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Iceland Exploration

Escorted Circle tour of Iceland's main highlights
Vik lava beach, Iceland © GJ Travel

Explore the island of fire and ice, discover stunning scenery and dramatic landscapes. Enjoy the unspoiled Icelandic countryside with volcanoes, lava fields, hot springs, mountains, fjords, glaciers and waterfalls. This tour takes you to the best loved natural wonders, plus some lesser-known sights. From October to April the grounds of the countryside hotels also offer an excellent location for seeking the fabled Northern Lights each night, if the weather conditions are right.

"We went on the Iceland Exploration Tour and thoroughly enjoyed it. Our tour only had 6 people on it so it felt personal. Our guide/driver met us and the tour began. The tour included many stops at interesting places. We were given time to see the various sites before traveling along. The nice thing was if we mentioned we would like to see something along the way that was not on the itinerary, the guide would make it happen. The guide was well versed on the birds, plant life, history and generally was able to provide valuable information as well as stories to keep the tour fun and interesting. I would highly recommend using their tours." - Cherie, U.S.A. 2018

Itinerary

Day 1 Reykjavik Arrival

Arrival transfer by coach from Keflavik Airport to your accommodation in Reykjavik. Time to explore Iceland's capital on your own. The city centre is a small area characterised by eclectic and colourful houses, good shopping, dining and drinking. Reykjavík has established itself as a haven for food lovers, with numerous restaurants taking advantage of the abundance of local seafood, meat and game. Reykjavik has many wonderful museums including the National Museum displaying artefacts from the first settlement to the modern age, giving an excellent overview of Iceland's history and culture, the Reykjavik 871+2 Settlement Museum, an archaeological museum based around a 10th century Viking longhouse unearthed in 2001, the Reykjavik Art Museum and the National Gallery. Overnight at Reykjavik Natura Berjaya Iceland Hotels or similar. 

Day 2 Volcano Crater, Fjords and Mountains

Meet your guide at your hotel this morning and depart Reykjavik. Travel west, passing the town of Borgarnes and climb the Grábrók volcano crater. Further north visit Glaumbær, one of Iceland’s most beautiful turf house farms and folk museums. We continue past scenic fjord landscapes and over several mountain passes until we reach Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland. Overnight in Akureyri at Akureyri Berjaya Iceland Hotels or similar.

Day 3 Akureyri, Lake Mývatn and Geothermal Baths

In the morning we explore Akureyri, a charming town of 17,000 inhabitants, and enjoy the panoramic view over Eyjafjörður fjord. In the afternoon, we travel to an important place in Iceland's history, Goðafoss, the spectacular waterfalls of the Gods. We continue to Lake Mývatn which is known for its geological wonders, (seasonal) active bird life, bizarre lava formations at Kálfaströnd, pseudo craters at Skutustadir and the tephra cone at Hverfjall. Then enjoy a relaxing soak at the Mývatn Nature Baths, in waters that contain a unique blend of minerals, silicates and geothermal micro-organisms. The warm soothing waters benefit both skin and spirit alike! Overnight at Mývatn Berjaya Iceland Hotels or similar.

Day 4 Lava Labyrinth, Hot Springs and Travel East

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. In the afternoon we visit the hot springs area of Námaskarð with bubbling mud pools and steaming solfataras. We head through the uninhabited highlands and moonlike surroundings to East Iceland. With some luck we might spot an Arctic fox or see reindeer here. From June to August only, the tour today includes a detour to Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall, in the northern part of Vatnajökull National Park. Overnight in Egilsstaðir at Hérað Berjaya Iceland Hotels or similar.

Day 5 East Fjords, Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon and Diamond Beach

Today admire the dramatic fjord landscapes and the many tiny fishing villages at the end of twisted roads in the East Fjords. En route we may visit the interesting Petra's stone and mineral collection. In the afternoon, see Vatnajökull – Europe’s biggest glacier visible all over Southeast Iceland. 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 to September only. Walk on the black sandy beach Diamond Beach, where large icebergs get stranded. There is a possibility of seeing the Northern Lights during the evening from September to mid-April. Overnight at Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon or similar.

Day 6 Vatnajökull National Park and South Coast

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. A beautiful drive with many natural wonders awaits as we head across the Eldhraun lava field, across the sandy desert of the south coast, overlooked by mountainous cliffs, glaciers and waterfalls. In the village of Vík, we attend the stunning Iceland lava show, the only exhibition in the world where you can experience actual flowing lava! By melting lava and pouring it on ice in a room full of people, you will be able to see the lava flowing, hear it sizzling, and feel the heat that radiates from it. We stroll along the black lava beach of Reynisfjara near Vík. In the small village of Skógar, there is Skógafoss waterfall which is 60m high and 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! There is a possibility of seeing the Northern Lights during the evening from September to mid-April. Overnight at Stracta Hotel Hella or similar.

Day 7 Icelandic Horses and Golden Circle

We explore classics today as we travel the route of the Golden Circle sights. We start the day at Friðheimar, where you will meet small and charming Icelandic horses and learn about their special qualities and history, and visit a geothermal greenhouse. Later, we see steam from the Geysir geothermal fields as we arrive. There is a variety of hot springs and bubbling pools here - 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 34m into the Hvítá River and is a truly glorious sight. We then travel inland to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. On our return to Reykjavik, enjoy a short city tour to show you the highlights of the world's northern-most capital. Overnight in Reykjavik at Reykjavik Natura Berjaya Iceland Hotels or similar. From September to mid-April optional Northern Lights evening tours can be booked at the lobby of your hotel, should weather conditions be favourable. Purchased locally only.

Day 8 Reykjavik Departure

Transfer by coach from your hotel to Keflavík Airport and end of arrangements.


2024 departures:
05, 19 January
02, 16 February
01, 15, 29 March
12, 26 April
10, 24 May
07, 21 June
05, 19 July
02, 16, 30 August
13, 27 September
11, 25 October
08, 22 November
06 December

2025 departures:
10, 24 January
07, 21 February
07, 21 March
04, 18 April

Notes:

Maximum Group Size: 30 persons

Pre and post nights can be added in Reykjavík - please enquire

Nordic Travel is 100% Australian owned and operated