Day 1 - Arrival and Sightseeing in Reykjavík
No Meals Included
Take a flight from London to Reykjavík. Upon arrival, our team will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your accommodation in Reykjavík.
After settling in, take some time to explore this charming city known for its colourful houses, artistic vibe, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains and sea. Take a stroll through this lively city centre, perhaps exploring the shops and galleries along the main street, Laugavegur, or relaxing with a cup of coffee in a cosy café. If you arrive early, you might consider adding a day tour or a visit to the famous Blue Lagoon for a soothing soak in its warm, mineral-rich waters, as a perfect way to unwind and begin your adventure.
In the evening, enjoy dinner at your own pace. Reykjavík boasts a fantastic selection of restaurants and cafés, offering everything from fresh seafood to international cuisine.
Accommodation: Hótel Klettur
Day 2 - Geothermal Wonders and Historic Landscapes
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Start your Icelandic adventure with an orientation tour of Reykjavík. The tour will continue to the dramatic landscapes of the Reykjanes Peninsula, a UNESCO GeoPark, where you can see unusual and stunning features, like craters, lava cliffs, and fissures. One of these is the mysterious Kleifarvatn, famous for its mention in Arnaldur Indríðason’s suspense novel, The Draining Lake.
Next, you will marvel at the multi-coloured bubbling mud pools and hissing steam vents of the Krýsuvík geothermal area. After a scenic drive, the group will make a special stop at Strandarkirkja to spend some moments at the lovely historical church.
Head to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the world’s first parliamentary government was founded in the 10th century. Here you can see the continental drift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates and learn about some of the interesting historical events that have happened at Thingvellir.
Accommodation: Hótel Selfoss or Hótel Örk
Day 3 - The Famous Golden Circle
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Begin your day at the iconic Geysir geothermal area along the Golden Circle, where the active Strokkur geyser erupts spectacularly every few minutes. Head onwards to Iceland’s most popular waterfall, the impressive two-stage Gullfoss (“Golden Falls”). A series of easy footpaths lead around the waterfall and give you excellent views from different angles.
Then journey along the historical highland track Kjölur, flanked by glaciers and echoing Viking-era routes. Midway on the route, stop to visit Hveravellir, an active geothermal field with multicoloured landscapes and steam vents. Here, you'll enjoy a two-course lunch. Continue through the Kjölur trail northwards, emerging into the valley of Skagafjörður fjord with its flat-topped mountains and glacial rivers. Drive through dramatic mountainous valleys to Akureyri, the “capital of the north”, renowned for its vibrant culture. Dinner is at your leisure in Akureyri, where a variety of dining options are offered.
Accommodation: Hótel Edda Akureyri or Akureyri Hotel Skjaldborg
Day 4 - The Waterfall Of the Gods and Lake Mývatn
Meals Included: Breakfast
The first highlight of today is the mighty Goðafoss, “The Waterfall of the Gods”. The tour will continue to discover the wonders of North Iceland by taking you to the intriguing Lake Mývatn nature reserve. Here is fascinating for its diverse bird life and its geological wonders. Some of the volcanic features include the pseudo craters at Skútustaðir, the Dark Lava Citadels of Dimmuborgir, the Krafla Volcano area, and the multi-coloured steaming slopes of Námaskarð.
At the end of the day, your group will return to Akureyri and visit the Skógarböð (Forest Lagoon) near town. Relax in serene, earth-warmed pools set amidst a beautiful setting of woodlands and the Eyjafjörður Fjord. Enjoy dinner at your own choice in Akureyri.
Accommodation: Hótel Edda Akureyri or Akureyri Hotel Skjaldborg
Day 5 - Whale Watching Excursion
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Today you will be visiting the northern part of Vatnajökull National Park, the largest of its kind in Western Europe. This section of the park is characterised by vast glacier river canyons, curious lava formations, and glacial waterfalls.
If you are a fan of whales, Húsavík is the perfect destination. Your guide will drive the group to this charming fishing village. Known as the whale-watching capital of Iceland, Húsavík offers whale-watching in traditional oak fishing boats. Take part in one of these excursions, where you’ll sail in beautiful Skjálfandi Bay in search of whales, dolphins and seabirds.
