Iceland: Golden Circle & Snæfellsnes Peninsula

9 days, Reykjavik to Reykjavik

Looking for a fast, jam-packed, but immersive visit around Iceland? This nine-day trip checks all the boxes. Pack those senses of adventure and head out into Iceland’s varied landscapes. Visit erupting geysers, glacier lagoons, and breathtaking waterfalls. Photograph black-sand beaches, soak in geothermal hot springs, and be prepared to fall more in love with a country with land you can sense shifting under your feet.

Itinerary

Day 1 - reykjavik

Arrive at any time. There are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting.

Day 2 - Reykjavik / Akureyri

Set off from Reykjavik after breakfast and enjoy the scenic journey to the Capital of the North, Akureyri. Explore Akureyri's old town.

Enjoy optional lunch in one of the eateries in Akureyri and opt to go on a whale-watching tour. Some of the species spotted near Akureyri in Eyjafjörður include Bottlenose Whales, Mink, and Humpback Whales. Eyjafjörður is a scenic spot to enjoy the local wildlife and small villages in the area.

Day 3 - Akureyri / Bakagerdi (Borgarfjörður)

Take an excursion to one of the most impressive waterfalls in Iceland, the Goðafoss waterfall. Measuring 12m high and 30m wide, the waterfall is a must-see and a short drive from Akureyri. While Iceland is famous for its many spectacular waterfalls, Goðafoss is a favourite for visitors because it's easily accessible by car. There are also walking paths all around the falls making it easy to take fantastic photographs from different angles.

Then explore the beautiful scenery around Lake Mývatn. Formed during a volcanic eruption 2,300 yrs ago, the geothermal area is a haven for a massive number of birds. The nutrient rich water also attracts over ten species of migrating ducks to the area. Atlantic salmon and brown trout thrive in the river, feeding on the healthy midge fly population that swarm over the waters in the summer.

Next, explore lava formations of Dimmuborgir and walk along the marked pathways to spot arches and pillars or check out lava caves. Meaning 'dark forts' in Icelandic, Dimmuborgir is an area of lava fields with black lava formations on display in dramatic fashion.

Stop at Námaskarð to see the bubbling mud pools and steaming fumaroles. There are some wooden pathways around the area but most visitors prefer to get up close to look at the pools. Careful, the mud in this area is thick and sticky and the residue from the steam can stain clothing.

Stop at the Detiifoss Waterfall in northeast Iceland, rumored to be the most powerful in Europe, with an average water flow of 193 m3/s. Take in the view of 45m high and 100m wide falls and take some photos to show off back home.

Arriving in Bakagerdi (Borgarfjörður) in the East Fjords region for a night in a local guesthouse.

Day 4 - Bakkagerdi/Hofn

Leave beautiful Bakkagerði behind and travel down the coast driving through the beautiful and majestic eastern fjords.

En route to Hofn, catch a glimpse of Vatnajokull glacier, the largest ice cap in Europe.

Day 5 - Hofn/Vik

Visit the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon with views of the ice cap. The lake is the lowest point in the country and filled with icebergs drifting towards the sea, often with seals lounging on top. The blocks of ice coming off the glacier are typically 30m high, in dramatic shades of white and bright blue.

Stop by Diamond Beach, which gets its name from chunks of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier that float down to the coast's black sand shores.

Continue on in the evening to the small town of Vík.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES - request current pricing

1. Skaftafell National Park Glacier Hike - Glacier Wonders is a superb glacier hiking tour from Skaftafell into the magnificent ice world of Falljökull glacier, a tongue of the mighty Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe. Your certified glacier guide will show you astonishing crevasses which wind through the ice and incredible glistening ice formations. During this tour, you will learn how a living glacier moves and why this magical ice kingdom is constantly changing. Total distance: 6km.

2. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Boat Ride -  Opt to take a boat ride around the lagoon to get closer to the floating icebergs with their seal passengers. With different options for boats— Amphibian or Zodiac— there is no shortage of ways to view the highlights of this lagoon. This activity is offered from 1 May to 30 October, and is subject to availability.

Day 6 - Vik / Reykjavik

Visit Reynisfjara Beach, just outside of Vík. Its black sand and ominous rock formations offshore make for stunning photos. Take some time to watch the foaming white waves crash over the black sand (but don’t get too close, the waves here can be extremely powerful), explore the shallow cave if weather and time permits, and get a photo of the basalt sea stacks.

Visit Seljalandsfoss, a 60m (196 ft) tall waterfall located along the popular ring road. Behind the flow of water is a path, allowing visitors to peek behind the curtain of water cascading over the rocks above.

Discover one of the most impressive waterfalls in Iceland, Gullfoss and complete the circuit known as the Golden Circle. This massive waterfall cascades over three “steps” before spilling into a large crevice. Fed by a glacier lake, the water passing through the falls can be a dark grey depending on how much sediment gets pushed through the river.

See a variety of geothermal pools and the erupting hot spring Strokkur. Geysir is one of the oldest geysers recorded in the world, but is most often dormant. Strokkur erupts a spray of boiling hot water straight into the air about every ten minutes.

Stop at Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site, to see the tectonic faults created by North American and Eurasian tectonic plates shifting apart. The Oxara river cuts through the largest rift in the valley, Almannagja, and leads to the Oxarafoss waterfall. Iceland’s parliament was also established in the area in 930. The park was later created to protect the remains of the open-air assembly grounds. One of the most-visited sights in Iceland, the park is an excellent spot for camping, hiking and snorkelling between the tectonic plates.

Arriving in Reykjavík in the early evening.

Day 7 - Reykjavik

This morning join an optional snorkeling to the Thingvellir Silfra (see optional activity notes below) or enjoy free time to further explore Reykjavik on your own.

Later in the day join your CEO for a short walking tour of Reyjavik center, learning more about its history, architecture, people and culture.

Spend some time at the beautiful Sky Lagoon for a uniquely Icelandic experience, a warm geo thermal bath overlooking the water near the city.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITY - request current pricing

Snorkelling in Thingvellir National Park - Float between the American and Eurasian continental plates and explore the incredible rock formations. Located in the heart of Þingvellir National Park, with clear, narrow blue water channels, Silfra Fissure is one of Iceland’s most incredible spots for snorkelling and regularly rated as one of world's top ten dive sites.

NOTE: If you are planning on doing the Snorkeling tour, you must book a pre-night, so you are at the hotel in the morning as this activity has an early departure.

Day 8 - Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, visiting places such as Kirkjufell, or 'Church Mountain', on the north shore, Ólafsvík and Arnarstapi villages, the Geröuberg basalt columns, Djúpalónssandur pebble beach, and take a walk to Vatnshellir, an 8000-year-old lava tube on the peninsula. Made famous by Jules Verne's Journey to the center of the Earth, the region is known to features many of Iceland's unique landscapes on one peninsula. Winter or summer, the Snæfellsnes peninsula is one of the most scenic destinations in Iceland. This place is magical and spellbinding with moss-covered lava fields, picturesque mountains, gorgeous black sand beaches, roaring ocean waves, its charming little villages and great vistas from sea cliffs.

Today you get Iceland in a nutshell. It's a long day, but well worth it.

Day 9 - Reykjavik

Depart at any time.