Day 1: ARRIVE IN REYKJAVIK, ICELAND

Welcome to Reykjavik! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. Dinner included. 

 

Day 2: REYKJAVIK–HELLISHEIÐARVIRKJUN–GEYSIR–GULLFOSS–THINGVELLIR–BORGARNES

After an orientation drive of cosmopolitan Reykjavik, enjoy an interesting visit to the geothermal heat and electric POWER STATION in Hellisheiðarvirkjun. Next, see the hot springs at the Geysir geothermal area and look forward to meeting the chef of the Geysir restaurant. Taste freshly baked bread, which is cooked using the heat from the hot springs, with Icelandic butter, boiled eggs and herring, and a glass of Geysir schnapps, served at freezing point. Then, marvel at the mighty Gullfoss waterfall and stop in Thingvellir, a geological paradise. Here, you will walk through the rift valley that marks the separation between the North American and European tectonic plates. Breakfast and dinner included. 

(Photo : Geysir Geothermal Area)

Day 3: BORGARNES–HAUGANES–AKUREYRI

A real treat! At Hauganes, embark for an unforgettable experience: watch whales in their natural habitat! Continue to Akureyri for your overnight stay. Breakfast and dinner included. 

 

Day 4: AKUREYRI–GOĐAFOSS–LAKE MÝVATN–BORGARFJÖRĐUR EYSTRI

During your orientation of the capital of northern Iceland, hear about the city’s history after it was established as a trading center in 1602. Visit the BOTANICAL GARDEN, featuring specimens of almost all native Icelandic plants. Then, admire Goðafoss, known as the “Waterfall of the Gods.” Enjoy a scenic drive to the lovely blue Lake Mývatn, teeming with bird life in one of Iceland’s prettiest areas, and stop at the Mývatn Nature Baths, a set of geothermally heated pools and steam baths. Before arriving in Borgarfjörður Eystri, take pictures of the most powerful waterfall in Europe, Dettifoss (road conditions permitting). You may even see puffins, known as the “clown of the sea” (end of April to mid-August). Breakfast and dinner included. 

 

(Photo: Northern lights) 

Day 5: BORGARFJÖRĐUR EYSTRI–HÖFN

In the morning, enjoy a “Meet the Locals” walking tour and hear about life in the rural Icelandic countryside over the centuries. Follow the eastern coast, where the first Irish missionaries settled some 200 years ago, and arrive in Höfn. Breakfast and dinner included. 

Day 6: HÖFN–LAKE JÖKULSÁRLÓN–SKAFTAFELL NATIONAL PARK–VIK AREA

Prepare for the highlight of the day: stop at Lake Jökulsárlón, where some of the most spectacular scenes of the James Bond movie Die Another Day were filmed. Watch how the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajökull, flows into the lake, forming icebergs. An exciting optional boat trip is available through the icebergs (mid-May to September, weather permitting). Drive through the national park at Skaftafell and arrive at your overnight hotel. Breakfast and dinner included. 

(Photo: Icelandic waterfalls) 

Day 7: VIK AREA–SELJALANDSFOSS–REYKJAVIK

Along the South shore enjoy views of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano, well known for the eruption that generated the massive ash cloud in 2010, then stop at spectacular Seljalandsfoss waterfall before returning to Reykjavik. This afternoon, join an optional excursion to the Blue Lagoon. Tonight, a farewell dinner awaits at one of Reykjavik’s fine restaurants to celebrate your Icelandic Adventure. Breakfast and dinner included. 

Day 8: REYKJAVIK

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Breakfast included.