Reykjavik

Iceland

Make the most of your time in Iceland with this 8-day minibus tour that takes you to all of the most important spots, and then some. You'll see Gullfoss waterfall, the Geysir geothermal area, Thingvellir National Park, the black-sand beach of Reynisfjara, and Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon on the south coast. Then, head east for the Eastfjords, north to Lake Mývatn, the Dimmuborgir lava pillars, and Akureyri, and finally west to the remote Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

Day 1

Þingvellir National Park is the historic site where Iceland’s first parliament, the Althingi, was established in 930 AD. Recognized for its cultural and geological significance, it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Gullfoss

The Geysir Geothermal Area is a unique natural site, known for its bubbling hot springs and steam vents. Here, you can witness Strokkur, an active geyser that erupts every few minutes, shooting boiling water up to 25 meters into the air.

Site de Geysir

Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a place of both geological and historical significance. It’s where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet and drift apart by about two centimeters each year. This is also the site where the Althingi, Iceland’s national parliament, was established in 930 AD—marking the founding of one of the world’s first republics.

Pingvellir National Park

Your minibus will take you to your accommodation in Hvolsvöllur, away from light pollution and city noise. With clear skies and a bit of luck, you'll have a great chance to witness the Northern Lights right outside your door.

Hvolsvollur

Day 2

Seljalandsfoss is a stunning waterfall that you can walk behind, offering a unique view from all angles. It's one of the few waterfalls in the world where you can experience the cascade from the inside out.

Seljalandsfoss

Skógafoss is a powerful waterfall where the Skógaá River plunges 60 meters over a cliff into a narrow gorge. From there, the water flows through the landscape on its way to the Atlantic Ocean, creating a breathtaking natural scene.

Skogafoss

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach is a striking coastal site where powerful Atlantic waves crash against dramatic basalt columns rising from the cliffs. The black volcanic sand and unique rock formations make it one of Iceland’s most iconic and photogenic beaches.

Reynisfjara Beach

Included Glacier Hike on Sólheimajökull: Experience the thrill of hiking on the mighty Sólheimajökull Glacier, one of South Iceland’s most impressive natural wonders. This guided adventure offers a moderate hike across glacial ice streaked with volcanic ash, surrounded by otherworldly landscapes that feel like walking on the moon.

Solheimajokull Glacier

The final stop of the day is the charming village of Vík í Mýrdal, where you'll spend the night. With little light pollution, Vík offers excellent conditions for spotting the Northern Lights right from the village, weather permitting.

Day 3

Breiðamerkursandur, also known as Diamond Beach, is a black sand shore famous for the sparkling icebergs that wash up from the nearby glacier lagoon as they drift toward the Atlantic Ocean. These ice chunks glisten like diamonds against the dark sand, creating a stunning and unique landscape.

Fellsfjara

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is one of Iceland’s most popular attractions. This vast lake, filled with floating icebergs from glacial meltwater, offers breathtaking views and wildlife spotting opportunities. In winter, hundreds of seals gather here to hunt, adding to the lagoon’s natural charm.

Glacier Lagoon

Inside Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull, you’ll explore the stunning Crystal Ice Cave. This breathtaking experience lets you see natural ice formations sculpted over time—a truly unforgettable and picture-perfect moment.

Breiðamerkurjökull

Hvannadalshnjúkur, Iceland’s highest peak at 2,110 meters, is part of the crater rim of Öræfajökull, one of the country’s most powerful volcanoes. This towering summit offers dramatic views and is a prominent feature of Iceland’s volcanic landscape.

Hvannadalshnukur

Day 4

On your fourth day, you’ll explore the East Fjords of Iceland, known for its stunning mountain ridges and unique wildlife, including the only area in Iceland where wild reindeer are sometimes spotted. The majestic Vatnajökull glacier towers to the west as you pass peaceful fishing villages, reflecting the region’s deep-rooted fishing heritage. Your first stop is the charming village of Djúpivogur, a member of the Cittaslow movement, dedicated to enhancing quality of life by embracing a slower, more relaxed pace.

Djupivogur

One of Iceland’s most beautiful mountains welcomes you to the East Fjords. The symmetrical, pyramid-shaped Búlandstindur mountain towers over your first stop in the region.

Bulandstindur

Local farmers Helga and Siggi will welcome you to their farm, Finnstaðir, for a unique encounter with the iconic Icelandic horse. Known for their gentle temperament and friendly nature, these horses are perfect for riders of all levels, from beginners to experienced equestrians.

Finnsstaðir Holiday Home

In addition to elves, trolls, and other mythical creatures, Iceland is famous for its own sea monster, the Lagarfljótsormur, often compared to Scotland’s Loch Ness Monster. This legendary serpent is said to inhabit Lake Lagarfljót and has inspired countless stories and folklore over the centuries, with the last reported sighting by a local farmer in 2012. Nearby, you’ll find Hallormsstaðarskógur, Iceland’s largest forest, located on the shores of the lake.

Lagarfljot

Vök Baths is an optional geothermal retreat located on the stunning Lake Urriðavatn, available at your own expense. Here, you can relax in some of Iceland’s purest hot spring waters, soaking in floating pools on the lake or enjoying the onshore hot pools, outdoor pool bar, sauna, and cold tunnel with a mist shower. It’s a perfect way to unwind after exploring the East Fjords, with the chance to see the Northern Lights on clear nights while you soak.

Vök Baths

Day 5

The surreal Námafjall geothermal area lies near the Námaskarð Pass, connecting you to Lake Mývatn. Here, vibrant sulfurous mud springs and steaming fumaroles showcase the geothermal power within the Krafla volcano fissure zone.

