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About tour

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 Vök 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.

Nominated Best Tour of 2019 in Iceland by TourRadar

Highlights

  • Small Group Experience
  • Ring Road
  • Golden Circle (Þingvellir, Gullfoss, Geysir)
  • Vatnajökull Glacier Hike
  • Crystal Ice Caves (winter)
  • South Coast (Seljalandsfoss, Reynisfjara)
  • Skaftafell National Park
  • Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
  • Whale watching in Dalvík
  • Mývatn (Myvatn)
  • Dettifoss and Goðafoss Waterfalls
  • Northern Lights (Sept-April)

Included

  • Hotel Room with Private Bathroom for 7 Nights
  • Breakfast Each Morning at Your Hotel
  • Guided Minibus Tour
  • Glacier Hike on Vatnajökull
  • Ice Cave Tour on Vatnajökull (Oct-April)
  • Whale Watching in Dalvík
  • Free Wi-Fi Onboard Our Bus

What to bring

  • Warm outdoor clothing
  • Waterproof jacket and pants

Tour Snapshot

Availability All Year
Duration 8 days
Departs From Reykjavik
Level Easy Suitable for most people in fair condition.
Minimum age 8 years
Ratio 1:19 Guide to client ratio
Accommodation Included
Meet on Location No
Pick Up Yes

From

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Adult
  • Nominated Best tour of 2019
  • Expert Guides
  • Small Group Experience
  • Free Wifi
  • No Booking Fees

From

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Itinerary

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 November to March, 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: 6 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.

Day Highlights
  • The delights of Reykjavík
  • Today you pick your own highlights!
Included
  • One night accommodation in Reykavík
  • Private bathroom
Accommodation
Reykjavik Lights Hotel
or similar

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.

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.

Day Highlights
  • Þingvellir National Park
  • Geysir Hot springs
  • Gullfoss Waterfall
  • Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
  • Skógafoss Waterfall
  • Northern Lights (Sept-April)
Included
  • Breakfast at your accommodation in Reykjavík
  • Hotel with private bathroom close to Vík
  • Guided tour in minibus
  • Visit to the highlights of the Golden Circle
  • Visit the most famous South Coast waterfalls
Accommodation
Hótel Geirland
or similar

Our first stop today is 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. Now to the glaciers!

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.

Your accommodation will be in Höfn, a charming town known as ‘the lobster capital of Iceland.’ If the conditions are good we will search for the Northern Lights at night (from September to April).

Day Highlights
  • Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
  • Vatnajökull National Park
  • Jökulsarlón Glacier Lagoon
  • The Crystal Beach (Diamond Beach)
  • Höfn - Lobster capital of Iceland
  • Northern Lights (Sept-April)
Included
  • Breakfast at Hotel close to Vík
  • Visit to Reynisfjara
  • Guided Glacier Hike on Vatnajökull Glacier (May-Sept)
  • Certified Glacier Guide
  • Specialized glacier gear
  • Crystal Ice Cave (Oct-April)
  • Visit to Jökulsarlón and the Diamond Beach
  • One night accommodation in Höfn
  • Private bathroom
Accommodation
Hofn Hotel
or similar

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. 

We will finish the day by soaking in geothermal Vök Baths surrounded by the amazing scenery of Lake Urriðavatn, they are distinguished by their modern design and the only floating infinity pools in Iceland. Enjoying hot baths there is an optional extra, which you can do at your own cost, please make sure to book it as an extra during the booking process.

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).

Day Highlights
  • Djúpivogur Fishing Village
  • The town of Egilsstaðir
  • Vök Baths (optional extra)
  • Northern Lights (Sept-April)
Included
  • Breakfast at the guesthouse in Höfn
  • Exploring sites in East Fjords
  • Visit to the small fishing village of Djúpvogur
  • One night at a Hotel in Egilsstaðir
  • Private bathroom
Accommodation
Hotel Valaskjalf
or similar

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. On our way to visit the magnificent Dettifoss waterfall, we will show you Möðrudalur, the highest inhabited place in Iceland at 469 m. The farming community that lives here hosts the highest coffee house on the land!

Our next destination is the Dettifoss waterfall. These falls have the most powerful flow rate in Europe. Believe us when we say that this roaring torrent is truly remarkable – you really will feel humbled by the power of Icelandic nature. Your next attraction, the mystical landscapes around Lake Mývatn, have a different character.

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 Hverfjall crater and the unbelievable Dimmuborgir lava formations, known as the Dark Castles!