Travel around the ancient, fossil rich Tjörnes peninsula on the edge of the Arctic Circle to the northern gateway of Vatnajökull National Park. Visit the impressive horseshoe shaped Ásbyrgi canyon, which has a variety of beautiful walking trails that suit different hiking levels. Continue on to visit the echoing rocks and troll-like formations of Hljóðaklettar. The crowning highlight is scenic Dettifoss, the largest waterfall in Europe.
Accommodation: Laxá Hótel or Hótel Narfastaðir
Day 6 - Adventure to Rugged Eastfjords
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
After breakfast, embark on a journey to East Iceland and the gorgeous Eastfjords. Explore the vast wilderness of the desert plateau Möðrudalsöræfi, desolate and yet hauntingly beautiful, as you head towards the Eastfjords region. Visit fantastical Stuðlagil, an impressive canyon made of basalt columns that seem to resemble organ pipes. A viewing platform near the canyon lets you enjoy the canyon’s unique features. You can see how basalt columns like these influenced the design of Reykjavík’s Hallgrímskirkja church.
Continue to the village of Egilsstaðir, the “capital” of East Iceland. Egilsstaðir is known for its scenic forested area of Hallormsstaðir and for legends of a friendly lake monster.
Accommodation: Hótel Hallormsstaður or Hótel Edda Egilssstaðir
Day 7 - Sailing on the Glacial Lagoon
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
This morning, you will continue travelling through the scenic Eastfjords, taking time to enjoy the breathtaking views. On the way, the group will visit the harbour village of Djúpivogur, located at the southernmost edge of the Eastfjords.
Enter Vatnajökull, where Europe’s largest glacier in Southeast Iceland dominates the surroundings. You will soon be in the vicinity of southern Vatnajökull National Park. This part of the park is characterised by ice, glacier tongues and lava landscapes. The popular Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon rewards you with a beautiful view of the glacier, and the floating icebergs will certainly impress you. You’ll get a chance to see the icebergs close up on a boat that sails through the Glacial Lagoon. Nearby, explore the Diamond Beach, where glistening ice fragments scatter across the black sand, making it a favourite spot for capturing iconic Iceland photos. Head onwards to the park’s Skaftafell area, a green oasis surrounded by dramatic glaciers and volcanic mountains. Make sure your camera is ready to capture the view!
Accommodation: Hótel Skaftafell or Hótel Laki
Day 8 - Magnificent and Colourful Southern Highlands
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today you will see the colourful southern highlands. Travel along the Fjallabaksleið highland interior track, passing rugged mountains and lush green valleys. Cross several unbridged rivers to Landmannalaugar, a magnificent area surrounded by brilliantly coloured rhyolite mountains. Great trails take you through a mysterious landscape of steam vents and bright coloured slopes. Alternatively, you have an option of bathing in a natural warm pool, so don’t forget to bring a swimsuit and towel. You will also catch different views of towering Hekla, Iceland’s most frequently erupting volcano through the day.
During the day you will enjoy a picnic lunch in the beautiful highlands.
Accommodation: Hótel Stracta
Day 9 - Majestic Falls and Black Sands in The South Coast
Meals Included: Breakfast
Journey along the spectacular South Coast of Iceland, a dramatic blend of sandy deserts, rocky shores and rolling farmlands sandwiched between snow-capped glaciers, mountains, and the ocean. Visit the beautiful waterfalls of Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss. Skógafoss is one of Iceland’s most photographed waterfalls and has stairs that take you to the top for an amazing view. The ribbon-shaped Seljalandsfoss has trails that take you behind the waterfall.
Before heading back to Reykjavík, the group will take a stop at Reynisfjara near Vík village to admire the black sand beaches and cliffs. You’ll surely feel the power of nature as you watch the enormous waves thunder towards the shore.
Upon your return to Reykjavík in the late afternoon, you will have free time in the rest of your day to enjoy Iceland’s charming capital city.
Accommodation: Hótel Skuggi or Hótel Klettur
Day 10 - Farewell to the Land of Fire and Ice
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your Iceland adventure has come to an end. After enjoying your breakfast in hotel, take a private transfer to the airport for your return journey to London. If your flight is in the evening, you can take advantage of some extra time to discover more of the city.
