Day 1

Arrive at Reykjavik, the capital and largest city in Iceland.
Transfer to the hotel and get settled in before enjoying the remainder of the day exploring at your leisure.

Day 2

 Reykjavik - Borgarnes - Akureyri

Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your guide in the morning to begin your journey northwards. Drive via the tunnel of Hvalfjördur to Borgarnes and then on to Skagafjördur fjord, known for being home to the Icelandic horse and the only county in Iceland where horses outnumber people. Continue over the highland plateau of Öxnadalsheidi to Akureyri, the capital of north Iceland, and check-in to your hotel. If you'd like to have dinner reserved in advance, book our optional 4 dinners package. Overnight in Akureyri.

*Optional 4 Dinners Package: Why worry about where to eat in Iceland? Secure 4 dinners at restaurants in our more rural destinations, all of which serve local Icelandic cuisine in a stunning natural setting.

Day 3

Akureyri - Lake Mývatn - Dettifoss - Egilsstaðir

Breakfast at the hotel. Make your first stop of the day at Goðafoss waterfall, then make your way to Lake Mývatn. This shallow eutrophic lake lies within a dramatic landscape dominated by volcanic landforms, such as the pseudocraters at Skútustadir and the lava pillars of Dimmuborgir. The area around the lake has high geothermal activity, awakening the senses as we visit Námaskarð’s bubbling sulfur pits and steaming vents. Next, drive to Dettifoss, one of Europe’s biggest waterfalls. After a stop at this powerful force of nature, travel across the highlands of Mödrudalsöræfi to the final stop of the day at the village of Egilsstaðir. Overnight in Egilsstaðir.

Day 4

 Egilsstaðir - Höfn

Breakfast at the hotel. From Egilsstaðir, head towards the fairly isolated and very beautiful East fjords. Apart from the highlands this is the most sparsely populated area of Iceland with only about 3% of the total population living on the farms and small fishing villages of the area. Here, make your way between the rugged mountains and the endless ocean, watching the breathtaking scenery of cascading waterfalls coming down steep cliffsides, with small rivers flowing into the narrow fjords that open towards the North Atlantic. Overnight stay in the fishing village of Höfn.

Day 5

Höfn - Glacier Lagoon Jökulsárlón - Skógafoss - Seljalandsfoss - Selfoss

Breakfast at the hotel. Not far from Höfn, you’ll find the glacier lagoon Jökulsárlón. Large icebergs break off the main glacier and into the lagoon, taking on abstract shapes of white and blue before floating out to sea, with some scattering along the nearby Diamond Beach, so-named for the phenomenon. The bus trip continues on to Skaftafell National Park. It is a beautiful, green oasis at the root of the massive glacier Vatnajökull, crowned by Hvannadalshnjúkur, the highest peak in Iceland. Continue past the lava fields of Eldhraun and observe the black glacial deposits at Mýrdalssandur. Head to the area of Vík with its black sand beaches and landscape shaped by the massive volcanoes of Katla and Eyjafjallajökull. End your visit with the two breathtaking waterfalls of Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss. Overnight stay in Selfoss.

Day 6

Selfoss - Golden Circle - Reykjavik

Breakfast at the hotel. Make your first visit of the day at the majestic Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s most beautiful waterfalls. Next, stop at the geothermal area around Geysir. Experience the active geyser Strokkur, which erupts a column of boiling hot water every five minutes. It truly is a fascinating natural phenomenon! Continue to the National Park and Rift Valley of Þingvellir, where you can see the tectonic plates as well as the site where the oldest functioning parliament was founded by Viking settlers in 930 AD. From Þingvellir, return to Reykjavik. You can also reserve a special whale watching experience* to spend more time observing nature. Overnight in Reykjavik.

*Optional Whale Watching: The wildlife is a must-see while in Iceland, and this island makes a great spot for whale watching.

Day 7