9 Days - Around Iceland, Highlands and Volcano Adventure

On the morning of the first day of your tour, you will be picked up from your accommodation in Reykjavík. The tour will then take you to the southern part of Iceland. The first stop of the day is at the port of Landeyjarhoefn, where you will board a ferry to the Vestmannaeyjar Islands. After a 30-minute ferry ride to Vestmannaeyjar Island, you will head straight to the southernmost part of the main island, Cape Stórhoefði. It is an ideal place to get up close to the oldest inhabitants of the island: the puffins. Next, visit Eldheimar Museum, a volcano museum dedicated to the memory of the 1973 volcanic eruption, when the entire population had to be evacuated from the island to the mainland in the middle of the night. After the museum, you have the option of taking a short hike up Mt. Eldfell Volcano or spending some time in town before heading back to the mainland in the afternoon. Once back on the mainland, you'll drive along the south coast of Iceland and get some views of the infamous volcano Mt. Eyjafjallajoekull, which erupted in 2010. The eruption caused massive disruptions to air travel throughout Europe and North America. We then stop in the picturesque coastal village of Vík, where you will have some time to stroll around the village or walk down to the black sand beach. From Vík, you will drive for about an hour through the lava fields of Eldhraun to your hotel where you will spend the night. 

After breakfast, begin the day's adventure at the majestic Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon. The hike along the canyon is like something out of a fairy tale painting. After exploring the canyon, we continue to less-traveled areas of Iceland, Laki and Lakagígar, which are part of the UNESCO National Park of Vatnajoekull. Once at Laki, we will hike to the top of the volcano, where you will have great views of the area. You will see the Lakagígar craters, formed in an eruption from 1783-1784, one of the largest volcanic eruptions in historical times. The eruption and resulting ash caused a famine in Europe that eventually changed history, as it is said that the famine was the beginning of the French Revolution. We continue through the highlands, making a few shorter stops before rejoining the main road. There we stop at the small village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, where you will have time for a walk. You can check out Systrafoss Waterfall, Systrastapi Rock or Kirkjugólf (Church Floor), which are basalt columns and stone slabs. From there, it is only a short drive back to the hotel. 

In the morning, have breakfast and then check out of the hotel before heading back on the road. We will make our way back to Reykjavík, but we will take you off the beaten path by driving along the scenic F-road known as Fjallabaksleið nyrðri. Our first stop of the day is at Eldgjá Canyon, which is part of the same volcanic system as Katla Volcano. It is the largest volcanic canyon in the world with about 40 km of length, 600 meters of width and 270 meters of depth. We will hike in the canyon and explore Ófærufoss Waterfall. From Eldgjá we continue to Landmannalaugar, a pearl of the highlands. In Landmannalaugar, you have the opportunity to explore the lava field Laugahraun, hike to the colorful mountain Brennisteinsalda and/or swim in a natural geothermal pool. After spending about two hours in Landmannalaugar, we will return to Reykjavík before nightfall. Before reaching Reykjavík, we make a short stop at Hjálparfoss Waterfall, located in the Þjórsárdalur valley.

Please be ready at 08:00 am at your pickup location in Reykjavík. The pickup process takes up to 30 minutes. So depending on where you are in Reykjavík, you may have to wait a few minutes. The first day of this tour is mainly focused on exploring the attractions of the famous Golden Circle. 

We will visit Þingvellir National Park, which is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its geological and historical significance. It was here in 930 CE that Icelanders established their historic parliament, Alþingið, one of the world's first democratic governments. The law speaker had one of the most dramatic "platforms" in the world from which to proclaim the law. The cliff of the mighty rift valley was at his back. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge runs right through the middle of Þingvellir. The Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are pushing further and further apart, slowly widening the rift valley. The Geysir hot springs area will be our next destination. 

Geyser is the bubbling hot spring that gave this phenomenon its name when the English word "geyser" was adopted. Watch the Strokkur hot spring erupt large jets of hot water and steam every few minutes and see the bubbling fumaroles. The mighty Gullfoss Waterfall is the last Golden Circle attraction. See the dreamy, golden mist rising from the spray as the Hvítá (the White River) from Langjoekull (the long glacier) roars through the jagged gorge. Gullfoss drops 32 meters in two stages. 

On the way to our accommodation in a country hotel near Kirkjubæjarklaustur, we visit the two waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Seljalandsfoss is a very unusual waterfall, as you can walk behind the cascade, which offers a unique viewpoint.

We explore the atmospheric black sand beach of Reynisfjara with the magnificent peaks of Reynisdrangar and visit the basalt column cave. Then it's over to the glaciers! 

We pass the great Mýrdalsjoekull Glacier, which under its ice is home to one of the most famous and feared volcanoes, the capricious Katla. If visibility is good, you may catch a glimpse of the great fire maestro! Witness the results of past volcanic eruptions as we drive across the Eldhraun lava field to Skaftafell in Vatnajokull National Park. Skaftafell is a true oasis with green birch forests and lush vegetation, a green jewel in the middle of the harsh black sand desert. 

We take a three-hour glacier hike, led by our specialist glacier guide, on an outlet glacier of Vatnajokull, which is the largest glacier in Europe.

Next on the agenda is the famous Joekulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Marvel at the magical iceberg-filled lagoon and see the famous Diamond Beach. Its coal-black sand is dotted with the glittering, crystal-clear, blue-white icebergs that have washed ashore. You'll feel like you are in a movie scene, and in a way, you will be! Footage from James Bond and other films has been shot here. 

Our accommodation for the night is in a guesthouse in the South East area. From September to April, you can sneak out of the guest house at night to see the Northern Lights. 

