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Best of Iceland: Golden Circle & Snæfellsnes Peninsula

9 days, Reykjavik to Reykjavik

Map of the route for Best of Iceland: Golden Circle & Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
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.

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.

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Accommodation

Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.

Hotel Cabin (or similar)
Hotel

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.

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.

Private Vehicle
Reykjavik – Akureyri5h-6h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Free Time
Akureyri1h-2h Afternoon

Take some time to roam around this quaint town.

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Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow

Whale Watching from Akureyri
Akureyri

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.

Accommodation

Sveinbjarnargerdi Country Hotel (or similar)
Hotel

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.

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.

Private Vehicle
Akureyri – Bakkagerdi Full Day

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Godafoss Waterfall Visit
Goðafoss30m-1h30m

Take an excursion to one of the most impressive waterfalls in Iceland, the Goðafoss waterfall. Measuring 12m high and 30m wide, the waterfall is a must-see and a short drive from Akureyri. While Iceland is famous for its many spectacular waterfalls, Goðafoss is a favourite for visitors because it's easily accessible by car. There are also walking paths all around the falls making it easy to take fantastic photographs from different angles.

Myvatn Geothermal Lake Visit
Mývatn

Explore the beautiful scenery around Lake Mývatn. Formed during a volcanic eruption 2,300 yrs ago, the geothermal area is a haven for a massive number of birds. The nutrient rich water also attracts over ten species of migrating ducks to the area. Atlantic salmon and brown trout thrive in the river, feeding on the healthy midge fly population that swarm over the waters in the summer.

Dimmuborgir Lava Fields Visit
Mývatn

Walk the marked pathways to spot arches and pillars or check out lava caves. Meaning 'dark forts' in Icelandic, Dimmuborgir is an area of lava fields with black lava formations on display in dramatic fashion.

Námaskarð Visit
Námaskarð

Stop at Námaskarð to see the bubbling mud pools and steaming fumaroles. There are some wooden pathways around the area but most visitors prefer to get up close to look at the pools, but be careful, the mud in this area is thick and sticky and the residue from the steam can stain clothing.

Dettifoss Waterfall Visit
Dettifoss

Stop at the Detiifoss Waterfall in northeast Iceland, rumored to be the most powerful in Europe, with an average water flow of 193 m3/s. Take in the view of 45m high and 100m wide falls and take some photos to show off back home.

Accommodation

Alfheimar Guesthouse (or similar)
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.

Private Vehicle
Bakkagerdi – Hofn4h-5h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

Hotel Smyrlabjorg (or similar)
Hotel

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.

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.

Private Vehicle
Hofn – Vik3h-4h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Visit
Jökulsárlón1h-2h 3km

Visit the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon with views of the ice cap. The lake is the lowest point in the country and filled with icebergs drifting towards the sea, often with seals lounging on top. The blocks of ice coming off the glacier are typically 30m high, in dramatic shades of white and bright blue. Stop by Diamond Beach, which gets its name from chunks of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier that float down to the coast's black sand shores.

Total distance: 3km.

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Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Boat Ride
Jökulsárlón30m-1h
5700-9800ISK per person

Opt to take a boat ride around the lagoon to get closer to the floating icebergs with their seal passengers. The lagoon can be appreciated from the shore, but joining an amphibian boat tour allows you to get up close to the beautiful and unusually coloured icebergs floating in the water.
This activity is offered from 1 May to 30 October, and is subject to availability.

Skaftafell National Park Glacier Hike
Skaftafell

Glacier Wonders is a superb glacier hiking tour from Skaftafell into the magnificent ice world of Falljökull glacier, a tongue of the mighty Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe. Your certified glacier guide will show you astonishing crevasses which wind through the ice and incredible glistening ice formations. During this tour, you will learn how a living glacier moves and why this magical ice kingdom is constantly changing.

Total distance: 6km.

WHAT TO BRING
-Warm outdoor clothing
-Waterproof jacket & pants
-Headwear
-Gloves
-Good hiking boots are essential (rental boots available ISK 1000 extra)

Accommodation

Hotel Dyrholaey (or similar)
Hotel

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.

Private Vehicle
Vik – Reykjavik4h30m-6h

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Reynisfjara Beach
Reynisdrangar

Visit Reynisfjara Beach, just outside of Vík. Its black sand and ominous rock formations offshore make for stunning photos. Take some time to watch the foaming white waves crash over the black sand (but don’t get too close, the waves here can be extremely powerful), explore the shallow cave if weather and time permits, and get a photo of the basalt sea stacks.

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall Visit
Seljalandsfoss45m-1h

Seljalandsfoss is a 60m (196 ft) tall waterfall located along the popular ring road. Behind the flow of water is a path, allowing visitors to peek behind the curtain of water cascading over the rocks above.

Gullfoss Waterfall Visit
Gullfoss45m

Discover one of the most impressive waterfalls in Iceland, Gullfoss, and complete the circuit known as the Golden Circle. This massive waterfall cascades over three “steps” before spilling into a large crevice. Fed by a glacier lake, the water passing through the falls can be a dark grey depending on how much sediment gets pushed through the river.

Geysir Visit
Geysir30m

See a variety of geothermal pools and the erupting hot spring Strokkur. Geysir is one of the oldest geysers recorded in the world, but is most often dormant. Strokkur erupts a spray of boiling hot water straight into the air about every ten minutes.

Thingvellir National Park Visit
Thingvellir2h-3h

Stop at Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site, to see the tectonic faults created by North American and Eurasian tectonic plates shifting apart. The Oxara river cuts through the largest rift in the valley, Almannagja, and leads to the Oxarafoss waterfall. Iceland’s parliament was also established in the area in 930. The park was later created to protect the remains of the open-air assembly grounds.

Accommodation

Hotel Cabin (or similar)
Hotel

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.

Free Time
Reykjavik

Enjoy free time to further explore Reykjavik on your own. Maybe opt to float between the tectonic plates.

Reykjavik City Tour
Reykjavik

Take a tour of the city, learning more about its history, architecture, people and culture.

Your Wellness Moment: Sky Lagoon Geothermal Hot Springs

Enjoy a uniquely Icelandic experience, a warm geo thermal bath overlooking the water near the city.

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Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow

Snorkelling in Thingvellir National Park
Thingvellir
17490ISK per person

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.

Travellers with certain medical conditions cannot participate in this activity and it is non-refundable. Please read the following document to verify 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

Accommodation

Hotel Cabin (or similar)
Hotel

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.

Winter or summer, the Snæfellsnes peninsula is one of the most scenic destinations in Iceland. This place is magical and spellbinding with moss-covered lava fields, picturesque mountains, gorgeous black sand beaches, roaring ocean waves, charming little villages, and great vistas from sea cliffs. It's a long day, but well worth it.

Explore Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Snæfellsnes11h 400km

Explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, visiting places such as Kirkjufell, or 'Church Mountain', on the north shore, Ólafsvík and Arnarstapi villages, and Djúpalónssandur pebble beach.

Private Vehicle
Reykjavik11h400km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

Hotel Cabin (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 9Reykjavik

Depart at any time.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Best of Iceland: Golden Circle & Snæfellsnes Peninsula

| 9 days - Reykjavik to Reykjavik - from $4049 USD