Guided Iceland Circle
008201 - 20
This year round, guided tour takes you all the way around Iceland on the picturesque ring road. Explore the island of fire and ice, feel the power of thundering waterfalls; the steaming, hot springs; visit the northern capital of Akureyri and ecological areas around Lake Myvatn; the charming fishing villages of the East Fjords; the rugged beauty of the glaciers and volcanoes on the south coast and geysers in the historic Golden Circle. This tour really has it all!
- Visit to natural history & seal museum in Hvammstangi
- Mývatn Nature Baths
- Viðimýri turf church
- Eyjafjallajökull Volcano Information Centre
- Icelandic horse stables and geothermal greenhouse
- Botanical garden in Akureyri
Tour Code:
008201 - 20
Individual transfer by Flybus shuttle bus (unguided) from Keflavik Airport to Icelandair Hotel Natura in Reykjavík where you spend the night. We provide you with ideas how to explore Iceland’s capital on your own. Dinner suggestions as well!
Hotel: Icelandair Hotel Natura
On this tour you’ll discover stunning scenery and dramatic landscapes. A local expert guide helps you explore the unspoiled Icelandic countryside with volcanoes, lava fields, hot springs, mountains, fjords, glaciers and waterfalls. This escorted tour takes you both to classic nature hot spots and lesser-known sights. The tour includes several soft adventures and cultural visits. Some outdoor activities might differ between seasons depending on weather and road conditions.
At 09:00 meet the tour guide and group in the lobby of the Icelandair Hotel Natura and depart. We travel out of Reykjavik and west along the scenic Hvalfjörður fjord and the town of Borgarnes. Enjoy an easy hike on Grábrók volcano crater, located in the middle of a greenish lava field. In the afternoon visit a natural history & seal museum in the fishing village of Hvammstangi. Further north we visit the turf church of Víðimýri and then continue along scenic fjord landscape and over several mountain passes until we reach Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland. The overnight location at Akureyri allows you to walk around the town.
Hotel: Icelandair Hotel Akureyri or similar
Distance travelled: (425km / 264m)
In the morning explore the town of Akureyri, a charming town of 17000 inhabitants with a beautiful botanical garden, also called the capital of North Iceland. Admire the panoramic view over the Eyjafjörður fjord. From April-October 2021 there are optional whale watching tours available from 09:00-12:00 am, which we can pre-book for you to guarantee space, or you can book while there, subject to availability. In the afternoon we head out of Akureyri and travel to an important spot in Iceland’s history, Goðafoss, the waterfalls of the Gods. We continue to lake Mývatn which is known for its geological wonders and active bird life during summer. See the strange lava formations at Kálfaströnd, the pseudo craters at Skútustaðir and the tephra cone Hverfjall. End the afternoon relaxing in the geothermal Mývatn Nature Baths that contains a unique blend of minerals, silicates and geothermal micro-organisms. The warm soothing waters benefit both skin and spirit alike and offers a fantastic view over the whole area.
There is a possibility of seeing the Northern Lights during the evening from mid-September to mid-April.
Hotel: Sel Hotel Mývatn or similar
Distance travelled: (120km / 75m)
In the morning we walk in a lava labyrinth at Dimmuborgir “the dark castles”, hoping to get a glimpse of the trolls who are said to live there. In the afternoon we visit the hot spring area of Námaskarð with bubbling mud pools and steaming solfataras. We head through the uninhabited highlands and moonlike landscapes to East Iceland. With some luck we might spot an Arctic fox or see reindeer. From June to August the tour includes a detour to Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall in the northern part of Vatnajökull National Park.
Hotel: Icelandair Hotel Hérað, Egilsstaðir (Oct-Apr) or Álfheimar Guesthouse (May-Sept)
Distance travelled: (250km / 155m)
It’s a day to admire the dramatic fjord landscape and its tiny fishing villages at the end of twisty roads in the East Fjords. We’ll visit an interesting stone and mineral collection en route. In the afternoon we see Vatnajökull, Europe’s biggest glacier, that is visible from all across the southeast of Iceland.
There is a possibility of seeing the Northern Lights during the evening from mid-September to mid-April.
Please note that itinerary on this specific day can change due to seasonal factors, such as daylight.
