Compare Best of Iceland by G Adventures vs Volcanoes and Glaciers of Iceland by Great Value Vacations
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Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4 | Great
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Duration | 7 days | 6 days |
Price From | $ 2,359 | $ 2,588 |
Price Per Day | $ 337 | $ 431 |
Highlights |
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Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
Physical Level |
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Travel Themes |
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Countries Visited | ||
Cities and Attractions |
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Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
Activities |
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Meals Included | 6 breakfasts | N/A |
Description |
If you're looking for a fast but full visit around Iceland, this seven-day trip fits the bill perfectly. It has tons of hidden gems that you won’t find anywhere else in the world, combined with free time to experience plenty of the highlights, like erupting geysers, visiting glacier lagoons, and exploring breathtaking waterfalls and black-sand beaches. Be sure to pack your sense of adventure and get ready to feel Iceland under your feet. |
Witness the marvels of Mother Nature in its purest form! Discover the natural wonders of Iceland, geologically one of the world‘s youngest and most volcanic islands. This 5-night getaway gives you the perfect opportunity to discover the magic of these wonders, and the magnificent natural landscape that surrounds them. Discover the major attractions of the south from the infamous Jokulsarlon Glacier to the beautiful Westman islands, all of the glaciers, geysers, and waterfalls in between. |
Day 1 Reykjavik
Arrive at any time.
There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.
There are pre-bookable activities available for this tour. Check out the "Available Extras" section of the Overview page for more information on these activities, and cost-saving bundles.
Day 2 Reykjavik/Akureyri
Set off from Reykjavik after breakfast and enjoy the scenic journey to the Capital of the North, Akureyri. Explore Akureyri's old town. Enjoy optional lunch in one of the eateries in Akureyri and opt to go on a whale-watching tour.
Eyjafjörður is a scenic spot to enjoy the local wildlife and small villages in the area. Opt to go on a whale-watching excursion.
If you have pre-booked whale watching, you will be going on the excursion this evening.
Day 3 Akureyri to Bakagerdi (Borgarfjörður)
Stop at Goðafoss waterfall en route to Mývatn lake. Explore lava formations of Dimmuborgir and the geothermal area of Námaskarð. Visit Dettifoss waterfall before arriving in Bakagerdi (Borgarfjörður) for a night in a local guesthouse.
Head to Mývatn lake, stopping en route at Goðafoss waterfall. In Mývatn, explore lava formations of Dimmuborgir and the geothermal area of Námaskarð. Visit Dettifoss waterfall, one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe. Reach Bakagerdi (Borgarfjörður) in the East Fjords region for a night in a local guesthouse.
Day 4 Bakkagerdi/Hofn
Leave beautiful Bakkagerði behind and travel down the coast driving through the beautiful and majestic eastern fjords. En route to Hofn, catch a glimpse of Vatnajokull glacier, the largest ice cap in Europe.
Day 5 Hofn/Vik
Visit the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and nearby Diamond Beach, with a chance to see seals sunbathing on the bright blue ice. Opt to check out the lagoon by boat. Continue on to Skaftafell National Park with time to explore the hiking trails or choose an optional glacier hike with glacier equipment before continuing on in the evening to the small town of Vík.
Marvel at the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, with a chance to see seals sunbathing on the bright blue ice. The massive icebergs floating towards shore tower over visitors. Opt to check out the lagoon by boat. Stop by Diamond Beach, which gets its name from chunks of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier that float to shore. As these blocks of glacier ice melt, they develop a crystal clear sheen, set against the black sand of the beach. Continue on to Skaftafell National Park with time to explore before continuing on in the evening to the small town of Vík.
Opt to pre-book the Skaftafell National Park Glacier Hike activity on the checkout page. If you have pre-booked glacier hiking on Skaftafell, this activity will take place today.
Day 6 Vik/Reykjavik
Visit Reynisfjara beach. Continue along the Golden Circle to Drumbo. Stop at the waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Gullfoss. Explore the Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir Hot Springs and Þingvellir National Park. Arrive to Reykjavík in the early evening.
Day 7 Reykjavik
Depart at any time.
Please note if you opt to book the Silfra Fissure Snorkelling in Thingvellir National Park, you will be gone for a half-day. We advise booking a Post-Night, as your return time could vary depending on the time slot available for the snorkelling activity. The arrival back to the hotel in Reykjavík ranges from 2 pm to as late as 5 pm.
Day 1 Welcome to Reykjavik!
Upon arrival at Keflavik Airport, make your way outside of the arrival hall and look for the coaches marked “Flybus." You have a Flybus Plus ticket, so upon presenting your voucher, you will be redirected to a smaller shuttle that will take you to your hotel. The remainder of your day is at leisure to enjoy Reykjavik!
Day 2 Reykjavik - Westman Islands
After breakfast, you will depart Reykjavik and drive through the volcanic regions of the south shore. In Hvollsvullur town, you'll visit the LAVA Centre to learn all about the volcanos and earthquakes that created the land around you. Next, you'll visit Seljalandsfoss Waterfall - you can walk behind this waterfall for an unforgettable view. See Landeyjahofn Harbor, take a ferry ride to Westman Islands, and explore Hejmaey! You'll get to walk to the crater of a three-decade old volcano. In the afternoon, explore at your leisure!
Day 3 Westman Islands - South Shore - Skógar – Vík
Today, you'll take the ferry from Westman Islands to South Shore. You'll see UNESCO site Katla Geopark, visit Skogafoss waterfall, and gaze at Myrdalsjokull Glacier. Next, you'll go for a glacier hike to discover amazing ice formations. Or, you can see Solheimajokull as you paddle through a stunning lagoon! You'll get to see the black sands of Reynisfara Beach along the way. Spend the evening as you choose.
Day 4 Vik - Skaftafell - Jökulsárlón - Vik
Today, you'll be in Vatnajokull National Park, which was named after Europe's largest glacier. You'll cross Eldhraun, the largest mass of lava ever to flow on the face of the Earth, before reaching the small town of Kirkjubaejarklaustur, a former site of a 12th-century Catholic convent. You'll then head onwards to Skaftafell National Park, one of Iceland's most outstanding areas of natural beauty. Continue on to the stunning Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon to see floating icebergs and possibly even a curious seal or two! Throughout the day you'll enjoy magnificent views of the mighty Vatnajökull Glacier. After another adventurous day in the ice, warm up with a 3-course dinner!
Day 5 Vík - Gullfoss - Geysir - Thingvellir - Reykjavík
Today, you'll visit the Golden Circle, one of the most famous and beautiful regions of Iceland. Head to the Geysir hot spring area to see the famous great Geysir, as well as Strokkur, a hot spring that spouts every few minutes. From there you will travel to Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s most impressive waterfalls. The next stop is the UNESCO World Heritage-Listed Thingvellir National Park, where the Viking-age parliament met for centuries on the shores of Iceland’s largest lake. This is also where you can see the meeting point of the European and North American tectonic plates! From there you'll head back to Reykjavik.
Day 6 Depart Iceland