Day 1 - Friday, May 10, 2024 -- Arrival in Reykjavik. Our tour begins after our arrival at Keflavik International Airport. We will be met by our driver/guide and head to our hotel in Reykjavik, the Sand Hotel where we will drop off our luggage and begin our exploration of the city. We will have a food walking tour of the city including many of Reykjavik's landmarks plus some tasty culinary experiences -- a great introduction to Reykjavik.
Day 2 - Saturday, May 11, 2024 -- The Golden Circle. Today we will explore some of Iceland's best known natural sites. Our first visit will be to Hespuhúsið. Hespuhúsið is an open plant dye studio in Ölfus. In Hespuhúsið, Guðrún Bjarnadóttir dyes wool with plants according to old traditions but with modern technology, for example she uses electricity and has better dye pots. In Hespuhúsið, visitors have the opportunity to take a look in the dye pots and learn about the old craft. In the seating area there is a mini museum with old objects, many related to old crafts. In Hespuhúsið, there is plant-dyed yarn for sale, einband and lopi light, as well as kits with patterns and yarn for certain projects.
Next up, is the Álafoss Wool Store in Mosfellsbær. This lovely store is housed in the original factory which was established in 1896 and marked the true beginning of Iceland's wool industry. Behind the store we will see the beautiful Álafoss waterfall and the river Varmá, that were both used to drive the mills of the old factory. History still resides within the wall of the old wool factory, where we will find a selection of old knitting machinery and photographs from the early days.
Our next visit will be the Þingvellir National Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site; it is significant to the founding of the Icelandic parliament and a place of immense natural beauty. We will take a walk along the Almannagjá gorge, separating the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, and end at the charming waterfall called Öxaráfoss.
Then we are off to the Geysir geothermal area, where the Strokkur geyser erupts every few minutes.
Our last stop on the Golden Circle will be the beautiful two-tiered Gullfoss Waterfall, formed from glacier run-off traveling down the Hvítá river. If time allows we will make a stop at Friðheimar, the local greenhouses which specialize in - tomatoes- and see the neighboring horse stables. Tonight we will enjoy a lovely group dinner and stay at the Hótel Selfoss.
Day 3 - Sunday, May 12, 2024 -- The Scenic South Coast. The highlight of the day will be - waterfalls! The first stop, the Seljalandsfoss waterfall, is the only one of its kind where you can walk behind the cascade on a footpath! Nearby, hidden behind a cliff, is the beautiful Gljúfrabúi, or Canyon Dweller, where you can get up close to the base -- well worth getting wet.
Our second stop is at the Skógafoss waterfall on the Skógá River; it flows off a cliff marking the former coastline. This is one of the largest waterfalls in all of Iceland, 82 feet wide with a drop of 200 feet. From there, we go on to visit the Skógar Folk Museum which has an interesting array of artifacts including an original turf farm.
Then we will then visit the Skálakot farm where we will head to yet another waterfall, the lovely Irafoss waterfall, via - horseback! This one hour ride is a great introduction to the lovely Icelandic horse, known for its well-balanced character, compliance, strength and endurance as well as their 5 gaits, in which we will get to try out their specialty, the Tölt. This ride is perfect for beginners!
Our last stop of the day will be on the black sand beaches of Reynisfjara near the village of Vik í Myrdal, the southernmost town in Iceland. Here we will see the Dyrhólaey arch and the Reynisdrangar basalt columns jutting out of the ocean as well as the Hálsanefshellir Cave and Garðar Cliffs. Tonight we will enjoy a lovely group dinner and stay at the Skógar Hotel Magma in the Kirkjubæjarklaustur area.
Day 4 - Monday, May 13, 2024 -- Diamond Beach and Glacier Lagoon. Today we will visit the beautiful Skaftafell area of Vatnajökull National Park which is the largest of the national parks in Iceland and a Unesco World Heritage site - and is named for the largest glacier in Iceland. The variety of landscape here is stunning!
