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Contact Info
- Úlfarsbraut 113, Reykjavík
- Phone: +354 556 6868
- Email: info@iceland-highlights.com
- FAQs
On the first day, you will be picked up by an airport bus which will take you to the hotel located in downtown Reykjavik. For the rest of the evening, you will have leisure time to explore the city on your own.
On the second day, you will travel along the South Coast to admire the stunning waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, as well as the secret Gljufrabui. You will also visit Vatnajokull, the largest glacier in Europe, and the unique black beach Reynisfjara near the village of Vík. From April to the end of October, you can also experience what it is like to walk on a glacier under the care of an experienced glacier guide.
The third day takes us to the glittering iceberg lagoon at Jokulsarlon, where you will have the chance to take a boat trip around the icebergs or go ice-caving beneath the glacier. From there, we will whisk you through the peaceful landscapes of the Eastfjords with stops at Vestrahorn, the old fishing of Djupivogur, and, in summer, the breathtaking Studlagil Canyon before an overnight stay in Egilsstadir.
The fourth day brings us to Myvatn, an area well-known for active geothermal hotspots and magical places such as Grjotagja and Dimmuborgir, with an opportunity to soak the day away in the Green Lagoon. You’ll also see the majestic waterfalls of Dettifoss, Selfoss, and Godafoss.
The fifth day starts from Akureyri, where you have the optional whale-watching boat tour sails. A short detour away from the Ring Road will later bring us to the Vatnes peninsula, where the dragon-shaped sea stack Hvitserkur and the beautiful Kolugljufur canyon will be seen.
The sixth day will see us in West Iceland taking in the weird and wonderful lava field waterfalls of Hraunfossar, the piping hot springs of Deildartunguhver, and inside the biggest lava cave in Iceland.
On the seventh day, we will explore Geysir Geothermal Area, Gullfoss Waterfall, Thingvellir National Park, and some other interesting stops in Golden Circle. After that, on the eighth day, you will be heading back to the airport.
Welcome to Iceland, you will be picked up by an airport transfer minibus service and taken to Reykjavik. The ride takes approx. 45 minutes to the city, it depends on where you are staying, if you are in the downtown area, the bus will take you to the closest designed pick-up stop, in some cases, the bus will stop in front of the hotel.
Note, if you are arriving in the morning, your room is likely not ready yet, in this case, we recommend you to leave the luggage in the lobby of the hotel and take your time to get some coffee in the morning or even join a Free City Walk tour here. Feel free to sign up, you will get a lot of information about our beautiful city. If you like the private option, feel free to contact us.
We already requested an early check-in for you at the hotel, however, it’s not guaranteed, normal check-in time is after 15:00.
Recommended coffee places for breakfast:
Cafe Babalu
Sandholt Café
Recommended place for lunch and dinner:
Mathöll/ Foodcourt
Evening: Stop for dinner at one of the popular eateries in the downtown area
Accommodation: Center hotel or similar
For the first stage of this eight-day journey, you will be transported from Reykjavik to the South Coast over a highland pass across a lava plateau dotted with superheated steam vents rising into the air.
Splendid views of the wide coastal plain can be seen as we sweep downhill past the geothermal greenhouses of Hveragerdi along the way, heading towards some of the most beautiful sights the country has to offer.
As we progress along the Ring Road, the land rises again up into enormous mountains and glaciers on the right, with the Atlantic coast on the left. Soon, the world-famous volcano Eyjafjallajokull starts to appear in the distance. This is our first stop, where you will see the splendid waterfall of Seljalandsfoss as it cascades 60 meters down into a blue-green river.
We’ll also take you to the “Hidden Waterfall” of Gljufrabui, just a few minutes away but rarely seen by most Ring Road travelers, as it is concealed behind a secluded rock face.
This section of Route 1 can often be very windy indeed, and the smaller waterfalls might be blown aside or even back up into the air!
A few minutes further along, you will soon see the superb Skogafoss waterfall, easily spotted even before we turn off the Ring Road. Glacial waters gracefully fall 60 meters into the Skoga river, where the eternal spray sparks uncounted rainbows on sunny days. You can also ascend a 500-step path to the top and see the views from there too.
The next stop on the first day is the dramatic black sand beach at Reynisfjara, offering views of the superb stone sea arches of Dyrholaey in the distance, the fascinating basalt columns fastened to the cliff-face and the other-worldly Reynisdrangar, the volcanic rock towers that lurk just offshore.
