Iceland Grand Circle 2010
12 days / 11 nights, Reykjavik - Þingvellir National Park - Geysir - Gullfoss - South Shore - Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon - Skaftafjell - East Fjords - Husavik - Jökulsárgljúfur National Park - Lake Mývatn - Akureyri - Skagafjörður - Borgarfjörður - Snæfellsnes Peninsula - Reykholt - Reykjavik. | A best-seller, classic circle tour that gives you flexibility and suitable time to spend at Iceland's major attractions. You can visit the Blue Lagoon at the end of the tour. The duration of this tour is 12 days and 11 nights. Stay 9 nights at different hotels while in the countryside and 2 nights in Reykjavík.
The accommodation in this package is available with or without private facilities, ideal for those looking to enjoy all of Iceland for less.
Key benefits of this tour:
The tour is very similar to Iceland Travel´s "Iceland Circle" tour, but the Grand tour has also included two days in west Iceland, where you can explore the magical Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
This tour covers the whole of Iceland, except the Westfjords. With 12 days of traveling, you are sure to have plenty of time to cover all the major stunning attractions that Iceland has to offer on the ring road. The nature plays the biggest role in this unforgettable tour. Geysers and hot springs, glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls, National Parks and more.
Types of car recommended: No. 2 (Compact) and higher.
| Departure | Daily, May 1st - September 30th, 2010 |
| Price | Car category Compact 2wd $2,442 per person in double room with private facilities Intermediate 2wd $2,588 per person in double room with private facilities Medium 4WD $3,139 per person in double room with private facilities $75 single supplement per room per night with private facilities $27 rate for children 2-11 yrs, when sharing a double room with 2 adults, per night Rates valid from May 1st - September 30th, 2009 May & September are offered with a 15 % discount Rental car for 10 days Type of car recommended: Nr 2 (Compact) and higher |
| Included | Delivery of travel documents to your first hotel in Reykjavik 11 nights accommodations in farmhouses, guesthouses and hotels Scandinavian breakfast buffet daily 10 days rental car, category of choice Unlimited mileage, CDW, VAT and one authorized driver Pick up of rental car on day 2 Detailed itinerary and road map of Iceland with marked accommodations, suggested itinerary, and information about all the interesting sites along the route. |
| Not Included | Airport transfers Fuel expenses Meals other than breakfasts Upgrade to higher category car on request Optional tours International flights Personal insurance / personal items $25 service fee |
| Please Note | Pick up of rental car on day 2. Drop off at Keflavík airport or in Reykjavík on departure day before 09:00. If the car is delivered outside this time range, an extra day will be charged. Due to road conditions routes may be altered without prior notice. The highland tracks of Iceland are not expected to be open until the middle of June. A final list of accommodations will be sent with your documents. Hotels are selected at the discretion of the local tour operator. |
| Tour Options | Optional excursions Additional nights in Reykjavik East Greenland excursion, 1 - 3 days |
Iceland Car Types
Driving in Iceland
Iceland Grand Circle route map
Day 1 KEFLAVIK - REYKJAVIK Arrival and overnight in Reykjavik (transfer from international airport not included). All travel documents will be delivered to the first hotel in Reykjavik.
Day 2 GULLFOSS - ÞINGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK (B) From Reykjavik to Þingvellir National park, ancient site of the Icelandic parliament. The park offers a stunning volcanic landscape of mountains and lava flows. Visit the geothermal area of the Geysir and the glacier waterfall of Gullfoss.
Optional: Whitewater rafting in the Geysir area
ATV-quad biking in Haukadalur
Day 3 SOUTH SHORE (B) Drive along the spectacular south coast, viewing highlights such as the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, Mýrdalsjökull glacier, Dyrhólaey* and the black sands of Vík. Continue towards Kirkjubæjarklaustur, a picturesque village and former site of a 12th-century Catholic convent.
Optional: Snow scooter tour on Mýrdalsjökull
Glacier Boat tour from Vík Skógar Folk Museum
*Please note that Dyrholaey is closed during nesting season in spring, mid May to June 23rd.
Day 4 SKAFTAFELL - GLACIAL LAGOON (B) Visit the beautiful Skaftafell National Park nestling between glaciers with its many hiking possibilities. Onwards to the shimmering icebergs of Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon.
Optional: Boat tour on Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon
Glacier hike in Skaftafell area
Day 5 EAST FJORDS (B) Through the spectacular East Fjords with towering mountains and charming fishing villages to the fertile Egilsstaðir area. There is a possibility to take a boat tour to Papey Island where thousands of puffins nest in summer or visit the famous stone collection of Petra at Stöðvarfjörður.
Optional: Boat tour to Papey Island Petra´s stone collection
Day 6 HUSAVIK (B) Across the Möðrudalsöræfi highlands to Dettifoss, the mightiest waterfall in Europe. Explore the impressive horseshoe-shaped Ásbyrgi canyon in Jökulsárgljúfur National Park. On to the fishing port Húsavík.
Optional: Whale watching from Húsavík
Day 7 LAKE MYVATN - AKUREYRI (B) Explore the highlights of Lake Mývatn area and the surrounding area highlights such as Dimmuborgir, the pseudo craters at Skútustaðir, the colorful sulfurous slopes of Námaskarð and Krafla volcano. Onwards to the town of Akureyri, stopping on the way to admire Goðafoss waterfall.
Day 8 AKUREYRI (B) Spend the day exploring Akureyri the capital of the North and its surrounding area.
Optional: Visit to Hrísey Island
Day 9 SKAGAFJÖRDUR (B) Travel to the horse-breeding valleys of Skagafjörður fjord and then continue to the shores of Húnaflói bay, an area with a great deal of history.
Optional: Whitewater River rafting in Skagafjörður
Horse riding in Skagafjörður
Day 10 BORGARFJÖRDUR (B) Explore Dalir, the region of Eric the Red, before continuing to Snæfellsnes peninsula with its countless wonders such as the rocky beach of Djúpalónssandur and Arnarstapi sea cliffs, before continuing to the Borgarfjörður area.
Day 11 HRAUNFOSSAR - REYKJAVIK (B) In Borgarfjörður visit highlights such as Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, Reykholt and the hot spring Deildartunguhver. Continue via Hvalfjörður fjord to Reykjavík. Possibility to visit the Blue Lagoon, then head back to Reykjavik.
Optional: Bathing in the Blue Lagoon
Day 12 REYKJAVIK - DEPARTURE (B) The morning free for own activities and sightseeing before your afternoon transfer on your own by Flybus to the Keflavik airport.