A Winter Sojourn to Volcanoes and Glaciers

Welcome! Please be prepared to meet in the lobby at 5:30pm to depart for your welcome dinner. The dinner reservation time will be finalized closer to your trip date. If you plan on arriving today, we recommend flying into KEF.

Today is your first full day in Iceland! After breakfast, start your adventure with an epic road trip in a private coach in the Icelandic countryside and through the Golden Circle with spouting geysers, crashing waterfalls and breathtaking views. Your first stop will be in Thingvellir National Park. From there continue on to Gullfoss Waterfall to take in this natural wonder. Next stop at the Great Geysir to view this spouting hot spring. When you arrive at your new accommodations you will have the remainder of the day at your leisure.

• Thingvellir National Park Tour

  Today you will be privately transferred 45 minutes to your first stop in Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here you will be able to look down a volcanic rift and straddle two tectonic plates. Fun fact: This is the only place where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet and can be seen on dry land! Thingvellir is recognized as the place in which Iceland’s identity as a nation began as it was the site the Viking settlers chose as their parliament back in the 10th century. From the vehicle, you will be making multiple stops. The walking distance from the parking lot to the viewpoint will vary between .2 miles and .5 miles. The path will be unpaved and mostly gravel so please expect mud in certain areas and be sure to wear comfortable shoes. If there is ice, the path is well maintained and will be covered with sand.

  09:00· 60 min· Thingvellir National Park Tour,
• The Great Geysir and Strokkur Viewing

  From Thingvellir National Park you will be privately transferred 35 minutes to the viewpoint. Visit the spouting hot springs of the Great Geysir and Strokkur where you’ll be able to walk around the geothermal area. The lively Strokkur spouts water 100 feet into the air every few minutes, so have your camera ready and enjoy the show! Your walk will be short but on an unpaved, gravel path so please wear comfortable walking shoes. Due to the weather in Iceland changing constantly, please be prepared for mud on the trail. If there is ice, the path is well maintained and will be covered with sand.

  11:00· 40 min· Geysir
• Gullfoss Waterfall Visit

  Travel to where the milky Hvita river drops into a volcanic fissure, forming one of Iceland's most beautiful waterfalls, Gullfoss. From the geysir you will be privately transferred 10 minutes to the viewpoint. You will have some time to walk around the area and take some epic photos. Your walk will be short but on an unpaved, gravel path so please wear comfortable walking shoes. There are several walking paths and viewing platforms around Gullfoss that offer stunning views of the waterfall and canyon. Be careful and stay on designated paths, as the terrain can be slippery and dangerous. Due to the weather in Iceland changing constantly, please be prepared for mud on the trail. If there is ice, the path is well maintained and will be covered with sand.

  13:00· 40 min· Golden Circle
• Northern Lights Spotting (weather dependent)

  Lucky visitors will have the opportunity to gaze up at the beautiful dancing waves of light that stretch across the sky. Please note: The Northern Lights are only visible during certain times of the year and weather conditions. They may not be visible for all groups.

  20:00· 60 min· Golden Circle

Your epic adventure continues with a road trip through Iceland’s spectacular South Coast, where the forces of nature continue to dramatically shape the island. Keep your camera ready to record the breathtaking scenery you’ll pass along the way. After breakfast you will be privately transferred to visit Seljalandsfoss Waterfall and Skagofoss Waterfall. From there you will continue to Black Sand Beach for scenery unlike no other. You will then be taken into town for lunch on your own. Then, you will continue to the Laki Lava Fields and then onward to Vatnajökull National Park. Wrap the day with a visit to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. Lastly, you will be transferred to your new accommodations where you will have the remainder of the evening at your leisure. Today is filled with many stops and walking to different viewpoints so we recommend you wear comfortable shoes and dress warm today.

• Seljalandsfoss Waterfall Walk

  This morning you will be privately transferred 30 minutes to Seljalandsfoss Waterfall. A short hike will take you to the magnificent falls, also one of the most popular sites in Iceland. The 200 foot cascade is fed from a volcanic glacier and thunders over steep granite walls. A pathway behind the falls will allow you to experience the power of the falling water. You will get wet from the mist created by the waterfall, so plan to bring suitable clothing, like a waterproof jacket. The path to the falls is unpaved gravel so please be prepared for mud in some places.

