Wilderness Highlands & Highlights
Tour Itinerary
Arrival at Keflavík International airport. Transfers to Reykjavík are not included in the tour. We would be happy to arrange shared or private transfers for you, so let us know at booking time.
If you arrive earlier in the day, you might consider adding a day tour. We’d be happy to make suggestions based on your interests. One of our favourite activities after a long flight is to visit one of the neighbourhood geothermal pools. If you want a uniquely Icelandic hot spring pool experience, we recommend the seaside Sky Lagoon and its relaxing Seven-Step spa ritual. We can help you with booking a visit!
It’s also very nice to take a stroll in the old city centre, perhaps visiting one of the museums or relaxing with a cup of coffee in a cosy café.
Dinner this evening is at your leisure. Reykjavík offers a multitude of restaurants, making dinner a wonderful way to get better acquainted with Iceland's capital. Please note that hotels in Iceland start check-in around 14:00 (2:00pm), and early check-in is not guaranteed. Most hotels will be happy to store your luggage if you are not able to check in early.
Fosshotel Reykjavik
Lava Landscapes – Geothermal Field – Famous National Park
Meet your guide at the hotel and start your adventure! Your first day begins with a quick orientation tour of Reykjavík before heading to the moon-like landscapes of the Reykjanes Peninsula. Thanks to its geothermal and volcanic features, Reykjanes is a designated UNESCO GeoPark. You’ll see unusual and stunning features around the peninsula, including craters, lava cliffs, and fissures. One of these is the mysterious Kleifarvatn, famous for its mention in Arnaldur Indríðason’s suspense novel, The Draining Lake.
Visit the Krýsuvík geothermal area with its multi-coloured bubbling mud pools and hissing steam vents. Drive along the seacoast with amazing views of powerful waves, stopping to visit historical Strandarkirkja. Over the years, Icelanders have prayed in this lovely church for the safety and fortune of loved ones working on the sea. It’s very special to spend some moments outside the church and take in the views of the mighty ocean and rocky coastline.
Head to Þingvellir National Park, the ancient site of the world's first parliament. Here you can see the dramatic continental drift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Your guide will share interesting facts about some of the interesting historical events that have happened at Þingvellir.
Dinner and overnight stay in the
Breakfast / Dinner- Golden Circle area.
205 km /127miles
Lively Geysers – Golden Waterfall – Desert Wilderness Views
Start your day’s adventure with the popular Geysir geothermal area. The most active geyser, Strokkur, shoots water high into the air every few minutes. You'll also see several other boiling pools and hot springs.
Head onwards to Iceland's most popular waterfall, the impressive two-stage Gullfoss (“Golden Falls”). A series of easy footpaths lead around the waterfall and give you excellent views from different angles.
Now it’s time to enter the wilderness on the historical highland track Kjölur. As you follow this mountain road leading between two glaciers, you’ll be seeing the same landscapes that Vikings saw in the old days as they rode across Iceland’s interior to Þingvellir for the annual Parliament. Enjoy the vast views and the serene peace in one of Europe’s last wilderness areas.
Midway on the route, stop to visit Hveravellir, an active geothermal field. Easy hiking paths lead through multicoloured landscapes and steam vents. In the old days, Hveravellir was a hideout for outlaws. The Kjölur trail leads northwards, emerging into the valley of Skagafjörður fjord with its flat-topped mountains and glacial rivers. Drive through dramatic mountainous valleys to Akureyri, the “capital of the north,” for an overnight in this beautiful and culturally rich town.
- Breakfast
- Akureyri area
- 375 km / 233 miles
Waterfall “Of the Gods” – Volcanic Wonderland – Forest Lagoon
Breakfast at your hotel. Today’s adventure takes you to the intriguing Lake Mývatn nature reserve. On the way, you’ll stop at scenic Goðafoss waterfall, famous for its Viking history. The Mývatn nature reserve is fascinating for its diverse bird life and its geological wonders. Some of the volcanic features include the pseudo craters at Skútustaðir, the Dark Lava Citadels of Dimmuborgir, the Krafla Volcano area, and the multi-coloured steaming slopes of Námaskarð.
At the end of the day, your group will return to Akureyri and visit the Skógarböð (Forest Lagoon) near town. Enjoy ounging in peaceful earth-warmed pools in a beautiful setting of woodlands and the Eyjafjörður Fjord.
- Breakfast
- Akureyri area
- 320 km /199 miles
Whale Watching Village – Glacial Gorge – Europe’s Most Powerful Waterfall
Today you will be visiting the northern part of Vatnajökull National Park, the largest of its kind in Western Europe. The vast park covers 14% of Iceland’s surface. This section of the park is characterised by vast glacier river canyons, curious lava formations, and glacial waterfalls.
