8 Day Around Iceland Winter Minibus Tour
8 Day Around Iceland Winter Minibus Tour
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable 8-day journey around Iceland's breathtaking winter landscapes with our "Around Iceland Winter Minibus Tour." This meticulously crafted adventure begins with the iconic Golden Circle, where you'll marvel at the wonders of Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir Geothermal Area, and the majestic Gullfoss Waterfall. As the days unfold, immerse yourself in the beauty of the South Coast, including the mesmerizing Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, the striking Reynisfjara black sand beach, and an exhilarating glacier hike. Explore the mystical ice caves, witness the serene Jokulsárlón glacier lagoon, and venture through the untouched beauty of the Eastfjords. The tour continues to the North, where you'll experience the charm of Akureyri, whale watching in Hauganes, and the unique landscapes of Lake Mývatn. Concluding in the West, you'll discover the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, home to the iconic Kirkjufell mountain. This small group experience includes 7 nights of accommodation, daily breakfasts, and several included activities, ensuring a comfortable and enriching adventure. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : The Golden Circle
Location: Reykjavík
The first attraction of this 8-day Iceland tour is the well-known Golden Circle, one of Icelands most popular attraction. First of all you will visit Thingvellir National Park where the two tectonic plates, the North American and the Eurasian plate, are moving away from each other. Few places in the world offer a better and clearer view of this massive geographic activity. The biggest natural lake in Iceland is also located at Thingvellir National Park and hosts a great variety of fish and bird life. Thingvellir is also an important place for Icelandic national history. At Thingvellir Icelanders founded their parliament in 930 AD where the chieftains had their annual meeting every summer.
From Thingvellir you will drive for a short time to the next attraction which is Geysir geothermal area. There you can see Strokkur hot spring gushing out boiling water every 5 minutes or so.
Next up is Gullfoss waterfall (The Golden Falls), one of Iceland's most iconic waterfalls that has a drop of 32 meters over two rocky tiers. On a sunny day, you can see the glacier Langjökull in the distance and enjoy a rainbow in the mist of the waterfall.
At the end of the day you will visit Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, which has it's origins underneath the famous Eyjafjallajökull glacier. One of the amazing features of Seljalandsfoss is the pathway encircled around the waterfall, so make sure to take a photo of the waterfall from all angles.
After a good day of sightseeing you will spend the night on the South Coast of Iceland. Throughout this tour you will mostly be staying at country hotels that provide good opportunities of witnessing the northern lights if the weather allows.
Day 2 : The South Coast & Glacier Hike
Location: Reynisfjara Beach
Your second day includes the beautiful South Coast of Iceland. This day you will pass farmlands, rivers and picturesque waterfalls.
Along the day you will have the waves of the Atlantic ocean on your right side. There will be plenty stops for taking photographs and explore the amazing scenery.
To make this day even more adventurous you will start your day with a 3 hour Glacier Hiking tour. You will meet your glacier guide who will equip you with all the safety gear needed for the adventurous hike. This glacier hike gives you amazing scenery through crevasses and jagged ridges, incredible surroundings around the glacier and get up close with the blue ice.
After the Glacier Hike you will make a stop at one of Icelands most powerfull waterfalls, Skógarfoss. If you have the energy to hike up all 527 steps by the waterfall you will have a great view of the Icelandic coastline.
The last stop of the day will be Reynisfjara beach where you can breath the ocean air while exploring the extraordinary basalt stacks.
The accommodation of day 2 will be in or close to the town of Vík.
Day 3 : Jökulsárlón & Ice Caving
Location: Jökulsárlón
This day will very likely be one of the highlights of your trip. You will travel further east along the South Coast, through the desert of Skeiðarársandur, passing another national park, Skaftafell. Further east you will stop at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, one of the most iconic locations in Iceland. In Jökulsárlón you will see big and small icebergs breaking off from Breiðamerkurjökull glacier floating in the lagoon. If you look really well you might spots some seals that live in the lagoon.
