What You Get
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9 nights stay in 4 star or similar traditional accommodation
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Icelandic breakfast,
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5 lunches, 8 dinners,
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internal domestic flights,
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fully guided and private vehicle,
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airport pick up and drop off
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included excursions and entrances
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All gratuities
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Personable reusable water bottle
Not included
International Airfare, Travel Insurance,
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival Iceland & Westman Islands
Following your international arrival at Keflavik airport your Icelandic Adventure leader will greet you and once introductions and baggage is collected, you’ll step out into the pure Icelandic air. If this is your first time in Iceland, you will immediately feel the crispness of the wind and the vast openness before you.
We begin our journey heading out to the south coast of Iceland on our way to the ferry harbour Landeyjarhofn to go to the beautiful Vestman islands. Our trip to the south of Iceland will take us through dramatic volcanic scenery, and between two tectonic plates, the North American and Eurasian. We will have a few picturesque stops before we take an early afternoon ferry ride over to the Vestman Islands. The sailing is short (about 40 min) and very scenic as we sail into the port at Heimaey. Once settled into our accommodation we’ll have a brief orientation of the island before heading to a beautiful restaurant for dinner.
Day 2 The youngest Island, Puffins and sea cliffs
Day 3 Stunning waterfalls, black sand beach and the Eyjafjallajokull glacier region
After breakfast, we load up our vehicle and head down to the ferry and set sail back to Iceland. Once again on the main island, we spend the rest of our day exploring the incredible diversity of Iceland's landscape. We explore the astonishing area of Eyjafjallajokull; which in 2010 was where a volcano erupted and caused so much trouble with air traffic all over Europe. We look at different waterfalls around the area to show you the astonishing variety of nature in the area and why Iceland is such a beautiful country to explore. During the day we will look at a landlocked island called Dyrholaey. For those bird and nature lovers, this is a real treat as they are very rich in birdlife and unique and beautiful rock formations. We then head to the black sand beach Reynisfjara to share in another unique Iceland experience - walking on black sand. It is dramatic, it’s captivating and something completley different to experience.
2 nights accommodation
Included Dinner
Day 4 Glaciers, mountains and super jeep
[DM1]Called what?
Day 5 Canyons, waterfalls and incredible geology
After breakfast we drive along the south coast, stopping off in the beautiful little village of Vik, and from there continue to one of the wonders of south-east Iceland, the amazing Fjadrargljufur canyon. This incredible water eroded canyon has been here since the end of the last ice age - almost nine thousand years ago. The rock formation is palagonite, a soft lava rock which is found in many places in Iceland. There is a perfect walking path along the canyon with many viewpoints to absorb this dramatic landscape.
We’ll continue to Skaftafell, part of the national glacier park, where lunch will be on your own today. Afterwards, we head out and go on one of the trails in the area and hike up to Svartifoss waterfall. It is a very picturesque waterfall that cascades over columnar rocks and well worth the light to moderate hike. Skaftafell is one of its kind, snug under the glacier Vatnajokull, surprisingly rich in vegetation and provides a lovely and comfortable place to walk.
Day 6 Glacier Lagoon, Icebergs and diamond beach
Today we continue our drive along the southeast coast [DM1] of Iceland, taking in the beautiful views while we head towards Jokulsarlon, one of the most amazing places in Iceland. Jokulsarlon is Iceland’s largest glacier lagoon. This lagoon is one of a kind, partly saltwater, partly freshwater; a beautiful lagoon in front of Iceland’s largest glacier Vatnajokull. The lagoon attracts different sea birds and seals, who can often be found on some of the icebergs relaxing and enjoying the summer warmth. Beneath the glacier swimming on the inner lakes is heard the haunting cry of the Red Throated diver whose voices echo through this remarkable landscape, a gentle reminder that nature is still in charge. We stop for lunch at the lagoon before boarding our Zodiac to get up close and personal with the incredible icebergs floating in these pristine waters.
We then move on to Diamond beach and witness many of the icebergs that fill the Jökulsárlón[DM2] glacier lagoon At the Diamond Beach, the icebergs which fill the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon wash up on shore, creating a stark contrast with the black volcanic sand. This stunningly beautiful display makes it a favourite location for photographers and nature-lovers alike. It is also one of the best places in the country to see Orcas swimming offshore.
[DM1]Each / most days starts with “After breakfast we continue our drive….. “ can we come up with a different form of words so that each day doesn’t start the same, or is it ok to start same each time?
[DM2]In this and the next instance of this name we use accents on the o,a, and o, but in other places (above) we do not. We should look at all the place names and ensure all spelling is correct / consistent.
1-night stay
Lunch & Dinner
Day 7 Fishing villages, forests and lakes
This morning we’ll head east where we discover amazingly shaped mountains and deep fjords that split the landscape in two. Less than three per cent of the Icelandic population lives in this truly picturesque area, with stunning scenery, remote fishing villages, sparkling lakes, dense forests and traditional farms. Along the way, we will stop and have lunch in a local restaurant. With luck, we may catch a glimpse of the wild reindeer that were originally brought to Iceland for farming, but through lack of success, were allowed to roam free ever since.
After a day of driving and exploring an extraordinary landscape, we finish off our adventure at the Vok baths, a new geothermal floating pool in a beautiful little lake located just outside of the town Egilsstadir. Vök Baths harnesses the geothermal power of the region to create a unique bathing experience with amazing views of the rest of the lake and the surrounding area.
Throughout the centuries, people living around Lake Urriðavatn noticed certain spots on the lake that curiously did not freeze in the wintertime.
1 night accommodation
Lunch and dinner
Day 8 Remote farm museum, waterfall and Reykjavik
We then drive to Hengifoss where we’ll meet Iceland's second tallest waterfall, surrounded by basaltic columnar rock formations. Lunch at Obyggðasetur, museum where an old farmhouse has been tastefully restored to give you an insight as to how life in Iceland was, not so long ago. A stroll through the museum will open your eyes to the real hardships people faced in this inhospitable landscape.
After the tour we will drive to the airport for your internal flight to Reykjavik, where you will be picked up at the airport and taken to your hotel. A local guide will show you around Reykjavik and give some pointers on where to eat for the evening. Dinner is on your own tonight and provides an opportunity to try out one of many excellent restaurants in the city and some local food.
Dinner on own
Day 9 Blue Lagoon and Vikings
Today is a relaxed day, and after breakfast in the morning, we head to the well-known Blue Lagoon to relax in the unusual geothermal saltwater and let the water relax sore muscles and rejuvenate our energy and skin. On our way back we will visit the Viking museum and see a replica Viking long ship built to sail from Iceland to North America, following in the ancient footsteps of Leif Ericson as he headed to Greenland and America.
The afternoon is at your leisure to explore Reykjavik, one of the smallest capitals in Europe and get some last-minute shopping.
In the evening we have our farewell dinner in one of Reykjavik's restaurants and toast our Icelandic Adventure and the meeting of new friends.
Day 10 Departure.
Tour ends. Transfer to the airport.