See the best of Iceland in 8 days on this exclusive Ring Road tour package with two nights in Reykjavik. Together with an expert guide, circle the entire island and embark on exhilarating activities like the Golden Circle, glacier hiking, and whale watching. This enriching Iceland tour is the experience of a lifetime!
On this 8-Day Iceland Ring Road tour, we give you the best of Iceland: vibrant Reykjavik, the famous Golden Circle, quaint fishing villages, the majestic Vatnajokull Glacier, lunar-like valleys, and seriously beautiful coastlines. Go glacier hiking, envelope yourself in the warm Myvatn Nature Baths, and sail across Eyjafjörður, the longest fjord in Iceland, in search of giant whales. In winter, chase the Northern Lights and climb through glistening ice caves. If you’re up for big adventures, then you simply can’t miss out on these 8 days in Iceland!
Best Tour of 2019 in Iceland by TourRadar
This Iceland Ring Road tour was picked as the best multi-day tour of 2019 in Iceland by TourRadar, based on traveler reviews from around the world. We operate our tours in small groups to ensure an intimate and authentic experience for every adventurer. Our top-notch guides (the best in the country) go the extra mile to show you the world beyond the ordinary.
Exploring Reykjavik
This 8-day tour package around Iceland includes two nights’ accommodation in Reykjavik. Your first and last nights are spent in the capital city, allowing you to craft your own itinerary and explore the city as you please. It’s an irresistible option for those who want to enjoy Reykjavik at their own pace and then venture deeper into Iceland with an expert guide.
With Adventures.com there is an adventure for everyone. If you’re not up for a two-night stay in Reykjavik but still want to circle the entire Ring Road with an expert guide, check out our favorite 6-Day Ring Road Tour Around Iceland.
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BOOK WITH 10% DEPOSIT
Worried that your travel plans might change? Book your tour more than 21 days in advance with a 10% deposit & pay the rest 14 days before departure. Alternatively, you can pay full price and get a 5% early bird discount! Choose the deposit or full payment option in the third step of your checkout.
Find out more details about the tour and its highlights
Kick off 8 days of fun in Iceland with a night in Reykjavik. Explore the vibrant city on your own and don’t forget to try skyr, Iceland’s top dessert! The next day, your guide will pick you up from your accommodation and you’ll start driving the Ring Road. Explore the famous Golden Circle before you continue on to the South Coast’s waterfalls.
After an epic hike on Vatnajökull Glacier, set foot on the remote Eastfjords. Then discover North Iceland, where your whale watching trip awaits. Finally, lose yourself in the subtle beauty of West Iceland. All the while, look for the Northern Lights in winter or delight in the Midnight Sun in summer. Spend the last day in Reykjavik to explore the city to its fullest.
It’s about time to connect with Iceland and feel its energy unfold!
On Day 1, craft your own itinerary! During this day, you have the freedom to explore the city of Reykjavik at your own pace. Explore Laugavegur and Skólavorðustígur, the famous shopping streets in Reykjavik. Or climb to the top of Hallgrímskirkja Chu...)
On Day 1, craft your own itinerary! During this day, you have the freedom to explore the city of Reykjavik at your own pace. Explore Laugavegur and Skólavorðustígur, the famous shopping streets in Reykjavik. Or climb to the top of Hallgrímskirkja Church and soak in panoramic views of Reykjavik and beyond.
Then visit a few of the art galleries and museums that Reykjavik is famous for. Learn about Icelandic culture at the Culture House or discover Scandinavian photographers at the National Museum of Photography.
After a long day of sightseeing, dip your toes in Laugardalslaug, Reykjavik’s largest open air pool. Your accommodation for the night will be at a comfortable hotel in the city center.
Activities: Explore the bustling streets, art galleries, and shops of Reykjavik.
Accommodation: Reykjavík Lights Hotel (or similar).
Today you’ll be picked up from your accommodation in Reykjavik around 8:00 a.m. Meet your tour guide and prepare to be awed by Iceland’s jaw-dropping nature! A short drive takes us to the Golden Circle, Iceland’s most celebrated sightseeing route. S...)
Today you’ll be picked up from your accommodation in Reykjavik around 8:00 a.m. Meet your tour guide and prepare to be awed by Iceland’s jaw-dropping nature!
A short drive takes us to the Golden Circle, Iceland’s most celebrated sightseeing route. Stop at Þingvellir National Park (site of Iceland’s first parliament, located along a tectonic fissure), Geysir (a geothermal area that’s home to Strokkur, Iceland’s most active geyser), and Gullfoss (a roaring waterfall, rated one of the 10 best waterfalls in the world).
The Golden Circle is just a warm up before your next adventures. For more eye scenics, continue to the South Coast to marvel at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, two of Iceland’s most astonishing waterfalls. While Seljalandsfoss boasts a walkway just behind it, Skógafoss is one of the biggest cascades in Iceland. Just don’t forget to bring your waterproof jacket! These waterfalls produce high amounts of spray and you might get wet.