Today we will explore the East Fjords of Iceland. We thread our way further along the coastline, driving some narrow roads around Hvalnes, a very beautiful and remote peninsula, and the stretch around the Þvottárskriður landslides between Lóns and Álftafjarðar. 

We stop at Djúpivogur, a traditional small fishing village that also houses a beautiful outdoor sculpture, Eggin í Gleðivík (meaning The Eggs of Merry Bay).

As the day winds down, we find ourselves at the Wilderness Center, an interactive museum and adventure center in the midst of Northern Europe's vast wilderness. You can engage in outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and horse riding, which will offer you an authentic experience of Icelandic life. During your stay, you can visit the museum's exhibits on highland living and Icelandic history for free. After a day of adventure, relax in the charming historic accommodations, savor local cuisine, and rejuvenate in the warm pool at the bathing house.

Today we are on our way to the north of the country. From Egilsstaðir, we drive to Stuðlagil Canyon, one of the world’s most enchanting basalt rock formations.

Afterward, we explore the mystical landscapes around Lake Mývatn. From here, things only get more surreal as we head to the steaming moonscapes of the Námaskarð geothermal area. See boiling hot springs, steaming fumaroles and technicolor bubbling mud pots. The wonders continue as we visit the amazing Dimmuborgir formations, known as the Dark Castles! 

We will also stop to relax at the Mývatn Nature Baths, often referred to as the "Blue Lagoon of the North," located near Lake Mývatn. Here, amidst Iceland's breathtaking northern landscape, you can relax in the warm geothermal waters or take a steam bath. (Optional extra)

The wide and dreamy crescent-shaped Goðafoss Waterfall is the last stop of the day before we head to Eyjafjoerður, an exceptionally beautiful fjord with high mountains. 

Our accommodation for the night is in a country hotel in Akureyri.

Occasionally there is time for a short stop in Akureyri, the capital of the north. We always drive through this charming town, past the truly fascinating landscape along Eyjafjoerður (the Island Fjord), on the way to the small fishing village of Dalvík. 

Your whale-watching boat trip departs from the traditional working harbor. During the 3-hour boat trip, you can expect to see humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, minke whales and sometimes even a majestic blue whale surfacing in the bay. If you are lucky, you might see one!

When we go ashore, we head to Siglufjoerður, a charming fishing village with a rich history. In the early 20th century, there was a gold rush as the remote community became the herring fishing capital of the Atlantic. Your journey around Troellaskagi (the Troll Peninsula) will show you some of Iceland's best seascapes and ski resorts. The characterful small villages on this peninsula will give you a good insight into what life was and is like in remote Icelandic villages. Our drive takes us through some thriving agricultural areas on our way to Laugarbakki. 

Your accommodation for the night will be in a small hotel in Laugarbakki. 

On our 9th day, we will explore West Iceland, an area which the Lonely Planet voted as one of the best holiday destinations in 2016. We will spend the majority of our time in the Borgarfjörður area, which has many spectacular natural sights and is famed around the world for its majestic beauty.

Our day will begin with a short hike up to a highly scenic volcano crater, Gábrók. The red volcanic soil is covered with green moss patches, making it look like a vibrant painting. On a clear day, there are fabulous views over the lava field and the area as a whole.

The next stop is the bubbling Deildartunguhver hot spring. Europe's most powerful hot spring produces 50 gallons (180 liters) of water per second at a piping hot 97°C (200°F). All of the hot water in the towns and farms within a 60- to 70-kilometer radius is transferred there from Deildartunguhver.

As we move on, out next stop will be the unique Lava Falls. The waterfalls of Hraunfossar are very special as its countless creeks and cascades stream out of the ground. A waterfall without a river over it is quite a rare natural phenomenon! The water continues appearing from the ground for a distance of about 0.55 mi. (900 m). It is an extraordinary sight, making it one of the most beloved waterfalls of those who visit it.

A few minutes from Hraunfossar is another waterfall called Barnafoss or the “Children’s Waterfall”. According to a sad rumor, errant children have perished in its cyan blue water.

From here, we will travel to the historic and charming site of Reykholt. This was once the hometown of Snorri Sturluson, the Icelandic historian, lawyer, politician, poet, and author of many Icelandic sagas.

Snorri Sturluson is one of Iceland’s most famous people and lived here between the 12th and 13th centuries. His accounts of Nordic mythology are truly incredible and reading them will really help you to appreciate Iceland.

We will get to see Snorralaug, “Snorri’s pool”, an attractive geothermal hot pool you can dip your fingers in to feel the temperature of the water. The site is closed for bathers for its historical significance. The pool itself was built in the 10th century and may well be the oldest man-made structure in Iceland.

On our way back to the capital, we will drive by another scenic fjord, Hvalfjörður (the “Whale Fjord”). During World War II, the fjord was base of the British and American navies. Until the late 1990s, those travelling north from Reykjavík had to make 38.5 mi / 62 km detour around the fjord. Today, there is a tunnel 541 ft / 165 m below sea level that cuts travel around the fjord by about an hour. Normally, we’ll take the tunnel but if there is some extra time, we will drive all the way around the fjords. Keep your eyes peeled for more incredible wildlife and stunning scenery!

Depending on the weather, we will arrive back in Reykjavík at around 5-6 pm. This trip is jammed full of exciting adventures, stunning wildlife, magnificent nature, inspiring history, and culture. You will collect memories that you will never forget!

Solo travelers must select the single supplement when booking if they want a guaranteed private room. If the single supplement is not paid, they may be placed with another single traveler of the same gender. 

Pickup is at 08:00 from your hotel or a nearby meeting point in Reykjavík. Pickup can take up to 30 minutes. Your patience is greatly appreciated.