Iceland Remote Highlands and South Coast Adventure

Welcome to Iceland!  Upon arrival, a private driver greets you at the airport and takes you directly to the heart of Reykjavík. Enjoy the remainder of your day getting settled and exploring the capital city on foot at your leisure. Reykjavik offers many restaurants showcasing traditional Icelandic fare, local brews, and more international cuisine. With more time to explore, we recommend you make your way to Hallgrimskirkja church or spend some time soaking in one of the geothermal pools accessible just outside town. 

Today, make your way to your remote lodge in the highlands in a rugged 4x4 built for Icelandic adventure. Head out across lava fields, glaciers, and black sand beaches with ease, with plenty of space for gear and an elevated seat that opens up wide views of the landscape. Your private driver-guide will meet you in the hotel lobby this morning, easy to spot and ready to help with luggage and to get underway!

Start at Þingvellir National Park, where visitors can walk between two continental plates and through some of Iceland’s oldest history. This rift valley is the historic founding location of the Alþingi, Iceland's national parliament, founded in 930 AD by the Vikings, surrounded by lakes, lava, and raw landscapes.

Next up, enjoy lunch at Friðheimar Greenhouse, located in the heart of Iceland’s countryside. This one-of-a-kind agricultural experience demonstrates how geothermal energy and sustainable farming practices are used to grow fresh vegetables and herbs all year long. During your visit, you will explore the greenhouses, learn about Icelandic greenhouse cultivation techniques, and savor a delicious tomato-themed lunch at the on-site restaurant, offering a flavorful glimpse into innovative farming in Iceland’s rugged climate.

After lunch, continue into the Highlands to your base for the next two nights. Highlands Base, located in the Kerlingarfjöll mountains, is a unique, cozy retreat set in the dramatic landscape of the highlands, offering access to hiking, bubbling hot springs, and vast landscapes to explore with your guide. 

Start the day in Hveradalir in the Kerlingarfjöll mountains, a geothermal valley full of color and otherworldly landscapes. Steam vents, hot springs, and bubbling mud pools dot the landscape, framed by rhyolite mountains streaked with vivid minerals. Hiking trails lead through the valley and up to highland viewpoints, where steam rises from the ground and the rugged terrain stretches in every direction.

After lunch, continue to Hveravellir Nature Reserve in the Highlands, set between Langjökull and Hofsjökull glaciers. Hot springs, fumaroles, and colorful geothermal formations surround a natural pool where you can soak and relax, taking in the views of mountains and steaming vents. The remote location offers a quiet, rejuvenating escape into Iceland’s wild highland scenery. Be sure to bring your bathing suit today!

Enjoy your last evening tucked away at the remote Highland Base in the Highlands. In the morning, you head south to explore some iconic highlights of the South Coast. 

Start your heading to Gullfoss, the “Golden Falls,” on the Hvitá River. Watch water cascade 32 meters in two tiers into a rugged gorge, creating mist and rainbows on sunny days. Step onto the viewing platforms to feel the roar and take in the cliffs and surrounding greenery.

After an opportunity for lunch, visit the Geysir hot spring area in Haukadalur Valley. Geyser Strokkur erupts every 5 to 10 minutes, sending boiling water up to 30 meters into the air, while colorful hot springs, mud pots, and steam vents create an otherworldly scene. The original Great Geysir is located nearby, from which all geysers worldwide derive their name!

Continue to Seljalandsfoss along the south coast. From the Eyjafjallajökull glacier, a footpath behind the falls lets you walk through the mist for a unique perspective. Seasonal changes from summer meadows to winter icicles transform the scenery.

Finish the day at Nauthúsagil, a lush ravine in South Iceland. Hike past moss-covered cliffs, small waterfalls, and calm pools, taking in the quiet beauty and striking rock formations of this peaceful canyon.

Start the day at Skógafoss near the village of Skógar. Water drops 60 meters in a wide curtain, creating a deep roar and steady mist that often forms rainbows on clear days. A short walk brings you to the base, where the spray and force of the falls hit full strength. Climb the staircase beside the waterfall for a higher view over the Skógá River as it winds through the highlands. Local legend tells of a Viking settler hiding a treasure chest behind the cascading falls, adding a bit of lore and mystery to the stop.

