Icelandic Sagas and Volcanic Cave Private Tour

Meet your personal guide at your Reykjavik hotel, and travel northward by private, air-conditioned vehicle into Iceland’s west coast region. Your vehicle is equipped with WiFi and bottled water. On route, learn about Iceland’s history, folklore, and geography; and admire the wild mountains and stunning Hvalfjordur Fjord, whose name means ‘whale fjord.’ Hear the legends of the fjord, and after taking the road tunnel under its waters, drive to the Settlement Centre at Borgarnes. Dedicated to Iceland’s settlement by Vikings in the 9th century, this impressive center tells the story of the country’s foundation and its sagas — the 1,000-year-old written records of the settlement and individual settlers. After exploring here, continue through Iceland’s highlands of mountains, lava plains, and valleys; and stop to see the Deildartunguhver springs — Europe’s fastest-flowing hot springs — and the Hraunfossar waterfalls. Then, arrive in Husafell, a small highlands town and the gateway to the Langjökull glacier. Stretch your legs here as you admire the surrounding lava fields and glaciers, and refuel with a tasty buffet lunch at a restaurant. Next, join a shared tour of the Viogelmir Cave, Iceland’s largest cave, and just under 5,250 feet (1.6 kilometers) deep. Don the provided helmet, and follow a guide into the darkened depths via the walkway. Spend about four hours exploring the subterranean network, crossing boulder fields and rugged terrain into areas seen only by very few visitors since the cave is thought to have formed 1,100 years ago. View the multicolored layers, lava formations, and stalagmites and stalactites — many delicate and effectively frozen in time — and learn about their formation from your guide. After re-emerging into the daylight, reconvene with your vehicle and relax on your ride back to Reykjavik. Your tour concludes with a drop-off back at your hotel.

• Driver/guide

• Bottled water

• WiFi in vehicle

• Hotel pickup and drop-off

• Lunch buffet at Husafell Bistro

• Private tour to Húsafell and back

• Gratuities

• Entrance fees, unless specified

• Food and drinks, unless specified