Luxury Highlights of South & West Iceland - 7 Days

Highlights

• Take a private helicopter flight to the Þríhnúkagígur volcano
• Tour the natural wonders of Iceland's south with a private guide and driver
• Experience innovative Michelin dining in Reykjavík at ÓX and Dill
• Pamper yourself at Iceland's premier geothermal spas and luxury hotels

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Reykjavík, Þríhnúkagígur Volcano Helicopter Trip, Blue Lagoon Spa

Velkominn til íslands (welcome to Iceland)! Known for its myriad geological wonders, untamed beauty, and evocative history steeped in myths and legends, the "Land of Fire and Ice" is home to some of Europe's most dramatic and diverse landscapes. Your destination is Reykjavík, the country's refreshingly modern capital with a first-class dining scene and innovative architecture. It's also an excellent base for exploring many of Iceland's geysers, waterfalls, and national parks around the ever-popular Golden Circle.

Upon arrival at Keflavík airport, your driver will take you to the capital, where you'll check into the sleek and stylish 5-star The Reykjavík Edition. The boutique rooms and suites boast elegant Scandinavian design and individual furnishings from local artisans, while suites offer uninterrupted views of the harbor, Mount Esja, and the Snæfellsjökull glacier.

After getting settled, start your vacation off in style with a private helicopter trip to the dormant Þríhnúkagígur volcano, soaring over lava fields before landing on the crater. Accompanied by a guide, you'll venture inside an open cable lift to descend 400 feet (120 m) into the volcano. Afterward, relax at the Blue Lagoon Spa, where the rest of the afternoon is yours to soak in the mineral-rich geothermal seawater pools. It's the perfect spot to unwind, surrounded by the volcanic landscape and therapeutic waters. Later, you'll return to your hotel, where dinner and drinks await on the rooftop terrace.

Day 2: Golden Circle Highlights Tour, Farm-to-Table Lunch, Dinner at ÓX

Today, you'll set out with your driver to discover landscapes dotted with hot springs and woven with dramatic cliffs and waterfalls along the famous Golden Circle. Your first stop is the Þingvellir National Park, geologically and historically significant thanks to its tectonic plates that straddle Europe and North America, and home to the famous Law Rock, the site of the world's first parliament. Continue your private tour with stops at the mighty Gullfoss waterfall, the regularly erupting Strokkur geyser, and the 3,000-year-old Kerið crater with its turquoise lake.

You'll enjoy a light farm-to-table lunch at the renowned Friðheimar Tomato Farm and Restaurant. After a behind-the-scenes tour of the award-winning estate, you'll sample a selection of mouthwatering innovative tomato-based dishes, including their famous soup with sour cream, fresh herbs, cucumber salsa, and freshly baked bread. After a day of seeing the sights, return to your hotel in time for tonight's dinner reservation at ÓX, an intimate 17-seater Michelin-starred restaurant, where you'll have a birds-eye view of the chefs at work.

Day 3: South Iceland Highlights Tour, 4WD Glacier Adventure, Dinner at Dill

Iceland's south coast is characterized by vast glaciers leading to mesmerizing waterfalls and a coastline adorned with basalt rocks and black-sand beaches. It's also easy to visit on a day trip from Reykjavík. After breakfast, you'll set out with your driver and visit Seljalandfoss, 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 is the enchanting Gljúfrabúi waterfall, tucked away in a crevice; its cascades descend 131 feet (40 m) into a pool at the bottom of a narrow cylindrical canyon. The surrounding area is dotted with several petite cascades, 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) and 82 feet (25 m) wide, it's one of the country's largest cascades, shrouded in myths of buried treasure and a wonder to behold from its black, basalt base.

Head back to the car, and your driver will share stories of the legends that surround the area as you approach the coast, home to the Dyrhólaey Arch and Cliffs and the hauntingly beautiful Reynisdrangar sea stacks at Reynisfjara Beach. You'll conclude your day of exploring with an invigorating 4WD tour of the mammoth Kötlujökull glacier and a chance to step inside the otherworldly natural ice caves. Return to your hotel, and you'll have more than earned tonight's delicious tasting menu at Reykjavík's Michelin-starred Dill restaurant.

Day 4: Whale Watching Yacht Cruise, Foodie Tour of Reykjavík

Iceland is widely regarded as one of the best countries in the world for whale watching, and the waters surrounding Reykjavík are considered a prime spot. After breakfast, your driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the Old Harbor, where you'll board a yacht and set sail with a small group to Faxaflói bay (or Faxa Bay). Gaze out toward the dark ocean waters for sightings of minke and humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and porpoises as your captain steers you toward the best spots to get respectfully close to these majestic creatures. 

If the sea air has helped build an appetite, this afternoon's tour is the perfect way to combine a gourmet eating experience with discovering the capital's key landmarks. Accompanied by a private guide, you'll restaurant-hop through the city's foodie hotspots, trying delicious seafood, free-roaming Icelandic lamb, and more unusual delicacies such as fermented shark meat. Meanwhile, your guide will give you the inside track on the city's key landmarks, such as the towering Hallgrímskirkja cathedral and the Harpa Cultural Center's award-winning contemporary architecture.

Day 5: Transfer to Húsafell, Víðgelmir Lava Cave, Húsafell Canyon Baths 

You'll leave Reykjavík behind this morning and set out with your driver to Húsafell, nestled within the enchanting Borgarfjörður district, where glacial rivers, forested plains, and vast ravines meet crystal-clear mountain springs. Often overlooked in favor of Iceland's more obvious gems, this area, between Reykjavík and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, is known for its rugged beauty. Pass the Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls and take a short detour to Hvalfjörður, a fjord rich in wildlife, framed by towering peaks and home to Glymur, the country's highest waterfall. 

The area around Hvalfjörður is prime sheep farming territory, and you'll stop in at Bjartejarsandur. On this large sheep farm, you'll get a chance to experience rural Icelandic farming and stop for a bite to eat (the farm has a reputation for its delicious organic fresh produce). Continue your drive to Húsafell, and a couple more treats are in store. First is a visit to one of Iceland's best-preserved lava tunnels, the Víðgelmir lava cave. You'll take a guided tour of the 1,100-year-old tunnel and explore the fascinating icicles and colorful rock formations via wooden walkways. 

Day 6: Snæfellsnes Peninsula Highlights Tour 

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 7: Luxury Sky Lagoon Spa Experience, Transfer to Keflavík, Depart

It's time to bid farewell to the land of Fire and Ice, but there's one more surprise before your driver drops you off at Keflavík airport. The upscale Sky Lagoon geothermal spa, with its award-winning infinity edge design overlooking the ocean, harnesses the area's natural geothermal water to create a relaxing and therapeutic experience. You'll spend the morning immersing yourself in the spa's seven-step Sky Ritual against the backdrop of Iceland's dramatic beauty.

Luxuriate with a gentle soak in the pool's thermal waters, relax in the sauna, and enjoy the benefits of centuries-old Icelandic wellness practices. You'll also find an on-site bar in the lagoon itself, nestled within a cave, where you can enjoy a coffee or toast the end of your holiday with a glass of fizz. Emerge rested and rejuvenated, and if you're peckish, there's a great café where you can relax with a drink and delicious platters of Icelandic specialties. Afterward, your driver will drop you at the airport in time to board your flight home or continue your European adventure. Safe travels!