Wild Iceland & Whale Watching - 8 Days

Today is an arrival day. Landing at Keflavik airport, make your way to our start hotel in the Icelandic capital, Reykjavik. The rest of the day is then free to explore independently. Stroll along Laugavegur and Skolavordustigur, visit the iconic Hallgrimskirkja church, inspired by the Svartifoss waterfall, and take in stunning city views from the top of the church tower.

Other options include a visit to the National Museum, which delves into Icelandic history, the National Gallery of Iceland, Reykjavik Art Museum, and Kjarvalsstadir. If you book in advance, you could even head to the iconic Blue Lagoon for a dip! Regular bus services around the city are operated by Straeto and you can see the schedule online or use mobile apps such as Citymapper to get around.

Please note: This tour is modular, meaning it is made up of separate excursions and activities. You will have different guides and will be joined by different groups for each section of the itinerary. All of the tour inclusions remain the same.

Reykjavik - Thingvellir National Park - Geysir - Gullfoss - Seljalandsfoss & Skogafoss - Kirkjubajarklaustur. Our first day begins with a pick-up in Reykjavik at 8:00 AM. Please note that picking everyone up may take up to 30 minutes - see the tour Trip Notes and your booking documentation for information about the pick up point. We’ll spend the day exploring the famous Golden Circle, starting with Thingvellir National Park.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is steeped in geological, historical, and cultural significance. Here, in 930 CE, the Alþing, Iceland’s historic parliament and the oldest still-functioning democratic parliament in the world, was established. We’ll see the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are slowly drifting apart, creating a dramatic gorge that once served as a dramatic backdrop for parliamentary sessions.

Our next stop is the Geysir geothermal area, home to the Great Geysir, which gave the English word 'geyser' its name. We’ll witness Strokkur, the most active geyser today, erupting every 5 to 10 minutes with impressive bursts of super heated water. We’ll also see steaming fumaroles and other hot springs in the area.

Then it's time to take in some of Iceland's best waterfalls. We’ll visit Gullfoss first, the "Golden Falls," where we can marvel at the golden-toned mist rising as the Hvita river plunges through two drops. Then its on to Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. Both stand around 60 metres high but are quite different in appearance. Skogafoss cascades gracefully from former sea cliffs, while Seljalandsfoss, known as "the unusual waterfall," has a path allowing us to walk behind the curtain of water for a unique view. We’ll also visit Reynisfjara black sand beach. A short walk along the beach will lead us to the striking basalt-column cave and offer views of the dramatic Reynisdrangar sea stacks rising off-shore.

After settling into our country hotel in Kirkjubaejarklaustur, if the conditions are right, we’ll have a chance to spot the Northern Lights (from September to April).

Kirkjubajarklaustur - Skaftafell - Hof. As we make our way to Skaftafell in Vatnajokull National Park, we’ll traverse extraordinary landscapes and surreal scenery. We’ll see the stunning Myrdalsjokull glacier, which hides the notorious Katla volcano, one of the most feared in the world. We’ll also pass by Eyjafjallajokull, which wreaked havoc on European air travel when it erupted in 2010.

On tours travelling from May to September, a specialist glacier guide will join us for a three-hour hike, during which we’ll explore a striking glacier tongue of Vatnajokull, Europe’s largest glacier. Throughout the hike, we’ll learn about this mesmerising blue-and-white ice world. Specialist equipment is provided for the hike.

From October to April, we explore the crystal ice caves of Vatnajokull instead of the glacier hike. Each winter, new ice caves form and freeze within the heart of the glacier. With our guide, we’ll walk through these breathtaking formations and experience the ice caps from an entirely new perspective

Next, we’ll head to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, famously featured in James Bond films and other movies. We’ll marvel at the breathtaking iceberg-filled lagoon and visit the spectacular Diamond Beach, where coal-black sands are adorned with glistening blue and white icebergs washed ashore. These opalescent formations create a magical icy landscape with their unique shapes. Then its on to our accommodation in Hof. If the conditions are good, we will search for the Northern Lights at night (from September to April).

Hof - Djupivogur - Egilsstadir. Today, we will explore the East Fjords of Iceland. Our journey continues along the coastline, navigating narrow roads around Hvalnes - a magnificent and remote peninsula. Our first stop will be Djupivogur, a traditional small fishing village known for its outdoor sculpture, Eggin i Gledivik (The Eggs of Merry Bay) and a rich variety of birdlife.

