Iceland Explorer
Iceland Explorer
Iceland Explorer
10 Days Starting and ending in Reykjavik
Visiting: Iceland
Tour operator:
Tour code:
AVW
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
7 - 16
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Iceland is a vast, evocative country, constantly evolving and changing through the sheer power of the geological forces that created it. There is a huge amount to see outside of the better known tourist spots of the south. We do of course see these, including Geysir, Thingvellir and Gullfoss, and get to understand why they are so popular! Our journey however continues, to explore areas less frequented by the average visitor. The starkly beautiful Icelandic coastline, the immense glaciers and the beauty of the Eastern Fjords are just some of the treasures that await, to say nothing of the almost indescribable geology of the north.
Choose between the frozen landscape of the winter, when we see the sun rise and set every day and have the chance of Northern Lights, and the seemingly endless days of summer with 24hr daylight. It's no surprise so many blockbusters and TV series are filmed here, as dramatic landscapes go, this takes some beating.
Highlights
Itinerary
After a Flybus transfer from the airport, our trip begins with a briefing at
our hotel. Depending on your arrival time you may wish to visit to one of the
public hot tubs. Remember to bring your towel and swimsuit in hand luggage.
Day 2
Today we drive inland to the Thingvellir World Heritage Area, where the
world's first 'democratic parliament' meeting took place - the area became
Iceland's first National Park in 1928 and a World Heritage area in 2004.
Sitting right on top of a major fault line it is the best place in Iceland to
see the continental drift - the movement of the Eurasion and North American
tectonic plates. Here they are literally pulling the earth apart as they inch
away from each other causing the land between to subside. Not surprisingly
the area abounds with waterfalls, immense fissures and the largest lake in
the country. We then carry on to see the world famous geysers. The most
reliable eruption comes every 5-10 minutes from one called 'Strokkur'; the
30-metre jet of water and steam is spectacular. To round off the day we drive
a short distance on to Gullfoss, a huge dramatic waterfall located in a 70m
deep canyon of River Hvita (White River).
Day 3
We head east to the foot of the infamous Eyjafjallajokull Ice Cap; this area
was heavily affected by ash fall during the eruption of 2010 and a great deal
of ice was melted by the boiling lava. The glacier feeds many beautiful
waterfalls and we visit two of them: Skogarfoss and Kvernufoss. Both have
rushing water dropping 60m, and in the case of Skogafoss, this wall of water
rushes down in a 25m wide sheet, providing quite a spectacle.
Continuing east, we cross the black flood-plain of Solheimasandur, before
reaching the green valley of Myrdalur and continuing to Dyrholaey. This
dramatic 120-metre high promontory is the southernmost point in Iceland. It
is rich in birdlife, and a nesting site for Puffins and Arctic terns in
spring. If we are lucky we might see whales and seals from the promontory on
calm days. We continue further east to Vik, Iceland's southernmost town, a
great place from which to see the Reynisdrangar needles. Then it is further
across Myrdalssandur flood plain and then Skeydararsandur flood plain. Both
created by the countless floods created by volcanic eruptions over time. We
head for Vatnajokull NP with Europe's largest ice cap, Vatnajokull and it
further on to the famous Glacier Lagoon at Jokulsarlon where thousands of
icebergs are separating from the country's largest glacier and are floating
in the pale green sea-level lagoon. We take a walk beside the lagoon for
excellent views and if conditions allow can head down to the black sand beach
where chunks of ice are washed back up onto the shore by the sea, creating
some wonderful shapes and formations. We then continue further east with the
steep mountains of Vatnajokull on one side and the exposed south coast on the
other, to our accommodation
Day 4
A day of scenic driving, with a number of stops as we travel through fjord
country. This stunning mountain region has been sculpted as much by glaciers
as volcanic activity. The spectacular road winds from one fjord to another,
passing a few farms in each fjord where there is enough flat land for
hayfields. The birdlife is rich and in late summer thousands of moulting
whooper swans feed in the sheltered lagoon of Alftafjordur (Swan fjord). We
then continue to the town of Egilsstadir
Day 5
Heading inland and west we pass through the starkly contrasting desert
scenery of the North East Highlands and follow the track that takes us north
to Jokuldalur valley and to Studlagil Canyon, one of the most beautiful
canyon of Columnar basalt in Iceland. Then its on to Saenautasel farmstead
short distance away. Saenautasel was left abandoned due to have ashfall
shortly after the volcano Askja erupted in 1875. From Saenautasel we drive
enroute Modrudalur to the enormous Dettifoss Waterfall. This is Europe's most
powerful waterfall, bizarrely set in an arid area of sand and rock
formations. Our journey then takes us on to the Krafla volcano area to
explore the craters and lava from the eruptive period of 1975-1984. We hike
into one of the craters and look at the strange textures of cooled magma
splatters and rich colours of the mineral deposits. From Krafla we head for
our hotel at Lake Myvatn.
Day 6
We spend the day around lake Myvatn and go for a short walk in the lava
fields and craters. We start at Dimmuborgir, a vast area of lava towers and
natural arches. The most spectacular of them is 'the Church', a large vault
resembling a church. Only a short distance from Dimmuborgir is Mt.Hverfjall,
a huge circular crater with a depth of 140 metres and 1000 metres in
diameter. It is one of the most beautiful craters in Iceland, one which
erupted some 2500 years ago and covered the Myvatn area in tephra (fragments
of volcanic rock). It is also thought to be one of the largest on the planet.
