7 Day Complete Iceland

The day starts with pick-up from your accommodation or a nearby pick-up point in Reykjavík. The three attractions of the famous Golden Circle are first up on the agenda. Þingvellir National Park is an important place in the heart of every Icelander. In the year 930 CE/AD, the Icelandic people established their parliament here, the oldest continually operating parliament in the world. There is more to Þingvellir than great history. It's listed as UNESCO as a World Heritage Site for its historical, geological, and cultural importance. You will see Þingvallavatn, home to the Silfra fissure, which delves down between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. The cliff of the rift valley runs right through the National Park.

The geothermally active hot spring area at Geysir is another Golden Circle attraction. Great Geysir, which gave us the English word geyser to describe this sort of hot spring, is no longer active. Strokkur, a nearby hot spring, spouts spectacular torrents of superheated water every 5 to 10 minutes. A visit to Gullfoss waterfall will complete our Golden Circle. Feel the force as the falls thunder through the high rugged canyon, dropping 32 m in two stages.

Next, we take a scenic drive along the beautiful South Coast, stopping at Seljalandsfoss Waterfall. Here you have a unique opportunity to experience the power and wonder of nature. Don't just view these falls from a distance – walk the pathway which takes you right behind the elegantly falling cascade. We head onwards to the scenic Skógafoss waterfall. Here, the water crashes over the former sea cliffs, and those cliffs extend for many kilometers, marking the coastline long ago. Watch out for rainbows – the incredible spray makes Skógafoss an ideal spot to catch single or double rainbows! 

The day's final stop is at Reynisfjara black sand beach, home of the legendary Reynisdrangar peaks, said to be the figures of two trolls who were turned into stone when they faced the morning sun! You will also see the incredible basalt column cave as you wander along the beach.

After a full day of sightseeing, we make our way to a country hotel in the area around Kirkjubaerklaustur, a charming South Coast village. From September to April, your guide will give you special tips to find the Northern Lights in the area.

We enjoy breakfast and check out from our hotel. Today, we continue our journey along the south coast in the direction of Skaftafell and Vatnajökull National Park. Vatnajökull glacier, Hvannadalsnúkur, the highest peak in Iceland, Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, and many other natural treasures can be found within this 13,600 km2 protected wilderness area. Iceland has three national parks: Þingvellir, Vatnajökull, and Snæfellsjökull – on this tour, you will see them all.

We will stop at Skaftafell for a glacier hike led by one of our certified glacier guides. Equipped with crampons and all the necessary glacier equipment, you will be led onto a Vatnajökull outlet glacier. These glacier tongues/outlet glaciers are unique places, with crevasses, moulins that can drill down to the glacier's base, and many incredible vistas for you to explore. Our guides love to be asked questions, so don't be too shy to ask!

From October to April, we replace the glacier hike with an exhilarating journey through Vatnajökull's crystal ice cave. Each winter, the glacier meltwater freezes into new ice caves that wind their way through the glacier's heart. See Iceland's mighty ice caps from the inside!

After your bracing glacier hike, our comfortable minibus will take you to experience yet more glacial magic at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. As we approach the main highway, you will glimpse a procession of mystically floating icebergs. These, often towering and amazingly shaped chunks of ice, broke free from the edge of the retreating Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. Occasionally, you will see seals frolicking in the enormous lake between these stunning ice sculptures. So, you feel as if you are in a film scene? Well, actually, you are! Footage of a couple of James Bond movies and other films has been shot here.

Some with glittering blue ice, those icebergs make their way to the sea at Diamond Beach, a black sand beach just a few minutes walking from the Glacier Lagoon. The icebergs which been brought ashore by the tide come to rest here. Usually, you will see quite a few sitting like fine diamond jewels or giant shining clear quartz crystals on the coal-black sand. Some people call it Crystal Beach!

In the evening, we will lay our heads in comfortable accommodation in the South East area, a charming seaside town. In winter, search for the Northern Lights near the hotel.

