This 6-day small-group journey brings together Iceland’s most iconic routes and its most remote corners in one seamless itinerary. Travel from the Golden Circle and South Coast to glacier ice caves, black sand beaches, and powerful waterfalls before heading north to the quiet fjords, sea cliffs, and coastal roads of the Westfjords. This tour is designed for travelers who want depth, variety, and a true sense of Iceland’s scale.
This six-day journey traces a wide arc across Iceland, linking historic þing sites, geothermal areas, glacier lagoons, lava fields, and the remote Westfjords. Days unfold along the south coast and deep into the fjords, with time for hikes, wildlife encounters, and cultural stops shaped by Iceland’s geology and settlement history. Iconic locations sit alongside quieter stretches of road, while nights are spent in small towns and countryside hotels that anchor each day in its surroundings.
Your journey begins on the Golden Circle route at Þingvellir National Park. It was the first place in Iceland to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historical and geological importance. The valley was once home to the Alþingi, the world’s oldest parliament, first founded in 930 AD.
Þingvellir National Park is also the only place in the world where you can walk between two continental plates, from Europe to North America. Its location on a seismic hotspot has dramatically enhanced its beauty, and you’ll see fascinating rock formations, vast lava fields, and sapphire-blue waterfalls.
The journey continues to the Geysir Geothermal Area, known for its many erupting geysers and bubbling steam vents. The most famous, Strokkur, erupts every 5–7 minutes, propelling clouds of steam up to 30 m (98 ft) into the air. The geysers here helped to launch Icelandic tourism and have been synonymous with the country ever since.
Your final stop on the Golden Circle is Gullfoss—a magnificent two-step waterfall that originates at the Langjökull glacier. Its name comes from the golden color from the falls as it cascades over the brown lava rock. Be sure to bring a camera because you’ll want to capture this view!
You’ll then head to the South Coast on the Ring Road, and the last stop of the day is Seljalandsfoss waterfall. This white waterfall tumbles down 60 m (196 ft) into a gorge below. In good weather, you can walk behind it, leading to some fantastic shots from every angle. You'll also pass the Hekla volcano on the way to a charming country hotel.
Day two starts with a visit to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Jökulsárlón is famous for its blue icebergs, which break off the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier and float out to the Atlantic Ocean in a spellbinding display of beauty. The lagoon also hosts a seal population that swims between the icebergs.
Some of the icebergs wash up on the aptly named Diamond Beach, where they sit like glittering jewels on its dark volcanic sands. Our partners recommend bringing a camera, as you’ll be able to take amazing photos.
After spending time alongside beautiful icebergs, your tour will head south to Iceland's famous Skaftafell Nature Reserve. The green nature reserve within Vatnajökull National Park becomes a refreshing contrast to the icy coastline you’ve just explored. Skaftafell is filled with green slopes, flowing glacial streams, and wide-open trails shaped by centuries of ice and volcanic activity. One of the highlights of summer is Svartifoss waterfall. Here, dark basalt columns rise behind the waterfall in sharp geometric forms, creating one of the park’s most distinctive sights.
Afterwards, head to the only natural ice cave you can visit all year—the Katla ice cave near the village of Vik. You’ll step inside a labyrinth of blue, black, and crystal-clear ice, shaped by volcanic ash and centuries of movement. With plenty of time for photos, you can slow down and truly soak in the stillness and otherworldly beauty. You’ll finish the day in a traditional countryside hotel.
Day three is filled with famous South Coast highlights. The first stop is Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, whose vivid blue glacial river provides a stark contrast to mossy lava rock. Fjaðrárgljúfur is incredibly photogenic, and your tour guide will show you the best viewpoints while sharing tips to help you capture spectacular moments. Be aware that on some days, you may not be able to stop at the canyon, as the ecosystem is fragile and subject to occasional closure.
After that, you'll head toward the moss-carpeted Eldhraun lava field, a monument to one of the largest lava flows in recorded history. Your friendly guide will share fascinating facts about this dramatic event and point out the icy glacial rivers and vast sand plains carved by massive glacial floods.
