Ultimate Iceland

Itinerary

• Day 1

  Arrival

  Arrive at Keflavik International Airport and transfer to your accommodation in the city. Free time in the afternoon to explore Reykjavik.

  • Accomodation: Guesthouse
• Day 2

  The Golden Circle

  We depart for Thingvellir, the valley of the parliament, a high place of Icelandic history. This is where the summer sessions of the ancient Parliament of Iceland (established in 930) were held. We continue with the discovery of Gullfoss, a gigantic two-level waterfall surging into a basalt ravine. Next stop, the Strokkur geyser which erupts every 5 to 10 minutes in a dramatic display of natural power. In the afternoon we drive to the south coast and the small port of Landeyjarhöfn where we board a boat to Heimaey Island, the only inhabited island of the Vestmann archipelago.

  • Accomodation: Guesthouse
  • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day 3

  Vestmann Islands

  Today we explore the steep and rugged coastline of this tiny island which is home to Europe's largest puffin colony. We climb to the volcanic cone of Eldfell, a feature of the island created during the last eruption here in 1973. The flow of lava from this volcano destroyed over 400 homes and when it hit the ocean and began cooling, it increased the area of the island by more than two square kilometers. After a full day of hiking and exploring we return to our guesthouse to relax for the evening.

  • Hiking time: 5 - 6 hours
  • Accomodation: Guesthouse
  • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day 4

  Skogafoss and Vik

  Returning by boat to the mainland, we take the road east pausing at the waterfalls of Seljalandfoss and Skogafoss. We then reach Vik, famous for its ink black beaches, tall cliffs, puffins and penguins. In the mists, often present on the south coast, the rocky pillars of Reynisdrangar rise from the frozen waters. Legend tells that these monoliths were once trolls that were caught out in the morning sun and turned to stone. In the afternoon we reach Skaftafell and settle in at our accommodation.

  • Hiking time: 3 - 4 hours
  • Accomodation: Farm Inn
  • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day 5

  Skaftafell Natural Park

  A full day of hiking in the Skaftafell Natural Park. We wake up this morning directly below the phenomenal Vatnajökull glacier, the largest glacier in Europe, roughly the size of Cyprus. We wander along narrow pathways in forests of dwarf birch trees before gaining height and following balcony trails that look down on glacial tongues descending towards the sea. We pass by the waterfall Svartifoss and enjoy spectacular views of the glaciers tumbling down from Iceland's highest peak, Hvannadalshnukur, 2119m. In the afternoon we have the option to strap crampons to our boots and take a short hike on the glacier itself.
  
  We finish our day with a short drive takes us to Jökulsárlón, where icebergs are born and the seals come on the high tide to hunt in the lagoon.

  • Hiking time: 5 - 6 hours
  • Accomodation: Farm Inn
  • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day 6

  Jökulsárlón to Egilsstadir

  This morning, we leave the south coast behind us and journey northward to reach the unknown fjords of the East. The road winds along the coast and the scenery is simply superb. A first stop in Djúpivogur allows us to stretch our legs and discover one of the oldest buildings in Iceland, a trading post situated at the port that dates back to 1790. Depending on the conditions we continue to Fàskrùðsfjörður, a village sitting alongside a fjord of the same name which was once the base for French fishermen in the early 20th century. Our road then leaves the coast and strikes north towards Egilsstadir and Seydisfjördur where we find our accommodation for the night.

  • Hiking time: 1 - 2 hours
  • Accomodation: Guesthouse
  • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day 7

  Dettifoss and Husavik

  Our journey continues through the Icelandic wilderness, skirting the lava fields of the Ódáðahraun desert before reaching one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe, Dettifoss. After pausing for a while to admire this unbelievable force of nature, we continue to the town of Husavik. In the afternoon we have free time to explore the town or observe whales and other marine mammals in Skálfandi Bay (optional sea trip). We settle in at our accommodation in Husavik where we will stay for two nights.