We leave the Vatnajökull National Park area behind, but the sensational scenery continues! We follow the twisting and turning roads, flanked by the coast on one side and majestic mountain peaks on the other, through the East Fjords to Egilsstaðir. This picturesque town on the banks of the Lagarfljót River is home to the legend of Largarfljótasormurinn, the Largarfljót worm. Tales of the giant Largarfljót worm, which is said to reside in the lake and show itself from time to time, are firmly established within Icelandic folklore tales.

We stop off at Djúpivogur, a small and remote fishing village. The North Atlantic waves wash over the black sandy beach, and a rich birdlife thrives. Most Icelandic birds live and nest around the area during the summer months. Locals lie to joke that there are probably more birds here than people. Djúpivogur is home to just over 1100 people. As a community, they have a reputation for being welcoming and strongly committed to eco issues.

Later, we'll head to an interactive historical center where you can enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and horse riding. Nestled between Europe's largest glacier, Vatnajökull, and Lake Lagarfljót, the Wilderness Center provides an authentic Icelandic experience.

You can explore exhibits showcasing life in the rugged highlands. During your stay, admission to the museum is free. Upon arrival, you'll cross an old wooden bridge to step into history, with accommodation provided in charming historic buildings. Enjoy meals prepared with local ingredients, and after your adventures, relax in the hot spring spa.

Our accommodation for the night is located in the picturesque area of Egilsstaðir. Scout out the Northern Lights in winter.

Today is filled with stunning North Iceland highlights. The drive up from Egilssaðir will take us through wild and remote landscapes, we will start from Stuðlagil Canyon, one of the world’s most enchanting basalt rock formations.

We continue to the Dimmuborgir lava formations, known as the 'dark cities.' Some of these lava forms will tower above us like fairytale giants. Dimmuborgir was formed when the roof of a giant lava tube collapsed. Although entirely natural, some formations may remind you of certain things. Can you guess which one is known as The Church (Kirkjan)?

We continue our drive around picturesque Lake Mývatn on the way to Akureyri, making a stop at the stunningly beautiful Goðafoss Waterfall, known as the "Waterfall of the Gods." It's about 30 m (98 ft) wide, shaped like a horseshoe, and holds a special story from the year 1000 AD when pagan idols were thrown into the falls as a symbolic act.

As we are traveling around the beautiful Lake Mývatn and heading towards Akureyri, you’ll see stunning natural wonders, including bubbling mud pots and unique lava formations. One of the top attractions in the area is the Mývatn Nature Baths, also known as the "Blue Lagoon of the North.” This is a popular spot to take a relaxing dip in the authentic hot springs (optional extra).

Enjoy the warm geothermal waters, drawn from deep down, about 2500 m (8200 ft). These waters are full of minerals, silicates, and tiny geothermal creatures that make you feel refreshed. It's a great way to relax and enjoy Iceland's northern nature.

We will stay at a country hotel in Akureyri, the second-largest city in Iceland. The clear skies around Akureyri make for great Northern Lights hunting in winter. 

We start the day with a drive through Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland. On a few departures, there is time to make a short stop. On your way to the picturesque fishing town of Dalvík, you will, in good visibility, get fabulous views of Eyjafjörður, the longest fjord in Iceland.

Your whale-watching boat tour from Dalvík will take you across Eyjafjörður Fjord, chasing after whales, dolphins, and other wonderful ocean life. Humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises are usually seen. Occasionally we can even see seals and blue whales!

We continue to drive the scenic road sandwiched between the towering mountains of Iceland's best ski resorts and the glorious fjord, taking us around the Tröllaskagi peninsula. We pass through charming villages and hamlets before stopping at Siglufjörður. In the early part of the twentieth century, this village was known as the herring fishing capital of the Atlantic. People rushed to cash in on the boom, and the town acquired a klondike-style gold-rush atmosphere.

