Premium Iceland - 9 Days

Velkomin! Welcome to Iceland. Your adventure begins in Reykjavik, where you’ll be picked up from the airport by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet your trip leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, why not stroll around the world's northernmost capital and visit the National Museum to see the permanent exhibition on the history of Iceland. After your meeting, head out with your leader and small group to get to know Reykjavik’s food scene. Have dinner at one of the city’s fantastic local restaurants and learn about Icelandic produce and cuisine.

Today, you’ll board a private vehicle and drive to Thingvellir National Park (Parliament Plains). Your leader will explain how this spot is both the original location of Iceland’s first parliament from AD930 and a geological phenomenon. From here, enter the Borgarfjordur area and visit the spectacular waterfalls of Hraunfossar (Lava waterfalls) and Barnafossar (Children’s waterfalls). Continue to Deildartunguhver – Europe’s most powerful hot spring. In the afternoon, head to your overnight stay in the southern part of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula - a charming Budir hotel located right next to the iconic black wooden church (Búðakirkja) and surrounded by wilderness. In the evening, travel to the horse farm at Lýsuhóll, where you’ll be welcomed by a local host for a home-cooked dinner.

Today you’ll continue around the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and its glacier Snaefellsjokull – an icecap covering a dormant volcano. Then, visit Arnarstapi, where a short stroll along the coastal cliffs gives you access to the rich birdlife of the area. Continue to Grundarfjordur, where you’ll stop by the open-air workshop of local artist Linston to admire his stone carvings. You’ll also take a guided tour of the Glaumbaer Farm and Museum. The farmhouse is built of turf, stones and timber the style of which dates back to the Age of the Settlements (AD900). After, drive to Saudarkrokur in Iceland's north, located on Skagafjordur Fjord. Your home for the night is the family-run Hotel Tindastoll, Iceland’s oldest hotel. Experience a part of Iceland’s history as soon as you step through the door – the hotel’s past is everywhere, from the antique furniture to the original architecture. The hotel also features a courtyard with a thermal hot tub and some pretty incredible surroundings.

Drive around the Trollaskagi Peninsula and visit Hólar í Hjaltadal, an ancient bishop seat and an important historical site for Iceland in a picturesque mountain setting. Afterwards, continue to the small fishing town of Siglufjordur. Explore the town centre, dwarfed by towering mountains on three sides with the fjord on its north. Further along the coast, you’ll have the opportunity to dip your toes in the Arctic Ocean before an Icelandic schnapps tasting, accompanied by some local delicacies – think shark, lamb’s head, liver sausage and dried fish. Continue to Hauganes, where you’ll get to know the gentle giants of Iceland’s waters on board a carbon-neutral whale watching tour. Minke and humpback whales are commonly spotted in these parts, and the boat keeps a respectful distance from the whales, allowing you to observe them in their natural environment without disturbing or distressing them. You’ll be joined on board by an expert whale watching guide who will help to spot these beautiful creatures while providing insight on their lives and habitats in Arctic waters. Continue to the town of Akureyri and head out for a leader-led orientation drive when you arrive.

Start the day with a stop at the mighty Godafoss waterfall, also known as The Waterfall of the Gods, then take a scenic drive through the Lake Myvatn area – one of the most interesting geological regions in the northern hemisphere. Visit several geological anomalies lining the lake’s shoreline, including the lava labyrinth of Dimmuborgir, the pseudo-crater group at Skutustadir and the boiling mud pots and sulphuric vents of Namaskard. Your leader will be on hand to explain how these natural wonders came to be. Drive via the highlands to your overnight stop at Egilsstadir.

This morning after breakfast, drive along the beautiful coastal region of Iceland's East Fjords, taking in the views of varied landscapes as mountains give way to deep fjords. Make stops along the way at small towns like Djupivogur, which became a member of the cittaslow movement in 2013 and is aiming to be the Happiest Town in Iceland. For lunch, head to the fishing town of Hofn, widely regarded the ‘lobster capital’ of Iceland (an annual lobster festival is held here!). Tuck into dishes like lobster tails grilled in garlic and butter or baked in a white wine sauce and perhaps try some of the other fresh seafood the town is known for. After lunch, drive to the famous Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon for a boat tour on the milky blue waters. Get up close and personal with huge floating icebergs, originating from Vatnajokull – Europe’s largest ice cap. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a seal or two during your boat ride! Later today, you’ll arrive at the Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon – your Feature Stay for this evening. This modern hotel was designed with its surroundings front of mind – spacious rooms with huge windows show off views of the mountains and sea, while the interiors reflect the colours of the world outside.

Visit Vatnajokull National Park today and walk to the tongue of either Skaftafellsjokull or Svinafellsjokull glacier. Drive over the black sands and lava formations caused by the Laki eruption of 1874 – an event that has shaped Iceland's history and culture. Visit the waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, then continue to your base for the evening near Hella.

After breakfast, travel from Hella into, the heart of Iceland’s famous Golden Circle. Your first stop is Gullfoss (the Golden Waterfall) where on sunny days, rainbows shimmer through the mist rising from the powerful cascades. Continue to Geysir Geothermal Area, home to bubbling hot springs and Strokkur Iceland’s most active geyser, which erupts spectacularly every few minutes. Next, visit Laugarvatn Fontana for, a visit to a special geothermal bakery. Learn how traditional Icelandic rye bread is baked beneath the earth’s surface using natural geothermal heat, then enjoy a tasting of the warm, sweet bread served with plenty of butter. Later, unwind at Laugarás Lagoon, a geothermal retreat featuring a waterfall, secluded grotto, and saunas set among peaceful woodland overlooking the Hvítá River. Take time to relax in the soothing waters while soaking up the surrounding natural beauty. In the late afternoon, continue to Reykjavík, where your leader will introduce you to the highlights of Iceland’s vibrant and eclectic capital. Your evening is free to explore at your own pace, perhaps browsing the city's shops, cafés and waterfront, or joining your fellow travellers for an optional farewell dinner to celebrate the end of your Icelandic adventure.

With no activities planned, your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. If you’d like to extend your stay in Reykjavik, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.