- About Us
- Hotels
- Resorts
- Excursions
- Car Hire
-
Blog
- Food & Drink
- Things to do in Iceland
- Iceland Volcano Latest News
- Summer in Iceland
- People & Places in Iceland
- Climate, Geology & Seismic Activity in Iceland
- Travel & Hotels in Iceland
- Northern Lights in Iceland
- Reviews
- Icelandic Culture & History
- Landscape & Wildlife in Iceland
- Blue Lagoon and Hot Springs
- Corporate Incentive Group Trips to Iceland
- Iceland and COVID-19
- Geysir Geothermal Area Iceland
- Super Jeep Tours
- Films & TV Shot on Location in Iceland
- Contact Us
13 nights exploring Iceland & Greenland
What's included:
This escorted tour takes you both to classic nature hot spots and lesser-known sights and includes several soft adventures and cultural visits. A local expert guide helps you explore the unspoiled Icelandic countryside with volcanoes, lava fields, hot springs, mountains, fjords, glaciers and waterfalls.
Continue your discovery tour to Ilulissat in West Greenland, a breathtaking location with massive icebergs, rugged wilderness, glittering glaciers and the exciting mix of authentic Inuit culture and a modern society under the magical light of the midnight sun.
Highlights & Experiences
Flight depart times:
Select your most convenient flights and departure airport. (Subject to change and availability)
What you'll do
Day 1: Welcome to Iceland
Individual transfer by Flybus shuttle bus from Keflavík International Airport to your accommodation in Reykjavík, where you spend the night. Today you may explore Iceland’s capital city on your own if time allows.
Overnight location:
Icelandair Hotel Natura or similar, Reykjavík. Dinner is on your own.
Day 2: Volcano Crater, Fjords & Mountains
At 09:00, meet our tour guide and depart from Icelandair Hotel Natura. Travel west along the scenic Hvalfjörður fjord and the town of Borgarnes. Easy hike on Grábrók volcano crater in the middle of a greenish lava field. Further north, stop at the turf church of Víðimýri and then continue along the scenic fjord landscape and over several mountain passes until we reach Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland. The overnight location at Akureyri allows you to walk around the town.
Overnight location:
Icelandair Hotel Akureyri, Akureyri. Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner is on your own. (415km / 258mls)
Day 3: The Capital of North Iceland, Lake Mývatn & Geothermal baths
In the morning, explore the town of Akureyri, also called the capital of North Iceland, and admire the panoramic view over the Eyjafjörður fjord. From April-October, there are optional whale watching tours available from 09:00-12:00 am; see https://www.whalewatchingakureyri.is
In the afternoon, travel to Goðafoss, the waterfalls of the Gods. Then explore Lake Mývatn, known as a geological wonderland and for its abundant birdlife. See the strange lava formations at Kálfaströnd, the pseudo craters at Skútustaðir and the tephra cone Hverfjall. Finally, end the afternoon relaxing in the geothermal Mývatn Nature Baths with a fantastic view over the whole area.
Overnight location:
Sel Hotel Mývatn / Icelandair Hotel Mývatn. Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner is on your own. (120km / 75mls)
Day 4: Lava Labyrinth, Hot springs & Travel East
In the morning, walk in the lava labyrinth at Dimmuborgir, “the dark castles”, hoping to get a glimpse of the trolls who are said to live there. In the afternoon, visit the hot spring area of Námaskarð with bubbling mud pools and steaming solfataras. Head through the uninhabited highlands and moon-like surroundings to East Iceland. From June to August, the tour includes a detour to the mighty waterfall Dettifoss.
Overnight location:
Icelandair Hotel Hérað / Álfheimar Country Hotel. Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner is on your own. (250km / 155mls)
Day 5: East Fjords
It’s a day to admire the dramatic fjord landscape and its tiny fishing villages at the end of twisty roads in the East Fjords and, on the route, visit an attractive stone and mineral collection. Then, in the afternoon, see Vatnajökull – Europe’s biggest glacier visible all over Southeast Iceland.
Overnight location:
Hotel Höfn / Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon. Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner is on your own. (260km / 161mls)
Day 6: Vatnajökull Glacier, Ice Lagoon, Diamond Beach & South Coast
Start the day with a stop at Jökulsárlón, a glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs, and explore the extraordinary site where you might see seals swimming in arctic waters. A boat tour between floating icebergs is included in the program from May through September. Next, you can walk on the so-called Diamond Beach across the street, where large icebergs get stranded. Finally, travel along the southern part of the glacier Vatnajökull and glimpse Europe’s second-largest national park, which has Iceland’s highest mountains, an alpine environment, and Europe’s largest glacier.
In the afternoon, a beautiful drive with many natural wonders awaits us as we head across the Eldhraun lava field, cross the sandy desert of the south coast, overlooked by mountainous cliffs, glaciers and waterfalls. Stroll along the black lava beach of Reynisfjara near Vík. In the small village of Skógar, there is Skógafoss waterfall which is 60 meters high and is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country. Iceland’s past comes alive at one of Iceland’s finest museums, the Skógar folk museum, with its turf houses assemblage of traditions of territorial relics on display. Continue to the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which plunges over the mountain. An exciting trail goes behind the fall – if you are prepared to get wet!