Next, your guide will take you to Reynisfjara, a black sand beach overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. To one side towers a cluster of basalt columns, like tubes of a gigantic stone organ buried within the hills. Just offshore, the Reynisdrangar basalt pillars rise like mighty turrets out of the sea.
Following Reynisfjara, your next stop will be Skógafoss waterfall—a place of myth and legend that plays a vital role in the Icelandic sagas. Folklore tells of a troll who paused too long at the falls, entranced by its beauty. Caught by the rising sun, he was turned to stone—his presence lingering in the rocks above.
You’ll climb the winding steps that lead to its summit and enjoy a spectacular view of the Eyjafjallajökull glacier, rising on the horizon behind the falls. Locals also believe that one of the first Viking settlers buried treasure somewhere in the area —perhaps you’ll get lucky and find it! After this last stop, you’ll return to Reykjavík for your overnight stay before the Westfjords departure the next morning.
The fourth day starts with a pick-up from Reykjavík. Once you and your tour group board the minibus, you’ll head to Eiríksstaðir Longhouse Museum. It’s a reconstructed Viking-age home associated with Eiríkur the Red and his son Leifur Eiríksson. Here, you can explore the turf structure and learn about early settlement history.
Next, you’ll head to Vatnsfjörður Nature Reserve, a place of gorgeous shores, memorable coastal views, and peaceful coves. You might even encounter local wildlife, including around 20 bird species, foxes, minks, and more.
Your route then leads to the Garðar shipwreck—Iceland’s oldest steel ship and a monument to the country’s fishing industry. Afterward, you’ll head to Látrabjarg promontory, one of the best bird-watching spots in Iceland. The cliffs host millions of nesting seabirds, including Iceland’s beloved puffins, and the surrounding region is also home to species such as the white-tailed eagle.
The final stop for the day is Breiðavík bay, a golden-sand beach where you can relax before continuing the journey through Westfjords. Your overnight stay is at Hotel Flókalundur or a similar accommodation.
Begin the day with breakfast before visiting Rauðisandur beach. The beach got its name from its 10 km (6.2 mi) stretch of gorgeous red sand. Afterwards, continue to Fossfjörður fjord, a calm inlet with a small local waterfall and scenic surroundings.
Next, your route will take you to Dynjandi waterfall, one of the most incredible places in the Westfjords. Here, water cascades down approximately 100 m (328 ft), creating a striking sight. Once you’ve soaked in the view, you’ll head to Önundarfjörður pier—a narrow wooden walkway that rests near a 20 km (12.4 mi) long fjord surrounded by a beautiful mountain range.
Next, you’ll ascend to the Bolafjall mountain, where you’ll be greeted by staggering coastlines and astonishing views. At the end of the day, the journey will take you to Ísafjörður, a remote little town surrounded by soaring mountains. Here, you’ll stay at Hotel Torg or similar accommodation.
After your hotel breakfast, you‘ll head to Ósvör—a maritime museum in the form of a 19th-century fishing station, with old boats, traditional tools, and more. Then, you’ll continue to Óshólaviti lighthouse, a lone tower standing above the shoreline next to gorgeous views of the vast sea.
Following that, your bus will take you on the Seven Fjords Road, which winds along scenic coastlines, overlooks astounding inlets, and mountain ridges. Next, you’ll arrive at the Arctic Fox Center, a research and exhibition facility dedicated to Iceland’s only native land mammal. Rescued foxes may be present, though sightings are not guaranteed.
Next, you’ll head to the Hvítanes peninsula, a serene coastal point known for one of Iceland’s most approachable seal colonies. Here, seals often rest close to shore and can be observed from a safe distance without disturbing them. After that, your tour guide will take you to the small and peaceful valley stream of Gervidalsá.
The final stop is Grábrók crater, part of a volcanic system with marked trails leading over ancient lava fields and up to panoramic viewpoints. After taking in the views, you’ll return to Reykjavík via the scenic route at Hvalfjörður (Whale Fjord).
