Iceland Nature, Hiking & Highlights - 16 Days

Highlights

• Embark on a multiday hike through the colorful landscapes of Landmannalaugar
• Chase the midnight sun on an ATV ride to scenic viewpoints near Reykjavík
• See the highlights of Snæfellsnes Peninsula, known as "Iceland in miniature"
• Go snowmobiling and enjoy zipline rides, then relax in natural hot springs
• Spot whales and puffins on coastal boat tours

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Iceland, Drive to Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Welcome to Iceland! People come from around the world to travel the length and breadth of this dazzling Arctic nation, and that's what you'll do over 16 memorable days. There's no downtime, either, as this adventure begins the moment you arrive at the international airport in Keflavík. Located on Iceland's southwest side, this will be your jumping-off point to discover the natural wonders of the country's western, northern, and southern regions.

At the airport, pick up your rental car and embark on a road trip to the capital of Reykjavík. Then, turn north on the Ring Road (Route 1) and head up the coast to the famous Snæfellsnes Peninsula. This 56-mile (90 km) peninsula is often referred to as "Iceland in miniature" as it boasts many of the country's famous wonders. The Snæfellsjökull glacier volcano dominates the region, and also here are unique rock formations, desolate lava fields, windswept beaches, and rugged sea cliffs. A major highlight is Mount Kirkjufell, which looms over the three-tiered waterfall of Kirkjufellsfoss.

To see the most incredible rock formations on the peninsula, take a stroll on the cliffs between the villages of Hellnar and Arnarstapi. The Berserkjahraun and Budahraun lava fields are worth visiting, too. After doing some sightseeing and hiking, you'll drive to a hotel on the peninsula, where you'll overnight.

Day 2: Kayaking the Snæfellsnes Coast

Experience the majesty of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula from a different vantage point as you paddle along the dramatic coast in a kayak. During this two-hour ride, you'll enjoy dazzling scenery like Snæfellsnes coastal cliffs as well as famous landmarks like the peak of Kirkjufell. Along the way, there will be stops at various locales to take photos, meet some curious seals, take a dip in the sea, or just enjoy the gorgeous views. Afterward, you'll return to your hotel and will have the rest of the day to continue exploring.

Day 3: Glymur Waterfall Hike

Hop in the car this morning and leave the peninsula as you travel south along Ring Road to Glymur Falls. Situated on the Hvalfjordur fjord, Iceland's second-tallest waterfall cascades 650 feet (198 m) over cliffs, and the surrounding area offers great nature hikes. A two-hour out-and-back hike to the falls leads through narrow canyons up to dazzling viewpoints. After the hike, you'll return to Snæfellsnes.

Day 4: Orca Spotting in Ólafsvík, Drive to Reykjavik 

Get ready for a safari—Icelandic style! After breakfast, you'll make your way to Ólafsvík, a charming fishing town on the peninsula's north side. There, you'll board a boat for a half-day cruise around Breiðafjörður bay, one of the best spots in Iceland to spot sperm whales, orcas, and pilot whales. Winter, spring, and early summer are the best times for viewing orcas and sperm whales, while summer is best for spotting pilot whales. They're often found in huge pods numbering in the hundreds. You may also spy humpback whales, minke whales, and other species—so keep your camera close.

Days 5-7: Transfer to Landmannalaugar, Multiday Southern Highlands Hike 

Today you'll set off to spend the next three days on a guided hiking tour of Landmannalaugar. Located in Iceland's rugged southern highlands, this is the place to enjoy off-the-beaten-path nature hikes amid Iceland's natural splendor. A bus will pick you up in the morning for the transfer into the region, and after small-group hiking excursions each day, you'll overnight in local accommodations.

Expect incredible scenery as you and your fellow adventurers trek across black lava fields amid the painted Landmannalaugar mountains. Other highlights include the Ljótipollur crater, which is filled with an azure lagoon, and Hekla, an active volcano offering panoramic views from the summit. This area is also famous for its natural hot springs, so don't forget your bathing suit!

Day 8: Transfer to Reykjavík, Midnight Sun ATV Safari

This morning, you'll return to Reykjavík and check back into your hotel. However, the driving is far from over. After spending the day enjoying the town, in the evening, you'll transfer to the hills outside the capital. There, hop on a quad bike (ATV) for a thrilling three-hour ride around the countryside. If you're here during the right time in summer, you'll experience the midnight sun phenomenon, during which the sun stays out until just past midnight. If you arrive in spring, you'll enjoy dazzling twilight colors, while in autumn, you'll stand a good chance of spotting the famous northern lights.

Day 9: Drive to the Golden Circle, Mega Zipline Tour

After breakfast, you'll pick up a rental car and get behind the wheel again for a self-guided drive along the famous Golden Circle tourist route. This 190-mile (300 km) scenic route follows Route 1 to some of southern Iceland's most popular natural attractions. Highlights include the steam vents and geysers of the Geysir geothermal area, the canyons of Þingvellir National Park, and the golden waterfalls of Gullfoss. 

After spending a couple of hours on the road, travel outside the town of Hveragerði. Here, you'll find Iceland's longest zipline. After strapping into your harness, you'll leap from a platform and soar for an entire kilometer across vast gorges, valleys, and waterfalls, enjoying some of the best scenery Iceland has to offer. At the end of the afternoon, you'll transfer to a hotel along the Golden Circle route.

Day 10: Drive to Þórsmörk, Hike Thor's Valley

Drive 1-2 hours down Iceland's western coast this morning to reach Þórsmörk (Thórsmörk. Literally translating to "Valley of Thor," the landscapes here are diverse, characterized by impressive gorges, ravines, scrubby slopes, waterfalls, and dried lava fields. The valley has a warmer and wetter microclimate than most of South Iceland, producing frequent mountain mists and lush vegetation. After settling into a nearby hotel, a driver will pick you up in a rugged off-road vehicle for the ride deeper into the valley.

