7D6N ICELAND | REYKJAVIK, GOLDEN CIRCLE & SOUTH COAST

Upon arrival, you will head to the coach park outside the airport where your transport will be waiting for you. You will enjoy a comfortable ride to your hotel in Reykjavik.

Optional to add a trip to the Blue Lagoon .

You will be picked up from Reykjavík, and from there, set out to explore the countryside, heading towards the South Coast of Iceland.

Seljalandsfoss

The adventure begins when we pick you up in Reykjavík in a small and comfortable minibus before heading straight to the South. Our arrival is announced by the powerful theatrics of Seljalandsfoss. Bring a raincoat and you’ll be able to make the short hike behind the falls. The scene behind the fall and the trembling ground from the power of the falling water makes for an automatic Instagram blockbuster!

Skogafoss

Further east along the coast is Skógafoss waterfall. Skógafoss is an incredibly picturesque sight. Tucked in a little gorge, the river Skógá tumbles down a 60 meter cliff before continuing down the landscape towards the Atlantic Ocean. Alongside the gorge a staircase can take you to the shelf above the waterfall for stunning views. See if you can count your steps on your way up.

Glacier Hike in Skaftafell (and Blue Ice Cave during winter)

We will hike an outlet glacier spawning from the largest glacier in the country, Vatnajökull. After meeting our highly trained glacier guides and strapping on your safety and glacier equipment, including helmets, harnesses, crampons and ice axes we hike on the ice for an hour and a half. A spectacular experience and opportunity to learn more about this breathtaking and increasingly rare natural phenomena. Skaftafell area has been used as a filming location for many famous TV shows and films, such as Game of Thrones, Interstellar, James Bond, and others… Follow the steps of your favorite characters onto the glacier!

During winter

The journey continues with the blue ice cave exploration. we recommend wearing waterproof hiking boots that cover your ankles and have a hard sole. Iceland’s nature is dominated by glaciers and it is only possible to explore them with a certified guide and safety equipment. Your guide will share with you his expertise about the ice caves, allowing you to truly appreciate this amazing natural phenomenon – spoiler alert… it will be blue.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Starting the second day, you’ll head to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, a 200m deep glacial lagoon fed by Breiðamerkurjökull, an outlet glacier of Europe’s largest glacier. Enormous icebergs come from Breiðamerkurjökull all year round so the lagoon is usually filled with ice that floats south. We will give you the opportunity to book a boat ride between the icebergs during summer time and get a closer look at the millenary ice. If boating is not your thing, then we walk alongside the glacier lagoon enjoying the magnificent views and dead silence of Icelandic nature.

Diamond Beach

On the other side of the road the icebergs from Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon float into the Atlantic Ocean where they are quickly thrown back to shore by the tide and winds. This black sand beach is full of smaller ice rocks in all shapes and sizes, sparkling like diamonds in the daylight. The ice itself comes in all shades of white and blue forming beautiful contrasts, guaranteed to make your Instagram account pop!

Reynisfjara, the Black Sand Beach

Heading further west, we visit the black sand beach of Reynisfjara where the massive waves of the Atlantic meet the unique basalt columns in the cliffs above the sand. Rock pillars in the water and the cliffs of Dýrhólaey are seen in the distance. This area of the south is also a paradise for bird lovers, as puffins and dozens of other unique species nest on top of these cliffs in the summertime from June to August.

Optional Dragon Glass Katla Ice Cave (not available during winter)

You also have the option to add Dragon Glass Katla Ice Cave as an extra for this tour. If you chose to do so, you’ll hop on our Super Jeep, put on your crampons and explore the stunning South Coast and Myrdalsjokull glacier. In this off-the-beaten-path tour to a natural ice cave underneath Katla volcano, you’ll admire the lunar landscapes, moss covered mountains and glaciers the South Coast of Iceland is so well known for, culminating in the mighty Dragon Glass Ice Cave, formed by the combination of fire and ice.

Optional Amphibian Boat Tour at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon (not available during winter)

During the excursion you sail among the huge icebergs in the picturesque scenery of Jökulsárlón. On the boat you get to taste the 1000 year old ice and if you are lucky you might even see some seals. The excursion takes 30–40 minutes and includes an English speaking guide who explains to you the geology and facts of the lagoon.

After the tour we return to Reykjavik.

You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning for your day tour to the Golden Circle. You'll visit the famous Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir geothermal area.

Geysir Geothermal Area

The Geysir geothermal area hosts hundreds of colorful hot springs and two geysers, erupting hot springs. One is called “Geysir” and name giving for all the geysers in the world. Today, however, it erupts very seldom. The other geyser is called “Strokkur” and erupts every 5 minutes up to 40 meters.

Gullfoss Waterfall

The melting water from Iceland´s second biggest glacier, Langjökull, falls into a deep canyon forming the majestic “Golden Falls”. On a sunny day, you can see the glacier Langjökull in the distance and enjoy a rainbow in the mist of the waterfall, an Instagram blockbuster waiting to happen!

