Day 2: The Golden Circle

Breakfast 07:00 – 10:00 

08:30 Golden Circle Day Tour
The Golden Circle is a must-do day tour out of Reykjavik, offering the opportunity to explore all of South Iceland’s highlights. Learn about Iceland’s geology, history, its people and rich cultural heritage. With a focus on small groups and a personalised experience, you will be sharing your guide and minivan with max. 18 people.

After getting picked up from your hotel, the first stop along the route will be Thingvellir National Park. This was one of the main filming locations for Game of Thrones in Iceland! Here, you can experience the site as a White Walker or Wildling following the trails North of the Wall.

Also known as the birthplace of the nation, the park’s ties to the first Icelandic democracy date back to 930 AD when the Viking chieftains decided to establish their first parliament. Events that followed include the introduction of Christianity in 1000 AD and the declaration of Independence from the Danish King on June 17, 1944.

Besides the historical and cultural importance, the national park attracts visitors from all over the world for its unique geology and scenic landscapes. Thingvellir National Park is one of the only sites on each where the effects of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates can be observed drifting apart.

Continue on to Geysir Hot Springs, known to have been active for at least the last 10,000 years! There are more than a dozen hot water blow holes with Strokkur being of the most active geysers in the world! It spouts hot water and steam at a height of 20 – 25 metres every 5 – 8 minutes. The geothermal field is thought to have a surface area of around 3 km². Most springs are aligned along a 500m long strip of land, culminating near what was once the seat of the lords of Haukadalur.

After a lunch break in the area, you will head towards Gullfoss or the “Golden Waterfall”, Europe’s second most powerful waterfall. It is located on one of Iceland’s major glacier rivers, Hvita. The river flows into a wide-curved “staircase” and then plunges down on two levels, at 11 metres and 21 metres, into a 32-metre deep crevice. This is the final natural wonder of your tour before returning to your hotel in Reykjavik.

If no Northern Lights were spotted the night before:

21:00 Complementary Northern Lights Tour
With your guide, drive out into the countryside and escape the city light pollution. With an emphasis on small groups and personalised tours, you will share your guide and minivan with max. 18 other guests.

Your guide will decide the route on the day of travel, based on the day’s aurora forecast and cloud cover to maximise your chances of spotting the Northern Lights. Potential destinations include Lake Thingvallavatn at Thinvellir National Park, Rekjanes peninsula’s lava fields, or the Borgarfjordur area.

Recommended: Warm clothes and sturdy shoes! Don’t forget your camera and tripod for Northern Lights photography.

Overnight stay in a standard double/twin room at 3-star or 4-star hotel

Day 3: South Coast & Northern Lights

Breakfast 07:00 – 10:00 

09:00 South Coast & Northern Lights
The South Coast of Iceland has so much to offer and to see. This part of the country is rich in magnificent and diverse landscapes. Discover active volcanoes, numerous ice caps, glacier outlets and rivers, amazing waterfalls, farmlands, and black sand beaches made of basalt rock formations. The area is also renowned for its abundant bird life.

On the tour you’ll learn about Iceland’s geology, rich landscapes and culture. After getting picked up, your route will start along Highway #1. On the way, stop to visit some of the main highlights of the southern coast. Favourites include Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, two of the most stunning waterfalls that flow directly from Eyjafjallajokull glacier. The glacier sits on top of the volcano that erupted in 2010, affecting air traffic in Europe at that time.

Your next stop will be to Reynisfjara black sand beach. Explore fascinating basalt rock formations and black volcanic sand, a beach experience unlike any other. Close by, the lunch break will be held at Vik village. Visit the local wool factory before the journey back to Reykjavik.

You will continue the drive east past scenic views of glaciers and mountains to Skaftafell, where you’ll be staying the night in a cosy guesthouse with private facilities.

Overnight stay in a standard rooms with private facilities (breakfast included).

Day 4: Ice Caves & Lagoons

Breakfast 07:00 – 10:00 

09:00 Ice Caves & Lagoons
With a qualified guide, venture into the sparkling blue and white world of ice caves. Your first stop will be the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon with magnificent floating ice bergs, followed by Vatnajokull glacier. After exploring the ice caves, you will stop at Skaftafell National Park for one last amazing hike through magnificent mountain and glacier scenery.

Jokulsarlon directly translates to ‘Glacier’s River Lagoon’. The glacier lagoon is one of Iceland’s natural crown jewels, and rightly so! The lagoon is formed naturally from melted glacial water and is perpetually growing while big blocks of ice crumble from the ever-shrinking glacier. The icebergs that break away from the glacier and fall into the lagoon slowly melt and drift out to sea. The black beach has been nicknamed ‘Diamond Beach’, as the majestic cluttering of ice sculptures resemble diamonds glistening in the sun.

Your next stop will be to Iceland’s largest glacier, Vatnajokull. Icelandic ice caves differ from most others in that they form based on the changing weather conditions. Old ice caves shift and new ones form, starting as canals that run through or at the bottom of the glacier in summer. Once the flow of water in the cave is reduced and it gets cold enough to strengthen the ice, the ice caves are completely formed.

The final stop will be at Skaftafell, the second national park of Iceland. After being joined with Vatnajokull National Park in 2008, the combined 12,000 km²  make it the largest National Park in Europe. Covering around 12% of Iceland’s surface, the park is also home to Vatnajokull, the third largest glacier in the world, and largest glacier in Europe.

On the way back to Reykjavik, look out for the Northern Lights! Arrival time is between 21:00 – 23:00.

Overnight stay in a standard double/twin room at a 3-star or 4-star hotel

Last Goodbyes to Iceland

Get your last scenic photos and breaths of fresh Arctic air before your return. The Flybus airport transfer gets you back to the airport.

Flight departs from Reykjavik