An island of dramatic contrasts. A landscape forged by fire and ice.
An island of dramatic contrasts, Iceland is a landscape forged by fire and ice. Steaming lava fields and hot pools reflect its volcanic nature, while massive glaciers continue to sculpt the mountains and valleys, leaving thundering waterfalls and plunging fjords. Travel the “Golden Circle” where many natural scenic wonders are located. Stay overnight in a local fishing village to enjoy a scenic bay cruise. Create your own adventure with your choice of exciting activities – soak in the Blue Lagoon, go on a whale watching cruise, take a lava cave hike, or stroll along coastal lava fields while admiring natural wildlife. Discover the spectacular landscapes and proud people of this small island nation during this fascinating journey.
9 Days
7 Breakfasts
6 Dinners
Choose between a lava cave adventure or explorative lava fields walk.
This tour includes moderate physical activity. The itinerary blends some longer days with shorter days and more leisure time. Walking tours, as well as walking slightly longer distances, up stairs or on uneven walking surfaces should be expected.
Please note: tour inclusions and available options may vary based on departure date.
Set out on a journey full of dramatic contrasts. Discover Iceland, a land forged by fire and ice. Steaming lava fields reflect a volcanic nature. Massive glaciers sculpt mountains and valleys, leaving thundering waterfalls and plunging fjords.
Begin in the capital city of Reykjavík. Join a local expert for a walking tour of the city’s old section featuring Hallgrimskirkja church, city hall, the harbour and Reykjavík’s oldest building, home of the Kraum Icelandic design centre. Tonight, get to know your fellow travellers during a sumptuous Icelandic dinner at a popular local restaurant.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Plaza Hotel Reykjavík
Travel the memorable Golden Circle, a route encompassing many of Iceland's most renowned natural wonders: waterfalls, glaciers, geysers, lava fields, and volcanos. Begin at Thingvellir National Park, where Icelanders gathered in A.D. 930 and established one of the world’s first parliaments. Find yourself standing upon one of the globe’s most geologically significant landscapes, Thingvellir’s rugged rift valley. This UNESCO World Heritage site marks the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the point where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. Next, marvel at the beauty of the Gullfoss (Golden Falls) waterfall, a stunning 100-foot double cascade. Stop at the famous thermal area of Geysir to admire the hot spring Strokkur’s explosive vertical spout that reaches a height of up to 90 feet. Your day concludes with a visit to Friðheimar greenhouse cultivation centre to learn how the locals grow delicious, pesticide-free tomatoes and cucumbers with the aid of Iceland’s geothermal energy.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Plaza Hotel Reykjavík
Experience the otherworldliness of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Take in the dramatic landscapes of black and white sand beaches, stunning cliffs, mountains peaks, volcanic craters, soaring waterfalls, rocky coastlines, intimate fishing villages, and its remarkable Snæfellsjökull glacier. This afternoon it’s your choice! You may choose a guided Vatnshellir Cave tour* and descend 100 feet below ground to an 8,000-year-old lava tube where you’ll experience total darkness and see amazing rock pigments, lava formations, stalagmites, stalactites, and more. Or, perhaps you’d prefer to walk the lava field and put your camera to work snapping photos of nature’s artwork of varying textures, colours and arrangements of this dramatic landscape. Embark on a true Icelandic cultural adventure as you spend time with a family that keeps alive a 400-year-old tradition of catching and preserving Greenland shark. See the fishing boat utilized by their grandfather; the tiny farmer’s church; and explore the museum to learn more about Iceland’s deep relationship with this trade. Before leaving, taste “hákarl,” cured shark meat. Your day concludes with a nature cruise in Breidafjördur Bay. Experience countless birds like puffins**, cormorants, kittiwakes and the majestic white tailed eagle soaring amongst basalt rock columns. While cruising, try delicious fresh scallops and sea urchin roe straight from the ocean. Seafood simply doesn´t come fresher than this!
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Stykkisholmur
Today continue the adventure travelling Iceland’s south coast. Learn about geothermal renewable energy with a visit to Hellisheiði, the largest power station in Iceland and the second largest geothermal power station in the world. Make a picture stop at Waterfall Seljalandsfoss, one of few waterfalls providing you with a walkway for views from the inside out. Arrive in Vík, Iceland's most southerly village and one of the most visited sites in Iceland.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Katla Hofdabrekka
Drive along the scenic south shore to Eyjafjallajökull Volcano Visitor Centre. Learn about a family’s struggle to adapt during and following the dramatic 2010 explosion of the infamous Eyjafjallajökull Volcano that brought European flights to a halt. Visit Skógar Museum which contains an outstanding collection covering all aspects of Icelandic life including farm and domestic artifacts, as well as turf-built houses. Nearby is the impressive Skógafoss waterfall, one of the largest in Iceland. Then, view Reynisfjara, a black volcanic sand beach surrounded by basalt columns and cliffs scattered with caves and rich bird life including the fulmar, black guillemot, razorbill, gannet and various types of seagulls. Later, see the unique natural rock formations at Dyrhólaey.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Katla Hofdabrekka
Set sail*** among the huge icebergs in the picturesque scenery of Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon. Get to taste the 1,000-year-old ice and possibly see some seals. Later, stop at Skaftafell, gateway to Vatnajökull National Park, the largest national park in Europe. Marvel at the Alpine environment of Iceland’s highest mountains and the Vatnajökull glacier, Europe's largest glacier.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Katla Hofdabrekka
Before departing the south shore, visit the Lava Exhibition Centre, where you'll learn about Iceland's historical eruptions and current lava flows that make the island a showcase of volcanism. Next, it's your choice! Perhaps you'll embark on a drive to the Reykjanes Peninsula, known for its rugged landscape, lava fields, and numerous hot springs, including the Blue Lagoon, where you can take a dip in the pleasantly warm, mineral rich waters of the geothermal pool located in the middle of a dramatic lava field - OR - you might prefer to further explore the wonders of Iceland's waters during an exciting whale watching adventure in the bay of Faxaflói; have your camera ready for minke and humpback whale sightings, along with white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises in their natural habitat. Later, gather with your fellow travellers for a local dining experience and share stories of your days in Iceland.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Plaza Hotel Reykjavík
Depart for home with many incredible Icelandic memories.
Meal: Breakfast
April 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28 / 2021
May 5, 9, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30 / 2021 (May 26 - Sold Out)
June 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23 / 2021 (June 9 - Sold Out)
July 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28 / 2021 (July 14, 18 - Sold Out)
August 1, 8, 11, 15, 22, 25 / 2021
September 1, 5, 8, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29 / 2021
April 3, 6, 20, 27 / 2022
May 8, 15, 22, 29 / 2022
If this tour (or visiting Iceland in general) is appealing to you please do not wait.
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