The Iceland Grand Circle and the Westman Islands 12 days
The tour includes the full circle plus a visit to the Westman Islands, and a circle trip around the Snæfellsnes peninsula.
BP27 Map
Upon your arrival at Keflavik airport a meet and greet service is provided by a TOURIS representative who will take you to your Reykjavik hotel.
Highlights of the day:
Reykjavík
Overnight:
Reykjavík
Optional activity:
Reykjavik City Card
Pick up your car in the morning and take the highway to Thingvellir (Þingvellir) National Park, a unique place from a geological point of view and a place of great beauty. Research has shown that Thingvellir is a natural wonder on an international scale. The faults and fissures of the area are clear evidence of the rifting of the earth's crust. Thingvellir is also the most historical place in the country and a place of exceptional beauty. After exploring the area, drive across Lyngdalsheiði Heath to the school center Laugarvatn and further inland to the Great Geysir area. Explore the numerous hot springs and see the famous Great Geysir and Strokkur, a very active geyser that spouts every few minutes. From here, drive to the majestic waterfall Gullfoss one of Icelands most beautiful waterfall. Turn around at Gullfoss and head for Hella, don´t miss the pretty waterfall Faxi, enroute hidden. Continue to the volcanic crater Kerið.
Driving distance
210 kilometers
Highlights of the day:
Þingvellir
Gullfoss Waterfall and Geysir Hot Springs
Faxi waterfall
Kerið
Overnight:
Hella area
Drive to the ferry port Bakki and take the ferry to the Westman Islands. The ferry ride takes about 30 minutes and you can take your car with you at an additional cost of ISK 1000,- per person each way and ISK 1600,- for a small car(subject to change. The ferry schedule varies slightly from one day to another but there are usually 4 round trips available daily. For further information and booking, please contact Herjólfur's office in the Westman Islands at (+354) 481 2800.
The area is very volcanically active, like the rest of Iceland. There were two major eruptions in the 20th century: the Eldfell eruption of January 1973 which created a 700-foot-high mountain and forced the island's 5000 inhabitants of Heimaey, the largest and only inhabited island to be temporarily evacuated to the mainland, and an eruption in 1963 created the new island Surtsey, the youngest land on the planet. The Islands are rich in birdlife and are the site of the largest puffin colony in the world. Many species of Whales are also frequently seen around the islands.
Spend the day on Heimaey and explore the many wonders of Heimaey, either on foot, by using your car or join an organized guided bus tour around the island. Boat trips are available too. Return to the mainland in the afternoon or evening.
Driving distance
100 kilometers
Highlights of the day:
Vestmannaeyjar
Overnight:
Hella area
Continue to the east heading for the Eyjafjöll district and stop at the waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. In summer, it is possible to walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall, - this is a quite an interesting experience. The glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull are capping the mountains.
Hidden underneath the icecap of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier is Katla, one of Icelands most dangerous volcano. During summer, snowmobiling and dog sledding are available on the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. Make a detour on a rough gravel road from the main highway to the glacial tongue of Sólheimajökull before continuing to the Dyrhólaey natural reserve and a nesting colony of numerous seabirds (Dyrhólaey is closed for all traffic during the nesting period until June 25th). Drive to Reynishverfi, with beautiful coast, spectacular rock formations and thousands of nesting seabirds which nest in almost every crevice in summer. Continue to Vík, a small village on the black beach. Drive across the Mýrdalssandur floodplains and Eldhraun, the largest lava field ever to flow on Earth in historical time, and to the small village Kirkjubaejarklaustur. Fjaðrárgljúfur is a narrow and beautiful canyon a few km to the west from Kirkjubæjarklaustur, worth taking a look at. At Kirkjubæjarklaustur see Kirkjugólfið (the Church Floor) a protected natural monument just east of the village. Kirkjugólfið is columnar basalt, shaped and eroded by water and wind, only a few minutes’ walk from the road.
