ITINERARY
 
7 Nights & 8 Days
 
Day 1 - Arrival Day - Reykjavík City Sightseeing
Walking Laugavegur and Skólavorðustígur is a great way to capture the essence of Reykjavík, both are amazing shopping streets. Browse in shops, often the tiniest places sell the more unusual items, relax in a charming café then wander some more. You will come across local crafts, the iconic tall white Hallgrímskirkjachurch, its design is inspired by Svartifoss waterfall at Skaftafell. For a grandstand view over the city go to the top of the tower, it is well worth it! There are a few fabulous museums, covering everything from history and the building of the Icelandic nation at the National Museum to photography at the Reyjavík Museum of Photography, or Icelandic culture at the Culture House. 
 
Day 2: Golden Circle and South Coast
Your first day is mostly focused on visiting the fabulous and very famous Golden Circle attractions. We visit Þingvellir National Park, an incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site with huge geological, historical and cultural significance. The historic Icelandic Parliament was founded here in 930 CE/AD, called the Alþing, this is the oldest still existing democratic parliament in the world. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates continue to move apart, runs right through Þingvellir. You will see the rugged plate-edge of the gorge, this must have been a really dramatic backdrop to the ancient parliamentary sessions! Your next stop is at the Geysirgeothermally active area, home to Great Geysir, the famous spouting hot spring which gave us the English word ‘geyser’. 
 
Day 3: Vík - Skaftafell - Glacier Lagoon –Höfn
Our first stop today is at Reynisfjara black sand beach. A walk along the beach will bring you to the extremely impressive and unusual basalt column cave. You will also see the troll-like and atmospheric Reynisdrangar peaks rising just off-shore. Now to the glaciers! We travel through some extraordinary landscapes and other-worldly scenery on the way to Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park. You will see views of the stunning Mýrdalsjökull glacier, home to one of the most feared volcanoes of all, the notorious Katla. Skaftafell is quite sheltered with flourishing vegetation and birch forests. Our specialist glacier guide will lead you on a three-hour glacier hike, giving you the opportunity to explore a stunning glacier tongue of Vatnajökull, the biggest glacier in Europe. 
 
Day 4: East Fjords - Djúpivogur–Egilsstaðir
Today we head to Iceland´s sensational East Fjords. You will travel the narrow roads which thread their way between the mountains and the ocean, passing through the very remote peninsular of Hvalnes. Continuing onwards you will see the really dramatic and contrasting scenery around Lón, the Þvottárskriður landslides and Álftafjarðar, a really beautiful fjord. A stop is made at Djúpivogur, a still traditional small fishing village, this friendly community is well known for its eco-conscious and welcoming ways. At our next stop we will enjoy an exhilarating three-hour hike to Hengifoss, the second highest waterfall in Iceland (128 m).
 
Day 5: Dettifoss - Mývatn - Godafoss–Akureyri
Today we will explore North Iceland. Our journey from Egilsstaðir will take us through the wilderness area around Möðrudalur, the highest inhabited place in Iceland at 469 m, this farming community is now host to the highest coffee house in the land. Our first destination is Dettifosswaterfall, these falls have the most powerful flow rate in Europe. Believe us, this roaring torrent is truly awesome – you really will feel humbled by the power of Icelandic nature. The scenery will keep getting more surreal! We are heading to the steaming lunar landscapes and bubbling technicolor mud pots at the Námaskarð geothermal area. The steaming fumaroles and sizzling hot springs waft clouds of steam across these other-worldly vistas.
 
Day 6: Whale watching in Dalvík - Siglufjörður -Tröllaskagi–Bifröst
Sometimes we can fit in a short stop at the Capital of the North, Akureyri. Our journey will always take us through this beautiful little town in the midst of the mountains close to the apex of the mesmerizing Eyjafjörður Fjord. We are heading for the absolutely charming and still traditional fishing town of Dalvík, with its busy working harbor and fabulous views over Eyjafjörður and Hrísey Island. The dramatic high mountains, home to some of the best ski slopes in Iceland will be at your back. Your three-hour whale watching boat trip starts at Dalvík harbor. You will skim over Eyjafjörður, going in whichever direction is best to see humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, minke whales, and occasionally even blue whales.
 
Day 7: Borgarfjörður - Reykholt - Hraunfossar - Hvalfjörður– Reykjavík
The final day of your 6 day trip around Iceland will be focused on the delights of West Iceland – Lonely Planet voted this area as one of their best destinations in 2016. Your first stop of the day is at Grábrók, a volcano crater surrounded by lunar-like lava. Your guide will lead you on a short hike to view the crater from the top – there are magnificent views over the whole area. We will enjoy the fabulous and extremely diverse sights of Borgarfjörður today. Stops are made at Deildartunguhver hot spring, the most powerful hot spring in Europe, you will also see the incredible Hraunfossar cascade, these wide falls are composed of thousands of tiny rivulets which tumble out of the lava field – a truly incredible sight! 
 
Day 8 - Final Day – Reykjavik
You have another day to make the most of being in Reykjavík, the stunning capital of Iceland. Check off a few more things on your Reykjavík bucket list – there are plenty more options. Maybe, explore the network of cycling and walking paths which thread around the coast and cross-cross the city. The coastal scenery is spellbinding from places such as Seltjarnarnes and Mosfellsbær, both are easily reached by Strætó buses, although it is easy to walk to Seltjarnarness.