6-Day Ring Road Tour Around Iceland

Pickup in Reykjavík begins at 8:00 AM. Depending on your location, the process can take up to 30 minutes. Once everyone is on board, you’ll head out to explore the Golden Circle, one of Iceland’s most popular sightseeing routes in southwestern Iceland. 

Your first stop is Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for both its history and geology. This is where Alþingi (the Althing), the world’s oldest democratic parliament, was established around the year 930. In medieval times, Icelanders gathered here each summer to pass laws and settle disputes in the open air. 

There is no traditional parliament building at Þingvellir. Instead, meetings took place at Lögberg (Law Rock), where laws were announced to the public. The surrounding rift valley provided a natural setting for these gatherings and remains one of the park’s most striking features. 

Þingvellir is also famous for its geology. The park lies in a rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, which are slowly moving apart by about 2 cm (0.8 in) per year. This movement has shaped the visible cracks and lava formations you’ll see while walking through the area.

Next, you’ll visit the Geysir geothermal area, an active landscape filled with hot springs, steaming vents, and bubbling mud pots. You’ll see the Great Geysir, which gave its name to geysers worldwide, as well as Strokkur, the area’s most active hot spring. Strokkur typically erupts every 5–8 minutes, sending a column of water high into the air. 

The final Golden Circle stop is Gullfoss waterfall, one of Iceland’s most iconic natural sights. This powerful cascade drops in two stages into a deep canyon carved by glacial meltwater. On sunny days, mist from the falls often creates rainbows, making this a favorite spot for photos. 

After completing the Golden Circle, you’ll continue along Iceland’s South Coast, where glaciers spill down toward the sea, black sand beaches stretch endlessly beneath sheer cliffs, and the Atlantic rolls in under wide, open skies. As you travel, the scenery changes quickly, with volcanoes, cliffs, and farmland lining the route.

Along the way, you’ll stop at two of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls. At Seljalandsfoss waterfall, you may have the chance to walk behind the falling water, weather and conditions permitting. At nearby Skógafoss waterfall, a staircase leads to a viewpoint at the top, offering wide views of the surrounding landscape. 

You’ll then visit Reynisfjara black sand beach, known for its basalt columns and the offshore Reynisdrangar sea stacks. From this area, you’ll also see the cliffs and sea arches of Dyrhólaey peninsula. During the summer months, puffins often nest on these cliffs. Please note that Reynisfjara is a powerful ocean site, and visitors must follow safety guidance at all times. 

At the end of the day, you’ll spend the night at a comfortable country hotel near Kirkjubæjarklaustur village in South Iceland, a quiet area surrounded by lava fields and natural landscapes. If conditions are perfect, you may have a chance to witness the Northern Lights from September to April!

The journey continues into Vatnajökull National Park, home to Vatnajökull glacier, the largest glacier in Europe by volume. The park covers about 14% of Iceland and includes ice caps, mountain ridges, and green valleys such as the Skaftafell area. Here, a certified glacier guide will lead a hike on one of Vatnajökull’s outlet glaciers. You’ll walk on the ice and learn how glaciers form, move, and shape the surrounding landscape. 

Later, you’ll visit Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Iceland’s deepest lake. Large icebergs break off from the nearby glacier and drift across the lagoon toward the Atlantic Ocean. The ice constantly changes in size and shape, making every visit different. 

Just across the road, you’ll stop at Diamond Beach, a black-sand beach where ice fragments from the lagoon wash ashore. The clear ice scattered across the dark sand creates a strong visual contrast. After the visit, you’ll continue to your accommodation in Southeast Iceland for the night. During winter, you might even see the Northern Lights!

Day three explores Iceland’s East Fjords, a remote region known for its winding coastline, quiet fishing villages, and mountain-framed fjords. This stretch of coast runs for roughly 120 km (75 mi) along Iceland’s eastern edge and offers a slower pace and fewer crowds than the south. 

Your first stop is Djúpivogur village, a small fishing community with a long trading history. Home to about 450 residents, the village features colorful historic houses set against a dramatic coastal backdrop. Nearby, Búlandstindur mountain, a distinctive pyramid-shaped peak, rises above the shoreline and is one of the area’s most recognizable landmarks. 

From the coast, the route turns inland toward Lagarfljót lake, Iceland’s third-largest lake. The lake is known for the legend of the Lagarfljótsormur, a serpent-like creature said to live in its depths. While the story remains folklore, it’s an important part of local culture and adds context to the area’s history. 

Lagarfljót lake lies near Egilsstaðir town, the largest settlement in East Iceland and a key regional hub. Located along the Lagarfljót River, Egilsstaðir serves as a gateway to the East Fjords and the surrounding highlands.

In the evening, you’ll arrive at the Wilderness Center, located on the edge of Iceland’s highlands. The center is built around carefully restored historic farmhouses that reflect daily life in remote East Iceland in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During your stay, you’ll have free access to the on-site museum exhibitions. You’ll cross an old wooden bridge to reach your accommodation, enjoy locally sourced meals prepared on-site, and have the option to relax in the traditional hot spring bathhouse.

If the weather's right, you might also see the Northern Lights from September to April.

