Iceland Highlights

Day 1: Arrival in Reykjavík
Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax and unwind.

Day 2: Reykjavík | West Iceland
Head to Borgarfjörður, known as the Saga Valley because of its many important historical events. Climb the Grábrók volcano crater and visit Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring. Hraunfossar is a series of waterfalls pouring from beneath a wide lava field. The afternoon includes a lecture about Northern Lights. After dinner, step into the hotel garden in search of the Northern Lights. (B)

Day 3: West Iceland
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula, “the peninsula of the snowy mountain“, just out from Iceland’s west coast and visit the charming fishing town of Stykkishólmur for a cruise in the Breiðafjörður fjord. After a light lunch a uniquely Icelandic “treat“ awaits you at Bjarnarhöfn, where they make Hákarl – the fermented shark. Visit the fishing village of Grundarfjörður*, a place with an impressive coastline and mountains, lakes and waterfalls with one of the most photographed mountains in Iceland, Mt. Kirkjufell. At night, head out to the hotel garden to chase the Northern Lights and to soak in the hotel’s outdoor hot tubs. (B)

Note: Visit depends on road and weather conditions

Day 4: West Iceland | South Iceland
Travel along the Hvalfjörður fjord. The first stop is at an Icelandic wool outlet store, just to see what they do with all those sheep! Continue inland to Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy a snack of freshly baked hot spring bread served with Icelandic butter, geothermally boiled eggs and herring, served with a small glass of Geysir Schnapps, very cold – nearly freezing. Continue to Gullfoss, a double waterfall that tumbles 100 feet into the Hvítá river and attracts tourists and travelers in summer and winter. In the afternoon, visit a geothermal greenhouse, before we reach the accommodation in South Iceland. At night, search for the elusive Northern Lights, while in a comfortable hot tub in the garden of the hotel. (B)

Day 5: South Iceland | Vatnajökull Region
Travel along the South coast to the Eyjafjallajökull Information Center and learn about living next to a glacier and an active volcano. Visit one of Iceland’s finest folk museums, containing an outstanding collection of farm and domestic artifacts from Iceland’s past and several turf-built houses. Nearby is Skógafoss, a 200-foot high waterfall, one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country. In the afternoon, take a stroll on the black lava beach and along bird cliffs at Reynisfjara, one of the most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world. (B)

Day 6: Vatnajökull Region
Spend the day learning about glaciers, ice and icebergs. Travel to Jökulsárlón to explore the extraordinary glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs and possibly see seals swimming in arctic waters. In the afternoon, visit the tiny turf church at Hof and spend time at Vatnajökull National Park, Europe’s second-largest national park, which has Iceland’s highest mountains and Europe’s largest glacier. (B)

Day 7: Vatnajökull Region | Reykjavík
Head across the Eldhraun lava field to the village of Vík, for a photo stop. The black lava beach with high bird cliffs and pounding waves is very impressive. Visit a high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall which plunges from the mountain. In the afternoon, return to Reykjavik and have about 2 hours of leisure time to explore Iceland’s capital. In the evening, soak in the famous Blue Lagoon. After an Icelandic farewell dinner at a local restaurant, head out one last nocturnal tour to seek more Northern Lights. (B,D)

Day 8: Departure from Reykjavík
Transfer to the airport for your return flight. (B)