| Starts | Reykjavik, Iceland |
|---|---|
| Ends | Reykjavik, Iceland |
| Region | Iceland |
| Duration | 8 days |
| Tour Operator | Intrepid Travel |
Itinerary
Day 1 - Starting: Reykjavik & Finishing: Reykjavik
Welcome to the land of fire and ice! Arrive at Keflavik International Airport and be transferred to your hotel. Your accommodation is centrally located in the city. There will be an important welcome meeting at the hotel at 6 pm. Before this, perhaps use any free time you may have to explore ReykjavÃk's old town, which is small and easy to stroll around. You might like to visit the National Museum, which is an excellent place to acquaint yourself with Iceland's history, displaying artifacts ranging from the age of settlement up to the present day.
Day 2 - Starting: Hvolsvollur & Finishing: Hvolsvollur
Your adventure begins with a short city tour (approximately 1.5 hours) around Reykjavik. You will stop in at the old harbour, the city centre, Hallgrimskirkja church and the Pearl. Then you will continue to Þingvellir (Parliament Plaines), the location of the old government house. This is a geological phenomenon in its own right. From there, drive to the Geyser geothermal area to visit a spouting hot spring. You will also visit the mighty Gullfoss, also known as the Golden Waterfall, where on a sunny day you can see a rainbow in the spray above. From there, proceed to the location of tonight's stay, Hvolsvollur. This small town, situated in a sparse green valley, boasts nice mountain views. From here you might also catch sight of the dazzling Northern Lights, so keep your fingers crossed for clear skies! Driving distance today is 250 km.
Day 3 - Starting: Glacier Lagoon & Finishing: Glacier Lagoon
Visit the stunning Skogafoss waterfall, one of the largest and most impressive in Iceland. According to legend, the first Viking settler in the area, Þrasi Þórólfsson, buried a treasure in a cave behind the Skogafoss waterfall. The myth holds that locals found the chest years later but were only able to grasp the ring on the side of the chest before it disappeared again. After marvelling at the waterfall and perhaps snapping a few photos, take a walk up to the Solheimajokull glacier tongue. You'll be walking along icy terrain, so don't get too mesmerised by the scenery and lose your step! In this spectacular landscape you'll see an array of incredible colours, which might appear so close that you could reach out and touch them. Driving distance today is 250 km.
Day 4 - Starting: Skaftafell National Park & Finishing: Skaftafell National Park
Continue towards the oasis at Skaftafell National Park, which is quite close to Vatnajokull, Europe's biggest glacier. Vatnajökull, formed by a combination of rivers, glacial ice and volcanic and geothermal activity, displays an incredibly varied array of phenomena. Once you arrive at Skaftafell, you will embark on a guided walk around this awesome national park, spending some time exploring the glacier (approximately 2 hours). You will then continue over the black sands to the rocks of Reynisfjara and Dyrholaey before driving to Hvolsvollur for your overnight accommodation. Driving distance today is 180 km.
Day 5 - Starting: Silfra Fissure/Snorkelling & Finishing: Silfra Fissure/Snorkelling
In the morning, drive back to Thingvellir National Park. Here you will enjoy a snorkelling tour of the Silfra fissure. You'll have plenty of time, around four to five hours, to explore this stunning underwater world. Silfra is a part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, so you'll be swimming between two continents – North America and Eurasia. Snorkelling in Silfra is great for anyone who feels comfortable in the water, in fact it's the ideal underwater adventure for the family. You'll see that the water is very clear. The visibility in Silfra regularly exceeds 100 metres, making it one of the clearest dive sites in the world. In the evening, return to Reykjavik. Driving distance today is 150 km.
Day 6 - Starting: Reykjavik & Finishing: Reykjavik
Venture out of Reykjavik in search of more adventure, heading north towards Bogarfjordur. On the way you will stop in at Europe's fastest-flowing hot spring, Deildartunguhver. Keep an eye out for the unique 'deer fern' while you're here – this plant grows nowhere else in the country. You will also stop in at the lava waterfalls of Hraunfossar, whose stream spans an impressive 900 metres across from the lava field. Continue to Barnafossur, a waterfall that plays a major part in Icelandic folk tales. Then it's time for a wonderful treat as you explore the biggest man-made ice cave in the world. This tunnel stretches the best part of a kilometre into the Langjokull Glacier – and nearly 350 metres below the glacier. After all this exercise and fresh air, retire to your hotel in Reykjavik for the night. Driving distance today is 250 km.
Day 7 - Starting: Reykjavik - free day & Finishing: Reykjavik - free day
Today is a free day to explore the city. There is a lot to see and do here, no matter what your age or interests. You might like to take a ride on an Icelandic horse, view Killer Whales just off the shore on an whale-watching excursion, or explore one of the many quality art galleries and museums in town. A great option for the family is to visit Laugardalur, just a few kilometres out of town. Here you'll find a large swimming complex (fed by a geothermal spring), a spa, cafe, skating rink, botanical gardens, plus a kids' zoo and recreation park. It's located near the Reykjavik Art Museum, which is convenient if you're into modern art and sculpture.
Day 8 - Starting: Trip Ends & Finishing: Trip Ends
Drive to the Reykjanes peninsula where the mid-Atlantic ridge rises from the ocean. More than half of the peninsula is covered with lava flows, some of which are only a few hundred years old. You will stop and check out some boiling mud pools and lovely hot springs along the way. Next it's off to the Blue Lagoon for a relaxing bath. As far as natural wonders go, the Blue Lagoon is one of the real gems of Iceland – which is saying a lot in a country like this! It's also set up well for visitors. This is the perfect way to finish your Iceland adventure. You'll come out feeling quite invigorated after basking in these exquisite waters, which are laced in natural mineral salts and fine silica mud. Bid farewell to your fellow travellers and drive back to Keflavik airport, where your trip comes to an end. Driving distance today is 150 km.
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