  09:00· 60 min· Seljalandsfoss
• Skogafoss Waterfall Walk

  You will be transferred 25 minutes to explore the Skogafoss Waterfall. There are two viewpoints for this waterfall, one is ground level while the other is at a higher point requiring stairs to reach it. The height is similar to walking up 5 floors. Walking over emerald green landscapes, beside rugged canyons and countless waterfalls, you’ll be surrounded by giant rainbows as you approach Skogafoss. Keep your camera handy, this is said to be the most breathtaking hike of your visit. The path to the falls is unpaved gravel so please be prepared for mud in some places.

  10:30· 60 min· Skogafoss
• Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach Visit

  From the falls you will be transferred 30 minutes to a place like no other. You’ll be enchanted by the mystical Reynisfjara black sand beach. The panorama of basalt caves, black beach sand and giant stacks of basalt rock overlooking the Atlantic Ocean could be mistaken for a completely different planet. The waves are dangerous so there will be no swimming but you will be able to walk up and down the beach taking in the scenery. As it will be windier on the coast, please be sure to bring layers to bundle up for this experience. From here you will be transferred into town for lunch on your own.

  12:00· 60 min· Black Sand Beach
• Laki Lava Fields Drive

  After lunch you will be transferred 55 minutes to the lava fields. The Lakagigar are a series of craters that were formed by one of the largest volcanic events in recorded history. Lava and ash from the eruption of 1783 created a lava field almost 16 miles across, which you’ll explore by vehicle.

  13:00· 20 min· Skaftafell
• Vatnajökull National Park Walk

  After leaving the lava field, you will be transferred for approximately 1 hour to Skaftafell, part of Vatnajökull National Park. A scenic and fairly easy hike leads you towards the edge of Vatnajökull Glacier, the largest glacier in Europe, covering around 8% of Iceland’s landmass. In the park, you’ll be surrounded by dramatic landscapes of glacial tongues, rugged mountains, and wide outwash plains shaped by ice and volcanic activity. Please note that weather conditions in Iceland can be unpredictable, and this activity is weather dependent. After your visit to the park, you will be transferred 50 minutes to your hotel, where the rest of the evening is free for you to relax at your leisure.

  14:30· 60 min· Skaftafell National Park
• Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Visit

  Today you will be transferred 45 minutes to Jokulsarlon Glacier. Behold one of Iceland’s crown jewels: the turquoise waters of the country’s deepest lake. Plunging to a depth of 814 feet, the icebergs on its surface are made of ice over 1,000 years old. You'll be able to view the lagoon after a short walk on a gravel path from the parking lot. If there is ice, the path is well maintained and will be covered with sand.

  15:30· 60 min· Skaftafell
• Northern Lights Spotting (weather dependent)

  Lucky visitors will have the opportunity to gaze up at the beautiful dancing waves of light that stretch across the sky. Please note: The Northern Lights are only visible during certain times of the year and weather conditions. They may not be visible for all groups.

  20:00· 60 min· Golden Circle

Glaciers, lagoons, and waterfalls…oh my! Today after breakfast you’ll explore more of Iceland’s winter landscape with a visit to the South Coast Glacier. After, you will be transferred to Vik for lunch on your own. You will conclude your afternoon with a visit to famous Blue Lagoon to soak in the hot springs. When you arrive at your new accommodations you will have the remainder of the evening on your own. Today you should wear comfortable walking shoes and dress warm. Please pack a bathing suit and a towel for the Blue Lagoon.

• South Coast Glacier and Waterfall Drive

  You’ll take a break from walking and be driven across the country’s south shore, to experience the full grandeur of the coast in comfort. From dramatic glaciers like Reynisdrangar and Solheimajokull to the power and strength of the Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, the natural beauty you will experience today is truly unforgettable.

  09:00· 120 min· Skaftafell
• Blue Lagoon Visit

  The mystical atmosphere of the fabled Blue Lagoon has made this geothermal spa one of Iceland's most popular attractions. Cross black lava fields and dive into the beautiful milky-blue water to experience the ultimate restoration of mind, body, and spirit. Please note you are expected to have a shower before entering the thermal bath in a "shared" gender shower. This is multiple shower heads in one room without any blockers/walls to separate people. There may be nudity while in these shared shower rooms but please feel free to wear your bathing suit if you wish. After you will be transferred 45 minutes to your new accommodations and have the remainder of the evening at your leisure.

