Experience Overview
There's a lot more to Iceland than ice! Across six days, you’ll find fjords, glaciers, volcanoes, black sands and thermal springs in the world's far north. Discover all the bucket list highlights with some lesser-known secrets you may not have chosen alone. Stay up with the midnight sun in summer or chase the Northern Lights in winter – this trip operates all year round, meaning no matter when you set off, you’re sure to find something incredible. Drive the Golden Circle and discover Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall and the Geysir Geothermal Area, then discover waterfalls and scenic hotspots off the tourist track. Sample hot dogs in Reykjavik, find some quirky bars to spend your evenings in and see some of the best natural views you’ve maybe ever seen!
Highlights
- Embark on a journey to Iceland and experience its magic in any season – whether that’s soaking up the midnight sun or searching for the Northern Lights!
- Chase waterfalls in a country known for its flowing cascades. Visit popular sites like Gullfoss and Geysir in the Golden Circle and then head off-the-beaten-track to sites like Gljufrabui and Gluggafoss.
- Explore Southern Iceland – a world of striking contrasts – with a local leader who knows all the secret spots. Walk past blue-white icebergs at the Jokulsarlon Glacier, ford the fjords and soak up the silence of the surrounding grey sand desert.
- Visit Thingvellir National Park – the Eurasian and American tectonic plates may now be pulling apart, but over a thousand years ago, this was the site where Iceland's first parliament came together.
- Choose your own adventure in Reykjavik with loads of free time – whether that’s soaking in geothermal seawater at the famed Blue Lagoon or snorkelling at Silfra Fissure.
Trip Details
Product Code: 1631
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Basic
Transport: Private minibus with free Wi-Fi
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: BIYS
Starts: Reykjavik, Iceland
Finishes: Reykjavik, Iceland
Duration: 6 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating: Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (2),Accommodation: Guesthouse (Multi-share) (2 nights),Cottage (multi-share) (2 nights),Hostel (multi-share) (1 night)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) $1,310 ($218 /day)
Itinerary
Hallo! Welcome to Iceland. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm today. Being so far north, Reykjavik’s daylight can change dramatically between seasons – 4 hours in winter and up to 22 in summer – which means you’ll either have a lot of time to party or a lot of time to nap in the sun. After the meeting, maybe head out to dinner or check out the craft beer scene with the group (your leader always has the best recommendations) and explore the nightlife (or late-day life?) in this coastal capital.
Accommodation:
- Guesthouse (Multi-share) (Number of Nights: 1)
Follow Iceland’s Golden Circle today with a few smooth, scenic drives. First, visit Thingvellir National Park and the Parliament Plains – this is the site of Europe's oldest parliament, founded in AD 930. If you notice a big ridge of water in the landscape, you’re probably looking at the Silfra fissure, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly ripping apart. Then check out the Strokkur Geyser and if you’re lucky, maybe see it blast water through the air. Finally, swing by the Gullfoss double waterfall on the Hvita River to witness the impressive cascades. On the way to your accommodation, there’s the option to stop at Secret Lagoon in Fludir for some steamy hot springs action – this is Iceland’s oldest natural pool! Fed by the Vaomalahver, Basahver and Litli Geysers, the pool’s water flows continuously, meaning it stays warm (38 to 40 degrees Celsius year-round), clean and rich in sulphur.
Included Activities:
- Golden Circle - Strokkur Geyser & Gullfoss Waterfalll
- Þingvellir National Park - Parliament Plains
Optional Activities:
- Fludir - Secret Lagoon (3600 ISK)
Accommodation:
- Cottage (multi-share) (Number of Nights: 1)
Today, you’ll drive along the south coast of Iceland – one of the most popular areas in the country due to the natural beauty dotting the coast. You’ll visit Gljufrabui (Canyon Dweller) and bask in the cascades of this towering waterfall that’s a bit more off-the-beaten-track as some other tourist favourites. Then, it’s on to another waterfall – Gluggafoss. Also known as Merkjarfoss, this waterfall is the most prominent in the series of falls that run off Merkja River. If the season’s right, you may also visit the famed black sands of Reynisdrangar – voted one of the most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world. After exploring the basalt stacks and sweeping panoramas, head on to Dyrholaey Nature Reserve and see the cliffs that jut out into the sea (season permitting). Tonight, you’ll stay near the famous Glacier Lagoon.
