Iceland: See & Do it ALL in 9 Days
Highlights
►Witnessing Aurora Borealis/Northern Lights (seasonal)
►Hiking a Caldera, Craters, Glaciers & Volcanoes
►Bathing in a Natural & Steaming Spa (a.k.a. the Blue Lagoon)
►Geothermal Attractions: Geysers, Lava Fields, Mud Pools, Sulphur Springs & Hot Springs
►Exploring an Ice Cave (seasonal)
►Dogsledding & Snowmobiling (seasonal)
►Whale Watching
►Seeing Nature at its Most Pristine: Icebergs, Canyons, a Black Beach, Waterfalls, Lakes & National Parks
►Meeting Friendly Natives
►And Much, Much More…
Type of Tour : Adventure & Sightseeing
Fully Guided? All tours are almost fully guided.
Although virtually all actives on this multi-day tour are shared with other travelers, we can make the trip almost completely private, per your request.
Are Solo Travelers Welcomed?
Yes & There are No Supplemental Fees for the Tours!
Dates & Availability for the Next 12 Months. Any Date w/ 7-Day Notice (some exceptions are made)
Prices are subject to changed until booked.
This tour can be extended if you would like some time to just relax.
Itinerary
Day 1: Whale Watching & Checking Out the Northern Lights
Our tour starts in Iceland's second most visited city, Akureyri. Get ready to go on a whale watching tour. From October to early March, also included is a night tour to an area where we see the northern lights.
Day 2: Hiking a Caldera & Bathing in a Crater OR Snowmobiling & Dog Sledding
Today’s daytrip destination(s) and activities depend on the season you are visiting. From June 15 through the end of October, we first hike Askja Caldera and then visit a crater called Viti, the latter of which offers a pond where we go bathing.
From December 1 to April 15, we take a 1-hour drive from Akureyri to the Lake Mývatn area. There we go both snowmobiling and dogsledding. Per your request, we can switch snowmobiling and dogsledding with bathing at a ‘fashionable’ geothermal spa called Sky Lagoon, located near to the capital.
Day 3: A Lake Created by Large Basaltic Lava, a Geothermal Area & Powerful Waterfalls
As a daytrip from Akureyri, we are taken on a tour to Goðafoss Waterfall, Lake Mývatn, a geothermal area called Hverir and Dettifoss Waterfall. Goðafoss waterfall has a height of 12 meters over a width of 30 meters. Lake Mývatn was created by a large basaltic lava which erupted 2,300 years ago. The surrounding landscape is dominated by volcanic landforms, including lava pillars. Dettifoss is reputed to be the second most powerful waterfall in Europe.
Day 4: The "Golden Circle," Featuring a Geyser, Waterfall & National Park
We relocate from Akureyri to Reykjavík and soon thereafter start touring the so-called ‘Golden Circle’. Destinations for today include Gullfoss Waterfall, Geysir/Strokkur geyser and Þingvellir National Park (a.k.a. Thingvellir National Park). Gullfoss is 32 meters tall and features not 1 but 2 drops. Geysir’s eruptions can hurl boiling water up to 70 meters in the air. Þingvellir is notable for its unusual tectonic and volcanic environment in a rift valley.
*On your free time, we recommend you visit Reykjavík’s architecturally impressive Hallgrimskirkja Church. The views from atop the tower are great. The hours of operation are 9:00am to 5:00pm October through April and 9:00am to 9:00pm May through September. The church tower closes half an hour before the general closing time. It is also closed on Sundays during mass.
Day 5: 1 of the 10 Most Beautiful Beaches on Earth & More Waterfalls
We leave Reykjavík and start the journey along the southeast coast. Highlights for today include Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, Skógafoss Waterfall and the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. We end up lodging in the Skaftafell area. The Seljalandsfoss Waterfall drops 60 meters. Visitors can walk behind the falls into a fascinating cave. Skógafoss is one of the biggest waterfalls in the country, with a width of 25 meters and a drop of 60 meters. Reynisfjara was ranked by National Geographic as one of the ten most beautiful non-tropical beaches on Earth.
Day 6: Huge Icebergs, Exploring an Ice Cave, a Surreal Looking Waterfall & a Diamond Beach
Today we head back to Reykjavík. Destinations to be visited en route include Skaftafell Nature Reserve, Jökulsárlón Glacial Lake, the natural ice cave at Vatnajökull National Park and Diamond Beach.
Skaftafell’s landscape is similar to some of the Alps. The difference is Skaftafell has been formed over thousands of years by different influences of fire and water.
