Tour Itinerary

Day 1, MON: 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 provide you with ideas how to explore Iceland's capital on your own.

Accommodation: Hotel Klettur including breakfast.

Day 2, TUE: GOLDEN CIRCLE (290 km/180 mls)
We see classic highlights today. We explore Gullfoss, the beautiful double "Golden Falls" and we walk through the active geothermal area of Geysir, where Strokkur "the churn" spouts up to 25 meters (70 feet) every five to seven minutes. A visit to the ancient Viking Parliament area and UNESCO world heritage site of Þingvellir National Park tops the day off before travelling along the scenic shores of Hvalfjörður fjord. Overnight in Borgarfjörður, West Iceland.

Accommodation: Icelandairhotel Hamar including dinner and breakfast.

Day 3, WED: SNÆFELLSNES PENINSULA AND FERRY TO THE WESFJORDS (290 km/180 mls)
Today, we explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, which juts out from Iceland’s West Coast. A rugged mountain chain runs its length, capped by the 1,446-meter Snæfellsjökull glacier, a mystical cone-shaped stratovolcano. We travel around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, through lava fields, and along the ocean with many classic Icelandic photo opportunities. We see the most popular sites at the Snæfellsnes National Park where volcanic craters, lava flows, an ice cap, glaciated peaks, fjords, sandy beaches, and high cliffs shape its landscapes. We follow the adventure of Jules Verne’s classic science-fiction novel about “The Journey to the Center of the Earth”. Do not miss your chance to go on a trip to the interior of the earth under the glacier Snæfellsjökull! This lava cave tour takes you 35 meters underground and about 200 meters into the lava tube called Vatnshellir. In the afternoon, we catch the car ferry Baldur from Stykkishólmur to Brjánslækur in the West Fjords. On the 2,5 hour journey over Breiðafjörður Bay, we pass the island of Flatey, which is inhabited only during the summertime. If the weather is nice, you enjoy a magnificent view of the bay’s countless isles as well as the glacier Snæfellsjökull.

Accommodation: Fosshotel Westfjords including dinner and breakfast.

Day 4: THU: ICELAND'S WESTERNMOST POINT (150 km/93 mls)
We follow the coastline and stop at the folk and transport museum in Hnjótur. We continue through a very remote and sparsely populated region to the bird cliffs of Látrabjarg, the most abundant seabird cliff and the westernmost point of Iceland and Europe where you can see puffins from mid-May till mid-August. We take a walk in the wilderness to the top of the highest bird cliff in Iceland. Látrabjarg is known in the world for its density of Nordic birds. Puffins, razorbills, guillemots, fulmars, cormorants, kittiwakes and other cliff birds flock either in hundreds, thousands and even in millions. Látrabjarg is a place where you can get very close to the seabirds, and even if you’re not into bird watching, you are entertained by the comic puffins and mesmerized by the sheer number of birds. If weather and road conditions allow we travel to Rauðisandur beach with endless red sand. Well, not endless but 10 km is a lot. The magnificent hues of the sand differ with daylight, tides, and weather. This pure sand beach is home to countless seabirds and seals and is an oasis of unique tranquillity. Forget everything, except maybe getting the perfect shot of the ever-changing hues of yellow, orange and red.

Accommodation: Fosshotel Westjfords including dinner and breakfast.

Day 5, FRI: BEAUTIFUL WEST FJORDS (320 km/199 mls)
We travel over mountains and along the shore of scenic fjords until we reach the majestic fjord Arnarfjörður, surrounded by high mountains. At the bottom of the fjord, we come across the unique waterfall Dynjandi with its seven levels of plunging water, declared the country’s most beautiful waterfall by the people of Iceland. We continue over a mountain pass and along the southern shores of the West Fjords which is a route less travelled and is characterized by sheer cliffs, deep cut bays and narrow stretches of coastal lowland. We overnight at the remote Vogur Country Lodge in West Iceland. This overnight location is a truly peaceful and beautiful place close to Breiðafjörður Bay, giving you the feeling of being all alone in Iceland.

Accommodation: Vogur Country Lodge including dinner and breakfast.