Our multi-day tours will give you a small group experience as they are operated in a mini-bus and you get a better connection with the guide.
By booking a multi-day tour with us, you don’t need to have to worry about finding accommodation during the time of the tour as our multi-day tour includes accommodation which is often booked far in advance. You will get more opportunities to explore Iceland further and experience places that you would normally not be able to see on a one-day tour.
All of our tours are English guided so you will have English speaking licensed guide throughout the tour that will tell you everything about what you see along the way and knows where the best locations to stop by at to get the absolute best experience.
When booking your tour you are guaranteed accommodations at a friendly country hotel and/or guesthouse. All of the hotels we work with are of the same standard and offer nice rooms with beds and linen. The standard room is a twin room but it is possible to request a double room or a triple room, with no extra charge. The rooms come with private or shared bathrooms, depending on your booking.
Free Wi-Fi, towels, a hairdryer, and a kettle are accessible at all of the hotels.
If you want to have your own room, then a single supplement is payable in order to secure a single room. If you do not wish to book a single room then you will be roomed with another traveler of the same gender.
Breakfast is included at the hotel/guesthouse restaurant during the tour. Meals and beverages are not included on your tour. However, we will make stops at restaurants and conveniences stores where you are able to purchase all necessities.
The average amount spent on food each day per person is 8,000 ISK (80$). Cash is not necessary, as credit cards are accepted at all restaurants and stores. A small amount of cash won't hurt though.
A typical breakfast buffet is included at all the hotels/guesthouses we stay at during the tour, allowing you to fuel up for the day on various slices of bread, toppings, cereal, fruits, and yogurt. Tea and coffee are also included, alongside a variety of additional tasty options.
Your guide will also find a good place for the group to eat lunch, where you can find a wide selection of dishes on the menu, so there will be options available for everyone. The dinner is usually at the hotels/guesthouses we stay at for the night. We will make stops at restaurants and convenience stores where you will be able to purchase all necessities.
The average amount spent on food each day per person is 8,000 ISK (80$). Cash is not necessary, as credit cards are accepted at all restaurants and stores. A small amount of cash won't hurt, though.
For multi-day tours, each participant is allowed to bring a small backpack and one piece of luggage weighing a maximum of 20 kg (44 lbs). If you are traveling with extra bags or heavier luggage, you will need to book suitable storage before you arrive; this will incur a small fee. There is the option to add luggage storage in Reykjavík during the booking process of your order in the extras section.
* The combined dimensions of each bag must not exceed 158 cm (62 in).
We welcome all participants of all ages older than the listed minimum age for each tour. Our average group usually consists of participants between the ages of 22 to 55 years. However, we have people of all ages, ranging from 8 to 99 years, joining our multi-day tours. We get a lot of solo travelers joining us, as well as families and friends.
If you find yourself having difficulties participating in any of the activities included in the tour, for example, a glacier activity, then you are more than welcome to skip it. Iceland is surrounded by beautiful scenery so you can explore your surroundings in the meantime r wait elsewhere while others do the activity. Our guide should be able to drop you off at a nearby place where there are some services available if requested.
The average is around 300 km (186 miles) per day on our multi-day tours. You’ll spend approximately 4-5 hours in the car each day. Stops are of course, made at multiple locations throughout the tour for sightseeing, activities, bathroom breaks, lunch stops, etc.
We do offer some necessary items for rent. For most of our multi-day tours, we rent out waterproof jackets and pants as well as hiking shoes. These items are available to book under the selection “Extras’’ in the booking widget when booking your tour on our website.
If you have already booked the tour and wish to add some rental gear to your booking, you can do that at least 24 hours before your tour starts, via our Customer Portal.
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and therefore we can unfortunately never promise that they will be seen on your tour. Their appearance depends upon atmospheric and weather conditions. The best time to see the lights is between September - March when it’s a dark and clear sky. The sky needs to be as dark as possible, so the best places to see them are well away from the city lights.