From Akureyri, drive to the charming fishing village of Húsavík. Known as the whale-watching capital of Iceland, Húsavík offers whale-watching in traditional oak fishing boats. Take part in one of these excursions, where you’ll sail in beautiful Skjálfandi Bay in search of whales, dolphins, and seabirds.
Travel around the ancient, fossil rich Tjörnes peninsula on the edge of the Arctic Circle to the northern gateway of Vatnajökull National Park. Visit the impressive horseshoe shaped Ásbyrgi canyon, which has a variety of beautiful walking trails that suit different hiking levels.
Continue on to visit the echoing rocks and troll-like formations of Hljóðaklettar. The crowning highlight is mighty Dettifoss, the largest waterfall in Europe.
- Breakfast / Dinner
- Lake Myvatn area
- 250 km / 155 miles
Highland desert plateau – Narrow Fjords – Picturesque Coastline
Today you will be visiting East Iceland and the gorgeous Eastfjords. Explore the vast wilderness of the desert plateau Möðrudalsöræfi, desolate and yet hauntingly beautiful, as you head towards the Eastfjords region. Visit fantastical Stuðlagil, an impressive canyon made of basalt columns that seem to resemble organ pipes. A viewing platform near the canyon lets you enjoy the canyon’s unique features. You can see how basalt columns like these influenced the design of Reykjavík’s Hallgrímskirkja church.
Continue to the village of Egilsstaðir, the “capital” of East Iceland. Egilsstaðir is known for its scenic forested area of Hallormsstaðir and for legends of a friendly lake monster.
- Breakfast / Dinner
- Eastfjords area
- 215 km / 134 miles
Europe’s Largest Glacier – Iceberg Lagoon – Glacier-Ringed Green Oasis
Continue travelling through the scenic Eastfjords, taking time to enjoy the breathtaking views. The harbour village of Djúpivogur marks the southernmost edge of the Eastfjords.
As you drive into Southeastern Iceland you’ll start seeing Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull. You will soon be in the vicinity of southern Vatnajökull National Park. This part of the park is characterised by ice, glacier tongues and lava landscapes.
The popular Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon rewards you with a beautiful view of the glacier, and the floating icebergs will certainly impress you. You’ll get a chance to see the icebergs close up on a boat that sails through the Glacial Lagoon.
Near Jökulsárlón is the Diamond Beach, an area that has become a favourite spot to snap an Iceland photo.
Head onwards to the park’s Skaftafell area, a green oasis surrounded by dramatic glaciers and volcanic mountains. Make sure your camera is ready to capture the view!
- Breakfast / Dinner
- Kirkjubæjarklaustur area
- 320 km / 199 miles
Multi-coloured Highland Mountains – Hot Spring Bathing – Hekla Volcano
Today you will see a different side of the highlands, the colourful southern wilderness. Travel along the Fjallabaksleið highland interior track, passing wild mountains and deeply carved green valleys. Cross several unbridged rivers to Landmannalaugar, a magnificent area surrounded by brilliantly coloured rhyolite mountains. Great hiking trails take you through a mysterious landscape of steam vents and bright coloured slopes. There is also the option of bathing in a natural warm pool, so don’t forget to bring a swimsuit and towel. You will also catch different views of towering Hekla, Iceland’s most frequently erupting volcano through the day.
- Breakfast / Dinner
- Hella area
- 305 km / 190 miles
Lava Fields – Black Beaches – Thundering Waterfalls
Breakfast at your hotel. Drive along the spectacular South Coast, a sweeping landscape of sandy deserts, rocky shores and rolling farmlands sandwiched between snow-capped glaciers, mountains, and the ocean.
Visit the beautiful waterfalls of Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss. Skógafoss is one of Iceland’s most photographed waterfalls and has stairs that take you to the top for an amazing view. The ribbon-shaped Seljalandsfoss has trails that take you behind the waterfall.
Stop to admire the black sand beaches and cliffs at Reynisfjara near Vík village. You’ll surely feel the power of nature as you watch the enormous waves thunder towards the shore. Far out to sea are several basalt sea stacks that may (or may not) have once been trolls.
Drive to Reykjavík in the late afternoon, where your guide bids you farewell at the hotel. The rest of your day and evening is open to enjoy Iceland’s charming capital city.
- Breakfast
- Reykjavik
- 285 km / 177 miles
Transfer on your own to the international airport for your departure flight. The airport transfer is not included, but we are happy to help you arrange shared or private transfers.
We recommend you depart from your hotel no later than three hours before your departure flight. We wish you a pleasant trip back to your homeland and hope to see you in Iceland again!
