Ultimate Iceland Adventure

Your trip begins in Reykjavík, the world’s northernmost capital and Iceland’s cultural hub. If you’ve flown in this morning, youll have some time before checking in to your hotel until 3pm, so we recommend unwinding after your flight at the famous Blue Lagoon hot pools that are on the way to Reykjavík - remember to keep your swimwear handy!

After dropping your bags at the hotel you’ll have some free time to take in the vibrant streets - grab some last-minute gear at the many outdoor clothing stores or explore the harbor. Later, we’ll all meet at the hotel bar for a trip briefing and a welcome drink, where you’ll get to know your fellow travelers and guide before having a delicious meal in a local restaurant. You might find your first evening a little strange, to be strolling around in daylight!
Accommodation: Hotel Reykjavík Centrum, Reykjavík 
Meals: Dinner

Today the adventure really begins, as we head northeast to Þingvellir National Park, home to Iceland’s first National Assembly. We’ll stretch our legs at our first waterfall called Öxarárfoss (‘foss’ is Icelandicfor waterfall). As strange as it may sound, this is a human-made waterfall, as the water was diverted,back in the 9th Century, to provide members and visitors of the Icelandic parliament ‘Althingi’ withwater.

There are lots of fascinating folklores about this region that you’ll soon discover! We will learn about Iceland’s Laugarvatn cave people, and have lunch at Efstidalur farm which offers a farm to table meal. After lunch, we will view the original Geysir Nature Reserve and the Gullfoss Waterfall.
Accommodation: The Hill Hótel, Flúðir
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Þingvellir Hike: 1.9- 2.5 miles(3-4 kilometers), 1-1.5 hours

Geysir and Gullfoss Hike: 0.6 mile (1 kilometer), 0.5-1 hour

Today, we’ll explore three of Iceland’s most famous and spectacular waterfalls; first to Seljalandsfoss (where we can also walk behind the falls). Our journey continues alongside the soaring sea cliffs and moss-covered lava fields, where we’ll be able to see the infamous E15 ‘Eyjafjallajökull’ Volcano and the majestic Skógafoss where we will stop for a short hike. We’ll hunt for stone trolls along the wild and beautiful South Coast - these trolls occupy an immense portion of Icelandic folklore, described as big, stupid, and greedy, but sometimes kind and wise. We will stop in the picturesque little village of Vík for lunch on your own and where you can walk down to the big black beach below the village.

After lunch we continue our drive along Mýrdalsjökull Glacier and Vatnajökull Ice Cap and its outlet glaciers. We will hike in Skaftafell National Park and explore the beautiful Svartifoss Waterfall, surrounded by basaltic columns. Tonight, we’ll relax in the wonderfully appointed Fosshótel, with impressive views down towards the coast. 
Accommodation: Fosshótel Glacier Lagoon, Öraefi  
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Seljalandsfoss Hike: 0.3 miles (0.5 kilometer), 0.5-1 hour
Elevation Gain/Loss: 65 feet (20 meters) ascent, 65 feet (20 meters) descent

Skógafoss Hike: 0.5 kilometers

Svartifoss Hike: 2 miles (3.5 kilometers), 2 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss:  435 feet (132 meters) ascent, 435 feet (132 meters) descent

A short drive brings us to the hidden canyon Múlagljúfur. We will hike along this magnificent canyon to visit two beautiful waterfalls Hangandifoss and Múlafoss, offering breathtaking views along the way. After the hike we have a picnic lunch before visiting Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, a photographer’s dream, and a spot where you may see seals playing amongst the icebergs.

After hiking the entire length of Iceland’s shortest river (blink and you’ll miss it), we’ll end up on the beach surrounded by stranded icebergs. We'll then continue to the small town of Djúpivogur for the night.
Accommodation: Hotel Framtíð or Berjaya Egilsstaðir, Egilsstaðir
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Canyon Múlagljúfur Hike: 3.6 miles (5.7 kilometers), 2.5-3 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,204 feet (367 meters) ascent

Iceland's Shortest River Hike: 1.5 hours

Today we will drive into the bottom of a narrow fjord and across the Öxi mountain pass to the fertile Fljótsdalshérað shire in East Iceland. We will drive through Iceland biggest “forest” Hallormsstaðarskógur to Hengifoss waterfalll. We will hike to this beautiful waterfall, 400 feet (128 m) high and the third highest in Iceland. It’s surrounded by basaltic strata with thin, red layers of clay between. After the hike we have lunch in a local Skriduklaustur café.

