Your Itinerary
Day 1 - Reykjavik
When you arrive at Keflavik Airport, you will be met by your private guide and transferred to your hotel in Reykjavik. Spend your afternoon soaking up Reykjavik’s friendly unique atmosphere, visiting Hallgrimskirkja Church and taking in the best view of Reykjavik, sampling the local food, walking down by the Marina & perhaps a visit to one of the many museums. Spend your first couple of nights at Hotel Alda or Sand Hotel.
Day 2 - Reykjanes Geopark
Most visitors to Iceland pay a visit to The Blue Lagoon and then head straight to Reykjavik bypassing the incredible Reykjanes Peninsula UNESCO Geopark but not you! Your private guide will enable you to discover some mesmerizing features such as the Gunnuhver geothermal field, the rocky, dramatic beach at Valahnukur, The Brimketill Lava Rock Pool, Kleifarvatn Lake, the oldest lighthouse in Iceland, the colourful Seltun Geothermal Area or the fissure at Sandvik where you will find the ‘Bridge Between Continents’. An evening tour along a lava cave may even be accompanied by a spectacular Northern Lights display as you approach. Return to Reykjavik for some culinary delights and either relax at your hotel or visit Sundhollin Pool where the locals gather and chat in the hot tubs & saunas (an essential part of Icelandic Culture).
Day 3 - Fly to The East Coast
Return to Keflavik for the short domestic flight to Egilsstadir on the east coast (the hidden gem of Iceland) where you will be met by Denni & staff who will take you to a very special place for The ‘Wilderness’ experience. You will stay here for 3 nights. After some authentic cuisine you can hike The Waterfall Trail, tour this amazing Wilderness Museum, relax in the natural hot pool and perhaps sleep above the museum, in The Old Farmhouse or in the Landowner’s Suite.
Day 4 - The Wilderness Centre
After a lovely local and comprehensive breakfast you could go for a winter horse ride (keeping an eye out for reindeer), do some ice-fishing or hiking and bathe in a hot pot (with no one for miles). In the evening you can do some star-gazing from The Wilderness Centre’s own observatory and perhaps you will be fortunate enough to witness The Northern Lights.
Day 5 - Active in The East
Today you can be as adventurous or as ‘chilled out’ as you like. You could go cross-country skiing, ice-fishing, go for a super-jeep tour or simply relax in those hot pots again after a hike or visit to an abandoned farm, cross the glacial river by cable car, and not forgetting the sampling of the delicious home-cooked Icelandic meal.
Day 6 - Seydisfjordur
You will be transferred back to Eglisstadir today where you will then visit the beautiful sleepy fishing town of Seydisfjordur with its beautiful traditional wooden houses, little cafes/restaurants and numerous walks up and around the Fjord. You will need your guide to accompany you during winter. You could extend your holiday at this point and add in a day or two of skiing (downhill). You will continue onto the beautiful area of Lake Myvatn & in the Northern part of Iceland. Stay at Hotel Laxa or Fosshotel Myvatn for 2 nights.
Day 7 - The Wild North
Today you will visit Godafoss (waterfall of the Gods) which is one of Iceland’s most spectacular and dramatic waterfalls. Your guide will also take you to see Skutustadagigar, a collection of pseudo craters by the lake, Dimmuborgir lava field, Hverfjall (pyroclastic volcano) crater and the Grotgja fissure. In the afternoon you could go dog- sledding. This truly is a magical experience as you pass silently over the snow between volcanoes, craters and bubbling springs. A kennel visit to spend some extra time cuddling the huskies is a lovely optional extra if you have children with you (or if you’re a dog lover). Alternatively, you could go snow-mobiling. End the day at the restorative Myvatn Nature Baths.
Day 8 - Akureyri & Fly to Reykjavik
The next morning you will continue onto Akureyri, the largest town in the North which you can explore at your leisure or with your guides before your flight back to Reykjavik. Spend the night in Reykjavik before your adventure continues in the south of Iceland. Spend the night at Ion City.
Day 9 - The Spectacular South
Visit the popular and dramatic waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss and venture onto the black sand beach and basalt rock columns of Reynisfjara. Continue onto the cape of Dyrholey, walk around the lighthouse and admire the stunning cliff and sea views. In the afternoon, you can hike alongside the picturesque valley glacier of Svinafellsjokull or on the glacier itself. An optional extra or alternative would be to go ice climbing with your guide on the Solheimajokull Glacier. Spend 2 nights at Skalakot Country Manor or Hotel Ranga.
Day 10 - Glacier Lagoons, Black Sand Beaches & Ice Caves
This morning you will discover the awe-inspiring Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon where large blocks of ice break off Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajokull and drift across this unique lagoon. Walk along the lagoon banks keeping an eye out for seals. You will also visit the black sand beach a few minutes away where the remnants of the icebergs wash up (an incredible and unique sight). Head to the blue ice cave within Vatnajokull as an optional extra. Delving into this frozen world is a unique experience. We can also highly recommend a beautiful outdoor geothermally heated bathing pool.
Day 11 - Fly To Keflavik and Home!
Head back to Keflavik airport and fly home with some incredible memories of your Icelandic adventure!
What's included?
INCLUDED:
- Prices start from £6500 per person
- Accommodation on B&B basis
- All transfers/visits in private vehicle (4×4)
- Private guides
- Local taxes
- All excursions and activities mentioned in the itinerary excluding suggested activities
- Internal flights
- Self-drive option (POA)
- All trips are ATOL protected or ABTA bonded to ensure you are fully covered
NOT INCLUDED:
- Entrance fees to optional sites in Reykjavik
- Additional excursions (see final paragraph)