Goðafoss, a dreamy crescent-shaped waterfall, is our last stop before we continue to Eyjafjörður, the longest fjord in Iceland, rimmed by high mountains.

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.

Day Highlights
  • Stuðlagil Canyon
  • Dettifoss Waterfall
  • Mývatn Lake
  • Námaskarð geothermal area
  • Hverfjall Crater
  • Dimmuborgir formations
  • Goðafoss Waterfall
  • Northern Lights (Sept-April)
Included
  • Breakfast at Hotel in Egilsstaðir
  • Guided visit to all the highlights
  • Time to explore the magnificent landscapes
  • One night at a hotel close to Akureyri
  • Private bathroom
Accommodation
Icelandair Hotel Akureyri
or similar

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).

Day Highlights
  • Akureyri - Capital of the North
  • Whale Watching from Dalvík
  • Siglufjörður Fishing Village
  • Northern Lights (Sept-April)
Included
  • Breakfast at a Hotel close to Akureyri
  • Akureyri & Eyjafjörður Fjord
  • 3 hour Whale Watching sail tour
  • Opportunity to try out sea angling
  • Visit to Siglufjörður
  • One night at a hotel
  • Private bathroom
Accommodation
Hotel Laugarbakki
or similar

The final day of your 6 day trip around Iceland will be focused on the delights of West IcelandLonely 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.

Day Highlights
  • Borgarfjörður
  • Deildartunguhver hot spring
  • Barnafoss Waterfall
  • Hraunfossar cascade
  • Reykholt
  • Hike up to Grábrók, a volcano crater
  • Northern Lights (Sept-April)
Included
  • Breakfast at hotel
  • Visit to the highlights of Borgarfjörður
  • Visit to the historic sight of Reykholt
  • Drop off in Reykjavík
  • One night at a hotel in Reykjavík
  • Private bathroom
Accommodation
Reykjavik Lights Hotel
or similar
capital of Iceland 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!

Day Highlights
  • Reykjavík delights - your choice!
Included
  • Breakfast at hotel/guest house in Reykjavík

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.

Attractions Map

Explore the top attractions of the tour with our interactive map

Reviews

4.9
Based on 17 reviews

8 Day Iceland Ring Road Tour

1- of 17 reviews

Amazing Views with Amazing People

Reviewed on November 23, 2021 by Usayd Review from Tripadvisor

Oli was absolutely amazing keeping us safe, educated, and engaged throughout the entire trip. Planning was professional and we caught all the spots even with the limited light, not to mention some hidden spots that a tourist wouldn't even think of adding to the itinerary that allow you to integrate with the culture and way of living. I can go on and on about how beautiful the country was but everyone already knows about the breathtaking landscape. But to have an amazing tour group marshalled by an amazing tour guide is the cherry on top!

Amazing experience unlike anything you have seen or done.

Reviewed on July 18, 2021 by John Review from Tripadvisor

First I want to say is that this tour allows you to see everything you could want to see in Iceland, with that said this will be a honest review. If you have issues hiking, or walking on uneven surfaces, this tour may not be for you; it is an ADVENTURE TOUR. I walk with a cane, and was able to do most, but climbing the glacier, or the volcano challenged me, and I had to know when to stop.

Outside of Reykjavik the town are sparse, and with that, there are limited places to stop for when nature calls, or food & snacks. The “hotel” accommodations are not like North American hotels, they remind me of barracks or dorm rooms.

Due to the 11-12 hours a day sightseeing and driving, when we stopped for the day (around 8-9pm to eat dinner) traps you into where you can eat, and with a limited menu & high price tag ($$$) to go with it. The first two nights we had the same three meal choices (Artic char, lamb shank, or pasta (vegan)). If you have any dietary issues, you will be challenged to find meals to accommodate you.

After the first “Artic Adventures 6 day Ring Road Tour” We ended up back in Reykjavik, and you are worn out from sitting in a tour van for 6 days for up to 11 hour days, we pushed it, and did the 7th day, and skipped the last day to get the COVID test needed to return to the US, and to spend some time shopping in Reykjavik.

In conclusion: Iceland is a beautiful & amazing country, and taking the tour was great to get to see the most of Iceland for the time. Would I do it again, yes, but probably differently. I would have used the whole 8 days to do the Ring Tour that originally scheduled for six days and compacted to 5 days to allow for the volcano hike on the 6th day.

