Pearls of Iceland | Snaefellsnes, Lake Myvatn, the Highlands, Golden Circle & South Coast

Seljalandsfoss waterfall
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Description

Summary

Tour starts
Reykjavík, Iceland
Starting time
at 09:00
Duration
8 days
Ending place
Reykjavík, Iceland
Languages
English
Difficulty
Easy
Available
June - Aug.
Minimum age
None

Description

Join this 8-day minibus tour that showcases some of the best that Iceland has to offer. On your excursion, you will visit the unbelievable Snæfellsnes peninsula as well as Akureyri and the Mývatn region in the North. You'll travel through the highlands and see the Golden Circle before driving the famed South Coast back to the city. 

You'll be picked up in Reykjavík by a small but comfortable minibus, giving you a personal experience unmatched by big busses. The day starts off with a visit to Þingvellir National Park, the ancient site of Iceland's first parliament. From there you'll head to the Borgarfjörður region via the picturesque Kaldidalur mountain pass where you'll see the Hraunfossar and Barnfoss waterfalls. 

The next day you will travel around the magical Snaefellsnes peninsula, often called 'Iceland in miniature' as you can find essentially every single natural phenomenon in Iceland there, albeit on a slightly smaller scale. 

From there, you will head east from Stykkishólmur town, after enjoying the view of the thousands of islands in Breiðafjörður bay, and head towards Hrútafjörður fjord and onwards along the fjords and valleys of the north towards Skagafjörður. 

You will visit the old bishopric Hólar and travel along the north coast of Tröllaskagi to the beautiful village of Siglufjörður and then on to the 'Capital of the North', Akureyri.

The next day you will visit some of the diamonds of the north: Goðafoss (the waterfall of the Gods) and Lake Mývatn, which is renowned for its natural beauty, birdlife and volcanic surroundings. 

On the following day, you will head South, crossing the country via the Kjölur highland route, making a stop at Hveravellir geothermal area before reaching the Golden Circle. 

Your first stop on the Golden Circle route is Gullfoss, the Golden waterfall, which hurls glacier water down 32-metres into a dramatic canyon. From there you'll continue to Geysir geothermal area, where you can see the geyser Strokkur spout magma-heated water 15-20 metres up in the air.

On the last day of the guided tour, you will visit the South Coast, famous for its black sand beaches, waterfalls and glaciers. You will see the waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss and take a short hike along the black sand beach at Reynisfjara before returning to Reykjavík in the afternoon.

Experience big adventures in a small group with this 8-day minibus tour. Book now and get a first-hand introduction to this land of ice and fire.

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Included

Transportation in a private coach as per itinerary (day 2 – day 7),
English speaking driver/guide
7 nights accommodation in double/twin rooms with private facilities - breakfast included
4x 3 course dinners

Activities

Sightseeing

Daily itinerary

Day 1
Pearls of Iceland | Snaefellsnes, Lake Myvatn, the Highlands, Golden Circle & South Coast - day 1

Day 1 - Welcome to Iceland

After landing at Keflavík International Airport, make your way to the vibrant city of Reykjavík where you will find your accommodation. Please note that transport from the airport to Reykjavík is not included with this tour. Buses depart regularly from the airport to the city for which you can purchase a ticket. 

Once you've settled in, you can go and explore the city. Reykjavík is filled with museums, galleries, quirky cafés, restaurants, and bars. You'll be sure to find something to your liking. 

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Day 2
Hraunfossar

Day 2 - Thingvellir & the West

Your adventure starts in Reykjavík when you will be picked up in the morning and whisked away to Þingvellir National Park, A UNESCO world heritage site. You'll travel in a small but comfortable minibus with the maximum of 16 passengers which will allow you to travel like a local, avoiding the crowds of the big buses.

Þingvellir is historically significant as it was the site of Iceland's ancient parliament, founded in 930 AD. It is also of great geological interest as you can see quite clearly the rift between the two continental plates on which Iceland is situated. 

You will then head inland, close to Langjökull glacier via the Kaldidalur mountain pass, on your way to the Borgarfjörður region. 

You will visit the Hraunfossar waterfalls where you can see ice cold water seeping out of the lava field above it. You will also visit Europe's most powerful hot spring, Deildartunguhver, and the old bishopric Reykholt, once home to Iceland's most celebrated scholar, Snorri Sturluson.

You'll spend the night in the Borgarfjörður area.

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Day 3
Kirkjufell

Day 3 - Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Today we will visit the magical Snaefellsnes peninsula, often called 'Iceland in miniature' as you can find essentially every single natural phenomenon in Iceland there, albeit on a slightly smaller scale. 