Upon arrival, you'll lace up your hiking boots for a full day of guided trekking through this otherworldly region. You'll be awe-struck as you journey through a kaleidoscope of dramatic landscapes and splash across unbridged rivers pouring from the Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull, and Tindfjallajökull glaciers. Higher up, the rivers scythe through vast canyons and onto a black volcanic floodplain. Þórsmörk also claims one of the largest birch forests in Iceland. At the end of the day, you'll transfer back to your hotel.

Day 11: Drive to the Westman Islands, Coastal Boat Tour

After a hearty breakfast, get back in the car and continue along the Golden Circle to the Landeyjahöfn Ferry Terminal on Iceland's southern coast. Then, it's a 30-minute ferry ride from the harbor to the archipelago of the Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands). Your destination is Heimaey, the largest and only inhabited island in the archipelago; it's an off-the-beaten-path gem with colorful lava landscapes and the world's largest puffin colony.

Once on the island, you can see the puffins, learn about the 1973 Eldfell eruption at the Eldheimar Museum, or visit the incredible Norwegian stave church at Stafkirkjan. There are also numerous hiking trails up to volcanoes, cliffs, and lava fields, all featuring awe-inspiring views. Don't miss a walk up to the top of the 720-foot (219 m) high crater of Eldfell, which formed in a 1973 eruption that forever changed the island's landscape. 

In the afternoon, it's time to swap land for the sea with an exhilarating RIB boat (rigid-hulled inflatable boat) adventure! Explore the island's coast as your guide shares tales of the island's history as well as Viking sagas and battles. Part of this one-hour trip involves a visit to the sea caves, and throughout the journey, you can spot the island's famous puffins as well as orcas, porpoises, and dolphins.

Day 12: Drive to Kirkjubæjarklaustur via Glacier Snowmobile Tour

Today you'll drive along the south coast via the Ring Road, stopping at many of Iceland's most iconic attractions. Begin with the magnificent Seljalandsfoss waterfall: uniquely, you can walk behind the cascade tumbling 200 feet (60 m). Another 19 miles (30 km) brings you to Skógafoss waterfall, where you can hike uphill to the top of the falls for another perspective and to follow the Fimmvörðuháls trail to additional cascades higher up. There's an optional stop at the nearby Skógar Folk Museum to see heritage agriculture and fishing exhibits, plus visit a traditional turf farmhouse.

Then, explore the dramatic coastline close to the southern coastal town of Vík. Head west to the Dyrhólaey headland (good for spotting puffins) for views over a massive stone sea arch. Next, hike the clifftop trail east for a view over the black-sand beach of Reynisfjara, studded by basalt sea stacks at its southern end. Afterward, drive to the southern end of Reynisfjara to explore Hálsanefshellir Cave, carved into a cliff face of geometric basalt columns that formed following a volcanic eruption during the last ice age.

The final activity of the day occurs at Mýrdalsjökull glacier, where you'll set off on a guided snowmobiling tour. Over two hours, you'll zip across the surface of this ancient ice floe in what is sure to be a bucket-list adventure. Afterward, you'll drive to the nearby village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, where you'll overnight.

Day 13: Nature Reserve, Lagoons & Glacier Hike

Your discovery of southern Iceland continues with a private tour of the Skaftafell nature reserve and nearby glacier lagoons. Start with a hike to the slender Svartifoss waterfall, surrounded by hundreds of jagged basalt columns. With the bar set high for the rest of the area's natural wonders, a visit to Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon won't disappoint. You'll have plenty of time to explore the icy scenery before continuing to the larger and better known Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.

The icebergs floating on the water are an impressive sight. Nearby, you can see fragments of this ice that have washed onto the black sands of nearby Diamond Beach and glimmer in the sunlight. For sweeping views across the entire lagoon, your guide will show you one of the best vantage points atop the nearby hill, where, depending on the time of year, you may also be able to spot seals, porpoises, or small whales. 

Skaftafell also sits at the base of Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier, covering almost one-tenth of Iceland. For your last activity of the day, meet your experienced guide, who will equip you with hiking boots, crampons, and an ice ax. Then, embark on a three-hour hike on the ice field, where you'll explore among surreal glacial ice sculptures, ridges, and crevasses.

Day 14: Drive to the Reykjanes Peninsula, Visit Sky Lagoon

This morning, you'll explore the highlights of the Reykjanes Peninsula as you make your way back toward Reykjavík. Stop to discover geological wonders such as the green-hued volcanic crater lake of Grænavatn and the colorful geothermal areas of Gunnuhver and Krýsuvík, where you'll find steam vents, hot springs, and steamy bubbling mud pools.

Later, you'll return to Reykjavík, stopping just outside the city at the award-winning Sky Lagoon geothermal spa. 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. 

Day 15: Geldingadalir Volcano Hike

It's the penultimate day of your Iceland experience, but one more epic adventure awaits just outside the capital. After breakfast, you'll drive to nearby Geldingadalir, an active volcano whose last eruption was in 2021. If the conditions and safety updates allow, you'll have the option to spend a couple of hours hiking near the impressive lava fields. The designated trails will take you to the volcano's eruption site, where you may just glimpse steam venting or even some lava spewing from the top. Afterward, return to the capital and enjoy your final night out on the town.

Day 16: Depart Iceland

Your 16-day Iceland adventure comes to a close today. Enjoy one more leisurely breakfast, then return to the airport and drop off your rental car. Afterward, you'll board your international flight home. Until next time!

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