On this day you will have the unique opportunity of exploring ice caves inside on of Icelands glaciers. The natural blue ice caves of Breiðarmerkurjökull are one of Icelands top destinations over the winter months.
This night is spent in the area of Vatnajökull glacier.
Day 4 : The Eastfjords
Location: East Fjords, Iceland
Today, you will continue further east towards the East Fjords of Iceland. The East Fjords are one of the most spectacular and untouched regions in Iceland. In this area you will feel the peace and tranquillity from the nature around you. While driving around this area you might spot some wild reindeers.
There are loads of interesting stops on this day as you head further east such as Djúpivogur, Lagarfljót lake, the charming fjords of the East and the small fishing villages.
On this day you will have the option on adding a horseback riding tour from Galdrahestar farm.
At the end of the day you will also have the option of relaxing in the VÖK Baths close to Egilsstaðir.
The night will be spent in the Eastfjords area.
Day 5 : Lake Myvatn & Dimmuborgir
Location: Lake Mývatn
After breakfast on day 5 you will head north towards Lake Mývatn and the nearby geothermal area. You will visit Dimmuborgir (Dark Castles) an area that is known for its strange rock formations, some look like a dark fort but others may look like a church.
Next stop is Námaskarð, a geothermal area with bubbling mud pools. Icelanders often place dough of bread and bury it in the ground allowing it to bake overnight.
The last stop of the day before heading to the overnight accommodation in Akureyri is Goðafoss waterfall. Goðafoss is very rich with beauty and history. When driving to Akureyri you will pass Víkurskarð mountain pass you can take in the beautiful surroundings of Eyjafjörður fjord.
At the end of the day you can walk around the Akureyri the capital of the north.
Day 6 : North Of Iceland & Whale Watching
Location: Hauganes, Iceland
Today you will make your way to the west part of Iceland with a detour around the northern area of Hauganes. Hauganes is the home of only about 140 people, it's really charming and peaceful village. You can spend some time strolling around the black sand beach or walk on the harbour. You will start your day with a whale watching tour where you have the opportunity of seeing Humpback Whales, Minke Whales, Harbour Porpoise and White Beaked Dolphins. These species are the most commonly spotted in this area.
This night is spent in the area of Borgarnes.
Day 7 : West Iceland & Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Location: Snæfellsnes Peninsula
On this day of the Iceland Circle you will explore Snæfellsnes Peninsula with its great surroundings. The first stop of the day will be Gerðuberg cliffs, from there you will go to Ytri-Tunga white sand beach. White beaches are not common in Iceland so this is a really interesting stop.
Next stop will be Djúpalónssandur, black pebble beach. Yo get to the beach you will have to walk through a maze of free standing lava pillars.
Throughout the day you will have Snæfellsjökull glacier watching over you. Snæfellsjökull was used as the entrance to the center of the earth in Jules Verne's classic sci-fi novel.
The last but not at all least stop of the day is the most photographed mountain in Iceland, Kirkjufell.
You will spend the night in the town of Stykkishólmur.
Day 8 : Snaefellsnes Peninsula In-Depth
Location: Borgarfjörður
On the final day of your 8 days around Iceland you will explore the valley of Borgarfjörður in West Iceland. The first attraction of the day is Europe's most powerful hot spring, Deildartunguhver, where bailing water is bubbling from the ground, you will feel the heat from the hot steam.
Next stop is Reykholt, one of the most important historical locations in Iceland. This was the home of Snorri Sturluson who was one of the most significant figures of the Middle Ages.
After leaving Reykholt you will see two waterfalls, Hraunfossar and Barnafoss. Hraunfossar is a series of rivulets that stream through the dark lava field. Barnafoss waterfall is a light blue waterfall that rushes through a narrow gorge.
You will have the option of going under the ground and visit the lava cave of Víðgelmir one of Icelands largest lava cave.
After exploring Borgarfjörður this 8-day tour has come to an end. You will end the tour in Reykjavík in early evening. We do not recommend flying from Iceland in the evening of the last day in case of any delays due to weather. We rather recommend exploring Reykjavík, the northernmost capital in the world.