8 Day Iceland Ring Road Tour

Reviewed on November 23, 2019 by Sbear From our post-trip system

I really enjoyed seeing all of the highlights of Iceland on this tour. Everything from booking the trip, pick up, and the actual tour was very organized. Most importantly, our tour guide Huffy was the best! He was very kind and always looked out for our group. I also appreciated him always sharing stories and the history of Iceland. He really made this tour enjoyable. I will definitely reccommend this Arctic Adventure tour!

Great Tour

Reviewed on November 23, 2019 by Blueb009 Review from Tripadvisor

I really enjoyed seeing all of the highlights of Iceland on this tour. Everything from booking the trip, pick up, and the tour was very organized. Most importantly, our tour guide Huffy was the best! He was very kind and always looked out for our group. I also appreciated him always sharing stories and the history of Iceland. He really made this tour enjoyable. I will definitely reccommend this Arctic Adventure tour!

Arctic Adventures Review

Reviewed on November 10, 2019 by Sahil Gupta Review from Tripadvisor

Saying that Arctic Adventures makes great tour would be an understatement. Me and my wife just took the 8 days around Reykjavik tour managed by Arctic Adventures and we surely were mind blown. The itinerary prepared by them was just perfect and covered mostly all the important sites that must be seen in Iceland. If there was anything being left out due to time constraint, then it was surely pointed out to us by our brilliant guide to be covered in the next trip. The hotels booked by the company were superb as well, especially Hotel Laugarbakki which had an outdoor hot tub where in you can sip on wine while watching the Northern Lights (if you are lucky enough :D). Overall the trip covered most of the breathtaking destinations and gave timely stops for services and picture taking.

Now coming to our guide, Vignir, well he was jist a wonderful man. Not only did he have enormous knowledge about Iceland but had a great wit too. It got almost too easy for all of us to gel. He was also quite helpful as he often took pictures for us and also helped us out while treks. We shared a lot of great moments over the period of 8 days and during meals. He would make sure that everyone was comfortable on board in every sense. , frankly donot have enough praises for his overall personality.

Dream to reality!!!

Reviewed on October 23, 2019 by Lauren Review from Tripadvisor

When I've booked tours, I've found myself anticipating what to expect. I knew that I wanted to see Iceland for it's magnificent waterfalls, moody volcanic ranges and contrasting landscapes.

This tour surpassed my every dream and desire!

It not only fulfilled many sights I listed when researching Iceland, but it was well executed, making the journey easy, comfortable and well worth it.

Our tour guide Linas was a pro! He was energetic, informative and it was evident that he enjoyed his job. He was attentive to everyone on the tour, ensuring any questions or travel needs were seen to.

The itinerary covered a great variety of towns, sights and exploration with plenty of time to hike, photograph and take in the country. The chosen accommodations were all comfortable and the provided breakfasts were fresh and catered for dietary requirements.

Our chosen highlights (difficult to pick, but): All the waterfalls (especially Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, Goðafoss, Hengifoss), Falljökull glacier hike, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Akureyri, Mývatn, whale watching in Dalvik and the bonus of witnessing the Aurora Borealis!

Fabulous tour!

Reviewed on October 06, 2019 by Amanda From our post-trip system

I had such a great time on this tour. Iceland is an amazing country, but the experience was made even better by Haukur our tour guide who was friendly, informative and always tried to ensure we had the best time possible. Using a small tour bus (18 people) is infinitely better than the larger versions. Accommodation was good but if you're going by yourself, definitely pay the single supplement so you get a room to yourself each night as the single beds in rooms are often close together. Because we were traveling around the Island, we were generally able to choose whether we ate at restaurants each night or picked up food from the local supermarket (which is a less expensive option). Overall, it was a relaxing & enjoyable week that passed without a single disappointment or problem. I would definitely use Arctic Adventures if I ever get to return to this beautiful country. Highly recommend :)

Great Time, but with a little confusion

Reviewed on September 30, 2019 by David Walker From our post-trip system

I had a great time viewing the sites of Iceland plus learning the history from our tour guide. Great driver and administrator. The people of Iceland are in my opinion the type of people, I would like living next store. There was a little confusion along the way, first night stay I had booked separate rooms for my friend and I but this was not to be the case with the hotel, but I had brought all my paperwork and the receptionist at the hotel got it sorted out with Artic Adventures. Same thing happened again with the rib boat whale watching but again with paperwork I brought along,our tour guide got it all sorted out. So other than these issues everything went well and I would recommend this trip and anyone interested in a fun and energy filled vacation. Just remember to bring copies of your paperwork showing what you paid for and they will sort it out.

