Highlights
- Plunge the depths of the Þríhnúkagígur volcano's 4,500-year-old magma chamber
- Soar over thundering waterfalls as you paraglide over the south coast
- Get up close and personal with vast glaciers on kayaking and climbing excursions
- Spend a night amid wildlife and the stars in a luxury pod at the Bubble Hotel
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Reykjavík, Sky Ritual Spa, Culinary Adventure in the Capital | Reykjavík |
| Day 2 | Explore Inside the Þríhnúkagígur Volcano | Reykjavík |
| Day 3 | Discover the Wonders of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula | Reykjavík |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Golden Circle via Silfra Snorkeling, Bubble Hotel Experience | Golden Circle |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Vík via Highlights of South Iceland & Reynisfjara Paragliding | Vík |
| Day 6 | Sólheimajökull Glacier Climbing, Quad Biking in Mýrdalsjökull | Vík |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Jökulsárlón via Canyons, Glaciers & Waterfalls | Jökulsárlón |
| Day 8 | Stokksnes Peninsula Tour, Heinabergslón Lagoon Kayak Adventure | Jökulsárlón |
| Day 9 | Transfer to Skaftafell via Fjallsárlón Lagoon | Skaftafell |
| Day 10 | Transfer to Hella via Þakgil & Seljavallalaug, Viking Dining Experience | Hella |
| Day 11 | Eyjafjallajökull Glacier & Þórsmörk Valley Super Jeep Tour | Hella |
| Day 12 | Transfer to Reykjanes Peninsula & The Retreat at Blue Lagoon | Reykjanes Peninsula |
| Day 13 | Spa Day at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, Dine at Lava Restaurant | Reykjanes Peninsula |
| Day 14 | Transfer to Keflavík, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Reykjavík, Sky Ritual Spa, Culinary Adventure in the Capital
Welcome to Iceland! The "Land of Fire and Ice" is home to some of Europe's most dramatic and diverse landscapes, steeped in myth and legends. Upon arrival at the airport, your driver will be waiting to transfer you to nearby Reykjavík, the country's refreshingly modern capital. Check into 5-star luxury at The Reykjavík Edition, where rooms blend copper details, elegant Scandinavian design, and individual furnishings from local artisans. Suites enjoy uninterrupted views of the harbor, Mount Esja, and the glacier-capped Snæfellsjökull volcano.
Before you get settled at your hotel, start your vacation with an indulgent pampering session at the award-winning Sky Lagoon geothermal spa. It's a quick 15-minute transfer to the spa, where the next few hours are yours to unwind and immerse yourself in the spa's seven-step Sky Ritual experience. Enjoy the therapeutic benefits of centuries-old Icelandic wellness practices, with contrasting water temperatures, heat, steam, and fresh air, while luxuriating in the spa's infinity edge design with expansive ocean views.
Refreshed and ready to go, your driver will drop you back at your hotel, where the rest of the evening is yours to check out the capital's first-class dining scene. From traditional Icelandic delicacies (fermented shark meat) to Michelin-starred chefs and innovative fusion restaurants, you'll find all taste buds catered for here. Fish lovers should try the Fiskmarkaðurinn (The Fish Market), which specializes in seafood and excellent sushi. Meanwhile, vegans are well catered for at Kol, an impressive fusion restaurant, while the Grillmarkaðurinn (The Grill Market) is strictly for carnivores.
Day 2: Explore Inside the Þríhnúkagígur Volcano
Enjoy a relaxed morning in Reykjavík, perhaps popping out for a stroll and a pastry at one of the cafés that line the main drag. Then, head back to your hotel, ready to set off for today's adventure. The dormant Þríhnúkagígur volcano lies just 20 miles (33 km) outside the capital and last erupted 4,500 years ago, leaving behind the only accessible lava chamber on Earth. Your journey begins with a private transfer to the lava fields that surround Þríhnúkagígur. Here, you'll start a moderate 45-minute hike through the fields and valleys until you reach the crater.
The fun begins when you descend 400 feet (120 m) into the volcano via an open cable lift. With a vast ground space equivalent to three full-sized basketball courts, there's plenty to explore as you follow a series of pathways toward the magma chamber alongside your expert guide. Take time to admire the beautiful colors and rock formations before returning to the surface. Your guide will drop you back at your hotel in time for dinner and drinks in Reykjavík.
Day 3: Discover the Wonders of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Today's destination is the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, often called "Little Iceland," which contains all of the country's diversity and natural wonders within 56 miles (96 km). You'll spend the day touring the peninsula with your driver, who'll be on hand to suggest lunch recommendations and several secret spots only the locals know about.
