Discover Iceland and Greenland
Tour Itinerary
Private transfer to your accommodation in Reykjavik. On the first day, you may explore Iceland’s capital city on your own if time allows.
Hotel Alda 4* or similar
50km / 31mi
In the morning, meet your private tour guide at the hotel lobby and set out on a scenic journey west. Drive along the picturesque Hvalfjörður fjord and pass through the charming town of Borgarnes. Enjoy an easy hike up the Grábrók volcano crater, surrounded by striking greenish lava fields.
Continue north to visit Glaumbær, one of Iceland’s most beautiful turf house farms and folk museums, offering a glimpse into traditional rural life. The route then takes you through scenic fjord landscapes and across several mountain passes before arriving in Akureyri, the vibrant capital of North Iceland.
Your overnight stay in Akureyri allows time to explore the town’s colorful streets, gardens, and harborfront at leisure.
Breakfast
Kea Akureyri 4*
415km / 258mi
In the morning, enjoy a guided exploration of Akureyri, often called the capital of North Iceland. Stroll through the charming town and take in panoramic views over the stunning Eyjafjörður fjord.
For those interested, an optional whale watching tour is available.
In the afternoon, continue to the spectacular Goðafoss, the “Waterfall of the Gods,” before heading toward Lake Mývatn, renowned for its dramatic volcanic landscapes and rich birdlife. Discover the otherworldly lava formations at Kálfaströnd, the impressive pseudo-craters at Skútustaðir, and the tephra cone Hverfjall.
End the day with a relaxing soak in the Mývatn Nature Baths, where warm geothermal waters and sweeping views of the surrounding landscapes create the perfect finish to your day (optional).
Breakfast
Mývatn Berjaya 3*
120km / 75mi
In the morning, set out on a walk through the lava labyrinth of Dimmuborgir, known as the “Dark Castles,” where dramatic rock formations are steeped in Icelandic folklore — and where, according to legend, trolls still dwell.
In the afternoon, visit the surreal geothermal area of Námaskarð, with its bubbling mud pools, steaming fumaroles, and colorful mineral deposits.
From here, the journey continues across the uninhabited highlands, through stark, moon-like landscapes, before descending into the scenic valleys and fjords of East Iceland.
Breakfast
Hérað Berjaya 3*
250km / 155mi
Today is devoted to admiring the dramatic landscapes of the East Fjords, where narrow roads wind between steep mountains and tiny fishing villages rest at the edge of the sea. In the afternoon, continue south with views of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier, dominating the skyline of Southeast Iceland. The day’s highlight is a visit to the stunning Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, filled with drifting icebergs in shades of white and blue. Keep an eye out for playful seals swimming in the icy waters. Enjoy an included boat tour weaving among the floating icebergs. Afterwards, walk along the nearby Diamond Beach, where chunks of glacier ice shimmer like jewels against the black volcanic sand.
Breakfast
Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon 4*
260km / 161mi
Travel along the southern edge of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier, and admire the sweeping landscapes of Vatnajökull National Park, home to Iceland’s highest peaks and alpine terrain.
In the afternoon, a beautiful drive awaits, filled with natural wonders. Cross the vast Eldhraun lava field and the sandy plains of the south coast, where towering cliffs, glaciers, and waterfalls create dramatic scenery. Experience the one-of-a-kind Icelandic Lava Show, where you can witness real molten lava and feel its incredible heat up close.
Later, stroll along the striking Reynisfjara black sand beach near the village of Vík, famous for its basalt sea stacks and powerful waves. Continue to the small village of Skógar to admire Skógafoss, a 60-meter-high waterfall that ranks among the country’s most impressive. End the day with a visit to Seljalandsfoss, a tall, narrow cascade that offers an adventurous walking trail leading behind the waterfall — perfect for those ready to get a little wet!
Breakfast
Hotel Ranga 4*
380km / 235mi
Today, explore some of Iceland’s most famous natural and cultural treasures along the classic Golden Circle route.
Drive to the Geysir geothermal area, where steaming vents and bubbling pools dot the landscape. The original Great Geysir is now dormant, but nearby Strokkur erupts dramatically every 5–7 minutes, sending hot water high into the sky.
From here, visit Gullfoss, the “Golden Waterfall,” a breathtaking double cascade plunging 32 meters into the Hvítá River canyon — an unforgettable sight in both summer and winter.