Námaskarð

Dimmuborgir, meaning "Dark Castles" or "Dark Cities," is a vast area of uniquely shaped lava fields near Lake Mývatn. These unusual formations were created when lava flowed into wet marshlands, resulting in eerie and dramatic lava structures.

Dimmuborgir Lava Formations

Lake Mývatn and its surroundings are highly volcanic, with nine eruptions occurring between 1975 and 1984 and a continental drift measured at 4.8 meters. The lake is rich in Arctic char and drains into the Laxá River, renowned as one of the world’s best brown trout fishing rivers. This region is also among the coldest areas in Iceland during winter.

Lake Myvatn

Goðafoss, meaning "Waterfall of the Gods" and pronounced "GO-thuh-foss," is one of Iceland’s most stunning waterfalls. It is also steeped in rich history, making it a must-see natural landmark.

Godafoss

Your final destination is Akureyri, known as the capital of the north and a key port and fishing center in Iceland. You’ll spend the night here, and if the skies are clear, you may have the chance to see the Northern Lights dancing above the town.

Akureyri

Day 6

Known as the Capital of the North, this hip and charming town has a population of around 20,000. Its warm atmosphere and unique touches, like heart-shaped stop signs at traffic lights, make it a memorable place to visit.

The small town of Hauganes offers plenty to explore. Take a stroll around its charming harbor and visit the beautiful black sand beach, all set against the backdrop of graceful, towering mountains and the vast ocean.

Hauganes

From the small fishing village of Hauganes, you’ll embark on a boat ride to Eyjafjörður Fjord for whale watching. Northern Iceland is globally recognized as one of the best places to see whales, giving you a chance to witness some of the largest creatures on Earth up close.

Whale Watching Hauganes

The final stop on Day 6 is Grábrók Crater, a well-shaped volcanic crater formed by an eruption two to three thousand years ago, surrounded by moss-covered lava fields. Located just minutes from your next rest stop, Grábrók is also an excellent place to catch the Northern Lights if the sky is clear.

Grabrok Crater

Day 7

Our first stop on Snæfellsnes is Gerðuberg, home to an impressive cluster of hexagonal basalt columns. This site features some of the largest and most striking basalt formations in Iceland.

Gerduberg basalt columns

At Ytri-Tunga, you’ll find a rare white sand beach, uncommon in Iceland, where most beaches are black. This spot is also known as a seal colony, where you might see seals relaxing on the rocks.

Ytri Tunga Beach

Tucked away on Iceland’s west coast, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is home to the quaint, black wooden church of Búðir. This charming church is one of Iceland’s most popular wedding venues.

Budakirkja

Arnarstapi, once a lively fishing village beneath the pyramid-shaped Mount Stapafell, is now a picturesque coastal village famous for its stunning cliffs formed by glowing magma meeting the wild Atlantic waves. Known as one of Iceland’s most beautiful harbors, erosion has shaped striking stone arches and a remarkable marine geyser here. Take a scenic walk along the coastline while your guide shares tales of Bárður, the half-man, half-troll, and his legendary misdeeds in the area.

Arnarstapi

At the tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula stands the majestic Snæfellsjökull Glacier, a stratovolcano that last erupted around 200 AD. This glacier is one of Iceland’s most famous landmarks, largely because it serves as the entrance to a passage leading to the center of the earth in Jules Verne’s novel Journey to the Center of the Earth.

Snaefellsjokull National Park & Glacier

The Londrangar Basalt Cliffs feature uniquely formed remnants of ancient volcanic dikes rising dramatically from the sea. These striking basalt pillars are a stunning example of Iceland’s volcanic geology and coastal beauty.

Londrangar Basalt Cliffs

Djúpalónssandur is a stunning small black sand beach accessible by a footpath that winds through a lava landscape filled with towering moss-covered volcanic formations. This unique setting offers visitors a chance to explore Iceland’s dramatic volcanic terrain before reaching the picturesque shoreline.

Djupalonssandur Beach

Your final stop is the photogenic Kirkjufell, also known as Church Mountain, often called Iceland’s most photographed peak. Fans of the TV series Game of Thrones may recognize it as Arrowhead Mountain, a famous filming location from the show.

Kirkjufell Mountain

Day 8

The awe-inspiring Hraunfossar, or Lava Falls, is a stunning and unique natural phenomenon. It features streams of water flowing over a stretch of 900 meters from the Hallmundarhraun lava fields.

Hraunfossar Lava Waterfall

Barnafoss, or Children’s Fall, is famous for its dark history. According to legend, two children fell into the waterfall on Christmas Day after refusing to go to church.

Barnafoss

Embark on an unforgettable journey into Víðgelmir, Iceland’s largest lava cave. Explore its vast chambers and unique volcanic formations on this epic adventure.

The Cave

Deildartunguhver, located on a scenic farm, is Europe’s largest and most powerful hot spring. It produces an impressive 180 liters per second of water at 100°C.

Deildartunguhver Thermal Spring

The small village of Reykholt is one of Iceland’s most important historical sites and has been a cultural center for centuries. It was home to Snorri Sturluson, one of Iceland’s best-known authors, who lived there from 1206 to 1241.

Reykholt

You will arrive back in Reykjavik in the afternoon, marking the end of your unforgettable Iceland tour. From here, you can carry wonderful memories of your journey across this incredible country.

8-Day Small Group Tour Around Iceland from Reykjavik

8-Day Small Group Tour Around Iceland from Reykjavik

What you'll do

Tour Highlight

What is included?

What is not included?

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