Iceland in all Its Glory

Day 1: Arrival in Reykjavik
Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax and unwind. (D)

Northern Lights: From September to mid-April optional Northern Lights evening tours can be booked at the lobby of your hotel, should weather conditions be favorable.

Day 2: Reykjavík | Akureyri
Travel along the scenic Hvalfjorður fjord and the town of Borgarnes. Hike to the rim of Grábrók volcano crater, formed about 3400 years ago. For anyone interested in geology, this is a “must-see”. The crater is in the middle of a vast lava field and from the top, you have superb views of the beautiful landscape. In the afternoon, visit a natural history and seal museum in a small fishing village in Northwest Iceland and stroll around the local harbor. Continue to the turf church of Víðimýri, which has been extensively restored to its original form and is widely considered one of the purest and most beautiful examples of traditional Icelandic architecture.(B)

Day 3: Akureyri | Lake Myvatn
Explore the charming town of Akureyri, visit the botanical garden and enjoy the panoramic view over Eyjafjörður fjord. In the afternoon, travel to a prominent spot in Iceland’s history, Goðafoss, the waterfalls of the Gods. Continue to Lake Mývatn which is known for its geological wonders and active bird life during summer. Stroll through the mysterious lava field of Dimmuborgir, see the tephra cone Hverfjall and end an exciting day with a relaxing soak at Mývatn Nature Baths that contains a unique blend of minerals, silicates, and geothermal micro-organisms. (B)

Day 4: Lake Myvatn | Borgarfjörður
Morning hike in a lava labyrinth at Dimmuborgir, “the dark castles”, hoping to get a glimpse of the trolls who are said to live there. After an optional lunch, visit the hot spring area of Námaskarð with bubbling mud pools and steaming solfataras. Head through the uninhabited highlands and moon-like surroundings to East Iceland. (B)

Note: From June to August – detour to Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall in the northern part of Vatnajökull National Park.

Day 5: Borgarfjörður | Kirkjubæjarklaustur
Spend the morning admiring the dramatic fjord landscape and its tiny fishing villages at the end of winding roads in the East Fjords. In the afternoon, see Vatnajökull, Europe’s biggest glacier that is visible all over Southeast Iceland. Stop at Jökulsárlón, a glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs, and we explore the extraordinary site and might see seals swimming in arctic waters. You can walk on the black sandy beach, where large icebergs often get stranded. Depending on the season optional boat trips are available. Travel along the southern part of the glacier Vatnajökull and spend some time at Europe’s second-largest national park, which has Iceland’s highest mountains and Europe’s largest glacier. (B)

Day 6: Kirkjubæjarklaustur | Flúðir
A beautiful drive with many natural wonders awaits you as you head across the Eldhraun lava field, cross the sandy desert of the south coast, overlooked by rugged cliffs, glaciers, and waterfalls. The world-famous Reynisfjara shore, near the village Vík, is widely regarded as the most impressive black sand and pebble beach in Iceland. Out in the sea are the spectacularly shaped basalt sea stacks. In the small village of Skógar, there is the 200-foot high Skógafoss waterfall, one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country. Stop at the Eyjafjallajökull Information Center and learn about living next to a glacier and an active volcano. Continue to the narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall which plunges over the mountain. There is an interesting trail that goes behind the fall – if you are prepared to get wet! (B)

Day 7: Flúðir | Reykjavík
Explore classics as we travel the route of the Golden Circle. Learn about the Icelandic horse, its unique qualities and history, visit a geothermal greenhouse and geothermal fields. Continue to Gullfoss, “the golden falls”, which is a double waterfall that tumbles 100 feet into the Hvítá river and attracts travelers all year round. Venture inland to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and an area of exceptional geological and historical interest. The Þingvellir area is part of a fissure zone running through Iceland, situated on the tectonic plate boundaries of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The faults and fissures make evident the rifting of the earth’s crust. Upon return to Reykjavík, enjoy a short city tour(B)

Day 8: Departure from Reykjavík
Transfer the the airport for your return flight. (B)