Guided Circle of Iceland

Join an amazing escorted bus tour around Iceland. Explore the island of fire and ice and travel with an international group on Iceland's ring road. Discover stunning scenery and dramatic landscapes. A local expert guide helps you explore the unspoiled Icelandic countryside with volcanoes, lava fields, hot springs, mountains, fjords, glaciers and waterfalls.

This escorted tour takes you both to classic nature hotspots and lesser-known sights. The tour includes several soft adventures and cultural visits. Some outdoor activities might differ between seasons depending on weather and road conditions.

Highlights

• Escorted coach tour around Iceland's ring road, some great attractions such as Lake Mývatn, Dettifoss Waterfalls, Goðafoss Waterfall, Geyser hot spring area, Gullfoss Waterfall, Glacier Lagoon and Reykjavik City.
• Visit two National Parks
• Included are visits to small local museums, cultural experiences and soft adventures
• Weekly departures all year round
• Excellent value for money!

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 - Welcome To Iceland (50 km/31 mls)

On arrival, transport will be provided by the Flybusplus shuttle bus from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavík. We will provide ideas how to explore Iceland's capital on your own. From September to mid-April optional Northern Lights evening tours can be booked at the lobby of your hotel, should weather conditions be favourable.

Accommodation: Reykjavík Natura Berjaya Iceland Hotels or similar including breakfast.

Day 2 - Volcano Crater, Fjords & Mountains (415 km/258 mls)

At 09:00, meet our tour guide and depart from Reykjavík Natura Berjaya Iceland Hotels. Travel west along the scenic Hvalfjörður fjord and the town of Borgarnes. Easy hike on Grábrók volcano crater in the middle of a greenish lava field. Further north visit Glaumbær, one of Iceland’s most beautiful turf house farms and folk museums. Continue along scenic fjord landscape and over several mountain passes until we reach Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland. The overnight location at allows you to walk around the beautiful town of Akureyri.

Accommodation: Akureyri Berjaya Iceland or similar including breakfast.

Day 3 - The Capital of North Iceland, Lake Mývatn & Geothermal baths (120 km/75 mls)

In the morning, explore the town of Akureyri, also called the capital of North Iceland, and admire the panoramic view over the Eyjafjörður fjord. From April-October, there are optional whale watching tours available from 09:00-12:00 am; see https://www.whalewatchingakureyri.is
In the afternoon, travel to Goðafoss, the waterfalls of the Gods. Then explore Lake Mývatn, known as a geological wonderland and for its abundant birdlife. See the strange lava formations at Kálfaströnd, the pseudo craters at Skútustaðir and the tephra cone Hverfjall. Finally, end the afternoon relaxing in the geothermal Mývatn Nature Baths with a fantastic view over the whole area.

There is a possibility of seeing the Northern Lights during the evening from September to mid-April.

Accommodation: Mývatn Berjaya Iceland Hotel or similar including breakfast.

Day 4 - Lava Labyrinth, Hot Springs & Travel East (250 km/155 mls)
In the morning, walk in the lava labyrinth at Dimmuborgir, “the dark castles”, hoping to get a glimpse of the trolls who are said to live there. In the afternoon, visit the hot spring area of Námaskarð with bubbling mud pools and steaming solfataras. Head through the uninhabited highlands and moon-like surroundings to East Iceland. From June to August, the tour includes a detour to the powerful waterfall Dettifoss.

Accommodation: Hérað Berjaya Iceland Hotels or similar including breakfast.

Day 5 - Fjords, Glacier and Ice (260 km/161 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, on the route, visit an attractive stone and mineral collection. Then, in the afternoon, see Vatnajökull – Europe’s biggest glacier visible all over Southeast Iceland. We end the day with a stop at Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs, exploring the extraordinary site and might see seals swimming in the arctic waters. A boat tour between floating icebergs is included in the program from May through September. You can walk on the black sandy beach (The Diamond Beach) where large icebergs get stranded.

