National Geographic Journeys: Explore Iceland

• Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Icelandic Farm Experience, Hvalfjörður
• Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Eldfjallasafn Volcano Museum, Snæfellsnes
• Your G for Good Moment: Sólheimar Ecovillage Visit and Community Lunch, Selfoss
• Seljalandsfoss waterfall
• Visit the lava Centre
• Hveragerði geothermal garden
• Visit Jökulsárlón Lagoon
• Take an ice walk on a glacier in Skaftafell National Park
• Visit black sand beaches
• Explore Vatnajökull National Park
• Golden Circle tour including Thingvellir National Park, Gulfoss waterfall and Geysir Hot Springs
• Explore Snæfellsnes Peninsula including Snaefellsjokull National Park, Sagaland and Deildartunguhver Hot Spring
• All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
• 8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
• Hotels (8 nts)

DAY 1REYKJAVÍK

Arrive at any time.

DAY 2REYKJAVÍK/SKAFTAFELL

Discover the beauty of Iceland’s south shore, catching views of the infamous Eyjafjallajökull volcano. Its eruptions in 2010 produced massive clouds of ash that disrupted air travel throughout Europe for several days. See the stunning Seljalandsfoss waterfall, and follow a hidden path through a canyon to the secluded falls of Gljúfrabúi. Stop in Hveragerði, a hot spring village, where you will have the opportunity to taste bread baked in a hot spring. Then visit the Lava Center for an overview of how Iceland’s volcanoes and earthquakes shaped this island.

DAY 3 SKAFTAFELL

Continue exploring the south shore, passing sandy plains and moss-covered lava fields and stopping along the way at historical and geological sites. Visit Crystal Beach, scattered with icebergs that wash up on the black sands, and see iridescent ice formations in the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon. Hike in Vatnajökull National Park to Svartifoss waterfall, framed by basaltic lava columns. Stop at the historic farmstead Hof in Öræfi, home to one of Iceland’s best-preserved turf churches.

DAY 4SKAFTAFELL/VIK

Embark on a guided walk atop a glacier in Skaftafell National Park. Strap on a pair of crampons and get up-close views of intriguing ice formations, deep sinkholes, and rugged crevasses. Later, stroll along the black sands of Reynisfjara Beach.

DAY 5 VIK/GOLDEN CIRCLE/SELFOSS

This morning, learn about Icelandic cultural heritage at the Skôgar Folk Museum and visit the picturesque Skogafoss waterfall. Opt to climb 400 steps to the top of the falls for spectacular views. Then set out on a tour of the celebrated Golden Circle. Visit the mighty Gullfoss waterfall, and then see Geysir, the hot spring for which all other geysers are named. Tour the G Adventures-supported Solheimar Ecovillage, a sustainable community of over 100 people dedicated to helping people with disabilities. After touring the non-profit community and learning about the various workshops and programs, enjoy a local meal in their restaurant.

DAY 6 SELFOSS/SNÆFELLSNES

Begin the day with a walk in Thingvellir National Park, the last stop on your Golden Circle tour, where you’ll see the meeting point of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Continue to a traditional Icelandic farm — located in the narrow fjord of Hvalfjörður — where you’ll learn about rural Icelandic life and enjoy a traditional farm-to-table lunch. Continue to the stunning Snæfellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland.

DAY 7SNÆFELLSNES

Spend the day exploring the peninsula, including Snæfellsjökull National Park and its mystical glacier-topped volcano, which Jules Verne wrote about in his novel Journey to the Center of the Earth. See Búðir Church, the Lóndrangar sea stacks, Djúpalónssandur pebble beach, and the iconic peak of Kirkjufell. You’ll also visit the Eldfjallasafn Volcano Museum, founded and run by world-renowned volcanologist and National Geographic grantee Dr. Haraldur Sigurðsson.

DAY 8 SNÆFELLSNES/REYKJAVÍDK

Continue to Borgarfjörður, where many Icelandic sagas have taken place. See the Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls; and step into Reykholt, the homestead of the 12th-century writer Snorri Sturluson. You’ll also visit Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring whose water heats most buildings in western Iceland. Stop at Krauma Spa and opt for a relaxing soak before continuing to Reykjavík for your final evening.

DAY 9 REYKJAVÍK

Depart at any time.

The Ripple Score is an honest evaluation of how often we use local businesses and services to create each tour. With this score you can see the percentage of our local expenses that stay in the communities you visit.

Please note, prices listed are guide prices only and are based on solo travellers. Holiday prices are fluid and dynamic and may be changed at a moment’s notice, prior to booking, at which point they are confirmed. Please call the team free on 0800 707 6229 for more departure dates available and a quote.