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The Must-Dos and the Hidden Gems, make the most of your 8 Days in Iceland tour with an expert guide and group of like-minded travelers.
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In Iceland, you experience some of the most beautiful nature. Glistening glaciers, active volcanoes, powerful waterfalls, gushing geysers and colorful landscapes. Joining a guided 8-day tour in a small group will give you the opportunity to take your Iceland experience to the next level. The tour is available all year, meaning you can join us in summer as well as in winter.
The activities on Day 8 of the tour change depending on the season. During the summer, you'll hop on a super jeep tour through the remote Icelandic Highlands. In winter, you'll have the chance to ride across Langjokull Glacier on a snowmobile!
Thingvellir National Park is gorgeous and so are the tales of natural wonder waiting to be told. Skógafoss is breathtaking on its own, but have you heard of the troll that turned into stone when it stared at it? Why is Goðafoss called the waterfall of the gods? Get the full concept of why everyone loves Iceland this deeply. Go beyond!
Join this award-winning experience - TourRadar's Best Tour nominee in Iceland.
This amazing 8-day experience in Iceland will cover just about everything you might want to explore while in Iceland. Follow the famous Ring Road with a knowledgeable expert guide and like-minded travelers in a small group setting and leave filled with inspiring memories and a heart filled with love for this island of ice and fire.
Please note that activities on day 8 of the tour change depending on the season. From mid-June to the end of September we take you on a guided super jeep tour through the Icelandic Highlands. From October to mid-June, we will go on a snowmobiling tour across Langjokull Glacier, the second-largest glacier in Iceland.
The first day is all about contrasts as you will do the Golden Circle tour along with the first part of the South Coast, a route which takes you to the historical Thingvellir National Park to get to know a little about the Viking history and the geothermal element here in Iceland, second the hot spring paradise in Haukadalur home to the active Strokkur and the world-renowned Geysir, the namegiver to all the geysers in the world. Next there is the stunning Gullfoss or the Golden Waterfall which is truly an amazing sight and has a lot of history and different viewing angles that you simply must try!
The day will also include stops at the famous Seljalandsfoss waterfall “the one you can walk behind” and its brother, the endless power source of Skógafoss waterfall. From there the trip continues along the South Coast, past glaciers and volcanoes before reaching the alluring Reynisfjara black sand beach, this mystical basalt wonderland is one of these places that you will remember a lifetime. The Reynisdrangar basalt stacks in the ocean, the strong waves, the lava cave carved into a tuff mountain and the volcanic ash sand beach is sure to capture any heart!
The night will be spent in a country hotel near Kirkjubæjarklaustur, a charming village in Iceland’s south.
After joining the group for breakfast it is time to check out of this hotel and get a going because the next adventure is waiting for you.
Today we keep following the Ring Road One but this time heading further East into Skaftafell and Vatnajökull National Parks. Iceland has three national parks: Þingvellir, Vatnajökull and Snæfellsjökull – on this tour you will see them all. In Skaftafell and Vatnajökull National Parks you will find amazing sights such as Iceland’s highest peak Hvannadalshnúkur, the alluring Svínafellsjökull and Falljökull outlet glaciers and the extraordinary Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.
Today you will hike on one of the two outlets from Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier and the tour will be led by a certified glacier guide who will be with you every step of the way in the exciting experience. Equipped with all the necessary glacier equipment the journey starts. These glacier tongues are amazing places, with crevasses, moulins that can drill down to the base of the glacier and a plethora of amazing vistas for you to explore. Our guides love to be asked questions and talk about this natural playfield they like to spend their days at, so don’t be too shy to ask!
After this exciting adventure, it’s time to cool down a bit and what betting way of doing exactly that than to enjoy the vista of a glacier lagoon. The multi-colored icebergs and blocks float quietly in the enormous lagoon right of Ring Road 1 and you can easily walk around its beach to enjoy it from different points of view. The icebergs break off from the Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier and drop into the lagoon where they then melt and end up at the pitch black volcanic sand beach called Breiðarmerkursandur. When the icebergs then sit there, bathing in the sun the look of them is like glistening diamond and that is why the beach is often called the Diamond Beach. A must visit with the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon stop!
In the evening we will lay down our heads at the comfortable accommodation in the South East area, a very pleasant seaside town.
