8-Day Small Group Winter Tour Around Iceland in Minibus from Reykjavik

Itinerary

Day 1: Golden Circle with Optional Snorkeling in Silfra

Stop At: Gullfoss Waterfall, Blaskogabyggd Iceland
Thingvellir National Park is where the Icelandic Althingi was formed. Its on UNESCO World Heritage list.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Geysir, Haukadalur Iceland
Geysir Geothermal Area is one of a kind, there you can witness the amazing Geysir called Strokkurk, which erupts every 7 minutes.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Thingvellir National Park, Thingvellir Iceland
A UNESCO World Heritage site Þingvellir National Park is truly unique. This is where the Eurasian and North-American tectonic plates are drifting apart by two centimeters every year. It is also the site where the Icelandic parliament Althingi was founded in the year 930 and the first republic in the world founded.
Duration: 30 minutes

Pass By: Hvolsvollur, Hvolsvollur, South Region
Our minibus will next take you to your accommodation, far away for any light pollution giving you a chance to witness the Northern Lights at night.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Accommodation in a comfortable hotel in the Golden Circle with breakfast included and private bathroom.

Day 2: The South Coast & Glacier Hike

Stop At: Seljalandsfoss, Hella Iceland
The amazing Seljalandsfoss Fall, is a waterfall you can walk behind and see it from all angles.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Skogafoss, Skogar Iceland
The powerful Skógarfoss Fall tucked in a little gorge where the river Skógaá tumbles down a 60 meters cliff before continuing down the landscape towards the Atlantic Ocean.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Reynisfjara Beach, Route 215, Vik Iceland
The Black Sand Beach of Reynisfjara, where the Atlantic coastline presents massive waves hitting the unique basalt pillars in the cliffs above the sand.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Solheimajokull Glacier, Vik Iceland
Included Glacier Hike on Solheimajokull: Live life to the fullest with this exhilarating glacier hiking up one of the most magnificent features of the South of Iceland, the mighty Sólheimajökull glacier. This expedition is the perfect opportunity for those who want to combine stunning natural landscapes with adventures, but moderate hiking on glacial ice mixed with volcanic ash. It makes you feel like you have landed on the moon.
Duration: 3 hours

Pass By: Vik, Vik, South Region
The last stop is the small village Vík í Mýrdal. This is where you will be spending the night. Vík is small so we don´t have to worry about light pollution giving you a perfect opportunity to see the Northern lights from the village.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Accommodation in a comfortable hotel in the South with breakfast included and private bathroom.

Day 3: Crystal Ice Cave & The Glacier Lagoon Jökulsárlón

Stop At: Fellsfjara, Diamond Head Drive Glacier Lagoon Jokulsarlon, Jokulsarlon Iceland
Breiðamerkursandur or Black Diamond Beach is a black sand beach made famous for the diamond-looking icebergs that have stranded on the beach on their way from the lagoon towards the Atlantic Ocean.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Glacier Lagoon, Skaftafell National Park Route 1, Jokulsarlon 781 Iceland
Glacier Lagoon or Jökulsárlón, is one of Iceland´s top attractions. Experience floating icebergs in this enormous lake fed by glacial meltwater. During winter hundreds of seals flock to the lagoon to hunt.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Breiðamerkurjökull, Iceland
Within Europe´s largest glacier, Vatnajökull, you will enter the Crystal Ice Cave. A breathtaking experience where you´ll witness ice sculptures carved out by nature. A true Kodak moment.
Duration: 3 hours

Pass By: Hvannadalshnukur, 64_00_57_N 16_40_29_WCoordinates: 64_00_57_N 16_40_29_W, Vatnajokull National Park Iceland
At 2110 meters, Hvannadalshnjúkur (pronounced KWANNA-dalsh-nyooker) is Iceland´s highest peak. It forms part of the crater around Öræfajökull, which is a particularly violent volcano.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Accommodation in a comfortable hotel in the South with breakfast included and private bathroom

Day 4: The East Fjords and Vök geothermal Baths

Stop At: Djupivogur, Djupivogur, East Region
You’ll spend your fourth day in the East Fjords of Iceland, where you can find amazing and rare wildlife, for example this is the only place in Iceland where wild Reindeer might be seen sometimes. These fjords present you high mountain ridges and the mighty Vatnajökull towering in the west. Icelandic history makes its appearance in the peaceful fishing villages you pass along the way, as fishing has always been a big part of Icelandic culture.