In the afternoon, our adventure drive takes us to the picturesque fjord Borgarfjörður Eystri, a tiny fishing village, and a home to a large puffin colony where you’ll be able to see the charming puffins in Hafnarhólmi marina. We return to Egilsstadir for dinner and overnight. Tonight you will have the option to visit the Vök Baths. 
Accommodation: Hotel Berjaya Egilsstaðir, Egilsstaðir
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hengifoss Hike: 3-3.7 miles (5-6 kilometers), 2 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,325 feet (404 meters) ascent

Hafnarhólmi Hike: 0.3 mile (0.5 kilometer), 1 hour

Our journey this morning will into the Jökuldalur Valley where we will stop to admire the magnificent Stuðlagil canyon known for its columnar basalt rock formations and the blue-green water that run through it. We cross the East Highlands with a lunch stop at the tiny restaurant in Mödrudalur.

After lunch we reach North Iceland, prepare to be amazed by the roaring Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall. We will then drive towards Lake Mývatn where we explore the bubbling pools at Námaskard’s geothermal area on the way to our hotel. 
Accommodation: Berjaya Mývatn or Fosshotel Mývatn, Mývatn
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 1-3 miles (2-5 kilometers), 1.5 hours

After breakfast we will hike through the field of spectacular lava formations at Dimmuborgir which are featured on HBO’s Game of Thrones and the pseudo craters at Skútustaðir. They are called pseudo craters as they are not caused by the actual explosion of volcanos but are a byproduct of their flowing lava. Our next stop today is at the picturesque Godafoss (Waterfall of the Gods) where we will stop for a short walk.

From there a short drive brings us to Akureyri, the “capital” of North Iceland where you will have time to stroll around in town to find a nice lunch spot on your own and visit the botanical garden. We have around a 2-hour drive to reach our accommodation in the old part of the small town of Blönduós. 
Accommodation: Hotel Blönduós, Blönduós 
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Dimmuborgir Hike: 2 miles (3.3 kilometers), 1 hour
Elevation Gain/Loss: 984 feet (300 meters) ascent

Skútustaðir Pseudo Craters Hike: 1.2 miles (2 kilometers), 1 hour

Goðafoss Hike: 0.6 mile (1 kilometer), 0.5 hour

In the afternoon we continue towards the western part of Iceland. We set course to Snæfellsnes, a volcanic peninsula that stretches out from the Icelandic west coast and is divided by a chain of mountains that lies from east to west. The peninsula is dominated by the majestic Volcano Snæfellsjökull. We explore the northern coast of the peninsula with its small fishing towns, take photos of the picturesque and much-photographed mountain Kirkjufell.

We have lunch in the village Ólafsvík and enter the Snæfellsjökull National Park where we stretch our legs by climbing up to the crater Saxhóll, 330 feet (100m) high, and the black beautiful beach Skarðsvík. We return to the beautiful town Stykkisshólmur where we have a short hike to the peninsula Súgandiseyr before for dinner. 
Accommodation: Fosshótel Stykkishólmur or Hotel Fransiskus, Stykkishólmur
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Kirkjufell Hike: 0.6 mile (1 kilometer), 1 hour

Saxhóll Hike: 0.6 mile (1 kilometer), 0.5-1 hour
Elevation Gain/Loss: 330 feet (100 meters) ascent, 330 feet (100 meters) descent

Skarðsvík Hike: 0.5-1 hour

Stykkishólmur and Súgadisey Hike: 0.5-1 hour

Today we will explore the South coast of the Snæfellsnes peninsula packed with attractions. We drive to the hamlet of Arnarstapi where we walk among the basaltic rock formations. We will explore the gorge Rauðafellsgjá and hike across the lava field at Búðir and up to the small mountain Búðaklettur where we will find a cave with a picnic lunch on the way.

We will also visit a beautiful little black church and the yellow sand beach, before returning to our accommodation. In the afternoon we will make our way back to Reykjavík for our farewell dinner together. 
Accommodation: Hotel Reykjavík Centrum, Reykjavík
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Arnarstapi Hike: 1.2 miles (2 kilometers), 1 hour

Rauðafellsgjá Hike: 0.6 mile (1 kilometer), 0.5-1 hour

Búðahraun Mountain Hike: 3.7-5 miles (6-8 kilometers), 2-3 hours

This morning breakfast will be provided at the hotel, and if you’re flying home today you're free to make your own way to the Keflavík International Airport. 
Accommodation: Not applicable
Meals: Breakfast