9-day Around Iceland
summer holiday
from 3500 USD
Tour description
Are you travelling with your children or your extended family, this is something for you! All-inclusive family package including everything but lunch (except day 2) and dinner. We can include lunch and dinner for you! A 9-day around Iceland tour, visiting all the amazing places around the island. On day 2, check out of the hotel in Reykjavík and explore the Golden Circle, visiting Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Hot Springs, Gullfoss Waterfall, a rare lunch experience at the unique Friðheimar Greenhouse restaurant, and unwind in the warm and cozy Secret Lagoon. After breakfast on day 3, we enjoy the 60 meters high (196 ft) Seljalandsfoss Waterfall from behind. A small trail takes you around the waterfall giving you a unique view from behind the waterfall. The majestic Skógafoss Waterfall is the next visit.
Learn about the warming climate and its effect on glaciers in Iceland by visiting the Sólheimajökull glacier. Reynisfjara Black Beach and Reynisdrangar await to be explored, but watch out for those sneaky waves, they can be very strong. Stop at Vík village before heading to the accommodation. After breakfast on day 3 start by visiting Fjarðrágljúfur Canyon and Skaftafell National Park and hike to the beautiful Svartifoss Waterfall. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is a 200-meter (656 ft) deep glacial lake fed by Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier, an outlet glacier from the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajökull. Enjoy the floating icebergs and perhaps seals swimming by. Fjallsárlón is another Glacier Lagoon that you will have the opportunity to enjoy. Diamond Beach, the black beach in front of Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, is often filled with icebergs from the lagoon of different sizes and shapes and sparkles like diamonds in the daylight. In winter (November – March) explore the crystal Blue Ice Caves. From Höfn head towards Mývatn and visit the highlights of East Iceland. Dettifoss waterfall is the largest and most powerful waterfall in Iceland, quite magnificent.
After breakfast on day 5 visit one of the most beautiful locations in Iceland, the Mývatn area. Mývatn Lake is an active volcanic area with frequent earthquakes, and beautiful volcanic wonders and the lake itself attracts many species of migrating birds in the summer. Dimmuborgir is a very unique area, of dramatic rock formations, big lava pillars, lava rocks, and volcanic caves. Námaskarð is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Iceland, with constantly changing patterns of boiling mud pools and mud pots, fumaroles, and hot springs. Visit Krafla volcano and caldera before unwinding in the beautiful Mývatn Jarðböð Spa. Enjoy free time in Akureyri in the evening. After breakfast drive to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and visit all the beautiful locations it has to offer. Snæfellsnes Peninsula is sometimes referred to as Iceland in a nutshell, for its variety of natural attractions. In summer (April – October) take a journey into the largest man-made ice tunnel in the world, called IntoTheGlacier, located on the second largest glacier in Iceland, Langjökull. On the way back to Reykjavík stop at Barnafossar and Hraunfossar Waterfalls and Borgarnes village.
Tour program
Day 1
Arrival at Keflavík airport, where our guide waits for you. Transfer to the accommodation in Reykjavík. An orientation tour of Reykjavík. Hotel in Reykjavík.
Day 2
THINGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK AND ÖXARÁRFOSS WATERFALL
Thingvellir is characterized by tectonic rift valley and marks the rifting of the Eurasian and North American plates from each other. In 930 the Icelandic Parliament, the first democracy in the world, was established at Thingvellir. Thingvellir became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. Enjoy a short walk to Öxarárfoss waterfall.
STROKKUR AND THE GEYSER AREA
Did you know that the english name “geyser”, derives from the one and only in the Haukadalur area in Iceland? The geyser Geysir itself erupts boiling water up to 70 meters, but is almost inactive now. Strokkur, only few meters apart from Geyser, erupts on average every 5 minutes.
GULLFOSS, GOLDEN WATERFALL
Near Geysir is the Gullfoss Waterfall, which probably tops the list of being the most beautiful waterfall in Iceland. Enjoy the view from above and walk down the path to get close to the powerful waterfall.