First stop when you enter The East Fjords is the picturesque tiny fishing village named Djúpivogur. This tiny village is part of the Cittaslow movement which is an international organization of towns that focus improving quality of life by slowing down its overall pace.
Duration: 30 minutes

Pass By: Bulandstindur, Djupivogur Iceland
One of Iceland´s most beautiful mountain welcomes you to The East Fjords. The symmetric pyramid shaped mountain named Búlandstindur overlooks your first stop in the East Fjords.

Stop At: Finnsstaðir Horse Ranch, Egilsstaðir, Iceland
Local farmers Helga and Siggi will greet you at their farm Finnstaðir for a unique experience with the iconic Icelandic Horse. Here you get the chance to ride this remarkable species, known for their easy-going attitude, the Icelandic horse temperament makes them popular with beginners as well as experienced riders.
Duration: 2 hours

Pass By: Lagarfljot, Uppheradsvegur, Egilsstadir 700 Iceland
In addition to elves, little people, trolls, ghosts and other unworldly creatures, Icelanders, of course, have a sea-monsters. Just like its neighboring Scotland has the Loch Ness monster, Iceland has the tongue-twisting Lagarfljótsormur. It has always been there, in Lake Lagarfljót. Even the Vikings were terrified. The monster has been a source of endless tales, verses, and rhymes across the centuries and was last sighted by a local farmer in 2012. On the shores of the lake is Iceland´s only largest forest, Hallormsstaðarskógur.

Stop At: Vök Baths, 8H33+G5 Fellabær, Urriðavatn, Iceland
Vök Baths is a geothermal destination on the beautiful Lake Urriðavatn. Plunge into one of Iceland´s purest hot spring water where you bath in floating pools out on the lake. On-shore, you´ll find two hot pools, an outdoor pool bar as well as a sauna and a cold tunnel which is equipped with a mist shower. A perfect way to unwind after your travels through the East. If the skies are clear you will have an amazing opportunity to witness the Northern Lights while bathing in Vök.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Accommodation in a comfortable hotel in the Eastfjords with breakfast included and private bathroom.


Day 5: Lake Mývatn: The Colorful Mt. Námafjall and Dimmuborgir Fortress.

Stop At: Námaskarð, Iceland
The surreal Námafjall geothermal area is situated next to the Námaskarð Pass that connects you with Lake Mývatn. Colorful sulphurous mud springs and steaming fumaroles. This geothermal area belongs in the Krafla volcano fissure zone.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Dimmuborgir Lava Formations, Lake Myvatn Iceland
Dimmuborgir translates to "Dark Castles" or "Dark Cities". This is a huge area of unusually shaped lava fields close to Lake Mývatn. Here, the lava met wet marsh lands, and resulting in a grotesquely shaped lava formations.
Duration: 30 minutes

Pass By: Lake Myvatn, Lake Myvatn, Northeast Region
Lake Mývatn and its area is very volcanic. Nine eruptions took place there during the period 1975-1984 and the continental drift was measured 4,8 meters. The lake is full of Arctic char and it runs out into the river Laxá which is one of the finest Brown trout rivers in the world. This area is one of the coldest places in the country during winter.

Stop At: Godafoss, Akureyri Iceland
Goðafoss, the name translates to The Waterfall of the Gods, pronounced "GO-thuh-foss". Goðafoss is among the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland and rich in history.
Duration: 30 minutes

Pass By: Akureyri, Akureyri, Northeast Region
Your final destination is the capital of the north, Akureyri. This town is an important port and fishing centre in Iceland. This is where your accommodation for the night will be and if the cloud coverage is favorable the Northern Lights might be visible over Akureyri.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Accommodation in a comfortable hotel in Akureyri with breakfast included and private bathroom


Day 6: North Iceland - Whale Watching

Pass By: Akureyri, Akureyri, Northeast Region
Capitol of the North. A population of 20 thousand people this hip and cool town is warm and charming. Look out for the heart-shaped stop signs at traffic lights.

Stop At: Hauganes, Hauganes, Northeast Region
The small town of Hauganes has many things to offer and we recommend you take a walk around the small town, it has a charming harbor and a beautiful black sand beach overlooking the ocean and the graceful tall mountains all around.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Whale Watching Hauganes, Aðalgata 2, 621 Hauganes, Iceland
From the small fishing village Hauganes you will take a boat ride to Eyjafjörður Fjord for a whale watching. You will have a chance to bear witness to some of the largest creatures on earth as Northern Iceland is globally recognized as the best location to experience whales in the world.
Duration: 2 hours

Pass By: Grabrok Crater, Road 1 33 km north of Borgarnes, Bifrost, Borgarbyggd Iceland
Last stop on Day 6 is Grábrók Crater, a shapely volcano crater that produced the moss-clad lava in its surrounds from an eruption two or three thousand years ago. Grábrók is situated only few minutes from your next rest stop. This is an excellent spot to see the Northern Lights if the sky is clear.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Accommodation in a comfortable hotel in West Iceland with breakfast included and private bathroom.



