Tour Description

**Day 1: Reykjavik**
Arrive into Reykjavik and make your own way to the hotel. Early in the evening there will be an informational meeting at the hotel with your guide. You will learn more about the tour and meet other tour participants. Dinner is at your leisure.

**Day 2: Reykjavik > Thingvellir National Park > Geysir > Gullfoss > Selfoss**
Meet your guide and take a short tour of Reykjavik before heading to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO heritage site and where the North American and European tectonic plates meet – you will have the unusual experience of walking between two continents. Next, the highly active Geysir Hot Spring area with its boiling mud pits and exploding geysers. The area became active more than 1,000 years ago and its Great Geysir lent its name to hot springs all over the world.

Further along this Golden Circle route is the breathtaking Gullfoss Waterfall. Here you traverse a narrow path providing close-up views of the massive, two-tiered waterfall below.

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. Tour the greenhouse and sample some of the farm’s sweet Icelandic tomatoes. Overnight is in Selfoss.

**Day 3: Selfoss > Vik**
Explore the enchanting Thjórsárdalur valley and its ever-changing landscapes of birch woods, sandy lava fields, rivers, and waterfalls. If the skies are clear, you’ll also see the impressive and beautiful Mt. Hekla volcano towering over the region. Visit Stöng, where you can view a replica of a Viking-age longhouse that was buried by a volcanic eruption of Hekla. The area was a filming location for Game of Thrones Season 4.

Drive along the scenic farmlands of Iceland’s South Shore. Stop to admire the scenic waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Each waterfall has its own charm. Continue to Dyrhólaey and the thundering waves of the Reynisfjara black sand beaches. End the day in Vík, Iceland’s southernmost town.

**Day 4: Vik > Höfn**
Today you will be in a world of glaciers! Visit the southern area of Vatnajökull 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. Drive through vast sand plains created by glacial outwashes as you head east. Visit the national park’s famous Skaftafell area, a site of outstanding natural beauty. Enjoy the views of rich green landscapes and black sands dominated by several magnificent glaciers. You’ll also see Svínafellsjökull, one of the most beautiful glacial “tongues” that are slowly creeping down from Vatnajökull.

Visit Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon where you’ll enjoy the breath-taking sight of icebergs floating in the fantastic 180m deep glacial lagoon. You also have the option of enjoying a boat tour amid the icebergs (an optional tour which must be booked in advance, at additional expense). Nearby is the dramatic beauty of the Diamond Beach, named for the shrinking icebergs that settle on the black sands before drifting out to sea.

Your overnight is in Höfn, a fishing port in the shadow of Vatnajökull glacier.

**Day 5: Hofn > Eastfjords > Egilsstadir**
Drive through Almannaskarð pass, stopping to admire the majestic coastline. Continue to the towering mountains plunging vertically into the sea that form the magnificent Eastfjords. You will also pass villages, each with its own special history and charm. One of these is the tiny village of Breiðdalsvík. Your group will visit the Beljandi Microbrewery and sample some of the wonderful beer. Meet one of the townsfolk and get a feel for life in a small Icelandic town.

The road then brings you to Egilsstaðir town, located near Iceland’s largest forest and a lake said to be home to a legendary (friendly) monster. Overnight is nearby in Hallormsstadur.

**Day 6: Egilsstadir > Myvatn **
Explore the empty vastness of the highland desert plateau Möðrudalsöræfi, as you head towards the Lake Mývatn area. Visit fantastical Stuðlagil, an impressive canyon made of basalt columns that seem to resemble organ pipes, and stop at Dettifoss, Europe’s largest and most powerful waterfall. Continue onwards to the Námaskarð pass with its boiling mud pools and vibrant colours. Walk along the pseudo craters at Skútustaðir and peek into Grjótagjá, a cave with underground hot springs and explore the peculiar lava formations at Dimmuborgir. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in the Mývatn area.

**Day 7: Myvatn > Godafoss > Akureyri **
Start your day visiting sites in the Mývatn area before heading to magnificent Goðafoss waterfall, one of North Iceland’s most important symbols. On to Akureyri, the colourful northern “capital” of Iceland. The town has charming buildings and a beautiful view of the Eyjafjörður 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 cafés or pubs for delicious, locally sourced food. Several museums are worth a visit. The botanical garden is open year-round. Akureyri also has a nice variety of restaurants.

Note that optional tours such as whale watching or a visit to the forest Lagoon Geothermal Spa can be book and paid in advance (additional cost).

**Day 8: Akureyri > Skagafjordur> Borgarnes **
Drive through scenic valleys framed by dramatic mountains as you head into the historical Skagafjörður region. Cross the Holtavörðuheiði plateau taking you into West Iceland and Borgarfjörður, a region of volcanic and wooded scenery, famed for its Viking history. You will enjoy an introduction to the unique Icelandic horse breed with its special fifth gait – the tolt. This horse breed has remained unchanged since Viking times.

Listen to the powerful rushing waters of Deildartunguhver, Europe’s mightiest hot spring area. Stop to admire the beautiful Hraunfossar waterfalls, where bright blue water rushes through black lava formations. Nearby is Barnafoss, a waterfall with even more brilliantly blue colours. Your overnight stay will be in the Borgarfjörður area.

**Day 9: Borgarnes > Snaefellsnes > Reykjavik**
Explore the amazing variety of natural landscapes in Snæfellsjökull National Park. The park’s crown jewel is Snæfellsjökull glacier itself, which covers a dormant volcano that last erupted in 250 AD. In addition, you’ll also see Kirkjufell, one of the most photographed mountains in Iceland. Walk along the uniquely pebbled seascape of Djúpalónssandur beach. At the picturesque harbour village of Arnarstapi, you can observe magnificent basalt rocks in stacked formations.

A visit is also made to Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum, where you’ll learn about “hákarl,” the cured shark meat specialty that Icelanders have enjoyed since Viking times. You can even try some for yourself (if you dare).

At the end of the afternoon, your motor coach heads back to Reykjavík where your guide will bid you farewell at your hotel.

**Day 10: Reykjavik**
Make your own way to the airport for your onward flight, where arrangements end.

Small Group Tour: Travel with a group of no more than 16 guests. Let us tailor-make your itinerary to include travel arrangements before and/or after this journey.