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We put together this amazing eight-day tour for people who really want to make the most of their time in Iceland and enjoy Reykjavík. Visit a shimmering glacier, spouting geysers, incredible volcanoes, and stunning waterfalls, and go whale watching in the north. Enjoy the hot Myvatn Nature Baths and stray off the beaten track, building unforgettable memories. In winter, climb through ice caves and chase the Northern Lights. Your first and last nights are spent in Reykjavík, giving you the chance to explore this fantastic city on your own.
We also offer this tour without accommodation in Reykjavík. Please have a look at our 6 Days Around Iceland Adventure.
Join this award-winning experience - TourRadar's Best Tour nominee in Iceland.
From
Discounts work for travel time in April 1st- May 15th, 2024.
Before and after your 6 Days Around Iceland Adventure, you will spend an additional night in Reykjavík, the Capital of Iceland, allowing you to explore it by yourself.
The spellbinding attractions are the central core of the itinerary. On this tour, we like to make the most of the opportunities Iceland offers in different seasons:
From late September to April, chase the elusive Northern Lights painting the sky with vivid swirls of color. In winter, from October to April, we replace the glacier hike with a thrilling journey through the Crystal Ice Cave.
During winter, we'll swap out the glacier hiking for a natural ice cave visit.
During September, we sometimes fit in a sheep round-up in the countryside. In summer, huge numbers of puffins nest along the coast, and the midnight sun extends its magical rays, so we enjoy these.
Here you can find a detailed list of information containing everything you need to know about your tour around Iceland: 8 Days Around Iceland Adventure Guide.
What if I don't own all of the necessary clothing items?
Don't worry, you can always rent sturdy hiking boots, a waterproof jacket, and pants in the booking process. Please be aware that we do not rent these items from the location. They must be ordered in advance.
Building your own exciting itinerary in the City of Reykjavík is easy!
Walking Laugavegur and Skólavorðustígur shopping streets is a great way to capture the essence of Reykjavík. Browse in shops for unusual items, relax in a charming café, then wander some more. You will come across local crafts and the iconic tall white Hallgrímskirkja church. Its design is inspired by the Svartifoss waterfall at Skaftafell. Go to the top of the tower for a grandstand view of the city. It is well worth it!
There are a few fabulous museums, covering everything from history and the building of the Icelandic nation at the National Museum to photography at the Reyjavík Museum of Photography or Icelandic culture at the Culture House. If you love art, there are quite a few galleries, including the National Gallery of Iceland, Reykjavík Art Museum, and Kjarvalstaðir.
Rekjavík’s thermal swimming pools are open early and into the evening. The largest open-air pool, Laugardalslaug, has excellent hot tubs where you can relax with the locals and tourists. All year-round, outdoor bathing is huge in Iceland! There are a few other pools close to the city center, and all have hot tubs.
Your accommodation will be in Reykjavik within easy reach of the attractions in the city. A regular bus service serves all districts to the city center. Strætó operates local buses. Timetables and information in English can be found here.
More ideas for making the most of a short time in Reykjavík, including money-saving tips, can be found in the article Top Things to Do in Reykjavik in 2 Days.
Please check out our Reykjavik City Walking tour if you want a guided tour around the city.
Your first day mainly focuses on visiting the fabulous and famous Golden Circle attractions.
We visit Þingvellir National Park, an incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site with immense geological, historical, and cultural significance. The historic Icelandic Parliament, called the Alþing, was founded here in 930 CE/AD. Icelandic Parliament is the oldest still existing democratic parliament in the world. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates continue to move apart, runs right through Þingvellir. You will see the rugged plate edge of the gorge. This must have been a really dramatic backdrop to the ancient parliamentary sessions!
Your next stop is at the Geysir geothermally active area, home to Great Geysir. This famous spouting hot spring gave us the English word 'geyser.' You will witness Strokkur, the most active hot spring in recent times, blasting powerful torrents of superheated water every 5 to 10 minutes. Steaming fumaroles and hot springs can also be seen around the area.