Excellent Tour!

Reviewed on September 24, 2019 by Zee Review from Tripadvisor

This was an excellent tour. Our guide was fabulous. He kept us entertained with Icelandic tales, insider knowledge and a quirky fun sense of humor. The hotels were good. We saw so much. So much better than trying to do this country on your own. We stopped at all the important places and had some adventures too. You must be in decent shape to really enjoy this trip. Don’t miss out - book it!

8 day tour

Reviewed on August 27, 2019 by MarkCDK Review from Tripadvisor

A big thank you to Johann for making a spectacular tour enormous fun as well. we could not have been in better hands.

8 day Ring Road Tour

Reviewed on July 07, 2019 by Stanley G Review from Tripadvisor

We went on an Artic Adventures tour with Johann as our tour guide. He was wonderful, strong, kind, sensitive, funny and sweet. We saw so much! We hiked, we climbed, we soaked, we went boating and we experienced a beautiful country. Strongly advise this trip!

Best Tour Ever

Reviewed on July 01, 2019 by cpguzmanr Review from Tripadvisor

I purchased this tour via Viator with Arctic Adventures to experience Iceland.... The tour itself is the adventure of a lifetime!!!, Our tour guide: Hjalti Björnsson was the best!!! He drove us thru Iceland for the duration of the tour, not only taking us thru the scheduled places, but enriching the experience with details of each place, historical data, and even including additional spots that were on the way of our tour as well. The group was of 12 people, which make it all manageable and enjoyable!. Iceland is fascinating, and Hjalti was key for us to have a meaningful and unforgettable experience.
The pick ups, drop offs; were perfectly timed... so we could enjoy each place to the most... have time to take pictures and to live the full experience of the places we visited. This tour has been the best experience while traveling I have ever had, not only by the beauty and majesty of the country; but also by the way we were introduced to it during the tour!!!! Loved every second of it!!!

Excellent Tour of Iceland!!

Reviewed on June 09, 2019 by Joseph M Review from Tripadvisor

We chose Arctic Adventures for action/immersive experience. So happy we were placed with "Siggy" as our tour guide. Siggy has remarkable knowledge of history, & literature and shared tales of his childhood growing up in the east isle. He is easygoing, energetic and a perfect guide.

Well paced tour. Covered a lot of ground and experienced Iceland’s fascinating scenery. Beautiful Island!

Tour did not include Blue Lagoon, so we recommend purchasing that separately.

Food choices along tour route range from quick stops such a as gas station quick food and small restaurants/inns. Adequate but not extensive selection. Pace of dinner service throughout Iceland restaurants was extremely slow and evening meals generally would take several hours. Not sure if Iceland infrastructure issue, limited toilets, eating venues, due to tourism boom. Food/beverage is expensive throughout country. Easily adds $500-800 to your trip.

We Traveled by van which is comfortable and great for viewing scenery but somewhat tight seating for taller passengers (very cramped knee-room for those at or over 6’).

Overall, liked tour and highly recommend.

Great firm

Reviewed on April 18, 2019 by Jerrez Review from Tripadvisor

Following a bereavement in the family Artic Adventures have been absolutely superb at assisting me after an abandoned holiday. Timely responses all of which have been absolutely clear. After their assistance I will definitely be travelling with them again later this year - Great job all of the team

Awesome vacation

Reviewed on March 26, 2019 by Kathy Review from Tripadvisor

I highly encourage anyone thinking about taking this trip to do so! We booked with Guide to Iceland and arranged our flights to and from Iceland. They took care of everything else (including bus transfers to and from the airport and Blue Lagoon). Our tour guide/driver was very friendly and informative. The roads in Iceland are very narrow and the wind is strong - I was very glad to have someone else driving! Also, we were in a group of 15 people and we became close in a short time.

Wonderful tour, incredible scenery and lots to do.

Reviewed on September 15, 2018 by nietfeldmarie Review from Tripadvisor

Booked the 8 Day Ultimate Tour with Extreme Iceland although the actual tour was with Arctic Adventures. The tour included the 6 Days Around Iceland Adventure, a day trip to Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and a day hike at Landmannalauger. The tour companies provided detailed itineraries for these trips and also a list of what to bring. Be prepared, the weather can change rapidly.

