Day 1 – Welcome to Iceland
You’ll arrive at Keflavík International Airport, located in the middle of a lava field on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Once you’ve collected your bags, hop aboard a bus that will take you to Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík, where you can spend the rest of the day unwinding or exploring.
Highlights:
- Reykjanes Peninsula
- Reykjavík
- Hallgrímskirkja Church
Optional Activities
- Blue Lagoon: Your experience includes access to the Blue Lagoon, a rejuvenating silica mud mask, complimentary towel service, and your choice of a first drink.
- Sky Lagoon: Included is access to the Sky Lagoon, with the exquisite Skjól Ritual experience.
Day 2 – Þingvellir National Park & West Iceland
You’ll meet your guide for the next few days when they pick you up in the morning in a spacious and comfortable 4×4 vehicle. They will whisk you away into the beautiful countryside, where your first stop is at Þingvellir National Park. You’ll then spend the day exploring West Iceland before spending the night at a cozy accommodation in the region.
Highlights:
- Þingvellir National Park
- Hraunfossar & Barnafoss Waterfalls
- Kaldidalur Valley
Optional Activities
- Viðgelmir Lava Cave: One of the largest caves in Iceland. The tour includes an English-speaking guide and the use of caving equipment such as a helmet and headlamp.
Day 3 – Snæfellsnes Peninsula & Whales
The beautiful Snæfellsnes Peninsula is on your itinerary today. The area is known for inspiring novels, its mystical energy, and stunning beauty. After exploring waterfalls, beaches, and mountains, you’ll hop on a boat for a whale-watching tour. At the end of the day, if conditions are right, you’ll go searching for the Northern Lights.
Highlights:
- Djúpalónssandur Beach
- Mt. Kirkjufell
- Whale Watching
Optional Activities
- There are no optional activities for this day.
Day 4 – Sheep Gathering
Today, you will participate in the annual gathering of sheep or ‘réttir.’ Icelandic sheep spend their summers roaming free around the countryside, grazing on fresh grass and herbs. In the autumn, farmers on horseback herd them from the plateaus and into a sorting fold. Here, farmers and other helping hands begin sorting the sheep. If you wish, you can help out wrestling the sheep. Alternatively, you can sit back and enjoy the scene.
Highlights:
- Hvítserkur Rock
- Vatnsnes Peninsula
- Réttir Sheep Gathering
Optional Activities
- There are no optional activities for this day.
Day 5 – Horse Gathering
The age-old tradition of rounding up horses in the autumn is only kept alive in North Iceland. Much like the sheep, Icelandic horses roam the countryside in the summer. They are only brought back to the stables in the autumn. Just like yesterday, you can help out or just observe if that’s more your speed.
Highlights:
- Horse Gathering
- Northern Lights Hunting
Optional Activities
- There are no optional activities for this day.
Day 6 – The Icelandic Highlands
Today, you’ll explore the Icelandic Highlands, where you’ll spend the night in a mountain hut surrounded by nothing but untouched nature. On your way there, you’ll travel on gravel roads through black sand deserts, seeing glaciers, volcanoes, and geothermal areas. You will end the day in a mountain hut surrounded by the mountain range, Kerlingarfjöll.
Highlights:
- Kjölur Road
- Hveradalir Geothermal Region
- Kerlingarfjöll Mountains
Optional Activities
- There are no optional activities for this day.
Day 7 – The Golden Circle
You’ll wake up among the mountains, but now it is time to return to the city. First, however, you will visit two of the attractions that make up the Golden Circle along with Þingvellir National Park. At the end of the day, your guide will drop you off in Reykjavík, and after you’ve bid farewell to them, you will have the rest of the day to explore the city.
Highlights:
- Geysir Geothermal Area
- Gullfoss Waterfall
- Strokkur Geyser
Optional Activities
- Langjökull Glacier Snowmobiling: Race across a glacier on a snowmobile. No prior experience is needed; you only have to bring warm clothes and good shoes. Use of overalls, helmets, and balaclavas are included.
- Secret Lagoon: Unwind in the warm, geothermal waters of the Secret Lagoon. The natural hot springs are located only a short distance from Iceland’s famous Golden Circle, providing a relaxing respite for weary travelers.
Day 8 – Departure
Now, it is time to pack your bags and return to Keflavík Airport. When it is time to leave, you’ll board a bus that will take you through the lava fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula in time for your flight. If you have a later flight, you can explore the city or visit the Blue Lagoon.
Highlights:
- Laugavegur Shopping Street
- Harpa Concert Hall
- Hallgrímskirkja Church
Optional Activities
- Blue Lagoon: Your experience includes access to the Blue Lagoon, a rejuvenating silica mud mask, complimentary towel service, and your choice of a first drink.
- Sky Lagoon: Included is access to the Sky Lagoon, with the exquisite Skjól Ritual experience.
