Compare Iceland Adventure by Globus vs Iceland Explorer by Exodus Travels
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 4,319 | $ 4,650 |
| Price Per Day | $ 540 | $ 465 |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | No | No |
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| Meals Included | N/A | Breakfasts are mainly continental style, lunches will be taken in cafes or restaurants, or even service station cafes depending on our location. The main meal of the day is usually local fish or lamb specialities, plus European standards such as pasta and chicken. Vegetarians and those with special dietary requirements can be catered for, but may get a little less variety in the meals provided. It is still common practice for restaurants receiving big groups to offer a restricted menu. Our leader will do their best to ensure as much choice as possible. Please advise us of any special dietary requirements at the time of booking. |
| Description | Icelandic folklore maintains there are clans of elves and trolls living in the country’s extraordinary hills, rocky outcrops, and lava fields. Will you meet these “Huldufólk” or “Hidden People” said to dislike churches, daylight, and electricity? Hard to say. But here’s what you will see on this breathtaking tour of Iceland—active volcanoes, roaring waterfalls, jagged glaciers, floating icebergs, black-sand beaches, and brilliant-blue geothermal springs. Unique, local experiences await in the “Land of Fire and Ice,” including tasting piping hot bread baked by the heat from the hot springs, sipping Geysir schnapps served at freezing point, and standing in awe before the spectacular Lake Jökulsárlón, home to Europe’s largest glacier and the site of some of the most dramatic scenes from the James Bond movie Die Another Day. The gargantuan sights in the land of the elves will surely leave you stirred, not shaken. |
Iceland is a vast, evocative country, constantly evolving through the sheer power of geological forces. There is a huge amount to see outside of the better-known tourist spots in the south. Geysir, Thingvellir and Gullfoss are understandably popular, and we visit them before continuing to explore areas less frequented by most visitors. The starkly beautiful Icelandic coastline, the immense glaciers and the beauty of the Eastern Fjords are just some of the treasures that await, to say nothing of the almost indescribable geology of the north. On this busy itinerary, choose between the frozen landscape of winter, when we see the sun rise and set every day and have the chance to experience the Northern Lights, and the seemingly endless days of summer with 24-hour daylight. It’s no surprise so many blockbusters and TV series are filmed here. As dramatic landscapes go, this takes some beating.Discover Iceland’s star attractions and wild side with vast glaciers, picturesque fjords and rugged coastline |
Day 1: ARRIVE IN REYKJAVIK, ICELAND
Welcome to Reykjavik! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (Dinner)
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Day 2: REYKJAVIK–HELLISHEIÐARVIRKJUN–GEYSIR–GULLFOSS–THINGVELLIR–BORGARNES
Incredible Iceland REYKJAVIK Orientation drive.HELLISHEIÐARVIRKJUN Visit the geothermal heat and electric power station.GEYSIR Stop at the hot springs and [LF] taste local specialties with a glass of Geysir Schnapps.GULLFOSS Take pictures at the Gullfoss waterfalls.THINGVELLIR [LF] Walk through the rift valley en route to Borgarnes.(Breakfast,Dinner) 180 mi / 290 km
LOCAL FAVORITE NATURAL WONDERS Iceland is the only place in the world where separation between the North American and European geological rift (tectonic plates) are above sea level, and nowhere in the world are the edges of both plates as clearly visible than the rift valley in Thingvellir National Park. Here, you can stand on two continents at the same time!
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Day 3: BORGARNES–HAUGANES–AKUREYRI
Giant Love HAUGANES Take a [LF] whale-watching cruise before continuing to Akureyri. (Breakfast)217 mi / 350 km
LOCAL FAVORITE WILD & WONDERFUL Take a whale-watching cruise from Hauganes for the chance to spot humpback and minke whales and dolphins surfacing on the glassy waters of Eyjafjordur bay.
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Day 4: AKUREYRI–GOĐAFOSS–LAKE MÝVATN–DETTIFOSS–EGILSSTADIR
Heavenly Sights AKUREYRI Take an orientation walk that includes the botanical gardens.GOĐAFOSS Take pictures of the “Waterfall of the Gods.” Scenic drive to the lovely blue Lake Mývatn.LAKE MÝVATN Stop at lake Mývatn.DETTIFOSS Take photos of the most powerful waterfall in Europe (road conditions permitting) before continuing to Egilsstadir. (Breakfast,Dinner) 190 mi / 305 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHTPICTURE PERFECT Take the photographs of a lifetime with a stop at North Iceland’s historic and magnificent Goðafoss waterfall, stretching 90 feet across dramatic rock formations to deliver its spectacular cascades along the glacial-fed Skjálfandafljót River.
