Day 1: Reykjavik The Capital Of The Island Of Ice & Fire
We will arrive in Reykjavik, the northernmost capital city in the world. With a population of almost 250,000 people, Reykjavik is the largest and most dominant city in Iceland. We will explore the city’s main highlights, including the downtown area and harbor, the Harpa Opera House, and the charming pedestrian street near the Parliament House. We will also visit Sólfarið (The Sun Voyager statue), Hallgrímskirkja Church and the Leifur Eiríksson monument, and enjoy panoramic views from Perlan.
Walking Tour in Reykjavik City Center – We will explore the main sites on foot:
Harpa Opera House – A concert hall and conference center with a colored glass façade.
Sólfarið (The Sun Voyager) – A steel sculpture of a Viking ship located by the seaside.
Leifur Eiríksson Monument – Honoring the Viking explorer who arrived in North America 1,000 years ago.
Hallgrímskirkja Church – A Lutheran church and the largest church in Iceland.
Reykjavik Pedestrian Street – A colorful street lined with charming shops.
Perlan – A museum with a rotating glass dome located on top of Öskjuhlíð Hill.
Overnight in a 4 star hotel in Reykjavik
Day 2: The Golden Circle
There are three main sights in this area. We will start our day with a spectacular visit to Gullfoss (the “Golden Falls”), believed by many to be the most beautiful waterfall in Iceland. We will continue to the famous Geysir geothermal area to see Strokkur, which erupts every 3–5 minutes. Then we will drive to the lake area of Þingvellir (Thingvellir) to visit the site of the old parliament and walk between the geological plates of Europe and North America — a true “once in a lifetime” experience. Drive to Reykjavik.
Gullfoss Falls – A thunderous two-tiered cascade plunging into a rugged canyon.
Geysir & Strokkur – Geysers erupting boiling water 20–30 meters into the air.
Þingvellir Old Parliament – Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Geological Plates – The meeting point of the European and North American tectonic plates.
Overnight in a 4 star hotel in Reykjavik
Day 3: Akureyri The Capital Of The North
.We will leave the capital city, Reykjavik, heading north through Iceland. We will pass through the small town of Borgarnes and visit Glanni Waterfall, where during the summer it is sometimes possible to see salmon jumping upstream. Nearby, we will also explore Grábrók Crater. Continuing north, we will visit the beautiful Kolugljúfur Canyon. On our way to Akureyri, we will stop to visit the old turf church at Víðimýri and the historic farm settlement of Glaumbær. At the end of the day, we will arrive in Akureyri.
Glanni Waterfall – Located in the Norðurá River and surrounded by volcanic rock formations.
Grábrók Crater – Formed about 3,000 years ago, rising above the surrounding lava fields.
Kolugljúfur Canyon – Featuring steep basalt walls, waterfalls, and powerful rushing water.
Víðimýri Old Church – A beautiful turf church built in 1834 and refurbished in 1936.
Glaumbær Farm – An open-air museum reflecting the lifestyle of early Viking settlers.
Overnight in a 4 star hotel in Akureyri.
Day 4: Whale Watching Safari And Akureyri
Akureyri is often referred to as the capital of North Iceland and serves as a vibrant cultural and commercial hub at the head of Eyjafjörður Fjord. In the morning, we will head to Akureyri Harbor to take a whale-watching safari tour by boat in Eyjafjörður. In the afternoon, we will explore Iceland’s second-largest city (population approximately 18,900). We will visit the Akureyri Botanical Garden, a small but beautiful garden, the central church, and stroll along the city’s pedestrian street.
Akureyri Botanical Garden – Considered the northernmost botanical garden in the world.
Akureyri Central Church – A Lutheran church, famous for its distinctive twin towers.
Akureyri Pedestrian Street – A small, colorful street lined with restaurants and souvenir shops.
Overnight in a 4 star hotel in Akureyri.
Day 5: Lake Mývatn Area
We will start our day with a visit to Goðafoss (the “Waterfall of the Gods”). We will then continue driving east and dedicate most of the day to the Lake Mývatn area, well known as a nesting ground for millions of birds during the summer and one of the most active volcanic regions in Iceland. We will visit its main attractions: Skútustaðir pseudo-craters, Dimmuborgir (“The Black Fortress”), Krafla volcanic area, and the Hverir mud pools. We will end the day at Lake Mývatn, soaking in the hot waters of the Mývatn Nature Baths.
Goðafoss – Renowned for its powerful flow and striking turquoise waters.
Skútustaðir Pseudo-Craters – Formed when hot lava flowed over wetlands, creating steam explosions.
Dimmuborgir – A dramatic lava field formed when molten lava flowed into a former lake in the Mývatn area.