Overnight location:
Hotel Eyjafjallajökull / Stracta Hotel Hella. Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner is on your own. (380km / 235mls)
Day 7: Icelandic Horses & Golden Circle
Explore classics today as we travel the route of the Golden Circle sights. Start the day at Friðheimar, where you learn about the Icelandic horse, its unique qualities and history and visit a geothermal greenhouse. Later on, see steam from the Geysir geothermal fields as we arrive. There is a variety of hot springs and bubbling pools. The original geyser is now dormant but has been replaced by Strokkur, “the Churn”, which erupts at 5-7 minute intervals. Continue to Gullfoss, “the golden falls “, a double waterfall that tumbles 32 meters into the Hvítá river and attracts travellers in summer and winter. Travel inland to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. As we return to Reykjavík, we will take you for a short city tour to show highlights of the world’s northernmost capital.
Overnight location:
Icelandair Hotel Natura, Reykjavík. Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner is on your own. (160km / 99mls)
Day 8: Blue Lagoon
Depart by bus (no guide) and drive through rough lava fields to the Blue Lagoon, where you can relax in its rejuvenating geothermal water. The water is rich in minerals and believed to have healing powers. The afternoon is free at leisure to explore Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, or enjoy an optional spa treatment at the Blue Lagoon. Entrance fee and towel included.
Overnight location:
Icelandair Hotel Natura or similar, Reykjavík. Breakfast included.
Day 9: Travel to West Greenland, Ilulissat city walk & Icefiord sunset cruise
Airport transfer from your accommodation to Keflavik international airport for a 3-hour flight to Ilulissat. Transfer to 4-star Hotel Arctic. After the welcome meeting with your local guide, enjoy a guided city walk of Ilulissat. Afterwards, you have some time to explore the town, visit the local museum and observe Greenlandic life at the always busy harbour. Welcome dinner (2-course) is included at Hotel Arctic.
Around 22:00, we depart for a sunset cruise to the famous Ilulissat Icefiord, the world’s largest ice sculpture park. The experience is overwhelming; the lights and colours constantly change. Enjoy a late drink on “the real rocks”. The tour duration is about 3 hours. Dress warmly.
(Note: The season for midnight sun is approx. May 22-Jul 24. Outside this season, the excursion is operated as an evening cruise with the beautiful sunset reflecting over the icebergs).
Overnight location:
Hotel Arctic (4*), Ilulissat. Breakfast & welcome dinner included.
Day 10: Boat trip to Eqi - the calving glacier & Rodebay - hunter's village
Breakfast at the hotel. Early morning departure for the one-day boat trip to Eqi – the calving glacier. The Eqi glacier runs into the fjord 80 km north of Ilulissat and is one of the most beautiful places in Greenland. It is possible to get very close to the 5-km wide glacier front and experience huge pieces of ice breaking off. The sound of an active calving glacier is quite remarkable, while the sight of icebergs toppling into the water is breathtaking. Afterwards, we continue to the small settlement of Oqaatsut/Rodebay. The local population of about 40 people is dependent on fishing and hunting. You experience an entirely different world compared to the nearby town of Ilulissat. Guided walk through the village before enjoying a local meal at the old trading station. For hundreds of years, Oqaatsut/Rodebay was a stopover place for Dutch whalers, who dragged the huge whales onto land here in the old village. The village, which lies in a beautiful natural setting just 15 km north of Ilulissat, has its school, church, shop and a single restaurant, “H8”, which serves excellent meals in the old colonial building. Tour duration: about 7-8 hours.
Overnight location:
Hotel Arctic (4*), Ilulissat. Breakfast & lunch/dinner included.
Day 11: Inuit Settlement at the Ilulissat Icefiord
Breakfast at the hotel. By bus as far as the road goes. Guided walking tour to the old Inuit settlement Sermermiut located on the famous Ilulissat Icefiord inscribed on the UNESCO’s world heritage list in 2004. The ancient settlement of Sermermiut, 1.5 km south of the town, is surrounded by Ilulissat’s beautiful icebergs. Various Inuit cultures have lived here over the past 4,000 years, and you can still see remains from ancient times. Learn about local history and customs before Europeans arrived. See plots settled for thousands of years and admire the views across the majestic icebergs. Please wear proper boots or hiking boots. The hiking distance is about 3 km (1,9 mls) round-trip; hiking time is about 1 hour. Terrain: mainly track bridge and a bit of uneven nature and rocky trail. The tour duration is about 3 hours.
The rest of the day is free at leisure to hike along the Icefiord and explore the town of Ilulissat.
Overnight location:
Hotel Arctic (4*), Ilulissat. Breakfast & dinner included.
Day 12: Travel back to Iceland
Spend some time in the morning exploring the town of Ilulissat and last-minute Greenland shopping. Then, return by flight to Keflavik and stay two nights in Iceland’s capital. Airport transfers are included, both in Greenland and Iceland.
Overnight location:
Icelandair Hotel Natura or similar, Reykjavík. Breakfast included.
Day 13: Lava Tunnel
Depart by bus (no guide) and get the chance to explore the magnificent lava tunnel Raufarhólshellir, one of the longest and best-known lava tubes in Iceland. The tour takes about 3 hours with approximately 55-60 minutes inside the cave.
Overnight location:
Icelandair Hotel Natura or similar, Reykjavík. Breakfast included.
Day 14: Departure Home
Individual transfer by Flybus shuttle bus from your accommodation in Reykjavik to Keflavik International Airport.
Meals included: Breakfast at the hotel
Call us on +44 (0) 1773 850222
ATOL Protected
Thank you so much Gareth for organising such a lovely holiday for us! We gave a basic outline of what we wanted from our holiday and Gareth organised everything. Everything ran very smoothly and what an amazing experience. Thank you for all your suggestions, so glad we took them on
We are here to reassure you that you can trust our team with your Iceland holiday plans, knowing that all bookings with us are ATOL protected