Next, we head to the Wilderness Centre. Located just 40 minutes from Egilsstadir, this unique accommodation offers a cozy overnight stay. While there, immerse yourself in local history at their wilderness museum and relax in the complimentary hot pots. In winter, the area transforms into a Northern Lights wonderland, offering a stunning view of the Aurora Borealis.

Egilsstadir - Lake Myvatn - Godafoss - Dimmuborgir - Akureyri. Our journey begins with a visit to Studlagil Canyon, famous for its striking basalt columns flanking a turquoise glacial river.

Next, we’ll skirt around Lake Myvatn, pausing to see Godafoss, a picturesque crescent-shaped waterfall, known as the "Waterfall of the Gods". We then stop at the Myvatn Nature Baths for an optional dip in the hot springs. You can book this optional extra in advance or locally. Known as the "Blue Lagoon of the North", the hot water, sourced directly from the earth, fills these mineral-rich alkaline baths, with temperatures ranging from 36-40°C.

We then continue to the Namaskard geothermal area, and the scenery becomes increasingly surreal with its steaming lunar landscapes and bubbling, technicolour mud pots. Here, fumaroles and sizzling hot springs send clouds of steam across these other-worldly vistas. We also visit the remarkable Dimmuborgir lava formations, known as the Dark Castles.

Our day ends in Iceland's second city, Akureyri. The evening is at leisure, if travelling in winter make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the Northern Lights.

Please note: During winter, road conditions might make it difficult to access Studlagil. However, we’ll ensure that we offer other exciting activities for you to enjoy. Your safety and satisfaction are our top priorities.

Akureyri - Dalvik - Trollaskagi Peninsula - Siglufjordur - Laugarbakki. We begin our day with a drive through Akureyri, heading towards the picturesque fishing town of Dalvik. Here we enjoy an included 3-hour whale-watching boat tour across Eyjafjordur Fjord, where you'll have the opportunity to spot whales, dolphins, and other remarkable marine life. Common sightings include humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises, with occasional glimpses of seals and blue whales. Sightings occur on 98% of cruises!

Our journey continues along a scenic road flanked by some of Iceland's best mountains and the magnificent fjord, as we circle around the Trollaskagi Peninsula. En route, we pass charming villages and hamlets before arriving at Siglufjordur. Known in the early 20th century as the herring fishing capital of the Atlantic, Siglufjordur thrived during a herring boom that gave the town a gold-rush-like atmosphere. Although the herring shoals have since vanished, the rich history and character of that era are well-preserved.

We then travel through farmlands, dotted with fields of Icelandic horses, to Laugarbakki, where we spend the night. There are further Northern Lights viewing opportunities for travellers in winter.

Laugerbakki - Reykjavik. The final day of our journey around Iceland will be dedicated to exploring the delights of West Iceland. Our first stop is Grabrok, a volcanic crater surrounded by lunar-like lava fields. We’ll embark on a short hike with our guide to view the crater from the top, where we’ll be treated to magnificent views over the entire area. Next, we take in the fabulous and incredibly diverse sights of Borgarfjordur.

We visit Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in Europe. We’ll also see the stunning Hraunfossar cascade, a series of wide waterfalls composed of thousands of tiny rivulets tumbling out of the lava field - truly an astonishing sight! We’ll then see Barnafoss waterfall, whose name means 'the Children's Falls' and is linked to a rather tragic folklore tale.

Additionally, we will visit Reykholt, an important historical site that was once the residence of Snorri Sturluson, a renowned Icelandic historian, lawyer, politician, author of some of the Icelandic Sagas, and poet.

Our drive back to Reykjavik will take us around Hvalfjordur (Whale Fjord), a scenic fjord offering beautiful views. We should arrive back in the city at approximately 5 – 6 pm, where we’ll drop you off at our hotel in Reykjavik.

Today our tour arrangements come to an end after breakfast.

You may wish to book your flight home for today, or stay and explore the city further. The coastal scenery is spellbinding, from places such as Seltjarnarnes and Mosfellsbær (both easily reached by Stræto buses) to Grasagardurinn, the Reykjavik Botanical Gardens. See the area where the women of Reykjavík used to do their laundry in the hot spring pools. These beautiful gardens are situated next to Laugardalslaug, the largest swimming pool in Iceland. Shop and browse some more, laze in coffee shops or restaurants, visit another museum or gallery, or squeeze in one of our fantastic Iceland Day Tours From Reykjavik (speak to our team).

Please note: There is no accommodation included tonight, you may choose to book your flights today or can make independent arrangements to stay in the city.