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Icy waters of Jokulsarlon Lagoon

Iceland Snapshot

Example 7 Day Tour
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Enjoy an easy active guided South Iceland tour and get an introduction to this popular Iceland region. Tour the main highlights of the Golden Circle including Gulfoss and Thingvellir National Park. Hike in Skaftafell and along the black-sand beaches near Vik. Witness the massive Vatnajökull ice cap and its outlet glaciers, or opt to go on a glacier hike with crampons and ice axe! Visit the ancient craters from a fissure eruption on Laki Volcano. This introductory Iceland tour lets you experience the dramatic landscapes, volcanoes, glaciers, and waterfalls that have made South Iceland so popular. This Iceland trip is designed for those who are short on time, yet want to experience the main highlights of the country in an active way.
Gullfoss on the Golden CircleSvartifoss in South IcelandStrokkur Geyser bubbling upHekla Volcano landscapeWalking through vast arctic landscapes. View of Reykjavik from the Church TowerIcy waters of Jokulsarlon Lagoon
Highlights
  • Tour the popular Golden Circle route and see Gullfoss and Thingvellir
  • Enjoy short hikes in the dramatic South Iceland region and Skaftafell Park
  • See the stunning Vatnajökull ice cap and the icebergs of Jökulsárlón Lagoon
  • Visit the large craters from a fissure eruption on Laki Volcano
Activities
Places Visited
  • Arctic
  • Europe
  • Iceland
  • Reykjavik
  • Geysir
  • Gullfoss Falls
  • Hotel Geirland
  • Jökulsárlón
  • Kirkjubæjarklaustur
  • Laki Volcano Craters
  • Reykjadalur Valley
  • Reynisfjara Beach
  • Skaftafell Park
  • Strokkur Hot Spring
  • Svartifoss Waterfall
  • Svínafellsjökull glacier
  • Vatnajökull National Park
  • Vik
  • Þingvellir National Park
Activity Level: Easy Active
Moderately active but not overly strenuous. This level includes activities like casual cycling, yoga, or excursions/activities that typically last 3-5 hours total each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive Reykjavik

Arrive to your hotel in Reykjavik today to settle in for the first day of your Iceland tour tomorrow morning.

Day 2: Golden Circle Tour

  • Hotel
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
You are picked up in Reykjavik this morning to set out along the Golden Circle route to visit the Geysir geothermal area. Stop to see Strokkur geyser which spouts every 5 -10 minutes. Next travel on to Gullfoss Waterfall, one of the most visited and popular in Iceland. Here the water plunges 32 meters into a deep gorge along the Hvita River. Continue east towards a large agricultural area, passing by two glaciers, a sand desert, and a lava field en route. Arrive to your new hotel which will be your base for the next four nights.

Drive Time: 6 hours
Walking Time: 2-3 hours

Day 3: Svartifoss | Skaftafell Hike | Vatnajökull Glacier

  • Hotel
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Spend your first day in South Iceland touring Vatnajökull National Park, the largest in Europe consisting of multiple parks combined and covering the area of the Vatnajökull Ice cap. Travel to the southeast part of the park known as Skaftafell. This portion of the park consists of natural forests growing in between various glaciers which creates a stunning landscape for day hikes. Walk through birch forest to the unique Svartifoss Waterfall, framed in by black basalt columns which have been the inspiration for architecture in various towns in Iceland. Enjoy views of both the Vatnajökull glacier and the high peak of Hvannadalshnúkur. If you are feeling up to it, set out on an optional Svínafellsjökull glacier walk for 2-3 hours, complete with crampons and ice axes*. Discover the world of blue ice as you explore ridges and crevasses with an adventure guide. Return to your hotel this evening.

Drive Time: 2 hours
Walking Time: 4-5 hours

Day 4: Craters of Laki Volcano

  • Hotel
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
In 1783 a long fissure opened up and spewed out lava from 130 craters in what was the greatest eruption in Iceland since its settlement. The eruption devasted huge pasture fields, and clouds of poisonous gases killed livestock all over Iceland and led to a great famine on the island. Visit these craters today on Laki Volcano. Mostly covered now in green moss, they create a striking contrast with the black and red lava lying underneath. With good weather, climb to the top of Laki Mountain for a breathtaking view over all the craters and of Vatnajökull in the distance. 

Drive Time: 4-5 hours
Walking Time: 3-4 hours

Day 5: Jökulsárlón Lagoon | Öræfajökull glacier

  • Hotel
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Travel further east today towards the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, one of the many outlet glaciers atop Vatnajokull ice cap. Here the glacier meets the sea at Jökulsárlón lagoon where its calving chunks create a stunning backdrop of floating icebergs in the vast blue lake that has created the backdrop for many Hollywood films. Admire the stunning beauty of the area before returning in the afternoon. On the way, stop for a walk at the foot of the Öræfajökull glacier which offers views over the vast sand plains of the river Skeiðará and the site for a large flood created by an ice mass in 1996. Return to your hotel this evening.

Drive Time: 3-4 hours
Walking Time: 4-5 hours

Day 6: Vík | Reykjadalur Geothermal Area

Return to Reykjavik today, passing by various points of interest along the western route. Stop at the coastal village of Vík and take a walk on the black-sand beach. From here you can spot the pinnacles of Reynisdrangar just offshore, which are basalt sea stacks jutting out from the water. Stop next just north of Hveragerði to take a walk in the geothermal area of Reykjadalur. Take a relaxing bath in a natural warm stream before returning to Reykjavik.

Drive Time: 4 hours
Walking Time: 3-4 hours

Day 7: Return Home

  • 1 Breakfast
Take a taxi back to the airport in time for your return flight home.

Accommodations

Hotel Geirland

Standard room
Lounge area
Private bathroom

Fosshotel Baron

Historical Rooms with lofted ceiling
Treats at the bar
Historical Room

Dates & Prices

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Notes

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Rates based on Group Departures of 6-16 people.
Private Group Rates available starting at $4945 for group of 4.
Rates are based on the current exchange rate with the Iceland Krona and may fluctuate.
Included
  • 6 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners
  • 6 Nights Accommodations
  • 5 Days Guide Service
Excluded
  • Both Arrival and Departure Transfers are excluded.
  • International Flights
  • Meals not Included
  • Airport Departure Tax
    • Varies seasonally
  • Optional Excursions
    • *Optional Glacier Walk

Map

When to Go

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Typically not offered during this period because of weather conditions.

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This was my first experience with Adventure Life - and I couldn't have been more pleased with the trip. The guides and local staff in both Buenos Aires and Uruguay were terrific - extremely helpful and accommodating. I really enjoyed meeting the friendly staff in Buenos Aires in person (I left my bags with them for the afternoon).
Karen Snider
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