There is a possibility of seeing the Northern Lights during the evening from September to mid-April.

Please note that the itinerary on this specific day can change due to seasonal factors, such as daylight.

Accommodation: Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon or similar including breakfast.

Day 6 - Vatnajökull National Park & South Coast (380 km/235 mls)

Travel along the southern part of the glacier Vatnajökull and get a glimpse at Europe’s second-largest national park, which has Iceland’s highest mountains, an alpine environment, and Europe’s largest glacier.

In the afternoon, a beautiful drive with many natural wonders awaits us as we head across the Eldhraun lava field, cross the sandy desert of the south coast, overlooked by mountainous cliffs, glaciers and waterfalls. Experience the unique Icelandic Lava Show where you get to witness and feel the heat from molten lava! 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. Continue to the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which plunges over the mountain. An exciting trail goes behind the fall – if you are prepared to get wet!

There is a possibility of seeing the Northern Lights during the evening from September to mid-April.

Please note that the itinerary on this specific day can change due to seasonal factors, such as daylight.

Accommodation: Hotel Hella or similar including breakfast.

Day 7 - Icelandic Horses & Golden Circle (160 km/99 mls)

Explore classics today as we travel the route of the Golden Circle sights. Start the day at Friðheimar, where you learn about the Icelandic horse, its unique qualities and history and visit a geothermal greenhouse. Later on, 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 5-7 minute intervals. Continue to Gullfoss, “the golden falls “, a double waterfall that tumbles 32 meters into the Hvítá river and attracts travellers in summer and winter. Travel inland to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. As we return to Reykjavík, we will take you for a short city tour to show highlights of the world’s northernmost capital.

Northern Lights: From September to mid-April, optional Northern Lights evening tours can be booked at the lobby of your hotel, should weather conditions be favourable.

Accommodation: Reykjavík Natura Berjaya Iceland Hotels or similar including breakfast.

Day 8 - Departure Home (50 km/31 mls)

Individual transfer by Flybusplus airport shuttle to Keflavík Airport about 3 hours before your flight departs. If you want to explore more of Iceland, it is possible to extend your stay.

DAILY DRIVING: Total mileage without airport transfer is 1.665 km (1.032 miles) which is an average of 278 km (172 miles) per day. You spend about 4 hours per day on the bus, depending on road conditions, traffic and daily distances. On some days the driving might be longer than on some other days.

NOTE: During the off season, from September to May, in rare cases, a change of itinerary might be necessary especially for winter programs in Iceland, should snow, road and weather conditions not allow to follow the scheduled itinerary, and certain outdoor activities might be cancelled. In this case no refund will be given, but we will try to find reasonable alternatives where and whenever possible. Note that there is limited day light, about 5-6 hours, for departures mid November to the end of January. For your information the shortest day light in Iceland is on the 21st of December, about 4 hours.

Tour details

Travel Dates: Every Friday, all year round
Group Size: medium size group, 30 passengers maximum

The price is from £2,350* per person, depending on your preferred travel period, based on 2 people sharing a double/twin room
*Prices are subject to availability

This tour includes:

• Return flights from the UK including 23kg luggage allowance, taxes and fees
• Arrival & departure airport transfer
• 7 nights accommodation in 3* hotels including breakfast as per itinerary
• Fully escorted 6-day bus tour with an English speaking guide
• Explore two national parks
• The Golden circle including Þingvellir, Geysir & Gullfoss
• Mývatn Nature Baths, including towel
• Visits to small local museums, cultural experiences and soft adventures
• Visit to Icelandic horse stables & geothermal greenhouse
• 2+ evenings with Northern Lights Program (from September to mid-April).
• Boat trip on Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon from May through September
• Experience flowing lava at the Icelandic Lava Show
• Financial Protection (ATOL)

Not Included:

• Optional excursions
• Travel insurance
• Anything else not specifically listed under "This Includes"