Guided Iceland Circle – Escorted tour
Sold by: Makeajourney.co.uk LTDJoin an amazing escorted bus tour around Iceland. Explore the island of fire and ice and travel with an international group on Iceland's ring road. Discover stunning scenery and dramatic landscapes. A local expert guide helps you explore the unspoilt Icelandic countryside with volcanoes, lava fields, hot springs, mountains, fjords, glaciers and waterfalls. This escorted tour takes you both to classic nature hotspots and lesser-known sights. The tour includes several soft adventures and cultural visits. Some outdoor activities might differ between seasons depending on weather and road conditions. Maximum group size: 30 people.
Itinerary:
- Arrival (Hotel transfer not included).
- Volcano Crater, Seals, Fjords & Mountains.
- The Capital of North Iceland, Lake Mývatn & Geothermal Bathsday 4 – Horses & Golden Circle.
- Lava Labyrinth, Hot Springs & Travel East.
- Fjords, Glacier and Ice.
- South Coast.
- Icelandic Horses & Golden Circle.
- Departure.
Overview:
- Arrival & departure airport transfer by FLYBUS Plus shuttle (no guide) is included.
- Fully escorted 6-day bus tour with an English speaking guide and visit to natural history & seal museum in Hvammstangi is included in this package.
- Seven nights accommodation in Iceland with in rooms shower facilities with seven days breakfast is included.
- Visit to Viðimýri turf church, Entrance with towel at Mývatn Nature Baths and admission to Petra’s Stone and Mineral Collection in the East Fjords are some of the Highlights in this package.
- Multimedia presentation at Eyjafjallajökull Volcano Information Centre and Visiting Icelandic horse stables & geothermal greenhouse are included within the package.
- For winter departures Snow & ice gripper spikes and a flashlight are provided.
DAY 01 – Arrival
Airport arrival, transfer to hotel is not included.
Note: Overnight stay in Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura or a similar hotel.
DAY 02 – Volcano crater, seals, fjords & mountains
At 09:00 meet your tour guide & depart from Icelandair Hotel Natura. The journey begins west passing the town of Borgarnes & climbing the Grábrók volcano crater. In the afternoon you will visit a natural history & seal museum in a small fishing village in Northwest Iceland and stroll around the local harbour. Further north you stop at the turf church of Víðimýri which has been extensively restored to its original form and is widely considered as one of the purest and most beautiful examples of traditional Icelandic architecture. The journey then continues along the scenic fjord landscape and over several mountain passes until you reach Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland.
Note: Overnight stay in Icelandair Hotel Akureyri or a similar hotel.
DAY 03 – The Capital of North Iceland, Lake Mývatn & Geothermal Bathsday 4 – Horses & Golden Circle
In the morning you explore Akureyri, a charming town of 17000 inhabitants, visit the botanical garden and enjoy the panoramic view over Eyjafjörður fjord. In the afternoon you travel to an important spot in Iceland’s history, Goðafoss, the waterfalls of the Gods. Continue to Lake Mývatn which is known for its geological wonders and active bird life during summer. The next stop will be the bizarre lava formations at Kálfaströnd followed by a walk around the many pseudocraters. You can then end your day soaking in the Mývatn Nature Baths.
Note: Overnight stay in the Húsavík area.
Day 04 – Lava Labyrinth, Hot Springs & Travel East
After breakfast you begin hiking through the lava labyrinth of Dimmuborgir “the dark castles”. After an optional lunch, you visit the hot spring area of Námaskarð with bubbling mud pools and steaming solfataras, before heading to East Iceland. Here you will have the chance to spot some arctic fox’s & reindeers. From June to August the tour includes a detour to Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall in the northern part of Vatnajökull National Park.
Note: Overnight stay in Borgarfjörður Eystri.
DAY 05 – Fjords, Glacier And Ice
Today you will explore the East Fjords. Visit Vatnajökull – Europe’s biggest glacier, visible from all over Southeast Iceland. You will then pass through the town of Höfn, before stopping at Jökulsárlón, a glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs. Here you may have the chance to see some seals while you explore the black sand beaches. Depending on the season optional boat trips are available. The journey then continues along the southern part of the glacier Vatnajökull to Europe’s largest national park.
Note: Overnight stay in Icelandair Hotel Kirkjubæjarklaustur or Hotel Höfn.
DAY 06 – South Coast
On day six you will head across the Eldhraun lava field on your way to Reynisfjara where you can stroll along the black lava beach. The journey then continues to Skógafoss waterfall which is 60 meters high and is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country. Further west you stop at the Eyjafjallajökull Information Centre and learn about living next to a glacier and an active volcano, before continuing to the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall which plunges over the mountain.
Note: Overnight stay in icelandair Hotel Flúðir, Hotel Eyjafjallajökull or Hotel Fljótshlíð.
DAY 07 – Icelandic Horses & Golden Circle
Today you will travel along the route of the Golden Circle. The day starts at Friðheimar, where you learn about the Icelandic horse, its special qualities and history and visit a geothermal greenhouse. Later you will visit the hot springs and geysers in the area. The journey then continues to Gullfoss, “the golden falls”, which is a double waterfall that tumbles 34 meters into the Hvítá river and attracts travellers in summer and winter. The day ends in Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, before heading back to Reykjavík to have a short city tour to show the highlights of the world’s northernmost capital.
Note: Overnight stay in Icelandair Hotel Natura or a similar hotel.
DAY 08 – Departure
Airport departure transfer.
