Iceland Complete 2020 - 9 days

Day 1. Arrival

Transfer to Reykjavík is on your own. We recommend the easy and convenient FlyBus Plus transfers. 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.

Please note guaranteed early check-in is not included in the price. Most hotels begin check-in between 14:00 and 16:00 (2:00pm and 4:00pm).

Overnight stay in Reykjavik.

Highlights: Reykjavík

Day 2. Geysir - Gullfoss – Skógar - Dyrhólaey – Vík

From Reykjavík we head through the greenhouse village of Hveragerði to explore Gullfoss, the Golden Waterfall, and the nearby Geysir hot spring area to see the famous Great Geysir and the very active Strokkur that spouts every few minutes. There are numerous other hot springs and boiling mud pools in the area. Continue along the south shore and stop to admire the waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss before we continue to Dyrhólaey* nature reserve. Continue to the small town of Vík.

Highlights: Exploding Geysers - Waterfalls - Seabird Colony - Black Sand Beaches of the South Shore

Overnight and dinner: Vík area

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

Approximate Driving Distance: 325 km (201 miles)

Day 3. Vatnajökull National Park – Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon – Höfn

Cross Eldhraun, the largest lava flow recorded on the planet in historical times, before reaching the small town of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, a former site of a 12th century Catholic convent. The tour continues over Skeidararsandur sands to Skaftafell, a beautiful glacial area within Vatnajokull National Park. Continue to the stunning Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon with huge icebergs floating on the lagoon. Throughout the day we have magnificent views of the mighty Vatnajökull Glacier. Today ends in Höfn area, which is a seacoast village located near the glacier.

Highlights: Lava Fields - Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs - Europe’s Largest Glacier

Overnight: Höfn area

Dinner: Dinner is on your own this evening. Höfn is famous for its excellent langoustines (Norway lobsters), and you might enjoy the opportunity to try it for yourself!

Approximate Driving Distance: 279 km (173 miles)

Day 4. Höfn – East Fjords – Egilsstaðir

Today you will travel from Höfn through Almannaskarð Pass and stop to admire the majestic coastline. Continue to the towering mountains that form the magnificent East Fjords. Enjoy the amazing views: this is one of Iceland’s oldest regions with rugged mountain and coastal vistas. You’ll also pass villages, each with its own special history and charm. 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 is also getting a name for itself for its excellent locally sourced cuisine.

Highlights: Narrow Fjords - Steep Mountains - Picturesque Coastline - Legendary Lake Monster

Overnight and dinner: Egilsstaðir area

Approximate Driving Distance: 259 km (161 miles)

Day 5. Lake Mývatn Area

Explore the empty vastness of Möðrudalsöræfi, the highland desert plateau, heading towards the Lake Mývatn area. On the way, stop at Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall. Visit Námaskarð Pass with boiling mud pools and vibrant colors. Explore the natural beauty of the Lake Mývatn area, including the Skútustaðagígar pseudo craters and Laxá salmon river.

Highlights: Highland Desert - Bizarre Lava Formations - Geothermal & Volcanic Wonderland

Overnight and dinner: Mývatn area

Approximate Driving Distance: 255 km (158 miles)

Day 6. Lake Mývatn - Akureyri - Siglufjordur

Start the day by exploring the strange lava formations at Dimmuborgir. Visit the magnificent Goðafoss waterfall and the old turf farm Laufás. Afterwards, continue to the Akureyri, the colorful 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. Siglufjordur town has some of the finest timber buildings in the country, beautifully restored to their original glory. Siglufjordur is a very enjoyable and friendly town for an evening stroll.

Highlights: Waterfall “Of the Gods” - Turf-roofed Folk Museum – The Beautiful Troll Peninsula

Overnight and dinner: Siglufjordur.

Approximate Driving Distance: 215 km (134 miles)

Day 7. Skagafjörður - Borgarnes

We start the day by visiting 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 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. Cross the Holtavorduheidi plateau into Western Iceland, a region rich in tales of Viking explorers and mythical creatures. Head through the scenic Borgarfjordur area to the beautiful town of Borgarnes.

Highlights: Historical Museum – Fertile Farmlands – Glacial Rivers – Unique Viking Horse Demonstration

Overnight and dinner: Borgarnes area

Approximate Driving Distance: 310 km (193 miles)

Day 8. Borgarfjörður - Þingvellir National Park - Reykjavík

Drive to Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in Europe. Stop to admire the beautiful Hraunfossar waterfalls where the brilliantly blue glacial water flows through black lava formations. Continue 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.

Highlights: Europe’s Largest Hot Spring - Picturesque Waterfalls - National Park with Geological Wonders (UNESCO) - Iceland’s Capital City

Overnight: Reykjavík. Dinner is on your own.

Approximate Driving Distance: 205 km (127 miles)

Day 9. Departure

Breakfast at your hotel. Please note that this might be a light breakfast if you are taking an early morning departure flight.

Transfer to the international airport for your departure flight. Airport transfer is not included, but we are happy to help you arrange shared or private transfers. We recommend you depart your hotel no later than three hours before your departure flight.

Amphibian Boat Tour on Glacier Lagoon - per adult
Price: 6579 ISK (43 EUR)

Amphibian Boat Tour on Glacier Lagoon - per child (6 - 12 yrs)
Price: 2294 ISK (15 EUR)

Evening Super Jeep (min 3 pax) - per adult
Price: 29070 ISK (189 EUR)

Snowmobile Tour on Vatnajökull (2 pax per snowmobile) - per adult
Price: 29070 ISK (189 EUR)

Mývatn Nature Baths fee w. towel - per adult
Price: 6274 ISK (41 EUR)

Mývatn Nature Baths fee w. towel - per child (6 - 12 yrs)
Price: 2907 ISK (19 EUR)

Horse Riding Tour by Mývatn (min 2 pax) - per adult
Price: 8415 ISK (55 EUR)