4-Day Icelandic Wildlife & Food Tour

Pick up begins at 8:30 from Egilsstaðir Airport or approved accommodations.

Our wildlife experience begins right after pick-up with a low-key scenic hike. We will trek up the colorful canyons of Hengifoss Waterfall, the second highest waterfall in Iceland.

With a cascade of 128 meters, this impressive waterfall is one of the most iconic landmarks in East Iceland. The picturesque canyon that surrounds Hengifoss is almost as notable as the falls itself. Lined with visible layers of ancient hardened lava, the cliff walls have a distinct reddish color.

After our hike, we will make a quick stop at the Vatnajökull National Park visitors center exhibition room. This interesting display showcases the history of local people and nature.

Next, we make our way to the Wilderness Center to check-in and get familiar with our lodgings. Enjoy a local lunch before our activity at the sheep stable.

Spring is lambing season, when all the ewes give birth to baby lambs, so the stables will be lively. We will join local farmers to witness these adorable fuzzy newborns.

The last experience of the day is a guided tour through the Wilderness Center adventure exhibition. Discover the history of the Icelandic wilderness and the people who lived there.

Traditional Icelandic food will be served for dinner in a cozy room at the Wilderness Center.

We begin our day with both international and traditional Icelandic dishes for breakfast. Today we will get into local Iceland culture through food preparation with local farmers.

Our local tour guides will take us into the wild to catch trout. We will learn to lay fishing nets on the river while enjoying the beautiful scenery of the area. There is a long history of fishing in Iceland, and it has sustained the Icelandic people through harsh conditions for centuries. To protect Icelandic wildlife, fishing is heavily regulated.

There are only five species of fish that live and breed in Iceland’s rivers and lakes. Out of the five, only three are found in Icelandic dishes: Brown Trout, Atlantic Salmon, and Arctic Char. The other two freshwater fish are the three-spine stickleback and the eel, but it is unlikely you will find them on your plate.

After our fishing tour, we will enjoy a traditional meal for lunch, served over an open fire.

We continue our river adventure with an introduction to the unique pink-footed goose. These migratory birds nest by the river during breeding season and fly to the UK for winter. Learn about the importance of these birds for settlers in the Iceland Highlands and collect eggs.

Before heading back to the Wilderness Center, we return our trout nets to check our catch of the day. At our lodging, we will be served a delicious local meal. Those who wish to can visit the newborn lambs in the stables after dinner.

Today we discover Icelandic history, culture, and traditions! After breakfast, we begin our day with a wildlife scouting tour of one of the most popular animals in the country. Reindeer in Iceland are only found in the eastern region, with a population of about 7,000 in the wild. Brought over in the 18th century, the herd released in Eyjafjörður was the only group to thrive. You don’t want to forget your camera!

After our scouting adventure, we will take a break for lunch before we begin our Iceland culture and traditions part of the tour.

Next, we will visit the last active farm in Iceland that still uses traditional Icelandic turf houses to hold sheep. Built from turf and stones, these semi-underground structures are a window into the history of the island. They served as the homes for Icelanders since the country was settled in 930 CE until the 20th century.

In the afternoon we will visit a scenic abandoned farm bursting with history. In front of the farm sits an old cable-box, used in the old days to transport people across the glacial river. The cable-box has been renovated and thrill-seekers can try out this unique experience. To reach the river, passengers can ride either an Icelandic horse or a bike.

Back at the Wilderness Center, experience authentic Icelandic food firsthand. The group will work with a local chef to prepare traditional dishes, which we will enjoy for dinner. Our feast will be followed by local music and singing in the common room.

Today we leave the Wilderness Center for an Iceland wildlife tour! Our first stop is Húsey, an East Iceland farm famous for its spectacular wildlife, nature and hiking paths. The farm is located just inland from the picturesque Héraðsflói in the East Fjords. After our visit, we will make our way down to the nearby coastline of the East Fjords.

This idyllic ocean spot has an abundance of wildlife hanging out on its shores, particularly seals. These arctic creatures are commonly found bathing on the rocks and sand of the beach. Unlike in other parts of Iceland, you can find both freshwater and saltwater in the area. The East Fjords are also rich in birdlife such as skuas and red-throated divers.

We will take a break for lunch before heading to another fjord.

Borgarfjörður Eystri is a popular fjord in East Iceland with a population of around 130 people. The area is renowned for its beautiful scenery, folklore, and puffins.

The north and south of the fjord are dotted with mountains made of basalt and rhyolite respectively, where puffins nest. Visitors can check out these colorful birds nestling in Borgarfjörður Eystri from May to August. According to Icelandic folklore, elves also reside there in these mountains.

We will return back to the Wilderness Center to pack our stuff. The group must be back at Egilsstaðir Airport by 19:00 for the flight back to Reykjavik.