Travel Code: IC004
Reykjavík – Geysir – Gullfoss – Þingvellir – Skaftafell National Park – Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon – Dettifoss – Húsavík – Mývatn – Goðafoss Waterfall – Akureyri – Skagafjörður
During this 9 day/8 night journey, discover the best of Iceland on your own with a detailed itinerary that offers a wealth of unparalleled sites.
9 days/8 nights | Recommended Itinerary
Depart US on your transatlantic flight from your gateway city.
Reykjavík
Arrive in Reykjavík and transfer by Flybussen to your city-center hotel. Pick up your documents at the hotel including a clearly marked road map. Enjoy a day of leisure to catch up on jet lag and explore this vibrant city.
Accommodations: Hotel Klopp, a newly refurbished hotel in a perfect location
Reykjavík – Mýrdalsjökull
Start your journey with a fabulous drive to see some of Iceland’s highlights: Þingvellir National Park, a place of great geological and historical interest, the spectacular Gullfoss Waterfall and Geysir hot-springs area. Travel along the south shore, viewing Skógafoss Waterfall, the black beaches around Vík and the Mýdalsjökull Glacier.
Accommodations: Mýrdalsjökull Glacier area
Optional: Snow-scooter tour on Mýrdalsjökull Glacier
Mýrdalsjökull – Höfn
After breakfast, meander through the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur and explore Skaftafell National Park, a green oasis nestled below the great Vatnajokull Glacier surrounded by black volcanic sands. Continue to Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon and then on to the harbor town, Höfn.
Accommodations: Höfn area
Optional: Boat tour on Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon, glacier hike in Skaftafell area.
Höfn – Stöðvarfjörður
Today’s drive is along the rugged, varied coastline of the East Fjords, with their towering mountains and charming fishing villages. On the way, there is an option of taking a boat tour to Papey Island to see the thousands of puffins nesting in summer, or visit the famous stone collection of Petra at Stöðvarfjörður.
Accommodations: Stöðvarfjörður area
Optional: Boat tour to Papey Island, Petra’s Stone Collection.
Stöðvarfjörður – Húsavík
Continue on your memorable journey across the Mörudalsöræfi Highlands, renowned for their stark beauty, to Dettifoss, Europe’s mightiest waterfall. From there, visit the magnificent horseshoe-shaped canyon, Ásbyrgi. Culminate your day on the Tjörnes Peninsula at Húsavík fishing port.
Accommodations: Húsavík area
Optional: Whale watching at Húsavík
Húsavík – Akureyri
Head over to Lake Mývatn area for numerous highlights: the strange volcanic formations at Dimmuborgir, the pseudocraters at Skútustaðir, the colorful sulfurous slopes of Námaskarðand Krafla Volcano. Drive on to Goðafoss Waterfall, the town of Akureyri or Skagafjörður.
Accommodations: Akureyri area
Akureyri – Reykjavík
Awaken and drive through the historical region of Skagafjörður, renowned for horse breeding. There is an option of visiting the old farmstead of Glaumbær, a great example of Old Icelandic architecture. Continue to the bay of Húnaflói and across Holtavörðuheiði Plateau, returning to Reykjavík in the late afternoon.
**Another option is to travel across the barren Kjölur Highlands (4WD needed, track open from mid-June), to the geothermal oasis at Hveravellir and onward to Reykjavík.
Accommodations: Hotel Klopp, a newly refurbished hotel in a perfect location
Optional: River rafting in Skagafjörður, horseback riding in Skagafjörður
Reykjavík
After your final Icelandic breakfast, make your way to the airport on the Flybussen.
- + Day 1
-
Depart US on your transatlantic flight from your gateway city.
- + Day 2
-
Reykjavík
Arrive in Reykjavík and transfer by Flybussen to your city-center hotel. Pick up your documents at the hotel including a clearly marked road map. Enjoy a day of leisure to catch up on jet lag and explore this vibrant city.
Accommodations: Hotel Klopp, a newly refurbished hotel in a perfect location
- + Day 3
-
Reykjavík – Mýrdalsjökull
Start your journey with a fabulous drive to see some of Iceland’s highlights: Þingvellir National Park, a place of great geological and historical interest, the spectacular Gullfoss Waterfall and Geysir hot-springs area. Travel along the south shore, viewing Skógafoss Waterfall, the black beaches around Vík and the Mýdalsjökull Glacier.
Accommodations: Mýrdalsjökull Glacier area
Optional: Snow-scooter tour on Mýrdalsjökull Glacier - + Day 4
-
Mýrdalsjökull – Höfn
After breakfast, meander through the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur and explore Skaftafell National Park, a green oasis nestled below the great Vatnajokull Glacier surrounded by black volcanic sands. Continue to Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon and then on to the harbor town, Höfn.
Accommodations: Höfn area
Optional: Boat tour on Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon, glacier hike in Skaftafell area. - + Day 5
-
Höfn – Stöðvarfjörður
Today’s drive is along the rugged, varied coastline of the East Fjords, with their towering mountains and charming fishing villages. On the way, there is an option of taking a boat tour to Papey Island to see the thousands of puffins nesting in summer, or visit the famous stone collection of Petra at Stöðvarfjörður.
Accommodations: Stöðvarfjörður area
Optional: Boat tour to Papey Island, Petra’s Stone Collection. - + Day 6
-
Stöðvarfjörður – Húsavík
Continue on your memorable journey across the Mörudalsöræfi Highlands, renowned for their stark beauty, to Dettifoss, Europe’s mightiest waterfall. From there, visit the magnificent horseshoe-shaped canyon, Ásbyrgi. Culminate your day on the Tjörnes Peninsula at Húsavík fishing port.
Accommodations: Húsavík area
Optional: Whale watching at Húsavík - + Day 7
-
Húsavík – Akureyri
Head over to Lake Mývatn area for numerous highlights: the strange volcanic formations at Dimmuborgir, the pseudocraters at Skútustaðir, the colorful sulfurous slopes of Námaskarðand Krafla Volcano. Drive on to Goðafoss Waterfall, the town of Akureyri or Skagafjörður.
Accommodations: Akureyri area
- + Day 8
-
Akureyri – Reykjavík
Awaken and drive through the historical region of Skagafjörður, renowned for horse breeding. There is an option of visiting the old farmstead of Glaumbær, a great example of Old Icelandic architecture. Continue to the bay of Húnaflói and across Holtavörðuheiði Plateau, returning to Reykjavík in the late afternoon.
**Another option is to travel across the barren Kjölur Highlands (4WD needed, track open from mid-June), to the geothermal oasis at Hveravellir and onward to Reykjavík.
Accommodations: Hotel Klopp, a newly refurbished hotel in a perfect location
Optional: River rafting in Skagafjörður, horseback riding in Skagafjörður - + Day 9
-
Reykjavík
After your final Icelandic breakfast, make your way to the airport on the Flybussen.