Jökulsárlón Lake provides outstanding views of icebergs which rise to a height of 910 meters. Jökulsárlón has been a setting for four Hollywood movies: (1) A View to a Kill, (2) Die Another Day, (3) Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and (4) Batman Begins.
Vatnajökull’s ice cave contains canals for water which run through or at the bottom of the glacier. Diamond Beach features icebergs which float onto the shore from Jökulsárlón.
*Note that the surreal looking Svartifoss Waterfall is sometimes-but not always-included on today’s tour. It depends on many factors, including the weather. Also, note that the ice cave is not open June through September. It is open only during the winter season.
Day 7: Bathing Inside a Geothermal Spa & Mud Pools, Hot Springs & Craters
From Reykjavík, we make a daytrip to the Reykjanes Peninsula: Lake Kleifarvatn, a geothermal area called Krýsuvík, Gunnuhver’s mud pools and hot springs and the Blue Lagoon. Krýsuvík consists of several geothermal fields. Here solfataras, fumaroles, mud pots and hot springs have formed. The soil is colored bright yellow, red and green. Nearby are several craters which were created by the explosions of overheated groundwater. The Blue Lagoon, one of the most visited attractions in Iceland, is a geothermal spa. There we enjoy bathing inside the warm water.
Day 8: Hiking a Valley Characterized by Volcanoes, Canyons, a Glacier, a Crater & a Waterfall
From Reykjavík, we make another daytrip today. From April through October, we are provided with two options for hiking around Thorsmork Valley. The first option is a 14-hour tour which is even prettier than the standard tour. Nonetheless, it is recommended only for those who are physically fit. Highlights include a volcano called Fimmvorduhals, another volcano called Eyjafjallajokull, a waterfall called Seljalandsfoss, a glacier called Gígjökull, a crater called Magni and another crater called Modi.
The other tour option is offered year-around and is meant for just about anyone who has good enough health. The destination is still Thorsmork Valley. The highlights for this tour, however, differ a bit from the more physically fit, 14-hour tour. The highlights are Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, Stakkholtsgjá Canyon, Nauthúsagil Canyon and Gígjökull Glacier.
Day 9: Our Tour Ends Today
Reykjavík is the final destination on our tour around Iceland. Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport.
This tour can be extended if you would like some time to just relax.
What's Included
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lodging included for all nights on this tour
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Transportation, except flights
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Tour guides
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Breakfasts
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Activities
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Entry fees
This price is based on 2 per room
and is offered to those booking at least 6 weeks in advance
What’s Excluded
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Any airfare
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Alcohol
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Travel insurance
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Any government-imposed visa fees
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Anything not mentioned in the itinerary
Please Note
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Travel Insurance is required for this tour. You will be asked to provide your Travel insurance information after your booking is confirmed. It must cover cancellations, medical expenses, evacuations, flight loss or delays and 24/7 assistance.
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As much as we want for this trip to go exactly as planned, we can't predicted complications that may arise; due to inclement weather and/or closures due to uncontrollable circumstances like Covid-19. We will do our very best to make onsite scheduling adjustments as needed, but please note that all listed and intended activities are weather permitting. No refunds will be given if an activity has to be pulled. Additionally, the tour is listed as a package, and no price adjustments will be given if someone wants to "opt-out" of an included activity
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Not liable to any losses, damages, accidents, injuries, death, or sickness during your trip. The same applies to any changes in trip schedule due to weather, strikes, or any other force majeure. Service providers reserve the right to change routes, schedules, and itineraries if needed because of weather, road conditions or should the necessity arise because of unforeseen reasons or circumstances.
Contact me to book or if you have questions
Tell me the dates you want to go & I can give you the most up-to-date price.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that you protect your investment with travel insurance. Cancellation and interruption insurance covers in case of cancellation due to an insurable reason. We require adequate out of country medical insurance for unforeseen medical emergencies while traveling. The All Inclusive Plan includes emergency and health coverage and cancellation/interruption insurance. The rate for travel insurance is determined by the cost of the tour (can be increased to cover flights and other extras), the length of travel and your age.
Terms & Conditions
It is the responsibility of the passengers to verify documentation requirements directly with the embassy or consulate of the country of travel. Customs and/or immigration officials can deny a person entry into their country at their own discretion. We strongly recommend traveling with a passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date. Please be aware that different living standards and practices exist outside of North America including but not limited to provisions of utilities, accommodations and services of all kinds.
One Who Loves Travel cannot be held responsible for any errors, omissions or mistakes in this form. Your reservation is subject to the rules and conditions of the tour operator