This tour is fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader who will accompany you throughout the tour. If your tour includes multiple countries, you will be met by a new tour leader in each country and any internal flights included will be unescorted.
This tour is categorised as 4 out of 5
Packed itinerary with maximum exploration: Embark on a whirlwind sightseeing tour with minimal downtime. This tour maximises your exploration, keeping you on the move and ticking off must-see locations. A good fitness level and mobility are required to keep pace with this action-packed adventure!
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
✓ Choose your group size! Choose between departure dates with small (maximum 18) or classic groups (maximum 36) to customise your experience.
✓ See the best of Iceland’s magnificent Ring Road, with amazing natural landscapes and iconic waterfalls
✓ Incredible sightseeing of famed natural wonders in the Golden Circle and beyond, including Geysir, Gullfoss waterfall, the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, the Geothermal sites of Mývatn, Dettifoss Waterfall, and Akureyri
✓ Visit all the highlights of Snæfellsjökull National Park, including Snæfellsjökull glacier, Kirkjufell, Djúpalónssandur, Arnarstapi, and the Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum
✓ Experience a slice of Icelandic life with unique activities like visiting a local farm, enjoying a viking horse demonstration, and tasting a local microbrew
✓ 9 nights in quality 3 and 4-star hotels
✓ Breakfast daily, and 5 dinners
✓ Fully escorted by professional, English-speaking guide (Days 2–9)
✓ Dedicated, comfortable coach transportation with included Wi-Fi
✈ Needing international airfares to accompany your Inspiring Vacation? You will be able to access our flight portal after securing your package to add international airfares to your booking.
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to Iceland! Arrive into Keflavik International Airport. If you have arrived with time to explore, take some time to wander around Iceland’s quaint capital city. You may wish to visit the beautiful Hallgrimskirkja Church and take in the iconic views from the top. Take a stroll in the old city centre, perhaps visiting one of the museums or relaxing with a cup of coffee in a cozy café.
Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.
Please note that hotels in Iceland start check-in around 14:00 (2:00pm), and early check-in is not guaranteed. Most hotels will be happy to store your luggage if you are not able to check in early.
After breakfast, you’ll meet your guide and start your Icelandic adventure! After a quick introduction to Reykjavík, head to Lake Þingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest lake, and Þingvellir National Park. This UNESCO heritage site is where the world’s oldest continuing parliamentary government was founded in the 10th century. It is also the place where the North American and European tectonic plates meet. You will have the unusual experience of walking between two continents!
Next on your journey is Gullfoss, the “Golden Waterfall”, where various walking paths give you photo-worthy views of the beautiful double-ledged cascade. You’ll also visit the nearby Geysir hot spring area to see the famous Geysir and Strokkur, as well as numerous other hot springs and boiling mud pools. During the day you’ll get a glimpse into Icelandic local life. Visit an Icelandic family farm where tomatoes are grown using organic geothermal energy. Tour the greenhouse and sample some of the farm’s sweet Icelandic tomatoes.
The day ends in Hveragerði, a pretty town located in an active geothermal area. The locals have made clever use of underground hot springs to provide heat for homes, as well as greenhouses that grow flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Dinner and overnight in the Hveragerði area.
Explore enchanting Þjórsárdalur valley and its ever-changing landscapes of birch woods, sandy lava fields, rivers, and waterfalls. If the skies are clear, you’ll also see the impressive and beautiful Mt. Hekla volcano towering over the region.
Visit Stöng, where you can view a replica of a Viking-age longhouse that was buried by a volcanic eruption of Hekla. The area was also used as a filming location for Game of Thrones. Drive along the scenic farmlands of Iceland’s South Shore. Stop to admire the scenic waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Each waterfall has its own charm. Continue to Dyrhólaey* and the thundering waves of the Reynisfjara black sand beaches. End the day in Vík, Iceland’s southernmost town. Dinner and overnight in the Vík area.
*Please note that Dyrhólaey is closed for the bird nesting season between mid-May and the 25th of June.
Today you will be in a world of glaciers! After breakfast, you’ll visit the southern area of Vatnajökull National Park, named after Europe’s largest glacier. The total park area covers almost 14% of Iceland, making it the largest national park in Western Europe. Drive through vast sand plains created by glacial outwashes as you head east. Visit the national park’s famous Skaftafell area, a site of outstanding natural beauty. Enjoy the views of rich green landscapes and black sands dominated by several magnificent glaciers. You’ll also see Svínafellsjökull, one of the most beautiful glacial “tongues” that are slowly creeping down from Vatnajökull.
Next, we will visit Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon where you’ll enjoy the breath-taking sight of icebergs floating in the fantastic 180m (591 ft.) deep glacial lagoon. You also have the option of enjoying a boat tour amid the ice bergs (must be booked in advance). Nearby is the dramatic beauty of the Diamond Beach, named for the shrinking icebergs that settle on the black sands before drifting out to sea. Your overnight is in Höfn, a fishing port in the shadow of Vatnajökull glacier. Dinner is on your own. Höfn has a nice selection of restaurants and cafes.