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Day 5: EGILSSTADIR–HÖFN AREA
Warm Friends on an Icelandic Fjord EGILSSTADIR Scenic drive en route to Höfn. (Breakfast,Dinner)159 mi / 256 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURE & TRADITION Hear about the Lagarfljótwurm, a snake-like animal that is supposed to guard a pot of gold located by Lake Lögurinn and take in the natural beauty of this fjord town where sheep farming, fishing, and music festivals are all part of the culture.
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Day 6: HÖFN AREA–LAKE JÖKULSÁRLÓN–SKAFTAFELL NATIONAL PARK–VIK AREA
Icy Beauty LAKE JÖKULSÁRLÓN [LF] Take photos of the Vatnajökull Glacier (weather permitting). Scenic drive through Skaftafell National Park en route to Vik. (Breakfast,Dinner) 169 mi / 272 km
LOCAL FAVORITE PICTURE PERFECT Drive through the national park at Skaftafell and stop at Lake Jökulsárlón. Snap photos to capture the astonishingly beautiful glacier Vatnajökull (the Water Glacier) which flows into the lake for a spectacular sight to see at Iceland's largest ice cap.
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Day 7: VIK AREA–SELJALANDSFOSS–REYKJAVIK
Earthly Powers VIK AREA Scenic drive with views of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano. SELJALANDSFOSS Take photos of the waterfall.REYKJAVIK Enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (Breakfast,Dinner) 118 mi / 190 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHTNATURAL WONDERS Eyjafjallajökull is one of Iceland’s few stratovolcanoes (with an ice cap covering the caldera). When the volcano erupted in 2010, the glacier topping also broke, and the plume of ash rose over five miles into the sky – interrupting European air travel for almost a month!
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Day 8: REYKJAVIK
Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
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Day 1 Start Reykjavik
We start in Reykjavik, the most northerly city in the world and gateway to the wider wonders of Iceland. Depending on when you land, you may have time to visit the Blue Lagoon. Alternatively, there’s plenty to explore in town, including the striking modern architecture of the Harpa concert hall and Hallgrímskirkja church. We gather in the evening at the hotel for a welcome briefing, which is normally at 6.30pm. After, our groups typically go out for dinner together.
Day 2 Thingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss
Today we drive inland to Thingvellir, where the world’s first democratic parliament took place – the area became the first Icelandic national park in 1928 and a Unesco World Heritage site in 2004. Sitting right on top of a major fault line, it is the best place in Iceland to see the continental drift – the movement of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. Here they are pulling the earth apart as they inch away from each other, causing the land between to subside. Not surprisingly, the area abounds with waterfalls, immense fissures and the largest lake in the country. We then carry on to see the world-renowned geysers. The most reliable eruption comes every five to 10 minutes from the 98ft (30m) Strokkur geyser. To round off the day, we drive a short distance to Gullfoss, a huge waterfall in a 230ft (70m) deep canyon forged by the Hvita River (White River).
Day 3 Head east, taking in Skógafoss, Dyrhólaey and Jökulsárlón
We head east to the foot of the infamous Eyjafjallajökull Ice Cap; this area was heavily affected by ash-fall during the 2010 eruption and a great deal of ice was melted by the boiling lava. The glacier feeds many beautiful waterfalls and we visit two of them: Skógafoss and Kvernufoss. Both have rushing water dropping 197ft (60m), and in the case of Skógafoss, a wall of water rushing down in a 82ft (25m) wide sheet. Continuing east, we cross the black flood plain of Solheimasandur before reaching the green valley of Myrdalur and continuing to Dyrhólaey. This 394ft (120m) high promontory is the southernmost point in Iceland. It is rich in bird life and a nesting site for puffins and Arctic terns in spring. If we are lucky, we might see whales and seals on calm days from the promontory. We continue further east to Vik, the southernmost town in Iceland and a great place to see the Reynisdrangar sea stacks. If time and conditions allow, we will see the Reynisdrangar sea stacks at closer proximity from Reynisfjara black beach. Then we travel further across the Mýrdalssandur and Skeiðarársandur flood plains. Both were formed by countless floods created by volcanic eruptions. We head for Vatnajökull National Park, home to the largest ice cap in Europe (also called Vatnajökull) and then on to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, where thousands of icebergs are separating from the largest glacier in the country and floating in the pale green sea-level lagoon. We take a walk beside the waters for excellent views. If conditions allow, we can head to the black-sand beach where chunks of ice are washed onto the shore by the sea, creating some wonderful shapes and formations. We then continue further east, with the steep mountains of Vatnajökull on one side and the exposed south coast on the other, to our accommodation.
Day 4 The Eastern Fjords and Egilsstadir
Today is a day of scenic driving with several stops as we travel through fjord country. This stunning mountain region has been sculpted as much by glaciers as volcanic activity. The road winds from one fjord to another, passing a few farms in each fjord where there is enough flat land for hay fields. The birdlife is rich and in late summer, thousands of moulting whooper swans feed in the sheltered lagoon of Alftafjordur (Swan Fjord). We continue to the town of Egilsstadir.
