Classic Circle Tour of Iceland

Your  Iceland Ring Road Tour starts today! Arrive in Reykjavik. Please let us know if you need to book a shuttle or private transfer.

If you get there early, consider booking a trip to the Blue Lagoon or a day tour. Or you can walk around the historic district, take in some culture at a museum, and then end up with a cup of coffee at a little café or a local restaurant.

Tonight, dinner is on your own. There are many cafes and restaurants in Reykjavik, so going to one of the local restaurants is a great opportunity to get to know Iceland's capital.

Most Icelandic hotels only allow early check-in at 14:00 (2:00 pm). If you cannot check in early, most hotels will be pleased to store your luggage.

Overnight in Reykjavik

We start our day with breakfast at the hotel. After a short introduction to Reykjavik, we drive to Lake Thingvallavatn, which is the largest lake in Iceland, and Thingvellir National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is where the world's oldest continuously running parliamentary government was set up in the 10th century. Additionally, it is where the tectonic plates of North America and Europe converge. You'll experience the rare sensation of crossing two continents on foot!

The "Golden Waterfall" Gullfoss is the next stop on our tour, and from a number of walking pathways there, you can get picture-perfect views of the stunning double-ledged cascade.

Along with seeing the well-known Geysir and Strokkur, you'll also go to the adjacent hot spring area, where there are also a ton of smaller hot springs and boiling mud pools.

Today we will also visit a family farm in Iceland where organic geothermal energy is used to raise tomatoes. We will tour the greenhouse and try some of the sweet Icelandic tomatoes produced on the farm.

The day ends in the charming town of Hveragerdi, located in an active geothermal area.
The people have found clever ways to grow flowers, fruits, and vegetables in greenhouses and use underground hot springs to heat their homes.

Overnight in Hveragerdi (breakfast, dinner)

Breakfast at the hotel. Find the fascinating Thjorsardalur valley with birch forests, sandy lava fields, rivers, waterfalls, and more. If the skies are clear, you can also view Mt. Hekla, the spectacular and beautiful volcano that towers above the region. Visit Stong to see a copy of a Viking longhouse buried by the Hekla volcano.

Drive through the picturesque farmlands of Iceland's South Shore. Stop to see the beautiful Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, each with a distinct personality.
Continue on to Dyrholaey* and the black-sand beaches of Reynisfjara, with their crashing waves. Finish the day in Vik, Iceland's southernmost town.

Overnight in Vik area (breakfast, dinner)

*Please keep in mind that Dyrholaey is closed from mid-May to the 25th of June for the bird breeding season.

Breakfast at your hotel. Today you will visit the glacier kingdom! We will travel to the southern part of Vatnajokull National Park, named after Europe's biggest glacier, the largest national park in Western Europe, covering over 14% of Iceland.

As you go east, you will pass across enormous sand plains formed by glacial outwashes.
The famous national park area called Skaftafell is a place of beautiful nature. Look at the views of lush green landscapes and dark sands, with some majestic glaciers standing out. You will also view Svinafellsjokull, one of Vatnajokull's most spectacular glacier "tongues," slowly descending.

Visit Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon to see icebergs floating in a 180-meter (591-foot)-deep glacier lagoon. You will also have the chance to sail an amphibian boat through the icebergs (reservations are needed). Diamond Beach, so named for the decreasing icebergs that rest on its black sands before floating out to sea, is located nearby.

Hofn, a fishing port in the shadow of the Vatnajokull glacier, is where you will spend the night.Dinner is not included tonight. There are a variety of restaurants and cafes in Hofn. The local delicacy is langostino (Norway lobsters).

Overnight in Hofn (breakfast)

Breakfast at your hotel. Drive from Hofn through the Almannaskard pass, stopping to admire the breathtaking scenery. Then, continue to the magnificent East Fjords, with tall mountains that drop straight into the sea. We’re sure you’ll love the fantastic views, so keep your camera ready.

You will also pass through villages with unique histories and charm. One of these is the tiny village of Breiddalsvik. Your group will visit the Beljandi Microbrewery and sample some excellent beer. The local community came together in 2017 to transform a rustic warehouse into a quirky brewery. You’ll meet one of the townsfolk and get a feel for life in a small Icelandic town, as well as see how great beer is made.