Before we head along the south coast, the final Golden Circle attraction is the thundering Gullfoss waterfall or the "Golden Falls." You will see golden-toned mists rising around the waterfall as the mighty Hvítá river crashes through two drops of 11 m and 21 m. Hvítá means 'White River.' This raging glacial torrent originates at Langjökull, the second biggest glacier in Iceland.
On our way to your country hotel, situated near the village of Vík, we will stop to enjoy two legendary and stunning waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Both are around 60 m high, but otherwise, they are very different. Skógafoss waterfall cascades gracefully from the former sea cliffs. Seljalandsfoss is sometimes referred to as "the unusual waterfall," there's a pathway that leads behind the curtain of falling water, offering you a unique experience and views.
We will stop at Reynisfjara black sand beach. A short walk along the beach will bring you to the awe-inspiring and unusual basalt-column cave. You will also see the troll-like and atmospheric Reynisdrangar peaks rising just off-shore.
After settling into the country hotel in Kirkjubæjarklaustur, if conditions are good we will slip away for a couple of hours to chase the Northern Lights (from September to April).
You will be picked up in Reykjavík at 8:00. Picking everyone up takes up to 30 minutes. You may have to wait a few minutes, depending on where your accommodation in Reykjavik is located. Your patience is much appreciated.
We travel through some extraordinary landscapes and other-worldly scenery to Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park. You will see views of the stunning Mýrdalsjökull glacier, home to one of the most feared volcanoes of all, the notorious Katla. You will also see another great fire maestro, Eyjafjalljökull. Our journey will take us over the Eldhraun lava field to Skaftafell, a lush green oasis amid black volcanic sand areas. Skaftafell is quite sheltered with flourishing vegetation and birch forests.
Our experienced glacier guide will lead you on a three-hour hike, allowing you to explore the stunning glacier tongue of Vatnajökull, the biggest glacier in Europe. You will learn all about this sensational blue/white ice world.
From October to April, we explore Vatnajökull’s crystal ice caves instead of the glacier hike. Each winter, new ice caves form and freeze through the heart of the glacier. Walk through with your guide to see ice caps from a whole new angle!
We continue with the theme of ice, onwards to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Action scenes from James Bond and other movies have made this the most famous ice lagoon in the world. Feast your eyes on the jaw-droppingly beautiful iceberg-filled lagoon and visit the fabulous Diamond Beach. This coal-black beach glitters with shimmering blue/white icebergs washed ashore by the tide. You will feel as though you have stepped through a magic doorway into a mystical ice realm with magic landscapes.
If the conditions are good we will search for the Northern Lights at night (from September to April).
Today we head to Iceland´s sensational East Fjords. You will travel the narrow roads which thread their way between the mountains and the ocean, passing through the very remote peninsular of Hvalnes. Continuing onwards, you will see the really dramatic and contrasting scenery around Lón, the Þvottárskriður landslides, and Álftafjarðar, a stunning fjord.
We’ll stop at Djúpivogur, a small traditional fishing village. The friendly village community is known for its eco-conscious and welcoming ways. Take a look at Eggin í Gleðivík (The Eggs of Merry Bay), a splendid outdoor sculpture.
Next, we're off to the Wilderness Center, an interactive historical site set in Northern Europe's vast wilderness. Enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and horse riding while experiencing authentic Icelandic life. Admission to the museum is free during your stay, where you can explore exhibits on highland living and Icelandic history. Stay in charming historic buildings, dine on local cuisine, and relax in the warm pool at the bathing house after your adventures.
Your accommodation for the night will be a country hotel in Egilsstaðir. If the conditions are good we will chase the Northern Lights at night (from September to April).
Today we will explore North Iceland. Our journey from Egilsstaðir will take us through the wilderness area, we will start from Stuðlagil Canyon, one of the world’s most enchanting basalt rock formations.
Embarking on our journey around the picturesque Lake Mývatn towards Akureyri, we pause to marvel at the breathtaking Goðafoss Waterfall, also known as the "Waterfall of the Gods." With its horseshoe shape spanning approximately 30 meters (98 feet), this natural wonder holds a tale dating back to 1000 AD when pagan idols were cast into its depths.
