Iceland Complete WINTER 2020 - 2021 - 9 days

Day 1. Arrival / Pre night

On your own, transfer to Reykjavik.
If your flight lands early in the day, a great suggestion is to explore Reykjavik, the largest municipality in Iceland.

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.

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.

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

Highlights: Reykjavík

Overnight: Reykjavík.

For all Northern Lights enthusiasts we recommend joining a Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik tonight. Please let us know upon booking if you are interested in this option.

Day 2. Geysir - Gullfoss - Skogar - Dyrholaey - Vik

Your guide will meet you at the hotel around 8:45 (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. Head 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 the village of Vik.

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

Overnight: Vík area

If weather conditions are right, your guide will take you on a northern lights hunt on foot in the area outside your hotel tonight, or on one of the other evenings that you are staying in the countryside.

Approximate distance: ca 325 km / 201 miles

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

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 dominated by several magnificent glaciers. Then view Svinafellsjokull, one of the most beautiful glacial “tongues” that are slowly creeping down from Vatnajokull.

Visit Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon where you can enjoy the breath-taking sight of icebergs floating in the fantastic 180m (591 ft.) deep glacial lagoon (make sure that camera is loaded and ready!) Nearby is the dramatic beauty of the Diamond Beach, where shrinking icebergs settle on the black sands before they drift out to sea.

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

Overnight: Höfn area

Approximate distance: ca 285 km / 177 miles

Day 4. Höfn – East Fjords – Egilsstaðir

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. Enjoy the amazing views. Keep your hand on your camera and also keep an eye out for wild reindeer, which can sometimes be seen in the area during the winter months. You will also pass villages, each with its own special history and charm. One of these is the tiny village of Breiddalsvik visit the local Beljandi Microbrewery and sample some of the beer. This is a quirky brewery in a charmingly rustic building. The local community came together to create the brewery. You’ll meet one of the townsfolk and get a feel for life in a small town, as well as 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 is also getting a name for itself for its excellent locally sourced cuisine, and you’ll enjoy some of it at dinner.

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

Overnight: Egilsstaðir area

Approximate distance: ca 259 km / 161 miles

Day 5. Lake Mývatn Area

Explore the empty vastness of the highland desert plateau Modrudalsoraefi, desolate and yet hauntingly beautiful in its winter snows, as you head towards the Lake Myvatn area. On the way, stop at Dettifoss, Europe’s largest and most powerful waterfall. Continue onwards to 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, especially during the wintertime, has been so popular for movie makers.

Highlights: Highland Desert – Bizarre Lava Formations – Geothermal & Volcanic Winter Wonderland

Overnight: Mývatn area

Approximate distance: ca 255 km / 158 miles

Day 6. Lake Mývatn – Akureyri - Siglufjordur

Start the day by exploring the peculiar lava formations at Dimmuborgir. The name means “Dark Citadels“ in Icelandic, and they certainly look as this they were built by fantasy creatures. There are actually legends that elves live here.

Visit the magnificent Godafoss waterfall, one of the most important symbols of North Iceland, and the old turf farm Laufas. Enjoy a taste of some traditional Icelandic farmhouse refreshments and hear tales of life in the old days. Afterwards, visit 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. The destination is Siglufjordur, 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. Siglufjordur is a very picturesque and easily walkable town for an evening stroll. You may even recognize some of the buildings; the town was a filming location for both seasons of the popular Icelandic thriller series Trapped. The town is actually a relaxing and friendly place, and it‘s great to spend an evening soaking in the hot tubs of your hotel while enjoying the scenic fjord views.

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

Overnight: Siglufjörður

Approximate distance: ca 219 km / 136 miles

Day 7. Skagafjörður - Borgarnes

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 from the Icelandic literary work 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.

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

Overnight: Borgarnes area

Approximate distance: ca 310 km / 193 miles

Day 8. Borgarfjörður - Þingvellir National Park - Reykjavík

Visit some of the beautiful natural wonders of West Iceland. 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.

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

Overnight: Reykjavík. Dinner is on your own.

Approximate distance: ca 205 km / 130 miles

Day 9. Departure

Please note that the breakfast might be a light breakfast if you are taking an early morning departure flight. Transfer to the airport not included.
We recommend you depart your hotel no later than three hours before your departure flight. We wish you a pleasant trip back to your homeland and hope to see you in Iceland again!

Evening Super Jeep or Snowmobile Tour (2 pax per snowmobile) on Vatnajökull (min 3 pax ) - 3,5 hours
Price: 28690 ISK (190 EUR)

Mývatn Nature Baths bathing fee w.towel.
Price: 6192 ISK (41 EUR)

Horse Riding Tour by Mývatn (min 2 pax) - 1 hour
Price: 8305 ISK (55 EUR)