7 Days Around Iceland Adventure

The tour begins with pickup from your accommodation or a designated meeting point in Reykjavík. From there, you’ll head out along the Golden Circle, Iceland’s most famous sightseeing route, renowned for its fascinating history, dramatic geology, and powerful natural wonders.

Your first stop is Þingvellir National Park (Thingvellir), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Iceland’s parliament, Alþingi, founded in 930. Here, you’ll see the Law Rock, where laws were once recited publicly. The park also sits on the rift valley between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, which slowly pull apart and have shaped the dramatic Almannagjá gorge. Nearby lies Þingvallavatn lake, Iceland’s largest natural lake.

Next, you’ll visit the Geysir geothermal area in the Haukadalur valley. The area is home to Strokkur geyser, which erupts hot water and steam every few minutes, as well as the dormant Great Geysir, which gave its name to geysers worldwide. From here, the tour continues to Gullfoss waterfall, where the glacial Hvítá River drops in two stages into a rugged canyon, creating one of Iceland’s most recognizable natural sights.

Following the Ring Road along the South Coast, you’ll stop at Seljalandsfoss waterfall. When conditions allow, a walking path leads behind the falling water, offering a unique perspective. Rainwear is recommended, as spray is common. Nearby, you’ll also visit Skógafoss waterfall, where water plunges 60 meters (197 feet) over a wide cliff. On clear days, mist from the falls may create rainbows in the spray.

The day ends at Reynisfjara black sand beach, known for its basalt column formations and powerful Atlantic waves. Offshore, you’ll see the Reynisdrangar sea stacks, which are tied to Icelandic folklore. You’ll then continue to your accommodation at a country hotel near Kirkjubæjarklaustur village. From September to April, there may be opportunities to see the Northern Lights in the evening, depending on weather and solar activity.

After breakfast, the journey continues along Iceland’s South Coast toward Vatnajökull National Park, home to Europe’s largest glacier. The day focuses on the landscapes shaped by ice and volcanic forces, with time spent in the Skaftafell area, a well-known gateway to the park’s glaciers, valleys, and mountain scenery.

From April to October, guests on the Adventure package take part in a guided glacier hike on an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull. The hike begins near Skaftafell, where you’ll be fitted with crampons and provided with all required safety equipment. A certified glacier guide leads the walk and explains how glaciers form, move, and change over time while guiding you across ice ridges, crevasses, and textured ice formations. The route and difficulty depend on conditions and group ability.

From October to April, the glacier hike is replaced by a visit to a natural ice cave in the Vatnajökull glacier area. Ice caves form fresh each winter and change constantly, so the specific cave visited depends on safety and accessibility on the day. You’ll explore the cave with a certified guide and learn how these short-lived formations develop inside the glacier.

Later, the tour continues to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, located at the edge of Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. The lagoon has been forming since the 1930s as the glacier has receded. Large icebergs break off from the glacier and drift slowly across the water toward the Atlantic Ocean. Nearby, you’ll visit Diamond Beach, where smaller ice fragments wash ashore on the black-sand beach, creating a striking contrast.

In the evening, you’ll stay overnight at an accommodation in Southeast Iceland. From September to April, weather and solar conditions may allow for Northern Lights sightings, and your guide can offer advice if conditions are favorable.

Day three takes you through Iceland’s East Fjords, a remote region known for its winding coastal roads, steep mountains, and narrow fjords. Traveling along the Ring Road, you’ll pass through sparsely populated landscapes where the scenery changes frequently, from coastal cliffs to wide valleys and mountain slopes.

One of the day’s stops is Djúpivogur village, a small fishing community on Iceland’s east coast. Home to a few hundred residents, Djúpivogur sits near the Atlantic Ocean and is surrounded by black-sand beaches and mountain scenery. The area is also known for its birdlife and quiet harbor, offering a glimpse of daily life in a traditional fishing village.

