Guided Iceland Circle 2023

We travel west, passing the town of Borgarnes and climb the Grábrók volcano crater. Walking boots and warm clothing are recommended the round-trip walk takes 30-45 minutes. Further north we stop at the turf church of Víðimýri which has been extensively restored to its original form and is widely considered one of the purest and most beautiful examples of traditional Icelandic architecture. We continue along the scenic
fjord landscape and over several mountain passes until we reach Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland.

In the morning we explore Akureyri, a charming town of 17,000 inhabitants, visit the botanical garden and enjoy the panoramic view over Eyjafjörður fjord. In the afternoon we travel to an important spot in Iceland’s history, Goðafoss, the waterfalls of the Gods. We continue to Lake Mývatn which is known for its geological wonders and active bird life during summer. We stop at the bizarre lava formations at Kálfaströnd followed by a walk around the many strange craters and end an exciting day with a relaxing soak at Mývatn Nature Baths which contain a unique blend of minerals, silicates and geothermal micro-organisms. The warm soothing waters benefit both skin and spirit alike. (Please carry your swimwear and toiletries for the Lake Mývatn Nature Baths in your hand luggage to avoid having to take your main luggage into the bathing facilities. There might be an extra charge for luggage storage at the Mývatn Nature Baths. The towel is included in the entrance fee and tour package.)

In the morning we hike in a lava labyrinth at Dimmuborgir “the dark castles”, hoping to get a glimpse of the trolls who are said to live there. In the afternoon we visit the hot spring area of Námaskarð with bubbling mud pools and steaming solfataras. We head through the uninhabited highlands and moonlike surroundings to East Iceland. With some luck, we might spot an Arctic fox or see reindeer. From June to August the tour includes a detour to Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall in the northern part of Vatnajökull National Park.

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 we visit an interesting stone and mineral collection. In the afternoon we see Vatnajökull – Europe’s biggest glacier that is visible all over Southeast Iceland.

We start the day with a stop at Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs, exploring the extraordinary site and we might see seals swimming in arctic waters. You can walk on the black sandy beach where large icebergs get stranded. We travel along the southern part of the glacier Vatnajökull and spend time at Europe’s 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 as we head across the Eldhraun lava field, cross the sandy desert of the south coast, overlooked by mountainous cliffs, glaciers and waterfalls. We stroll along the black lava beach of Reynisfjara near Vík. In the small village of Skógar is Skógafoss waterfall which is 60 meters high and one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country. We continue to the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall which plunges over the mountain. There is an interesting trail that goes behind the fall – if you are prepared to get wet!

We explore classics today as we travel the route of the Golden Circle sights. We start the day at Friðheimar, where we visit a geothermal greenhouse and learn about the Icelandic horse, its special qualities and
history. Later on we see the 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 5-10 minute intervals. We continue to Gullfoss, “the golden falls“, which is a double waterfall that tumbles 34 meters into the Hvítá river and attracts travellers in summer and winter. We travel inland to Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. As we return to Reykjavík, we see the highlights of the world's northern most capital during a short city tour. The guided tour ends on Thursdays between 16:00-18:00 for a last overnight in Reykjavík.