The 6 days around Iceland Adventure highlighted many of the main attractions along the Ring Road and Golden Circle. Iceland is a scenic country with amazing waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes/lava fields, rock formations, cliffs, mountains, lakes, hot springs/geysers, and coastal areas and fjords all packed into a relatively small country. The tour afforded a good overview of these natural wonders as well as a glimpse into the history and lives of Icelanders. Enjoyed the short hikes to see waterfalls and other sites, the whale watching tour, getting up close and personal with the Icelandic horses, being on a glacier and seeing glacier lagoon. A little disappointed on the glacier walk as being in the slow group, we barely walked on the glacier despite the glacier guide telling us otherwise.

Overall, this tour was amazing, well organized and suited for a range of age groups. Our group was relatively small and included persons from around the world, lending to interesting conversations. Accommodations and accompanying breakfasts were good, and I particularly enjoyed those in rural locations, and the local foods. Enjoyed the stops in fishing villages and other villages, which afforded the opportunity to experience a bit of Icelandic culture. The days were sometimes long, but worth it. Just be patient when being picked up the first day, as there are several pick-up points.

Juri, our guide/driver, was excellent. He was informative, personable, easy going, sensitive to the group’s needs, and kept us on track time wise. He provided us with interesting bits of information on the history, people, myths, geology, climate, and biology of Iceland over the course of the tour, which really enhanced the tour. He also made recommendations for great dining spots. I highly recommend this tour and Juri as a guide.

The day trip to Snaefellsness Peninsula was with Andrea (guide). We visited a beach with a few seals resting on rocks, a black sands beach, coastal cliffs, basalt column cliffs, a lava cave, and more waterfalls and mountain scenery, and fishing village. Very interesting overall and Andrea was a pleasant guide.

The bus trip to Landmannalauger was long, but the hike (led by Saga, our competent guide) and views were well worth it. The colors of the mountains in Landmannalauger are absolutely stunning and the landscape is amazing everywhere you look. You have to see it because the landscape cannot be described by words; it was unlike anything I’ve seen. We hiked 2-3 hours through some lava fields, a valley and up Mt. Brennisteinsalda, a very colourful rhyolite mountain, and down the other side, ending in a walk through a green valley and more lava fields. There was a natural hot geothermal pool where you could bath and relax, but the weather was very cool and windy so I opted out of this activity. Highly recommend a trip to this area, whether a day trip or multi-day hike, as it is unique and beautiful. The long bus ride there and back would have been enhanced if the guides and bus driver had been more talkative and provided more description on the areas we passed through.

Wonderful tour of Iceland with Siggi of Arctic Adventures

Reviewed on August 26, 2018 by Travelingfamily4444 Review from Tripadvisor

Our family (parents and adult "children" in their 20s) toured Iceland with Siggi, our guide from Arctic Adventures, and a wonderful group of companions the week of August 13th. Siggi was incredibly knowledgeable and accommodating. We enjoyed the fascinating history and stories about Iceland he shared with us, providing a fuller, more informative picture of the island than we would have had on our own. The tour hit many of the main attractions Iceland has to offer in an efficient manner, without feeling rushed and with down time to relax in the van as Siggi transported us around the island (there were many a time we thanked goodness Siggi was doing the driving and not us). We saw innumerable waterfalls, each one breathtaking and unique, hiked on a part of the Vatnajokull glacier, saw the lunar landscapes and mud pots at the Namaskaro geothermal area, thoroughly relaxed in the Myvatn Nature Baths (think silky smooth warm/hot water and soft sandy bottom), marveled at the Jokulsarion Glacier Lagoon, and saw magnificent hunchback whales on a whale watching boat trip. The week was rainy, windy, and cold, but that did not deter our group from enjoying each site and each other's companionship. While the tour is rated at an "easy" level, there were plenty of opportunities for hiking up to waterfalls and other sites, and you could sit out any activity you may not feel up to. It was a visit we will all remember fondly, and are glad we took before Iceland becomes even more popular with tourists. We have already recommended Arctic Adventures to friends and family since our return.
A few tips: (1) if you plan to do the glacier hike, bring your hiking boots with ankle support, not hiking shoes (no worries if you do not have hiking boots, $10 gets you a loaner that worked just fine); (2) Icelanders say there is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing, and they are right -- pack comfortable layers including water and wind-proof jackets and pants, you'll be glad you did; (3) food is super expensive, so just be prepared for sticker shock in the restaurants; and (4) speaking of food, do not miss the langoustine (lobster), it was our group's favorite meal. Enjoy!

FAQ

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 multiday tours, we will be making stops at restaurants and convenience stores where you will be able to purchase all necessities.

You should count on spending around 8,000 ISK (80$) on food each day per person. 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!

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