Continue to Dyrhólaey, a dramatic promontory along the south coast known for its massive arch-shaped rock stretching into the Atlantic. Wide views open in every direction. Look east toward Reynisfjara’s coastline and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks, or north toward the ice-covered slopes of Mýrdalsjökull glacier. Walking paths lead to several viewpoints, including the lighthouse perched above the rugged coastline.

Next, stop at the former Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach near Vík, where jet-black sandy beaches have been eroded away by relentless pounding surf. From a safe viewing distance, you can still observe the basalt columns, and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks of the coast. Powerful waves crash along the shore, requiring all visitors to keep a safe distance from the water. Depart for Vík í Mýrdal, a small village set between cliffs and the Atlantic, where the red-roofed church overlooks black sand beaches and offshore sea stacks with green hills rising behind the town.

In the afternoon, head to Sólheimajökull for an easy glacier walk. Meet certified guides, gear up with crampons, helmets, and safety equipment, and step onto the ice. Walk across crevasses, ice ridges, and meltwater pools as shifting shades of white and blue stretch across the glacier. Along the way, your guide shares insight into Iceland’s glaciers, volcanoes, and mountain landscapes while leading you through select areas of this constantly changing icy terrain.

Stop at Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, a dramatic gorge about 100 meters deep and 2 kilometers long. The canyon formed over millions of years as a river carved through palagonite rock from the Ice Age. Walking paths follow the edge, giving you clear views of the winding river below and the steep, moss-covered walls that shape this striking landscape. Next, visit Svínafellsjökull glacier, often referred to as the “Batman glacier” due to its appearance in Game of Thrones and Batman Begins. Jagged ice formations and dark streaks of volcanic ash give the glacier a rugged, cinematic look, making it one of the most photogenic outlets of Vatnajökull Glacier.

In the afternoon, continue to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, where icebergs drift across deep blue water, some glowing bright blue as dense ice catches the light. Seals often swim between the floating ice, adding life to the scene. Just across the road, walk along Diamond Beach, where chunks of ice wash ashore and sparkle against the black sand. Nearby, take a closer look at Heinabergslón, a quieter glacier lagoon where ice and water shift slowly through this remote, icy landscape.

Today, suit up for a snowmobile adventure on Vatnajökull Glacier, Europe’s largest glacier. A Super Jeep ride across lava fields brings you to the ice, then you speed over crevasses, weave through ice formations, and stop for photos and stories from your guide.

Stop for lunch at Pakkhúsið restaurant, located by the harbor in Höfn, set inside a restored 1932 building that blends rustic charm with stunning views over the water. The menu focuses on local ingredients, especially fresh langoustine, lamb, and other regional specialties sourced from nearby fishermen and farms. Lunch is not included in the tour, allowing you to select your preferred dishes based on that day's offerings.

The last stop for today is at Vestrahorn Mountain on the Stokksnes Peninsula, where jagged peaks rise from black sand beaches. Mist often wraps the mountain, giving it a dramatic, otherworldly vibe. Nearby, explore the Viking Village, a film-set replica of a traditional Viking settlement with turf-roofed houses that contrast sharply with the wild landscape.

Today, hike to Svartifoss in Skaftafell, part of Vatnajökull National Park. Start at the Skaftafell Visitor Center and follow a well-marked trail that runs about 1.5 kilometers each way. The path leads through birch forests and past streams, with steady uphill sections that open views toward surrounding mountains and the distant Vatnajökull glacier.

Along the route, pass smaller waterfalls and scenic lookout points that make good spots to pause and take photos. At Svartifoss, dark basalt columns form a natural backdrop behind the white cascade, giving the waterfall its name, “Black Falls.” A viewing area near the base offers a clear look at the unique rock formations before you head back along the same trail, taking in the landscape from a new angle.

Wrap up your trip with a smooth private airport transfer. Meet your professional driver at the hotel, and settle into a comfortable, well-kept vehicle. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride straight to the airport, arriving with plenty of time for check-in and security. It's a simple and stress-free way to wrap up your trip to Iceland.