Traditional Dairy Farm and Free Ice Cream

We visit Efstidalur farm owned by the same family since 1850. This Icelandic family-run business sticks to traditional Icelandic farming culture and focuses on cows and cattle breeding. You will be able to enjoy their tasty farm-to-table dairy products, see the stunning mountain view and see the friendly animals. We will invite you to taste the ice cream yourself and meanwhile watch the animals relaxing in the stable.

Þingvellir National Park

We visit the place where the two tectonic plates, the North American and the Eurasian plate, are moving away from each other. Few places in the world offer a better and clearer view of this massive geographic activity. The biggest natural lake in Iceland is also located at Thingvellir National Park and hosts a great variety of fish and bird life. Thingvellir is also an important place for Icelandic national history. At Thingvellir Icelanders founded their parliament in 930 a.d. where the chieftains had their annual meeting every summer. The name “Thingvellir” translates to “Parliament Plains”.

Take a bus tour with City Sightseeing and explore Reykjavík at your leisure, with the opportunity to hop on and off at conveniently located bus stops.

This bus pass is valid for 24 hours so you take your time to enjoy a full day of Reykjavik.

It's a city that boasts the best of both worlds; a modern, trendy and forward-looking capital whilst at the same time being so close to its unspoiled nature. Reykjavik truly is a magical place to behold.

Reykjavik City Sightseeing Stops:
1. Harpa Concert Hall & Conference Centre

The stunning concert hall and conference centre is the latest landmark in Reykjavík and houses both the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and the Icelandic Opera.

2. Reykjavik Old Harbour

A colourful busy area with restaurants, shops and cafés. Various boat tours depart from the Old Harbour.

3. Reykjavík Maritime Museum

Explore the world of the Icelandic fisheries and coastal culture. The former coast guard vessel Óðinn is also docked there.

4. Whales of Iceland & FlyOver Iceland

The biggest whale exhibition in the world! Life-sized models, an interactive installation and virtual reality experience. Fun for all ages. Admission to Whales of Iceland can be bought here. FlyOver Iceland is an immersive flight experience.The ride utilizes state-of-the-art technology to give the guest the feeling of flight. Guests will hang suspended, feet dangling, before a 20-metre spherical screen while our film whisks you away on an exhilarating journey across Iceland. Special effects, including wind, mist and scents, combine with the ride’s motion to create an unforgettable experience. Tickets to Fly Over Iceland can be bought here.

5. National Museum of Iceland

The permanent exhibition Making of a Nation - Heritage and History in Iceland is a journey through time, from settlement to the present.

6. Lækjargata Hard Rock Café Reykjavik

Lækjargata - literally "stream street" - takes its name from the stream that once ran along the street. The famous Hard Rock Café is located in this street.

7. Laugavegur Shopping Street

Strolling down Laugavegur you will find all kinds of shops, restaurants, cafés and bars - something for everyone.

8. Kjarvalsstaðir Art Museum

It houses the works of one of Iceland´s most influential and recognized artists, Jóhannes Kjarval. You can also enjoy works from other leading Icelandic and foreign artists.

9. Hallgrímskirkja Church

The church spire is 73 m high, thus making this building the tallest one in Reykjavík city. The view from the tower is sublime.

10. BSÍ Bus Terminal

Home of Reykjavik Excursions and the Flybus. From here you can join one of the many adventurous day tours heading outside the city or simply take the Flybus to Keflavík International Airport.

11. Perlan

A glass dome built on top of six hot water tanks. Inside you will find a restaurant, café and the amazing Wonders of Iceland exhibition & Aurora Planetarium. The 360° view from the observation deck is spectacular. If you are joining us between April to August, entrance to Wonders of Iceland & Aurora Planetarium is included.

12. Kringlan Shopping Mall

Iceland´s first real shopping mall opened its doors in 1987 and currently includes over 180 shops and restaurants along with a cinema and a public library. Next to the mall is the Reykjavík City Theatre.

13. Hilton Nordica Reykjavík

The hotel is formerly known as Hotel Esja, a name derived from the dramatically dominating Mt. Esja which provides a stunning backdrop to the capital area.

14. Laugardalur Valley

Reykjavík´s housewives and housemaids washed laundry in geothermal hot springs here in Laugardalur until the early 20th century. Today the park is home to a swimming pool, sports centre, botanical garden and the Family Park and Zoo.

15. Skarfabakki Harbour (When cruise ships are in port)

From here you can take a boat tour over to Viðey island, stroll along the coastline to downtown Reykjavík or come inside and rent a vehicle for the day at Enterprise rent-a-car. (When cruise ships are in port)

16. Höfði House

Höfði is considered to be one of the most historically significant buildings in Reykjavík. It was the location for the 1986 summit meeting of president Ronald Reagan and the general secretary Mikhail Gorbachev, in order to end the Cold War.

In the evening, you will go on a aurora hunting tour (September - March). Seeing the northern lights weaving their way across the night sky is a captivating experience.

You can choose to add-on activities on this day as you wish.

Suggested activities for the day are as follow:-

Day tour to Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Whale-watching
Snowmobile
Lava Tunnel
Dog-sledding

You will be picked up from the hotel and sent to the airport for your flight back home.