Luxury Outdoor Adventures in Western & Southern Iceland - 10 Days

Highlights

• Snorkel between continents in the astonishing Silfra fissure
• Soar over waterfalls and hot springs on a memorable zipline adventure
• Brave the North Atlantic waves with an Icelandic-style surfing lesson
• Soothe tired muscles in the healing waters of the Blue Lagoon Spa

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Reykjavík, Blue Lagoon Spa, Dinner at Dill Restaurant

Velkominn til íslands (welcome to Iceland)! Known for its myriad geological wonders, including icy glaciers, steaming geysers, and towering volcanoes, the "Land of Fire and Ice" is home to some of Europe's most dramatic and diverse landscapes. Upon arrival at Keflavík airport, pick up your 4WD and start your trip in style with a few hours of luxurious spa time at the world-famous Blue Lagoon Iceland, an easy 20-minute drive from the airport. Soak in the mineral-rich geothermal seawater while the turquoise silica and algae-rich waters work their rejuvenating magic.

Fully refreshed, it's a straightforward 50-minute drive northeast to Reykjavík and your overnight accommodation, the recently opened Tower Suites Reykjavík. Comprising eight suites on the 20th floor of one of the city's defining buildings, each has its distinctive character, with panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the remarkable mountain-backed skyline. Once you've settled in, head out for a walk around the town before dinner. Meander the capital's compact downtown area with its myriad cafés, boutiques, restaurants, and galleries and head toward the harbor.

The waterfront is where you'll find some of the capital's most enticing buildings, including the architecturally award-winning Harpa Concert Hall. Inside the northern lights-inspired, glimmering glass facade, the venue is home to the Iceland Symphony Orchestra. Finish with a stroll to the towering Hallgrímskirkja cathedral, and you'll be ready for another first-day highlight: the tasting menu at Reykjavík's renowned Michelin-starred Dill Restaurant.

Day 2: Drive to Húsafell via Borgarfjörður, Langjökull Glacier & Canyon Baths

It's time to hit the road! Your adventure begins with a 2-3 hour drive north through West Iceland and the Borgarfjörður district to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. It's worth detouring to visit two of the district's most beautiful waterfalls, Hraunfossar (Lava Falls) and Barnafoss (Children's Falls)—both within a short distance of each other and easily accessible from the road. At 2,952 feet (900 m), Hraunfossar is Iceland's widest waterfall, where countless creeks and cascades tumble into the aquamarine waters below.

After a while, you'll arrive at the peninsula, often called "Little Iceland" for its diversity and wealth of volcanic marvels and natural wonders. There's plenty to see here, and you'll have a day dedicated to Snæfellsnes tomorrow, but for now, your destination is Húsafell. Your accommodation for the next two nights is the 48-bedroom Hotel Húsafell, a luxury retreat on the edge of Iceland's Central Highlands. Rooms and suites here feature a pared-down Scandi chic aesthetic with heated floors, modern furnishings, and original artwork by Páll Guðmundsson.

You have a couple of options for the afternoon after checking in. Join a private tour departing from your hotel and step inside a specially modified glacier vehicle, ready to navigate the frozen, rugged landscape and blue ice tunnels of the Langjökull glacier. Alternatively, pay a visit to the Canyon Baths at Húsafell, a geothermal pool complex designed to blend seamlessly into the extraordinary landscape. Cap your day with dinner and drinks at your hotel's cozy restaurant as you gaze at the sweeping mountain views from the panoramic windows.

Day 3: Explore the Wonders of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Today is yours to explore the peninsula at your own pace. Start on the southern coast, where you'll find gems, including the strikingly atmospheric Búðakirkja, a 19th-century black wooden chapel, the Búðahraun lava fields, and the Búðaklettur crater. Park the car and stretch your legs while walking along the coastal trail that links the fishing villages of Arnastapi and Hellnar. The former is a great place to grab a midmorning coffee and snack before hopping back in the car to get an up-close look at the Lóndrangar lava formations.

Continue in an anticlockwise loop, and soon, you'll reach Djúpalónssandur, a black-sand beach home to the rusted remains of a shipwreck. It's another prime spot for a walk, and if you look carefully, you'll find a small trail along the right-hand side cliffs (as you face the sea) that leads to Dritvik Cove, once the site of a major fishing operation. Head toward the peninsula's westernmost point next and follow the signs for the Saxhóll crater. If it's photo opportunities you're after, this is worth a stop. After a short walk to the top, you'll be rewarded with beautiful views over the Atlantic.

Day 4: Drive to Hveragerði via the Golden Circle & Silfra Fissure Snorkeling

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.

Your accommodation for the next three nights is the Frost & Fire Boutique Hotel, nestled on the banks of the Varmá River and overlooking the nearby village of Hveragerði. Many of the hotel's 22 rooms come with balconies or patios, and all are thoughtfully appointed with an eye to Nordic design and relaxed comfort. It's an easy 20-minute drive from the Kerið crater, and upon arrival, you can either jump in the hotel's pool or the on-site hot spring. Dinner tonight is a relaxed affair at the hotel's acclaimed restaurant, which puts the area's local produce to excellent use.

