Itinerary Details
Inspiring Iceland
Day 1 ARRIVE IN REYKJAVIK, ICELAND Your Small Group Discovery Begins! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Day 2 REYKJAVIK–THINGVELLIR–GULLFOSS–VESTMANNAEYJAR Warm Bread! Travel via scenic route to reach Thingvellir National Park. Stop at a geothermal bakery and see how geothermal bread is made. Next, drive to the mighty waterfall of Gullfoss - the Golden falls - perhaps the most beautiful in the country. Later, head out to the ring road and get to Landeyjarhöfn and take a ferry over to the Westman Islands for your overnight stay. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CHASING WATERFALLS Visit the mighty waterfall of Gullfoss - the Golden falls - perhaps the most beautiful in the country. Here the glacial river of Hvítá (white river) tumbles 32 meters (105 ft.) in a double cascade. Explore the active geothermal area of Haukadalur which contains the geysers Geysir and Strokkur, and many other hot springs. Most active today is Strokkur, with hot water and steam erupting to an elevation of 25 metres (82 ft) every 5-7 minutes.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE ACCOMMODATION Enjoy an overnight stay that’s just right for small groups with an overnight getaway on the Westman Islands (or Heimaey to the Icelanders). Speaking of groups, you’re sure to be outnumbered by the largest puffin colony in the world, who call the islands home.
Day 3 VESTMANNAEYJAR Amazing Archipelago This morning, meet your Local Guide for a tour of Vestmannaeyjar. In the early afternoon, take advantage of your small group size to enjoy a Rib Safari. Check out the small islands that are closest to our largest island Heimaey. Then head off further to the other islands that are included in the archipelago. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
EARTH SCIENCE Learn about the volcanic eruption in 1973, considered the largest natural disaster in Iceland’s recent history. The eruption began on January 23rd on the island of Heimaey, the only populated island of the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago. After the evacuation of the inhabitants and during the five months while the eruption lasted, there was much uncertainty as to whether the island could ever be repopulated. Explore bird cliffs during our tour to the Westman Islands, walk up to the volcano crater, and visit the “Pompei of the North“ (Eldheimar Museum), a volcanic excavation project.
Day 4 VESTMANNAEYJAR–HRAUNFOSSAR–BARNAFOSS–DEILDARTUNGUHVER–STYKKISHÓLMUR Horses and Hot Springs Take the ferry back to the mainland and pass the greenhouse town of Hveragerði. Stop in Sturlureykir and [LF] see the majestic Icelandic horse. Head over to Hraunfossar (Lava falls) and see the clear streams of water run through the lava fields into the river below, and Barnafoss (Children falls). Continue on to the hot spring of Deildartunguhver. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
WILD HORSES The Icelandic horse is local to this volcanic land and is one of the purest horse breeds in the world., Having arrived here on the very first ships of the settlers, these majestic creatures have remained loyal friends ever since.
Day 5 STYKKISHÓLMUR–VIKING SUSHI BOAT EXCURION–STOP IN GRUNDARFJÖRÐUR Coastal Treasures Join your guide for a tour of Stykkishólmur before going on a Viking Sushi boat tour. Afterwards, visit the fishing village of Grundarfjörður, a place with an impressive coastline and mountains, lakes, and waterfalls. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Embark on the perfect small group adventure on a Viking sushi tour while sailing around Breiðafjörður's innumerable islands. Get a glimpse of the fjord's fairytale-like scenery, featuring dramatic rock faces along with the strongest ocean currents anywhere on Iceland's coasts. A highlight of your tour is the towing of the dredge along the ocean floor as a variety of shellfish are scooped up from the bottom of the ocean with a haul of scallops, sea urchins, crabs, and starfish, some of which can be eaten fresh. (Think scallops and sea urchins!)
Day 6 STYKKISHÓLMUR–EXCURSION TO ARNARSTAPI–HELLNAR–DJÚPALÓNSSANDUR STOP (WEATHER PERMITTING)–HELLISSANDUR Iceland at a Glance Explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula through lava fields, and along the ocean and stop in the village of Arnarstapi. If conditions allow, stop at Djúpalónssandur, the Black Lava Pearl Beach. Finish your tour with a stop in Hellissandur, “the street art capital of Iceland” as the town is adorned with beautiful murals painted on some buildings. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ICELAND IN MINIATURE Snaefellsnes is a large peninsula extending from West Iceland, often nicknamed "Iceland in Miniature" due to the wealth and diversity of natural features found there. A common knowledge amongst Icelanders is that the area is the only part of Iceland where you can see all of the unique natural elements in one place, from untouched lava fields, tall volcanoes, mystical glacier and black beaches to white beaches, a national park, and hazardous cliffs along the coastline.
Day 7 STYKKISHÓLMUR–REYKJAVIK Lava Love Head back to Reykjavik. Join your guide for a tour of the capital of Iceland followed by a Lava Show. Tonight, bid farewell to your travelling companions with a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Volcanic eruptions are unpredictable and dangerous events, where access is more often than not prohibited to the public due to poisonous fumes and other volcanic dangers. With this mesmerizing show you will be able to experience real flowing lava in a safe environment.
Day 8 REYKJAVIK Safe travels until we meet again! Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
