We'll start this adventure packed day with pick up from your selected pick up location in downtown Reykjavík before setting off on a small group minibus tour of the world renowned Golden Circle.

Our first stop will be Þingvellir (Thingvellir). This historic site is not only important to the history and politics of Iceland but it's a geological wonder. Situated between the Eurasian and north American tectonic plates, Þingvellir symbolises the pulling apart of the mid-Atlantic ridge. This site is a geologists dream! Þingvellir is also the historic site where parliament in Iceland was first established, also making it one of the oldest parliaments in the world.

Next we will venture to Geysir Hot Springs where you'll witness the power of geothermal energy that Iceland is known for. You'll have the opportunity to see Strokkur erupting to a height of around 40 metres into the air every 7-10 minutes but also enjoy fumaroles, bubbling hot springs and hot water being released from the ground. 

Our last stop of the Golden Circle is Gullfoss waterfall, which is actually two waterfalls in one! The upper waterfall drops a height of 11 metres, the lower waterfall drops a height of 21 metres. Water being carried over this amazing natural phenomenon comes directly from Langjökull glacier, where you'll be snowmobiling! 

After Gullfoss, we'll traverse gravel roads to get to our snowmobiling basecamp to the east of Langjökull Glacier. Arriving at our snowmobile glacier base camp we will gear you up in warm glacier overalls, gloves and helmets. The specially trained glacier guides will then show you how to safely operate the snowmobiles on the glacier before going for a great one-hour tour on the glacier. Langjökull is Iceland’s second biggest glacier; it is several enormous ice filled volcanic craters, rimmed in by imposing volcanoes and set in the breathtaking Icelandic interior. 

Disclaimer: All glacier and adventure trips are undertaken on the responsibility of its participants. Arctic Adventures does not assume any responsibility for accidents that are caused by its customers or can be traced to their own actions. Participants have to sign a waiver before undertaking all trips stating that they realize that all outdoor activities carry an inherit risk.

PLEASE NOTE:
IF YOU REQUIRE A SINGLE ROOM OR OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES YOU NEED TO CHOOSE IT UNDER EXTRAS IN THIS STEP.

Day 1

Make your way to Reykjavík, and check into your accommodation in the afternoon. Free day in Reykjavík.

Day 2

The day starts with a pick-up from your accommodation in Reykjavík. First, we will head out to explore the famous Golden Circle, which includes Þingvellir National Park where Icelanders founded their parliament in the year 930 A.D., the oldest parliament in the world. The Circle includes Geysir hot springs and Gullfoss waterfall. Next, we will drive to the beautiful South Coast. Our first stop is at Seljalandsfoss, a unique opportunity to experience the power and wonder of nature. Don´t view this one from a distance – the walking path will take you directly behind the waterfall itself. Next, we will stop at the scenic Skógafoss, where the water crashes down over sea cliffs that marked the coastline of Iceland long ago. Watch out for rainbows – the incredible spray from this waterfall makes it an ideal spot to catch one or even two at a time! The final stop of the day is at Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, the home of the famous Reynisdrangar peaks, rumored to be the figures of two trolls caught in the sun and turned to stone, and a basalt column cave. After that, we will make our way to a country hotel near the charming village of Vík, where we will rest for the night.

Day 3

The journey continues along the South coast in the direction of Skaftafell and Vatnajökull National Park. At Skaftafell, another of Iceland´s three national parks, we will take a 3-hour glacier hike on one of Vatnajökull outlet glaciers, led by one of our skilled glacier guides. After that bracing experience, we will explore a little further Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon where we can expect to see floating icebergs and the occasional frolicking seal. Beside the glacier lake, we will find another black sand crystal beach, which is usually filled with clear icebergs that have floated back to shore. For the evening, we will lay our heads in accommodations in the pleasant seaside town of Höfn.

Day 4

The scenery continues as we follow the coastline of the East Fjords to Egilsstaðir, a picturesque town on the banks of the Lagarfljót River. On the way there, we will go for a 3-hour hike to Hengifoss, one of the highest waterfalls in Iceland which drops into a striking gorge. Next is Litlanesfoss waterfall – look for the red strata climbing the walls around the waterfall, created by volcanic ash and basaltic lava over thousands of years as the cliff was formed in the heat of many mighty eruptions. We will then make our way to our accommodation for the night.

Day 5

This day is filled with highlights of Iceland. Our first stop is at the magnificent Dettifoss, the largest waterfall in Iceland. Next, we head to the Lake Mývatn area. Here our first stop will be Námaskarð geothermal area, filled with mud pools and fumaroles, which are an interesting geological feature marking a vent for steam and hot gasses in the Earth´s crust.  We'll then make a stop at Mývatn Nature Baths, where you have the opportunity to bath in the hot spring pools. The entrance fee can be added when booking or paid on site. For those that don't wish to go in the water, they can stroll around the area and enjoy the views or sit down in the cafeteria. Next up, we will take a walk to the Hverfjall crater, caused by a volcano eruption 2500 years ago, and Dimmuborgir, the “dark cities” of lava formations that tower overhead. We will continue our drive around Lake Mývatn before heading in the direction of Akureyri, with a stop on the way at Goðafoss Waterfall. Our accommodation will be at an inviting country hotel near Akureyri, the second largest city in Iceland.

Day 6

We will start the day by exploring the town of Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland. Then, we will drive to the neighboring town of Dalvík where we go for a 3-hour whale watching tour in Eyjafjörður fjord. Take this opportunity to enjoy the wonders of sea life, including humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and the occasional blue whale! If fishing interests you, give sea angling a try and taste whatever you catch. Next we will travel the Tröllaskagi Peninsula, which will take us through a couple of fishing hamlets before we stop in the cozy village of Siglufjörður. Thereafter, we will head to West Iceland, where we will spend the night in a hotel in a small college community.

Day 7

On this, our final day, we will find ourselves in West Iceland – an area which Lonely Planet voted as one of the best destinations in 2016. Borgarfjörður has many splendid sights and we will focus on these today. We stop at Deildartunguhver hot spring, the legendary waterfall, Barnafoss, (the Children´s Waterfall), and the Hraunfossar cascade, the atmospheric very low and wide falls where the water emerges, literally straight out of the lava field. Next on the agenda is the historic and picturesque site of Reykholt, home to Snorri Sturluson, the Icelandic historian, lawyer, politician, poet and the author of some Icelandic Sagas. See Snorralaug, Snorri´s pool, dabble your fingers and feel the temperature of the water in the place where Snorri is likely to have bathed! We will drive around scenic fjord, Hvalfjörður (Whale Fjord), on our way to back Reykjavík. We expect to arrive in the city around 5 – 6 pm.

Day 8

Free day in Reykjavík.