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About tour

Discover the very best of Iceland in just one week. Sounds good, right? 

You can choose between two fantastic options:

  • Standard Package: Enjoy all sightseeing and accommodations without extra activities. 
  • Adventure Package: Includes everything in the Standard Package, plus a glacier hike or ice cave visit and whale watching!

This will be a week on the Ring Road -  dramatic fjords, black sand beaches, lava fields, and charming fishing villages all around. 

Visit stunning and legendary places, from waterfalls and geysers to the iconic Golden Circle and Snæfellsnes Peninsula. On the way, relax in hot springs, explore geothermal areas, and catch the seasonal Northern Lights.

We’ve got every detail covered so you can fully enjoy Iceland’s wild beauty.

Highlights

  • The Ring Road
  • Golden Circle
  • Vatnajökull Glacier
  • Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss Waterfalls
  • Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
  • Crystal Ice Cave (Oct-Apr)
  • National parks (Vatnajökull, Þingvellir, and Snæfellsjökull)
  • Skaftafell National Park
  • Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
  • Stuðlagil Canyon
  • Lake Mývatn Geothermal Area
  • Icelandic Horse Farm
  • Goðafoss Waterfall
  • Barnafoss & Hraunfossar Waterfalls
  • Snæfellsnes Peninsula
  • Wilderness Center
  • Northern Lights (Sept-Apr)
  • Whale Watching
  • Mývatn Nature Baths - optional extra

Included

  • Accommodation with private bathroom - 6 nights
  • Breakfast each morning at your hotel
  • English-speaking tour guide
  • Guided minibus tour
  • Free WiFi on the bus
  • Activities in Wilderness Center
  • Glacier Hike on Vatnajökull Glacier from April to October *Adventure package only
  • Crystal Ice Cave from October to April *Adventure package only
  • Whale Watching in Dalvík *Adventure package only

What to bring

  • Warm layers
  • Waterproof top layer
  • Headwear
  • Gloves
  • Scarves
  • Hiking boots
  • Camera
  • Swimsuit
  • Towel
  • Strong hiking boots are essential

Tour Snapshot

Availability All Year
Duration 7 days
Departs From Reykjavik
Level Easy Suitable for most people in fair condition.
Minimum age 6 YEARS (STANDARD) / 8 YEARS (ADVENTURE)
Ratio 1:19 Guide to client ratio
Accommodation Included
Pick Up Yes
Meet on Location No

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  • “Tour of the Year” Award Winner
  • Top Winter Destination - West Iceland
  • Bestseller
  • Expert Guides
  • Small Group Experience
  • Free Wifi
  • No Booking Fees
  • Best Price Guarantee

Activities included in the Adventure Package

  • Glacier hike on Vatnajökull Glacier (Apr-Oct)
  • Crystal Ice Cave visit (Oct-Apr)
  • Whale watching in Dalvík

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Adventure Package

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Itinerary

Spend a week on Iceland's legendary Ring Road, guided by expert locals and traveling in a small group. This expertly planned itinerary ensures you experience everything—from well-known attractions to hidden local gems.

Opt for our "Adventure Package" to add even more excitement on the road with activities like glacier hiking, ice cave explorations, and thrilling whale watching.

Each night, enjoy comfortable accommodations at a different country hotel or guesthouse strategically chosen for the perfect location. During clear nights between September and April, these locations offer ideal opportunities to witness the Northern Lights. With advice from your guide, you can witness the ethereal show!

For more practical information about this tour, check our printable guidebook, 7 Days Around Iceland Adventure Guide.

Don’t forget to book your Flybus transfer for easy travel between Keflavik International Airport and Reykjavik.

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 holds a special place in every Icelander’s heart. It’s where the world’s oldest parliament was founded in 930 CE and now stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its rich history and geological wonders.

You’ll pass by Þingvallavatn, home to the famous Silfra fissure, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet. The rift valley’s cliffs cut right through the park—where Iceland’s past and Earth’s forces come together.

Strokkur geyser eruption in Iceland

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 in two stages.

Happy man by Seljalandsfoss waterfall

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 that 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, which 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 ones!

The day's final stop is 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! As you wander along the beach, you will also see the incredible basalt column cave.

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 on how to find the Northern Lights in the area.