- Breakfast
Customer reviews
The days were filled with stunning experiences as well as relaxing points as you sit on the train or a bus and the beautiful countryside passes you. It was a beautiful trip.
The only negative, if there is one, is that when you get to the locations, there is isn't enough time to really explore on your own.
Jolanta Swobod
I'm writing to you from California, just a few days after returning from our Iceland trip. I wanted to give you and your company a great review and let you know that my wife and I truly appreciated your help before, during, and after our vacation. We had a tough time deciding which tour to go on since they all looked so great, but I think we're both happy we decided on the Wilderness tour. We got to see a lot of creatures living in the country that we might not have seen on a different tour. My personal favorite part of the trip was boating through the glacial lagoon. The visions I had of Iceland before visiting came alive that day and definitely lived up to my expectations. I think it's something everyone should experience in their lifetime. We did a really nice loop in Iceland and saw everything we hoped to see. Thanks again and when we travel Iceland or beyond in the future, I will not hesitate to contact you for your services.
Kindly,
Ron and Glenda Hailes
Hi! Thank you for making our tour of Iceland everything I had hoped for and more. Your communication with me through the entire process was incredible, so thank you for all of your speedy replies! It's nice to know there are companies out there who don't just strictly operate from 9-5. You helped me in the early morning and late at night some days, so that alone made this trip worthwhile and I'm glad we decided to go with you. As for the tour - WOW! Iceland truly is a beautiful place and we got to see a lot of variety on this tour. I was expecting it to be gorgeous, but was truly amazed to see everything I was able to see up close and personal. Everything just always looks so different in photos! I'll be recommending Nordic Saga Tours to friends who wish to visit Iceland in the future, and if I plan to do more traveling, you will hear from me.
Thanks again,
Katie (and Andrew) Schwartz
I'm home from my Iceland trip! Thank you for helping make this a memorable vacation for me. This tour was really well organized and probably one of the best tours I've ever been on. The guides were very knowledgeable and did a great job answering any questions the guests in my group had. Speaking of my group, it was a small group, lovely people. I got to see so much, from waterfalls and lava fields, to sheep grazing on a countryside and the active city life in Reykjavik. I loved the people and lifestyle in Iceland. Something I think I could get used to rather quickly! Again, thanks for all you did for me. You definitely made this tour of Iceland extra special!
- Darla Jettings
My wife and I did our tour of Iceland back in June and I realized I never got around to messaging you about it. Everything was really great and very organized which was a relief for both of us. We had little to worry about and put our trust in the hands of your company. Thanks for being so on top of everything for us. I can't imagine doing something like that on our own without your expertise. The tour itself was wonderful and we got to see so much of the country in such a short amount of time! It was fantastic being able to see the different ways of life in each part of Iceland. We brought home lots of gifts for our family and friends, including lots of dried fish and handmade gloves and scarves. We will be back to visit Iceland in the future and I'll definitely be giving you a call.
Thank you,
Jason Tillmen
Halló! We're back in Pennsylvania but still daydreaming about our Iceland tour! I thought I'd write to let you know how pleased we were with you and your company. The tour was just wonderful. Our entire trip felt really unique and there isn't one thing I would change. Everything was clearly thought out and spaced perfectly and the guides were all very informative and passionate about their country. The incredible bird cliffs and sandy coastline were better than I had anticipated, and visiting the local farm where we tried fresh ice cream was incredible! There's something really special about that. The mountains and waterfalls just took my breath away! I'm so happy we decided to give you a call. Thanks for your help and I'll keep you in mind the next time we decide to travel to Iceland!
Mary Vogge
As you know, my dad and I were searching for the perfect Iceland tour for quite a while that would suit the both of us. I really appreciated your suggestions and I'm happy we decided to go with the Country Life tour, since it had a really good mix of activities that we could both enjoy. I loved the glaciers and being able to see the floating icebergs and my dad really enjoyed the natural baths throughout the tour. Very unique! We of course loved the waterfalls and geysers in the country, too. Being able to do the loop we did really gave us a good idea of what the country looks like in all directions. I will contact you in the future if I decide to travel to Iceland or even Norway since I truly believe you're in this business to help others find the best tours to suit their specific needs!
Cheers,
Grant Marvil
Thank you for an incredible trip to Iceland. We have so many fond memories thanks to the awesome tour you put us on. Climbing around on a volcano crater in an old lava field is something I never thought I'd do! My wife and I really enjoyed the whale watching tour. That's something we've never had the opportunity to do. Really, really cool. The guides on this trip were kind and knowledgeable as were all the locals we encountered. Thanks for your assistance on this Iceland tour, as it's one we will surely never forget!
- Perry and Trish Fields
