Best of Iceland: Golden Circle & Snæfellsnes Peninsula in Iceland, Europe

Map of the route for Best of Iceland: Golden Circle & Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Places visited

Iceland

Itinerary Notes

Please note that due to high demand there may be limited availability when booking optional activities during the tour. Many of these can be pre-booked and we recommend that they are purchased in advance in order to secure space as they are quite popular. See the Available Extras below for details and add them in the Tour Extras section when confirming your trip.

Please also note that the weather near the Arctic Circle can be variable, especially in winter. Occasionally this will mean that we need to amend our itinerary to keep you safe. We will always endeavour to deliver a tour as close to the itinerary described as possible and ensure you see as much as possible, despite any bad weather.

Itinerary

Day 1Reykjavik

Arrive at any time.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

Day 2Reykjavik/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.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 3Akureyri 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.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 4Bakkagerdi/Hofn

Depart from the charming village of Bakkagerði and journey along the picturesque coastline through the majestic eastern fjords. As you travel toward Hofn, take in the stunning scenery and keep an eye out for breathtaking views of the Vatnajökull glacier, Europe’s largest ice cap. You will be making breathtaking stops along the way that will insure a memorable experience.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 5Hofn/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.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 6Vik/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.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 7Reykjavik

This morning join an optional snorkeling to the Thingvellir Silfra (where the tectonic plates meet). Later in the day join Your CEO for a short walking tour of Reyjavik center and some time at the beautiful Sky Lagoon for a warm soak.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Sky Lagoon Geothermal Hot Springs

Day 8Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Today explore Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Made famous by Jules Verne's Journey to the center of the Earth, the region is known to features many of Iceland's unique landscapes on one peninsula. Stop in small fishing towns and discover beautiful vistas along the way. Today you get Iceland in a nutshell.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 9Reykjavik

Depart at any time.

Meals included:

Breakfast

View full itinerary

What's Included

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Wellness Moment: Sky Lagoon Geothermal Hot Springs, Reykjavik
Local guesthouse stay (Borgarfjörður)
Mývatn lake visit
Vatnajökull glacier visit
Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon visit
Reynisfjara beach
Seljalandsfoss waterfall
The Golden Circle: Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir Hot Springs, and Þingvellir National Park
Enjoy a soak in Sky Lagoon just outside of the city
Day tour of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodations

Standard hotel (6 nights), local guesthouse (2 nights).

Meals

7 breakfasts
Allow USD455-595 for meals not included.

Transportation

Private minivan/bus, walking.

Staff & experts

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.

Available extras (Add these to your tour when you book)

Silfra Fissure Snorkelling in Thingvellir National Park (from Reykjavik) - From $164.00

Float between the American and Eurasian continental plates and explore the incredible rock formations. Located in the heart of Þingvellir National Park, with clear, narrow blue water channels, Silfra Fissure is one of Iceland’s most incredible spots for snorkelling and regularly rated as one of world's top ten dive sites. Activity includes roundtrip transportation from Reykjavík (about 35 mins each way). Travellers with certain medical conditions cannot participate in this activity and it is non-refundable. Please read the following document to verify that you are able to meet the activity requirements as no refund can be issued if you are declined participation due to one of these conditions: https://adventures.is/media/230104/arctic-adventures-snorkeling-silfra-guide.pdf

Skaftafell National Park Glacier Hike - From $89.00

Follow an expert guide through the ice paths and crevasses along the Svínafellsjökull Glacier in Skaftafell National Park, famous throughout the country for its excellent weather and sunny summer days. This easy, yet exhilarating hike will allow you to really take in the mind-blowing beauty of the rugged landscape crafted by rivers and volcanic activity. Total distance: 5.5km.

Whale Watching from Akureyri - From $87.00

Head out to sea to spot whales off the coast. Some of the species spotted near Akureyri in Eyjafjörður include Bottlenose Whales, Mink, and Humpback Whales.