Day 6, SAT: HEADING NORTH (350 km/217 mls)
In the morning we travel mostly off-the-beaten-path, see abandoned farms, beautiful little country churches, and Icelandic horses. At Haukadalur, there’s a rather authentic-looking replica of the homestead of Erik the Red, the famous explorer who founded the Icelandic colony in Greenland. His son Leif-the-Lucky, born in Haukadalur, Iceland, was the first European to set foot in North America. Now the excavated and reconstructed farm in Haukadalur is a living Viking museum, a fun, informative and a photogenic place. The landscape is dominated by mountains, lakes, valleys, sea and wide open spaces. We head north and stop at a local farm for lunch and a horse show where we learn about the unique qualities of Iceland’s special breed. Afterwards, we travel through the fertile farmlands and fjord landscapes of Northwest Iceland before we reach the charming town of Akureyri, Iceland’s second-largest residential area. We will stay two nights in the capital of North Iceland.

Accommodation: Sæluhús apartment, including dinner and breakfast.

Day 7, SUN: NORTHERNMOST TOWN (160 km/99 mls)
During a 6-hour excursion, we see spectacular fjord landscapes while travelling to Siglufjörður, Iceland’s northernmost town and known as the herring capital of the North Atlantic. Siglufjörður is located on the mountainous Tröllaskagi Peninsula. On the way, we pass small fishing villages and stop at a deserted valley that even most Icelanders have not seen. Included is a visit to the Herring Museum and also beer tasting at Kaldi, a local micro-brewery. The rest of the day is free at leisure. Maybe you would like to go shopping, visit a geothermal swimming pool, stroll through the local botanical garden or try an optional whale watching or horseback riding tour at 17:00. Overnight and dinner in Akureyri.

Accommodation: Sæluhús apartment, Akureyri including dinner and breakfast.

Day 8, MON: GEOLOGICAL WONDERS AND NATURE BATHS (150 km/93 mls)
We explore Goðafoss, the waterfall of the Gods, and continue to Lake Mývatn, known for its abundant bird life and amazing volcanic lava landscapes. We see pseudo craters, walk in the mysterious lava field Dimmuborgir, see the tephra cone Hverfjall, explore the hot springs, fumaroles and bubbling mud pools of Námaskarð, and travel to the explosion crater lake Víti in the Krafla geothermal fields. In the afternoon relax and soak at the Mývatn Nature Baths. Overnight near Lake Mývatn.

Accommodation: Sel Hótel Mývatn including dinner and breakfast.

Day 9, TUE: THE SECRET OF THE EAST (290 km/180 mls)
We travel to Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall, in the northern part of Vatnajökull National Park. The round-trip walk takes about 40-60 minutes. We continue east through the bare and sometimes deserted landscape with mountains all around. Along the way, we stop at Möðrudalur the all-year residence at the highest altitude in Iceland, 469m above sea level. In the summertime, an on-site service centre is a perfect place to enjoy the view of Herðubreið, the queen of the Icelandic mountains. We visit the church at the farm, built by hand in 1949 by the former farmer in the memory of his late wife. From there we head through the uninhabited highlands to East Iceland. We explore the northernmost fjord on the East Fjord mountain range. The isolated village Bakkagerði at Borgarfjörður-Eystri has only 120 inhabitants and is a charming village, built snugly next to the steep mountainside. Driving there is dramatic and rewarding. The colourful mountains are unique and impressive. We experience an unusual opportunity to visit a traditional Icelandic fishing village, still relying on small boat fishing. Even so, Borgarfjörður-Eystri is one of Iceland’s most beautiful treasures, this off-the ring road location remains still seldom visited. There is a coffee house in the village, displaying some works of Jóhannes Kjarval, a well-known Icelandic painter who grew up in Borgarfjörður-Eystri. His hometown and its landscape have much influenced his works. We also see the remarkable altarpiece, an extraordinary artwork painted by Jóhannes Kjarval. Borgarfjörður-Eystri is home to an extensive population of elves – judging by the 172 local folk tales involving elves. In the village, we find Álfaborg, a protected site where the queen of elves is believed to live in a uniquely shaped rock castle. The elf stories provide a fascinating lecture, especially for the younger generation. We continue to the local harbour to look out for kittiwakes, puffins, and other seabirds.

Accommodation: Guesthouse Álfheimar including dinner and breakfast.

Day 10, WED: FJORDS, GLACIERS AND THE GLACIER LAGOON (450 km/280 mls)
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 en route we visit Petra’s fascinating rock collection. A naturalist and a collector are two terms that have been used to describe Petra since she was a little girl. From the day she opened her eyes for the first time she perceived her surrounding differently from most of her compatriots, and it is almost as her parents knew when they named her. The word “Petra” simply means “stone” in Greek. Petra collected for nearly 80 years this unique treasure of rocks, crystals, zeolites, quartz and more, all from the nearby area in the Eastfjords. The rocks and stones are beautifully laid out in her home and garden. Her descendants proudly take good care of this unique exhibition. In the afternoon we see Vatnajökull, Europe’s biggest glacier that is visible all over Southeast Iceland. Past the town of Höfn, we stop for a boat ride amongst the floating icebergs on the magnificent Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, considered one of the highlights of Iceland. We spend the night near Skaftafell in the southern part of Vatnajökull National Park.