We then take a boat ride on an Amphibian boat, a unique vehicle which is equally comfortable driving on land as it is sailing on the water. During the tour we will sail among the huge icebergs in the picturesque scenery of Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and taste the 1,000-year-old ice!
Back on land we will head to Fjallsárlón, a small glacier lake at the south end of the Icelandic glacier Vatnajökull, followed by a stop at Jökulsárlón, considered one of Iceland's greatest natural wonders. Huge chunks of ice regularly calve off the glacier and make their way to the sea via the glacier lagoon. The view from the shore is unforgettable and from land, or on the water, we might be able to spot playful seals swimming in the chilly waters. We will visit the Diamond Beach with chunks of ice glistening on the black sands before heading to Höfn. Tonight we will enjoy a lovely group dinner and stay at Hótel Höfn in Höfn.
Day 5 - Tuesday, May 14, 2024 -- The Tranquil East Fjords. Today we leave Höfn and drive through eastern Iceland, through tranquil fishing villages, spectacular fjords and sweeping landscapes. Egilsstaðir, located in the heart of East Iceland in the valley of Egilsstaðir, is a home to 3,500 inhabitants and has an interesting history. Fljótsdalshérað was the site of an ancient assembly and a place where Iceland's criminals were executed.
We will continue on to one of the most powerful waterfalls in all of Europe, Dettifoss, which stands 144 feet high and is 133 feet across. It is situated on the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river, which flows from the Vatnajökull glacier, and collects water from a large area in Northeast Iceland. The sediment-rich runoff colors the water a greyish white.
We will then continue on to the Mývatn area, a hotbed of volcanic landscapes such as the Námaskarð Pass. Also in the region is Mt. Krafla, one of Iceland's most interesting volcanoes which erupted nine times between 1974 and 1984, with 29 total eruptions in recorded history. The Krafla caldera is located along a long fissure zone in the north. The western side of Krafla is an active geothermal area, rich with fumaroes and solfataras (bubbling mud springs). This is also where you'll find the colorful peak Leirhnjúkur, an active volcano surrounded by mud pots and fumaroles, hence its name, which translates to "mud peak".
On the way to the hotel, folks will have the option of a visit to the Myvatn Nature Baths, where you can relax in the milky blue water and soak up the scenery surrounding the lagoon; we visited here on our last trip and loved it!
Tonight we will enjoy a lovely group dinner and for the next two nights we will be staying in the Laxá Hótel by lake Mývatn.
Tonight we will enjoy a lovely group dinner and for the next two nights we will be staying in the Laxá Hótel by lake Mývatn.
Day 6 - Wednesday, May 15, 2024 -- Ásbyrgi and Jökulsárgljúfur. We start the day by driving to the Jökulsárgljúfur National Park. The park was established in 1973 and is part of the larger Vatnajökull National Park. The park's namesake, the Jökulsárgljúfur Canyon, is one of the largest and most dramatic of Iceland's river canyons. Here we will visit the horseshoe-shaped Ásbyrgi Canyon, which according to legend, was formed when the eight-legged horse of the Norse god Odin stomped down on the earth. Carved of fire, ice and water, this canyon has captivated visitors for centuries and shelters an impressive array of flora and fauna under its cliffs. From here we will drive to the lovely town of Húsavík, the whale watching capital of Europe. We will then head back to our hotel and enjoy a lovely group dinner.
Day 7 - Thursday, May 16, 2024 -- Goðafoss and North Iceland. Today we will explore northern Iceland, starting with a visit to Goðafoss, the waterfall of the Gods, on our way to the charming town of Akureyri. Here we will take a break to enjoy the cozy cafes and shops or take a stroll in the historical town centre to observe the well preserved old houses. Akureyri is also home to the worlds most northernly botanical garden. Locals visiting Akureyri like to swim and play in the town's public swimming pool and visit the popular Brynja Ice-cream shop. After our visit here we will head north to the region of Tröllaskagi, the Peninsula of the Trolls, where we will enjoy fantastic scenery of beautiful mountains, cliffs and fjords. Here we will find the picturesque town of Siglufjörður, which was once the center of Iceland's herring fleet with a highly acclaimed museum dedicated to that era in history. We will make a stop at Hofsós to relax in a thermal pool (optional) before arriving to Skagafjörður, an area known for its abundance of purebred Icelandic horses.