Day 5: North Atlantic Surfing Experience, Zipline the Svartagljúfur Gorge

It's another day of adventure, and it starts with a private transfer to the black sandy beaches along Iceland's south coast. While the coastline here is known for its black basalt cliffs and rock formations, the North Atlantic is today's draw. Depending on your prior surf experience, you'll spend the day learning to surf or working with your instructor to perfect your technique with an extended private surf lesson. Start by kitting yourself out with your wetsuit, gloves, boots, and a locally crafted surfboard. While you take to the waves, keep your eyes peeled for the resident seals who may check in on your progress!

After a windswept day on the beach, you'll head to a nearby swimming pool to relax, warm up, and unwind. The day of adrenaline-infused activity isn't quite over yet, though, as, after a soak, you'll join a small group at Mega Zipline in Hveragerði. Here, you'll have the opportunity to soar headfirst along the 0.6-mile (1 km) zipline or choose the seated harness option. Either way, you'll fly over the Svartagljúfur gorge, with its numerous waterfalls and spectacular views to the trailhead of the Reykjadalur hot spring valley. The rest of the afternoon and evening is yours to relax back at the hotel.

Day 6: E-Bike Tour Through Hveragerði's Geothermal Landscape

Day 7: Drive to Hella, All-Day Super Jeep Tour to Landmannalaugar & Hot Springs 

Your destination this morning is the volcanic lava-field-strewn region of Landmannalaugar in Iceland's remote Southern Highlands. Your journey there is in two stages, and after breakfast, you'll pack your things and drive 45 minutes southwest to Hella, a tiny town that's a jumping-off point for excursions into South Iceland and the Golden Circle. Here, you'll meet your guide and driver and embark on an all-day tour of the area, traveling in the comfort of a Super Jeep.

Explore the region's dramatic windswept rhyolite mountains and marvel at the soft shades of blue, green, orange, red, and cream that color the contours of the ink-black Laugahraun lava field. Pass smoldering volcanoes, zigzag through glacial rivers, and explore coastal waterfalls as your guide takes you off the beaten track and into the rugged highlands. There'll be plenty of opportunities to stop for photos and refreshments as you take in the beautiful peaks of Bláhnúkur, Brennisteinsalda, and Suðurnám.

Toward the end of the afternoon, you'll reach hot springs, where you can rejuvenate in the thermal waters after a day of adventure. Refreshed and relaxed, you'll return to Hella to pick up your car and drive 15 miles (25 km) to your accommodation, the Panorama Glass Lodges. Constructed from steel and wood with gleaming glass windows and roofs, each of the three lodges has ample space and grounds, with a private hot tub and sauna, ensuring complete solitude. Handcrafted furnishings and comfortable king-size beds provide the perfect surroundings for a night gazing at the stars or the aurora borealis. 

Day 8: South Coast Highlights Tour, Mýrdalsjökull Glacier Snowmobile Experience

Vast glaciers, mesmerizing waterfalls, and a glittering coastline of 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 enchanting 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 high (60 m) and 82 feet wide (25 m), 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.

Afterward, you'll experience the force of the vast Mýrdalsjökull glacier with an exhilarating private snowmobiling experience. After several hours traversing the slopes and exploring the deep crevasses and mysterious ice caves, you'll be dropped back at your lodge, where the rest of the evening is yours to enjoy your final night under the stars before tomorrow morning's drive to Reykjavík. 

Day 9: Drive to Reykjavík, Volcano Helicopter Trip, The Retreat at Blue Lagoon

This morning, you'll wave goodbye to Hella and drive 1.5 hours west along Route 1 to Reykjavík. You'll get to explore the capital later with a private guide, but for now, prepare to embark on what will undoubtedly be a highlight of your trip. The dormant Þríhnúkar volcano last erupted 4,500 years ago and left behind the only accessible lava chamber on Earth. Your journey begins with a private helicopter trip to the volcano and a unique opportunity to admire Iceland's lava-strewn landscape from above.

After landing on the crater, you'll be accompanied by an expert guide as 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. After admiring the astonishing rock formations, make your ascent and transfer back to Reykjavík, where you'll embark on a guided tour. If you saw most of the key landmarks on your first day, focus on the city's excellent museums, like the Kjarvalsstaðir Art Museum and the National Museum of Iceland.

Afterward, you'll drive toward Keflavík to reach The Retreat at the famous Blue Lagoon Iceland. Carved directly into lava rock, all rooms feature heated floors, sumptuous bathrooms filled with the spa's award-winning skin care products, and unlimited access to the retreat and spa. Opt for one of the two Lagoon suites for floor-to-ceiling views and your own private spa pool. Spend the remainder of the afternoon and evening indulging in a spa treatment, a yoga class, or unwinding in the geothermal waters. Later, choose from one of the hotel's three gourmet restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Moss. 

Day 10: Drive to Keflavík, Depart

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