Sail among the huge icebergs in the picturesque scenery of Jökulsárlón. On the boat, you get to taste the 1000-year-old ice and if you are lucky you might even see some seals. Your guide will explain to you the geology and facts of the lagoon.
Includes: Guided tour on amphibian boat, lifevest.
Duration: 30-40 minutes.
Breakfast at your hotel. Drive from Höfn through Almannaskarð pass, stopping to admire the majestic coastline. Continue to the towering mountains plunging vertically into the sea that form the magnificent Eastfjords. We’re sure you’ll love the amazing views, so keep your camera ready. You will also pass villages, each with its own special history and charm.
One of these is the tiny village of Breiðdalsvík. Your group will visit the Beljandi Microbrewery and sample some of the wonderful beer. The local community came together in 2017 to transform a rustic warehouse into a charmingly quirky brewery. You’ll meet one of the townsfolk and get a feel for life in a small Icelandic town, as well as see how great beer is made.
The road brings you to Egilsstaðir town, located near Iceland’s largest forest and a lake said to be home to a legendary (friendly) monster. Dinner and overnight stay in the Egilsstaðir area.
Enjoy the relaxing experience of floating geothermal pools in a beautiful lake setting .
Includes: Vök bathing fee, towel rental and tisane at the tea bar | Not Included: Swimsuit (rentals available), transfer from Vök to the hotel (taxi transfer option available from Vök baths).
Explore the empty vastness of the highland desert plateau Möðrudalsöræfi, desolate and yet hauntingly beautiful, as you head towards the Lake Mývatn area. Visit fantastical Stuðlagil, an impressive canyon made of basalt columns that seem to resemble organ pipes. A viewing platform near the canyon lets you enjoy the canyon’s unique features. Stuðlagil is one of Iceland’s largest basalt formations. You can see how basalt columns like these influenced the design of Reykjavík’s Hallgrímskirkja church.
Stop at Dettifoss, Europe’s largest and most powerful waterfall. Continue onwards to the Námaskarð pass with its boiling mud pools and vibrant colours. We often feel like we are visiting another planet when we come here, and you may feel the same way. It’s such a surreal experience! Walk along the pseudo craters at Skútustaðir and peek into Grjótagjá, a cave with underground hot springs. Explore the peculiar lava formations at Dimmuborgir. They look as if fantasy creatures built them. Legend has it that elves live here, so be respectful during your visit.
You’ll definitely see why the surreal Mývatn area has become so popular as a movie location. Dinner and overnight stay in the Mývatn area.
After breakfast, start your day’s adventure with visiting sites in the Mývatn area. Next, head to the magnificent Goðafoss waterfall, one of North Iceland’s most important symbols. You will also learn how the waterfall got its interesting name.
Afterwards, you’ll head to Akureyri, the colourful northern “capital“ of Iceland. The town has charming buildings and a beautiful view of the Eyjafjörður fjord. Though small in size, Akureyri has a lively cultural scene. The rest of the day is open for you to explore Akureyri. If you’re interested in culture, check out the trendy Listagil area, the “Art Canyon.” You can stroll the street here, browsing art galleries and stopping in at one of the friendly cafes or pubs for delicious, locally sourced food. Several museums are worth a visit. The botanical garden is open year-round; many visitors find it interesting that a garden so close to the Arctic Circle has such a large variety of plants. Akureyri also has a nice variety of restaurants, so you’ll enjoy the chance to dine out tonight.
Get up close and personal with the largest animal on Earth!
Includes: Guided boat tour, warm overalls.
Duration: 3h.
Relax in geothermal pools surrounded by trees and a beautiful fjord.
Includes: Forest Lagoon bathing fee and towel rental
Not Included: Swimsuit (rentals available). Transfers to/from the Lagoon
Duration: flexible.
Drive through scenic valleys framed by dramatic mountains as you head into the Skagafjörður region. Icelanders consider the Skagafjörður area to be one of the country’s finest places for horse breeding. Enjoy an introduction to the unique Icelandic horse breed with its special fifth gait – the tolt. This horse breed has remained unchanged since Viking times.
Cross the Holtavörðuheiði plateau taking you into West Iceland. Drive through Borgarfjörður, a region that has been getting international recognition for its lovely volcanic and wooded scenery and for its Viking history. Listen to the powerful rushing waters of Deildartunguhver, Europe’s mightiest hot spring area. Stop to admire the beautiful Hraunfossar waterfalls, where brightly blue water rushes through black lava formations. Nearby is Barnafoss, a waterfall with even more brilliantly blue colours. Learn about the poignant legend associated with this waterfall.
