Tour Itinerary

Day 1, SUN: WELCOME TO ICELAND (50 km/31 mls)
The Flybus shuttle brings you from Keflavík International Airport to Reykjavík where you spend the first night in Iceland. We will provide ideas on how to explore Iceland's capital on your own.

Day 2, MON: THE BLUE LAGOON & REYKJANES PENINSULA (200 km/125 mls)
At 09:30 meet your tour guide and fellow group members and travel to the Reykjanes Peninsula with its hot springs, mountains, bird cliffs, lunar landscapes and fishing villages. We warm up in the geothermal mineral-rich waters of the famous Blue Lagoon. In the afternoon we explore Krýsuvík, an area with solfataras, fumaroles, mud pots and hot springs. The soil is coloured bright yellow, red and green. We continue through lava fields and coastal landscape to Strandarkirkja, a Lutheran parish church on the southern coast of Iceland. This small, beautiful wooden church has been a beacon for those travelling at sea and is often referred to as the "miracle church" with the locals' longstanding belief that it has profound, divine powers. Next stop is the charming fishing village of Eyrarbakki with a large number of preserved houses from the period 1890-1920, and therefore a visit is like a journey 100 years back in time. We visit the local Maritime and Folk Museum. In the evening we reach Hella, a small village in South Iceland, where we stay for three nights in simple cottages. You might take a walk south alongside the riverbank to experience complete solitude and tranquillity.

Day 3, TUE: LANDMANNALAUGAR & ÞJÓRSÁRDALUR (290 km/180 mls)
Today we drive the rough unpaved road to Landmannalaugar, an oasis in the barren highlands, surrounded by centre rhyolite mountains. Group members have the option to explore the area on their own or join the guide for a short hike through a rough lava field and up the slopes with an incredible spectrum of colours. The highlight is a 90-minute round-trip hike up toward Brenninsteinsalda, the rainbow mountain of Iceland, which is one of the most spectacular volcanic mountains in Landmannalaugar. The name in English translates to "sulphur wave". It comes from the yellow sulphur spots thathave coloured its sides. But there are other colours too: green from copper, black and blue from lava and ashes, red from iron in the earth and white from silica. It could very well be the most colourful mountain in Iceland, and so its picture is often found in books and calendars. The mountain is still "hot" where you can see sizzling sulphur springs at its sides. For this hike, good boots and walking poles are helpful. In Landmannalaugar there is also a natural geothermal stream where you can enjoy a refreshing bath. Have swimwear and a towel ready. On the way back to our accommodation, we stop at the beautiful waterfall Hjálparfoss in Þjórsárdalur valley surrounded by unusual basalt rock formations. Nearby we explore the Viking farm ruins at Stöng, which was completely buried in pumice during one of Mt. Hekla's bigger eruptions in 1104. A leisurely hike brings us to Gjáin, a green oasis in an otherwise rocky, barren moon-like landscape. Þjórsárdalur is off-the-beaten-path and is dominated by Mt. Hekla and other volcanoes in the vicinity. Hekla is one of Iceland's most active volcanoes; over 20 eruptions have occurred since settlement in 874. During the Middle Ages, Europeans called the volcano the "Gateway to Hell". Please note that in case Landmannalaugar is not accessible during May and June departures, we travel only to Þjórsárdalur valley on that day.

Day 4, WED: GOLDEN CIRCLE (230 km/143 mls)
Today, we visit three of Iceland's most famous spots: Þingvellir National Park, Geysir hot springs, and Gullfoss waterfall. We start the day at the ancient Viking Parliament area of Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site. The Þingvellir plain is situated on a tectonic-plate boundary where North America and Europe are slowly tearing away from each other. As a result, the plain is defined by dramatic fissures, ponds, and rivers, including the great rift Almannagjá. Next stop is at the Geysir geothermal fields with a variety of hot springs and bubbling pools where you see the steam pumping from the ground as if beneath it there were lots of little smoking devils. The original geyser is now dormant and has been replaced by Strokkur, "the Churn", which erupts at 5-10 minute intervals. Gullfoss, "the golden falls", is a double waterfall that tumbles 34 meters into the Hvítá river originating from the glacier Langjökull. After the three "must-see" sights on the Golden Circle, we add a little extra. There is a small waterfall called Faxi, "the Main". Nearby, we show you a traditional sheep pen, where Icelandic farmers sort the sheep in September after the sheep havw been rounded up in the mountains. We continue to Skálholt, which is one of Iceland's most historic and holy places. It was the centre of ecclesiastic power in Iceland for more than 700 years. The first bishopric was founded here in 1056, with the first bishop, Ísleifur, taking the seat. From then on, it became the centre of learning, culture and worldly power in Iceland. The church in Skálholt has the most beautiful altarpiece made with mosaic and colourfully stained windows, both designed by a famous Icelandic female artist. You might like to visit the local geothermal swimming pool with hot tubs to top off your sightseeing day the Icelandic way.

Day 5, THU: WESTMAN ISLANDS (150 km/93 miles)
A short ferry ride brings us to the Westman Islands, where we explore the town of Heimaey, an extraordinary island by foot and by bus. The volcanic eruption in 1973 is considered the largest natural disaster in Iceland in recent history. The eruption began on January 23 in the outskirts of the town of Heimaey, the only populated island in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago. After the evacuation of the 5300 inhabitants, and during the 5 months while the eruption lasted, there was much uncertainty as to whether or not the island could ever be repopulated. During our tour to the Westman Islands, we explore bird cliffs, walk up a volcano crater and visit the "Pompeii of the North", a volcanic excavation project. There you observe a "house" which was dug up from the thick layer of pumice after 40 years. There is also an exhibition about Surtsey Island that was born by volcanic eruptions between 1963-68 and preserved today by UNESCO. You have the afternoon free to wander around the town of Heimaey, with its birds and signs of recent volcanic eruptions. We travel with the 4 pm ferry back to the mainland and continue to our accommodation near the village of Vík in South Iceland, where we stay for two nights.

