Duration
7 days
Availability
April - September
Difficulty
Easy
Minimum Age
12 Years
7-Day Summer Package | Golden Circle, Snæfellsnes & South Iceland in a Small-Group
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Overview
Create unforgettable memories in Iceland with this hassle-free small-group summer package. See some of this country’s most spectacular sights, from the erupting geysers on the Golden Circle to the waterfalls on the South Coast and glaciers of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
This fun, guided, 7-Day tour was created by travel experts with years of experience in the industry to maximise your time in Iceland with only amazing sites and adventures. Watch waves rolling on black sand beaches and icebergs float on a glacier lagoon before feeling the heat of a hot spring and descending into an underground lava cave.
Upon booking this tour, the travel experts will arrange all transport and accommodations. You’ll travel the country in a comfortable minibus, and your nights under the Midnight Sun will be spent at pleasant hotels in the countryside and in the famous downtown district of Reykjavík.
Should you like to add a little luxury to your trip, you can book a trip to the famous Blue Lagoon on your arrival or departure day. For adrenaline junkies, you can spice up your days on the road with thrilling snorkelling, glacier hiking or boat tours.
Discover the beauty of Iceland this summer. Book now to secure your spot on this popular week-long package.
Included
- 3 day Small group guided South Coast tour (optional activities available)
- 2 day Small group guided Snæfellsnes peninsula tour
- 3 night in countryside accommodation (Private Bathroom & breakfast included)
- 3 nights of accommodation in Reykjavik in Comfort level (Private Bathroom & breakfast included)
- Glacier hiking tour (during 3 day south coast tour)
- Airport transfers (Arrival and Departure)
- Detailed Itinerary with fun and practical information on the nature, history and culture of Iceland
- Hands-on travel agent to oversee your itinerary
- Taxes
Not included
- Flights to/from Iceland
- Personal travel insurance
- Meals & drinks (unless otherwise stated)
- Any services not listed as "Included"
Itinerary
Welcome to Iceland
Upon arrival at Keflavík International Airport, you will undoubtedly notice right away the alien-like landscapes surrounding you. However, this is only the beginning; the next few days will be characterised by otherworldly but beautiful scenery, from black sand beaches to geothermal areas.
After you’ve picked up your bags, you will hop aboard a bus that will take you through the lava fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula to Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík. If you wish to start your adventure in Iceland right away, you can opt for a stop en route at the luxurious Blue Lagoon.
The Blue Lagoon is located midway between the airport and the city and offers travellers much-needed relaxation after long flights. Included in an entry are a cleansing mud mask and a drink at the swim-up bar.
You’ll find your accommodation in the downtown district of Reykjavík. Take some time to settle in and get your bearings before heading out to explore this northernmost capital of the world. With beautiful architecture, rich history, clean streets, and vibrant nightlife, you’ll be spoiled for choice.
The Famous Golden Circle
In the morning, your guide will meet you at a designated location and take you on a whirlwind 2-day tour of Iceland’s wild countryside. You’ll start by exploring the Golden Circle, a scenic region east of Reykjavík.
Your first stop is at Þingvellir National Park, a historical site where the Vikings settlers of Iceland gathered to create the world oldest ongoing parliament, Alþingi. The park is located on the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, and you can actually stand between them at Almannagjá Canyon.
You can also swim between these tectonic plates. Silfra is a fissure created in 1789 in an earthquake caused by the plate’s movement. The rift cut into the underground spring filled with glacial meltwater that had been filtered through porous lava. The result was exceptionally clean water, perfect for snorkelling. At Silfra, the underwater visibility is over 100 meters, allowing you to see the full spectrum of the fissure’s magnificent colours.
From there, you’ll travel to Geysir Geothermal Area. Strokkur is the star of the region. The steaming, multicoloured hot spring puts on a show every 5-10 minutes when it shoots hot water 15-20 metres into the air.
The last stop on the Golden Circle route is Gullfoss Waterfall. Here, you can experience the force and beauty of water as it plummets 32 metres into an ancient canyon. In clear weather, you can see a rainbow forming over this stunning cascade.
You will then spend the night at lovely countryside accommodation in the area.
South Coast´s Waterfalls & Black Sand Beaches
This is an exciting day filled with waterfalls, glaciers, and black sand beaches. After breakfast, you’ll set forth on a journey of Iceland’s South Coast.
You’ll begin by stopping at two distinct waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. You have the option to view these beautiful cascades up close — and get a little wet — or stay dry a few metres away. Seljalandsfoss falls over a cave in the cliff face, and those wearing rain gear can follow a path that leads into the cave for a unique look at the falling water. Skógafoss, on the other hand, falls onto flat land, allowing visitors to walk right up to the stream of water.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach is next on the itinerary. Here, you’ll see the roaring waves of the North Atlantic Ocean crash upon the jet-black shoreline. In the distance, you’ll see the strangely-shaped Dyrhólaey Promontory.