Driving distance
170 kilometers
Highlights of the day:
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Skógafoss Waterfall
Dyrhólaey Nature Reserve
Reynisfjara beach
Vík Town
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
Kirkjubæjarklaustur town
Overnight:
Kirkjubæjarklaustur area
Recommended optional activity:
Glacier Walk
LAVA Centre
Continue from Kirkjubæjarklaustur to Skaftafell National Park, an oasis wedged between glacier and sand. Its natural beauty is a result of unusually favourable weather conditions and the interaction of ice and fire. Beneath the Vatnajökull ice cap, towering above Skaftafell is Grímsvötn, one of Iceland’s most active volcano. In the afternoon of 21. May 2011, a sub-glacial eruption started in the Grímsvötn volcanic system underneath Vatnajökull Glacier. Later the same day, the eruption broke the ice cover of the glacier and started spewing volcanic ash into the air. The amount of ash fall was the greatest close to the village Kirkjubæjarklaustur. The eruption went on for about a week. It ceased on 28. May 2011. See the interesting Visitors Center where you can learn the history of fire and ice in the region and a video of the volcanic eruption and the catastrophic flood in the area in 1996 can also be viewed. An interesting hiking trail takes you to Svartifoss, one of Icelands most picturesque waterfall, framed in by beautiful basalt columns that surround it. In the Skaftafell area are many other interesting hiking trails. Continue to the amazing Jökulsarlón, the Glacial Lagoon where huge icebergs, sculptures of nature, broken off the glacier float and grind together in the deep blue waters of the lagoon. An interesting cruise among the icebergs on the Lagoon is available in summer. From here, drive to Höfn area. The Glacier Exhibition at Höfn is a very interesting place to visit. From Höfn, continue through the Almannaskard tunnel to Lónsöræfi, a mountainous wilderness ringed by extinct volcanoes and traversed by glacial rivers. Drive past towering mountains with bare rock faces that plunge almost vertically into the sea. Proceed to Djúpivogur area. An interesting option is taking a boat tour to Papey Island near Djúpivogur where thousands of puffins and other seabirds nest in summer.
Driving distance
300 kilometers
Highlights of the day:
Skaftafell National Park
Svartifoss waterfall
Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon
Höfn
Overnight:
Djúpivogur area
Recommended optional activity:
Amphibian boat Tour on Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Continue to Egilsstaðir. Egilsstaðir is a small town on the banks of the river Lagarfljót. Continue from Egilsstaðir along Jökuldalur Valley and across the highland desert of Möðrudalsöræfi , - heading towards Akureyri. Continue on to the north to visit the powerfull Dettifoss waterfall, the largest waterfall in Europe. From Dettifoss proceed further to the north and drive to Ásbyrgi Canyon, a strange and spectacular horseshoe shaped canyon not to be missed. Make a detour to Vesturdalur and Hljóðaklettar, the Echo rocks, an extremely beautiful canyon carved by the river Jökulsá á Fjöllum. This area offers many interesting hiking trails to explore the many wonders of the Jökulsárgljúfur National Park. After exploring Hljóðaklettar and Vesturdalur, proceed to Húsavík, sometimes called “The Whale Watching Capital of The World”. Húsavík was the first place in the country to offer very successful Whale Watching cruises. The Whale Museum in Húsavík is an educational centre on marine wildlife. Visit the Húsavík Natural and Maritime Museum, one of the best museums of its kind in the country. Whale watching cruises are available daily from early morning until late at night during summer season.
Driving distance
390 kilometers
Highlights of the day:
Egilsstaðir town
Hallormsstaðaskógur Forrest
Dettifoss Waterfall
Ásbyrgi Canyon
Hljóðaklettar rock formations
Húsavík Town
Overnight:
Húsavík/Reykjadalur area
Recommended optional activity:
Whale Watching From Húsavík
Head towards Lake Mývatn. The Lake Mývatn area is known worldwide for the abundance of birdlife and its exceptionally many breeding duck species. The lake's surroundings show great variety in stunning landscapes and amazing geological formations. Explore the natural beauty of the Lake Mývatn area, the wonderland of strange rock formations. Stop at Dimmuborgir, the "Dark Castles" and see the pseudocraters near Skútustaðir and many other scenic spots in the area surrounding the lake. See Krafla volcanic system where the most recent eruptions took place in 1975 - 1984. In summer visitors can have a guided tour through the Kröfluvirkjun Geothermal Power Station where steam pressure is harnessed for generating electricity (admission is free of charge). The explosion crater Viti is near Krafla and the Mývatn Nature Baths are an outstanding attraction too. Stop at Námaskarð Pass where boiling mud pools and flashing colors of the pass merge with lava and ash from the Krafla volcanic system.
Driving distance
120 kilometers
Highlights of the day:
Lake Mývatn
Nature Baths
Dimmuborgir
Overnight:
Lake Mývatn / Reykjadalur area
Recommended optional activity:
Nature Baths
Head towards Akureyri, the capital of the north. Stop enroute at the beautiful waterfall Goðafoss. One of the most extraordinary aspects of the town is its unusually warm climate. Although it is situated only 40 km south of the Arctic Circle, it has some of the best weather in the country. See the famous Botanical Gardens of Akureyri and some of the many museums and art galleries. If time allows we suggest a circle trip through the Eyjafjörður valleys.