We traverse Mt.Hverfjall, and a little further north is the rift crevasse
Grjotagja with its crystal clear warm water. We explore the pseudo craters of
Skutustadir. After Myvatn we head to the Godafoss Waterfall en route to
Akureyri.
Day 7
A free morning in Akureyri. Akureyri is a town of some 17,000 inhabitants and
is the biggest town outside the capital. It is the cultural, commercial and
educational centre for northern Iceland and is 60 km south of the Arctic
Circle. Whale watching tours depart regularly and there are a number of
museums, including an 'Into the Arctic' exhibition. Opened in 2017 this
offers everything from information on arctic explorers to ancient charts and
maps, navigational equipment and information on arctic wildlife. This
northerly town is also remarkably green and has the northernmost botanical
garden in the world. The Lutheran church in Akureyri is an interesting visit,
featuring a stained-glass window above the altar that has its origins in
England.
As with most towns in Iceland there are also thermal baths, enjoyed as much
by the locals as by visitors, and if you just fancy a wander, there are
plenty of interesting shops, coffee shops and even ice cream parlours. If you
don’t want to relax and explore town then an optional whale watching tour
is possible in the morning.
We leave Akureyri and drive around the Troll Peninsula, via few fishing
villages on the peninsula. We stop at the magnificent outdoor swimming pool
at the village Hofsos and go for a quick dip. This remote geothermal swimming
pool has some of the best views in the country over the Skagafjordur bay. We
head further south and stop at Borgarvirki, an old Viking fortress. The
Citadel is a columnar basalt fortress and a volcanic plug. A little further
south we head into Vididalur valley and make a short stop at beautiful
waterfalls in Kolugljufur canyon, named after a giantess, once said to live
in the area. From Koluglufur we head for our hotel close by.
Day 8
Today we drive west to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Along the way we visit a
reconstructed Viking house once home to Eirik the Red and his son Leif
Eiriksson - the two most famous travelling Vikings. The 'Eirikstadir' gives
an interesting insight to way of life for the early settlers and an
introduction to the historic tradition of the 'Icelandic Sagas'. From
EirÃksstaðir we head for the village Stykkisholmur on the Snaefellsnes
peninsula. Snaefellsnes is perhaps best known for the Stratovolcano
'Snaefellsjokull'. Jules Verne, in his classic 'Journey to the Centre of the
Earth', describes this as the start point for the characters' descent. New
Age followers consider this area to be one of the earth's seven major energy
centres. We head to our accommodation, located on the southern side of the
peninsula, on the beach with great views over Snaefellsjokull.
Day 9
The exposed coast of the of Snaefellsnes peninsula is the goal for today, and
this area has recently been designated a National Park. We visit the old
church at Budir, one of the most picture tic on in the country. Sea cliffs
at Arnarstapi swarming with birds, to the rocks of Djupalonssandur and the
sites of old shipwrecks in the black basaltic sand. Our guide will tell us
about the old cod-fishing methods from open boats in the bountiful seas and
towering above us is the volcano - Snaefellsjokull. Some of the best
fisheries are of the peninsula and whales can often be seen from shore on
calm days. We pass through fishing villages on the peninsula and head to one
of the most photographed mountains in Iceland Mt. Kirkjufell. After
kirkjufell we start heading back to the capital.
Day 10
Our trip ends with a Flybus transfer to Keflavik airport.
What's Included
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Meals
9 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 0 dinners.
* All breakfasts included
* All accommodation (see accommodation section)
* All transport and listed activities
* Tour leader throughout
* Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Visas or vaccinations
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Single accommodation (available on request)
Food
All breakfasts included
Breakfasts are mainly continental style, lunches will be taken in cafés or
restaurants, or even service station cafés depending on our location. The
main meal of the day is usually local fish or lamb specialities, plus
European standards such as pasta, chicken etc. Vegetarians and those with
special dietary requirements can be catered for, but may get a little less
variety in the meals provided. It is still common practice for restaurants
receiving big groups to offer a restricted menu. Our leader will do their
best to ensure as much choice as possible is available.Â
Please advise us of any special dietary requirements at the time of booking.
Accommodation
This tour stays in a mixture of hotels and simple guesthouses. Hotels are generally of a three-star standard and selected for their location and good levels of service. Guesthouses are often family-run, offering a warm welcome and traditional Icelandic hospitality. All properties offer en suite rooms and a buffet breakfast.
Reykjavik: Hótel Klettur
Hvolsvollur: Hótel Fljótshlið or Hótel DrangshlÃð
Hofn: Guesthouse Gerði
Egilsstaðir: Hótel Valaskjálf or Hótel Hallormsstaður
Myvatn: Sel Hótel or Hótel Laxá
Akureyri: Hótel Norðurland or Hótel KEA Akureyri
Laugarbakki: Hótel Laugarbakki
Snæfellsbær: Langaholt Guesthouse or Kast Guesthouse
The accommodation on this trip consists of twin rooms, although single rooms are also available. While we prebook all accommodation according to the itinerary, as space is limited, we may move to alternative accommodation according to availability. A limited number of single rooms are available, at a supplement on a first come, first served basis. Please contact your sales representative for details.
Check out our Q&As
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
No visa required for British passport holders.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
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What is the maximum group size?
16
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Minimum 16 years old people can go on this tour
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Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
There are no specific health risks.
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Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.