12 Days Grand Tour of Iceland
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on a 12-day journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Iceland. This multi-day tour takes you from the capital city of Reykjavík to the rugged West Fjords, the mystical Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and the stunning East Fjords. Along the way, you'll encounter geothermal greenhouses, active geysers, ancient Viking Parliament sites, and a plethora of unique wildlife. You'll also have the opportunity to explore the Vatnajökull National Park, home to Europe's second-largest national park and the magnificent Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon. With a blend of cultural experiences, natural wonders, and delicious local cuisine, this tour offers an immersive exploration of Iceland's rich heritage and unparalleled beauty.
Included
11x breakfasts
10x dinners
Arrival transfer with Flybus (no guide)
Luxury bus throughout tour with free wi-fi
Departure transfer with Flybus (no guide)
Ferry trip to the West Fjords
11 nights accommodation in comfort tourist-class hotels including breakfast
Hótel Klettur:
Hótel Klettur is our accommodation in Reykjavík. The hotel offers standard rooms that are 18-24m2 with private bathrooms. A restaurant and bar are located on the ground floor of the hotel. The hotel is ideally located for sightseeing and some shopping in the city center.
Hótel Hamar:
Hótel Hamar is the next hotel on the list. Hamar is located just outside Borgarnes, with a magnificent view of Borgarfjörður. The hotel offers standards rooms that are 18m2 with private bathrooms, the rooms are spacious, brigh and in a light Scandinavian style with underfloor heating. At the hotel there are two hot tubs, where you can enjoy and soak after a long day.
Fosshótel Westfjords:
Fosshótel Westfjords is located in the small town of Patreksfjörður in the Westfjords. The hotel offers standard rooms that are 18m2 with private bathrooms. The hotel has a restaurant on site. Here we will stay for 2 nights while we explore the beautiful Westfjords.
Hótel Laugarbakki:
After the Westfjords, the next accommodation is Hótel Laugarbakki, located in NorthWest Iceland. The hotel offers standard rooms that are 15-20m2 with private bathrooms. The hotel has a restaurant, bar and hot tubs on site. Here we will spend one night before travelling to the capital of the North, Akureyri.
Sæluhús Studio Apartments:
Sæluhús is located in Akureyri, the capital of the North. The hotel offers studios that are stylish and well organized with kitchenette facilities and a balcony. The rooms are 32m2 with private bathrooms. We will be staying here for the next two nights, while we explore North Iceland.
Álfheimar Guesthouse:
Next we head east. Álfheimar Guesthouse is located in Borgarfjörður Eyrsti. The hotel offers 18m2 rooms with private bathrooms. The hotel has a restaurant on site and an excellent hiking area.
Fosshótel Vatnajökull:
Now we head to the South. Driving past the magnificent Vatnajökull on our way to our next accommodation, Fosshótel Vatnajökull. The hotel offers standard rooms that are 258m2 with private bathrooms. The hotel has a restaurant and bar on site, while dining at the restaurant in the evening you will have a magnificent view of Vatnajökull glacier and the majestic Hornafjörður fjord.
Hótel Vík:
Vík is the last accommodation stop on the countryside, Hótel Vík offers standard rooms that are 17m2 with private bathrooms. The guest rooms offer views of either the ocean, columnar basalt sea stacks or the nearby mountains. The hotel has a restaurant and bar on site.
All hotels have breakfast and free WiFi.
Hotels are subject to change.
Experienced English-speaking driver and guide throughout tour apart from arrival and departure days
Discover three national parks
Lava cave in Snæfellsnes
Ferry trip to the West Fjords
Folk and transport museum at Hnjótur
Farm visit
Visit to a geothermal greenhouse and horse stables
Herring museum
Whale watching tour in Eyjafjörður fjord
Vök Baths, including towel
Petra’s stone collection
Boat trip on Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
Exhibition and 4K movie at Lava Centre in Hvolsvöllur
Free Wi-Fi on the bus
Average of 1-2 hours easy walking per day (note there are a lot of uneven terrain, stairs and gravel trails in Iceland)
Destinations
Stykkishólmsbær
Egilsstaðir
Reykjavik
Húnaþing vestra
Borgarbyggð
Fjarðabyggð
Dalabyggð
Akureyri
HöfnMap
Attractions
Mývatn
Súgandisey Island Lighthouse
Great Geysir
Diamond Beach
Eyjafjallajökull Info Point
Snæfellsjökull National Park
Thingvellir National Park
Svínafellsjökull útsýnisstaður
Seljalandsfoss
Skógafoss
Jökulsárlón
Vatnshellir Cave
Black Sand Beach Vik
Goðafoss
Great Geysir
Eiríksstaðir - Viking Longhouse
Skógar Museum
The Herring Era Museum
Námafjall Hverir Viewpoint
Skaftafell
GullfossDaily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Arrival in Reykjavík
- Reykjavik - Arrival day
- More
Your Icelandic adventure begins with a Flybus shuttle ride from Keflavík International airport to your hotel in Reykjavík. Depending on your arrival time, you may have some free time to start exploring the capital city on your own. Overnight stay at Fosshotel Reykjavík or similar.
Day 2 – Day 2: Exploring the Golden Circle Route
- Borgarbyggð
- Reykjavik
- More
- Great Geysir
- Thingvellir National Park
- Great Geysir
- Gullfoss
- More
Today, we embark on the classic Golden Circle Route. We start with a visit to a geothermal greenhouse, where you'll learn how Icelanders grow tomatoes. We then explore Gullfoss, the beautiful double 'Golden Falls', and the active geothermal area of Geysir. Our next stop is the ancient Viking Parliament area and UNESCO world heritage site of Þingvellir National Park. Overnight stay at Hotel Hamar or similar.
