Iceland Classical Circle

Day 1 - Arrival

Welcome to the Land of Fire and Ice! On your own, transfer to Reykjavik. We recommend the easy and convenient FlyBus Plus transfers, not included. If your flight lands early in the day, a great suggestion is to explore Reykjavík, the largest municipality in Iceland or stop at the Blue Lagoon on your way from the airport to the city (reservation required/not included)

Dinner is on your own. Reykjavik offers a multitude of restaurants and/or coffee-houses, making dinner a great way to get better acquainted with Iceland's capital.

Your tour guide will meet you on Day 1 for your information meeting. More information after booking the tour.

Overnight stay in Reykjavík.

Day 2: Thingvellir national park - Geysir – Gullfoss –Golden Circle

Exploding Geysers - Waterfalls - Puffin Colony - Black Sand Beaches of the South Shore

Breakfast at your hotel. Start the day with a short city sightseeing of Reykjavík. From Reykjavík head to Lake Thingvallavatn. The biggest lake in Iceland. This is a Unesco heritage site where the world´s oldest parliament was founded in the 10th century. The European Tectonic plates are located in Thinvellir.

Next explore Gullfoss, the ‘Golden Waterfall’, and the nearby Geysir hot spring area to see the famous Geysir and Strokkur, and numerous other hot springs and boiling mud pools.

During the day we will visit an Icelandic family farm, where tomatoes grow using geothermal energy.

Dinner and overnight stay in Hveragerdi area

Day 3: Thjorsardalur Valley – Skogar – Dyrholaey – Vik

Volcanic Valley – Waterfall Duo – Black Sand Beaches of the South Shore

Breakfast at your hotel. Explore enchanting Thjorsardalur valley and its ever-changing landscapes of birch woods, sandy lava fields, rivers, and waterfalls. If the skies are clear, you’ll also see the impressive and beautiful Mt. Hekla volcano towering over the region. Visit Stong, where you can view a replica of a Viking-age longhouse that was buried by a volcanic eruption of Hekla. The area was a filming location for Game of Thrones Season 4.
Drive along the scenic farmlands of Iceland’s South Shore. Stop to admire the scenic waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. Each waterfall has its own charm. Continue to Dyrholaey* and the thundering waves of the Reynisfjara black sand beaches. End the day in Vik, Iceland’s southernmost town.
Dinner and overnight in the Vik area.
*Please note that Dyrholaey is closed for the bird nesting season between mid-May and the 25th of June.

Driving distance: Approximate Distance: 295 km/183 miles

Day 4: Vík - Vatnajökull National Park - Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon - Höfn

Lava Fields - Europe’s Largest National Park - Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs - Europe’s Largest Glacier

Breakfast at your hotel. Cross Eldhraun, the largest mass of lava ever to flow on the face of the earth, before reaching the small town Kirkjubæjarklaustur, a former site of a 12th-century Catholic convent. The tour continues over Skeiðarársandur sands to Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park. Continue to the stunning Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon to see the birthplace of icebergs. Throughout the day we are afforded magnificent views of the mighty Vatnajökull Glacier. Overnight in the Hofn area. Dinner on own in Hofn area. Multiple restaurants including special lobster restaurants as this area is famous for it´s lobster.

Day 5: Höfn - East Fjords - Egilsstaðir

Narrow Fjords - Steep Mountains - Picturesque Coastline

Breakfast at your hotel. Drive from Höfn through Almannaskarð pass, stop and admire the majestic coastline. Continue to the towering mountains plunging vertically into the sea that form the magnificent East Fjords. You will enjoy the amazing scenery as you head from glacial landscapes to fjord view, passing through coastal fjord villages on your way to the town of Egilsstadir. 

Dinner and overnight stay in the Egilsstadir area.

Day 6: Lake Mývatn Area

Highland Desert - Bizarre Lava Formations - Geothermal & Volcanic Activity - Rich Birdlife - Protected Trout River

Breakfast at your hotel. Explore the empty vastness of the highland desert plateau Möðrudalsöræfi, heading to the Lake Mývatn area. On the way, stop at Dettifoss (summer only), Europe's most powerful waterfall.  Visit Námaskarð pass with its boiling mud pools and vibrant colors. Explore the natural beauty of the Lake Mývatn area, including the peculiar lava formations at Dimmuborgir, the pseudo craters at Skútustaðir and Laxá Salmon river. One of Mývatn area’s claims to fame is that it is home to more species of ducks than any other place on Earth, with very diverse birdlife in general.

Dinner and overnight in the Mývatn area.

Day 7: Lake Mývatn Area – Goðafoss – Akureyri

Waterfall “Of the Gods”- Folk Museum – Iceland’s Second Largest City

Breakfast at your hotel. Start the day by exploring the peculiar lava formations at Dimmuborgir. Visit the magnificent Godafoss waterfall and the old turf farm Laufas. Afterwards, visit Akureyri, the colorful northern “capital“of Iceland. The town has charming buildings and beautiful view of the Eyjafjordur Fjord. The evening and dinner is on your own at one of the town´s restaurants. Akureyri is a very enjoyable and friendly town for an evening stroll.

Overnight in Akureyri . 

Day 8: Skagafjörður - Borgarnes

Fertile Farmlands - Glacial Rivers - Unique Viking Horse with Demonstration

Breakfast at your hotel.  Head along majestic mountains and narrow passes lead to Skagafjordur, considered to be one of the finest places in Iceland for horse breeding. Enjoy an introduction to the unique Icelandic horse breed with its special fifth gait - the tolt. Continue towards the village of Blonduos built on both sides of the river Blanda. Hrutey Island, a protected nature reserve, sits within the center of this popular Salmon River. Cross the Holtavorduheidi plateau through Borgarfjordur to the beautiful town of Borgarnes.

Grabrok crater is easily accessible by hiking paths. There is amazing views from the top.

We will visit, Deildartunguhver the most powerful hot spring area in Europe.  Visit Hraunfossar and Barnafossar waterfalls.

Dinner and overnight stay in Borgarnes area.

Day 9: Borgarfjörður - Snaefellsjokull and Snaefellsnes peninsula.

Europe’s Largest Hot Spring - Picturesque Waterfalls - National Park with Geological Wonders (UNESCO).

Breakfast at your hotel.  Today we observe the amazing landscapes in Snaefellsnes National Park.

Snaefellsjokull (glacier) covers (as many glaciers in Iceland), a volcano that last erupted about 2500 years ago.

You will see Kirkjufell mountain, probably the most photographed mountain in Iceland.

Visit the black beaches of Djupalonssand and the small fishing village of Arnarstapi.

Overnight stay in Reykjavík. Dinner is on your own.

Day 10: Departure

Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to the airport not included, but we would be happy to book it for you. We advise departing your hotel no later than three hours before your international flight.

SUGGESTION -  If you did not visit the Blue Lagoon on your arrival day, you might use the opportunity to stop there now on your way to the airport. Reservation required / not included