Krafla Volcanic Crater – An active caldera featuring a crater lake formed by accumulated rain and melted snow.
Hverir – A geothermal area with colorful sulfuric mud pools and steaming vents.
Mývatn Nature Baths – One of Iceland’s most pleasant open-air geothermal bathing experiences.
Overnight in a 4 star hotel in the Lake Mývatn area.
Day 6: The Pearls Of The North
We will start our day driving north to the narrow horseshoe-shaped canyon of Ásbyrgi, which, according to Norse mythology, was formed by the hoofprint of one of Odin’s eight-legged horse, Sleipnir. On our way south, we will visit Hljóðaklettar, known for its unique rock formations, and the powerful Dettifoss waterfall, considered the most powerful waterfall in Europe. Continuing east, we will visit the historic settlement of Möðrudalur. We will then drive along the famous Ring Road to observe puffin nesting sites, home to Iceland’s iconic seabird. At the end of the day, we will arrive in Egilsstaðir, known as the “capital of the East.”
Ásbyrgi Cliffs – Horseshoe-shaped cliffs formed by glacial flooding and erosion over thousands of years.
Hljóðaklettar – A unique volcanic landscape featuring basalt formations, caves, and natural arches.
Dettifoss Waterfall – The most powerful waterfall in Europe and one of the most impressive in the world.
Möðrudalur Historic Settlement – The highest inhabited farm in Iceland, located at 469 meters above sea level.
Overnight in a 4 star hotel in Egilsstaðir.
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Day 7: The East Fjords
We will drive along one of the most dramatic scenic routes in Iceland – the East Fjords. This region is home to 10 fjords, and we will see six of them: a rugged landscape of extraordinary rock formations, layered sediments, and steep mountains plunging dramatically into the deep ocean. Along the way, we will pass through several tiny yet charming fishing villages that are true hidden gems. We will visit Petra’s Stone Collection in Stöðvarfjörður and explore the center of Djúpivogur. We will also stop at Hvalnes Beach to observe its lagoons and white swans, and just before arriving in Höfn, we will enjoy spectacular views of Vestrahorn Mountain.
East Fjords – A vast and dramatic region known for its striking coastal scenery and towering mountains.
Petra Stone Museum – A private home collection featuring more than a million minerals and stones.
Breiðdalsvík – A small and colorful village (population approx. 150) that began as a fishing community.
Djúpivogur – Meaning “Deep Bay,” a picturesque fishing village and one of the most charming in Iceland.
Hvalnes Beach – A scenic coastline with lagoons and abundant birdlife.
Vestrahorn Mountain – Known for its sharp peaks and striking black sand dunes.
Höfn – A charming coastal town and gateway to Vatnajökull National Park.
Overnight in a 4 star hotel in Höfn.
Day 8: Vatnajökull The Biggest Glacier In Europe
Vatnajökull is the largest glacier in Europe. We will drive along the South Coast with a must-stop at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, one of Iceland’s natural crown jewels, where we will take a boat tour among the floating icebergs. We will observe the glacial tongue of Öræfajökull up close and hike in Skaftafell Nature Reserve to reach Svartifoss, known as the “Black Waterfall.” We will then continue driving across the black sands of Skeiðarársandur, an enormous glacial outwash plain, on our way to Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
Skaftafell Nature Reserve – Famous for its dramatic contrast between glaciers and black sand plains.
Svartifoss – “The Black Waterfall,” framed by striking columnar basalt formations.
Skeiðarársandur – A vast glacial outwash plain formed by sediment carried by powerful meltwater rivers.
Overnight in a 4 star hotel in the Kirkjubæjarklaustur area.
Day 9: The South Coast And Reynisfjara The Black Beach
Rich in geological and geomorphological formations, Iceland’s South Coast is truly a must-see. We will start the morning with spectacular views of Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon. We will then drive through the southernmost village on the island, Vík, enjoy breathtaking views from the cliffs of Dyrhólaey, and take a walk along the deep black sand beach — a landscape uniquely Icelandic. We will visit the magnificent Skógafoss waterfall and, on our way back to Reykjavik, stop at Seljalandsfoss, where a path allows visitors to walk behind the cascading water. We will then drive back to Reykjavik.
End of Trip.
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon – Featuring steep, moss-covered cliffs and narrow, serpentine curves.
Vík Village – The southernmost village on Iceland’s mainland and an important tourist center.
Reynisfjara – “The Black Beach,” famous for its enormous basalt stacks and powerful Atlantic waves.
Dyrhólaey Cliffs – Known for dramatic sea arches and towering coastal cliffs.
Skógafoss – One of Iceland’s most impressive and iconic waterfalls.
Seljalandsfoss – Famous for the unique path that allows visitors to walk behind the waterfall.
