A place quite unlike any other, Iceland is on the top of most people’s bucket list for good reason. With gorgeous landscapes, active volcanoes, endless waterfalls, Iceland is the place for any nature lover out there. In recent years many people have discovered the lonely island in the middle of the North-Atlantic and paid it a visit. Not only to see what all the fuzz is about, but to experience the unspoiled nature. To witness the majestic Northern Lights dance across the blackened winter night sky. To see the sun still in the sky at midnight. To visit the geothermal areas where the geysers rule supreme. To sail among massive icebergs on a glacial lagoon. To witness and to experience something new, something unique.

Tuesday, August 23 - Depart USA for Reykjavik, Iceland

Meals: on own

Upon arrival we will check into the hotel. Free time to explore Reykjavik. In the evening we will head to the Fagradalsfjall Volcano & Blue Lagoon. If you’ve heard anything about Iceland, you’ve heard about the Blue Lagoon. With a combination of 70% sea water and 30% fresh water, the Blue Lagoon is a perfect 90 degrees. People from all over the world travel to Iceland specifically to soak in the depths of these natural mineral salts, rich algae and silica mud. Some even claim the combination contains certain healing properties for the skin. 

Fagradalsfjall Volcano

After thousands of earthquakes over the span of 3 weeks originating in the Reykjanes Peninsula, the lava finally found its way through earth crust on the evening of March 19, 2021 close to Fagradalsfjall, in a valley named Geldingadalir. The eruption is confined to this valley, which is surrounded by hills and higher ground, preventing the lava from flowing to nearby towns or cities.

Geldingadalir valley is not a remote valley by any measures. It is a mere 9 kilometres from the nearest village, Grindavík. This makes the eruption site very accessible to people that are willing to make the effort of the hike to witness this magnificent spectacle of nature. If anything should be on your bucket list, it is to experience a live volcano, where you will truly see new land forming. Streams of lava flow from the volcanic cone and into the valley, slowly but surely filling it up, you will see steam and gases rise from the growing lava field as well as the newly formed crater.

Stay: Rey Apartments

Meals Included: Breakfast

The Golden Circle is a 300 kilometre (186 mile) route to the three most popular natural attractions in Iceland: the Geysir Geothermal Area, Gullfoss Waterfall and Þingvellir National Park. Within the three locations of the Golden Circle are some of the clearest examples of Iceland’s fascinating geological forces, magnificent landscapes, and rich culture.

We will drive around and see some of the most iconic and beautiful sites throughout the Golden Circle such as:

· Thingvellir National Park – Oxararfoss

· Geysir Area

· Gullfoss Waterfall

· Lunch at Fridheimer Tomato Farm

· Kerid Crater

Stay: Hotel Kanslarinn 

Meals Included: Breakfast

We will continue along Iceland’s Route 1 (aka “Ring Road”). Route 1 is one of the best road trips in the world and for two good reasons. First, the route boasts a plethora of breathtaking natural wonders for you to photograph and explore.

- Seljalandsfoss
Considered one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland, Seljalandsfoss is 65 meters tall with a pathway leading behind the waterfall for you to experience the waterfall up close. You’ll want to bring a raincoat.

- Skogafoss
With a width of 85 feet and and a drop of 197 feet, Skogafoss is one of Iceland’s largest waterfalls. It can be viewed from the top as a steep staircase leads to an observational platform above the cascade.

- Solheimasandur plane wreckage
In 1973 a United States Navy DC plane ran out of fuel and crashed on the black beach at Sólheimasandur, in the South Coast of Iceland. Fortunately, everyone in that plane survived. The remains are still on the sand very close to the sea. The scene looks like something out of a science fiction movie and is incredible to see in person.

- Dyrholaey Arch
Dyrhólaey, formerly known by seamen as Cape Portland, is a small promontory located on the south coast of Iceland, not far from the village Vík. It was formerly an island of volcanic origin, which is also known by the Icelandic word eyja meaning island.

- Reynisfjara black sand beach
With its enormous basalt stacks, roaring Atlantic waves and stunning panoramas, Reynisfjara is widely considered to be the most beautiful example of Iceland’s black sand beach

Stay: Hotel Skogafoss

Meals Included: Breakfast

Skaftafell National Park

Skaftafell is a nature reserve located in Vatnajökull National Park in the South East of Iceland. It is an oasis of this nation’s diverse landscapes and features, so beautiful it was once a national park in its own right. Skaftafell is notable for its rich flora, growing between sands and glaciers, and for its amazing, contrasting scenery. Visitors will find a wealth of natural attractions, from cascading waterfalls to glacier lagoons, geological formations to black sand deserts.

The rugged region is known for its fantastic photo opportunities, with many awe-inspiring panoramic views.

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon

Iceland has got some spectacular canyons, one of which is Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon in South-Iceland. Fjaðrárgljúfur is a canyon with quite a unique serpent-like shape and it was not well-known to visitors to Iceland until a few years ago

Stay: Cabin Rental

Meals Included: Breakfast

After Breakfast we will head out on a Glacier Lagoon Boat tour and visit Diamond Beach. The Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach are magical and unique. The temporary nature of the place, mixed with the wildlife and the view when the light changes from moment to moment makes this a place that is worth visiting over and over.

Jökulsárlón Lagoon Glacier 

You’ll get to explore the lagoons most breathtaking icebergs in an adrenaline-pumping small group tour. This is the perfect tour for those wanting to get up close and personal to the magnificent blue icebergs that float within the crown jewel of Iceland, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. 

Diamond Beach

Diamond Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Iceland. The name Diamond Beach comes from all the beautiful, melting icebergs that dot the beach. The icebergs come from the nearby Jökulsárlón which in return come from Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. The icebergs float from the lagoon via Jökulsá glacier river to the ocean but then get washed back onshore by the tides.

Stay: Cabin Rental

 Optional Ice Climbing /Glacier Hike or Day at Leisure

 Meals Included: Breakfast

Today have a day at leisure or enjoy an optional Ice Climbing and/or Glacier Hike

This day is a combination of Ice Climbing and Glacier Walk. The perfect tour for people that like to get to know and try Ice Climbing for the first time (if you’re an expert, you can do technical climbs as well). 

After gearing up at your base by the glacier you will walk through the valley towards the Sólheimajökull glacier, before going on the ice they provide a lesson in how to use the safety equipment as well as going over the safety instructions for the glacier. 

Next, you will walk to find the place for the Ice Climbing, on the way, you will explore the magnificent landscape of the glacier with sinkholes, crevasses and different ice formations, where you will have some great photo opportunity as well as getting facts and information about the formation of the glacier and the volcanoes surrounding the area. 

The guide will prepare the top rope when you find the perfect place for the climbing and teach the basic Ice Climbing technic before you try your skills on the glacier ice wall. You will start to head back when everyone has climbed the glacier wall few times, but on the way back you will explore a bit more and find some interesting sights before stepping on to a solid ground again. 

The Sólheimajökull is the perfect place to stop by to enjoy the best that Icelandic nature has to offer, the glacier is changing from day to day, it has been retreating a lot for the past years, making it a good place to see the formation and the power of the glacier erosion forming the landscape over again. 

Stay: Hotel Kanslarinn

Meals Included: Breakfast

After Breakfast drive back to Reykjavik to catch flights to USA

Safe travels back to the USA. Thank you for traveling with Limitless Planet!