You’ll see three glaciers on your travels today, Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull, and the mighty Vatnajökull. If you are looking to get to know glaciers better, a glacier hike is highly recommended. Accompanied by a trained guide, you’ll traverse onto the ancient ice, getting superb views of the surrounding ice-carved landscapes.
Spend the night in the area.
Glittering Glacier Lagoon
After breakfast on the South Coast, you’ll drive east into Vatnajökull National Park, named after Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull, and home of stunning natural sights.
Begin the day by exploring the sheer beauty of the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Watch massive blue and white icebergs — that have broken off a nearby glacier — float on the aquamarine lake. Closeby is The Diamond Beach, where smaller icebergs have washed up on shore and lie on the black sand, glistening in the sunlight.
For a closer look at the gigantic bergs, you can take a boat ride on the lagoon. This is a fantastic opportunity for both amateurs and professional photographers alike. You’ll get an amazing view of the icebergs as well as the resident seals.
You will then begin to head back to Reykjavík, stopping some of your local guide’s favourite locations, many of which are not featured in any guidebook. You’ll then arrive at your accommodation in the late afternoon or early evening, giving you time to explore the city under the Midnight Sun, if you are not too tired.
Vikings in West Iceland
After a night in the vibrant city of Reykjavík, it is time to head back out into the countryside. This time, you’ll explore the historic West-Iceland.
Your guide will pick you up in or near your accommodation and whisk you past the city mountain Esja and into the green, pastoral region of Borgarfjörður. Your first stop will be at Europe’s most powerful hot spring, Deildartunguhver. Here, you’ll see, hear, and feel Earth’s tremendous power as Deildartunguhver bubbles and emits white steam into the air.
From there, you’ll visit two beautiful but vastly different waterfalls, Hraunfossar and Barnafoss. The former trickles down in small rivulets from a dark brown lava field while the latter rushes forth in an azure torrent.
Leaving the waterfalls behind, you will then travel to Reykholt. This beautiful place also holds an important place in Iceland’s history. Here, almost a thousand years ago, the chieftain, lawmaker, and scholar, Snorri Sturluson, lived and worked. He is responsible for many of the Icelandic Sagas, prose narratives that depict the lives and adventures of Vikings.
Next up, you will go underground into an ancient lava cave. You’ll follow the path molten lava created thousands of years ago. Equipped with a helmet and headlamp, you’ll follow your guide into the ground, seeing strange lava formations while learning about Iceland’s rich volcanic history.
You will then overnight at a country hotel in the region.
The Majestic Snæfellsnes Peninsula
After breakfast, you will explore the magical Snæfellsnes Peninsula. This region´s most noticeable feature, Snæfellsjökull Glacier, will be visible throughout most of your journey. Many people believe that it emits mystical energy; see if you can feel it.
Your first stop will be at the Gerðuberg Cliffs. This natural feature is made of rows of dark, grey hexagonal columns that resemble a man-made fortress. From there, you´ll travel to Ytri-Tunga, a white sand beach on which seals can often be found longing.
From there, you´ll travel to the charming fishing village of Arnarstapi before making your way to a black pebble beach called Djúpalónssandur. To get to the beach, you have to zigzag between free-standing lava pillars that create a maze-like structure.
No trip to Snæfellsnes can be complete without a visit to Kirkjufell Mountain. This impressive cone-shaped feature is perhaps one of the most photographed mountains in Iceland. So make sure you take a picture for yourself, perhaps with the beautiful Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall in the foreground.
You will then return to Reykjavík in the late afternoon or early evening. You´ll have the whole evening to explore the city´s vibrant nightlife should you wish.
Departure
Now it is time to bid farewell to the land of ice and fire. Happy, satisfied, and with luggage filled with photos and memories, you´ll board a bus that will take you across the Reykjanes Peninsula to Keflavík Airport in time for your flight.
Accommodation
All accommodations for this tour have been hand-picked by our local travel experts.
Single rooms will be allocated to bookings for one person. Shared twin/double or triple room(s) will be arranged for two or more people. Children and teenagers will be arranged in the same room as their parents. Additional cost may occur if additional room(s) is needed.
We do our best to accommodate special requests, but additional costs may incur.
Comfort Level Accommodation
Comfortable rooms in three-star hotels or quality guesthouses, centrally located, very close to popular attractions. Private bathroom and breakfast included.
Map
Good to know
- Note that the itinerary may have to be rearranged to fit your arrival date and time better.
- The itinerary is dependent upon road and weather conditions and so it may be altered if conditions are not favourable. This includes optional activities as well. If extreme weather affects your travel plans, you will be notified and we will do our best to assist you with rearranging or booking other activities when applicable.
- Some optional activities may need a valid driving licence, or you may need to send additional information to your travel agent. For snorkelling, you will need to know how to swim and fill out an online medical document.
- The weather in Iceland is very unpredictable, even in the summertime. Make sure to be prepared and bring both warm and waterproof clothing.
What to bring
- Warm and waterproof clothes
- Good shoes