Your first stop is the striking 19th-century Búðakirkja, an isolated, much-photographed black wooden chapel. Make your way across the lava fields of Búðahraun and the Búðaklettur crater, and continue along the coast, pausing at the tiny villages of Arnastapi and Hellnar. There's plenty to admire here, with the famous Lóndrangar lava formations and the evocative black-sand beach at Djúpalónssandur. Follow the small trail along the cliffs, and you'll see the impressive Dritvík Cove before driving to the Saxhóll crater for sweeping views of the Atlantic.
You'll continue your drive with a visit to the photogenic Mount Kirkjufell with its steeple-like peak and Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall—both featured in "Game of Thrones." Stop for refreshments in nearby Grundarfjörður, and when you're ready, return to your hotel, where you'll have plenty of time to relax in the stylish bar or make use of the sauna and spa facilities before an aperitif and your dinner reservation.
Day 4: Transfer to Golden Circle via Silfra Snorkeling, Bubble Hotel Experience
Enjoy a hearty Icelandic breakfast this morning as you have a jam-packed day ahead, and it starts with a truly memorable bucket-list moment. You're off to the Þingvellir National Park, the first stop on Iceland's famous Golden Circle: a 190-mile (300 km) route featuring some of South Iceland's most popular natural attractions. While the park is notable for sites such as Law Rock (the site of the world's first parliament), it's most famous for the extraordinary Silfra fissure, a rift in a crystalline lake created by the separation of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
After a 1.5-hour drive south, it's here, at Silfra, that you'll embark on a private snorkeling tour, where your guide will lead you through the fissure's narrowest section as you float between the continents. As the fissure widens, the full spectrum of Silfra's colors and clarity (this is one of Earth's clearest bodies of water) becomes apparent. Enjoy a mug of cocoa once you're back on dry land, then continue to the route's other highlights. These include the mighty Gullfoss waterfall, the regularly erupting Strokkur geyser, and the 3,000-year-old Kerið crater with its turquoise lake.
After the tour, you'll make the most of your scenic location and spend the night surrounded by nature at the Bubble Hotel. Combining innovation, luxury, and the awe-inspiring landscape, the bubble hotel's transparent pods are exactly that: clear dome-shaped rooms featuring a cozy double bed where you can fall asleep under the stars (or midnight sun) and, if they make an appearance, the ethereal green veils of the northern lights. You'll find a lodge nearby with WiFi and bathroom facilities so you can wake up refreshed and ready to go in the morning.
Day 5: Transfer to Vík via Highlights of South Iceland & Reynisfjara Paragliding
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Vast glaciers, waterfalls, and a coastline of towering basalt rocks and black-sand beaches characterize Iceland's southern coast. See these sights and more with a private tour that begins with a drive to Seljalandsfoss, an extraordinary waterfall along the Seljalandsá River. Follow the footpath behind the cascade (you'll need to bring rain gear) for a unique perspective on one of Iceland's most photographed falls.
Next up is the Gljúfrabúi waterfall. Tucked away in a crevice, it cascades 131 feet (40 m) into a pool at the bottom of a narrow cylindrical canyon. The surrounding area is dotted with several petite waterfalls, and it's a great place to explore the volcanic landscape and admire the views of the mighty Tröllagil (Troll Gorge). Finally, you'll reach the thundering Skógafoss; at 197 feet (60 m) high and 82 feet (25 m) wide, it's one of the country's largest and most formidable falls, shrouded in myths of buried treasure and a wonder to behold from its black, basalt base.
Your tour finishes at Reynisfjara, a black-sand beach home to the Dyrhólaey arch and cliffs and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks. It's here that one last surprise awaits. After a day touring the southern coast from the ground, you'll cap the day with a tandem paragliding experience, soaring high over the waterfalls, glaciers, and volcanic terrain from above. Your accommodation for the night is the chic, contemporary, and fully equipped Vík Apartments, where Scandi design and neutral tones provide the perfect backdrop to a restful evening after a day of exploring.
Day 6: Sólheimajökull Glacier Climbing, Quad Biking in Mýrdalsjökull
Today begins with a thrilling morning on the icy planes of the Sólheimajökull glacier. Set just northwest of Vík on the South Coast, Sólheimajökulll is one of several ice caps that connect with Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier. And it's here that you'll spend the next four hours climbing and hiking this frozen wonderland. In the capable hands of your expert guides, you'll be shown the best climbing spots suited to your ability (whether a beginner or a seasoned climber). After a morning exploring the deep crevasses of the ever-changing icy landscape, you'll return to Vík in time for lunch.
