Absolute Iceland

Take in some of the best known sights of Iceland today on the Golden Circle route. You will start with a visit to a geothermal greenhouse to learn how Icelanders grow vegetables, then explore Gullfoss, the beautiful double “Golden Falls”. Then walk through the active geothermal area of Geysir, where Strokkur “the churn” spouts up to 25 meters (70 feet) every five to seven minutes. The next stop is the ancient Viking Parliament area and UNESCO world heritage site of Thingvellir National Park which is situated on a tectonic plate boundary where North America and Europe are slowly tearing away from each other, creating dramatic fissures, ponds, and rivers, including the great rift Almannagja.

Take in some of the best known sights of Iceland today on the Golden Circle route. You will start with a visit to a geothermal greenhouse to learn how Icelanders grow vegetables, then explore Gullfoss, the beautiful double “Golden Falls”. Then walk through the active geothermal area of Geysir, where Strokkur “the churn” spouts up to 25 meters (70 feet) every five to seven minutes. The next stop is the ancient Viking Parliament area and UNESCO world heritage site of Thingvellir National Park which is situated on a tectonic plate boundary where North America and Europe are slowly tearing away from each other, creating dramatic fissures, ponds, and rivers, including the great rift Almannagja.

In pictures

Today, you will explore the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, a rugged mountain chain runs its length, capped by the 1,446-meter Snaefellsjokull glacier, a mystical cone-shaped stratovolcano. You will travel around the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, through lava fields, and along the ocean and seeing many sights including Snaefellsnes National Park where volcanic craters, lava flows, an ice cap, glaciated peaks, fjords, sandy beaches, and high cliffs shape its landscapes. You will also have an opportunity to go on a trip to the interior of the earth under the glacier Snaefellsjokull! This lava cave tour takes you 35 meters underground and about 200 meters into the lava tube called Vatnshellir. This afternoon you will travel by ferry to Brjanslaekur in the West Fjords. On the 2.5 hour journey over Breidafjordur Bay, you will pass the island of Flatey.

Today you will visit the folk and transport museum in Hnjótur before continuing on through a very remote and sparsely populated region to the bird cliffs of Latrabjarg, the most abundant seabird cliff and the westernmost point of Iceland and Europe where you can see puffins from mid-May till mid-August. You will take a walk in the wilderness to the top of the highest bird cliff in Iceland. Látrabjarg is a place where you can get very close to the seabirds, and even if you’re not into bird watching, you are entertained by the comic puffins and mesmerized by the sheer number of birds. If weather and road conditions allow you will also visit Rauðisandur beach with endless red sand. This pure sand beach is home to countless seabirds and seals and is an oasis of unique tranquillity.

Today you will visit the folk and transport museum in Hnjótur before continuing on through a very remote and sparsely populated region to the bird cliffs of Latrabjarg, the most abundant seabird cliff and the westernmost point of Iceland and Europe where you can see puffins from mid-May till mid-August. You will take a walk in the wilderness to the top of the highest bird cliff in Iceland. Látrabjarg is a place where you can get very close to the seabirds, and even if you’re not into bird watching, you are entertained by the comic puffins and mesmerized by the sheer number of birds. If weather and road conditions allow you will also visit Rauðisandur beach with endless red sand. This pure sand beach is home to countless seabirds and seals and is an oasis of unique tranquillity.

In pictures

You will travel over mountains and along the shore of scenic fjords until you reach the majestic fjord Arnarfjordur, surrounded by high mountains. At the bottom of the fjord, you will come across the unique waterfall Dynjandi with its seven levels of plunging water, declared the country’s most beautiful waterfall by the people of Iceland. You will continue over a mountain pass and along the southern shores of the West Fjords which is a route less travelled and is characterized by sheer cliffs, deep cut bays and narrow stretches of coastal lowland. You will reach Erpsstadir, a family run dairy farm best known for their ice cream and various other dairy products. Take a look at the milk production world and taste their unique ice cream directly from the farm, with local seasonal flavours.

Today you will travel off the beaten track of Vatnsnes peninsula. You will pass the fishing village of Hvammstangi, also called the seal capital of Iceland. A gravel road takes you around the peninsula to Hvitserkur, a highlight on the east coast of the region; a mass of igneous rock, about 15 meters high, situated on the seashore where fulmars and gulls live. You will continue to Kolugljufur Canyon, where waterfalls cascade into the deep, rugged gorge. It is a breath taking sight to walk on the viewing platform and watch the calm waters of the river suddenly leap and tumble onwards over so many impressive falls. Further north you will stop at Vídimyri to visit one of the few preserved turf churches in Iceland before continuing along to Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland, where you will stay for two nights.

