Iceland Grand Countryside Tour

This tour combines the scenic splendors of south, west and north Iceland. The first week's itinerary follows the Southern Charms Tour, before travelling west and north on the Northern Wonders Tour, creating a Grand Countryside adventure!

Day 1 - Sunday: Arrival - Tour Begins

Early morning arrival in Iceland at Keflavik Airport, Flybus transfer to Reykjavik for a free morning to explore the capital city. Tour departure in the afternoon and transfer to Hotel Hlíd through the magnificent countryside of Southern Iceland. (B, D)

Day 2 - Monday: Waterfalls, Geysers and the Ancient Viking Parliament

A splendid introduction to Iceland. We visit Gulfoss, considered by many to be Iceland's finest waterfall. Nearby is the famed Geysir after which all geysers are named. A dynamic gusher erupts every few minutes to a height of 30 metres. We will also explore a dramatic canyon, and have a chance to walk around the rim of of a crater. Later we will travel to Tingvellir. A stunningly beautiful area of Iceland, Tingvellir is also the setting of the ancient Viking Parliament and we shall explore these historic sites on foot. (B, L, D)

Day 3 - Tuesday: Reykjanes and the Blue Lagoon

We travel via the remote and rugged southern coast of Reykjanes to the geothermal area of Krysuvík and the nearby bird cliffs where we have a good chance of seeing puffins (until mid August) before continuing to the surreal setting of Iceland's famous Blue Lagoon. Here we'll have a chance to relax in the warm, mineral rich waters of this world famous attraction (optional, cost approximately ISK1600/CAD25). (B, L, D)

Day 4 - Wednesday: Reykjavik and Whale Watching

Today we'll visit Iceland's modern capital city, Reykjavik, with its museums, galleries and shopping centres. There is also the chance to take a whale-watching boat trip in search of minke whales, white-beaked dolphins and porpoises as well as a good chance of encountering puffins offshore (optional, cost approximately ISK4800). In the evening there is the chance to go horse riding (optional, cost approximately ISK4100/CAD37). (B, L, D)

Day 5 - Thursday: An Icelandic Wilderness - Tórsmörk

We first visit the waterfall Seljalandsfoss which cascades over a former sea cliff and adventurous visitors can walk right behind its shimmering curtain. We travel aong a rough track passing close to a glacier where a lagoon has formed as the ice retreated. Ice-capped volcanoes rising to 1500 metres surround the wooded Tórsmörk valley. The whole area is criss-crossed by valley glaciers and swift rivers. We explore this dramatic wilderness on foot. If time allows we shall finish the day with a visit to one of Iceland's famous geothermal swimming pools - great fun and a relaxing way to end the day (optional, entry around ISK500/CAD10). (B, L, D)

Day 6 - Friday: Heading East

We cross the sand plains of Myrdalssandur to reach Kirkjubæjarklaustur and see the lava from the great eruption of 1783 and learn a little of the monks who used to live here. We travel to Skaftafell National Park and walk to the glacier of Skaftafellsjökull before visiting the glacial lake at Jökulsárlón and taking a cruise amongst the icebergs floating on the lake (optional, cost approximately ISK2800/CAD43). If time allows we will visit the lovely turf roofed church at Núpsstadir before returning to our hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 7 - Saturday: Waterfalls and Glaciers - Iceland's Magnificent South Countryside 

We travel over vast glacial outwash plains to reach the Myrdalsjökull glacier where there are spectacular walks and the chance to try your hand at skidoo riding (optional, cost approximately ISK2600/CAD40). At Skógar we visit a folk museum (optional, entry approximately ISK1000/CAD15) and experience something of the way people lived in Iceland in past times. We may see the Westman Islands offshore before reaching a spectacular waterfall, Skógafoss. We shall also explore the spectacular coastline around Dyrhólaey. (B,L,D)

Day 8 - Sunday: Reykjavik - Snaefellsnes

We visit the glacial waterfall at Urridafoss before returning to Reykjavik. After saying goodbye to travellers on the Southern Charms Tour, we shall visit the Árbaer Folk Museum. Later, after greeting travellers newly arriving on the Northern Wonders Tour, we travel amidst splendid scenery to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Grundarfjörður, an attractive fishing village overlooking the north coast of Snaefellsnes is our base for the next two nights. (B, D)

Day 9 - Monday: Journey Round the Centre of the Earth - Snaefellsnes

A day on Snaefellsnes first exploring the sheltered fjords of the northern shore. We see whooper swans and colonies of Arctic terns nesting at the foot of ice-scoured mountains. Travelling around the base of Snaefellsjökull ice cap (where Jules Verne's heroes started their journey to the centre of the earth) we reach the wild and windswept south coast. At Arnastapi we walk among amazing basalt formations, where kittiwakes and other seabirds nest. Our return to Grundarfjörður is over a mountain pass, steeped in legend and folklore. there is an evening walk and talk on Iceland and its people. (B,L,D)

Day 10 - Tuesday: Seabirds and Sharks - Breiðafjörður

In the morning, we visit a farm that cures hákarl (an Icelandic shark delicacy). Later in the company of seabirds, we have the chance to enjoy a boat trip amongst the Breiðafjörður Isles (optional, cost approximately ISK5200/CAD79). It seems almost possible (on departures until mid-August) to "shake hands" with Shags and Puffins! Later, we travel north to Eyjafjörður, our base for the next four nights.

Day 11 - Wednesday: Mývatn's Natural Wonders - Lake Mývatn and Surroundings

A full day exploring the natural wonders of lake Mývatn: the lava formations of Dimmuborgir, pseudocraters, as well as the lake with its prolific wildlife. We also visit Krafla, with lavas from the 1975-84 eruptions, and nearby Námaskarð where there are colourful boiling mud pools and steam vents. (B,L,D)

Day 12 - Thursday: Waterfalls and Gorges - Dettifoss and Ásbyrgi

We visit the fishing town of Húsavik with the chance to visit its excellent whale centre (optional, cost approximately ISK500/CAD10), before following the coast to Ásbyrgi, a curious and beautiful horseshoe-shaped gorge. Travelling along the Jökulsá river canyon we reach Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Iceland. Optional evening horseriding (approximately ISK5200/CAD79). (B, L, D)

Day 13 - Friday: Iceland's second city - Eyjafjörður and Akureyri and the chance to see Whales

We visit Akureyri with the chance to take a whale-watching boat trip in Eyjafjörður which includes a visit to the island of Hrísey (optional, cost approximately ISK4500/CAD69). the afternoon is spent sightseeing and shopping in the town of Akureyri. On our return to the guesthouse we explore more of the scenic Eyjafjörður area. (B,L,D)

Day 14 - Saturday: Iceland's Rugged Interior

An adventurous day's travel returning to the capital across the dramatic interior of Iceland via the Kjölur mountain route. Transfer to hotel in Reykjavik for final night in Iceland. (B, L)

Day 15 - Sunday: Departure

Depart Reykjavik via Blue Lagoon en route to the airport.  the Blue Lagoon is a unique wonder of nature - a pool of pure, mineral-rich geothermal seawater in the middle of a lava field. (B)