From Borgarnes you will head up to the peninsula's southern part and drive by volcanic craters, lava fields, waterfalls, sandy beaches, and bird cliffs. You'll also pass through some of the small and charming fishing villages of the area. 

On the northern side, you'll see Mt. Kirkjufell, considered by many to be the most picturesque mountain in Iceland. Watching over you the entire journey is the mighty Snæfellsjökull, a glacier covering a 7000-year old stratovolcano. 

At the end of the day, you will reach Stykkishólmur town where you'll spend the night. 

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Day 4
Akureyri

Day 4 - The North

Today you'll continue your journey, heading east on the country's northern coast. You'll say 'goodbye' to Stykkishólmur and the countless island of Breiðafjörður bay, and make your way towards Hrútafjörður fjord.

You'll drive along the fjords and green pastures of the Skagafjörður region before stopping at Hólar in the Hjaltadalur valley. There, you'll find the old and beautiful Hólar cathedral, one of the oldest stone churches in Iceland.

You'll continue your journey, making your way north to Tröllaskagi, or 'Troll Peninsula', where you'll find the town of Siglufjörður. The award-winning museum, Herring Era Museum, is located in Siglufjörður. It provides you with an insight into times when this little coastal town was a booming fishing district, and how vital the fishing industry is to a small nation like Iceland.

You'll then move on to the largest town in northern Iceland, Akureyri, where you will spend the night. 

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Day 5
Godafoss waterfall

Day 5 - Godafoss & Lake Myvatn

Today you will see some of the most impressive sights in north Iceland. 

The day starts with a drive east along Eyjafjörður fjord towards the beautiful Goðafoss waterfall. From there, you'll move on to the volcanic area around Lake Mývatn. 

The lake and its surroundings were formed in a volcanic eruption some 2,000 years ago. You can see clear signs of past volcanic activity, as recent as 1984, in the Rift Zone. 

You'll also see the labyrinth of lava rocks at Dimmuborgir 'Dark Castles', and the fumarole fields at Námaskarð, with both boiling mud pits and steam vents. The lake itself is also quite striking, with pseudocraters dotted around and an active birdlife in the summer.

You'll return to your accommodation in Akureyri in the late afternoon.

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Day 6
Strokkur geyser

Day 6 - Highland Route to the Golden Circle

From Akureyri, you'll travel the Ring Road towards Varmahlíð village where you will turn onto the Highland road Kjölur. 

You'll stop at the hot spring area of Hveravellir where you can take a quick dip in the natural geothermal pool or walk around the region.

You'll follow the road further south, driving between the glaciers Langjökull and Hofsjökull, and through the desolate landscape of the highlands. 

You'll pass the glacial lake of Hvítarvatn on your way to Gullfoss waterfall, one part of the famous Golden Circle Route. You'll see as the river Hvítá hurls freezing water down 2 'steps' into an ancient gorge, creating this spectacular cascade. 

From there, you'll move on to the Geysir geothermal area where you can see the geyser Strokkur spout water up 15-20 metres every few minutes. You'll then spend the night in the area. 

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Day 7
Reynisfjara black sand beach

Day 7 - South Coast

On your last day on the road, you will visit magnificent waterfalls and an iconic beach. 

You'll start the day by heading east on Iceland's Ring Road to two of the most spectacular waterfalls of the country; Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. 

From there, you'll continue along the foot of the Eyjafjöll mountains, where the infamous volcano Eyjafjallajökull rests under a glacier of the same name. 

You'll drive on to the village of Vík which sits on the banks of the famous Reynisfjara black sand beach. You'll get fantastic views of the beach and the massive Reynisdrangar sea stack that rise out of the ocean, as well as Dyrhólaey promontory.

You'll then head back west, ending the day at your accommodation in Reykjavík.

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Day 8
Reykjavik

Day 8 - Farewell

Now it is time to say farewell to Iceland. Make sure you get to the airport in good time for your flight. Remember that transport to the airport is not included, but you can book an airport shuttle at the lobby of your accommodation. 

If your flight leaves late, you can spend some time getting to know the city of Reykjavík. You can walk around the downtown area, see Hallgrímskirkja church, Harpa Concert Hall and the parliament building, or pick up a souvenir to take home. 

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What to bring

Warm and waterproof clothes
Good hiking shoes
Sunglasses
Swimsuit and towel
Warm hat and gloves
Camera

Good to know

Please note that arrival and departure transfers are not included. The tour starts on the morning of day 2 at 9:00 when you will be picked up in Reykjavík.

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