Come travel full circle around Iceland with us! We head out from Reykjavik in the morning of day 1 and come back to Reykjavik in the early evening of day 6. Join this small-group, 6-day tour to discover Iceland’s natural wonders in a safe and pleasant travel environment. Enjoy overnight stays in cozy, quality hotels and guesthouses along the way, with breakfast included each morning. Our itinerary for the trip looks as follows:
Day 1 - the Golden Circle
You'll be picked up from Reykjavík, between 8am and 8.30. After pick up, we head right away to Iceland’s most famous route: The Golden Circle. The tour begins with your expert guide leading you through the Golden Circle Route. This is the most popular attraction in Iceland, and it features three main sights: Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, and Geysir geothermal area.
Thingvellir National Park: visit the place where the two tectonic plates, the North American and the Eurasian plate, are moving away from each other. Few places in the world offer a better and clearer view of this massive geographic activity. Not only is this vast park beautiful to look at, but it is also remarkable geographically, as the ridge that runs through it is comprised of two exposed tectonic plates: the Eurasian and North American plates pull apart here, giving you the unique opportunity to walk between continents.
The largest natural lake in Iceland is located at Thingvellir National Park and hosts a great variety of fish and bird life. Thingvellir is also an important place for Icelandic national history. At Thingvellir, Icelanders founded their parliament in 930 a.d. where the chieftains had their annual meeting every summer. The name “Thingvellir” translates to “Parliament Plains”.
The Geysir geothermal area: hosts hundreds of colorful hot springs and two geysers hot springs. One is dormant and is called “Geysir”, that named all the geysers in the world after its name; the other one is called “Strokkur”, which erupts every 5 minutes up to 40 meters.
Gullfoss Waterfall: the melting water from Iceland´s second biggest glacier, Langjökull, falls into a deep canyon forming the majestic “Golden Falls”. On a sunny day, you can see the glacier Langjökull in the distance and enjoy a rainbow in the mist of the waterfall, an Instagram blockbuster waiting to happen!
Spend your night in a cozy countryside hotel or guesthouse in a room with a private bathroom and breakfast included the next morning. This is included in the price.
Day 2 - South Coast & Katla Ice Cave
On your second day, travel along the picturesque South Coast. Your first stops will be at two of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls.
The first, Seljalandsfoss, cascades from the great heights of the interior; its unique feature is the small cavern behind it, allowing you to walk completely around it.
The next waterfall, Skógarfoss, falls in a broad curtain from the steep highlands and is rumored to have an ancient treasure hidden behind it. On sunny days, more than one rainbow can often be spotted depending on how close you get to its thunderous spray.
Visit the amazing Katla ice cave, which is a great way to learn more about glaciers and volcanic eruptions in the history of Iceland.
The final attraction for the day is the beautiful black sand beach Reynisfjara, defined not only for its color but its impressive basalt columns and famous sea stacks.
You will then head to your accommodation close to the idyllic coastal town of Vík. Spend your night in a cozy countryside hotel or guesthouse in a room with a private bathroom and breakfast included the next morning. This is included in the price.
Day 3 - Jökulsarlon & Diamond Beach
Your next destination will be the glacier lagoon Jökulsárlón, with a few stops along the way. Jökulsárlon is formed by the receding glacial tongue Breiðamerkurjökull where huge chunks of ice break away and float lazily out to sea. No iceberg is the same, and each is characterized by different blue and white shades scarred with volcanic ash from historical eruptions. During your visit to the Glacier Lagoon, you'll hop on a boat and sail between the giant icebergs floating around
Before reaching the Glacier Lagoon, we will take you to Skaftafell for a 3-hour glacier hike on the largest glacier in Iceland, Vatnajokull, to enjoy the view from the great heights as well as to feel the icy giant underneath your crampons. It can be cold on the glaciers even in summer, so remember to pack accordingly.
As the ancient icy giants make it to sea, some wash up on the adjacent beach, which has been nicknamed Diamond Beach for the glittering chunks of ice that arrive with the surf. Walk beside chunks of ancient glacial ice and marvel at the magical sight at your feet.