Continuing inland, you’ll pass through Egilsstaðir town, the largest settlement in East Iceland. The town lies beside Lagarfljót lake and river, which are linked to the local legend of the Lagarfljótsormur, a serpent-like creature said to live in the lake. While the story remains folklore, it’s an important part of the region’s cultural history.

In the evening, you’ll arrive at the Wilderness Center (Óbyggðasetrið),  on the edge of the Icelandic Highlands. The center combines a museum and accommodation built around restored historic farmhouses, offering insight into life in remote East Iceland in earlier times. During your stay, you’ll have free access to the museum exhibitions. After settling in, relax in the on-site bathing pool and, from September to April, watch for the Northern Lights if conditions allow.

This day takes you from East Iceland into the volcanic landscapes of North Iceland. Traveling north from Egilsstaðir, the route crosses remote terrain shaped by glaciers and volcanic activity. The first stop is Stuðlagil Canyon, a basalt canyon known for its tall, hexagonal rock columns and the turquoise waters of the Jökla River. Access to the canyon depends on road and weather conditions, especially in winter.

The journey continues to the Námaskarð geothermal area, where boiling mud pools, steam vents, and mineral-rich ground show the active forces beneath the surface. From here, you’ll explore the Lake Mývatn region, a volcanic area shaped by lava flows, craters, and geothermal features. During the visit, you’ll have the option to stop at the Earth Lagoon. From January to March 2026, Forest Lagoon replaces the former due to renovations. Lagoon visits are optional and not included in the tour price.

Later, you’ll take a short walk through the Dimmuborgir lava field, also known as the Dark Fortress. The area features natural lava formations created when the roof of a lava tube collapsed, leaving behind arches, pillars, and caves. These formations are linked to Icelandic folklore, which your guide will explain during the visit.

The final major stop of the day is Goðafoss waterfall, located on the Skjálfandafljót River. The waterfall spans about 30 m (98 ft) and is shaped like a horseshoe.

According to tradition, it became associated with Iceland’s conversion to Christianity around the year 1000. After time to explore the area, the tour continues along Eyjafjörður fjord to Akureyri, the largest town in North Iceland, where you’ll stay overnight at a local hotel. From September to April, weather and solar activity may allow for Northern Lights sightings.

The fifth day begins in North Iceland with a whale-watching boat tour in Eyjafjörður fjord, included in the Adventure package. Eyjafjörður is one of Iceland’s most reliable areas for whale watching due to its sheltered waters and rich feeding grounds. Humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises are commonly seen, though sightings depend on weather and sea conditions and cannot be guaranteed. The tour follows responsible wildlife-viewing guidelines and is led by experienced local crews.

After the boat tour, and for those with the Standard package, the journey continues to Siglufjörður town, one of the northernmost towns in Iceland. Set around a sheltered harbor, Siglufjörður was a major center of Iceland’s herring industry in the early 20th century. Today, it’s known for its preserved buildings, maritime history, and dramatic mountain setting.

Next stop—the Tröllaskagi Peninsula, also known as the Troll Peninsula. This mountainous region is defined by steep peaks, narrow fjords, and coastal roads that wind between Eyjafjörður to the east and Skagafjörður to the west. Along the way, you’ll pass fishing villages, farmland, and horse-grazing areas typical of rural North Iceland.

The route then continues through the Skagafjörður region before heading south to Laugarbakki village, where you’ll stay overnight at a country hotel. From September to April, weather and solar activity may allow for Northern Lights sightings in the evening, thanks to the area’s limited light pollution.

On this day, you’ll continue west along the Ring Road into the Borgarfjörður region, known for volcanic features, waterfalls, and geothermal activity. The first stop is Grábrók crater, a small volcanic crater formed about 3,000 years ago. A short walk leads to the rim, where you can look out over the surrounding lava fields and the Borgarfjörður landscape. Views depend on weather conditions.