Day 3 – Day 3: Journey to Snæfellsnes Peninsula and West Fjords
- Stykkishólmsbær
- Arnarstapi
- More
- Súgandisey Island Lighthouse
- Snæfellsjökull National Park
- Vatnshellir Cave
- More
Today, we explore the mystical Snæfellsnes Peninsula, known for its rugged mountain chain and the mystical Snæfellsjökull glacier. We travel around the peninsula, through lava fields, and along the ocean, offering many excellent photo opportunities. We also visit the Snæfellsnes National Park and the Vatnshellir Lava Cave. In the afternoon, we catch the car ferry Baldur to the West Fjords. Overnight stay at Fosshótel Westfjords or similar.
Day 4 – Day 4: Discovering Látrabjarg and Rauðisandur Beach
Day 4: Discovering Látrabjarg and Rauðisandur Beach
We continue our journey along the coastline to the bird cliffs of Látrabjarg, the westernmost point of Iceland and Europe. Here, you can see puffins and other cliff birds in their natural habitat. If weather and road conditions allow, we travel to Rauðisandur beach, a tranquil oasis with endless red sand. Overnight stay at Fosshótel Westfjords or similar.
Day 5 – Day 5: Exploring Arnarfjörður and Erpsstaðir
- Dalabyggð
- Patreksfjörður
- More
- Eiríksstaðir - Viking Longhouse
- More
Today, we travel to the majestic fjord Arnarfjörður, surrounded by high mountains. We visit the unique waterfall Dynjandi and continue to Erpsstaðir, a family-run dairy farm where you can taste their unique ice cream directly from the farm. Overnight stay at Hotel Laugarbakki or similar.
Day 6 – Day 6: Journey to Hvammstangi and Akureyri
- Akureyri
- Húnaþing vestra
- More
Today, we journey around the Vatnsnes peninsula, passing the fishing village of Hvammstangi, also known as the seal capital of Iceland. We visit Hvítserkur, a unique rock formation, and Kolugljúfur canyon, a breathtaking sight. We also visit Víðimýri to see one of the few preserved turf churches in Iceland. We then continue to Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland, where we stay for two nights. Overnight stay at Sæluhús Studio Apartments or similar.
Day 7 – Day 7: Whale Watching in Eyjafjörður and Visit to Siglufjörður
- Akureyri
- Fjallabyggð
- More
- The Herring Era Museum
- More
After breakfast, we embark on a 2-3 hour whale watching tour in Eyjafjörður, Iceland's longest fjord. In the afternoon, we travel to Siglufjörður, Iceland's northernmost town, known as the herring capital of the North Atlantic. We visit the Herring Era Museum, Iceland's largest maritime museum, and taste the local herring along with Brennivín, Icelandic schnapps. Overnight stay at Sæluhús Studio Apartments or similar.
Day 8 – Day 8: Exploring Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn, and East Iceland
Day 8: Exploring Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn, and East Iceland
- Mývatn
- Goðafoss
- Námafjall Hverir Viewpoint
- More
Today, we explore Goðafoss, the waterfall of the Gods, and continue to Lake Mývatn, known for its abundant bird life and amazing volcanic lava landscapes. We walk in the mysterious lava field Dimmuborgir and explore the hot springs of Námaskarð. We also visit Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall. We then head through the uninhabited highlands to East Iceland. Overnight stay at Hotel Eskifjörður or similar.
Day 9 – Day 9: Visit to Vök Baths and Petra's Stone Collection
- Höfn
- Egilsstaðir
- Fjarðabyggð
- More
- Svínafellsjökull útsýnisstaður
- More
Today, we visit Vök baths, a geothermal floating pool in Lake Urriðavatn. Later, we visit Petra's fascinating rock collection. In the afternoon, we see Vatnajökull, Europe's biggest glacier that is visible all over Southeast Iceland. Overnight stay at Fosshótel Vatnajökull or similar.
Day 10 – Day 10: Exploring Vatnajökull National Park and Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon
Day 10: Exploring Vatnajökull National Park and Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon
- Diamond Beach
- Jökulsárlón
- Skaftafell
- More
Today, we visit Vatnajökull National Park, home to Europe's second-largest national park. We stop for a boat ride amongst the floating icebergs on the magnificent Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon and walk along the black sands of the so-called Diamond beach. We also explore the region of Skaftafell, nestled below Iceland's highest mountain. Overnight stay at Hótel Vík or similar.
Day 11 – Day 11: Journey to Reykjavík via South Coast
Day 11: Journey to Reykjavík via South Coast
- Eyjafjallajökull Info Point
- Seljalandsfoss
- Skógafoss
- Black Sand Beach Vik
- Skógar Museum
- More
Today, we travel along the South Coast of Iceland, exploring the black lava beach, Reynisfjara, and the Skógafoss waterfall. We visit the Skógar folk museum and the Seljalandsfoss waterfall where you can walk right behind it. We also visit the Lava & Volcano Exhibition Centre before returning to Reykjavík for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay at Fosshotel Reykjavík or similar.
Day 12 – Day 12: Departure from Reykjavík
Day 12: Departure from Reykjavík
The Flybus airport shuttle picks you up at your hotel and takes you to Keflavík International airport, marking the end of your unforgettable journey through Iceland.
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