Activities: Enjoy easy hikes among hot springs and steaming vents on the Golden Circle. Once the night falls, look for the Northern Lights in winter or admire the Midnight Sun in summer.
Accommodation: Adventure Hotel Geirland (or similar).
Rise and shine this morning for a day of natural wonders. Stroll along the black sand beaches at Reynisfjara and stare in awe at the bizarre Reynisdrangar Sea Cliffs and black basalt columns. Once you’ve seen Reynisfjara, golden sand beaches will be ...)
Rise and shine this morning for a day of natural wonders. Stroll along the black sand beaches at Reynisfjara and stare in awe at the bizarre Reynisdrangar Sea Cliffs and black basalt columns. Once you’ve seen Reynisfjara, golden sand beaches will be old news to you. Next hop on a bus and traverse Eldhraun Lava Field, where the Apollo 11 crew trained for their moon landing in 1969.
Then your Ring Road adventure takes you to Vatnajökull National Park for a spine-tingling hike on Europe’s largest glacier. The hike is easy and suitable for all skill levels. Together with an expert glacier guide, trek across the mighty Vatnajökull ice cap. From November to March, explore the Crystal Ice Cave instead of the glacier hike.
Today’s last surprise is the cinematic Jókulsárlón Glacier Lagoon that was featured in James Bond: A View to Kill (1985). Admire the ice-filled lagoon and visit the nearby Diamond Beach where giant icebergs from Jókulsárlón wash up on black sands. Spend the night in Hofn, the lobster capital of Iceland.
Activities: Trek across Vatnajökull Glacier (April-October) or explore a natural ice cave (November-March).
Accommodation: Hótel Höfn (or similar).
Voyage into the remote East Fjords to experience authentic Iceland. Visit the traditional fishing village of Djúpivogur and see how Icelanders live in harmony with nature. Don’t forget to photograph Eggin í Gleðivík (The Eggs of Merry Bay), a fascina...)
Voyage into the remote East Fjords to experience authentic Iceland. Visit the traditional fishing village of Djúpivogur and see how Icelanders live in harmony with nature. Don’t forget to photograph Eggin í Gleðivík (The Eggs of Merry Bay), a fascinating sculpture by Sigurður Guðmundsson. The art work is a tribute to the native birds of the region.
Next enjoy a scenic waterfall hike at Egilsstadir, the capital of East Iceland. En route, see the 128-m (420-ft) high Hengifoss Waterfall, one of the tallest cascades in the country, and be immersed in the beauty of Litlanesfoss Waterfall framed with basalt columns. This 3-hour hike allows you to connect with nature and forget all about home.
Lastly, visit the Icelandic Wilderness Center (Óbyggðasetrið). Hailed the best museum in the whole world by Cosmopolitan Magazine, the center houses exhibits telling the history of the Icelandic wilderness. The owners (a historian and a film director) restored every detail of the property to look like an old Icelandic farm. During the visit, enjoy coffee/tea and waffles.
Activities: Take a 3-hour waterfall hike at Egilsstadir and explore historic exhibits at the Icelandic Wilderness Center.
Accommodation: Hotel Valaskjálf (or similar).
Today is yours to explore North Iceland, home to steaming geothermal areas and whale-filled bays. Take a stunning ride through the untouched wilderness to Möðrudalur, the highest farm in Iceland at 469 m. The site boasts the highest coffee house in t...)
Today is yours to explore North Iceland, home to steaming geothermal areas and whale-filled bays. Take a stunning ride through the untouched wilderness to Möðrudalur, the highest farm in Iceland at 469 m. The site boasts the highest coffee house in the country. Next visit Dettifoss Waterfall, the most powerful cascade in Europe. Watch a massive 400 cubic meters of water plunge over rocks every second and feel the raw power of nature.
Next explore Lake Myvatn, revered for its martian-like landscapes. Be awestruck by the Námaskarð geothermal area dotted with hot sulfuric mud springs and clouds of steam. Bring a good camera; the nature shots you get will be epic. Then gape at the striking Hverfjall volcanic crater before visiting Dimmuborgir (that’s “Dark Castles” in Icelandic) lava formations.
Spend the afternoon soaking in the therapeutic waters of Myvatn Nature Baths. Relax surrounded by clouds of steam rising up from a fissure deep in the earth’s surface. The visit to the baths is optional (you can book the entrance to the spa in the booking process or onsite). If you aren’t up for a soak, take a leisurely walk around the surrounding area or relax in a cafeteria.
Your last stop is the heavenly Goðafoss Waterfall (“Falls of the Gods”), which has an interesting story behind its name. The story goes that the Icelandic lawspeaker threw his statues of Norse gods into the falls and thus marked the country’s conversion to Christianity in the year 1000 CE.