We will then head to the Icelandic Textile Museum. Its collections include homemade wool and textile items, beautiful Icelandic national costumes and artistic embroideries along with many of the tools and equipment used to produce them. It is the only one of its kind in Iceland and was founded by the Women's Union in East Húnavatnssýsla. Tonight we will enjoy a lovely group dinner and stay at the Hótel Blönduós in North West Iceland.
Day 8 - Friday, May 17, 2024 - Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
Snæfellsnes is the home to glaciers, lava fields, black sand beaches, and lava caves, among many other unique features. Our first stop will be in Hellnar, a small fishing village that is nestled on a dramatic coastline of spectacular and beautiful cliffs which rise directly from the ocean. There are also some unique rock formations in the area. The cave Baðstofa Cave is particularly famous for the eerie light inside it. Hellnar is the birthplace of Guðríður víðförla Þorbjarnardóttir, the wife of Þorfinnur Karlsefni, a legendary Icelandic explorer. West of the Hellnar intersection, we will see the volcanic pool, Bárðarlaug. Next we visit Arnarstapi, a small community with a beautiful and striking shoreline. We will see odd basalt columns, gorges and caves which are home to many sea-bird colonies including kittiwakes and razorbills. The most famous cliff is Gatklettur, through which the sea spouts in stormy weather. The path to the caves is reached through a small gate above the harbor and goes along the top of the cliffs. Tonight we will enjoy a lovely group dinner and stay at the Hótel Húsafell in Borgarfjörður.
Snæfellsnes is the home to glaciers, lava fields, black sand beaches, and lava caves, among many other unique features. Our first stop will be in Hellnar, a small fishing village that is nestled on a dramatic coastline of spectacular and beautiful cliffs which rise directly from the ocean. There are also some unique rock formations in the area. The cave Baðstofa Cave is particularly famous for the eerie light inside it. Hellnar is the birthplace of Guðríður víðförla Þorbjarnardóttir, the wife of Þorfinnur Karlsefni, a legendary Icelandic explorer. West of the Hellnar intersection, we will see the volcanic pool, Bárðarlaug. Next we visit Arnarstapi, a small community with a beautiful and striking shoreline. We will see odd basalt columns, gorges and caves which are home to many sea-bird colonies including kittiwakes and razorbills. The most famous cliff is Gatklettur, through which the sea spouts in stormy weather. The path to the caves is reached through a small gate above the harbor and goes along the top of the cliffs. Tonight we will enjoy a lovely group dinner and stay at the Hótel Húsafell in Borgarfjörður.
Day 9 - Saturday, May 18, 2024 -- Hidden Gems of the West Coast. Today we will visit Ullarselið - Wool Centre, a lovely store set up by individuals interested in the utilization of wool and other natural Icelandic materials. The new and old ways of handling this material are used, especially techniques of processing wool by hand. The shop selection places emphasis on a variety of hand-made items particularly items that have been combed, spun, knitted, matted, woven, and check-woven.
And we will all enjoy a 4-hour class where we will learn to spin!
We will then head to explore the beautiful waterfalls of Hraunfoss and Barnafoss before we head back to the capital and complete our circle around Iceland. After being dropped of at our hotel, the Sand Hotel in Reykjavík, we will have the afternoon to explore.
Day 10 - Sunday, May 19, 2024 -- Depart from Iceland. Today we say farewell to Iceland. We will be picked up at our hotel via private transfer and driven to Keflavik International Airport.
While we make every effort to follow our itinerary as set forth here in the website, occasionally due to matters beyond our control, we may have to substitute destinations, lodging or attractions other than those set forth.