Today we take on the Eastfjords in Iceland as we continue our tour. Vatnajökull will still continue to follow us the beginning of the route providing truly spectacular scenery. The roads starts to twist and turn and the mountains get closer and steeper as the travel takes you into the Eastfjords. Our point of interest is Egilsstaðir where the mystical Lagarfljót River flows, home to the “Icelandic Loch Ness Monster”. Tales of the giant Largarfljót worm, which is said to show itself from time to time, are firmly established within Icelandic folklore tales and the guide will tell you all about it. Egilsstaðir is often called the capital of the East but many find the smaller villages to host the strongest charm and so along the way the way we stop off at Djúpivogur, a small and really remote fishing village. The North Atlantic waves wash over the black sandy beach and a rich birdlife thrives in the area. Djúpivogur is home to just over 1100 people greatly outnumbered by the wildlife around. As a community Djúpivogur is known for its reputation as welcoming and being strongly committed to eco issues.
We will finish the day by reaching the Wilderness Center, a historic hub and museum in Northern Europe's vast wilderness. Here, you can enjoy outdoor activities and exhibitions, experiencing authentic Icelandic life. Explore exhibits on highland living and Icelandic history at the museum for free during your stay! After your adventures, unwind in the warm pool at the bathing house and stay in charming historic buildings while enjoying local cuisine.
The accommodation for the night will be in Egilsstaðir.
Out of the Reindeer Kingdom in the East and into the Icelandic Horse Paradise in the North. Today we drive from the charming Egilsstaðir to Stuðlagil Canyon, one of the world’s most enchanting basalt rock formations.
Next, we head to the surreal Námaskarð geothermal area, filled with colorful mud pools and fumaroles wafting clouds of steam and hot gases and with the geothermal mindset already in place we make a stop at Lake Mývatn.
Fresh and clean from the awesome natural baths 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. The feeling of standing in Dimmuborgir is like no other and many talk about the experience as one of the most eye-opening ones in Iceland.
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.
Our next destination is the famous Mývatn Nature Baths, a calm spot near Lake Mývatn where you can soak in warm geothermal waters. Whether you're relaxing in the pools or exploring the nearby saunas and relaxation areas, it's a peaceful getaway amidst Iceland's northern scenery. (Optional extra)
We will stay at a country hotel in Akureyri, the second-largest city in Iceland.
After a night spent in the beautiful Akureyri, the capital of the North we start making our way onwards West before going back down South. The first stop of the day is an exciting one as Dalvík is home to the most amazing Whale Watching Tours, known as the place with the greatest success rate and the place to see the most variety in marine life!
You will step on a boat led by absolute experts to chase whales, dolphins, and vivid birdlife and your guide will make sure you get the absolute most out of the experience. Humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises are the most common but Blue Whales and seals are often seen as well.
The road then takes us along the Tröllaskagi e. Troll Peninsula and you will see the adorable farm life and little villages along the route, one of them being the vibrant Siglufjörður. There we will make a stop and get to know this important place in Icelandic history.
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 had somewhat of a gold-rush atmosphere. Today, the great shoals of herring are long gone, but the rich history and character of those times in Siglufjörður are very well-preserved. After a photogenic stop in the Sail Fjord (Siglufjörður) we travel onwards through Skagafjörður and Húnavatnassýsla both known for their endless fields of colorful Icelandic horses.
Your accommodation for the night will be at a country hotel in Laugarbakki.
Today we wake up in a lave paradise in the Borgarfjörður area in West Iceland which won Lonely Planet’s award for one of the best travel destinations in 2016. Our first stop of the day is quite unusual for most travelers but one of our very favorite, the lesser known but completely miraculous Grábrók Volcanic Crater. The hike to the top to look into the crater is a short one and well worth it as both the trail and the final view are like something from a movie.
The next stop on the road shows a completely different side to the power of Icelandic nature, after the volcanic power there is the geothermal. We are visiting Europe’s most powerful hot spring, Deildartunguhver. This rainbow colored hot spring provides over 90% of the hot water utilized in the area.
Back on the road, we are heading towards Hraunfossar waterfalls where ice cold glacial water drips at a rapid speed down in a cascade forming the most awe-inspiring sight. The sister fall to Hraunfossar is the wonderful Barnafoss waterfall known for its intensely blue colors and pitch black lava pathway.
The final stop of the day is at Smoky Hill or Reykholt which serves as a very important factor in Iceland’s history as it was home to one of Iceland most remarkable poets and historians. Snorri Sturluson was a 12th-century scholar who wrote Snorra-Edda which for is truly a unique insight into life in the Viking times.
After a day of wonders you are driven through the very pleasant Borgarfjörður countryside, you are dropped off at your hotel in Borgarnes.
Today, we will explore the beautiful Snæfellsnes Peninsula which has earned the nickname “miniature Iceland” for a very good reason. This region features all of the most remarkable natural attractions that Iceland is so famous for. The scenery is incredibly diverse. Snæfellsnes has a stunning, glacier-capped volcano surrounded by rough lava fields. Some of Iceland’s most dramatic rocky beaches and sea stacks are found here, along with one of the largest seal colonies.
