Iceland Snapshot

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

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

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

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

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

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

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