Iceland Explorer

Welcome to Iceland! We recommend booking the easy and convenient Direct Airport transfers with us. If your flight lands early in the day, a great suggestion will be to explore Reykjavík, the largest municipality in Iceland. Check-in to your hotel (most hotels start check-in around 2:00 PM). Ingolfur Arnarson, the first settler in Iceland, built his farm on the peninsula where Reykjavík stands today. The town got its name “Smokey Bay” after the columns of steam rose from the hot springs in the area and made a deep impression on the first settlers. Reykjavik offers a multitude of restaurants and/or coffee-houses, making dinner a wonderful way to get better acquainted with Iceland's capital.




Overnight in Reykjavík

Breakfast at your hotel. Meet your guide and start your Iceland adventure. After a quick introductory of our home city of Reykjavik, head to Lake Thingvallavatn, Icelands largest lake and Thingvellir National Park. This UNESCO heritage site is where the worlds oldest continuing parliamentary government was founded in the 10th century. It is also the place where the North American and European tectonic plates meet. You will have the unusual experience of walking between two continents. Next on your journey is Gullfoss, the “Golden Waterfall”, where various walking paths give you photo-worthy views of the beautiful double-ledged cascade. Youll also visit the nearby Geysir hot spring area to see the famous Geysir and Strokkur, as well as numerous other hot springs and boiling mud pools. During the day youll get a glimpse into Icelandic local life. Visit an Icelandic family farm where tomatoes are grown using organic geothermal energy. Tour the greenhouse and sample some of the farms sweet Icelandic tomatoes. The day ends in Hveragerdi, a pretty town located in an active geothermal area. The locals have made clever use of underground hot springs to provide heat for homes, as well as greenhouses that grow flowers, fruits and vegetables.



Dinner and
Overnight in the Hveragerdi area

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, youll 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 Icelands 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, Icelands 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.



Dinner and
Overnight in Vik

Breakfast at your hotel. Today you will be in a world of glaciers! Youll be visiting the southern area of Vatnajokull National Park, named after Europes largest glacier. The total park area covers almost 14% of Iceland, making it the largest national park in Western Europe. Drive through vast sand plains created by glacial outwashes as you head east. Visit the national parks famous Skaftafell area, a site of outstanding natural beauty. Enjoy the views of rich green landscapes and black sands dominated by several magnificent glaciers. Youll also see Svinafellsjokull, one of the most beautiful glacial “tongues” that are slowly creeping down from Vatnajokull. Visit Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon where youll enjoy the breath-taking sight of icebergs floating in the fantastic 180m (591 ft.) deep glacial lagoon. You also have the option of enjoying a boat tour amid the ice bergs (must be booked in advance). Nearby is the dramatic beauty of the Diamond Beach, named for the shrinking icebergs that settle on the black sands before drifting out to sea. Your overnight is in Hofn, a fishing port in the shadow of Vatnajokull glacier. Dinner is on your own. Hofn has a nice selection of restaurants and cafes. The local specialty is langoustines (Norway lobsters).




Overnight in Egilsstadir

Breakfast at your hotel. Drive from Hofn through Almannaskard pass, stopping to admire the majestic coastline. Continue to the towering mountains plunging vertically into the sea that form the magnificent East Fjords. Were sure youll love the amazing views, so keep your camera ready. You will also pass villages, each with its own special history and charm. One of these is the tiny village of Breiddalsvik. Your group will visit the Beljandi Microbrewery and sample some of the wonderful beer. The local community came together in 2017 to transform a rustic warehouse into a charmingly quirky brewery. Youll meet one of the townsfolk and get a feel for life in a small Icelandic town, as well as see how great beer is made. The road brings you to Egilsstadir town, located near Icelands largest forest and a lake said to be home to a legendary (friendly) monster.



Dinner and overnight stay in the Egilsstadir area.

Today, explore the vast emptiness of the highland desert plateau of Modrudalsoraefi, as you make your way towards the Lake Myvatn area. On the way, stop in Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall. Continue onwards to the Namaskard pass with its boiling mud pools and vibrant colors. Discover the natural beauty of the Lake Myvatn area, including the pseudo craters in Skutustadir and the Laxa Salmon River. Other volcanic features of Myvatn include the multi-colored geothermal area of Namaskard, the Krafla Volcano, and the dark lave citadels of Dimmuborgir. One of Myvatn 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. Arrive in your hotel in time for dinner.




Overnight in the Myvatn Area

Breakfast at your hotel. Start your days adventure with a visit to magnificent Godafoss waterfall, one of North Icelands most important symbols. Afterwards, youll see Akureyri, the colorful northern “capital“ of Iceland. The town has charming buildings and a beautiful view of the Eyjafjordur fjord. After spending some free time in Akureyri, youll continue along the coastal roads and head along majestic mountains and narrow passes to your overnight in Skagafjordur, a scenic region full of historical sites and folk tales.




Overnight in Skagafjordur

In the morning you will visit Siglufjordurs award-winning Herring-Era Museum. The museum recreates the atmosphere of the early 20th century when Siglufjordur was transformed into a herring boom town, thanks to a large migration of herring.  Afterwards, head along the majestic mountains and narrow passes leading 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 your journey towards the village of Blonduos, built on both sides of the river Blanda. Hrutey Island, a protected nature reserve, sits within the centre of this popular Salmon River. Cross the Holtavorduheidi Plateau through Borgarfjordur to visit the beautiful town of Borgarnes. Head to your hotel in time for dinner.




Overnight in the Borgarnes Area

Breakfast at your hotel. Today you will explore the amazing variety of natural landscapes in Snaefellsjokull National Park. The parks crown jewel is Snaefellsjokull glacier itself, which covers a dormant volcano that last erupted in 250 AD. In addition, youll also see Kirkjufell, one of the most photographed mountains in Iceland. Walk along the uniquely pebbled seascape of Djupalonssandur beach. At the picturesque harbor village of Arnarstapi, you can observe magnificent basalt rocks in stacked formations. One Icelandic Saga mentions that Snaefellsnes and its people are protected by a benevolent half troll who lives high on the glacier. You might even find a sense of magic and healing energy in this beautiful peninsula. At the end of the afternoon, your journey leads back to Reykjavik. Your guide will bid you farewell at your hotel.




Overnight in Reykjavík

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, before you make your own way (transfer not included) to the airport to board your flight back home. We recommend departing your hotel no later than 3 hours before your international flight. If you did not visit the Blue Lagoon on your arrival day, you might use this opportunity to stop there on your way to the airport with the transfer we offer.