Iceland Complete

Itinerary :

Day 1: Reykjavik: Welcome to Reykjavik, Iceland. Upon arrival, head through passport control, collect your bags and go through customs to the Arrival Hall. You will be welcomed and driven to your accommodation in Reykjavík. If you arrive early in the day, you might enjoy visiting one of the city’s outdoor geothermal swimming pools where you can shake off your jetlag (on your own). You can also roam through the old city centre, perhaps visiting by a museum of your own or chilling with a cup of coffee in a cozy café . Dinner is on your own. Overnight stay in Reykjavik.

Day 2: Reykjavik-Thingvellir National Park – Geysir – Gullfoss – Hveragerdi: Breakfast at the hotel. Today start the day with a short city sightseeing of Reykjavik. From Reykjavik head to Lake Thingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest lake and Thingvellir National Park. This UNESCO heritage site is where the world’s oldest continuing parliamentary government was founded in the 10th century. Next on your journey is Gullfoss, the “Golden Waterfall”, where various walking paths give you photo-worthy views of the beautiful double-ledged cascade. You’ll also visit the nearby Geysir hot spring area to see the famous Geysir and Strokkur, as well as numerous other hot springs and boiling mud pools. During the day you’ll get a glimpse into Icelandic local life. Visit an Icelandic family farm where tomatoes are grown using organic geothermal energy. The day ends in Hveragerdi, a pretty town located in an active geothermal area. Dinner and overnight stay in the Hveragerdi area. (B, D)

Day 3: Hveragerdi – Thjorsardalur Valley – Skogar – Dyrholaey – Vik: After breakfast start your day by discovering the alluring Thjorsardalur valley with its constantly shifting landscapes of birch forests, sand-covered lava fields, rivers, and waterfalls. You can also view the magnificent Mt. Hekla volcano dominating the area if the sky are clear. Furthermore, visit Stong where a replica of a Viking-era longhouse that was buried by a volcanic eruption of Hekla. For Season 4 of Game of Thrones, the region served as a filming location. Later drive along the South Shore of Iceland’s beautiful farmlands. Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss are beautiful waterfalls that are worth a stop as the waterfalls possesses a unique appeal. Continue on to Dyrholaey* and the Reynisfjara black sand beaches with their waves. End the day in Vik, Iceland’s southernmost town. Dinner and overnight in the Vik area. *Please note that Dyrholaey is closed for the bird nesting season between mid-May and the 25th of June.

Day 4: Vik – Vatnajokull National Park – Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon – Hofn: Post Breakfast, you will be visiting the southern area of Vatnajokull National Park, named after Europe’s largest glacier. The total park area covers almost 14% of Iceland, making it the largest national park in Western Europe.Visit the outstandingly beautiful Skaftafell region of the national park. Additionally, Svinafellsjokull, one of the most stunning glacial “tongues” that are gradually descending from Vatnajokull, will be visible. Visit Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon to witness the mesmerising sight of icebergs floating in the amazing glacier lagoon. Another choice is to take a boat excursion among the icebergs (must be booked in advance). There is also a diamond beach around, named for the shrinking icebergs that settle on the black sands before drifting out to sea. Dinner is on your own. Your overnight is in Hofn, a fishing port in the shadow of Vatnajokull glacier. (B)

Day 5: Hofn – East Fjords – Egilsstadir: After morning breakfast, drive from Hofn through Almannaskard pass, stopping to admire the majestic coastline. Driving forward will take you towards the East Fjords. You will meet some tiny villages along this road one of them is the Breiddalsvik. We stop for Beljandi Microbrewery to taste the wonderful beer. You’ll get to know a local and learn about daily life in a tiny Icelandic village while also seeing how amazing beer is brewed.The road brings you to Iceland’s largest forest and a lake side in Egilsstadir town. Dinner and overnight stay in the Egilsstadir area. (B, D)

Day 6: Egilsstadir – Lake Myvatn Area : Breakfast at your hotel. Explore the empty vastness of the highland desert plateau Modrudalsoraefi, desolate and yet hauntingly beautiful, as you head towards the Lake Myvatn area. Then take a halt at Europe’s largest and most powerful waterfall – Dettifoss. Drive towards Namaskard a Geothermal area featuring a lunar landscape dotted with boiling springs & steaming fumaroles. Grjotagja, a cave with underground hot springs, can be viewed as you stroll along the pseudo craters at Skutustadir. Explore the peculiar lava formations at Dimmuborgir. You’ll quickly understand why the surreal Myvatn region has become so popular as a filming set. Dinner and overnight stay in the Myvatn area. (B, D)

Day 7: Lake Myvatn Area – Godafoss – Akureyri: Breakfast at your hotel. Start your day’s adventure with visiting sites in the Myvatn area. Next, head to magnificent Godafoss waterfall, one of North Iceland’s most important symbols. You will also learn how the waterfall got its interesting name. Afterwards, you’ll head to Akureyri, the colorful northern “capital“ of Iceland. The town has charming buildings and a beautiful view of the Eyjafjordur fjord. Though small in size, Akureyri has a lively cultural scene. The rest of the day is open for you to explore Akureyri. If you’re interested in culture, check out the trendy Listagil area, the “Art Canyon.” You can stroll the street here, browsing art galleries and stopping in at one of the friendly cafes or pubs for delicious, locally sourced food. The botanical garden is open year-round; many visitors find it interesting that a garden so close to the Arctic Circle has such a large variety of plants. Akureyri also has a nice variety of restaurants, so you’ll enjoy the chance to dine out tonight. Overnight in Akureyri. Dinner is on your own. (B,D)

Day 8: Skagafjordur – Borgarnes: Breakfast at the hotel. Skagafjordur is one of the most historically famous districts in Iceland the region is also known for horse breeding. You can enter West Iceland by crossing the Holtavorduheidi plateau. Drive through Borgarfjordur, a region that has received international attention for its Viking history and beautiful volcanic and wooded scenery. Take a hike to the top of the Grabrok crater for a spectacular view. Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring area, has powerful rushing waters that you can hear. Stop for a moment to take in the stunning Hraunfossar waterfalls, whose water is a brilliant blue and cascades through black lava are formed. Then the Barnafoss, a waterfall with even more brilliant blue hues, is nearby. This waterfall is connected to a fascinating and moving legend. Dinner and overnight stay in the Borgarfjordur area. (B, D)

Day 9: Borgarfjordur – Snaefellsjokull National Park – Reykjavik: Breakfast served at the hotel. Snaefellsjokull National Park’s incredible diversity of natural landscapes will be the focus of your exploration today. The Snaefellsjokull glacier itself, which covers a dormant volcano that last erupted in 250 AD, is the park’s crown jewel. Then, you will see Kirkjufell, one of Iceland’s most photographed mountains. Walk along Djupalonssandur beach’s distinctive pebbled shoreline. You can admire magnificent stacks of basalt rocks at the picturesque harbor village of Arnarstapi. During the day, your group will visit Bjarnarhofn Shark Museum, where you’ll learn about “hakarl,” the cured shark meat specialty that Icelanders have enjoyed since Viking time. You can even try some for yourself (if you dare). At the end of the afternoon, your journey leads back to Reykjavik. Your guide will bid you farewell at your hotel. Dinner is on your own. Overnight stay in Reykjavik. (B)

Day 10: Reykjavik: Farewell to the Land of Fire and Ice: Breakfast served at the hotel. Transfer to the airport on your own for your final destination. Tour ends with sweet memories. (B)