Local Living Iceland— Bakkagerði
6 days, Egilsstaðir to Egilsstaðir
When arranging your transportation, such as flights, please take into consideration the below time restrictions for joining and departing from your group. With these times, we have taken into account travel time to/from the airport in the given destination and required time for check-in or baggage collection/immigration.
Itinerary
Day 1Egilsstaðir/Bakkagerdi
Arrive at the Egilsstaðir airport in the morning and transfer to our local guest house, home for the next 5 nights. Visit the fishing village of Borgarfjörður eystri which offers a glimpse into daily life and enjoy lunch at a local fish soup restaurant. Settle into the accommodations and get to know your fellow travellers at a welcome meeting followed by a delicious farm-to-table dinner prepared by our host.
This centre–based trip offers a chance to connect with our local hosts in a family-run guest house. In their words, this is your home away from home and their warmth and hospitality will make it hard to leave. Here we enjoy our included breakfasts and dinners which offer a true immersion into local cuisine. Our hosts focus on fresh, local ingredients and support their neighbours; small-scale farmers and fishermen, much to the delight of our palate.
While difficult to see, the "hidden people" make Borgarfjörður eystri their home and the area is thought (according to folklore) to hold a large population of elves. The elves make their home in the many interesting rock formations and they have no concern with hikers walking by, so long as you respect their homes and nature. On occasion, they are known to help humans, in particular those being bullied, so be kind to each other.
This trip starts at the Egilsstadir airport - domestic flights from Reykjavik and accommodation in Reykjavik are NOT included. Please speak to your GCO or agent to assist in booking these arrangements.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Borgarfjörður eystri Village Walk
Join your CEO and get acquainted with your new surroundings. Learn about Álfaborg, a rocky hill believed to be the dwelling place of the Elf Queen and her court. This iconic site is central to Icelandic folklore and spiritual tradition, offering a unique insight into the country's mystical heritage.
Meals included:
Lunch | DinnerDay 2Bakkagerdi
Set off into Borgarfjörður Valley this morning for a nature walk with your CEO. Wander through the Icelandic wilderness, taking it all in before returning to Borgarfjörður Eystri for lunch. Enjoy a free afternoon with the opportunity to visit the local microbrewery or take time for yourself and wash away the stress of travel with a spa and wellness experience. Cap off a perfect day with a home-cooked dinner of fresh and traditional flavours.
Free Time
There's plenty to see and do; now is your time to explore. Choose to visit the local microbrewery or relax at an Icelandic spa.
Borgarfjörður Valley Nature Walk
Join your CEO on a walk around Urðarhólar Lake, a peaceful and relatively untouched area nestled between dramatic rhyolite mountains. The trail offers a mix of lush meadows, serene lake views, and chances to spot local birdlife.
Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow
Bakkagerði Brewery
Visit the local microbrewery to learn about small-scale Icelandic craft brewing, enjoy tastings, and meet the brewers. The atmosphere is cozy, and the flavors are as wild and local as the surrounding landscape.
Musterid Spa & Wellness
Unwind with a soak, sauna, or massage. The spa offers modern facilities in a peaceful setting, blending wellness with the area’s deep connection to nature. An advanced booking recommended.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 3Bakkagerdi
Today is about culture and tradition with a hands-on flair. Begin by visiting the Lindarbakki turfhouse, a historic, grass covered cottage, then continue onward to a local fish factory to learn about the industry. Join a cooking class to try your hand at creating some traditional staples, using fresh and local ingredients. Next, visit an eiderdown company to learn about one of Iceland's beloved sea birds before taking a scenic walk for the opportunity to see them in their natural habitat.
Lindarbakki Turfhouse Visit
Visit a charming red-roofed, grass-covered cottage that’s become a symbol of the area. Learn about traditional ways of life in Borgarfjörður Eystri, and how modern life blends with centuries of resilience and self-sufficiency.
Local Fish Factory Visit
See the daily catch come in and learn how it's prepared and preserved. Discover local delicacies like Harðfiskur (dried fish) and possibly Hákarl (fermented shark), if available. This is also where the fresh fish for your cooking class is sourced—truly sea-to-table!
Your Foodie Moment: Icelandic Cooking Class
This hands-on class prepares three local staples: a traditional cake, hearty bread, and a regional fish dish. Learn how to prepare and cook fresh local catch using Icelandic techniques and ingredients.
Eider Duck Company Visit
Learn about the sustainable collection of eiderdown, one of Iceland’s most unique natural exports, and how locals protect bird habitats.
Bird Viewing
Enjoy a short scenic walk to see the local seabird population flocks at a nesting area along the nearby cliffs.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 4Bakkagerdi
Stretch your legs on a hike from Stapavík, along the Selfljót river before a scenic drive back to Borgarfjörður Eystri where you'll refuel with a lunch of home-style Icelandic dishes. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to relax or choose to check out a nearby working farm - an opportunity to experience the daily life in the picturesque Icelandic community, before another delicious home-cooked dinner in the evening from our hosts.
Stapavík Hike
Walk a beautiful trail with views of dramatic coastline and gentle meadows. While the route is mostly flat, it’s rugged and remote, giving you a glimpse into the raw, isolated nature that once made this route too tough for locals to settle long-term.
Free Time
Decompress however you wish with a free afternoon.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 5Bakkagerdi
Head out to a local Icelandic horse farm this morning and learn about what makes the horses so unique. Choose to take part in a ride through the countryside or take some free time to explore on foot or relax. Next, stop at the Gufufoss waterfall for incredible photo opportunities before lunch in the charming village of Seyðisfjörður. Finish up the day at Vök Baths, a geothermal spa where you can soak any lingering real life stress away before returning to our guesthouse for the evening.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Local Horse Farm Visit
Learn about the uniquely gaited Icelandic horse, known for its friendly temperament
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Gufufoss Visit
Gufufoss is one of East Iceland’s most photogenic waterfalls. Nestled in a mossy gorge just before entering Seyðisfjörður.
Your Wellness Moment: Vök Baths Visit
East Iceland’s premier geothermal spa built on a lake. Soak in floating pools with views over Lake Urriðavatn, experience contrast therapy with hot and cold pools, or try herbal teas made from locally foraged ingredients.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 6Bakkagerdi/Egilsstaðir
Enjoy one last breakfast at the guesthouse before a 6 AM transfer to the Egilsstaðir airport where the tour ends.
When booking departure flights from Egilsstaðir to Reykjavik, we suggest a morning flight from Egilsstaðir airport.
Departure Transfer
You will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport at the end of your adventure.