We will continue our drive through the peaceful countryside. Breathtaking mountains and ocean views will surround us the entire way. We will stop at two lovely coastal fishing villages, Arnarstapi and Hellnar. These two remarkable sites are very close to each other. A beautiful natural harbor, columnar rock formations, arch rocks, and basalt caves await our exploration. We will visit a cozy café where you will be given the chance to enjoy lunch (food and drink are not included) with a stunning view of the coast.
Next, we head into Snæfellsnes National Park. We will have the chance to go for a short hike through the moss-covered landscape and admire the views of the Snæfellsjökull glacier towering over us.
One of the oddest natural attractions on the peninsula can be seen from kilometers away. The strange, giant Lóndrangar sea stacks dominate the landscape even from a distance. The stacks are 75 and 61-meters (246 and 200-feet) high and together look like a dark castle. It is said that they belong to the elves living in the area so no one dares disturb them.
Our next stop is the dramatic Djúpalónssandur beach. This stunning black sand beach stretches between crazily shaped cliffs and marvelous lava formations. You will get time to explore or to even to try your strength at the “lifting stones.” These stones are used by fishermen who lift them to display their strength. A picturesque shipwreck, the British Trawler, is the other gem of this beach. This mystical and truly enchanting place might one of the top three most remarkable beaches in Iceland.
On our way back to Reykjavík, our next stop will be at Kirkjufell, the famous Church mountain. It is, without doubt, one of Iceland’s most iconic landmarks. The symmetrical mountain with its picturesque waterfalls in the foreground looks like the perfectly idyllic postcard picture.
As we leave the peninsula behind, we return to Reykjavík to drop you off at your hotel in the capital area.
Please note that on this day our activities depend on the season. From mid-June to the end of September, we will take you on the Landmannalaugar Super Jeep Tour in the Central Highlands of Iceland. From October to mid-June, we will go on a snowmobiling tour on Langjokull Glacier (you have to have a valid driver's license). During the summer, we will take off from Reykjavík along the South Coast but this time, we are going straight into the highlands! This region is definitely off the beaten path.
Past farmlands and the voluminous volcano Hekla we make our way off the Ring Road and into the wild, where variations of flora and fauna vary in incredible ways. We will drive to the vicinity of a lava field formed during a volcanic eruption in the year 2000 eruption. From this mountaintop, you will have the chance to explore as far as the eye can see, with glaciers, volcanoes and untamed nature all around. The Landmannalaugar area is often called a geothermal paradise and its mountains are without equal. Remember to bring a bathing suit as right under the banks of the lava field that sits in the center of the area you will find the most alluring hot baths where you can soak in natural hot waters. This experience is authentic without comparison!
This Highlands excursion is the perfect way to end your tour around the country and will ensure you check those final items off your Iceland bucket list.
During the winter, we will pick you up from your accommodation in Reykjavik with a Super Jeep! We’ll head towards Langjokull Glacier Base Camp, where you’ll be provided all the necessary snowmobiling equipment: helmet, balaclava, and an overall suit.
Then your certified snowmobile guide will show you how to operate a snowmobile. Don’t worry if you don’t have any snowmobiling experience, beginners are welcome!
Langjokull Glacier in the Icelandic Highlands is the second-largest glacier in Iceland. Translated from Icelandic it means “the long glacier.” Loved by locals and travelers alike, the glacier is surrounded by breathtaking panoramic views. Your ride will last for about an hour and you’ll be able to witness the stunning wonderland of Langjokull in winter.
At the end of the day, we will drive you back to Reykjavík and drop you off at your selected drop-off location around 9 p.m.
Our multi-day tours are operated in a minibus which will give you a small group experience and a better connection with the guide.
Accommodation is included during your multi-day tour which is often booked far in advance. By booking with us, you don’t have to worry about finding an accommodation during the time of the tour. Staying overnight in the countryside gives you the opportunity to explore Iceland further and experience places that you would normally not be able to on a one day tour. Note that Adventure packages do not include accommodation.
You’ll have an English speaking licensed adventure guide throughout the tour that will be able to tell you about everything you will see along the way and knows where the best locations to stop by are to give you the absolute best experience.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Most of the hotels we use during our tours are remotely located and therefore ideal to spot 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 and therefore we can unfortunately never promise that 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 have a look at our blog about Northern Lights.
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.
If you're having trouble booking your tour, please note that we accept payments in Canadian Dollars (CAD), American Dollars (USD), British Pounds (GBP), Euros (EUR), and Icelandic Króna (ISK). Start by checking with your credit card provider to ensure they allow payments in your selected currency.
Sometimes, your credit card company may need to pre-authorize the transaction before you can complete your booking online.
If you're still facing issues while trying to book through our website, please reach out to our Customer Care Team. We’re here to help you!