Day Highlights
  • Þingvellir National Park (Thingvellir)
  • Geysir Hot Springs
  • Gullfoss Waterfall
  • Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
  • Skógafoss Waterfall
  • Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
  • Northern Lights (September-April)
Included
  • Guided minibus tour
  • Visits to Golden Circle highlights
  • Visits to the famous attractions on the South Coast
  • One-night hotel accommodation (Kirkjubaerklaustur)
Accommodation
Adventure Hotel Geirland
or similar
Travelers hiking down glacier in Iceland

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 (included in the Adventure package). 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!

Huge icebergs in Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon

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.

Icebergs at Diamond Beach in Iceland

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 lagoon. The icebergs that have 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 one of the charming seaside towns of the Southeast area. In winter, search for the Northern Lights near the hotel.

Day Highlights
  • Vatnajökull National Park
  • Crystal Ice Cave (Oct-April)
  • Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
  • The Diamond Beach (Crystal Beach)
  • Northern Lights (Sept-April)
Included
  • Breakfast at a hotel
  • Guided Glacier Hike on Vatnajökull Glacier (April - Oct) *Adventure package only
  • Visit to Crystal Ice Cave (Oct - April) *Adventure package only
  • Certified glacier guide
  • Specialized glacier gear
  • Visit to Jökulsarlón and the Diamond Beach
  • One night at a guesthouse or hotel
Accommodation
Adventure Hotel Hof

We leave the Vatnajökull National Park area, but the views stay impressive. We follow the winding roads through the East Fjords, with the coast on one side and steep mountains on the other. The narrow roads take us through quiet villages and offer great views of the calm fjord waters below.

Scenic view of an empty winding road leading towards a majestic mountain range

We stop at Djúpivogur, a small and remote fishing village. North Atlantic waves wash over its black sandy beaches, and birdlife is everywhere. In the summer, most of Iceland's birds nest here, and locals joke there are probably more birds than people. With just a few hundred residents, the village is known for being welcoming and eco-friendly.

Woman exploring exposition in Wilderness Center

We’ll stop at Egilsstaðir, a scenic town by the Lagarfljót River, known for the legend of the Largarfljót worm—a giant creature from Icelandic folklore said to occasionally appear in the lake.

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.

After settling in to your accommodations, in winter, take your chances to scout out the shimmering Northern Lights. This remote and wild region is perfect for viewing them!

Day Highlights
  • Djúpivogur Fishing Village
  • The town of Egilsstaðir
  • The Wilderness Center
  • Northern Lights (Sept-April)
Included
  • Hotel breakfast
  • Guided minibus tour in East Fjords
  • Visit to the fishing village of Djúpivogur
  • Free access to Wilderness Museum
  • One night hotel accommodation
Accommodation
Wilderness Center
or similar
Studlagil canyon from above

Today is packed with the breathtaking beauty of North Iceland. Our journey from the east into the north takes us through wild, remote landscapes, starting with the stunning Stuðlagil Canyon, one of the world’s most mesmerizing basalt rock formations.*

Godafoss waterfall during autumn

We travel from roaring glacial rivers to the geothermal area of Námaskarð, near Lake Mývatn. The ground here bubbles with boiling mud pools in red, yellow, and orange from mineral deposits. Fumaroles release sulfur-scented steam, creating a misty, colorful scene. This area is shaped by volcanic activity deep below the surface.

We continue our drive around the serene Lake Mývatn, a region known for its unique volcanic landscapes and rich birdlife. This area is truly special, with its shallow waters dotted with small islands formed by volcanic activity, making it one of Iceland’s natural treasures. 

As an optional extra, we offer a visit to the Mývatn Nature Baths, often called the "Blue Lagoon of the North." These natural hot springs are fed by geothermal waters drawn from 8,200 feet (2,500 meters) below the surface. The warm, mineral-rich water is perfect for a relaxing soak, surrounded by the peaceful beauty of northern Iceland.

We continue to the Dimmuborgir lava formations, also known as the "dark cities." Towering above us like something out of a fairytale, these dramatic lava structures were formed when the roof of a massive lava tube collapsed. Though completely natural, some formations resemble familiar shapes. Can you spot the one called The Church (Kirkjan)?

Our next stop is the majestic Goðafoss waterfall, known as the "Waterfall of the Gods." As we approach, you’ll hear the powerful rush of water cascading over the cliffs, creating a constant roar. The falls are about 98 feet (30 meters) wide, curving in a horseshoe shape, and the water plunges down 39 feet (12 meters) into a wide, rocky basin below. It has a fascinating history too, you’ll learn all about it!

