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10 days - Comprehensive small group tour of Iceland
With so much to discover and explore in Iceland, this comprehensive tour highlights the natural wonders, the majestic landscapes and the unique character of this incredible North Atlantic Island. This is a classic circle tour that provides the perfect mix of culture and nature, all from the comfort of our luxury buses and guided by an Icelandic, English speaking, guide.
Motor coach
Arrive in Reykjavik and make your way to the hotel, very easy with the excellent airport buses. Reykjavik is a small and interesting city with lots going on. Check out the museums, the new Harpa Concert Hall on the harbour and the lively shopping district.
If you are interested in transfering via the Blue Lagoon as an optional tour, please let us know.
Dinner is on your own. Reykjavik offers a multitude of restaurants and/or coffee-houses, making dinner a great way to get better acquainted with Iceland’s capital.
Tonight, there will be an information meeting at your hotel. You‘ll meet your guide and travel companions and learn more about the tour.
Overnight stay in Reykjavik.
Please note that most hotels begin check-in between 14:00 and 16:00 (2:00pm and 4:00pm).
Breakfast at your hotel. Meet your guide and start your Iceland adventure!
After a quick introductory to 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. It is also the place where the North American and European tectonic plates meet. You will have the unusual experience of walking between two continents!
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. Tour the greenhouse and sample some of the farm’s sweet Icelandic tomatoes.
The day ends in Hveragerdi, a pretty town located in an active geothermal area. The locals have made clever use of underground hot springs to provide heat for homes, as well as greenhouses that grow flowers, fruits and vegetables.
Breakfast at your hotel. Continue your journey on the Ring Road. Volcanic Valley – Waterfall Duo – Black Sand Beaches of the South Shore
Breakfast at your hotel. Explore enchanting Thjorsardalur 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 Stong, 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 Skogafoss. Each waterfall has its own charm. Continue to Dyrholaey* and the thundering waves of the Reynisfjara black sand beaches. End the day in Vik, Iceland’s southernmost town.
*Please note that Dyrholaey is closed for the bird nesting season between mid-May and the 25th of June.
Breakfast at your hotel. Today you will be in a world of glaciers! You’ll 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. 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 Svinafellsjokull, one of the most beautiful glacial “tongues” that are slowly creeping down from Vatnajokull.
Visit Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon where you’ll enjoy the breath-taking sight of icebergs floating in the fantastic 180m (591 ft.) deep glacial lagoon. You also have the option of enjoying a boat tour amid the ice bergs (must be booked in advance). 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 Hofn, a fishing port in the shadow of Vatnajokull glacier. Dinner is on your own. Hofn has a nice selection of restaurants and cafes. The local specialty is langoustines (Norway lobsters).
Optional Tour you need to book before touring: Amphibian Boat tour on the Glacier Lagoon – Sail among the drifting icebergs to see them from a different angle.
Breakfast at your hotel. Drive from Hofn through Almannaskard pass, stopping to admire the majestic coastline. Continue to the towering mountains plunging vertically into the sea that form the magnificent East Fjords. We’re sure you’ll love the amazing views, so keep your camera ready. You will also pass villages, each with its own special history and charm. One of these is the tiny village of Breiddalsvik. Your group will visit the Beljandi Microbrewery and sample some of the wonderful beer. The local community came together in 2017 to transform a rustic warehouse into a charmingly quirky brewery. You’ll meet one of the townsfolk and get a feel for life in a small Icelandic town, as well as see how great beer is made.
The road brings you to Egilsstadir town, located near Iceland’s largest forest and a lake said to be home to a legendary (friendly) monster.
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. Your route takes you by a historical Modrusalsoraefi; it is located at the highest altitude of any working farm in Iceland. Stop at Dettifoss, Europe’s largest and most powerful waterfall. Continue onwards to the Namaskard pass with its boiling mud pools and vibrant colors. We often feel like we are visiting another planet when we come here, and you may the same way. It’s such a surreal experience!
Walk along the pseudo craters at Skutustadir and peek into Grjotagja, a cave with underground hot springs. Explore the peculiar lava formations at Dimmuborgir. They look as if they were built by fantasy creatures. Legend has it that elves live here, so be respectful during your visit.
You’ll definitely see why the surreal Myvatn area has become so popular as a movie location.
