Explore Iceland
9 days
From $ 3599
Duration9 days

At the place where two continental plates brush up against each other is Iceland, land of fire and ice. Get up close to this unique country on a nine-day exploration of its natural highlights. Make your way through lava tube caves. Watch the living Earth in action at some of the island’s volcanoes. Explore the rocky, mountainous landscapes of the stunning Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Relax in incredible hot springs and keep your eyes peeled for whales off the coast. Find your element in a place of extreme elements.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 9 days
    Service level: Upgraded
  • Physical Grading: Average
  • Ages: 12+
Explore Iceland - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Reykjavík
There is a lot to do in and around Reykjavik - should you wish to take advantage of the many optional activities, such as the Blue Lagoon thermal pools, we recommend booking a pre or post night.

Hotel accommodation in Iceland is very limited and rooms/facilities can be fairly simple with few amenities. Hotels are chosen for their location and access to the wonderous landscapes and natural wonders of Iceland. Hotels are often remote, all the better to enjoy the beautiful natural setting.
Arrive at any time. During winter months (generally November through early March) the itinerary and inclusions are highly subject to change based on weather conditions and less "daylight" hours. Your CEO will go over the schedule and advise you of any alterations on a daily basis. We appreciate your flexibility and understanding that this is completely outside of G Adventures control.
Day 2: Reykjavík/Skaftafell
Discover the beauty of Iceland’s south shore, catching views of the infamous Eyjafjallajökull volcano. Its eruptions in 2010 produced massive clouds of ash that disrupted air travel throughout Europe for several days. See the stunning Seljalandsfoss waterfall, and follow a hidden path through a canyon to the secluded falls of Gljúfrabúi. Stop in Hveragerði, a hot spring village, where you will have the opportunity to taste bread baked in a hot spring. Then visit the Lava Center for an overview of how Iceland’s volcanoes and earthquakes shaped this island.
Meals: B
Day 3: Skaftafell
Continue exploring the south shore, passing sandy plains and moss-covered lava fields and stopping along the way at historical and geological sites. Visit Crystal Beach, scattered with icebergs that wash up on the black sands, and see iridescent ice formations in the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon. Hike in Vatnajökull National Park to Svartifoss waterfall, framed by basaltic lava columns. Stop at the historic farmstead Hof in Öræfi, home to one of Iceland’s best-preserved turf churches.
Meals: B
Day 4: Skaftafell/Vik
Depending on the season and nesting habits of birdlife, we may also visit Dyrhólaey Cape. As well, it is possible to see puffins at Reynisfjara beach, Dyrhólaey Cape or near Vík in the summer months (15 May - 15 August).
Embark on a guided walk atop a glacier in Skaftafell National Park. Strap on a pair of crampons and get up-close views of intriguing ice formations, deep sinkholes, and rugged crevasses. Later, stroll along the black sands of Reynisfjara Beach.
Meals: B
Day 5: Vik/Golden Circle/Selfoss
This morning, learn about Icelandic cultural heritage at the Skôgar Folk Museum and visit the picturesque Skogafoss waterfall. Opt to climb 400 steps to the top of the falls for spectacular views. Then set out on a tour of the celebrated Golden Circle. Visit the mighty Gullfoss waterfall, and then see Geysir, the hot spring for which all other geysers are named. Tour the G Adventures-supported Solheimar Ecovillage, a sustainable community of over 100 people dedicated to helping people with disabilities. After touring the non-profit community and learning about the various workshops and programs, enjoy a local meal in their restaurant. Enjoy lunch at a farm.
Meals: B, L
Day 6: Selfoss/Snæfellsnes
Thingvellir National Park is the meeting place of the two tectonic plates on which America and Europe rest. This rift is clearly visible in the huge fissures that scar the landscape surrounding the lake and lava fields.
Begin the day with a walk in Thingvellir National Park, the last stop on our Golden Circle tour, where we’ll see the meeting point of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Continue to a traditional Icelandic farm — located in the narrow fjord of Hvalfjörður — where we’ll learn about rural Icelandic life and enjoy a traditional farm-to-table lunch. Continue to the stunning Snæfellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland.
Meals: B, L
Day 7: Snæfellsnes
Spend the day exploring the peninsula, including Snæfellsjökull National Park and its mystical glacier-topped volcano, which Jules Verne wrote about in his novel Journey to the Center of the Earth. See Búðir Church, the Lóndrangar sea stacks, Djúpalónssandur pebble beach, and the iconic peak of Kirkjufell. We’ll also visit the Eldfjallasafn Volcano Museum, founded and run by world-renowned volcanologist and National Geographic grantee Dr. Haraldur Sigurðsson.
Meals: B, D
Day 8: Snæfellsnes/Reykjavík
Continue to Borgarfjörður, where many Icelandic sagas have taken place. See the Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls; and step into Reykholt, the homestead of the 12th-century writer Snorri Sturluson. We’ll also visit Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful hot spring whose water heats most buildings in western Iceland. Continue to Reykjavík for our final evening.
Meals: B
Day 9: Reykjavík
Depart at any time.
Meals: B

Inclusions

Included

  • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Icelandic Farm Experience, Hvalfjörður Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Eldfjallasafn Volcano Museum, Snæfellsnes Your G for Good Moment: Sólheimar Ecovillage Visit and Community Lunch, Selfoss
  • Seljalandsfoss waterfall
  • Visit the LAVA Centre
  • Hveragerði geothermal garden
  • Visit Jökulsárlón Lagoon
  • Take an ice walk on a glacier in Skaftafell National Park
  • Visit black sand beaches
  • Explore Vatnajökull National Park
  • Golden Circle tour including Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall and Geysir Hot Springs
  • Explore Snæfellsnes Peninsula including Snaefellsjokull National Park, Sagaland and Deildartunguhver Hot Spring
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
  • Transport

    Private minivan/bus, Walking
  • Accommodation

    Hotels (8 nts)

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