

  • maya sterett

    ★★★★★ · 3 months ago

    A Fantastic Trip: Review of 3-Day Golden Circle, Ice Cave and Glacier Lagoon Absolutely incredible experience with Arctic Adventures and the guide Hjalti Bjornsson. The pick up from the bus stop was easy and the instructions were super clear. Be aware that they are extremely punctual at every stop. Do not be late by even a minute. We saw so many sites and the weather was perfect for most of the days. Our guide even took us on some stops that were not in the itinerary, but ones he thought were interesting and on the way, like the power plants and some other glaciers. The bus ride was very smooth with plenty of room and the seats were comfortable. The itinerary was well thought out with a great mix of light walking about 3 - 6 miles per day depending on how much you wanted to walk to each site. Some sites like the glacier Skaftafellsjokull (optional) were further away (4 ish miles), while others were much closer (1000ft). The hotel was situated in a beautiful location with sheep everywhere and interesting rock formations. The hotel was very comfortable with hot water and plenty of space to spread out. Our guide was extremely friendly and knowledgable. I would highly recommend this trip for anyone between the ages 10 - 70. However, this might not be the best experience for those with mobility issues as there is walking to some of the best sites.

Reviews from Google · updated 13 Sept 2026

Reviews from our travellers

Only people who booked this tour through us can write here. We publish every review in full — good or bad.

No reviews yet from our travellers on this one. After your tour we send one email asking how it was, and what you write goes here, unedited.

Whale watching — questions people ask

When is the best time for whale watching in Iceland?

April to October, with June to August the most reliable. Humpbacks and minke whales feed in Faxaflói off Reykjavík and in the northern fjords all summer, and white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises turn up on most trips. Winter boats still sail from Reykjavík, but sightings drop and the sea is rougher. If whales are the point of your trip, come in summer and book an early departure; seas are usually calmer in the morning.

Can you see whales from Reykjavík in December?

Sometimes. Boats run from the Old Harbour all year, and winter trips do find whales, mostly humpbacks and the occasional orca. But December means short daylight, cold wind and a higher chance the operator cancels for weather. Sightings are noticeably less frequent than in summer. If you are here in winter, go anyway, but treat it as a sea trip with a chance of whales rather than a whale trip. Most operators offer a free second trip if nothing shows.

Is Húsavík or Reykjavík better for whale watching?

Húsavík, if you can get there. Skjálfandi Bay in the north sees humpbacks close to shore from May to September, and the small family-run boats like Friends of Moby Dick (/experience/752602/) keep group sizes down. Reykjavík is more convenient: boats leave the Old Harbour five minutes from most hotels and run all year. Akureyri and Dalvík in Eyjafjörður are also strong. If you are only in Reykjavík, go from Reykjavík and do not feel short-changed.

Will I get seasick on a whale watching tour?

You might. Faxaflói is open sea and the boats roll, especially in wind. Take a tablet an hour before departure, stay on deck in fresh air and watch the horizon rather than your phone. Morning trips tend to be calmer than afternoon ones. If you know you suffer badly, a two-hour RIB trip (/experience/155331/) is faster and bumpier but shorter, or pick a northern fjord like Eyjafjörður, which is more sheltered than the bay off Reykjavík.

  • One checkout, any number of operators

  • Rankings are not for sale

  • 153 operators vetted, and not all of them accepted

  • If it falls short, we fix it

Pairs well with

Everything here goes into the same basket and the same single payment, however many operators it comes from.

from

€2,220 per person

Check dates & book