Accommodation: Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon including dinner and breakfast.

Day 11, THU: VATNAJÖKULL NATIONAL PARK AND THE SOUTH (340 km/211 mls)
Today we visit Vatnajökull National Park which covers about 14% of Iceland, making it Europe’s 2nd largest national park in terms of area after Yugyd Va in Russia. We explore the region of Skaftafell that is nestled below Iceland’s highest mountain and the second biggest stratovolcano in Europe, the 2,110-meter high Hvannadalshnjúkur. We walk close to one of the many glacial tongues in the area – a Kodak moment. We cross a sandy desert and drive along the South Coast, always between the sea, rugged mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls. We stroll along the black lava beach and bird cliffs near the village of Vík. We stop at the Skógafoss waterfall, another must-see location in South Iceland. The crashing water creates a mist that results in frequent and magical rainbows, just adding some more memorable experiences to the sheer beauty of this stunning scenery and place. Afterwards, we reach 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. Then we visit the Lava Center in Hvolsvöllur, where we watch a documentary film about volcanic eruptions in the past years in Iceland. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant in Reykjavík and we will spend the last night of the Grand Tour in Iceland’s capital.

Accommodation: Hotel Klettur including farewell dinner at a local restaurant and breakfast at the hotel in the morning.

Day 12, FRI: DEPARTURE HOME (50 km/31 mls)
The Flybus airport shuttle picks you up at your hotel and takes you the Keflavík International airport about 3 hours before your flight. If you want to stay longer and explore more of Iceland you can extend your stay.

NOTE:

• Total mileage in 10 days is about 2,710 km (1,683 miles) which is an average of 271 km (169 miles) per day.
• You spend about 4 hours per day on the bus, depending on road conditions, traffic and daily distances.
• On some days, especially in the West Fjords, the driving might be longer than on some other days.
• This tour has an average of 1-2 hours light walking each day, mostly short walks of 5-20 minutes, in order to explore and reach many of the natural treasures around Iceland. Most trails in Iceland are nature trails which include uneven terrain, gravels, stairs and not paved trails.
• Most hotels, farms and guesthouses used on this tour are simple tourist-class category, many of them set in the most stunning locations.
• Itineraries may be subject to change at short notice during severe weather conditions and certain outdoor activities/day trips may be cancelled during the winter season in Iceland. In these rare cases, where situations of force majeure apply, excursions/activities cannot be refunded but the local guides will try their best to find reasonable alternatives where and whenever possible.
• Accommodation is subject to change.

CHANGE OF PROGRAM:

We reserve the right to change routes, itineraries or timetables without prior notice should road, weather conditions or operational situations so dictate. Some tours may also be operated in reverse. Itineraries may be subject to change at short notice during severe weather conditions and certain outdoor activities/day trips may be cancelled during the winter season in Iceland. In these rare cases, where situations of force majeure apply, excursions/activities cannot be refunded but the local guides will try their best to find reasonable alternatives where and whenever possible.

Departure Dates summer 2024

Travel period from the End of May - end of August, 8 departures.

Group Size: 20 passengers max

The price is from £5,495* per person based on 2 people sharing a double/twin room

*Price is subject to availability

This Includes:
- Return flights from the UK including 23kg luggage allowance, taxes and fees
- Return Airport transfer by Flybus
- 10 day fully guided tour with English speaking guide/driver guide
- 11 nights accommodation as per itinerary in rooms with private facilities
- x11 breakfast
- x10 dinners
- Explore three national parks
- Lava cave in Snæfellsnes
- Ferry trip to the West Fjords
- Entry to Folk and transport museum at Hnjótur
- Visit to Erik the Red homestead
- An Icelandic horse show
- Entrance to the Herring museum
- Visit to a micro beer brewery
- Entrance to the Mývatn Nature Baths, including towel
- Visit to Petra’s stone collection
- Boat trip on Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
- Entry to the Lava Centre museum
- Average of 1-2 hours easy walking per day
- Financial Protection (ATOL)

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

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.