Grand Tour of Iceland

This morning, enjoy a city tour of Akureyri, Iceland’s Capital of the North situated at the base of Eyjafjörður. Visit the old part of town, which still preserves the city’s historical charm. See the Lutheran church, Akureyrarkirkja, standing predominantly over the city. Delight in lunch at one of the city’s popular restaurants before embarking on an exciting whale watching cruise. With over 20 different species of whales enjoying the cold waters surrounding Iceland during the months of April through September, this is a must-do for visitors to the country. Enjoy dinner at the hotel followed by a free evening to relax.

See spectacular fjord landscapes as we travel to Siglufjörður, Iceland’s northernmost town and herring capital of the North Atlantic. Along the way, we stop to discover one of Iceland’s hidden gems – a deserted valley that even most Icelanders have not seen. Upon arrival in the quaint town of Siglufjörður, we pay a visit to the Herring Museum, the largest seafaring and industrial museum in the country. Enjoy lunch at a nearby eatery before making a stop at a local microbrewery for a tour to see the beer-making process and a tasting of their latest brew.

Journey to Goðafoss, the Waterfalls of the Gods, and admire one of Iceland’s most spectacular waterfalls. Explore Iceland’s unique geological wonders at Lake Mývatn, known for its geothermal activity and beautiful views. See the fascinating pseudo craters and the lava labyrinth during a visit to Dimmuborgir. Explore the hot springs area of Námaskarð with its bubbling mud pools and steaming solfataras. After lunch we stop at the nature baths to enjoy a relaxing dip in a pool of geothermal water drawn from fissures deep beneath the earth’s surface. After a rejuvenating swim, we head back to our hotel in time for a delicious dinner.

Today we travel along the uninhabited highlands and moonlike surroundings of East Iceland on Ring Road, Route 1. This incredible drive offers vast backdrops and untouched vistas. Along the way, learn about a fascinating woman named Petra, and see her unbelievable stone and mineral collection. Have lunch and stroll around the picturesque fishing village of Djúpivogur before continuing on to the lovely town of Höfn for a city tour. Sitting on a small peninsula and surrounded by beautiful mountains and seaside views, this little town is known as the lobster capital of Iceland. It is also home to the Vatnajökull National Park Visitors’ Centre. We drive along the park’s southern edge on our way to our hotel.

Embark on a Jeep adventure on Vatnajökull Glacier, and marvel at the breathtaking views of high mountains and deep valleys. Covering 8% of Iceland’s landmass, Vatnajökull Glacier is the largest glacier in Europe with a surface area of approximately 8,100 square kilometres and a thickness of more than 1,000 metres. The glacier also holds the tallest peak in Iceland beneath its ice, Hvannadalshnjúkur, which stands 2,200 metres above sea level. Volcanic activity in the region has occurred on and off throughout the centuries, and many geologists believe that several eruptions are overdue. The afternoon is at your leisure. We meet and dine back at the hotel.

See an incredible glacial lagoon filled with massive floating icebergs, swimming seals and flapping seabirds, at Jökulsárlón this morning. Board a small boat for a leisurely cruise through the aqua-tinted lagoon where the photo opportunities are endless. We then continue on to Skaftafell National Park and stop at the Visitors’ Centre for views of Iceland‘s highest peak followed by a short visit at Hofskirkja – a traditional turf church. This is one of only six remaining turf churches in Iceland and the last one to be built in this unique style. After lunch, we stop at the beautiful Systrafoss, a waterfall surrounded by massive, vivid green, moss-covered rocks before reaching the quaint village of Vik. Enjoy time at your leisure before dinner at the hotel.

Explore the wonderfully unique features of Iceland’s southern coast as we complete our full lap of Ring Road, Route 1. Spot the bird cliffs and stunning black sand beach of Reynisfjara, the most beautiful of Iceland’s beaches. Admire the unique rock formations of Dyrhólaey, a 120-metre promenade with staggering views and a historic lighthouse. Continue to the spectacular Skógafoss waterfall. An impressive waterfall fed by the glacier-capped Eyjafjallajokull volcano. Visit the open-air Skógar Folk Museum for a glimpse into Icelandic life through the centuries. We also stop at the majestic Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Following lunch we experience LAVA: Iceland’s Volcano and Earthquake Centre showcasing an interactive display of the forces that created this rugged country. Following a full day of exploring, we arrive in Reykjavik for dinner at our hotel and an evening at your leisure.