Grand Circle of Iceland

Day One

Leave home for the land of fire and ice, Iceland. You will have an overnight flight that will land in Reykjavik, Iceland tomorrow.

Day Two

Private transfer from the airport to Reykjavík where we enjoy the first two nights in the Fosshotel in downtown Reykjavik. Before arriving at the hotel enjoy a city tour to show the highlights of the world’s northernmost capital. 

Overnight: Fosshotel, Reykjavik

Meals: Welcome dinner

Day Three

Today we travel west, passing the town of Borgarnes and climb the Grábrók volcano crater. In the afternoon visit a natural history & seal museum in a small fishing village in Northwest Iceland and stroll around the local harbor. Further north we stop at the turf church of Víðimýri which has been extensively restored to its original form and is widely considered one of the purest and most beautiful examples of traditional Icelandic architecture. We continue along scenic fjord landscape and over several mountain passes until we reach Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland. 

Overnight: Hôtel Norðurland

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day Four

In the morning we explore Akureyri, a charming town of 17000 inhabitants, visit the botanical garden and enjoy the panoramic view over Eyjafjörður fjord. In the afternoon we travel to an important spot in Iceland’s history, Goðafoss, the waterfalls of the Gods. We continue to Lake Mývatn which is known for its geological wonders and active bird life during summer. We stop at the bizarre lava formations at Kálfaströnd followed by a walk around the many pseudo craters and end an exciting day with a relaxing soak at Mývatn Nature Baths that contains a unique blend of minerals, silicates and geothermal micro-organisms. The warm soothing waters benefit both skin and spirit alike. 

Overnight: Hôtel Norðurland

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day Five

In the morning we hike in a lava labyrinth at Dimmuborgir “The Dark Castles”, hoping to get a glimpse of the trolls who are said to live there. After lunch we visit the hot spring area of Námaskarð with bubbling mud pools and steaming solfataras, and Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall in the northern part of Vatnajökull National Park. Next, we head through the uninhabited highlands and moonlike surrounding to East Iceland and with some luck we might spot an Arctic fox or see reindeer.

Overnight: Hótel Valaskjàlf

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day Six

It’s a day to admire the dramatic fjord landscape and its tiny fishing villages at the end of twisty roads in the East Fjords and on route we visit an interesting stone and mineral collection. In the afternoon we see Vatnajökull – Europe’s biggest glacier that is visible all-over Southeast Iceland. Past the town of Höfn, we stop at Jökulsárlón, a glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs, and we explore the extraordinary site and might see seals swimming in arctic waters. You can walk on the black sandy beach where large icebergs get stranded. Depending on the season optional boat trips are available. We travel along the southern part of the glacier Vatnajökull and spend time at Europe’s largest national park, which has Iceland’s highest mountains, an alpine environment, and Europe’s largest glacier. 

Overnight: Hotel Edda Höfn – Berjaya Iceland Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day Seven

We start the day at Jökulsárlón, a glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs, and we explore the extraordinary site and might see seals swimming in arctic waters, you also take a boat tour on Jökulsárlón. You can walk on the black sandy beach where large icebergs get stranded, often referred to as Diamond beach. We travel along the southern part of the glacier Vatnajökull. A beautiful drive with many natural wonders awaits us today as we head across the Eldhraun lava field, cross the sandy desert of the south coast, overlooked by mountainous cliffs, glaciers, and waterfalls. We stroll along the black lava beach of Reynisfjara near Vík. In the small village of Skógar there is Skógafoss waterfall which is 60 meters high and is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country. We continue to the high, but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall which plunges over the mountain. There is an interesting trail that goes behind the fall – if you are prepared to get wet! Further west we stop at LAVA center in Hvolsvellir. 

Overnight: Hotel Hvolsvöllur

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner  

Day Eight

We explore classics today as we travel the route of the Golden Circle sights. We start the day at Friðheimar, where you learn about the Icelandic horse, its special qualities and history and visit a geothermal greenhouse. Later on we see steam from the Geysir geothermal fields as we arrive. There is a variety of hot springs and bubbling pools. The original geyser is now dormant but has been replaced by Strokkur “the Churn” which erupts at 5–10-minute intervals. We continue to Gullfoss, “the golden falls”, which is a double waterfall that tumbles 34 meters into the Hvítá river and attracts travelers in summer and winter. We travel inland to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Returning to Reykjavík where we will enjoy the last night in Iceland.

Overnight: Fosshotel, Reykjavik

Meals: Breakfast

Day Nine

Transfer from hotel in Reykjavik to Keflavík airport. 

 Meals: Breakfast