Day four takes you from East Iceland into the volcanic landscapes of the north. Leaving Egilsstaðir town behind, you’ll travel through remote terrain shaped by volcanic and geothermal activity before stopping at Stuðlagil canyon. This striking basalt canyon features tall, hexagonal columns rising above the turquoise waters of the Jökla river, making it one of Iceland’s most distinctive geological sights.

The route continues through the Námaskarð geothermal area, where steaming vents, bubbling mud pools, and mineral-rich ground reveal the area’s intense volcanic activity. From here, you’ll explore the region around Lake Mývatn, a shallow lake covering about 37 sq. km (14 sq. mi). The area is protected for its unique lava formations, ecosystems, and birdlife, and clearly shows how water and volcanic forces shape the landscape.

During your visit to the Mývatn area, you’ll have the option to stop at the Earth Lagoon. This optional visit allows you to relax in naturally heated geothermal water sourced from deep underground, with views over the surrounding volcanic terrain. You’ll also take a short walk through Dimmuborgir lava field, known as the “Dark Fortress,” where lava pillars, arches, and caves formed during ancient eruptions. The site is closely tied to Icelandic folklore, which your guide will explain during the visit. In Jan–July 15th 2026, Forest Lagoon replaces the Earth Lagoon due to renovation.

The final stop of the day is Goðafoss waterfall on the Skjálfandafljót river. According to tradition, pagan idols were thrown into the falls when Iceland adopted Christianity around the year 1000. The waterfall drops about 12 meters (39 feet) and spans roughly 30 meters (98 feet), forming a wide horseshoe shape. In the evening, you’ll arrive in Akureyri town, the largest settlement in North Iceland, where you’ll spend the night at a local hotel. Here, you also might catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights between September and April.

Day five begins with a whale-watching boat tour in Eyjafjörður fjord, included in the Adventure package. Eyjafjörður is one of North Iceland’s most reliable areas for whale watching, thanks to its calm waters and rich feeding grounds. Sightings depend on weather and sea conditions, but the area is known for regular marine life activity throughout much of the year. 

Humpback whales, minke whales, and dolphins are among the species commonly seen in Eyjafjörður. The tour follows responsible wildlife-viewing guidelines and is led by experienced local crews. During the summer months, seabirds such as puffins are often visible along the coast and on nearby islands.

After the boat tour, the journey continues north to Siglufjörður town, one of the northernmost towns in Iceland. Surrounded by steep mountains and a sheltered harbor, Siglufjörður played a key role in Iceland’s herring industry in the early 20th century. Today, the town is known for its well-preserved buildings and strong maritime heritage. 

From Siglufjörður, you’ll travel along the Tröllaskagi Peninsula, also known as the Troll Peninsula. This mountainous region is shaped by narrow fjords, coastal roads, and active farming areas, with views across the North Atlantic. The route then passes through Skagafjörður fjord, a wide valley region known for its islands and open landscapes, before continuing to Laugarbakki, where you’ll spend the night at a local hotel. If the conditions are right, you might even spot the Northern Lights from September to April.

On day six, explore West Iceland, with most of the day spent in the Borgarfjörður region. The area is known for its volcanic landscapes, lava fields, waterfalls, and geothermal activity. The day begins with a short walk to Grábrók crater, formed around 3,000 years ago. From the rim, you can look out over the surrounding lava fields and countryside, with views that depend on weather conditions. 

Next, you’ll visit Reykholt village, closely linked to the medieval writer and historian Snorri Sturluson. Here, you’ll see Snorralaug, a small geothermal pool believed to date back to the Middle Ages. The route continues to Deildartunguhver hot spring, the most powerful hot spring in Europe, which produces around 180 liters (50 gallons) of near-boiling water per second and supplies geothermal energy to nearby communities.

Later, you’ll stop at Hraunfossar waterfalls, where clear streams flow from beneath a lava field along a wide stretch of rock, followed by nearby Barnafoss waterfall, known for its fast-moving channels and local folklore. The day ends with a visit to Sturlureykir horse farm, where you’ll learn about Icelandic horses and their role in rural life. On the way back to Reykjavík, you’ll travel along the scenic Hvalfjörður fjord, with arrival in the city planned between 5:00 and 6:00 PM and drop-off at your original pickup location.

• We will collect you from your hotel or a nearby meeting point in Reykjavik. You can find available pickup locations here. Pickup begins at 8 a.m. and can last up to 30 minutes, depending on your location. We apologize if you have a short wait.

• The Earth Lagoon/Forest Lagoon is not part of the tour packages and must be booked separately as an optional add-on.

• Guests visiting between Jan–July 15th 2026 will go to Forest Lagoon, as Earth Lagoon will be temporarily closed.

• Solo travelers wishing for a private room should select the single room supplement. Otherwise, they may be paired with another solo traveler of the same gender.

• Glacier locations may change due to weather and safety conditions.Possible glacier outlets include Svínafellsjökull, Falljökull, and Sólheimajökull, each offering stunning scenery.

• From October to April, the glacier hike is replaced with an exploration of the Crystal Ice Cave.

• Hotels along the tour route may vary during your trip.

• You can rent sturdy hiking boots, a waterproof jacket, and pants when booking your tour. These items must be reserved in advance, as they are not available for rent on-site.