Activities: Enjoy easy walks around the geothermal Lake Myvatn area or soak in Myvatn Nature Baths (optional extra).
Accommodation: Icelandair Hotel Akureyri (or similar).
Continue your Iceland 8 day itinerary as you travel through Akureyri to the village of Dalvik, Iceland’s whale watching hub. Once in Dalvik, board a boat and prepare for an exciting 3-hour whale watching trip through the waters of stunning Eyjafjörðu...)
Continue your Iceland 8 day itinerary as you travel through Akureyri to the village of Dalvik, Iceland’s whale watching hub. Once in Dalvik, board a boat and prepare for an exciting 3-hour whale watching trip through the waters of stunning Eyjafjörður Fjord. The bay is home to humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, minke whales, and even blue whales. Best of all, you have a 98% chance of making a sighting!
During your whale watching expedition, you can also try your hand at sea angling and barbecue your catch as soon as we come ashore.
After your wonder-filled whale watching trip, explore the tiny village of Siglufjörður with an exciting history. Back in the sixties, Siglufjörður had a prosperous herring industry and was called “The Herring Capital of the World.” End your day with a scenic drive around Tröllaskagi (Troll Peninsula), known for its steep mountains and lovely ocean scenery.
Activities: Go whale watching and sea angling in Dalvik.
Accommodation: Hotel Laugarbakki (or similar).
Say goodbye to North Iceland and continue your Ring Road adventure to West Iceland, which was named the best winter destination in Europe by Luxury Travel Guide. Explore the greatest sights of the Borgarfjörður area. Hike up to Grábrók volcanic crate...)
Say goodbye to North Iceland and continue your Ring Road adventure to West Iceland, which was named the best winter destination in Europe by Luxury Travel Guide. Explore the greatest sights of the Borgarfjörður area. Hike up to Grábrók volcanic crater for eye-popping views over the region. Then stop at Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring. Take a walk around a giant steaming vent and ponder nature’s wonders.
Next discover Hraunfossar Waterfall (“Lava Falls''), where countless rivulets tumble out of the lava field. Your guide will also show you the nearby Barnafoss Waterfall (Children’s Falls), which hides a ghostly folktale behind its name.
Today’s final stop is Reykholt, the former home of Snorri Sturluson, the celebrated medieval historian and poet. Discover Snorralaug (Snorri’s pool), a hot pool where Snorri bathed hundreds of years ago.
Our journey back to Reykjavik will take us around the scenic fjord of Hvalfjörður (Whale Fjord). Kick back and enjoy the scenery passing right before your eyes outside the window. You’ll be dropped off at your accommodation in Reykjavik around 5-6 p.m. (17:00-18:00).
Activities: Enjoy a scenic hike up to Grábrók volcano crater.
Accommodation: Reykjavík Lights Hotel (or similar).
On Day 8, you’ll have a chance to check a few more things off your Reykjavik bucket list that you didn’t get to on Day 1. How about a bike tour around the city? Reykjavik is small enough to be explored completely by bike and big enough that you won’t...)
On Day 8, you’ll have a chance to check a few more things off your Reykjavik bucket list that you didn’t get to on Day 1. How about a bike tour around the city? Reykjavik is small enough to be explored completely by bike and big enough that you won’t ever visit the same spot twice.
The coastal scenery is hard to beat with dazzling coastal views. Seltjarnarnes and Mosfellsbær harbors, at the edge of Reykjavik, can both be reached by city buses if you don’t feel like biking. Grasagarðurinn, the botanical gardens in Reykjavik, are also well worth a visit! Depending on the weather, this itinerary is flexible.
That’s the end of your grand Iceland 8 day tour!
Activities: Your last day is free to explore what interests you most in Reykjavik.
On the second day of the tour, we’ll pick you up from your hotel in Reykjavik around 8 a.m. You spend the first day of the tour exploring Reykjavik on your own, pursuing what interests you most in the capital city. We take care of your accommodatio...)
The weather in Iceland is ever changing, alternating between warm and cool days, and sunny and rainy days. Make sure to dress in many layers and don’t forget to bring sturdy hiking shoes. A waterproof jacket and pants will come in handy. You can re...)
Accommodation is for two people per room. Solo travelers need to choose a single room supplement upon booking if they want to upgrade to a private room. The itinerary of this tour is flexible and subject to change depending on weather conditio...)
Still got questions about the tour? Hopefully you will find the answer here.
No – the Northern Lights can only be seen between late August and April; however, it is not guaranteed even then – part of their magic is their elusiveness, but we will always do our best to make sure that you see them. We have booked nights in country inns to maximize your chances of seeing the aurora borealis.
Breakfast is included each day, but other meals are not.
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.
We always book comfortable rooms in traditional Icelandic hotels.
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.