FRIÐHEIMAR GREENHOUSE FARM AND HORSE VISIT
At Friðheimar greenhouse, tomatoes are cultivated, using geothermal heat and geothermallly generated electricity. With a tropical climate inside, they have opened a restaurant, right there in the tomato field. The main ingredients in their menu is of course, tomatoes grown there. This is a very rare and unique lunch experience. On the way we visit some friendly Icelandic horses.
SECRET LAGOON
Secret Lagoon is a natural geothermal bath, where you bath in raw nature and relax at the end of the day.
NORTHERN LIGHTS
Northern lights opportunity (August 25 – October 31 and April 1 – April 20). Hotel near Hvolsvöllur.
Please let us know if you like to add a Snowmobile tour (minimum age is 6) or snorkeling in Silfra (minimum age is 14) to this day.
Day 3
SELJALANDSFOSS WATERFALL
Seljalandsfoss is a 60 m high waterfall, beautifully located and exceptional because you can enjoy it from behind. A path takes you around the waterfall and standing behind it is a rare and unique experience. However, on very cold days the path can be closed because of ice, but then you have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful icy landscape.
SKÓGAFOSS WATERFALL
Skógafoss is one of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland. It is also 60 m high and about 25 m wide. Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss are both in glacier rivers, meltwater from Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. Eyjafjallajökull is now famous for it’s 2010 volcanic eruption that disrupted air traffic in Europe.
SÓLHEIMAJÖKULL GLACIER
Sólheimajökull is an outlet glacier, flowing out of the ice cap Mýrdalsjökull. Underneath Mýrdalsjökull is the famous volcano Katla. Glaciers are retreating and disappearing around us on an unprecedented rate. It is predicted that in a few decades the glaciers in Iceland will all be gone.
DYRHÓLAEY
At Dyrhólaey there is an amazing view of the south coast landscape and black beaches. Dyrhólaey is a 120-metre high promontory that the sea has eroded from the headland. In summer Dyrhólaey is rich in bird life, the most common, the puffin. Note, in spring during nesting Dyrhólaey is closed.
REYNISDRANGAR AND REYNISFJARA BLACK BEACH
Iceland is a volcanic island, made up mainly of basaltic material that is black in colour. Hence, the “Black Beaches”. The black beach was, in 1991, ranked as one of the ten most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world. On the beach, there are remarkable basalt columns. Reynisdrangar is a sea stack, a geological formation made by wave erosion of surrounding material.
VÍK VILLAGE
Vík village is a small village south of Mýrdalsjökull glacier.
HORSE BACK RIDING, ATV OR GLACIER WALK
Choose between a horseback riding tour, an ATV adventure or a glacier walk (minimum age is 10 years) (please indicate your preference when you book). Hotel near Kirkjubaearklaustur.
Day 4
SKAFTAFELL NATIONAL PARK
Skaftafell National Park belongs now to a larger, Vatnajökull National Park, which covers Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe, and the surrounding wilderness. In Skaftafell we hike to the beautiful Svartifoss, in English, the Black Waterfall. Svartifoss cascades about 20 m (65 ft) down a beautiful cliff, made of hexagonal black basalt columns.
JÖKULSÁRLÓN AND FJALLSÁRKLÓN GLACIER LAGOONS AND BOAT TRIP AND DIAMOND BEACH
Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon is a beautiful lagoon in front of a calving glacier. We will enjoy the amazing view of floating icebergs in a lagoon and walk between them at the black beach, which is sometimes referred to The Diamond Beach. A boat trip in the lagoon. The sailing tour between icebergs and close to the glacier makes the visit even more memorable. Hotel near Höfn.
Day 5
DJÚPIVOGUR
Djupivogur is a picturesque fishing village, and known for its art and beautiful views, as well as being part of the slow movement called Cittaslow.
EGILSSTAÐIR VILLAGE
On our way to Mývatn, we will visit Egilsstaðir village which is located on the banks of the Lagarfljót river.
DETTIFOSS WATERFALL
Dettifoss waterfall is the largest waterfall in Iceland and the most powerful in Iceland and Europe. It falls about 100 meters down to Jökulsárgljúfur canyon.
MÝVATN LAKE
Lake Mývatn is one of the largest lakes in Iceland, home to many migrating birds in the summer. Skútustaðagígar are beaufitul pseudocraters at the southwestern corner of the lake.