You will spend the evening close to the Höfn area. Spend your night in a cozy countryside hotel or guesthouse in a room with a private bathroom and breakfast included the next morning. This is included in the price.
Day 4 - The Eastfjords
Next, explore the beautiful and remote Eastfjords. Traveling through mountain passes with the ocean to your left, your guide will make a number of stops along this meandering passageway. As well as being known for its dramatic fjords, this area is characterized by its breathtaking beaches, littered with multi-colored pebbles and rocks.
The entire region is sparsely populated, but the small communities that exist there live in quaint fishing communities, each with their own idiosyncrasies. Your guide will introduce you to small-town life out in the countryside before heading to the central ‘hub’ of the East, Egilsstaðir. As well as being the largest town in the Eastfjords, it is also close to the largest forest in Iceland, Hallormsstaðaskógar, and Lake Lagafljót, where a legendary water monster is said to reside.
You will spend the night in Egilsstaðir. Spend your night in a cozy countryside hotel or guesthouse in a room with a private bathroom and breakfast included the next morning. This is included in the price.
Day 5 - Sightseeing to the North East:
Make your way north, right across the large and beautiful expanse of Vatnajökull National Park. Your first stop of the day will be the magnificent Dettifoss waterfall, the most powerful in Europe. The spray of this gigantic natural feature can be seen far before you reach the falls itself. Its awe-inspiring character has inspired many movie makers to select this area as a backdrop, including the blockbuster Prometheus.
Your next destination is the varied and dynamic Lake Mývatn area, named after the lake (‘Midge Lake’). This area is known for its energetic geothermal activity, and you will get to see this first hand at the Námskarð area, where these forces rise to the surface through steaming mud puddles and fumaroles, and you will have the time to admire the geothermal power of the surrounding area, and enjoy magnificent views.
You will then head to the ‘Capital of the North,’ Akureyri. Before you cross the mountain pass to get there, however, you will make a quick stop at the waterfall, Goðafoss. This is a historically famous site in which the old idols of the pagan religion were cast into the water as an act of fealty towards the Christian faith.
You will spend the night in Akureyri. Spend your night in a cozy countryside hotel or guesthouse in a room with a private bathroom and breakfast included the next morning. This is included in the price.
Day 6 - North Iceland and back to Reykjavik
Time to return to Reykjavik. First, we drive to the beautiful Hauganes village famous for whales and fresh fish! From here you can join an included whale watching tour. Hop aboard a boat in the local harbor and head out to spot these gentle giants.
After the whale watching tour, head back to Reykjavik where you arrive around 19:30 hrs / 7.30 pm. You'll have plenty of time on the way to take in the beautiful sights of Iceland and reflect on your incredible journey.
Please note:
You'll be stayin in local guesthouses and countryside hotels throughout Iceland. While the actual hotel for each destination is subject to availability, travelers typically stay in Hotel Drangslid, Hotel Hrifunes, Guesthouse Gerdi, Hotel Valaskjalf and Hotel Nordurland.
Solo travelers will receive a single room. Reservations for 2 people will be allocated a double room. For bookings of 3 or more, triple rooms will automatically be allocated. For example, a group of 8 will receive 2 triple rooms and 1 double.
It can happen, in the case of extreme weather, that an activity is cancelled. If your chosen activity is cancelled, we will assist you with rearranging or booking other activities when possible, and any potential price difference will be refunded to you.
Please note that only pick up and drop-off from designated pick up locations in the greater capital area is available, not from Keflavík International Airport. Therefore, we do not recommend attempting to start this tour on your arrival day in Iceland. We recommend to book one hotel night in Reykjavik before, and one after, the tour.
Arrival time back to Reykjavík at the end of your tour can vary depending on weather and traffic. It is highly recommended that you do not book your flight home the same night as bad weather or delays could affect your journey. Please be sure to arrange accommodation for this evening and an airport transfer the next day to take you to Keflavík International Airport for your departure.
Welcome to Iceland, and to this 6-Day around Iceland adventure!