Today you will travel off the beaten track of Vatnsnes peninsula. You will pass the fishing village of Hvammstangi, also called the seal capital of Iceland. A gravel road takes you around the peninsula to Hvitserkur, a highlight on the east coast of the region; a mass of igneous rock, about 15 meters high, situated on the seashore where fulmars and gulls live. You will continue to Kolugljufur Canyon, where waterfalls cascade into the deep, rugged gorge. It is a breath taking sight to walk on the viewing platform and watch the calm waters of the river suddenly leap and tumble onwards over so many impressive falls. Further north you will stop at Vídimyri to visit one of the few preserved turf churches in Iceland before continuing along to Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland, where you will stay for two nights.

In pictures

This morning enjoy a whale watching tour for 2-3 hours in Eyjafjordur – Iceland’s longest fjord right below the Arctic Circle. You will have an opportunity to try sea angling towards the end of the tour. This afternoon you will see the spectacular fjord landscapes while travelling to Siglufjordur, Iceland’s northernmost town, known as the herring capital of the North Atlantic. On the way, you will pass small fishing villages and stop at a the Herring Era Museum, Iceland’s largest maritime museum. Don’t miss the opportunity to taste the herring along with Brennivin, Icelandic schnapps.

This morning you will visit Godafoss, the waterfall of the Gods, then continue to Lake Myvatn, known for its abundant bird life and amazing volcanic lava landscapes. Here you will see pseudo craters, walk in the mysterious lava field Dimmuborgir, see the tephra cone Hverfjall, explore the hot springs, fumaroles, and bubbling mud pools of Namaskard. You will visit Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall, in the northern part of Vatnajokull National Park. Continue east through the bare deserted landscape with mountains all around and head through the uninhabited highlands to East Iceland. You will end your day with a visit to Vök baths, a geothermal floating pool in Lake Urriðavatn where guests can soak in the hot water, within and surrounded by the lake.

This morning you will visit Godafoss, the waterfall of the Gods, then continue to Lake Myvatn, known for its abundant bird life and amazing volcanic lava landscapes. Here you will see pseudo craters, walk in the mysterious lava field Dimmuborgir, see the tephra cone Hverfjall, explore the hot springs, fumaroles, and bubbling mud pools of Namaskard. You will visit Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall, in the northern part of Vatnajokull National Park. Continue east through the bare deserted landscape with mountains all around and head through the uninhabited highlands to East Iceland. You will end your day with a visit to Vök baths, a geothermal floating pool in Lake Urriðavatn where guests can soak in the hot water, within and surrounded by the lake.

In pictures

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. First stop of the day is Petra’s fascinating rock collection. A naturalist and a collector are two terms that have been used to describe Petra since she was a little girl. Petra collected for nearly 80 years this unique treasure of rocks, crystals, zeolites, quartz and more, all from the nearby area in the East Fjords. In the afternoon you will see Vatnajokull, Europe’s biggest glacier that is visible all-over Southeast Iceland.

Today you will visit Vatnajokull National Park which covers about 14% of Iceland. You will stop for a boat ride amongst the floating icebergs on the magnificent Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon. Next, you will walk along the black sands of the so-called Diamond beach. You will explore the region of Skaftafell that is nestled below Iceland’s highest mountain and the second biggest stratovolcano in Europe, the 2.110-meter high Hvannadalshnukur. You will walk close to one of the many glacial tongues in the area – a true photo moment. You will cross a sandy desert before reaching our overnight location Vik, the southernmost village in Iceland.

Today you will visit Vatnajokull National Park which covers about 14% of Iceland. You will stop for a boat ride amongst the floating icebergs on the magnificent Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon. Next, you will walk along the black sands of the so-called Diamond beach. You will explore the region of Skaftafell that is nestled below Iceland’s highest mountain and the second biggest stratovolcano in Europe, the 2.110-meter high Hvannadalshnukur. You will walk close to one of the many glacial tongues in the area – a true photo moment. You will cross a sandy desert before reaching our overnight location Vik, the southernmost village in Iceland.

In pictures

Today you will travel along the South Coast of Iceland, between the sea, rugged mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls. You will explore the black lava beach, Reynisfjara, and bird cliffs before stopping at the Skogafoss waterfall, another must-see location in South Iceland. Afterwards you will visit Skogar folk museum with its turf houses assemblage of traditions of territorial relics on display. Later reach Seljalandsfoss waterfall where you can follow a slick and wet trail and walk right behind it. Then you will visit the Lava and Volcano Exhibition Centre focused on geology and active volcanoes and watch a documentary film about volcanic eruptions in the past years in Iceland. Enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital.

Transfer by Fly Bus airport shuttle to Keflavík Airport in time for your flight home.