Small on the map and enormous in person, Iceland barely feels like Earth at all. Isolated in the frigid North Atlantic and forged through centuries of volcanic upheaval and tectonic shifting, Iceland is staggering to look at and otherworldly to explore. The outdoors provide all the action you need: towering mountain peaks scratch the sky, massive glaciers scrape the earth, sprawling icefields stretch beyond the horizon, and gorgeous fjords dazzle the eye. And when you've had enough, head inside in weirdly wonderful Reykjavík and discover how the people lucky enough to live here full-time live.
Hotels (8 nts).
8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
Allow USD435-565 for meals not included.
Private minivan/bus, walking.
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
International airfare
trip insurance (highly recommended)
Tips or gratuities
Meals where not listed
optional activities
This trip will not run if the minimum number is not met. Please do not make any air reservations until trip has been confirmed
There is no single supplement on this trip. Solo travelers will be placed in a room with same sex traveler.
Arrive at any time.
Discover the beauty of Iceland’s southern coast as we drive towards Skaftafell.Take in views of the infamous Eyjafjallajökull volcano, whose 2010 eruption sent massive clouds of ash into the atmosphere of the North Atlantic. See the stunning Seljalandsfoss waterfall, and follow a hidden path through a canyon to the secluded falls of Gljúfrabúi. Stop in Hveragerði, nicknamed the “hot spring village,” where you will have the opportunity to taste bread baked in a hot spring. Then visit the Lava Center in Hvolsvöllur for a look at how volcanoes and earthquakes have shaped the island.
Breakfast
Continue exploring the southern shore, driving through sandy plains and moss-covered lava fields and stopping along the way at historical and geological sites. Visit Diamond Beach, scattered with icebergs that wash up on the black sands, and see iridescent ice formations in the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon. Hike in Vatnajökull National Park to Svartifoss waterfall, framed by basaltic lava columns, and pause at a historic farmstead in Öræfi, home to one of Iceland’s best preserved turf churches.
Breakfast
Embark on a guided walk atop a glacier in Skaftafell National Park, which was incorporated into Vatnajökull National Park in 2008. Strap on a pair of crampons and get close-up views of intriguing ice formations, deep sinkholes, and rugged crevasses. Later, stroll along the black sands of Reynisfjara beach, capturing images of the towering Reynisdrangar sea stacks.
Breakfast
This morning, learn about Icelandic cultural heritage at the Skógar Folk Museum and visit the awe-inspiring Skógafoss waterfall, opting to climb 400-odd steps to the viewing platform for spectacular vistas. Then set out on a tour of the celebrated Golden Circle. Visit the mighty Gullfoss waterfall and stand in awe before the steaming Geysir, from which the English word “geyser” derives.
Breakfast | Lunch
Begin the day with a walk in Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where we’ll see the meeting point of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Continue to a traditional Icelandic farm—located in the narrow fjord of Hvalfjörður—to learn about rural Icelandic life and enjoy a farm-to-table lunch. We’ll then make our way to the stunning Snæfellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment Icelandic Farm Experience
Breakfast | Lunch
Spend the day exploring the peninsula, including Snæfellsjökull National Park and its mystical glacier-topped volcano, which Jules Verne wrote about in his novel Journey to the Center of the Earth. See Búðir church, a tiny black church perched in the middle of a lava field; the Lóndrangar sea stacks; the black pebble beach at Djúpalónssandur; and the iconic peak of Kirkjufell, featured in Game of Thrones.
Breakfast | Dinner
Venture to Borgarfjörður, a picturesque fjord that has provided the setting for many of Iceland’s sagas. See the Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls; and step into Reykholt, the homestead of the 12th-century writer Snorri Sturluson. We’ll also visit Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful hot spring, whose water heats most buildings in western Iceland. Continue to Reykjavík for our final evening.
Breakfast
Depart at any time.
Breakfast