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

*Please note that during winter, road conditions may prevent access to Stuðlagil. However, we'll make sure to offer other exciting activities for you to enjoy. Your safety and satisfaction are our top priorities. Thank you for your understanding.

Day Highlights
  • Stuðlagil Canyon
  • Lake Mývatn
  • Myvatn Nature Baths (optional extra)
  • Námaskarð Geothermal Area
  • Dimmuborgir Lava Formations
  • Goðafoss Waterfall
  • Northern Lights (Sept-April)
Included
  • Hotel breakfast
  • Guided minibus tour to all highlights
  • Time to explore the magnificent attractions
  • One-night hotel accommodation (Akureyri area)
Accommodation
Berjaya Akureyri Hotel
or similar

We start the day with a drive through Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland. 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. Please note this is included in the Adventure package. Humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises are usually seen. There's a 98% chance you'll see cetaceans on our tours!

Yellow and blue houses at Siglufjordur Harbor

After Dalvík, we continue through charming villages and hamlets before stopping at Siglufjörður. In the early part of the 20th 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.

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. The villages around this region 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 to the town of Laugarbakki. Your accommodation for the night will be at a country hotel in this area. Your guide can help you search for the Northern Lights at night from September to April!

Day Highlights
  • Akureyri - Capital of the North
  • Whale Watching from Dalvík
  • Trollaskagi Peninsula
  • Siglufjörður Fishing Village
  • Northern Lights (September-April)
Included
  • Breakfast at a hotel
  • Akureyri & Eyjafjörður Fjord
  • 3-hour Whale watching sail tour *Adventure package only
  • Visit to Siglufjörður
  • One night at a hotel
Accommodation
Hotel Laugarbakki
or similar
Blue waters of Barnafossar waterfall

Today, we will focus on the area around Borgarfjörður in West Iceland. Lonely Planet voted this area one of the best travel destinations.

Our first stop is Grábrók, a volcano crater. We will take a short hike to the top, where, in good visibility, there are spectacular views over the lava fields and landscapes stretching way into the distance.

Then, we head to the town of Reykholt, an important place in Icelandic history, particularly in medieval times. We will show you Snorralaug, the hot spring pool named after Snorri Sturluson, the late 12th-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.

Your next stop will be very different! We'll visit the 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!

Turf house in Reykholt town

Another fun stop today is at the Sturlureykir horse farm, where you’ll get to meet and interact with the friendly Icelandic horses, pet them, and discover more about their unique traits.

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!

Day Highlights
  • Borgarfjörður region
  • Deildartunguhver Hot Spring
  • Hraunfossar and Barnafoss Waterfalls
  • Reykholt town
  • Hike up to Grábrók volcano crater
  • Icelandic horse farm
  • Northern Lights (Sept-Apr)
Included
  • Hotel breakfast
  • Guided minibus tour
  • Visits to the highlights of Borgarfjörður
  • Visit to the historic site of Reykholt
  • One night hotel accommodation (Borgarnes area)
Accommodation
Hotel Borgarnes
or similar

Today, your 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. This region is called “Iceland in miniature” for a reason!

View of a solo white house in the village of Arnarstapi, surrounded by nature and 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 and 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' that fishermen used to lift to proclaim their strength.

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 beautiful 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. and will drop you off at your original pick-up location.

Day Highlights
  • Snæfellsnes Peninsula
  • Village of Arnarstapi
  • Djúpalónssander Black Beach
  • Mount Kirkjufell
Included
  • Hotel breakfast
  • Guided minibus tour to all highlights
  • Snæfellsness sightseeing with a guide
  • Lunch stop at a local restaurant (Food not included)

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.

  • Myvatn Nature Baths are not included in any package and must be paid for separately as an optional extra.

  • Solo travelers have to choose the single room supplement if they want a private room. Otherwise, they might be accommodated with another solo traveler of the same gender.

  • Sometimes, due to weather conditions, we may need to change the glaciers or glacier outlets on this tour. Glacier outlets might include Svínafellsjökull, Falljökull, and Sólheimajökull, all equally as beautiful.

  • We replace the glacier hike from October to April with a journey through the Crystal Ice Cave.

  • Hotels can change during your trip.

  • During the booking process, you can rent sturdy hiking boots, a waterproof jacket, and pants. Please note that these items must be ordered in advance, as they are not available for rent on-site.

Attractions Map

Explore the top attractions of the tour with our interactive map

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 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 and private bathrooms. 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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