Don't get too comfy, though; after your thrilling expedition in the snow, you've another glacier to conquer, this time by ATV quad bike. In the company of an experienced guide, you'll embark on a private tour of the diverse landscapes at the foot of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier for the next two hours. From serene mountain valleys to the black sands of the south coast, you'll see sights including the famous DC3 plane wreck at Sólheimasandur, the Dyrhólaey peninsula that marks Iceland's southernmost tip, and finally, cross the enchanting Jökulsá River into a picture perfect mountain valley.
In the evening, return to town and make the most of Vík's excellent dining scene. For sweeping views of the surrounding landscape, head to Berg Restaurant, which showcases modern Icelandic cuisine. Meanwhile, beer enthusiasts should visit Smiðjan Brugghús, a microbrewery specializing in craft beers and homemade pizzas and burgers. If it's gourmet cuisine you're after, look no farther than Katla Restaurant, a refined dining experience focusing on Icelandic gastronomy and locally sourced seasonal produce.
Day 7: Transfer to Jökulsárlón via Canyons, Glaciers & Waterfalls
Today is jam-packed with unmissable sights, and the Vatnajökull National Park is home to many of them. Your driver will share stories of the vast glacier's history as you drive toward Jökulsárlón, the southeast's famous coastal glacial lagoon. It's a 2.5-hour drive, and you'll break up the journey with stops to explore the otherworldly Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon and stretch your legs in the Skaftafell nature reserve. You won't want to miss one of the reserve's highlights: a scenic 3-mile (5 km) trail to Svartifoss waterfall that plunges 65 feet (20 m) over basalt cliffs.
Continue to the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, where you'll witness its vast icebergs on a private tour. Step inside your nimble Zodiac boat, which lets you get as close as possible to the ice caps, whose bright blue undertones are streaked gray with volcanic ash. Afterward, you'll explore the black sands of Diamond Beach, where you can spot the iceberg chunks that have floated toward the ocean and returned to shore, glittering and polished by the waves.
After a day amid the ice, your driver will drop you at your accommodation for the night, the highly-regarded Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon, located in an ideal position between the Skaftafell nature reserve and the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. The contemporary, stylish interior with floor-to-ceiling windows allows for great views of the hotel's celebrated neighbors. Check into your room or suite, where neutral colors, dark wood furnishings, and soft lighting create a cozy glow. Decompress after your adventures with a soak in the hot tub before heading to dinner at the excellent on-site restaurant.
Day 8: Stokksnes Peninsula Tour, Heinabergslón Lagoon Kayak Adventure
Swap icy lagoons and frozen glaciers this morning for the starkly beautiful Stokksnes peninsula. The scenic drama kicks up a notch or two as your driver snakes along the Ring Road through narrow fjords hemmed by steep mountains spilling into the sea. In the comfort of your modified Jeep, you'll spend several hours exploring the scenic headland and following the Vestrahorn mountains as they loom over black-sand beaches. You'll find cultural heritage and history here, too, with an ancient Viking village home to traditional turf buildings and the remains of a base for the British army during World War II.
Pause for lunch, then head around an hour west with your driver toward the Heinabergslón lagoon for a glacier kayaking adventure. With excellent views of the Vatnajökull glacier from your sit-on-top kayak (suitable for beginners as well as seasoned kayakers), you'll find the surrounding mountains and glaciers mirrored in the reflection of the lagoon. Accompanied by your guide, you'll be shown the hidden spots where yours is likely to be the only kayak in sight. An excursion highlight is when you leave the kayak to step onto one of the icebergs and take a short walk overlooking the lagoon.
Day 9: Transfer to Skaftafell via Fjallsárlón Lagoon
It's been a memorable few days filled with glacial wonders, and while tomorrow sees you head back south along the coast, it would be remiss not to spend a little more time exploring Vatnajökull's treasures in more detail. The first is Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon, and while considered a solid second to it's more famous neighbor, Jökulsárlón, it enjoys the benefit of being less well-known and less crowded. An easy 20-minute drive from your hotel, you'll spend the morning with your guide and driver discovering the glittering icebergs as they drift and spotting the resident seals and seabirds.
Stop for warm soup and freshly baked bread at the tiny nearby restaurant that caters to hungry travelers, then get ready for a vacation highlight: if you've ever wanted to scale a glacier, this is your chance! You'll spend the afternoon exploring one of Skaftafell's outlet glaciers. Meet your private guide and get to grips with the basics of ice climbing, then step onto the ice field, where you'll spend several hours walking atop the frozen landscape. Here, you can admire some of Iceland's most coveted views, where the surroundings have been featured on-screen in "Interstellar" and "Game of Thrones.
Once you're safely off the glacier, your driver will transfer you to your accommodation, the Fosshotel Núpar. The scenic location is a fitting end to your Vatnajökull sojourn, with spectacular views of the glacier and surrounded by lava fields. Rooms are comfortable and modern but it's the scenery from right outside your window that will leave a memory for years to come. Dine at the on-site restaurant and enjoy some well-deserved rest ahead of tomorrow's adventures.