  • Hiking time: 2 - 3 hours
  • Accomodation: Guesthouse
  • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day 8

  Myvatn

  Today we have a full day of hiking and exploration around Lake Myvatn, an area of fascinating volcanic activity. We visit the site of Namafjäll- Hverir with its noisy fumaroles and its bubbling solfataras (pools of boiling mud) and continue to the explosion crater of Hverfjall and the Krafla lava fields. In the afternoon we have the option of relaxing at the blue lagoon of Myvatn before returning to our accommodation in Husavik.

  • Hiking time: 5 - 6 hours
  • Accomodation: Guesthouse
  • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day 9

  Goðafoss and Glaumbaer Museum

  We say farewell to Husavik this morning and take the road toward Akureyri, pausing at Goðafoss, the dramatic "fall of the gods". Akureyri, the capital of the north, is a pretty Icelandic town and we will take some time to explore and walk around the port. We then visit Glaumbær, museum of popular arts and traditions which provides guests with a better understanding of traditional life in Iceland and how this is changing with time. We spend the night in the Hvammstangi region, famous for its horses.

  • Accomodation: Guesthouse
  • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day 10

  Vatnsnes Peninsula

  From our accommodation we set off towards the Vatnsnes peninsula where we can see seals lounging on the rocks. The road leads us to Hvitserkur, a natural double arch emerging from the water and providing a brilliant photo opportunity. From Vatnsnes we continue to the jagged fjords of the north west and settle at our accommodation for the next two nights.

  • Hiking time: 1 - 2 hours
  • Accomodation: Farm Inn
  • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day 11

  West fjords

  Today begins with a drive up to the cliffs of Latrabjarg, the westernmost point of Europe. Latrabjarg is the largest cliff in Iceland, 12 km long and in places more than 1600ft high. This is great place to observe puffins (before mid August), Common and Thick-billed murres, northern gannets, guillemots and razorbills as well as little penguins (on average 33cm high). In good weather, the road along the southern coast of the peninsula offers stunning views of sandy beaches and the tip of the Snaefellsnes peninsula with it's prominent volcano.

  • Hiking time: 3 - 4 hours
  • Accomodation: Farm Inn
  • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day 12

  Westfjords to Snaefellsness

  We take to the water again today with a ferry crossing over the fjord of Breidafjordur via the small island of Flatey. We spend the day discovering the Snaefellsness peninsula, where the Snaefellsjökull stratovolcano sits, so characteristic with its cone shape, and immortalized by Jules Verne in his novel 'Journey to the Center of the Earth'. We may also have the opportunity to visit the iconic peak of Kirkjufell, a photogenic shark fin shaped mountain looming over a waterfall of the same name. In the afternoon we settle in at our accommodation.

  • Hiking time: 2 - 3 hours
  • Accomodation: Farm Inn
  • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day 13

  Snaefellsnes Peninsula

  We hike today from the village of Hellnar to Arnarstapi, our path winds alomng the basalt sea cliffs which are home to hundereds of nesting kittiwakes. We pass the remarkable Gatklettur lava arch and discover the black church of the old fishing village of Bùðir, standing in the middle of a lava field. At the end of the day we return to Reykjavik and complete our circuit of Iceland's amazing route No1.

  • Hiking time: 4 - 5 hours
  • Accomodation: Guesthouse
  • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch
• Day 14

  Reykjavik and Fagradalsfjall volcano

  There is lots of possibilities today as we have free time to explore Reykjavik and relax a little after our adventure. You may like to go whale watching, visit the blue lagoon or tour the museums. This is also the best time to get a covid test if you need one before you fly home. In the afternoon we visit the Reykjanes peninsula and the Fagradalsfjall volcano. The volcano began erupting in March 2021 following strong seismic activity on the peninsula. Torrents of lava gush out of two craters before pouring out through other faults and volcanic cones. We share a final meal together as a group right here next to the flowing lava and return to Reykjavik by around 11pm.

  • Hiking time: 3 - 4 hours
  • Accomodation: Guesthouse
  • Meals included: Breakfast / Dinner
• Day 15

  Departure

  Morning transfer to Keflavik International Airport and return flight.

  • Meals included: Breakfast
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