Day 1: Arrival in the Land of Fire and Ice:
Highlights: Keflavik The Blue Lagoon Hveragerdi
 
Approximate driving distance: 100km (62miles)

Once you have landed at Keflavik Airport, please pick up your luggage and head through customs. Collect your rental car at the airport and proceed to your hotel.

Depending on your arrival time in Iceland, it may be ideal to stop and visit the renowned Blue Lagoon where you can relax in its geothermal waters. Important: admission to the Blue Lagoon needs to be booked in advance. We can help you with that!

Drive along the southern coast of the Reykjanes Peninsula to the charming village of Hveragerdi for your overnight. This village is one of the few sites in the world located directly on top of a geothermal area, and because of its many greenhouses heated by hot water from nearby springs, it is often called the “flower village.” There are plenty of outdoor and wellness activities to enjoy here, and several restaurants with a uniquely local focus. There is even a restaurant where the different courses are baked in an outdoor geothermal oven!

Please note check-in for most hotels begins at 14:00 – 16:00 (2:00pm-4:00pm)

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Day 2: The Westman Islands:
Highlights: Seljalandsfoss Vestmannaeyjar
 
Amazing Waterfall – Lava Fields – Volcanic Aftermath – Magnificent lava fields

Approximate distance: 180km (112 miles)

Breakfast at your hotel. We suggest a visit this morning to the Lava Centre, an interactive, high-tech exhibition about volcanic activity, earthquakes and the creation of Iceland over millions of years. It will give you a great overview of some of the volcanic features you will see on your tour.

Head on to the Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where you can walk behind the waterfall.

Travel along the farmlands of the south coast to Landeyjahofn harbor. Take a 30-minute ferry ride to the Westman Islands, enjoying the view of islands and seabirds. If you are lucky you might catch a glimpse of marine life such as dolphins or seals.

The destination is Heimaey Island, the largest of the Westman Islands and the only inhabited one. Drive your vehicle around the island, enjoying the volcanic views. Visit windy Storhofdi Point with its fantastic views over the area. (During mid-May through the beginning of August it is also possible to see puffins here.) Take a walk up to the crater of a volcano that erupted only three decades ago.

Interested in history? Check out Virkid (The Fortress), natural earthworks constructed in the 16th century to protect the islanders from pirate invasions. Nearby is the beautiful replica of a Medieval Norwegian stave church that once stood here.

We also suggest a visit to Eldheimar Museum, where you can learn about the famous 1973 eruption that covered many homes on Heimaey in lava. You’ll also see where vegetation has grown among the old lava flows.

Enjoy an evening in these peaceful islands that have their own special charm and character. Maybe you’ll even take a dip in the public geothermal pool, one that uses geothermally heated seawater!

Overnight in the Westman Islands.

Note: Today’s itinerary involves a ferry trip to the Westman Islands, which must be added to the tour price. See the price list for details.

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Day 3: South Shore – Skogar – Vik:
Highlights: Skogafoss Reynisdrangar Cliffs Vík
 
Powerful Volcanoes – Amazing Waterfall– Black sand beaches

Approximate distance: 119km  (74miles)

Breakfast at your hotel. Take the ferry back from the Westman Islands and continue your exploration of the south coast. Pass numerous glacial rivers en route to the Skogafoss waterfall. This waterfall is one of the most photographed images in the country. Take a few minutes here to enjoy the view and the sound of thundering water. A series of steps near the waterfall leads up to an amazing view of the area.

Continue onto the black sands of Reynisfjara beach. Here you can witness powerful waves and amazing basalt column features carved by the power of the sea. Far out to see you can glimpse dark rock columns that local lore says were once trolls.

Overnight in stay in the Vik area for the next 2 nights.

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Day 4: Vik– Skaftafell – Jokulsarlon:

Highlights: Eldhraun Lava Field Skaftafell National Park Vatnajokull National Park Svartifoss Waterfall Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon
 
Skaftafell and Glacial beauty – Europe’s largest Glacier – Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs

Approximate distance: 390km (242 miles)

Breakfast at your hotel. Today you’ll be in the area of Vatnajokull National Park, named after Europe’s largest glacier. Cross Eldhraun, the largest mass of lava ever to flow on the face of the Earth before reaching the small town Kirkjubaejarklaustur, the former site of a 12th-century Catholic convent.

Head onwards to Skaftafell, a beautiful glacier-ringed valley in Vatnajokull National Park. A series of trails lead to great views of glaciers and natural features, including the basalt lined “black falls” of Svartifoss.

Continue to the stunning Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon to see floating icebergs and maybe a curious seal or two. Enjoy the beauty of ice and water even more with a boat trip here or in the more tranquil Iceberg Lagoon. (Boat tour not included in the price, but we’re happy to book one for you!)

Visit the popular Diamond Beach, a black sand coastline glittering with shards of ice, before you head back to your accommodation.

Overnight in the Vik area.

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Day 5: Gullfoss – Geysir – Thingvellir – Reykjavik:
Highlights: Geysir Gullfoss Thingvellir National Park Reykjavik
 
Lively Geysers and Golden Falls – National Park with Geological Wonders (UNESCO World Heritage Site

Approximate distance: 331km (206miles)

Breakfast at your hotel. Start off by heading for the Geysir hot spring area to see the famous Strokkur, a hot spring that spouts every few minutes. Travel onwards to Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s most impressive waterfalls. The next stop is Thingvellir National Park, where the Viking-age parliament met for centuries on the shores of Iceland’s largest lake. This is also where you can see the meeting point for the European and North American tectonic plates. We definitely recommend taking some extra time to walk on the paths taking you by the locations of interesting events through Iceland’s history.

After your visit here, head on to Reykjavik, Iceland’s culturally vibrant capital city. Enjoy exploring the city’s many dining options. During the summer you can also enjoy late afternoon and evening activities such as a visit to Wonders of Iceland or FlyOver Iceland or a whale watching tour.

Overnight stay in Reykjavik.

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Day 6: Departure:

Return to Keflavik International Airport**

Approximate distance: ca 50km / 30miles

Breakfast at your hotel.  Drive back to Keflavik International Airport.** We recommend departing your hotel in Reykjavik no later than at least 3 hours before your flight departure. It takes approximately 1 hour to drive to the airport, and check-in will start 2 hours before your departure.

If you did not visit the Blue Lagoon earlier but have some free time today, you might want to use the opportunity en route to the airport. For this detour, please be sure to allow for at least 2-2,5 hours extra so you’ll have ample time at the lagoon. Your rental car should be returned to the airport service area, which is located only 2 minutes from the airport building. A shuttle will then transport you to the departure hall.