Iceland: See & Experience it ALL in 9 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours

From mid-June through September, our tour starts in Iceland's second most visited city, Akureyri. Get ready to go on a whale watching tour. From October to early June, whale watching is replaced with horseback riding near to the capital that is Reykjavík. From September to early March, also included is a night tour to an area where we will try to see the northern lights.

*Note that if there are not at least 2 persons in your party, then the tour would start in Reykjavík, even mid-June through September (the summertime). If there are at least 2 persons in your party and if you are visiting during the summertime, then there is an added expense to start this tour in Akureyri.

As a land daytrip from Akureyri (mid-June through September) or a flight daytrip from Reykjavík (October to early June), we are taken on a tour to Goðafoss Waterfall, Lake Mývatn, a geothermal area called Hverir and Dettifoss Waterfall. Goðafoss waterfall has a height of 12 meters over a width of 30 meters. Lake Mývatn was created by a large basaltic lava which erupted 2,300 years ago. The surrounding landscape is dominated by volcanic landforms, including lava pillars. Dettifoss is reputed to be the second most powerful waterfall in Europe.

*Note that if there are not at least 2 persons in your party, then visiting these destinations mentioned above would be via a flight daytrip from Reykjavík, even mid-June through September.

Today’s destinations and activities depend on the season. From mid-June through September, as a daytrip from Akureyri, we first hike Askja Caldera and then visit a crater called Viti, the latter of which offers a pond where we go bathing. In the evening, we relocate by flight to Reykjavík. From October to early June, we are provided with a tour of the capital. We also go bathing at a ‘fashionable’ geothermal spa called Sky Lagoon, located near to the capital. Note that children under 12 years old are not allowed into the Sky Lagoon.

*Note that if there are not at least 2 persons in your party, then Askja Caldera would be replaced with a sightseeing tour in Reykjavík. If there are at least 2 persons in your party and if you are visiting between mid-June and September (the summertime), then there is an added expense to visit Askja Caldera instead of doing a sightseeing tour in Reykjavík. Also, note that if there are at least 2 persons in your party and you are doing our tour in the summertime, typically we visit the ‘fashionable’ geothermal spa called Sky Lagoon tomorrow evening.

Today we are doing the so-called ‘Golden Circle’ as a daytrip from Reykjavík. Destinations include Gullfoss Waterfall, Geysir/Strokkur geyser and Þingvellir National Park (a.k.a. Thingvellir National Park). Gullfoss is 32 meters tall and features not 1 but 2 drops. Geysir’s eruptions can hurl boiling water up to 70 meters in the air. Þingvellir is notable for its unusual tectonic and volcanic environment in a rift valley.

Note that if there are at least 2 persons in your party and you are doing our tour between mid-June and September, typically we visit the ‘fashionable’ geothermal spa called Sky Lagoon this evening. Children under 12 years old are not allowed into the Sky Lagoon.

We leave Reykjavík and start the journey along the southeast coast. Highlights for today include Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, Skógafoss Waterfall and the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. We end up lodging in the Skaftafell area. The Seljalandsfoss Waterfall drops 60 meters. Visitors can walk behind the falls into a fascinating cave. Skógafoss is one of the biggest waterfalls in the country, with a width of 25 meters and a drop of 60 meters. Reynisfjara was ranked by National Geographic as one of the ten most beautiful non-tropical beaches on Earth.

Although today we head to Thorsmork Valley, many destinations are visited en route. They include Skaftafell Nature Reserve, Jökulsárlón Glacial Lake, the natural ice cave at Vatnajökull National Park and Diamond Beach. Skaftafell’s landscape is similar to some of the Alps. The difference is Skaftafell has been formed over thousands of years by different influences of fire and water. Jökulsárlón Lake provides outstanding views of icebergs which rise to a height of 910 meters. Jökulsárlón has been a setting for four Hollywood movies: (1) A View to a Kill, (2) Die Another Day, (3) Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and (4) Batman Begins. Vatnajökull’s ice cave contains canals for water which run through or at the bottom of the glacier. Diamond Beach features icebergs which float onto the shore from Jökulsárlón.

*Note that the surreal looking Svartifoss Waterfall is sometimes-but not always-included on today’s tour. It depends on many factors, including the weather. Also, note that the ice cave is not open June through September. It is open only during the winter season. During the summer season, the ice cave is replaced with hiking a glacier. Note that children under 8 years old are not allowed to hike at the volcanoes.

Before returning to Reykjavík, we hike around Thorsmork Valley. The highlights are Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, Stakkholtsgjá Canyon, Nauthúsagil Canyon and Gígjökull Glacier. This is arguably the best area in the country from where to go hiking.

*Note there is a supplemental fee for visiting Thorsmork Valley.

From Reykjavík, we make a daytrip to the Reykjanes Peninsula. Highlights include Fagradalsfjall Volcano, Merdalir Volcano, hiking Geldingadalur Volcano, Lake Kleifarvatn, the ‘bridge between continents’ (a.k.a. Midlina) and the Blue Lagoon. Midlina is a footbridge spanning a gaping rift between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. The Blue Lagoon, one of the most visited attractions in Iceland, is a geothermal spa. There we enjoy bathing inside the warm water.

Note that children under 12 years old are not allowed to hike at the volcanoes.

Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Reykjavík.