Most of the hotels on our tours are remotely located and, therefore, ideal for spotting the northern lights. If the forecast is in our favor, then it is very likely that you will be able to see the northern lights. Most of the hotels offer a Northern Lights wake-up call upon request if lights are spotted, so it is more likely that you will see the lights on a multi-day tour!
We always highly recommend booking a multi-day tour starting at least one day after arriving in Iceland. If you’re flying in from the US or will be landing early (4-6:30) you should be able to join the tour, but be aware that some risks could follow such as flight gets delayed and could, therefore, miss out on the tour.
We always recommend booking a multi-day tour starting at least one day after arriving in Iceland. If you’re flying in from the US or will be landing early (4-6:30 am) you should be able to join the tour, but some risks would follow (i.e if the flight gets delayed) and could, therefore, miss out on the tour.
For multi-day tours, each participant is allowed to bring a small backpack and 1 piece of luggage weighing a maximum of 20 kg (44 lbs).
* The combined dimensions of each bag must not exceed 158 cm (62 in).
* It’s possible to store your luggage with us in Reykjavík while you are on your tour, for a small fee. We highly recommend storing the luggage in Reykjavík to help us reduce our carbon footprint.
* Please note that luggage storage is not refundable.
When booking with Adventures.com, you are guaranteed accommodation at a nice country hotel and/or a guesthouse. The hotels we have partnered up with are all of the same standards and offer nice rooms with made-up beds. The rooms come with private or shared bathrooms, depending on your booking. The standard room is a twin room but it’s possible to request a double room or a triple room, with no extra charge.
If you are traveling solo, you will have to add the single room fee if you wish to have a single room.
All hotels have free Wi-Fi. Towels, a hairdryer, and a kettle are accessible at all of the hotels. Hotel breakfast is included!
If your tour includes accommodation, breakfast is always included during the tour at the hotel/guesthouse restaurant.
Meals and beverages are otherwise not included on your tour. (Unless it’s specifically stated in the description of the tour)
On our multiday tours, we will be making stops at restaurants and convenience stores where you will be able to purchase all necessities.
You should count on spending around 8,000 ISK (80$) on food each day per person. Cash is not necessary, as credit cards are almost always accepted. Having a small amount of cash doesn’t hurt though.
Breakfast is included at all the hotels we stay in during the tour. The breakfast will be a typical breakfast buffet, offering bread, toppings, cereal, yogurt, fruits, coffee, and tea etc.
Your guide will also find a good place for the group to eat lunch. We always try to choose places that have a wide selection of dishes on the menu, so there will be options available for everyone. The dinner is usually at the hotels we stay at for the night.
We do welcome participants of all ages older than the listed minimum age for each tour. We have people of ages ranging from 8-99 years joining our multi-day tours. Our average group usually consists of participants between the age 20-55 years. We do get a lot of solo travellers joining our tours, as well as families and friends.
If you have difficulties participating in any of the activities included in the tour, for example, a glacier activity, you are more than welcome to skip it. You can explore your surroundings in the meantime or wait elsewhere. Our guide should be able to drop you off at a nearby place where there are some services available.
A single supplement is available if you want to have your own room, but you are not required to pay a single supplement. If you are a single traveler and do not wish to book a single room, you’ll be roomed with another traveler of the same gender.
Don’t worry, you can always rent sturdy hiking boots, a waterproof jacket and pants in the booking process. We do not rent these items from the location, they must be ordered in advance.
We drive on average around 300 km (186 miles) per day on our multi-day tours. You will be spending approximately 4-5 hours in the car each day. We do of course stop on multiple locations throughout the tour for sightseeing, activities, bathroom breaks and lunch stops.
Plans change—we get it! You can cancel your multi-day tour free of charge up to 24 hours before departure. Just log in to your My Adventures portal to cancel. If the portal isn’t accessible, send a message through our customer contact form—the lead traveler should submit it.
Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are non-refundable, as our team is already preparing for your adventure.
This policy applies to tours operated by Arctic Adventures. Partner tours follow their own cancellation terms.
