Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival at Keflavík
You'll land at Leif Eriksson International Airport in Keflavík and get transferred to your accommodation in Hafnarfjörður or nearby areas. Dinner and an overnight stay are included, so you can settle in and rest after your journey.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Day 2
Reykjanes Peninsula - Krýsuvík - Kleifarvatn
Start the day at Krýsuvik checking out the boiling mud pots and fumaroles where the European and North American tectonic plates meet. From there, you'll head to the Reykjanes Peninsula to see the distinctive lighthouse and the shoreline at Kleifarvatn. Later you'll drive to Snæfellsnes Peninsula for the night.
Included Activities
- Visit boiling mud pots and fumaroles of Krýsuvík
- Explore Reykjanes Peninsula and lighthouse
- Visit shores of Kleifarvatn
Landmarks Krýsuvík Kleifarvatn Reykjanes Peninsula - Day 3
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
The whole day focuses on Snæfellsnes Peninsula with its volcanic terrain and dramatic coasts. You'll see Kirkjufell, the mountain that appears in countless photos, then climb a small volcano for views across the area. After that, walk the black sand beaches at Djúpalónssandur to find old shipwreck remains, and finish at Lóndrangar's cliffs and Malarrif lighthouse.
Included Activities
- Visit Kirkjufell volcano
- Ascend small volcano for views of Snæfellsnes
- Explore black sand beaches of Djúpalónssandur and shipwreck remains
- Visit cliffs of Lóndrangar
- Walk to Malarrif lighthouse
Landmarks Kirkjufell Djúpalónssandur Lóndrangar Malarrif lighthouse Snæfellsnes Peninsula Snæfellsjökull Snæfellsnes National Park - Day 4
Snæfellsnes Peninsula - Southern Area
Continue on Snæfellsnes focusing on the southern parts today. You'll climb Búdaklettur volcano, visit the black church in Búðir, then explore Arnarstapi village with its dramatic cliffs and a statue of Bárdur. The day ends at Ytri Tunga Beach where you might catch sight of seals resting on the rocks.
Included Activities
- Ascend Búdaklettur volcano
- Visit black church of Búðir
- Explore village of Arnarstapi and cliffs
- Visit statue of Bárdur
- Visit Ytri Tunga Beach
Optional Activities
- Spot seals at Ytri Tunga Beach
Landmarks Búdaklettur Black church of Búðir Arnarstapi Ytri Tunga Beach - Day 5
Blöndúós - Varmahlíð - Akureyri
Travel north through Iceland's landscape, driving through Blönduós on Húnaflórður fjord and stopping at Glaumbaer. You'll cross the Troll Peninsula before arriving in Akureyri, where you can relax in the city's thermal pool. Dinner is on your own this evening.
Included Activities
- Pass through Blöndúós
- Visit Glaumbaer
- Cross Troll Peninsula
- Relax at Akureyri thermal pool
Landmarks Blöndúós Glaumbaer Troll Peninsula Akureyri thermal pool - Day 6
Mývatn
Start with a visit to Goðafoss, known as the Waterfall of the Gods, then head to Lake Mývatn's pseudocraters formed by steam explosions rather than typical volcanic activity. Later in the day, check out the fumaroles and boiling mud pots at Hverir before heading back.
Included Activities
- Visit Goðafoss waterfall
- Explore pseudocraters of Lake Mývatn
- Visit fumaroles and boiling mud pots of Hverir
Landmarks Goðafoss Lake Mývatn Hverir - Day 7
Mývatn - Krafla - Hverfjall - Dimmuborgir - Northern Blue Lagoon
Spend the day in the Lake Mývatn region exploring boiling mud pools and the multicolored rhyolite hills created by volcanic forces. You'll hike around Hverfjall crater for views over the entire lake, then trek through Dimmuborgir's fascinating rock formations. End by relaxing at the Northern Blue Lagoon's natural thermal pools where you might see northern lights if conditions work out.
Included Activities
- Explore boiling mud pools of Mývatn area
- Visit multicolored rhyolite hills
- Trek around Hverfjall crater (approximately 90 minutes)
- Trek through Dimmuborgir (approximately 90 minutes)
- Relax at Northern Blue Lagoon
Landmarks Krafla Hverfjall Dimmuborgir Northern Blue Lagoon - Day 8
Mývatn - Dettifoss - Húsavík
Visit Dettifoss, Iceland's most powerful waterfall, and nearby Selfoss in Jökulsárlufur National Park. After that, you'll loop around Tjörnes Peninsula heading to Húsavík for a winter whale watching safari. Alternatively, from mid-November through February, you might return to Mývatn's hot springs instead due to shorter daylight hours.
