Iceland Complete 2010
9 days / 8 nights, Reykjavik - Þingvellir National Park - Gullfoss - Geysir - South Shore - Vik - Skaftafell - Glacial Lagoon - East Fjords - Lake Mývatn - Akureyri - Skagafjörður - Borgarfjörður - Selfoss - Reykjavik | Our most popular and classic escorted tour around Iceland. Leave from Reykjavik and follow the famous Ring Road on a complete circle of dramatic wonders and history of Iceland. Enter Europe's last true frontier, experience southern volcanoes, rugged fjords of the East, the capriciousness of the North, and the astounding West with its abundance of birdlife. Travel to Þingvellir National Park, the ancient site of the Viking Parliament, the Gullfoss Waterfall and the Geysir Hot Springs area. Continue along Iceland's southern coast, visit the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls and the Dyrhólaey natural reserve Head from Vík towards Skaftafell National Park, the Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier and Glacial Lagoon Jökulsárlón. Other highlights are the magnificent Eastern fjords, Lake Mývatn, the pseudo craters near Skútustaðir, lava formations of Dimmuborgir, the powerful Goðafoss waterfall and Akureyri. Visit the Glaumbær Folk Museum and experience an Icelandic horse show. Enjoy a refreshing bath at the Blue Lagoon before returning to Reykjavík in the afternoon. This is truly a trip of a lifetime, as you'll be completely captivated by Iceland's colorful landscapes, nature and people.
| Departure | English: May 12th*, 19th* July 21st August 18th, 25th September 1st*, 15th English & Scandinavian: June 23rd* July 7th*, 21st August 4th & 11th* September 8th* English & French: June 2nd*, 16th, 30th* July 14th, 28th* |
| Price | May & September $1,785 per person in double room $2,275 single room June, July & August $2,095 per person in double room $2,685 single room Infants 0-1 year are free of charge. Children 2-11 years sharing a room and/or traveling with a guardian will receive 50% discount from the listed price. |
| Included | 7 day guided tour from/to Reykjavík 2 nights accommodation with private facilities in Reykjavik (pre & post nights) 6 nights accommodation with private facilities in countryside Scandinavian breakfast buffet daily 5 x Dinners in countryside (dinner in Akureyri not included) Guided tour from/to Reykjavik Entrance to Petra's stone collection Entrance to Laufás Folk Museum, including refreshments Horse show in Skagafjörður |
| Not Included | International flights & airport taxes Arrival/departure transfers Meals other than those listed in itinerary Optional tours Personal insurance / personal items Alcoholic beverages $25 Service fee |
| Please Note | Maximum number of passengers: 35 Minimum number of passengers: 8 |
| Tour Options | Optional Add-ons (at extra cost: Boat tour on the Glacial Lagoon Entrance to the Geocentre at Geysir Entrance to the Blue Lagoon Super jeep tour Evening flight tour to Grímsey Island Horse riding |
Day 1 ARRIVAL IN ICELAND Individual arrival at Keflavik Airport. Transfer on your own by Flybus to the hotel. Overnight stay in Reykjavik.
Day 2 GEYSIR - GULLFOSS WATERFALL - SOUTH SHORE - VIK (B, D) From Reykjavík head through the village of Hveragerði to explore Gullfoss, the "Golden Waterfal", and the nearby Geyser hot spring area to see the famous Geysir and Strokkur, and numerous other hot springs and boiling mud pools. Continue along the south shore and stop to admire the waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss before continuing to Dyrhólaey* nature reserve. Continue to the village Vík. Overnight in Vík area. Distance traveled: 146 miles. *Please note that Dyrhólaey is closed during nesting season in spring, middle May until June 23.
Day 3 VIK - SKAFTAFELL NATIONAL PARK - GLACIAL LAGOON - HÖFN (B, D) Cross Eldhraun, the largest mass of lava ever to flow on earth, before reaching the small village Kirkjubæjarklaustur, a former site of a 12th-century Catholic convent. The tour continues over Skeiðarársandur sands to Skaftafell National Park. Continue to Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon to see the birthplace of icebergs. Overnight in Höfn area. Distance traveled: 180 miles
Day 4 HÖFN - EAST FJORDS - EGILSSTAÐIR (B, D) Drive from Höfn through the Almannaskarð pass, stop and admire the majestic coastline. On to the towering mountains plunging vertically into the sea that form the magnificent East Fjords. We stop at Petra's stone collection before reaching Egilsstaðir for an overnight stay. Distance traveled: 193 miles
Day 5 EGILSSTAÐIR - LAKE MÝVATN (B, D) Explore the empty vastness of the highland desert plateau Möðrudalsöræfi, heading to Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall. Continue towards Námaskarð pass with its boiling mud pools and vibrant colors. Explore the natural beauty of the Lake Mývatn area, including the peculiar lava formations at Dimmuborgir, the pseudo craters at Skútustaðir and the Laxá salmon river. Overnight in Mývatn area. Distance traveled: 137 miles
Day 6 LAKE MÝVATN - AKUREYRI (B) Head towards the bustling northern port of Akureyri with a stop at the magnificent Goðafoss waterfall. Akureyri boasts some of the finest timber buildings in the country, beautifully restored to their original glory. Overnight in Akureyri area. Distance traveled: 143 miles
Day 7 AKUREYRI - BORGARFJÖRDUR (B, D) Majestic mountains and narrow passes lead to Skagafjörður for an introduction of the unique Icelandic horse, famous for its fifth gait - the tölt. Cross the Holtavörðuheiði plateau to Borgarfjörður in the beautiful Borgarnes area. Overnight in Borgarnes area Distance traveled: 255 miles
Day 8 BORGARFJORDUR - ÞINGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK - REYKJAVIK (B) A drive to Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in the world, and then a stop to admire the beautiful Hraunfossar waterfall, before continuing over the breathtaking Kaldidalur mountain pass. Head to Lake Þingvallavatn, Iceland's largest lake, and Þingvellir National Park, the ancient site of the world's first parliament held outdoors. Overnight in Reykjavík. Distance traveled: 177 miles
Icelandair Hotel Loftleidir ****
Day 9 DEPARTURE (B) Breakfast at the hotel. Check out and departure.