The road brings us to Egilsstadir town, located near Iceland’s largest forest and a lake said to be home to a legendary (friendly) monster.

Overnight in Egilsstadir (breakfast, dinner)

Breakfast at your hotel. As you head toward Lake Myvatn today, you will be surrounded by the vast, empty, and hauntingly beautiful Modrudalsoraefi highland desert plateau. Your route takes you by the historical Modrusalsoraefi, located at the highest altitude of any working farm in Iceland.

Stop at Dettifoss, the largest and most powerful waterfall in Europe. Continue to the Namaskard Pass, an area with boiling mud pools of vibrant colors. We often feel like we are visiting another planet when we come here, and you may feel the same way. It’s such a surreal experience!

Walk along the pseudo-craters at Skutustadir and peek into Grjotagja, a cave with underground hot springs.

Explore the peculiar lava formations at Dimmuborgir. They look as if they were built by fantasy creatures. Legend says that elves live here, so be respectful during your visit.  You’ll see why the surreal Myvatn area has become famous as a movie location.

Overnight in Lake Myvatn area (breakfast, dinner)

Breakfast at your hotel. Start your day with a visit to the Godafoss waterfall, considered one of North Iceland's most important symbols. 

Afterward, we will stop in Akureyri, the colorful "capital" of north Iceland. Charming buildings and a fantastic view of Eyjafjordur adorn the town.

We will spend some free time in Akureyri and drive further along the coastal roads of Eyjafjordur and the Troll Peninsula. You'll love the steep mountains and great views of the Arctic Sea and its black-sand coast.

Stop in Siglufjordur, a town with some of the country's most beautiful timber buildings. Then, visit the town's award-winning Herring-Era Maritime Museum. The museum recreated the atmosphere of the early 20th century when Siglufjordur transformed into a frontier-like boom town thanks to a large migration of herring. The museum will transport you back to that exciting time.

Drive through majestic mountains and narrow passes to Skagafjordur, a scenic region rich in historic sites and folk tales.

Overnight in Northwest Iceland (breakfast, dinner)

Breakfast at your hotel. Icelanders think the Skagafjordur area is one of the best areas in the country for raising horses. Today we will introduce you to the unique Icelandic horse breed and its particular fifth gait – the tolt. This specific horse breed has been unchanged since early Viking history. 

We continue our drive across the Holtavorduheidi plateau and into West Iceland. The beautiful volcanic and wooded scenery and Viking history of the Borgarfjordur area have drawn visitors worldwide. Walk up to the top of the Grabrok crater for a fantastic view and hear the mighty rushing waters of Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most active hot spring area. We will also stop to watch the beautiful Hraunfossar waterfalls, with their bright blue water rushing through lava formations. Nearby Barnafoss, a waterfall with even more brilliant blue colors, Listen to the sad and poignant legend about this waterfall. 

Overnight  in Borgarfjordur area (breakfast, dinner)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, you will focus on the fantastic range of natural views in Snaefellsjokull National Park. The best part of the park is the Snaefellsjokull glacier, which covers a volcano that hasn't erupted since 250 AD. You'll also view Kirkjufell, one of Iceland's most popular and photogenic mountains. Finally, we will walk on the Djupalonsandur beach and explore the pebbled seascape on foot. You may see spectacular basalt rocks in stacked formations near the charming port village of Arnarstapi.

According to an Icelandic saga, a kind-hearted half-troll lives high on the glacier and watches over Snaefellsnes and its people. This lovely peninsula may have a touch of magic and healing energy.

In the afternoon, we reach Reykjavik and say goodbye to our guide. Dinner tonight is on your own.

Overnight in Reykjavik (breakfast)

Breakfast at the hotel Transfer on your own to the international airport for your departure flight. The transfer to and from the airport is not included, but we can help you set up a shared or private transfer. We suggest that you check out of your hotel three hours before your flight(breakfast)

We wish you a pleasant trip back to your homeland and hope to see you in Iceland again!