Today, the great shoals of herring are long gone, but the rich history and character of those times in Siglufjörður are exceptionally well-preserved. The villages around this peninsula will give you an excellent feel for the kind of life lived in Icelandic places, which seem to be falling off the world's edge.

We travel onwards through farmlands with many fields of Icelandic horses to Laugarbakki. Your accommodation for the night will be at a country hotel in this area. Your guide will help you search for the Northern Lights at night from September to April.

Today we focus our attention on the area around Borgarfjörður in West Iceland. This area was voted one of the best travel destinations by Lonely planet in 2016. Our first stop is at Grábrók, a volcano crater. Where we take a short hike to the top, in good visibility, there are spectacular views over the lava fields and the landscapes stretching way into the distance.

Your next stop will be very different! We'll visit Deildartunguhver hot spring. This Borgarfjörður jewel is the most powerful hot spring in Europe, supplying most of the hot water utilized in the area. We will also see the Hraunfossar waterfall, where the ice-cold water pours out of the lava in thousands of creeks, forming the vast and picturesque falls. Onwards to a very different nearby waterfall, Barnafoss. The name of this beautiful waterfall means 'Children's Falls,' and your guide will tell you all about the legend behind it!

Our final stop of the day is at Reykholt, an important place in the history of Iceland, particularly in medieval times. We will show you Snorralaug, the hot spring pool which bears the name of Snorri Sturluson, the 12th/early-13th-century scholar, lawyer, historian, and saga writer. Stand by the pool where Snorri is reputed to have bathed and contemplate the threads of Icelandic history woven together.

After a day filled with wonders, you are driven through the charming Borgarfjörður countryside. You will be dropped off at your hotel in Borgarnes. Spend the night chasing the Northern Lights in the winter months!

Today, our expert Snæfellsnes guide will pick you up around 8 a.m. You'll spend a whole day exploring the magical Snæfellsnes Peninsula, its craggy cliffs, black pebble beaches, seabirds, and glacier mountains.

We will drive you through the spectacular countryside with breathtaking mountains and coastal views. Stop at the charming seaside village of Arnarstapi, where you'll have the chance to visit the natural Miðgjá rock arch, then the 19th-century Búðakirkja church.

For lunch, we'll stop at the village of Hellnar (food and drink not included).

Next, we head into Snæfellsnes National Park, where we will have the chance to stroll around the moss-covered lava landscapes and admire views of Snæfellsjökull Glacier. This glacier was featured in the work of the famous novelist Jules Verne. He chose this glacier for the entry point into the underworld when he wrote Journey to the Center of the Earth.

Onwards to the magnificent black pebble beach at Djúpalónssandur, framed by crazily shaped cliffs. You get time to explore the beach and even try your hand at the 'lifting stones' the fisherman used to lift these boulders to proclaim their strength. This coastline is magnificent, but it can also be treacherous. The remains of the British Trawler, Epine, which was shipwrecked here, are evidence of that.

On the way back to Reykjavík, you will be driven through legendary scenery. Your next stop will be at Kirkjufell. Many people say this is the most photographed Icelandic mountain, and you can also be a judge of that. In the evening, after a week of sensational sights and exciting adventures, we will drop you off in Reykjavík. We return to the city at around 8:00 p.m. We will drop you off at your original pick-up location.

Pick-up Information:

Pick-up is at 08:00 a.m. from your hotel or a nearby meeting point in Reykjavík. Picking everyone up can take up to 30 minutes. Your patience is much appreciated.

Available pick-up points: Arctic Adventures’s pick-up list.

*Bathing in the geothermal water at Vök Baths will cost extra. You can book bathing as an extra when you arrange your tour or pay when you arrive at the baths.

Sometimes we may need to change glaciers or glacier outlets on this tour for various reasons, including weather conditions. Glacier outlets used on this tour include Svínafellsjökull, Falljökull, and Sólheimajökull, all amazing and unique glaciers, equally as beautiful. From October 11 to April, we replace the glacier hike with a tour through the Vatnajokull ice caves.