  17:00· 90 min· Blue Lagoon
• Transfer · Jokularlon → Vik

  Take a private transfer to Vik. Stops for the bathrooms will be made as needed. Upon arrival in this small village you will have 45 minutes for lunch on your own.

  private · 150 min
• Transfer · Vik → Blue Lagoon

  After lunch, take a private transfer to Blue Lagoon. Stops for the bathroom will be made along the way as needed.

  private · 180 min

Today you will venture north, to the remote Snaefellsnes Peninsula, for a visit to the nearby National Park and a small fishing village. Spend the day basking in the beautiful scenery before making your way to your new accommodations. Please be sure to dress warm and wear comfortable walking shoes.

• Snaefellsnes Peninsula Tour

  Snæfellsjökull National Park, on the edge of the Peninsula itself, offers views of the Snæfellsjökull glacier which lies on top of a volcano and can be seen from Reykjavik on a clear day. During your transfer you will make different stops along the way to get out, stretch your legs and walk around to explore on your own. Some of the stops include: Budir, Djúpalónssandur, Ólafsvík and Kirkjufell. Your drive will end in Lysuholl.

  9:00· 120 min· Snaefellness Peninsula
• Arnarstapi Coastal Walk

  Along your drive you will stop by the small fishing village of Arnarstapi. Here you will be able to go for a stroll along jagged cliffs overlooking the Atlantic. You will have 1 hour to explore on your own.

  11:00· 60 min· Snaefellness Peninsula
• Northern Lights Spotting (weather dependent)

  Lucky visitors will have the opportunity to gaze up at the beautiful dancing waves of light that stretch across the sky. Please note: The Northern Lights are only visible during certain times of the year and weather conditions. They may not be visible for all groups.

  20:00· 60 min· Golden Circle

After breakfast your exploration of the Snaefellsnes continues. On your drive you will enjoy more beautiful sights, such as Hraunfossar and Barnafoss Waterfalls and Deildartunguhver Hot Spring. Before heading back to Reykjavik, enjoy one last relaxing soak in the geothermal baths. Upon arrival in Reykjavik you will have free time before meeting up with the group for your farewell dinner.

• Krauma Geothermal Baths

  No journey to Iceland is complete without a soak in the geothermal baths! Hot water from the spring you just visited mixes here with icy cold water from Okjökull glacier to create temperatures ranging from the high 30s to low 40s Celcius. Towels and a locker with a key are provided. Please remember to pack your bathing suit. Please note you are expected to have a shower before entering the thermal bath in a "shared" gender shower. This is multiple shower heads in one room without any blockers/walls to separate people. There may be nudity while in these shared shower rooms but please feel free to wear your bathing suit if you wish.

  11:00· 90 min· Snaefellness Peninsula
• Deildartunguhver Hot Spring Visit

  Deildartunguhver Hot Springs is the most powerful hot spring in Europe, known for its rapid flow rate of about 57 gallons per second. But don’t worry, there are a number of walkways and observation points to safely guide you around the spring. Please note that these are not soaking hot springs and you are not allowed to touch the water. You will have 20 minutes to look around and take photos before getting back into the vehicle. If there is ice, the path is well maintained and will be covered with sand.

  13:00· 20 min· Snaefellness Peninsula
• Hraunfossar and Barnafoss Waterfalls Visit

  Stop at the Borgarfjordur fjord to take in the Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, as they cascade over black lava rock on their way to the Hvítá River. As one of the earliest areas settled by the Vikings, their influence here is still felt strongly even today. If there is ice, the path is well maintained and will be covered with sand.

  14:30· 60 min· Snaefellness Peninsula
• Transfer · Snaefellsnes → Hraunfossar and Barnafoss Waterfalls

  Take a private transfer to Hraunfossar and Barnafoss Waterfalls. Stops for bathrooms will be made along the way as needed.

  private · 60 min
• Transfer · Krauma → Reykjavik

  Take a private transfer to Reykjavik. Stops for the bathrooms will be made as needed.

  private · 90 min

All good things must come to an end, but only until your next adventure! Enjoy a final breakfast and then make your own way onward. If departing directly from the hotel, we recommend flying out of KEF.