While traversing the captivating scenery around Lake Mývatn en route to Akureyri, prepare to encounter a unique volcanic landscape. Among the highlights are the famous Mývatn Nature Baths, where you can enjoy a luxury soak in the warm geothermal waters infused with minerals and silicates. It’s also known as the "Blue Lagoon of the North," and you will see why it is so similar! (Optional extra)
The scenery will keep getting more surreal! We are heading to the steaming lunar landscapes and bubbling technicolor mud pots at the Námaskarð geothermal area. The steaming fumaroles and sizzling hot springs waft clouds of steam across these other-worldly vistas. There are more extraordinary scenes when we take you to see the unbelievable Dimmuborgir lava formations, known as the Dark Castles!
Your accommodation will be at a country hotel in Akureyri. At night, if conditions are good your guide will help you chase the Northern Lights during the winter months.
Sometimes we can fit in a short stop at the Capital of the North, Akureyri. Our journey will always take us through this beautiful little town amid the mountains close to the apex of the mesmerizing Eyjafjörður Fjord (the Island Fjord). We are heading for the absolutely charming and still traditional fishing town of Dalvík, with its busy working harbor and fabulous views over Eyjafjörður and Hrísey Island.
The dramatic high mountains, home to some of the best ski slopes in Iceland, will be at your back. Your three-hour whale-watching boat trip starts at Dalvík harbor. You will skim over Eyjafjörður, going in whichever direction is best to see humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, minke whales, and occasionally even blue whales.
These tours are really successful when it comes to spotting whales. They are seen on 98% of tours. You will be surrounded by the incredible natural beauty of Eyjafjörður, the longest Fjord in Iceland.
Next on the agenda is a drive to Siglufjörður, a beautiful fishing village with an incredible history. This town was overtaken by a Klondike-like gold rush atmosphere in the early 20th century when the tiny and isolated community became known as the herring fishing capital of the Atlantic.
Traveling around Tröllaskagi (the Troll Peninsula), you will see stunning ocean scenery and incredibly steep mountains. Your visit to Siglufjörður will give you tremendous insight into how life in tiny and isolated Icelandic villages. On the way to your hotel for the night, you will pass through the farming heartland of Iceland, which is also a big horse farming area.
Your small hotel will be in Laugarbakki. If conditions are good we will hunt the Northern Lights (during September - April months).
The final day of your 6 day trip around Iceland will be focused on the delights of West Iceland – Lonely Planet voted this area as one of their best destinations in 2016. Your first stop of the day is at Grábrók, a volcano crater surrounded by lunar-like lava. Your guide will lead you on a short hike to view the crater from the top – there are magnificent views over the whole area. We will enjoy the fabulous and extremely diverse sights of Borgarfjörður today. We'll stop at Deildartunguhver hot spring, the most powerful hot spring in Europe. You will also see the incredible Hraunfossar cascade. These wide falls are composed of thousands of tiny rivulets which tumble out of the lava field – a truly astonishing sight! Then there is Barnafoss waterfall. The name means 'the Children's Falls,' a rather tragic folklore tale associated with this particular waterfall's naming.
Now for some history and the gentle landscapes around Reykholt, home to the famous Icelandic saga writer, historian, lawyer, and poet, Snorri Sturluson. You will see the pool where Snorri is reputed to have bathed, Snorralaug. Nowadays, this pool is still filled with naturally warm water. Our drive back to Reykjavík will take us around, Hvalfjörður (Whale Fjord), a scenic fjord. We should arrive back in the city at approximately 5 – 6 pm. You are dropped off at a hotel in Reykjavik.
You have another day to make the most of being in Reykjavík, the stunning capital of Iceland. Check off a few more things on your Reykjavík bucket list – there are plenty more options. Maybe, explore the cycling and walking paths that thread around the coast and cross-cross the city. The coastal scenery is spellbinding, from places such as Seltjarnarnes and Mosfellsbær (both easily reached by Strætó buses) to Grasagarðurinn, the Reykjavík Botanical Gardens. See the area where the women of Reykjavík used to do their laundry in the hot spring pools. These beautiful gardens are situated next to Laugardalslaug, the largest swimming pool in Iceland. Shop and browse some more, laze in coffee shops or restaurants, visit another museum or gallery, or squeeze in one last fantastic adventure activity tour – the choice is for you to make!
