Iceland Tour Plan
As a country that starts with I listed on Countryaah.com, Iceland is the largest volcanic island in the world: the over 100,000 km2 country south of the Arctic Circle is inhabited by almost 330,000 people, around a third of whom live in the capital Reykjavík. Their language – Icelandic – has not changed significantly in its written form since the Vikings conquered them in the 9th century: Icelanders can still read the texts of their sagas in the original. English and Danish are also compulsory foreign languages in Iceland’s schools.
- Day 1: Arrival on the Reykjanes Peninsula – come down, tune in and relax
- Day 2: From Reykjanes via Geysir and Gullfoss to Kerlingarfjöll – highlights to warm up
- Day 3: From Kerlingarfjöll to the Tröllaskagi peninsula – contrasts
- Day 4: Svarfaðardalur – Well protected
- Day 5: From Tröllaskagi via Akureyri to Mývatn – times are changing
- Day 6: Jökulsárgljúfur – The power of water
- Day 7: From Mývatn via Egilsstaðir to Berufjörður – geological highlights and water features in the east fjords
- Day 8: From Berufjörður to Vatnajökull – into the realm of the glacier
- Day 9: Vatnajökull – very close to the glacier
- Day 10: From Vatnajökull via Skaftafell to Landmannahellir – mountains, glaciers and volcanoes
- Day 11: Landmannalaugar – Colorful mountains, hot springs
- Day 12: From Landmannahellir through Þjórsárdalur to Eyjafjöll – forces of nature and insights into the Viking Age
- Day 13: Cape Dyrhólaey and Skógar – A rock in the surf
- Day 14: From Eyjafjöll via Þingvellir and Reykjavík to the Reykjanes peninsula – back to the future
- Day 15: Journey home – farewell in Icelandic
It is a real witch’s kitchen that awaits us in the Kerlingarfjöll geothermal area. Everywhere it steams, bubbles and bubbles between colorful sinter and sulfur deposits, it smells accordingly. Snow-filled depressions and bright green mosses add splashes of color to the already colorful rhyolite rock.
This high-contrast round trip includes a mixture of the most beautiful landscapes in Iceland and quiet, rarely visited “feel-good places”. So we don’t miss the geologically and historically significant Þingvellir National Park and the Strokkur spring in the Geysir geothermal area. At Dettifoss, the mightiest waterfall in Europe, we feel the energy released all over our body. But we also retreat to the quiet world of the East Fjords or to Svarfaðardalur, where we can go whale watching, fishing and horse riding tours. The small group in particular, with a maximum of eight participants, leaves room for spontaneous activities.
Mountains, glaciers and volcanoes await us in Vatnajökull National Park, the largest in Europe. Its blooming center is the Skaftafell, the ridge of which is surrounded by glacier tongues on both sides. Later the way leads us to the southern highlands through the “fire fissure” Eldgjá, one of the largest volcanic fissures on earth.
Meals: B = breakfast / L = lunch / packed lunch / D = dinner
1st day:
Arrive on Reykjanes Peninsula – come down, tune in and relax
Upon arrival at Keflavík International Airport, your guide will meet you in the arrivals hall. Depending on the time of day, you then have the opportunity to get in the mood for a walk to the new surroundings and find peace for the coming weeks. Grindavík has an active fishing port and gives a good impression of everyday life in a small Icelandic port town. In the case of late / night arrivals, only pick-up and overnight
Overnight stay in Reykjanes / Grindavík –
shared room in your own sleeping bag (- / – / A *) * preparing meals together
2nd day:
From Reykjanes via Geysir and Gullfoss to Kerlingarfjöll – highlights to warm up
Over a hearty breakfast we get to know each other and the upcoming journey. Then we leave the young volcanic Reykjanes Peninsula along the south coast. In the world-famous Geysir geothermal area, the Strokkur spring enchants numerous visitors. Not far away, the “Golden Waterfall” Gullfoss forces the glacial river Hvítá roaringly into a tectonic fissure. In the evening we follow the highland piste Kjölur over the desert-like highland plateau.