The journey then takes you inland to Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the tectonic plates of North America and Eurasia meet and where Iceland’s first parliament was established over a thousand years ago.
Returning to Reykjavík, enjoy a short city tour highlighting the charm and culture of the world’s northernmost capital before concluding your journey.
Breakfast
Hotel Alda 4*
160km / 99mi
In the morning, private transfer to the airport.
Board a scenic flight from Reykjavík to the town of Ilulissat, located on Greenland’s stunning west coast. The journey takes about 3 hours, crossing the Denmark Strait before descending over the dramatic Greenlandic coastline.
As you approach Ilulissat, enjoy breathtaking aerial views of massive icebergs, floating in Disko Bay, and the vast, rugged landscape of Greenland. On clear days, you may even catch a glimpse of the edge of the Greenland Ice Sheet, the second-largest body of ice in the world. Landing in Ilulissat offers an unforgettable first impression: a colorful town set against towering ice formations, where the Arctic meets everyday life.
Upon arrival, take a private transfer to the hotel.
In the afternoon, hike to Sermermiut Settlement with a small group (private guide on request)
Beautiful icebergs provide the setting for the old settlement of Sermermiut, 1.5 kilometers south of Ilulissat. For 4,000 years, different Inuit cultures lived in the settlement and, today, you can still see the remains, which indicate their former presence. Hear the story about the life of the Inuit people and their traditions before the Europeans came to Greenland. See the ruins and touch the permafrost with your own hands. Furthermore, historic places will be pointed out on the way, and these can be difficult to find on your own. You will have a coffee or tea break at “Kællingekløften” with a beautiful view of the Ice Fjord before you head back
Breakfast
Hotel Arctic 4*
Private Transfers in Reykjavik and Ilulissat
Sailing Among the Icebergs
Almost every visitor in Ilulissat chooses to try this boat trip among the icebergs at least once. Every day, more than 40 million tonnes of ice flow out into the fjord. The floating icebergs are gigantic, sometimes wider than 100 meters and with a height up to 100 meters above the water surface as well.
These giants pile up at the end of the fjord, providing you with a great opportunity to sail among them. You should not miss out on this exceptional experience when visiting Ilulissat. The icebergs are a wonderful sight in every kind of weather; in the sunshine, the contrasts are very clear, whereas the blue shades are strikingly beautiful when it is cloudy, and the midnight sun casts a unique glow on the icebergs during the night.
Taking the boat trip on a bright night is an extraordinary experience. Remember to bring warm clothes – otherwise, sealskin clothing is available for rent.
Ilulissat City Walk
Discover the charm and history of Ilulissat, a colorful Arctic town set against the dramatic backdrop of Disko Bay and towering icebergs. On a guided walking tour, explore the highlights of the community and gain insight into Greenlandic culture, past and present.
Visit the Ilulissat Museum, housed in the former home of famed explorer Knud Rasmussen, to learn about Greenland’s rich history and traditions. Stroll through the lively harbor, where fishing boats and sled dogs remain an integral part of daily life. Along the way, your guide will share stories about the town’s heritage, Arctic survival, and the challenges and opportunities of modern life above the Arctic Circle.
The tour also includes a stop at Zion Church, one of Greenland’s most iconic wooden churches, beautifully situated overlooking the Icefjord. From here, enjoy sweeping views of the bay, often dotted with massive icebergs drifting from the nearby glacier.
Breakfast
Hotel Arctic 4*
Only a few places in Greenland are as beautiful as the Eqi Glacier, which runs into the fjord 80 kilometers north of Ilulissat. It is possible to get very close to the glacier by boat and experience huge pieces of ice breaking off. The sounds are thunderous, and the sight of chunks of ice crashing into the water is astonishing.
We sail in modern, comfortable boats during the excursion to Eqi Glacier. The route takes us north along the coast, passing Bredebugt, the settlement of Oqaatsut and the big fjord system called Pakitsoq, where whales and seals are often spotted.
Lunchtime and Watch the Ice Calve
Further along the route, we pass through the Ataa Strait, which is surrounded by steep mountains with bird life and waterfalls. Our boats, which are reinforced for sailing in icy waters, will remain in front of the glacier for approximately 2 hours and wait for the ice to calve. Meanwhile, a delicious lunch will be served. This is an all-day excursion where you will have a good opportunity to immerse yourself in the experience and fully enjoy the boat trip through the ice-filled waters.