Day 7: Snaefellsnes Peninsula In-Depth

Stop At: Gerduberg basalt columns, Gerduberg Road 54, 311 Iceland
Our first destination on Snæfellsnes is Gerðuberg basalt columns. These extraordinary cluster of hexagonal basalt columns are one of the most massive examples of basalt columns in Iceland.
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Ytri Tunga Beach, Arnarstapi Iceland
Ytri-Tunga where you will find a white sand beach, a pretty rare sight in Iceland as you will know by now, most beaches in Iceland are black. This white beach at Ytri-Tunga is not only interesting for its white sand, but also for the fact that it is a seal colony, where you can sometimes see seals lounge on the rocks.
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Budir Church, Gardsbrun 6, Budir Iceland
Tucked away on Iceland's west coast on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula sits the quaint old wodden black church of Budir. One of the most popular wedding spots in Iceland.
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Arnarstapi, Arnarstapi, West Region
Once a vibrant fishing village situated underneath the pyramid-shaped Mount Stapafell, Arnarstapi is a picturesque small village by a coastal cliffs which derived from glowing magma hitting the wild waves of the Atlantic. Known in Iceland as the most beautiful harbor of the country. Thousands of years later erosion has formed beautiful stone arches and a remarkable marine geyser. Enjoy a walk along the coastline while your guide tells you all about Bárður, half-man half-troll, and his misdeeds in the area.
Duration: 30 minutes

Pass By: Snaefellsjokull National Park & Glacier, Klettsbud 7 Hellissandur Iceland
At the tip of Snæfellsnes Peninsula sits the majestic Snæfellsjökull Glacier, a stratovolcano that last erupted around 200 AD. The Glacier is one of the most famous landmarks in Iceland, primary due to the novel Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne were Snæfellsjökull serves as the entrance to a passage leading to the center of the earth.

Stop At: Londrangar Basalt Cliffs, Roadnumber 574, Hellissandur, Snaefellsbaer 360 Iceland
Uniquely-formed remnants of ancient basalt volcanic dikes sticking out from the sea.
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Djupalonssandur Beach, Utnesvegur, Hellnar Iceland
Djúpalónssandur is a beautiful small black sand beach. To reach the beach you will follow a footpath through the lava wonderland of huge mossy volcanic towers.
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Kirkjufell Mountain, Road 54, Grundarfjorour 350 Iceland
The photogenic Kirkjufell (Church Mountain) is your last stop. It is claimed the most photographed mountain on the island. If you are a fan of the television series Game of Thrones you will probably recognize the mountain as the Arrowhead Mountain as it was used as a filming location.
Duration: 20 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Accommodation in a comfortable hotel in West Iceland with breakfast included and private bathroom.

Day 8: West Of Iceland, the Silver Circle

Stop At: Hraunfossar Lava Waterfall, Borgarfjörður, Hraunfossar Iceland
The awe-inspiring Hraunfossar or Lava Falls are an exceptionally beautifull and unusual natural phenomena. It is formed by rivulets streaming over a distance of staggering 900 meters from the lava fields of Hallmundarhraun.
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Barnafoss, Mooruvallavegur Möðruvellir 5, Reykholt, Borgarbyggd Iceland
The famous Barnafoss or Children´s Fall. It is best known for its dark history. The saga said that there were two children fell in on Christmas day when they did not wanted to go to church.
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Viogelmir (the Cave Vidgelmir), Hallmundarhraun Lava Field, Husafell Iceland
Take an unforgettable journey into Iceland’s largest lava cave, the epic Víðgelmir Lava Cave.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Deildartunguhver Thermal Spring, Road 50, Reykholt Iceland
Situated on a beautiful farm, Deildartunguhver is the largest and most powerful hot spring in Europe. It provides 180 liters per second of 100 Celsius degree water.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Reykholt, Reykholt, South Region
The tiny village of Reykholt is one of the most important historical places in Iceland and a cultural center for centuries. One of Iceland´s best known author Snorri Sturluson lived there during the years 1206-1241.
Duration: 20 minutes

Pass By: Reykjavik, Reykjavik, Capital Region
Arriving in Reykjavik in the afternoon.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.