Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival
Reykjavík
Arrival transfer from the airport to the hotel by regular bus service (without a guide). If you arrive early in Reykjavík, you can explore the Old Town, home to numerous museums and galleries. Reykjavík boasts a wealth of restaurants and cafés, offering an excellent way to get to know the Icelandic capital. Free evening in Reykjavík. Accommodation: Radisson RED.

Day 2: Golden Circle
Hella region
Breakfast at your hotel. Your guide will be waiting for you in the hotel lobby. Departure for Þingvellir National Park, ‘the plain of the parliament’, where the ancient Icelandic parliament used to meet on the shores of Iceland’s largest lake, Þingvallavatn. You will continue on to the Geysir geothermal area with its solfataras and the active Strokkur geyser. You’ll round off the visit with one of Iceland’s most beautiful waterfalls, Gullfoss or ‘The Golden Waterfall’, which is just as spectacular in summer as it is in winter when it’s frozen. Dinner and overnight stay in the Hella region. Accommodation: Hótel Örk.

Day 3: The South Coast
Kirkjubæjarklaustur region
Breakfast at your hotel. You’ll travel along Iceland’s south coast, stopping to admire the spectacular Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls. The region is dominated by famous volcanoes such as Eyjafjallajökull and Katla, which lie hidden beneath glacial caps. Visit Reynisfjara, arguably Iceland’s most beautiful beach with its black sands and imposing basalt columns. You’ll stop in Vík, a charming village where you’ll witness something incredible: a re-enactment of a volcanic eruption! You’ll see real lava rocks heated to create a glowing lava flow that flows before your very eyes. You’ll also learn about volcanoes and the ways in which they have shaped Iceland. Next, you’ll cross Eldhraun, a stunning lava field formed in 1783 following the largest eruption in Iceland’s history. In winter, the snow transforms this landscape into a truly mysterious place. Later, you’ll arrive at the charming little village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, the former home of a 12th-century Catholic convent. Dinner and overnight stay in the Kirkjubæjarklaustur area. Accommodation: Hótel Skaftafell.

Day 4: Vatnajökull National Park and the East Fjords
The East Fjords region
Breakfast at your hotel. Yesterday you experienced Iceland’s fire. Today you will experience Iceland’s glaciers. You will travel across the desert-like expanse of Skeiðarársandur to the Skaftafell region, which offers numerous hiking options. This beautiful region forms part of Europe’s largest national park: Vatnajökull. From Skaftafell, you’ll head to the extraordinary Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon to admire the floating icebergs breaking away from the glacier, and with a bit of luck you might even spot some curious seals. Nearby lies Diamond Beach, a place of spectacular beauty where pieces of icebergs melt onto a black sand beach. You’ll enjoy magnificent views of the Vatnajökull glacier throughout the drive. You’ll continue to the oldest part of Iceland, the east, with its fjords formed by ancient glaciers and, in the background, its dormant volcanoes and charming fishing villages. Dinner and overnight stay in the East Fjords region. Accommodation: Berjaya Hotel Hérað.

Day 5: Lake Mývatn
Lake Mývatn region
Breakfast at your hotel. You’ll explore the vast expanses of the Möðrudalsöræfi desert plain before heading towards the Lake Mývatn region. In Möðrudalsöræfi, you’ll visit a café on a historic farm, which happens to be the highest-altitude farmstead in Iceland. Here, you’ll sample some traditional Icelandic sweets. Continue on to the Námaskarð Pass to admire the solfataras, fumaroles and the beautiful landscape created by the area’s vibrant colours. Discover the natural beauty of Lake Mývatn, with its strange lava formations at Dimmuborgir and the pseudocraters at Skútustaðir. The region has a very mystical atmosphere, especially in winter. It is easy to see why it has been a popular winter filming location for series such as ‘Game of Thrones’. Dinner and overnight stay in the Lake Mývatn region, an ideal spot for viewing the Northern Lights if conditions are favourable. Accommodation: Hótel Akureyri Skjaldborg.

Day 6: Akureyri and the North Coast
Borgarfjörður region
Breakfast at the hotel. On the way to the bustling port of Akureyri, you’ll stop to admire the magnificent Goðafoss waterfall. You’ll visit the charming town of Akureyri, Iceland’s second-largest city by population, and the geothermal baths at Skógarböð (the forest lagoon). The journey through an area of majestic mountains and narrow gorges will take you to the historic Skagafjörður region, renowned for its horse breeding. You’ll likely see numerous herds of horses grazing in the fields. The region is also rich in historical sites and legends dating from the Viking Age right up to the early 20th century. You will visit Glaumbær, a peat and grass farm inhabited from the 18th century until 1947. Today it is a fascinating museum where you can see how Icelanders used to live in the countryside, with traditions dating back to the Viking Age. You will continue towards the north coast, passing through fishing villages such as Blönduós. You’ll cross the Holtavörðuheiði plateau to reach the Borgarfjörður region. This area of lava fields was one of the first parts of Iceland to be settled by the Vikings. There are several sites here linked to the Icelandic sagas: Reykholt is where Snorri Sturluson, a powerful 12th-century chieftain, made his home. Today, you can still visit the hot spring where he used to relax. Snorri is the author of the important ‘Prose Edda’, which has helped to preserve Norse mythology and legends for future generations. Dinner and overnight stay in the Borgarfjörður region. Accommodation: Hótel Hamar.

Day 7: Borgarfjörður and Reykjavík
Reykjavík
Breakfast at your hotel. You will explore the fertile Borgarfjörður region. You will admire the picturesque Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, and discover Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring. The hot water in this area supplies geothermal energy to most of the neighbouring areas. Return to Reykjavík, where your guide will say goodbye at the hotel. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy your chosen activities. Overnight in Reykjavík. Dinner at your leisure. Accommodation: Radisson RED.

Day 8: Departure
Return
Breakfast at the hotel. Please note that breakfast on the day of departure may be a light breakfast if you have an early morning flight. Transfer from the hotel to the airport by regular bus service (without a guide). We recommend leaving the hotel at least three hours before your flight departs.

© ITR

© ITR

© ITR