Included Activities:
- Gljufrabui - Waterfall Visit
- Gluggafoss - Waterfall Visit
Accommodation:
- Cottage (multi-share) (Number of Nights: 1)
Feeling like you could tackle Europe’s largest icecap? This morning, you can embark on an optional walk on Vatnajokull – you don’t really need any special experience to sign up for a glacier walk here, so don’t let the size scare you. Glaciers like Vatnajokull are sadly melting away due to rising global temperatures, so seriously consider this if it is on your bucket list, as it might not be here in a few years’ time. In summer, you can also take an optional boat ride and glide through the waters for a different perspective. After, visit Skaftafell National Park – a wilderness area known for its huge glaciers, mountain trails and Svartifoss waterfall – which you’ll take a short hike to and witness the cascades tumbling down over black basalt columns. Today is not a day to forget your camera! If the season’s right, you might also make a pitstop at Fjadrargljufur – a unique serpent-like canyon that was only discovered by visitors a few years ago. Later, arrive in the remote seafront village of Vik, where you’ll have a free night to explore.
Included Activities:
- Skaftafell - National Park
- Svartifoss - Waterfall Visit
Optional Activities:
- Vatnajokull - Glacier Hike (14500 ISK)
- Jokulsarlon - Glacier Lagoon Boat Ride (seasonal) (6300 ISK)
Accommodation:
- Hostel (Multi-share) (Number of Nights: 1)
Make your way back to Reykjavik, but not before chasin’ some more waterfalls! Today, you’ll visit mighty Seljalandsfoss – you can actually walk behind the falls and see the cascades from underneath (raincoat recommended). Then, head to Skogafoss on the Skoga River and marvel at the cliffside drop – here, you can climb the stairs to the right of the falls and watch the birds dive in and out of the cliff face. Cap off your waterfall tour with a visit to Urridafoss – on Iceland’s longest river, this is the most voluminous waterfall in the country. Arrive in Reykjavik in the afternoon and head out on an orientation walk with your leader. Icelandic locals have a special relationship with hot dogs, so you’ll have the option to stop by a hot dog stand and see what all the fuss is about – it’s said that you haven’t really tasted a proper hot dog until you’ve had one of these! Tonight, maybe go shopping for a few souvenirs, or grab your group for a few drinks at one of Reykjavik’s quirky bars to celebrate the last night of your adventure.
Included Activities:
- Seljalandsfoss - Waterfall Visit
- Skogafoss - Waterfall Visit
- Urridarfoss - Waterfall Visit
- Reykjavik - Orientation Walk
Accommodation:
- Guesthouse (Multi-share) (Number of Nights: 1)
With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end after breakfast. But your adventure doesn’t have to end! If you’re staying on, why not spend today on a snorkelling day trip in Silfra Fissure or visit Sky Lagoon's oceanside geothermal hot pools. If you’d like to extend your stay backdropped by mountains, just speak to your booking agent.
Optional Activities:
- Reykjavik - Saga Museum (3600 ISK)
- Reykjavik - Whale Watching (Seasonal) (12990 ISK)
- Reykjanes Peninsula - Blue Lagoon inc return transfer (18980 ISK)
- Reykjavik - Harpa Concert Hall - Free
- Reykjavik - Whales of Iceland Museum (4300 ISK)
- Reykjavik - Maritime Museum (2350 ISK)
- Reykjavik - Perlan Museum (5390 ISK)
- Nauthólsvík - Thermal Beach - Free
- Laugarvatn - Fontana Geothermal Baths (5490 ISK)
- Reykjavik - Silfra Fissure Snorkelling Day Trip inc return transfer from Reykjavik (28490 ISK)
- Reykjavik - Settlement Exhibition (2900 ISK)
- Reykjavik - Lava Tunnel Tour (13900 ISK)
- Reykjavik - Sky Lagoon (12990 ISK)
Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Jessica - Traveled, March 2024
This trip is a great way to see many Iceland highlights in short time and in a cost effective way. We had a private driver who showed us a lot of free sights. The accommodations were all hostels/summer houses but still nice. No need to worry about cost of food since the guide brought us to a grocery store 3 times. Would highly recommend!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/19/2024
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