Powerful Atlantic waves storm ashore here, crashing their way up the beach and often catching out the unwary with their speed – take care when walking along the volcanic sands here.
Optional Activity:
Glacier Hike – minimum age 8 (available from April to October) – put the crampons on and enjoy the magnificent, raw views around you. Under the care of an experienced, skilled, and qualified glacier guide you will discover mind-blowing places, astonishing crevasses, and unique ice formations. It is necessary to wear solid hiking shoes and highly recommend wearing warm, windproof jackets. That is basically all you need to bring – we provide the crampons and all the necessary equipment to walk safely on glaciers. This activity takes approximately 3 hours.
Accommodation: A countryside hotel
This day starts with a visit to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon – the world-famous glacial lake filled with floating icebergs falling from the biggest glacier in Europe – Vatnajökull. Some of them are being washed back ashore and dazzling in contrast to the black sand beach called Diamond Beach – nearly as famous as the lagoon itself. This area is also known for its wildlife, including gray and harbor seals swimming in ice-cold waters or resting on the shore.
Then it is on to mountain Vestrahorn (which is one of the best spots for photos in Iceland) and continues along the dramatic east coast that boasts long, narrow fjords with steep sides and jagged peaks that contrast with inland fertile farmlands. Natural harbors mean picture-postcard fishing villages and seemingly never-ending roads cross the region, providing beautiful sweeping views with steep mountains towering just behind the houses. One of the visited settlements is Djupivogur, located in Berufjordur – a long and narrow fjord rich in birdlife. This charming fishing village had a long trading history dating back to the 16th century. At present days, local harbors serve only fishermen, but you can still catch the spirit of this place while taking a short walk around the port buildings – including Langabud, an old trading station built in 1790.
Optional Activity:
Blue Ice Cave visit – minimum age 8 (available from November to March) – start your day with a super-jeep ride across the glacier to reach the natural phenomenon – Blue Ice Cave. This 3-hour-long expedition will leave you with many, unforgettable memories. All the safety gear will be provided. Please make sure to wear warm clothing and solid hiking boots.
Amphibious Boat Tour at Jökulsárlón (available from May to September) – take a 45-minute-long amphibious boat tour among floating icebergs. Remember to keep your head up for seals swimming in the ice-cold waters or resting on the shore.
Vök Geothermal Floating Pools – new geothermal SPA built on the beautiful Lake Urridavatn. Put your swimwear on, relax and enjoy the view over the untouched landscape. Pools are filled with warm waters streaming up from deeps under the lake.
The fourth day, the tour turns north through moon-like landscapes and into the beautiful lake region of Myvatn, famous for its fascinating lava formations, flat-topped mountains, and a wealth of flora and fauna.
During spring and summer (from April to October) we start the day by giving a visit at Studlagil Canyon – the hidden gem of Iceland. Turquoise waters originating in Vatnajokull glacier run between the biggest formation made of basalt columns in the whole country, that you can admire once taking just a short walk from the parking lot.
Dettifoss is the most powerful waterfall in Europe, nearly 50 meters high and a hundred meters wide, producing plumes of spray that are visible from some distance away. Before jumping back on the bus, we will take you on a short hike to admire another waterfall called Selfoss. Please note that both waterfalls are only accessible during summer.
Myvatn is the fourth largest lake in the country, lying across the Mid-Atlantic Ridge with geothermal features bubbling away alongside dormant volcanoes.
For Game of Thrones fans, the Grjotagja geothermal cave will be a highlight. In contrast, the dramatic lava fields of Dimmuborgir, with their easy walks, will intrigue others. Nearby is Hverir, a geological marvel where you can walk numerous paths between sulfurous and colorful hot pots.
Glorious Godafoss is not the biggest waterfall in the country, but it is very significant as the place where pagan symbols were forever discarded, thrown into the Skjalfandafljot river when Iceland became a Christian nation.
This region provides visitors with splendid views and ever-changing landscapes, from green fjord side pasturelands to dark, brooding lava fields, bright blue lakes and rivers, snow-capped peaks, and boiling mud pots.
Optional Activity:
Mývatn Natural Geothermal SPA – take a deep plunge into silky, blue waters, and rich in minerals, that will make you skin smooth and relaxed. Simply enjoy the beautiful surroundings of lake Mývatn – the fourth-largest lake in the country.
