The Ultimate 8 Day Iceland Ring Road Tour | IS-AA0180

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. 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 accommodation.

• On the seventh day of the tour, we’ll drop you off in Reykjavik at your accommodation around 8 p.m. On the eighth day of the tour, continue with your Reykjavik itinerary. 

• 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 rent hiking boots, a waterproof jacket and waterproof pants upon booking.

• Depending on the season, embark on different activities. In summer, see the Midnight Sun — a natural phenomenon when the sun stays visible at local midnight — and amazing wildlife such as puffins, Arctic terns, Icelandic sheep, and reindeer. From November to March, we replace a glacier hike with an ice cave tour on Vatnajökul.

• From September to April, hunt for the Northern Lights. Your guide will tell you all the best  spots to see the magical aurora.

• 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 conditions.