Included Activities
- Visit Dettifoss waterfall
- Visit Selfoss waterfall
Optional Activities
- Winter whale watching safari in Húsavík
Landmarks Dettifoss Selfoss Jökulságlúfur National Park Tjörnes Peninsula Húsavík - Day 9
Egilsstaðir - Hengifoss
You'll drive through the polar highlands experiencing the quiet beauty of the polar desert, passing the section of road that gets more snow than anywhere else in Iceland. Near Egilsstaðir, hike about 90 minutes to reach Hengifoss waterfall with its distinctive hexagonal basalt columns. If the roads allow, also visit the basalt column canyon at Studlagil.
Included Activities
- Hike to Hengifoss waterfall (approximately 90 minutes)
Optional Activities
- Visit basalt column canyon of Studlagil (conditions permitting)
Landmarks Hengifoss Studlagil - Day 10
Eastern Fjords - Stafafell - Höfn
Drive along Route 1 through Iceland's spectacular eastern fjords and rugged terrain. Stop at Djúpivogur to learn about its 17th-century pirate history, then explore various spots along the way. You'll hike at Stafafell, a local favorite that doesn't see many foreign visitors, walking through small shrubs and sedimentary hills before reaching the impressive canyon of the Jökulsá í Lóni river. Finish the day arriving in Höfn.
Included Activities
- Visit Djúpivogur
- Hike in Stafafell
- Explore canyon of Jökulsá í Lóni river
Landmarks Djúpivogur Stafafell Jökulsá í Lóni Höfn - Day 11
Skaftafell National Park - Vatnajökull - Ice Cave
Head toward Kirkjubæjarklaustur with a stop at Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon filled with icebergs and inhabited by seals. You'll then go on an ice cave excursion to see unique glacial shapes, colors, and transparent ice formations (only available October through April). After that, visit Skaftafell National Park to observe glacial features including moraines, ridges, and glacial lakes.
Included Activities
- Visit Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon
- Excursion to ice cave
- Visit Skaftafell National Park
Landmarks Jökulsárlón Skaftafell National Park Vatnajökull - Day 12
Vík - Sólheimajökull - Skógar - Waterfalls
Begin at Vík's striking black sand beaches with views of distinctive sea pillars rising from the water. Move to a glacier tongue where you'll put on crampons for an easy walk across the ice. From there, visit Skógafoss waterfall (likely frozen in winter), then see the southern waterfalls including Seljalandsfoss where you can walk behind the 57-meter curtain if conditions permit, plus Glfjúfrabúi, the hidden waterfall tucked in a narrow gorge.
Included Activities
- Visit black sand beaches of Vík
- Walk on glacier with crampons
- Visit Skógafoss waterfall
- Visit Seljalandsfoss waterfall
- Visit Gljúfrabúi waterfall
Optional Activities
- Walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall (conditions permitting)
Landmarks Vík Sólheimajökull Skógafoss Seljalandsfoss Gljúfrabúi Landmannalaugar trail - Day 13
Golden Circle
After breakfast, head to Þingvellir where Iceland's ancient parliament once met at the boundary between Europe and North America's tectonic plates. Continue to Gullfoss, one of Iceland's most iconic waterfalls with spectacular winter ice formations. Then go to the Geysir geothermal area to watch Strokkur geyser shoot water 15-30 meters into the air every 6-8 minutes. You'll return to Reykjavík in the afternoon with free time to explore the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Þingvellir
- Visit Gullfoss waterfall
- Visit Strokkur geyser at Geysir
Optional Activities
- Explore Reykjavík at leisure
Landmarks Þingvellir Gullfoss Strokkur Geysir - Day 14
Reykjavík
Climb a hill near Reykjavík for privileged views of the bay and city (possibly using snowshoes if snow conditions are right). Explore the commercial and cultural parts of the city including Laugavegur Street with its shops, cafes, and restaurants. Check out Harpa Concert Hall down at the harbor and wander through the upper city's charming wooden houses. Visit Hallgrímskirkja church for panoramic views across Reykjavík. Dinner is on your own.
Included Activities
- Climb hill near Reykjavík for city views
- Explore Laugavegur Street shopping and dining district
- Visit Harpa Concert Hall
- Walk through upper Reykjavík
- Visit Hallgrímskirkja church
Optional Activities
- Snowshoe trek (conditions permitting)
Landmarks Laugavegur Street Harpa Concert Hall Hallgrímskirkja - Day 15
Departure from Reykjavík
If your flight departs later, you'll have the morning to enjoy Reykjavík before heading to the airport. A Flybus shuttle will take you to Keflavík Airport for your return flight.
Optional Activities
- Explore Reykjavík in the morning before departure