Day 5 Studlagil Canyon, Möðrudalur farm, Dettifoss Waterfall and Myvatn
Heading inland and west, we pass through the starkly contrasting desert scenery of the northeast highlands and follow the track that takes us to Jokuldalur valley and to Studlagil Canyon, one of the most beautiful canyons of columnar basalt in Iceland. Then it's on to Möðrudalur farmstead, the highest inhabited farm in Iceland at 469m (1,539ft) above sea level. The views from Möðrudalur are special, stretching far and wide across the rugged landscape. From Möðrudalur, we drive to the enormous Dettifoss waterfall* and walk 0.6mi (1km) to a great vantage point. This is the most powerful waterfall in Europe, bizarrely set in an arid area of sand and rock formations. After, we visit the Námafjall goethermal area before driving a short distance to Myvatn and the pseudocraters at Skútustaðir. Finally, we head to our hotel at Lake Myvatn. *The road to Detifoss may not be passable on some winter departures. Your tour leader will assess the local conditions and adapt the itinerary if required.
Day 6 Lake Myvatn, Hverfjell, Godafoss, Akureyri
We spend the morning around Lake Myvatn and go for a short walk in Dimmuborgir, a vast area of lava towers and natural arches. Only a short distance from Dimmuborgir is Mount Hverfjall, a huge circular crater that's 460ft (140m) deep and 3,280ft (1,000m) wide. It is one of the most beautiful craters in Iceland, one which erupted some 2,500 years ago and covered the Myvatn area in tephra (fragments of volcanic rock). It is also thought to be one of the largest on the planet. A little further north is the hot-spring cave known as Grjótagjá, made famous by Game of Thrones. After Myvatn, we head to the Godafoss waterfall en route to Akureyri, where the afternoon is free to spend at leisure. Akureyri is a town of 17,000 inhabitants and is the biggest town outside the capital. It is the cultural, commercial and educational centre for northern Iceland and 37mi (60km) south of the Arctic Circle. Akureyri is remarkably green and has the northernmost botanical garden in the world. The Lutheran church in Akureyri is an interesting visit, featuring a stained-glass window thought to have come from a church in London, UK. As with most towns in Iceland there are also thermal baths, enjoyed as much by the locals as by visitors. And if you just fancy a wander, there are plenty of interesting shops, coffee shops and even ice cream parlours. If you would like to book a whale watching tour for this afternoon (March-October only), please speak to your tour leader at the welcome briefing.
Day 7 Siglufjordur, Hofsos, Kolufljufur Canyon
We leave Akureyri and drive around the Troll Peninsula via traditional fishing villages. We stop at the magnificent outdoor swimming pool at the village of Hofsos, with time for an optional quick dip (not included). This remote geothermal swimming pool has some of the best views over Skagafjördur bay. A little further south, we arrive in the Víðidalur valley and make a short stop at beautiful waterfalls in Kolugljúfur canyon, named after a giantess said to have once lived in the area. From Kolugljúfur, we head to our nearby hotel.
Day 8 Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Vikings and Stykkisholmur
Today we drive west to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Along the way, we visit a reconstructed Viking house once home to Erik the Red and his son Leif Erikson – the two most famous travelling Vikings. The Eiríksstaðir gives an interesting insight into the life of early settlers and an introduction to the historic tradition of the Icelandic Sagas. From Eiríksstaðir, we head to the village of Stykkishólmur. Snæfellsnes is best known for the stratovolcano Snæfellsjökull. Jules Verne, in his classic Journey to the Centre of the Earth, describes this as the start point for the characters' descent. New Age followers consider this area to be one of the Earth's seven major energy centres. We pass through fishing villages on the peninsula and head to one of the most photographed mountains in Iceland, Kirkjufell. We then head to the southern side of the peninsula to our accommodation on the beach with great views over Snæfellsjökull.
Day 9 Coastal drive to Reykjavik
The exposed coast of the of Snæfellsnes Peninsula is the goal for today, and this area has recently been designated a national park. We visit the old church at Budir, one of the most picturesque in the country; the sea cliffs at Arnarstapi, swarming with birds; the rocks of Djúpalónssandur; and old shipwrecks in black basaltic sand. Our guide will tell us about the old cod-fishing methods, while towering above us is the Snæfellsjökull volcano. Some of the best fisheries are on the peninsula and whales can often be seen from shore on calm days. Finally, we return to our hotel in Reykjavik.
Day 10 Our trip ends in Reykjavik after breakfast
Our trip ends in Reykjavik after breakfast. You can catch a Flybus transfer to the airport to catch your return flight. Alternatively, if you’d like a bit longer to explore this invigorating city, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