Drive through the majestic mountains surrounding Öxnadalur valley and across the Öxnadalsheiði pass which leads to the Skagafjordur district. Popular horse riding tours for beginners and experienced riders are available here. In Skagafjörður you will also be able to join some of the best white water rafting in Iceland. Here we recommend a visit to the old turf and stone farm / museum at Glaumbær and the old tini church at Víðimýri.
Driving distance
230 kilometers
Highlights of the day:
Goðafoss waterfall
Akureyri
Glaumbær Folk Museum
Overnight:
Skagafjörður area
Recommended optional activity:
After driving through the fertile farmlands of Húnavatnssýsla County and along the shores of Hrútafjörður Fjord continue to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and towards the charming village of Stykkishólmur. Spend the day to explore the countless natural wonders of the Snæfellsnes peninsula that divides the west coast of Iceland into two large bays. Head to the west towards the tip of the peninsula, passing the small fishing towns Grundarfjörður, Ólafsvík, Rif and Hellissandur. During midsummer, Whale Watching tours are available from Ólafsvík town. Much of interesting geological phenomena and historic sites can be found in the Snæfellsjökull National Park, the most recent one in Iceland. Among many places of interest are Dritvík, Djúpalónssandur and Öndverðarnes a former fishing station. Make a short detour to Djúpalónssandur and take a short walk along a marked path to the beach. Drive around the tip of the peninsula at the foot of Snæfellsjökull, a glaciated volcano, the backdrop for the famous novel “The Journey to the Centre of the Earth”. Þúfubjarg is a spectacular cliff and a nesting colony of numerous seabirds, only a few minutes’ walk from the road, shortly after passing Lóndrangar. Continue to Arnarstapi and Hellnar to view beautiful and spectacular coast and interesting birdlife. There is an interesting museum at Hellnar. Visit Búðir, a pretty site located on a natural inlet. From Búðir continue along the south coast of the peninsula. Seals can often be seen on land or in the water at the farm Ytri Tunga, only a few hundred meters drive from the main road.
Driving distance
420 kilometers
Highlights of the day:
Vatnsdalshólar mounds
Hvítserkur Cliff
Djúpalónssandur
Snæfellsjökull Glacier
Lóndrangar rock formation
Arnarstapi
Hellnar hamlet
Stykkishólmur Town
Overnight:
Stykkishólmur area
Recommended optional activity:
Horseback Riding
In the morning we recommend a very special cruise from Stykkishólmur, among the numerous islands of the Breiðafjörður bay with its unique birdlife. Puffins Guillemots, Kittiwakes, Eiders and many other bird species nest here in great numbers during summer. The cruise is available daily at 11:00 from 14. May – 15. October and at 11:00 on Tuesdays from 15. January - 03. December. Please call 433 2254 for details. The White Tailed Eagles nest here too and are frequently seen. Head to the Borgarfjörður district and to Borgarnes. From Borgarnes continue towards Reykholt. Stop at Deildartunguhver hot spring, the largest hot spring in Europe. Continue a short distance further to the historic site Reykholt. Visit the interesting historical museum at Reykholt and see the hot pool Snorralaug. Drive further inland to the beautiful Hraunfossar and Barnafossar Waterfalls. Make the waterfalls a turnaround point and head back towards Borgarnes.
Driving distance
220 kilometers
Highlights of the day:
Borgarnes town
Deildartunguhver
Reykholt town
Hraunfossar
Overnight:
Borgarnes area
Recommended optional activity:
Unique Adventure Cruise on Breiðafjörður bay
Krauma Baths
Head towards Reykjavik. Make a detour along the shores of Hvalfjörður Fjord to Reykjavik. From Reykjavik, head out to the Reykjanes Peninsula and to Bláa Lónið, - the Blue Lagoon. Enjoy a relaxing bath at the Blue Lagoon in an otherworldly setting where lava and thermal water complement each other to prepare you for your journey home. Soak in the refreshing waters of the lagoon and have a wonderful last unforgettable taste of Iceland that ensures you will be fully relaxed when you leave the country. If you plan to take a bath at the Blue Lagoon, we strongly recommend that you book your ticket in advance. It can be booked at www.bluelagoon.com Return to Reykjavík and drop off the car.
Driving distance
210 kilometers
Highlights of the day:
The Blue Lagoon
Overnihgt:
Reykjavík
Recommended optional activity:
The Settlement Exhibition and The Egil Saga Exhibition
Private transfer from the hotel to Keflavik International Airport.
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Transmission: Manual
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Doors: 3
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