Overnight stay in the central highlands / Kerlingarfjöll –
shared room in your own sleeping bag (F / – / A *) * preparing meals together
3rd day:
From Kerlingarfjöll to the Tröllaskagi peninsula – contrasts
An exciting hike takes us to the high geothermal area Kerlingarfjöll. A real witch’s kitchen awaits us here. Everywhere it steams and bubbles between colorful sinter and sulfur deposits. Snow-filled depressions and bright green mosses provide further color contrasts in addition to the already colorful rhyolite rock. In the afternoon our way leads north. Fresh green awaits us on the Tröllaskagi Peninsula.
Overnight stay in North Iceland / Tröllaskagi –
shared room in your own sleeping bag (F / – / A *) * preparing meals together
4th day:
Svarfaðardalur – Well protected
The Tröllaskagi peninsula is characterized by mighty basalt plateaus with wide, lush green trough valleys. Surrounded by high, partly glaciated mountains, Svarfaðardalur is well protected in its center. Our quarter is an ideal starting point for hikes in this impressive area. Whale watching, fishing and riding tours are possible from the port town of Dalvík (optional, approx. 75 euros / person, 3 hours; price and availability of riding tours on request).
Overnight stay in North Iceland / Tröllaskagi –
shared room in your own sleeping bag (F / – / A *) * preparing meals together
5th day:
From Tröllaskagi via Akureyri to Mývatn – times are changing
In the morning we pass Akureyri, the beautifully situated capital of Northern Iceland, and take the opportunity to go shopping. The remote Laufás peat farm on the other bank of the fjord gives us an impression of the hardships of life in the 19th and early 20th centuries. On the way to Mývatn, a stop at Goðafoss is mandatory. In the late afternoon we reach the “Mückensee” and go on a discovery tour. In the evening you can take a hot bath in the “Green Lagoon”.
Overnight stay in Mývatn region / Reykjahlíð –
shared room in your own sleeping bag (B / – / D *) * preparing meals together
6th day:
Jökulsárgljúfur – The power of water
Today we explore the impressive world of the northern Vatnajökull National Park with breathtaking views of the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon. A few meters away from Dettifoss you can feel the power of the water all over your body. Measured by the energy released, it is the most powerful waterfall in Europe. In the afternoon we explore the bizarre basalt formations of Hljóðarklettar and the “castle of the gods” Ásbyrgi or return to Mývatn for further discoveries.
Overnight stay in Mývatn region / Reykjahlíð –
shared room in your own sleeping bag (B / – / D *) * preparing meals together
7th day:
From Mývatn via Egilsstaðir to Berufjörður – geological highlights and water features in the east fjords
In the morning there is time for a detour to the geologically interesting Krafla area. Then our way leads on the new and old ring road to the east over a desert-like plateau. When the visibility is good, there is a wonderful view of the central highlands. After a supply stop in Egilsstaðir, the traffic and trading center of East Iceland, we dive into the quiet world of the East Fjords. We cross the old Öxi pass and meander with fantastic views down to Berufjörður, where we can take a short evening hike in the “Valley of the Waterfalls”, depending on what time and what happens. We spend the night on a beautifully situated farm at the exit of Berufjörður.
Overnight stay in East Iceland / East Fjords –
shared room in your own sleeping bag (F / – / A *) * preparing meals together
8th day:
From Berufjörður to Vatnajökull – into the realm of the glacier
The wide delta of the Jökulsá í Lóni glacial river is home to thousands of whooper swans in summer. Upstream the river has created an impressive landscape of colorful rhyolite slopes and deep gorges. The area is considered a hiking tip among Icelanders. We follow their paths. Further south, the huge Vatnajökull plateau glacier shapes the picture. Depending on the time and desire, we can admire the fascinating ice world of the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon in the evening.