Remember to bring warm clothes – otherwise, sealskin clothing is available for rent.
Breakfast / Lunch
Hotel Arctic 4*
Stay at the Eqi Lodge Cabin
Board your flight from Ilulissat back to Reykjavík, retracing the route over Greenland’s stunning landscapes and the Denmark Strait. During the approximately 3-hour flight, enjoy aerial views of Disko Bay, where icebergs drift silently across the Arctic waters, and catch glimpses of the vast, rugged Greenlandic interior.
As you descend toward Reykjavík, marvel at Iceland’s coastline and the contrast between Greenland’s icy wilderness and the volcanic landscapes of Iceland. This scenic flight offers a unique perspective on the incredible Arctic and North Atlantic regions, providing a memorable conclusion to your Greenland adventure.
Breakfast
Customer reviews
Frank Holloway
I would like to thank Nordic Saga for arranging such an amazing tour for us. It exceeded all our expectations. The scenery with icebergs, fjords, and glaciers was beyond our imagination. In Narsarsuaq we stayed at a nice basic hotel. It was really basic but our room was big, warm and clean. The hotel staff was nice and friendly and spoke some English. The buffet at breakfast was excellent with good selection of cereals, breads, meat and a pastry. There was internet in the hotel but we had to pay for it. Not a big deal, though.
We spent a very enjoyable time walking and enjoying the great views. Traveling by boat through the ice-filled Erik's Fjord was fantastic as many other unforgettable experiences. We all were stunned by the majesty of the surrounding mountains and glaciers.
It was the best trip in my life so far. We will certainly return to this wonderful part of the world to explore it more thoroughly.
Karina and Martin Bjoren
I did a few tours in Iceland but this one was exceptional. My impressions are only positive. The guides were friendly and informative. All other service was efficient. Before this trip Nordic Saga Tours agents were extremely helpful both via email and over the phone and I was very confident in every detail.
During the tour each and every activity was well-organized, interesting, and tremendously enjoyable. Greenland's wildlife was stunning as well as all Arctic life. It was very interesting to learn something about Inuit culture. Great photo opportunities, if you want to bring home a piece of these remarkable countries. I still see gigantic icebergs in my dreams. They made a stunning imprint in my memory as well as the Eqip glacier.
Best regards,
P. Holmer, USA
All the best,
Francesko
Jake
I'm back from my awesome tour of Iceland. I had a great time traveling around the country and loved seeing Greenland, too. Both are such unique places to visit and it's exciting being able to check them off my bucket list! The geysers and waterfalls in Iceland were breathtaking. I was able to get some really neat photos and videos! The tour guides were remarkable and I really learned a lot. Feeding sled dogs in Greenland was great - such a nice touch to the trip! I'll never forget that. The glaciers and colors in Greenland were so beautiful. The people and culture in Iceland was remarkable, too.
I already can't wait to visit Iceland in the future and bring a few friends along with me. Thanks for making it so memorable.
Best,
Donna Telvin
Steven here. Just writing to thank you for the amazing trip to Iceland and Greenland you helped me plan back in June. I had been wanting to go to Iceland for quite some time, so finally finishing up the last touches to make it complete was so exciting! Icelandair is such a unique airline and just being on board got me pumped for the trip! I took hundreds of photos while I was there and had a great time showing them to my family. I really needed this trip, so thanks again for making it happen. The beauty of Iceland and Greenland are unlike anything I've ever seen before. I already want to bring a group of friends back with me next time, so I'll be in touch. I think everyone should visit Iceland (and Greenland!) at some point in their life to appreciate the beautiful scenery and history in such cool, remote places. Again, thank you.
Steven Frills
My wife and I have returned from our Iceland vacation and we wanted to thank you for all of your hard work in putting the trip together. Iceland is a truly beautiful country and I'm happy with how we spent our time there. Seeing Gullfoss waterfall in Iceland, Eqi glacier in Greenland, and listening to old stories about the people of Iceland and Greenland were memorable moments for us. Everyone was friendly, our hotels were great, and we can't stop telling people about how much fun we had! Thanks again. If we plan another trip to Iceland or beyond in the future, I'll be sure to give your company a call.
Mark and Julie Hess