Next, you’ll visit Reykholt village, an important historical site in West Iceland. Reykholt was once home to Snorri Sturluson, a medieval writer, historian, and chieftain best known for documenting Norse mythology and early Scandinavian history. At the site, you’ll see Snorralaug, a small geothermal pool traditionally linked to Snorri and believed to date back to the medieval period.

The journey continues to Deildartunguhver hot spring, the most powerful hot spring in Europe. It produces large volumes of near-boiling water and supplies geothermal heating and hot water to nearby communities, including Borgarnes and Akranes. From here, you’ll visit Hraunfossar waterfalls, where clear streams flow out from beneath the Hallmundarhraun lava field across a wide stretch of rock. A short walk away is Barnafoss waterfall, known for its fast-moving channels and local folklore connected to the site.

Later in the day, you’ll stop at Sturlureykir horse farm to learn about Icelandic horses, a breed known for its small size and unique gaits. You’ll have time to see the horses up close and hear about their role in Icelandic history and rural life. The day ends with overnight accommodation in the Borgarnes area. From September to April, weather and solar activity may allow for Northern Lights sightings, and your guide can offer advice if conditions are favorable.

Day seven begins with pickup from your hotel in Borgarnes for a full day exploring the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, often described as a miniature version of Iceland’s diverse landscapes. The region is known for its mix of volcanic terrain, coastal cliffs, lava fields, beaches, and the Snæfellsjökull glacier, which dominates the peninsula’s western end.

One of the first stops is Arnarstapi village, a small coastal settlement known for its dramatic shoreline. Here, you’ll walk along the cliffs to see the Miðgjá rock arch and surrounding basalt formations shaped by the Atlantic Ocean. Nearby, you’ll also see Búðakirkja, a historic black church dating to the 19th century. The tour continues to Hellnar village, where there is time for lunch at a local restaurant (meals not included).

The route then leads into Snæfellsjökull National Park, home to lava fields, volcanic craters, and views of Snæfellsjökull glacier. Within the park, you’ll visit Djúpalónssandur beach, a black pebble beach scattered with remnants from historic shipwrecks. You’ll also see the traditional lifting stones once used by fishermen to test their strength, which you’re welcome to try under safe conditions.

On the return journey to Reykjavík, you’ll stop at Kirkjufell mountain, one of Iceland’s most photographed natural landmarks. The cone-shaped mountain rises above nearby waterfalls, making it a popular photography spot. The tour concludes with a drop-off in Reykjavík at your original pickup location in the evening, typically around 8:00 PM.

• You’ll be collected from your hotel or a designated meeting point in Reykjavík. Pickup begins at 8:00 AM and may take up to 30 minutes, depending on location and traffic. A list of available pickup points can be found at the time of booking.

• On the final day of the tour, drop-off in Reykjavík is scheduled for approximately 8:00 PM. You’ll be returned to your selected drop-off location.

• Iceland is famous not only for its natural wonders but also for its highly unpredictable weather. You can experience all four seasons in one day! We recommend bringing waterproof clothing and sturdy hiking shoes (available for rent during booking).

• Mývatn Nature Baths are not included in the tour price and must be booked and paid for separately as an optional extra. 

• Guests traveling between January and March 2026 will visit Forest Lagoon instead, as Earth Lagoon will be temporarily closed during this period. 

• Solo travelers who wish to have a private room must select the single room supplement at the time of booking. Without this supplement, solo travelers may be accommodated with another guest of the same gender. 

• Weather and safety conditions may require changes to the glacier or glacier outlet used during the tour. Possible glacier outlets include Svínafellsjökull, Falljökull, and Sólheimajökull, all of which offer comparable terrain and safety standards. 

• From October to April, the glacier hike is replaced by a natural ice cave visit, subject to weather and safety conditions. 

• Accommodation listed in the itinerary is provided as an example and may change during the trip. Any alternative accommodation will be of a similar standard. 

• Hiking boots, waterproof jackets, and waterproof pants can be rented during the booking process. These items must be reserved in advance and are not available for on-site rental.