The fifth day starts from Akureyri – the capital of the North. This small, remote city is located in a stunning, deep fjord. The city center is located next to the harbor, where one will find modern architecture, historical wooden houses, and the Akureyri church located on the hill serving as a viewing point at the same time. The day continues by going South towards Varmahlid village, where a charming turf church is located. While driving through the North Coast you will easily realize how each region of Iceland differs from another – but still, each one can amaze you equally. In the North, we will be visiting the rock Hvítserkur which is a unique formation and a great place for photos, and Kolugljufur Canyon with a spectacular waterfall (accessible only from April to October).
Optional Activity:
Whale Watching Boat Tour – if spotting whales from the distance is not enough for you then you should secure your spot on this activity. The whale-watching tour takes around 3 hours and the chances to see the huge mammals playing in the sea are very positive in this area of Iceland.
The Silver Circle tour takes you deep into Borgarfjordur and the heartland of the Icelandic Sagas, where the untamed landscapes and striking scenery of West Iceland help to bring Viking history to life. Marvelous waterfalls, dramatic lava fields, spectacular lava caves, boiling hot springs, and medieval Icelandic heritage are all on your itinerary today. We start with a convenient pickup from your accommodation in Reykjavik and then the tour takes a scenic route from Reykjavik past Mount Esja and then by tunnel deep under Hvalfjordur into West Iceland. We’ll stop in Borgarnes for a few minutes for refreshments and to enjoy the tremendous views across Borgarfjordur.
The next stage of the tour takes us away from the busy Ring Road into rich farmland and across glacial rivers as they rush down from Langjokull, the second biggest glacier in the country.
Your first stop will be at Bifrost – a place that you might have heard about when reading stories about Norse Mythology. Here, aside from the mythical border between human and god´s world, you will find a tiny, but charming waterfall called Glanni. Located on the Nordura River, multiple tiers fall down across old lava fields called the Grabrokarhraun. In fact, you can also enjoy the view over 3 volcanic craters called Grabrok, that rise above these fields.
Our next stop is a visit to Deildartunguhver, famed as the most powerful hot springs in Europe. It produces more than 180 liters of boiling hot water per second! You can feel the fierce power of Mother Nature as you walk safely on boardwalks through billowing clouds of steam around the bubbling hot springs, or just see them from the viewing platform.
Next Snorralaug (Snorri’s Pool) is a smaller hot spring found just a few minutes away in Reykholt, where local people have bathed since the 12th century. This pool was first mentioned in the medieval writings of Snorri Sturluson, a famous Icelandic poet and chieftain, who used to live and bathe here too. Snorralaug is now a protected archaeological site.
There will be time to take pictures of the beautiful old timber church here, which dates back to the 19th century. You can take a look inside, where a viewing glass to a medieval smithy cistern can be seen.
Next, we will see the great Hraunfossar, a stunning series of waterfalls formed by several rivers running a distance of about 900m across the Hallmundarhraun lava field, created a thousand years ago by a volcano erupting under the nearby Langjokull glacier.
Hraunfossar translates as the “Lava Waterfalls”, but nowadays it’s clear glacial meltwater that tumbles down into the Hvita (White) River below to provide one of the most breathtaking views in the country.
A short walk through the many viewing points and platforms here brings us to another beautiful waterfall, but this is one with a tragic tale to tell. This is Barnafoss, or “the waterfall of the children”. The sad story here is that there used to be a natural stone bridge over these ferociously powerful falls, and one day two children from a nearby farm fell to their deaths when they were trying to cross the river. The grief-stricken mother had the bridge destroyed so that no others would ever suffer the same fate.
The highlight of the tour is a trip to the magnificent Vidgelmir Lava Cave. Nearly 1600 meters long, the cave takes you deep inside a lava flow, filled with stunning stalactites and stalagmites, fascinating ice and lava formations, and multi-colored rocks.
This 90-minute-long expedition into the most extensive lava caves in the country will amaze you, giving you a real sense of the power and scale of these volcanic eruptions, all in the expert hands of knowledgeable guides who will tell you much more about the geological features here.
After nearly 2 hours spent deep below the surface of the Earth, we will end our tour in the woodland oasis of Husafell.
Husafell is a magical place to unwind after a day of wonder, with birch tree woodlands, waterfalls, rugged lava fields, crystal-clear water springs, medieval remains, and much more to see.
The fairytale setting of Husafell has been home to many artists, and the modern-day sculptor Pall Gudmundsson now makes interesting faces and even rock harps, which he cuts out of local stones. The Husafell Stone can also be found here, a legendary lifting stone that has been used to test the strength of the locals and in international competitions too.
