6-Day Expedition Tour of Iceland

We visited Please be ready at the pick-up location in Reykjavik at 08:00 AM. The transfer process takes up to 30 minutes, so you may have to wait a few minutes, depending on your location in Reykjavik. The first day of this round trip focused on exploring the attractions of the famous Golden Circle.

We visited Thingvellir National Park, which is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site for its geological and historical significance. It was here that Icelanders established the historic Parliament Alþingið in 930 AD, one of the first democratic governments in the world. Legal speakers have one of the most dramatic "platforms" in the world to announce laws. The towering cliffs of the Rift Valley rose behind him. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge runs through the town of Þingvellir. The Eurasian and North American tectonic plates continue to marginalize, and the rift valley slowly widens. The Geysir Hot springs area will be our next destination.

A geysir (Geysir) is a hot spring that erupts, and the phenomenon gets its name when the English word "geysir" is adopted. Watch Strokkur Hot Spring erupt with incredible jets of hot water and steam every few minutes and see bubbling fumaroles. The majestic Gullfoss is the final attraction of the Golden Circle. As the Hvítá (White River) roars through the rugged canyons from Langjokull (long glacier), see dreamy golden mists rise from the surf. Gullfoss falls 32 meters in two stages.

On the way to stay at our country hotel near Kirkjubæjarklaustur, we will visit Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. Seljalandsfoss is a very unusual waterfall as it is possible to walk behind the falls, offering unique vantage points. We explore the atmospheric black sand beaches of Reynisfjara and the magnificent peaks of Reynisdrangar, and visit the basalt Pillars caves Your overnight hotel will be close to the small town of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, which, if conditions are right, is a great base for catching the fascinating northern lights during September and April.

We pass the great Mýrdalsjökull, where beneath the ice lies one of the most famous and feared volcanoes, the capricious Katla Volcano. You will catch a glimpse of the great Flame Master in good visibility! Witness the results of previous eruptions as we drive through the Eldhraun lava field to Skaftafell Mountain in Vatnajokull National Park. Skaftafell Mountain is a true oasis with green birch forests and lush vegetation, a verdant gem in the rough black desert.

We will take a three-hour glacier hike with a professional glacier guide on the outlet glacier of Vatnajokull, the largest glacier in Europe. From October to April, we replace the glacier hike with a magical trip through the Crystal Ice Cave.

Next on the agenda is the famous Jokulsarlon. Marvel at the magical lagoons filled with icebergs and admire the famous Diamond Beach, whose coal-black sand is dotted with sparkling crystals where blue/white icebergs have washed ashore. You'll feel like you're on a movie set, and in a way, you will - scenes from James Bond and other movies were shot here.

In the evening we will lie down in the comfort of our accommodation in the southeast. From September to April, your guesthouse is a great place to see the Northern Lights.

Today, we'll explore the Eastfjordurs of Iceland. We continue along the coastline, driving some narrow roads around the magnificent and remote peninsula of Hvalnes, as well as sections around the landslide of Þvottárskriður between Lóns and Álftafjarðar. We will stop in Djupivogur, a small traditional fishing village and home to the exquisite outdoor sculpture EgginiGleðivik (which means eggs of Happy Bay). After that, we will spend the rest of the day in an on-site historic centre that offers hiking, cycling, horse riding activities, accommodation, exhibitions, restaurants and a spa. Located between Vatnajokull, Europe's largest glacier, and Lagafjot Lake, the Wilderness Center is an authentic Icelandic experience. Its exhibits cover a 3km trail showing life in and near the wild Highlands. You can visit the museum exhibition for free. When you arrive, you will walk across an ancient wooden bridge and embark on a journey through time and space. Your accommodation will be located in a historic building and you will enjoy meals prepared with fresh local ingredients in the open kitchen. After exploring, get ready to soak in the hot spring spa! It's like going back to when the Vikings used to take a bath. The bathhouse was built in an authentic style, with a traditional stone hot spring, just like the ones used by our ancestors.

Today, we are on our way to the north of the country. From Egilsstaðir, drive to the Stulagil Gorge, one of the most fascinating basalt formations in the world, and then through the wilderness.

Then we explore the mysterious landscape around Myvatn, a designated nature reserve with lava fields and craters. While in the area, we will visit the famous geothermal hot spring Myvatn Natural Bath in the northeast (optional). You will have the opportunity to relax in warm geothermal water drawn from a depth of 2.500 meters heated by underground volcanic activity. Soak away your worries and let the mineral-rich waters work their magic on your body and soul.

From here, it gets even more surreal - we head to the steaming lunar landscape of the Namaskarðgeothermal area. Visit boiling hot springs, steaming fumaroles and colorful bubbling mud POTS. The wonder continues as we visit the fantastic Dimmuborgir formation known as the Dark Castle!

The vast and fantastic crescent-shaped waterfall, Goðafoss, is our last stop on the day before heading to Eyjafjorður, a very beautiful fjord with high mountains.

Our evening accommodation will be in a country hotel in Akureyri. You will also have the opportunity to explore the fishing towns in the north. From September to April, you can go to see the Northern Lights at night from the comfort of your guesthouse.

* Please note that in winter, road conditions may prevent access to Stuðlagil. However, we will make sure to offer you other exciting activities. Your safety and satisfaction is our top priority. Thank you for your understanding.

Occasionally, there is time for a short stop in Akureyri, the capital of the north. We always drive through this charming town, passing through the stunning scenery along Eyjafjörður (island fjordur) on our way to the small fishing town of Dalvik.

Your whale watching cruise departs from a traditional working port. On a 3-hour boat tour, you can expect to see humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, minke whales, and sometimes even a majestic blue whale appear in the bay. If you're lucky, you might see one!

As we step ashore, we drive to Siglufjorður, a charming fishing village with a rich history. In the early 1900s, when remote communities became the herring fishing capital of the Atlantic, there was a gold rush atmosphere.

Your trip to Trolaskegee (Troll Peninsula) will show you some of Iceland's best ocean scenery and ski areas. This small and distinctive village on the peninsula will give you an insight into life in a remote Icelandic village. Our drive will take us through some thriving agricultural areas to Laugarbakki.

Your accommodation for the night will be in a small hotel in Laugarbakki (or similar hotel).

On winter nights, you can sneak out of the hotel to chase the spectacular Northern Lights, a breathtaking light show that paints the sky in shades of green, purple and blue (September to April).

On this day, our last, we'll be in western Iceland - a region that <Lonely Planet> has named one of its best destinations. Your day will start with a short hike to the crater Grabrok. On a clear day, you can enjoy stunning views of the lava fields and the entire area. Borgarfjorður has many magnificent sights, which we will highlight today. We stopped at the Deildartunguhver hot springs, the legendary waterfall Barnafoss (Children's Waterfall) and the Hraunfossar, a very low and wide waterfall in the atmosphere from which water bubbled up, literally straight out of the lava field.

Next on the agenda is the historic and picturesque Reykholt site, home of the Icelandic historian, lawyer, politician, poet and author of some of Iceland's legends, Snorri Sturussen. Take a look at Snorralaug, Snorri's swimming pool, tap your finger and feel the temperature of the water where Snorri might be bathing!

On the way back to Reykjavik, we will bypass the scenic fjord Hvalfjorður (Whale Fjordur). We expect to arrive in the capital around 5 to 6 p.m.