JARÐBÖÐ SPA
Jarðböð spa, is naturally heated man-made lagoon, with mineral-rich waters known for their health-giving properties. Hotel at Mývatn Lake.
Day 6
NÁMASKARÐ / HVERARÖND GEOTHERMAL AREA
Námaskarð, often referred to Hverarönd is an active and ever-changing field of thermal springs, mud pots and boiling mud. The geothermal activity brings to the surface bubbling mud pools and steaming ground and colorful fumaroles and solfataras. The beautiful colours are due to sulphur and white and yellowish-brown sulphates are deposited.
DIMMUBORGIR
Dimmuborgir, an amazing geological wonder, is composed of massive lava tubes, up to few meters in diameter. They were formed about 2.300 years ago, when the lava flowed over a small lake. The water started to boil and the vapour rose through the lava forming these massive lava tubes. Dimmuborgir is the home to the icelandic jule lads.
GOÐAFOSS WATERFALL
On our way to Akureyri we stop by the amazing Goðafoss, „Waterfall of the Gods“.
AKUREYRI TOWN
We arrive in Akureyri. Free time in Akureyri. Overnight in Akureyri.
Day 7
After breakfast head to Intotheglacier, the largest man made ice tunnel in the world. This man made ice tunnel is located on the second largest glacier in Iceland, Langjökull. A pickup for the trip is in Húsafell. A monster truck will transport passengers upon the glacier where a guide welcomes you and takes you on a trip of your lifetime. In a good weather the view from the glacier top is spectacular. In summer (April – October).
Hraunfossar and Barnafossar waterfalls are located in the less visited Western part of Iceland, Borgarfjörður. Hraunfossar are one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland, where series of waterfalls stream out of the porous lava into the Hvítá river. The streaming water stretches over a distance of around 900 meters, out of Hallmundarhraun lava field. Nearby Barnafossar, which means the children´s waterfall, are named after children that lost their lives into the waterfall. The story says that there was a natural bridge, of lava, over the waterfall, that was destroyed by a mother that lost two of her children while crossing the river over that bridge.
We stop in the small village, on our way to Reykjavík. Hotel in Reykjavík.
Day 8
REYKAJVÍK SIGHTSEEING
Reykajvík Sightseeing and visit all the landmarks of the city. Visit the city centre and learn about the history of the settlement and the life of people in Reykjavik throughout history. Visit Harpa Opera House, the sculpture called Sun Voyager and Höfði House. Enjoy the spectacular view of Reykjavík and surroundings at Perlan Museum.
WHALE AND PUFFIN WATCHING
Enjoy both Whale watching and Puffin watching on this day. After the Whale watching adventure embark on an authentic oak-boat and get really close to the puffin islands where the puffins make their studio apartments with their partner.
BLUE LAGOON
Blue Lagoon is one of the best natural spas in the world. The history of the Blue Lagoon can be traced back to 1976 when a reservoir was formed in Svartsengi from the work of the Geothermal Power Plant Svartsengi. People discovered that the soil had a positive effect on the skin, especially for those suffering from psoriasis skin disease. Since then the Blue Lagoon has become one of the world’s most amazing baths and spas in the world. Hotel in Reykjavík.
Day 9
AIRPORT DROPOFF
Tour duration
9 days / 8 nights
Availability
April – October
Difficulty
Easy
What to bring
- Bring warm and waterproof clothes, gloves and headwear and good shoes, preferably hiking boots.
- This is a multi-day tour and you should bring your luggage with you.
- Swimsuit and towel.
- A camera is always good to have.
Included
- Transport, airport pickup and drop-off.
- Hotel or guesthouse accommodation (private bathroom).
- Breakfast every morning.
- Lunch on day 2.
- Entrance for all sights and activities.
- Blue Lagoon comfort ticket (admission, towels, 1 drink, silica mask).
- Entrance to Secret Lagoon and Jardböd Spa.
- Services of a Professional Guide.
- Pick up and drop off at your accommodation, or meet us at bus stop number 8, Hallgrímskirkja.
- Vehicle at disposal for 5 days.
- All taxes.
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