Overnight stay in Southeast Iceland / Suðursveit –
shared room in your own sleeping bag (F / – / A *) * preparing meals together
Day 9:
Vatnajökull – very close to the glacier
Quiet hiking trails open up the impressive glacier tongues in the southeast of Vatnajökull. We take time for an extensive hike to the edge of the glacier. Here the landscape is very dynamic and there is a lot to discover. Those who want to enjoy this magical area from a different perspective can take part in a snowmobile or super jeep tour on the glacier plateau or a kayak tour on one of the glacier lakes (optional, 85-190 euros / person, 90 minutes to 3 hours).
Overnight stay in Southeast Iceland / Suðursveit –
shared room in your own sleeping bag (F / – / A *) * preparing meals together
10th day:
From Vatnajökull via Skaftafell to Landmannahellir – mountains, glaciers and volcanoes
Our first destination today is called Skaftafell. The mountain ridge, surrounded on three sides by the glacier, is the thriving center of the Vatnajökull National Park. Hikes of various difficulty and length are possible. Then we cross the vastness of the Skeiðarársandur sand plain. The way to the southern highlands leads us through the “fire fissure” Eldgjá, one of the largest volcanic fissures on earth. Towards evening we reach the wide, green plain around Landmannahellir.
Overnight stay in South Iceland / South Highlands –
shared room in your own sleeping bag (F / – / A *) * preparing meals together
11th day:
Landmannalaugar – Colorful mountains, hot springs
A day trip takes us to Landmannalaugar. The first settlers in Iceland already enjoyed the hot springs in this region as a welcome treat on strenuous highland crossings. The region around Landmannalaugar offers fascinating color contrasts. At the foot of colorful rhyolite mountains, a black obsidian flow pushes into the wide valley of the Jökugilskvísl glacial river. Many attractive hiking trails run through the area. In the evening we return to the quieter Landmannahellir.
Overnight stay in South Iceland / South Highlands –
shared room in your own sleeping bag (F / – / A *) * preparing meals together
12th day:
From Landmannahellir through Þjórsárdalur to Eyjafjöll – forces of nature and insights into the Viking Age
Via Fjallabaksvegur nyrðri we reach the valley of the Þjórsá. The panorama of the striking volcano Hekla accompanies us. We visit the slender Háifoss, which plunges 122 meters into an impressive canyon. The Stöng archaeological site and the small museum Þjóðveldisbær give us an insight into the Viking Age. Then our path leads back to the recent past. Our accommodation is located at the foot of the Eyjafjallajökull glacier volcano, which became famous in 2010.
Overnight stay in South Iceland / Eyjafjöll –
shared room in your own sleeping bag (F / – / A *) * preparing meals together
13th day:
Cape Dyrhólaey and Skógar – solid as a rock
We make a detour to the extreme south of Iceland and visit Cape Dyrholaey with its mighty rocky rock. Puffins populate the upper edge of the cliff until the beginning of August. After a short shopping stop in the small trading town of Vík, our route leads to Skógar, where the mighty Skógafoss waterfall falls into the coastal plain. From here a beautiful hike leads into the mountainous hinterland. In bad weather, the lovingly run museum of local history offers a good alternative.
Overnight stay in South Iceland / Eyjafjöll –
shared room in your own sleeping bag (F / – / A *) * preparing meals together
14th day:
From Eyjafjöll via Þingvellir and Reykjavík to the Reykjanes peninsula – back to the future
A detour takes us to Þingvellir. The much-visited national park in a geologically striking location is of great importance for the history of the Icelanders. We spend the afternoon in Reykjavík, the colorful capital of Iceland. From the down-to-earth Protestant Hallgrímskirkja you will have time to explore the city center on your own and to get a feel for Icelandic city life. In the evening we end the holiday with a cozy dinner… overnight in Reykjanes / Grindavík
Overnight stay in Reykjanes / Grindavík – shared room in your own sleeping bag
(B / – / -)
15th day:
Journey home – farewell in Icelandic
Our journey is coming to an end. We will receive a transfer to Keflavík International Airport to match our flight.
Sjáumst!
(F / – / -)