Today you will explore the amazing variety of natural landscapes in Snæfellsjökull National Park. The park’s crown jewel is Snæfellsjökull glacier itself, which covers a dormant volcano that last erupted in 250 AD. In addition, you’ll also see Kirkjufell, one of the most photographed mountains in Iceland. Walk along the uniquely pebbled seascape of Djúpalónssandur beach. At the picturesque harbour village of Arnarstapi, you can observe magnificent basalt rocks in stacked formations. One Icelandic Saga mentions that Snæfellsnes and its people are protected by a benevolent half troll who lives high on the glacier. You might even find a sense of magic and healing energy in this beautiful peninsula.
You will also visit Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum, where you’ll learn about “hákarl,” the cured shark meat specialty that Icelanders have enjoyed since Viking times. You can even try some for yourself (if you dare).
At the end of the afternoon, your motor coach heads back to Reykjavík. Your guide will bid you farewell at your hotel.
Today, your Icelandic adventures come to an end after breakfast.
Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.
Secure your trip with a $99.00 deposit per person.
Once we receive your deposit, we will send you an invoice with your remaining balance and payment options.
Instalment Schedule:
This is a land only package.
This package does not include international airfares. If you would like to add airfares to your booking our flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub. The flight portal will allow you to search for all available airfares to your destination. The function works like most general flight search engines allowing you to select your preferred airline, book different cabin classes (eg. Business class) and view flight durations and transit times to your destination.
The flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub once the following criteria has been met:
Visit our Flight Hub for more information on terms and conditions, amending your flights and information on luggage allowances.
Some of our packages will include airport transfers in either one or both directions when arriving or departing from your destination. To know if transfers are included please view the ‘inclusions’ section of your selected package. If airport transfers are stated, transfers will be included as advised.
If transfers are not included, we also offer the option to book your airport transfers using our online portal. Access to this portal is available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed. Transfers are readily available and do not need to be booked until your final hotel list has been confirmed. Once you have made a transfer booking, please refer to your confirmation email for all transfer details including a local contact number for the transfer company.
If you book pre and/or post-tour accommodation on your own arrangement, and the tour includes transfers, note that these will be forfeited. The transfers are only provided in line with the tour dates and pre and/or post-tour accommodation purchased through Inspiring Vacations when available.
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return. Visas may be required for your destination. For further visa information, click here.
Iceland's volcanic landscape is a testament to the raw power of nature. While eruptions are infrequent, they offer a unique opportunity to witness the earth's dynamic forces. It's essential to stay informed about current volcanic activity and heed any warnings from local authorities.
Please note that if an eruption were to occur during your visit, your itinerary may need to be modified to ensure your safety.
For further information, please refer to Visit Iceland and Iceland’s Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management website:
Visit Iceland: Volcanic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula
Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management
Inspiring Vacations also strongly suggests, at the very least, your travel insurance cover will cover you for Medical Expenses, Emergency Evacuation and Trip Cancellation and Interruption.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a ‘1’
Lively Tour: A very good level of fitness and mobility is required for you to enjoy all aspects of the itinerary, as this is considered a fast-paced tour. While there is some free time scheduled either in the morning or afternoon, there are many full days of sightseeing with minimal rest and some early starts. You will be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Group Size
Different departure dates of this tour feature different group sizes. Departures marked "small group" will have 3 - 16 participants. Otherwise, the group size is 3 - 36. Please select "Availability" from the top menu or scroll to departure dates to see operating dates and group sizes.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. Tipping is not compulsory on your trip, but they can make a big difference to locals employed in the tourism industry. If you feel that your guide and driver have done an impeccable job, you can choose to give a gratuity, but this is entirely your decision.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however, any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $2,945.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.
Children
Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
All participants must be in good physical condition to fully engage in this journey. For the safety and welfare of yourself and fellow travellers, if you are feeling unwell prior to departure, we advise staying home and contacting us to arrange alternate plans.
Prior to selecting your trip, carefully review the itinerary to assess your ability to comfortably manage our travel style. Please be aware that if, based on evaluation by our leader or local representative, a participant is deemed unable to safely complete the itinerary, we retain the right to exclude them from all or part of the trip without reimbursement.
It is advisable to consult your physician for current medical travel advisories and any required vaccinations before embarking. We recommend carrying a first aid kit and any necessary medications in their original packaging, as they may not be readily available during travel. For those carrying medication, it's essential to check your government's foreign travel guidelines for local restrictions or regulations.
To enhance your journey, we are offering guests a choice of the following optional activities (prices are per person):
Optional tours can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add Optional Tours, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance. If you choose not to select them at this time, you can choose to add them later by logging in to your Account online.
Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 70 days before departure, after which you will be required to purchase them on tour. Please keep in mind that anything purchased on-tour is subject to availability and prices may vary as you will be paying in local currency. We appreciate your understanding.
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