You will be returned to Reykjavik between 19:00-19:30
Golden Circle with Blue Lagoon Tour allows you to witness the wonders of continental drift at Thingvellir National Park, feel the raw power of nature unleashed at Geysir and the Gullfoss waterfall, marvel at the red earth Kerid volcano crater and bathe in the iconic waters of the Blue Lagoon, with all admission costs included in the package.
The day begins with a scenic drive out of Reykjavik, heading towards the majestic Mount Esja and into Iceland’s heartland – Thingvellir National Park, a natural spectacle without parallel. Here, the American and Eurasian tectonic plates are tearing apart, little by little each year, giving you the unmatched opportunity to have your feet standing on two continents at the same time.
Geologically enthralling, Thingvellir is also significant in the cultural and historical life of Iceland, as it was the site of the oldest surviving Parliament in the world, established by the Vikings in 930 AD. Laws were passed, disputes were settled, festivals were held, and the Icelandic nation was ruled from here for nearly a thousand years. Iceland declared its independence from Denmark here in 1944. It is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to its rich cultural history and the stunning natural environment that lies all around.
After enjoying the experience of Thingvellir, you will travel onwards to the world-famous hot spring, Geysir. On our way there, we will pass through the small village of Laugarvatn, which sits next to a beautiful lake of the same name in a geothermally active area called Haukadalur. The plumes of superheated vapor billowing into the air in this area are used by the locals to bake rye bread in the ground!
Known throughout the world for its power and beauty, Geysir has become a synonym for this fantastic show of nature. Strokkur, another hot spring, sits nearby and is very active, reliably erupting to heights of up to 30 meters every few minutes. It’s possible to get quite close to Strokkur too, but it’s wise to check the wind direction first! Streams of superheated water trickle all around, leaving intriguing colorful residues behind. While we are in the Geysir area, you will also have time to buy lunch or some snacks or shop for souvenirs at the adjacent service station.
Gullfoss is a double-drop waterfall with a cascade of more than 30 meters, producing endless sheets of spray as more than a million gallons a minute of water crash down into a narrow canyon. Gullfoss is a natural marvel at any time of the year. There are several viewing perspectives, depending on the time of your visit, which will give you the chance to fully experience the thundering power of this magical waterfall.
Setting off countless rainbows on sunny days, and equally stunning when it’s partly frozen in the winter, it is now a protected site having nearly been converted into a hydroelectric power plant a few decades ago.
These three amazing attractions complete the classic Golden Circle tour, but to add even more value and wonder to your experience, we will also stop at the dramatic red earth Kerid volcanic crater. Three thousand years old and more than 50 meters deep, a walk around this crater and lake with its colorful mix of mossy greens and red earth hues is a visual highlight for you and your camera. Bjork once played a concert here too.
Our tour continues towards Grindavik as we make our way to the Blue Lagoon, enjoying a beautiful drive through the rugged Reykjanes peninsula, admiring vast lava fields, cone volcanoes, and stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean before we arrive in the town of Grindavik. Blue Lagoon (Optional)
It is now time for you to get prepared for the most relaxing part of your day! You will spend the rest of your day relaxing in the iconic naturally-heated water and enjoying the fantastic facilities there in the world-famous Blue Lagoon. The Blue Lagoon is extremely popular and sold out on most dates, but as our tour includes all admission tickets, you can start looking forward to enjoying this unique spot as soon as you have completed your booking.
After spending two hours at the Blue Lagoon, it will be time to head back to Reykjavik’s bright lights, where you can reflect on a fantastic day and enjoy the rest of your night in the capital city.
Time flies when you travel. If you need to leave in the morning. A representative from Airport Direct will pick you up from the hotel between 4:00 – 4:30 AM to take you to the airport. If you need to leave in the afternoon, a representative from the airport direct will meet you between 12:00 – 12:30 PM.
Each participant is allowed to bring 1 carry-on luggage. If you have more luggage, please reach out to us to see if we can accommodate your request.
Monday to Friday
9:00 – 18:00 (9 AM – 6 PM)
Saturday – Sunday
10:00 – 16:00 (10 AM – 4 PM)
Iceland Highlights Travel Agency
Úlfarsbraut 113, Reykjavík
VAT: 129034
Phone: +354 556 6868
Email: info@iceland-highlights.com