Pick-up is at 08:00 am 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.
We always recommend booking a multi-day tour starting at least one day after arriving in Iceland. If you’re flying in from the US or will be landing early (4-6:30 am) you should be able to join the tour, but some risks would follow (i.e if the flight gets delayed) and could, therefore, miss out on the tour.
Most of the hotels we use during our tours are remotely located and therefore ideal for spotting the northern lights. If the forecast is in your favor, then it is more than likely that you will be able to see the magical show put on by the dancing northern lights during your tour with us. Most of the hotels offer a Northern Lights wake-up call-up on request if the lights are spotted.
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon; therefore, we can unfortunately never promise they will be seen. Their appearance depends upon atmospheric and weather conditions. The best time to see them is between September and March when it’s dark and clear. The sky needs to be as dark as possible, so the best places to see them are well away from city lights (that’s where we are going!).
For more information on the Northern Lights, please look at our blog about Northern Lights.
If you are not sure that you have suitable gear for your tour, we offer some necessary items for rent. For most of our multi-day tours, we rent out waterproof jackets and pants as well as hiking boots. You can book these items and more under the selection “Extras” in the booking widget when booking your tour on our website.
If you have already booked the tour and wish to add some rental gear to your booking, you can do so at least 24 hours prior to your tour starting by using our customer portal - My Adventures, or contacting our customer care.
We drive on average around 300 km (186 miles) per day on our multi-day tours. You will be spending approximately 4-5 hours in the car each day. We do of course stop on multiple locations throughout the tour for sightseeing, activities, bathroom breaks and lunch stops.
We do welcome participants of all ages older than the listed minimum age for each tour. We have people of ages ranging from 8-99 years joining our multi-day tours. Our average group usually consists of participants between the age 20-55 years. We do get a lot of solo travellers joining our tours, as well as families and friends.
If you have difficulties participating in any of the activities included in the tour, for example, a glacier activity, you are more than welcome to skip it. You can explore your surroundings in the meantime or wait elsewhere. Our guide should be able to drop you off at a nearby place where there are some services available.
For multi-day tours, each participant is allowed to bring a small backpack and 1 piece of luggage weighing a maximum of 20 kg (44 lbs). If you have more or heavier luggage with you, you will need to book storage for the surplus luggage before you arrive, there is a small fee for using this facility. Luggage storage in Reykjavík can be added during the booking process of your order in the extras section.
* The combined dimensions of each bag must not exceed 158 cm (62 in).
Breakfast is included at all the hotels we stay in during the tour. The breakfast will be a typical breakfast buffet, offering bread, toppings, cereal, yogurt, fruits, coffee, and tea etc.
Your guide will also find a good place for the group to eat lunch. We always try to choose places that have a wide selection of dishes on the menu, so there will be options available for everyone. The dinner is usually at the hotels we stay at for the night.
If your tour includes accommodation, breakfast is always included during the tour at the hotel/guesthouse restaurant.
Meals and beverages are otherwise not included on your tour. (Unless it’s specifically stated in the description of the tour)
On our multi-day tours, we will be making stops at restaurants and convenience stores where you will be able to purchase all necessities. Cash is not necessary, as credit cards are almost always accepted. Having a small amount of cash doesn’t hurt though.
A single supplement is available if you want to have your own room, but you are not required to pay a single supplement. If you are a single traveler and do not wish to book a single room, you’ll be roomed with another traveler of the same gender.
When booking with Arctic Adventures, you are guaranteed an accommodation at a nice country hotel and/or a guesthouse. The hotels we have partnered up with are all of the same standard and offer nice rooms with made-up beds. The rooms come with private or shared bathrooms, depending on your booking. The standard room is a twin room but it’s possible to request a double room or a triple room, with no extra charge.
If you are traveling solo, you will have to add the single room fee if you wish to have a single room.
All hotels have free Wi-Fi. Towels, a hairdryer and a kettle are accessible at all of the hotels. Hotel breakfast is included!