What's Included
- Driver guide, pick-up and drop-off from in Reykjavik capital area
- Small group experience
- Wi-Fi and Icelandic music on board
- Accommodation:
7 nights accommodation with a private bathroom - Meals:
7 Breakfasts - Included activities and equipment:
Whale watching
Ice cave tour 3 hours glacier Hike with a certified guide
Glacier equipment: Helmet, Harness, Crampons, and Ice Axe
Northern lights sightseeing, if the weather allows - Taxes
What's Not Included
- Flights.
- Lunch and dinner not included.
- Pick up outside of Reykjavik capital area.
- Single room Supplement Fee (Mandatory for Single Travellers)
- Additional activities, that can be added during the booking process: Horseback Riding Tour, VOK Baths, Vidgelmir Lava Cave
Requirements
• Camera • Warm clothes (first layer)
• Waterproof clothing (second layer)
• Hiking boots (available for rent when booking)
• Swimsuit and a towel
• Joy and happiness!
Please Note
• Customers travelling on their own will receive a single room. Reservations for 2 people will be allocated a double room. For bookings of 3 or more, triple rooms will automatically be allocated. For example, a group of 8 will receive 2 triple rooms and 1 double. If these arrangements do not meet your requirements, please contact the provider.
• The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and therefore cannot be guaranteed, but this itinerary is designed to maximise your chances to see them if weather allows. Please be advised that there is no specific Northern Lights hunt on this tour, but your guide will notify you if the conditions are favourable and advise you on how to best spot them.
• It can happen, in the case of extreme weather, that an activity is cancelled. If your chosen activity is cancelled, we will assist you with rearranging or booking other activities when possible, and any potential price difference will be refunded to you.
• Note that Icelandic roads and pavements can be slippery in the wintertime. We recommend you bring shoes with slip-resistant soles or ice-grip shoe covers. The covers can be purchased in most supermarkets and gas stations around the country.
• Please note that only pick up and drop-off from designated pick up locations in the greater capital area is available, not from Keflavík International Airport. Therefore, we do not recommend attempting to start this tour on your arrival day in Iceland. Arrival time back to Reykjavík at the end of your tour can vary depending on weather and traffic.
ticket
Thank you for joining our Troll family for a n 8 Day Winter tour!
Important information. Please read below!
Pick up
Please be ready at 8:00 am at you selected pick up location. We start picking up at the bus stops around central Reykjavik and then move on to the locations outside of the downtown area. The pick up process usually takes up to 30-40 minutes.
You can check all the bus stops on this website: Bus Stops in Reykjavik
Kindly notice that you are responsible for informing the guide if you have booked extras (hiking boots & waterproof clothing): they apply to the 24h cancellation policy and become non-refundable once we have left Reykjavik.
Please note that if you arrive late at the pick up location, your place on the tour can't be guaranteed or refunded.
Clothing & hiking boots
It is very important to be properly dressed for this tour with several layers for keeping warm. Make sure to wear outdoors clothing, waterproof external layers, hat, gloves and good hiking boots (hard on the sole and with ankle protection).
We offer an option to rent professional hiking boots, waterproof jackets & pants: let us know before departure, in case you didn't book them in advance.
Communication
We highly recommend checking your email before departure, to make sure the tour is still running as scheduled. If the tour happens to get cancelled due to severe weather conditions then a cancellation email will be sent out.
We look forward to our adventure together and sincerely hope that you will enjoy your experience with us!
ticket
Thank you for joining our Troll family for a n 8 Day Winter tour!
Important information. Please read below!
Pick up
Please be ready at 8:00 am at you selected pick up location. We start picking up at the bus stops around central Reykjavik and then move on to the locations outside of the downtown area. The pick up process usually takes up to 30-40 minutes.
You can check all the bus stops on this website: Bus Stops in Reykjavik
Kindly notice that you are responsible for informing the guide if you have booked extras (hiking boots & waterproof clothing): they apply to the 24h cancellation policy and become non-refundable once we have left Reykjavik.
Please note that if you arrive late at the pick up location, your place on the tour can't be guaranteed or refunded.
