Day 1: Explore Reykjavík and enjoy a welcome dinner
Arrive at any time and make your own way to the hotel. Tonight we will have a group welcome dinner to get to know everyone on the tour.
- Welcome dinner will be at the hotel or in a restaurant within walking distance from the hotel.
- If you would like us to pick you up from the airport and take you to the hotel please have a look at the Exclusions notes for pricing and let us know.
Day 2: Visit Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss waterfalls, hike Sólheimajökull Glacier, and explore Reynisfjara Beach
Seljalandsfoss is a graceful ribbon-like waterfall, which drops from an overhanging lava cliff. It is possible to walk behind it, but do not expect to stay dry! Skógafoss waterfall is 62m, 203 feet and is among the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland.
An informative and easy glacier walk on Sólheimajökull glacier. A certified and experienced glacier guide will lead guests through a frozen wonderland of different shades of glacier ice. The spectacular colors of the ice can be white, blue or crystal clear. Guests will safely view deep crevasses and water cauldrons, along with other interesting features of the glacier. There are plenty of photo opportunities during the hike. Additionally, the expert guide will share their wisdom about the ever-changing landscapes of the Icelandic glaciers, their formation and how these icy giants are connected with the surrounding volcanoes and mountains. No technical skills are needed for this tour and all necessary glacier walk equipment is provided. This is a great way to experience an Icelandic glacier.
Reynisfjara is a black sand beach where the Atlantic ocean shows its power with its cruising waves beating on the shores. Here are interesting caves and impressive rock formations, including columnar basalt.
Day 3: Discover Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, Diamond Beach, and Skaftafell's stunning landscapes
Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon is a lake that is filled with melted water from an outlet glacier. Ice bergs break off the glacier and fall into the lagoon and float around before getting washed down to the ocean. Many of the ice bergs end up really clear on the beach giving the beach the nick name Diamond beach.
Skaftafell is a part of the Vatnajökull national park. Skaftafell contains some of the most precious natural pearls of the country, rugged landscapes, mountains and glaciers. Skaftafell is a place of contrasting scenery with flora growing between sands and glaciers.
Svartifoss Waterfall (Black Waterfall) is one of the most popular sights in the park. It is surrounded by dark lava columns, which gave rise to its name. You can take a short hike to get to the waterfall from Skaftafell Visitor Center.
Day 4: Take a ferry to Westman Islands, enjoy a boat cruise, visit Eldheimar Museum, and watch puffins
Westman Islands, small islands off the south shore of Iceland. Upon arrival a boat cruise will take us around parts of the islands where we will see colorful Ocean caves, thousands of seabirds and, occasionally during the summer, groups of whales. On the return from the cruise we will enjoy instrumental music in form of the natural echo of the ocean cave Klettshellir.
In the afternoon we explore the island by bus. We will get in touch with a volcanic crater, still warm lava and half-buried houses from the island’s infamous 1973 volcanic eruption. We spot some of the most interesting features of the island, where nature has sculpted a fascinating landscape teeming with diverse birdlife and animal life, including one of the biggest puffin colonies.
Day 5: Ferry back to mainland, tour the Golden Circle: Friðheimar Greenhouse, Gullfoss, Geysir, and Þingvellir National Park
Friðheimar geothermal greenhouse, learn about how tomatoes are grown all year round despite Iceland‘s long dark winters, in greenhouses under artificial lighting. This introduction ends with a soup lunch made from the tomatoes grown on spot. The mighty waterfall of Gullfoss - the Golden falls is perhaps the most beautiful in the country. Here the glacial river of Hvítá (white river) tumbles 32 meters (105 ft) in a double cascade. On a sunny day a rainbow is very likely in the massive spray. The active geothermal area of Haukadalur which contains the geysers Geysir and Strokkur and many other hot springs. Most active nowadays is Strokkur, erupting hot water and steam to elevation of 25 metres (82 ft) every 5-7 minutes. Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home of the oldest existing national parliament in the world, the Alþingi, and major events in the history of Iceland.
Thingvellir is a place of fascinating natural beauty, a spectacular geological vista, set on a vast plain flanked by large fissures, right by Iceland’s largest lake, Þingvallavatn. The Mid-Atlantic rift is clearly visible; a rift that is forming as Iceland is being pulled apart by tectonic forces. Here the North-American and the Eurasian continental plates drift apart by 19mm (¾”) a year and a rift valley is forming.
Day 6: Visit Settlement Center, Víðgemlir Cave, Hraunfossar Lava Falls, and relax at Krauma Natural Baths
Hraunfossar - Lava Falls - are beautiful and unusual natural phenomena. Clear, cold springs of subterranean water seep through the lava and run as tiny waterfalls and rapids into the Hvita River. The waters at Krauma baths originate in Europe‘s most powerful hot spring Deildartunguhver at a temperature of 100°C (212°F). Krauma has a total of six baths, five warm and one cold. No extra chemicals are needed to keep the pools clean, as the water is constantly being replaced because of the rapid natural flow rate of the hot springs.
Day 7: Witness the Solar Eclipse near Búðir church, visit Kirkjufell, and enjoy the scenic coastline at Arnarstapi
Búðir church, Búðakirkja is a picturesque wooden church located on the south side of Snæfellsnes Peninsula- Iceland. It is a local parish church that was first established in 1703. The church is known for its beauty, both the building itself and in contact with the surrounding area. Kirkjufell, Grundarfjörður's beautiful landmark is the most photographed mountain in Iceland. Its isolated position jutting out into the sea makes it a focal point for tourists and seamen alike. Arnarstapi was an important trading post in the past and had a much bigger population than it has now. Columnar basalt, ravines and grottoes surround the Arnarstapi pier. There is quite a large arctic tern colony in the village itself.
A walk along the coastline is recommended to watch the birds and the magnificent lava formations. The seaside and the cliffs between Arnastapi and Hellnar have been made a Natural Reserve in 1979. A very interesting old path follows the coastline where you can see old lending places of fishermen, lots of birds like the kittiwake, the Arctic tern and the fulmar and pass through a lava field.
Being in such a remote part of Iceland in the Arnastapi area will allow us to be away from city lights and crowds, so we can enjoy this exciting event in the best possible way. Dr Ángel López-Sánchez will guide the event and talk you through the facts of this exciting phenomenon while you relax and enjoy this unforgettable moment. We will provide you with eclipse sunglasses to protect your eyes and allow you to safely enjoy the eclipse. We will aim to have our sighting near Búðir church but the exact place will be decided closer to the date.
After our Solar Eclipse event comes to an end, we will drive back to Reykjavík where we will spend the last night of the tour.
Day 8: Depart Iceland
Today our tour comes to an end. Check out will be after breakfast and you can continue exploring the city on your own.
If you would like us to organise a transfer to the airport for you, please have a look at the Exclusions notes for pricing and let us know. We suggest considering a visit to the famous Blue Lagoon for some well-deserved relaxing time!
