Around Iceland Express

Please be prepared for an 8:00 a.m. pick-up from your hotel or designated spot. Depending on where you are in Reykjavik, you might have to wait a short while, as the pick-up procedure might take up to 30 minutes.

The main exploration destination today is the famous Golden Circle. We first go to Thingvellir National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its geological and historical importance. This is where the Icelanders set up their historic parliament, called Alingi, nin 930 AD. It was one of the first democracies in history. The Law Speaker was able to proclaim the law from one of the world's most dramatic "platforms," with the massive rift valley cliff in the backdrop.

Thingvellir is directly bounded by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. As the tectonic plates of Europe and North America keep moving apart, the rift valley keeps getting bigger.

Our next stop will be the Geysir hot spring region. The erupting hot spring known as Geysir is where the term "geyser" first appeared in English. Observe the Strokkur hot spring's bubbling fumaroles and the jets of hot water and vapor that it sends out from time to time.

The final stop on the Golden Circle is the impressive Gullfoss waterfall. Golden-colored mist rises from the spray as the Hvtá (White River) roars through the rocky canyon after coming down from Langjokull (the Long Glacier). In two sections, Gullfoss descends 32 m.

We will also stop at both Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls on our way to our lodging at a farm hotel close to Kirkjubaejarklaustur. Seljalandsfoss is a very special waterfall, as you can walk behind it to get a different view.

From September through April, after stopping at your hotel for the night, you can venture outside with the assistance of your guide in search of the Northern Lights.

Overnight in Kirkjubaejarklaustur area (breakfast)

After breakfast, we visit the basalt column cave, the eerie Reynisfjara black sand beach, and the magnificent Reynisdrangar peaks. The glaciers are next on the agenda. First, we go by the huge Mrdalsjokull glacier, which hides the unpredictable Katla volcano, one of the most well-known and feared volcanoes, under its ice. You'll catch a glimpse of the legendary fire maestro if visibility is clear!

As we go through the Eldhraun lava field to Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park, we can see the effects of earlier volcanic eruptions. Skaftafell is a verdant treasure in the arid black sand desert, a real oasis of green birch trees and rich greenery. Floating icebergs adorn the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. Then, our expert glacier guide will lead us on a three-hour hike on the discharge glacier of Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe.

From October to April, we offer a magnificent adventure into the Crystal Ice Cave in place of the glacier hike.

The well-known Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon comes up next. You can see the famous Diamond Beach, with its coal-black sands and sparkling crystal-blue and white icebergs that have washed up on the beach, while staring in awe at the spectacular lagoon full of icebergs. Since this location has been used to film scenes for James Bond and other movies, you will feel like you are in one.

We will spend the night in a guesthouse in the Hofn area, known as the lobster capital of Iceland. Slip away from the guesthouse at night to search for the Northern Lights between September and April.

Overnight in Hofn area (breakfast)

Today we are going to tour Iceland's East Fjords. We continue along the coast, passing by the beautiful and isolated peninsula of Hvalnes, as well as the section between Lóns and lftafjarar that skirts the vottárskriur landslides.

We'll stop at Djupivogur, a charming little fishing town where Eggin Gleivk, a beautiful outdoor sculpture, is located (meaning The Eggs of Merry Bay). The second-highest waterfall in Iceland, Hengifoss, is reached after an energizing hike (128 m). The massive Litlanesfoss waterfall and enormous hexagonal basalt columns frame the cascade. The entire hike takes roughly three hours. You will come across a stunning gorge where the colorful granite face displays layers left behind from old volcanic eruptions.

Overnight in Eastfjords (breakfast)

From Egilsstair, we drive through the uninhabited area around Morudalur, the highest farm in Iceland for many years at 469 m. We stop at Dettifoss, the most forceful waterfall in Europe. The massive flow is amazing! After that, we journey through the mysterious surroundings of Myvatn Lake. It becomes more and more surreal as we get closer to the steaming moonscapes of the Námaskar geothermal area. View hot fumaroles, roiling mud pots, and boiling hot springs.When we get to the incredible Dimmuborgir formations, also known as the Dark Castles and the Hverfjall crater, the wonders keep on coming!

The Myvatn Nature Baths are the next stop. In Icelandic, they are called Jarðbóðin because the hot water comes straight from the ground. Even though using the Myvatn Nature Baths is an extra activity, you should make a reservation ahead of time. If you don't want to swim, you can stroll around and take in the breathtaking views or unwind in the cafeteria. The final stop of the day is the vast and beautiful Godafoss waterfall. Afterward, we go to Eyjafjorur, a beautiful fjord surrounded by high mountains.

From November to March, your guide will direct you to Northern Lights viewing locations close to the hotel.

Overnight in Akureyri area (breakfast)

If time permits, we will make a short stop in Akureyri, the capital city of the North. Follow Eyjafjordur (the Island Fjord) past this charming town and its beautiful scenery to the small fishing village of Dalvik, where we take a 3-hour whale-watching boat trip from the traditional working harbor. During this short cruise, you will spot white-beaked dolphins, humpback whales, and sometimes even a majestic blue whale.

After the cruise, we drive to Siglufjörður, a charming fishing village with a rich heritage and history. In the early 20th century, this town became the herring fishing capital of the Atlantic Ocean, a small village with a gold rush atmosphere. We will journey around Tröllaskagi (the Troll Peninsula) and see some of Iceland's best ocean scenery and skiing areas. The charming small villages on this peninsula will give you a good understanding of how life was and is lived in remote Icelandic villages. Our drive will take us through some thriving agricultural areas on our way to Laugarbakki. Your accommodation for the night will be at a small hotel in Laugarbakki.

Chase the Northern Lights on winter evenings (September-April).

Overnight in Laugarbakki (breakfast)

We will explore West Iceland and the Borgarfjörður area on our final day. We will begin the day with a short hike up to Grábrók, a volcanic crater. On a clear day, it has many splendid views, which we will enjoy today. We stop at Deildartunguhver hot spring, the legendary waterfall, Barnafoss (the Children´s Waterfall), and the Hraunfossar cascade, the very low and wide atmospheric falls where the water emerges, literally straight out of the lava field.

Next on the agenda is the historic and picturesque site of Reykholt, home to Snorri Sturluson, the Icelandic historian, lawyer, politician, poet, and author of some Icelandic sagas. Finally, we will drive around the scenic fjord, Hvalfjörður (Whale Fjord), on our way back to Reykjavík. We expect to arrive in the city around 5-6 pm.

If you choose the 6-day trip with Blue Lagoon, you will be picked up from Reykjavik and transferred to the Blue Lagoon to end your trip by soaking in hot geothermal waters.

A magnificent geothermal wonder that is the world’s finest naturally occurring spa. Its milky-blue waters are full of nutrients and are heated to a perfect temperature for bathing by lava flows underground. Local doctors often recommend soaking in the Blue Lagoon to treat skin problems. This makes it a great place to relax and recharge amid truly beautiful natural scenery. It is replenished by the water output of the Svartsengi Geothermal Power Plant, making it entirely eco-friendly and completely ethical.

At the end of the tour you will be dropped off in Reykjavik at location of your choice. (breakfast)