Iceland Explorer Winter

Welcome to Iceland! We recommend booking the easy and convenient transfer with us.  If your flight lands early in the day, a great suggestion is to explore Reykjavík, the largest municipality in Iceland. Check-in your hotel (most hotels begin check-in around 2:00 pm). Ingolfur Arnarson, the first settler of Iceland, built his farm on the peninsula where Reykjavík stands today. The town got its name “Smokey Bay” after the columns of steam that rose from the hot springs in the area and made such a deep impression on the first settlers. Reykjavik offers a multitude of restaurants and/or coffee-houses, making dinner a great way to get better acquainted with Iceland's capital.


Overnight in Reykjavík

After breakfast, start the day with a short city sightseeing of Reykjavik. From Reykjavik head through the greenhouse village of Hveragerdi. Head on to the Golden Circle natural wonders. Explore Gullfoss, the “Golden Waterfall\", and the nearby Geysir hot spring area to see the famous Geysir and Strokkur, as well as numerous other hot springs and boiling mud pools. Continue along the south shore and stop to admire the waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss before continuing to Dyrholaey* and the black sand beaches of Icelands South Shore. Continue to the village of Vik.


Overnight in Vik area

In the morning after Breakfast at your hotel. Today, youll be visiting the southern area of Vatnajokull National Park, named after Europes largest glacier. The total park area covers almost 14% of Iceland, making it the largest national park in Western Europe! Visit the national parks famous Skaftafell area, a site of outstanding natural beauty dominated by several magnificent glaciers. Visit Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon where you can enjoy the breath-taking sight of icebergs floating in the fantastic 180m (591 ft.) deep glacial lagoon (make sure your camera is loaded and ready!) Nearby is the dramatic beauty of the Diamond Beach, where shrinking icebergs settle on the black sands before they drift out to sea.




Overnight in Hofn

After breakfast, today youll enjoy the amazing scenery as you head from glacial landscapes to fjord views. Drive from Hofn through Almannaskard pass, stopping to admire the majestic coastline. Head into the magnificent East Fjords with views of towering mountains plunging vertically into the sea. you will also pass villages, each with its own special history and charm. One of these is the tiny village of Breiddalsvik. Here, youll visit the local Beljandi microbrewery and sample some of the beer. Youll meet one of the townsfolk and get a feel for life in a small town, as well as how great beer is made. The road next brings you to Egilsstadir town, located near Icelands largest forest and a lake said to be home to a legendary (friendly) monster. The area is also getting a name for itself for its excellent locally sourced cuisine and you will surely enjoy some of it at dinner.




Overnight in Egilsstadir

In the morning after Breakfast at your hotel. Explore the empty vastness of the highland desert plateau Modrudalsoraefi, desolate and yet hauntingly beautiful in its winter snows, as you head towards the Lake Myvatn area. On the way, stop at Dettifoss, Europes largest and most powerful waterfall. Continue onwards to Namaskard pass with its boiling mud pools and vibrant colors. We often feel like we are visiting another planet when we come here, and you may the same way. Its such a surreal experience!



Please note: The visit to Dettifoss waterfall depends on weather and road conditions and cannot be guaranteed. Explore the natural beauty of the Lake Myvatn area, including the pseudo craters at Skutustadir and the Laxa Salmon River. You will probably see why this area, especially during the wintertime, has been so popular for movie makers.




Overnight in Myvatn area

After Breakfast at your hotel. Start the day by exploring he peculiar lava formations at Dimmuborgir. The name means “Dark Citadels” in Icelandic, and they certainly look as though were built by fantasy creatures. There are local legends that elves live here. Visit the magnificent Godafoss waterfall, one of the most important symbols of North Iceland. Afterwards, drive to Akureyri, the colorful northern “capital” of Iceland. The town has charming buildings and a beautiful view of the Eyjafjordur fjord. After spending some time in Akureyri, continue along the coastal roads of Eyjafjordur and the Troll Peninsula. This is a beautiful drive along steep mountains with amazing views over the Arctic Sea and the black sand coastline. Enjoy a stop in Siglufjordur, a town set in a beautiful fjord of the same name. This town has some of the finest timber buildings in the country, beautifully restored to their original glory. Visit Siglufjordurs award-winning Herring-Era Maritime Museum. The museum recreates the atmosphere of the early 20th century, when Siglufjordur was transformed into a frontier-like boom town, thanks to a large migration of herring. The museum will transport you back to that exciting time. Afterwards, head along majestic mountains and narrow passes to Skagafjordur, considered to be one of the finest places in Iceland for horse breeding.




Overnight in Siglufjörður

This morning after Breakfast at your hotel. Today you will enjoy an introduction to the unique Icelandic horse breed with its special fifth gait, the tolt. Icelandic horses are very important to the countrys history. These gentle horses are known as the Icelandic peoples most faithful servant. Continue towards the village of Blonduos, built on both sides of the river Blanda. This is a part of Iceland known from the Icelandic literary work Vatnsdaela Saga. Cross the Holtavorduheidi plateau taking you into West Iceland. Drive through Borgarfjordur, a region that has been getting international recognition for its diverse landscapes and its Viking history.




Overnight in Borgarnes area

Today after breakfast, visit some of the beautiful natural wonders of West Iceland. Drive to Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in Europe. Stop to admire the beautiful Hraunfossar waterfalls, where brightly blue water rushes through black lava formations. Nearby is Barnafoss, a waterfall with a more brilliantly blue color. There is an interesting and poignant legend associated with this waterfall. Then you will pass through the scenic and mountain-lined Hvalfjordur fjord to Lake Thingvallavatn, Iceland's largest lake and Thingvellir National Park. This UNESCO heritage site is where the worlds oldest continuing parliamentary government was founded in the 10th century. It is also the place where the North American and European tectonic plates meet. You will have the unusual experience of walking between two continents! thereafter, you will head to Reykjavik for a last night stay in the colorful capital city. Your guide will bid you farewell at your hotel.




Overnight in Reykjavík

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and make your own way (transfer not included) to the airport for your return flight. We recommend departing your hotel no later than 3 hours before your international flight. If you did not visit the Blue Lagoon on your arrival day, you might use the opportunity to stop there on your way to the airport with the transfer we offer.