Breakfast at your hotel. Start your day’s adventure with a visit to magnificent Godafoss waterfall, one of North Iceland’s most important symbols. Afterwards, you’ll see Akureyri, the colorful northern “capital“ of Iceland. The town has charming buildings and a beautiful view of the Eyjafjordur fjord. After spending some free time in Akureyri, you’ll continue along the coastal roads of Eyjafjordur and the Troll Peninsula. You’ll surely be amazed at the steep mountains with amazing views over the Arctic Sea and its black sand coastline.
Stop in Siglufjordur, a town with some of the country’s most beautiful timber buildings. Visit the town’s award-winning Herring-Era Maritime Museum. The museum recreates the atmosphere of the early 20th century, when Siglufjordur was transformed into a frontier-like boom town, thanks to a large migration of herring. The museum will transport you back to that exciting time.
Head along majestic mountains and narrow passes to your overnight in Skagafjordur, a scenic region full of historical sites and folk tales.
Breakfast at your hotel. Icelanders consider the Skagafjordur area to be one of the country’s finest places for horse breeding. 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.
Cross the Holtavorduheidi plateau taking you into West Iceland. Drive through Borgarfjordur, a region that has been getting international recognition for its lovely volcanic and wooded scenery and for its Viking history. Walk up to the top of Grabrok crater for an amazing view. Listen to the powerful rushing waters of Deildartunguhver, Europe’s mightiest hot spring area. Stop to admire the beautiful Hraunfossar waterfalls, where brightly blue water rushes through black lava formations. Nearby is Barnafoss, a waterfall with even more brilliantly blue colors. There is an interesting and poignant legend associated with this waterfall.
Breakfast at your hotel. Today you will explore the amazing variety of natural landscapes in Snaefellsjokull National Park. The park’s crown jewel is Snaefellsjokull 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 Djupalonssandur beach. At the picturesque harbor village of Arnarstapi, you can observe magnificent basalt rocks in stacked formations.
One Icelandic Saga mentions that Snaefellsnes and its people are protected by a benevolent half troll who lives high on the glacier. You might even find a sense of magic and healing energy in this beautiful peninsula.
At the end of the afternoon, your journey leads back to Reykjavik. Your guide will bid you farewell at your hotel.
Breakfast at your hotel. Please note that this might be a light breakfast if you are taking an early morning departure flight.
Transfer to the international airport for your departure flight. Airport transfer is not included, but we are happy to help you arrange shared or private transfers. We recommend you depart your hotel no later than three hours before your departure flight.
You can include a visit to the Blue Lagoon on arrival or departure - we do advise you to pre-book this during the busy summer period.
All prices listed are per person, twin share (double room).
Looking for a different date? There are larger group tour options for this itinerary with 36 passengers.
*LAST MINUTE DEAL FOR ICELAND - enjoy 15% off our Iceland Complete small group tour, (max. 16 passengers): June 20; July 11, 25; August 8; September 12, 26 2023. Valid only for new bookings, until 31 May 2023. Discount does not apply to additional hotel nights or tours/services. *
Please note that in some locations, the accommodation options are limited, most of the hotels used in this tour are considered 3 star. Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura and Hotel Höfn are considered 4 star.
This tour runs with a maximum of 16 people.
We support Icelandic nature! As part of our pledge to preserve Iceland’s fragile nature, these escorted tours include carbon offsetting through Kolviður, the Iceland Carbon Fund (ICF).
This new hot springs centre has eight natural hot springs that evolve into the ocean with temperatures ranging from ocean temperatures (around 10°C) to 42°C in the old original hot spring. It is included in many of our tours and has been awarded 'best thing to do in the world' by TIMEOUT magazine, 2023.
Iceland is world famous as a 'Northern Lights' travel destination. Between mid-September to early April each year, travellers flock to this island to search each evening for the magical lights in the sky.
No-one has missed the beautiful black beaches of Iceland on Instagram. Wanting to know more about how to visit this spot? See our ultimate guide to Reynisfjara Beach, Iceland.
If you want to commit to a booking please use the Book Tour form below.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours with 50 Degrees North. The safety of our travellers, staff and operators is a major priority of 50 Degrees North. With an operational office in Norway, 50 Degrees North has access to an up-to-the-minute flow of information regarding the countries we work in. We are also in regular contact with the various operators we use. Their in-depth knowledge and understanding of their various areas is vital.