Hotel: Hotel Höfn
Distance travelled: (260km / 161m)
Start the day with a stop at Jökulsárlón, a glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs, and explore the extraordinary site where you might see seals swimming in arctic waters. (From May through September 2021 only, a boat tour between floating icebergs is included in the program.) Just across the street, you can walk on the so-called Diamond Beach, where large icebergs get stranded. Travel along the southern part of the glacier Vatnajökull and get a glimpse at Europe’s second-largest national park, which has Iceland’s highest mountains, an alpine environment, and Europe’s largest glacier.
In the afternoon, a beautiful drive with many natural wonders awaits us as we head across the Eldhraun lava field, cross the sandy desert of the south coast, overlooked by mountainous cliffs, glaciers and waterfalls. Stroll along the black lava beach of Reynisfjara near Vík. In the small village of Skógar, there is Skógafoss waterfall which is 60 meters high and is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country. Continue to the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall which plunges over the mountain. There is an interesting trail that goes behind the fall – if you are prepared to get wet! Further west stop at the Lava Centre and learn about Iceland’s volcanic activity.
There is a possibility of seeing the Northern Lights during the evening from mid-September to mid-April.
Please note that itinerary on this specific day can change due to seasonal factors, such as daylight.
Hotel: Hotel Eyjafjallajökull, Hvolsvöllur
Distance travelled: (380km / 235mls)
We explore classics today as we travel the route of the Golden Circle sights. We start the day at Friðheimar, where you learn about the Icelandic horse, its special qualities and history and visit a geothermal greenhouse. Later on we see steam from the Geysir geothermal fields as we arrive. There is a variety of hot springs and bubbling pools. The original geyser is now dormant but has been replaced by Strokkur, “the Churn”, which erupts at 5-10 minute intervals. We continue to Gullfoss, “the golden falls“, which is a double waterfall that tumbles 34 meters into the Hvítá river and attracts travellers in summer and winter. We travel inland to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
As we return to Reykjavík, we take you for a short city tour to show highlights of the world’s northern-most capital.
Northern Lights: From mid-September to mid-April optional Northern Lights evening tours can be booked at the desk in the lobby of your hotel, should weather conditions be favourable.
Hotel: Icelandair Hotel Natura or similar
Distance travelled: (160km / 99mls)
Individual transfer by Flybus airport shuttle (unguided) to Keflavík Airport.
Want to spend longer in Reykjavik, either pre or post tour? Just ask us to extend your accommodation and book some optional day tours. There’s a lot to see and do in this charming, capital city, it’d be a shame to rush your time there.
- Arrival & departure airport transfer by FLYBUS Plus shuttle (no guide)
- 7 nights of accommodation in comfortable, tourist-class hotels, with private facilities
- Breakfast at hotel, days 2-8
- Fully escorted 6-day bus tour with an English speaking guide
- Visit to natural history & seal museum in Hvammstangi
- Visit to Viðimýri turf church
- Entrance with towel at Mývatn Nature Baths
- Admission to Petra’s Stone and Mineral Collection in the East Fjords
- Multimedia presentation at Eyjafjallajökull Volcano Information Center or movie at Lava Center in Hvolsvollur (after 15 Apr/18)
- Visit to Icelandic horse stables & geothermal greenhouse
- Use of snow & ice gripper spikes and a flash light for winter departures
- Travel to/from Iceland
- Gratuities for guides, drivers and hotel staff
- Meals not indicated
- Optional tours
- Nature fees added by natural attractions, to be paid locally in Iceland
- Travel Insurance
- Passport and visa fees, as required
- Items of a personal nature
Additional nights in Reykjavik may be added before or after the tour. Prices will be dependent on the availability of accommodation and will be quoted on request.
Private transfers from Keflavik Airport to downtown Reykjavik and return are also offered as an upgrade option instead of the standard Flybus service. There are many interesting day tours that can be added for your time in Reykjavik, depending on your interests and budget. We’d be happy to discuss the options with you.
Disclaimer: We do our utmost to ensure that information posted on our website is correct at the time of publication, however trip details are subject to change without notice by the suppliers and operators involved. We update the information as soon as possible when changes are advised to us, however, we cannot assume responsibility for such changes made by the suppliers and operators.