Enticing Iceland Circle

Upon arrival in Iceland, take the airport bus to your hotel. You also have the option to go to the Blue Lagoon directly from the airport, relaxing in the naturally heated waters and enjoying a shower before going to Reykjavík at your leisure. Rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the capital of Iceland. Reykjavík is a city that is always growing and adding unique shops, world-class restaurants, and attractions that bring the beauty of Icelandic nature into the city. If you are tired from the flight, perhaps head to the amazing Harpa Concert Hall for a coffee and relax. If you are anxious to begin your exploration of the city, walk along the harbor, stopping for a picture at the Sun Voyager statue. Overnight in Reykjavik

As you start your journey around Iceland this morning, take a short sightseeing tour of the city of Reykjavík to see sights like the Hallgrímskirkja Church and the Leif Erikson statue, Tjörnin pond, and the domed Perlan Observatory. Heading out of the city your stops include the village of Hveragerði (Hveragerdi) known for its greenhouses and tasty tomato crops. Continuing on you will travel the famous Golden Circle route, seeing the “Golden Waterfall” of Gullfoss and the hot springs and geyser area of Geysir Strokkur before heading south to see the waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss and the promontory of Dyrhólaey.Overnight in Vík area

The journey around Iceland continues today as you reach the southeastern corner of the Island. Along the way you will pass Eldhraun, the largest lava flow ever recorded, and the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur. You are headed towards Vatnajökull National Park and Vatnajökull Glacier, the largest glacier in Europe. You will also see one of the glacial lagoons, Jökulsárlón, and the floating icebergs and glimmering ice on black sand that make this one of the most breathtaking places in Iceland. You have the option today to really explore this area more closely by joining a super jeep excursion on the glacier, or take a cruise on the lagoon. Overnight in Höfn area

Heading north this morning you are taking the coastal route, first taking the Almannaskarð Pass for an amazing view. This pass was made redundant with the construction of a tunnel in 2005, but the view makes visitors keep coming back. As you continue along the ring road you will pass through the small town of Djúpivogur and drive along Berufjörður fjord along the way to your stop for the evening, the city of Egilsstaðir (Egilsstadir). Overnight in Egilsstaðir area

Say goodbye to the East Fjords this morning as your drive west across the north. A stop at Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall, will be made before you reach Lake Mývatn this afternoon. Once at Mývatn you will have the opportunity to really explore this bubbling, rocky, and amazing area. Perhaps join the optional horseback riding tour through the lava fields around the lake, or visit the Mývatn Nature Baths for a soak in the relaxing waters. Overnight in Mývatn area

Your deep dive into the magic of the north today will include a visit to the Dimmuborgir “Dark Fortress” lava formations, the Laufás turf farm that looks straight out of a fairy tale, and the Goðafoss (Godafoss) “Waterfall of the Gods.” Arrive in Akureyri and spend some time in the capital of the north, either independently enjoying the city or joining an excursion out on the Eyjafjörður (Eyjafjordur) fjord. After a full exploration of Akureyri you will continue north along the water to Siglufjörður (Siglufjordur), a town nestled between the mountain and the Siglufjörður fjord. Overnight in Siglufjörður

Visit the Herring Era Museum this morning, an exhibit dedicated to showing the glory days of Siglufjörður during the herring boom of the 1950s. Travel along the water a ways to Skagafjörður (Skagafjordur), an area known for being the best for raising the unique Icelandic horse. Today you will be visiting these amazing horses and even getting a demonstration of their special gait, the tölt. After the horse show you will be taken south, traveling through Blonduos, the protected nature reserve of Hrutey Island, and across the Holtavörðuheiði (Holtavorduheidi) plateau into the town of Borgarnes. Overnight in Borgarnes area

You are headed back to Reykjavík this evening, but before you get there you have many more amazing Icelandic sites to visit! The first stop of the day with be at the churning Deildartunguhver hot springs, the most powerful in the world. From there you will visit the impressive Hraunfossar and Barnafoss Waterfalls before taking the tunnel under the Hvalfjörður (Hvalfjordur) Fjord to Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park. Þingvellir is the meeting place of the North American and European tectonic plates and also the historic meeting place of the Icelandic parliament, Alþingi (Althing), also the oldest parliament in the world. Arrive in Reykjavík this evening. Overnight in Reykjavík

Your morning is at leisure before taking the airport bus to the airport. You also have the option to depart Reykjavík a bit earlier and visit the Blue Lagoon independently if you didn’t visit on arrival day and head to the airport from there. Fly back to the US – or extend your stay in Iceland!