Day 6, FRI: VATNAJÖKULL GLACIER & ICE LAGOON (420 km/260 miles)
Today we travel to Vatnajökull, Europe's second largest national park, which has Iceland's highest mountains, an alpine environment, and Europe's largest glacier. A 5-kilometre round-trip hike takes us through the national park to Svartifoss waterfall, which is surrounded by impressive basalt columns. In the afternoon we head over to the famous Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon for a cruise, sailing between the icebergs of all shapes and sizes, which float in the clear blue water. After the glacial lake experience, there is time to go down to the black sand beach, the so-called Diamond Beach, in case we find icebergs that have floated all the way from the glacier lagoon into the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 7, SAT: THE SOUTH COAST, GLACIER HIKE & REYKJAVÍK (250 km/155 miles)
We start the day with a walk along the black lava beach and bird cliffs at Reynisfjara. We see interesting basalt columns, and rock formations called the petrified trolls. Next, we stop for an easy 1,5 to 2-hour glacier hike in the impressive Sólheimajökull glacier tongue, suitable for beginners. An experienced glacier guide leads you safely through the icy wonderland of strangely shaped ridges, deep crevasses, enormous water cauldrons and different ice formations. We continue to the thundering Skógafoss waterfall, which tumbles 62 meters over a rocky scarp, kicking up vast sheets of mist. Further west we reach the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall where you can follow a slick and wet trail and walk right behind the falls. Come prepared and bring a raincoat and good boots, as you will get wet! The Best of South Iceland program ends with a short Reykjavík city tour before we reach the hotel in Iceland's capital.

Day 8, SUN: DEPARTURE HOME (50 km/31 mls)
The Flybus airport shuttle picks you up at your hotel and takes you to Keflavik airport.

NOTE:

• Total mileage in 6 days is about 1,540 km (956 miles), which is an average of 256 km (159 miles) per day. You spend about 3,5 hours per day on the bus, depending on road conditions, traffic, and daily distances. On some days, especially in the interior highlands, the driving might be longer than on some other days.
• The hotels and cabins used on this tour are simple but clean, and all rooms offer private facilities.
• On September departures, there is a chance to see the Northern Lights.
• In case Landmannalaugar is not accessible during May and June departures, we travel only to Þjórsárdalur valley on that day.
• This tour includes some walking on uneven terrain and natural trails.

Travel Dates: Sundays, June - September
Group Size: Small group tour (max 20 people)

The price is from £2,295* per person depending on your preferred travel period, based on 2 people sharing a double/twin room or 3 in a triple room
*Price is subject to availability

This Includes:
- Return flight from UK including 23kg luggage allowance, taxes and fees
- Arrival & departure transfer by FLYBUS airport shuttle (no guide)
- 6-day escorted coach tour with an English speaking guide or driver-guide
- 7 nights accommodation in rooms with shower/wc
- 7x breakfast
- Visit to two national parks
- Entrance & towel to Blue Lagoon including silica mud mask and one drink of your choice
- Boat trip on Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon
- 1,5 to 2-hour glacier hike
- Entrance fee to Eyrarbakki Maritime and Folk Museum
- Financial Protection (ATOL)

Optional add ons:
- VIP Seating: £260* per person (get two seats for yourself throughout the tour - not applicable for airport transfers)

Not Included:
- Optional Excursions
- Travel Insurance
- Anything else not specifically listed under "this includes"

Tour Dates 2022: To be confirmed

Accommodation 2022:

Simple but clean hotels and cottages – rooms with private shower/wc. Most groups will stay at the following accommodations (subject to change):

• First and last night: Hotel Cabin in Reykjavík (small standard rooms - 10m2)
• 2nd, 3rd and 4th night: Árhús Cabins in Hella, South Iceland
• 5th and 6th night: Hotel Dyrhólaey, Vík

All Iceland cooperates with airlines that offer direct, scheduled flights to Iceland, Faroe Islands and Greenland. When making a holiday enquiry, please state which airport you wish to fly from. We can offer a package with or without flights. When you book a holiday package including UK flights, your holiday will be fully ATOL Protected.

Flights to Iceland

Icelandair, full service airline: London Heathrow and London Gatwick, Manchester, Glasgow and Dublin to Keflavík Airport (KEF).
PLAY, low cost airline: London Stansted, Liverpool to Keflavík Airport (KEF).
British Airways, full service airline: London Heathrow to Keflavík Airport (KEF).
easyJet, low cost airline: London Gatwick and London Luton, Bristol, Manchester and Edinburgh to Keflavík Airport (KEF).

Flights to Iceland, Akureyri

easyJet: London Gatwick

Domestic Flights in Iceland

Icelandair: Domestic flights between Reykjavík Domestic Airport (REY) to Akureyri, Egilsstaðir, Ísafjörður, Vopnafjörður, Grímsey and Þórshöfn.
Fugfelagið Ernir: Domestic flights between Reykjavík Domestic Airport (REY) to Vestmannaeyjar, Höfn, Húsavík, Bíldudalur and Gjögur.

Flights to Faroe Islands and Greenland

Atlantic Airways: Edinburgh to Vagar Airport Faroe Islands.
Air Greenland: Copenhagen to Greenland.
Icelandair: Reykjavík Domestic Airport to Faroe Islands and Greenland.