Day 10: Transfer to Hella via Þakgil & Seljavallalaug, Viking Dining Experience
Today starts with a scenic transfer southwest to Hella, a tiny town in Iceland's south and a jumping-off point for exploring the area's glacier volcanoes. Your driver will follow a route that passes glacial rivers and lava valleys to one of the region's lesser-known hiking spots. You'll follow a gravel road that leads to the off-the-beaten-path Þakgil and Remundargil canyons. Surrounded by steep mountains, these rugged, moss-covered chasms are popular for hiking, and you'll have your pick of trails to choose from, which vary in difficulty and length.
After a bite to eat, you'll soothe any post-hike aches with a trip to Seljavallalaug. Dating back to 1923, the geothermal pool is one of the oldest in Iceland and is backed by mountains with heart-stopping views. After your relaxing dip, your driver will drop you off at your accommodation for the night, the highly regarded Hotel Rangá.
The hotel's suites are themed by continent and imaginatively furnished with original artwork and balconies offering terrific views of the Rangá River. Check-in, and after a refresh, you'll transfer to the nearby Caves of Hella to enjoy a memorable Viking-inspired feast that pays homage to the caves' history. In the glow of candlelight, you'll dine on a delicious three-course meal featuring Icelandic salmon and lamb accompanied by fine wines or local craft beers. Afterward, you'll be dropped back at the hotel, where you can head to the bar to sample one of Iceland's most extensive whisky collections.
Day 11: Eyjafjallajökull Glacier & Þórsmörk Valley Super Jeep Tour
Today's full-day excursion takes you into the heart of the Icelandic highlands and across landscapes strewn with lava fields, waterfalls, and lush vegetation to two of the area's natural wonders. Your off-road adventure begins when you meet your guide at the hotel and step into a Super Jeep, specially modified to tackle the local terrain. Your first destination is the mighty Eyjafjallajökul glacier volcano, an active volcano that notoriously caused air travel havoc in 2010. In your guide's safe and capable hands, you'll be able to survey the volcanic glacier at close range and enjoy mesmerizing views over the southern coast.
Make your way down the glacier, and you'll set off across glacial rivers into the aptly named Þórsmörk Valley (Valley of Thor). Strewn with some of Iceland's best hiking trails and filled with impressive mountain ridges, gorges, and ravines, the valley more than lives up to its Viking god namesake. Get a closer look at the astonishing views at various stops throughout the tour, where you can either enjoy a short hike, snap photos, or simply soak it all up. At the end of the day, you'll transfer back to your hotel in time for a well-earned soak in the hot tub and your dinner reservation.
Day 12: Transfer to Reykjanes Peninsula & The Retreat at Blue Lagoon
You'll wave goodbye to the dramatic scenery of the highlands and the south this morning for a scenic exploration of the Reykjanes Peninsula, a hotbed of natural wonders and geothermal activity. Meet your driver and discover the green-hued volcanic crater lake of Grænavatn and the colorful geothermal area of Gunnuhver. The area is steeped in myth, and your driver will be happy to share the tale of the vengeful ghost, Gunna, after whom one of the hot springs is named.
Continue in a loop around the peninsula to Krýsuvík, home to bubbling hot mud pools, then stretch your legs with a walk along the peninsula's lunar-like lava landscape to Kleifarvatn Lake on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. You'll finish your tour with a stroll around the scenic Garður Lighthouse before heading to your accommodation for your last two nights. You'll see out your vacation in style with a stay at The Retreat, Iceland's premier luxury resort next to the Blue Lagoon Spa.
Check in to one of the 60 elegant suites carved directly into lava rock with furnishings that blend warmth and minimalism. Bespoke Italian furniture and fine linens provide effortless style, while heated floors and sumptuous bathrooms filled with the spa's award-winning skincare products are thoughtful additions. Opt for one of the two Lagoon suites for floor-to-ceiling views and your own private spa pool.
Day 13: Spa Day at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, Dine at Lava Restaurant
It's your final full day in Iceland, and after two weeks of adventure and hitting the road in search of the country's most breathtaking spots, today is yours to relax and rejuvenate in your stylish surroundings. Soak in the mineral-rich geothermal seawater pools, then unwind with one of the spa's bespoke massages or treatments.
Later, you'll dine on the tasting menu at the Lagoon's Lava Restaurant, whose rocky interior is built directly into an 800-year-old lava cave on the spa's west bank. Enjoy thoughtfully prepared plates showcasing Iceland's fresh produce and culinary traditions while gazing at the volcanic landscape.
Day 14: Transfer to Keflavík, Depart
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