Clothing & hiking boots
It is very important to be properly dressed for this tour with several layers for keeping warm. Make sure to wear outdoors clothing, waterproof external layers, hat, gloves and good hiking boots (hard on the sole and with ankle protection).
We offer an option to rent professional hiking boots, waterproof jackets & pants: let us know before departure, in case you didn't book them in advance.
Communication
We highly recommend checking your email before departure, to make sure the tour is still running as scheduled. If the tour happens to get cancelled due to severe weather conditions then a cancellation email will be sent out.
We look forward to our adventure together and sincerely hope that you will enjoy your experience with us!
Check out our Q&As
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How cold is Iceland?
Summer temperatures are around 15°C with the north and east often being the warmest parts in the summer but coldest in winter. Average January temperatures in Reykjavík, at around zero, are actually higher than those in New York.
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How difficult are glacier hikes?
We offer glacier hiking tours in Skaftafell and one in Sólheimajökull. Both locations either easy or moderate in difficulty. Our tours are considered to be safe for anyone in good physical condition. If you are fit to walk for about an hour on an uneven surface a glacier hike is for you. Longer tours will be more challenging in endurance and some areas of the glacier. We also recommend you remember that we offer all the safety equipment necessary and you will be hiking with a professional and certified glacier guide. If you have specific questions regarding one of our glacier tours, feel free to contact us. ...more ...less
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Iceland in the summer or in the winter?
Each season has its charm Iceland in the winter has the northern lights, the coziness of being at home, knitting and eating winter food. Iceland in the summer has the midnight sun, the friendliness of the outdoors and summer food! We love this land, any time of the year!
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What kind of money is used in Iceland?
All major credit card are accepted. We use the Icelandic króna (ISK). All major currencies can be exchanged at the airport and banks. You can also find ATMs all over the country. Apple Pay works in most stores.
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Do Icelanders speak English?
Most Icelanders speak English fluently. In fact, they welcome the opportunity. So, don’t be shy about approaching an Icelander.
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What is the luggage limit on multi-day tours?
On tours, you can take one bag with you (max 24 inch). You can also take a backpack to keep inside the bus. 2 passengers traveling together can take 1 larger bag together instead of 2 smaller bags. If you purchase extra luggage, then we will store the extra luggage in our office. If there is room on the bus then the luggage can go with you if you pay the extra luggage fee - but we can't guarantee that.
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What is the standard tip for tour guides in Iceland?
Tourism in Iceland is young and there is no custom for donating tips nor is it mandatory or expected but greatly appreciated if you wish to show your appreciation in that way.
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What should I bring with me?
The weather in Iceland is very unpredictable. To enjoy the tours, it is essential to bring warm clothes with a waterproof layer. Beanie, gloves, and shoes with ankle support. For tours during winter: warm clothing as the first layer, waterproof outdoor jacket and pants, hiking boots with high ankle protection, a hat, and gloves are ideal. For tours during summer, bringing a light rain jacket and pants is in most cases enough protection. Icelanders often say, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait 5 minutes”. Jeans are not recommended for outdoor trips as they become very heavy and cold when wet. • Warm clothes (first layer) • Waterproof outdoor clothing (second layer) (available for rent when booking) • Hiking boots (available for rent when booking) • Swimsuit and a towel • Joy and happiness!
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
No. A single fee supplement is mandatory for solo travelers on all multiday tours to ensure your private room in our accommodation. There is no way to opt-out of a single-fee supplement if you are a solo traveler. If you are travelling with a friend, you can join them in a room and no fee would be payable.
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Low Deposit
Troll Expeditions requires a minimum deposit of 50% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 7 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of troll expeditions charges.
At 3 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
8 Day Around Iceland Winter Minibus Tour
8 Days Starting and ending in Reykjavík, Iceland
Visiting: Reykjavík, Reynisfjara Beach, Jökulsárlón, East Fjords, Iceland, Lake Mývatn, Hauganes, Iceland, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Borgarfjörður ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
199449
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
10 - 20
Age range:
8-80
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians