Icelandic folklore maintains there are clans of elves and trolls living in the country’s extraordinary hills, rocky outcrops, and lava fields. Will you meet these “Huldufólk”, or “Hidden People” said to dislike churches, daylight, and electricity? Hard to say. But here’s what you will see on this breathtaking tour of Iceland—active volcanoes, roaring waterfalls, jagged glaciers, floating icebergs, black-sand beaches, and brilliant-blue geothermal springs. Unique, local experiences await in the “Land of Fire and Ice,” including tasting piping hot bread baked by the heat from the hot springs, sipping Geysir schnapps served at freezing point, and standing in awe before the spectacular Lake Jökulsárlón, home to Europe’s largest glacier and the site of some of the most dramatic scenes from the James Bond movie Die Another Day. The gargantuan sights in the land of the elves will surely leave you stirred, not shaken.
Welcome to Reykjavik! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel Dinner
Day 2 REYKJAVIK–HELLISHEIÐARVIRKJUN–GEYSIR–GULLFOSS–THINGVELLIR–BORGARNES
Incredible Iceland Start the day with an orientation drive around the capital city of Reykjavik, then continue to Hellishiðarvirkjun to visit the geothermal heat and electric power station. Reach the hot springs of Geysir and [LF] taste local specialties, including freshly baked bread and a glass of Geysir Schnapps. Stop to take photos at Iceland’s most famous falls, Gullfoss Waterfall, before arriving at Thingvellir. Here, a unique experience awaits with a [LF] walk through the Rift Valley’s landscape formed by shifting tectonic plates and stand on two continents at the same time! Later, arrive in Borgarnes. (B,D)
196 mi / 315 km
LOCAL FAVORITE
NATURAL WONDERS Iceland is the only place in the world where separation between the North American and European geological rift (tectonic plates) are above sea level, and nowhere in the world are the edges of both plates as clearly visible than the Rift Valley in Thingvellir National Park BreakfastDinner
Day 3 BORGARNES–HAUGANES–AKUREYRI
Giant Love Take in the splendid scenery as you drive north to Hauganes and embark on a [LF] whale-watching cruise. Embark on the opportunity to witness the breathtaking beauty of these majestic mammals in their natural habitat. Continue to the charming town of Akureyri, considered to be the “Capital of Northern Iceland.” (B)
224 mi / 360k m
LOCAL FAVORITE
WILD & WONDERFUL Take a whale-watching cruise from Hauganes for the chance to spot humpback and minke whales and dolphins surfacing on the glassy waters of Eyjafjordur bay. An epic experience! Breakfast
Day 4 AKUREYRI–GOĐAFOSS–LAKE MÝVATN–DETTIFOSS–EGILSSTADIR
Heavenly Sights This morning, join an orientation walk in Akureyri, including the botanical gardens. Depart Akureyri for fantastic photo opportunities en route to Godafoss for a stop to see the “Waterfall of the Gods.” Enjoy a scenic drive to Lake Mývatn, formed by a volcanic eruption that left its imprint with various volcanic landforms. Stopto enjoy free time to admire the incredible panorama. Later, arrive at Dettifoss and take photos of the most powerful waterfall in Europe (road conditions permitting) before continuing to Egilsstadir. (B,D)
224 mi / 360 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
PICTURE PERFECT Take the photographs of a lifetime with a stop at North Iceland’s historic and magnificent Goðafoss waterfall, stretching 90 feet across dramatic rock formations to deliver its spectacular cascades along the glacial-fed Skjálfandafljót River BreakfastDinner
Day 5 EGILSSTADIR–HÖFN AREA
Warm Friends on an Icelandic Fjord Depart Egilsstadir for a scenic drive to Höfn, a charming fishing town in the southeast which is thought to have been settled by Irish monks. Enjoy free time to explore the town. (B,D)
162 mi / 260 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION Hear about the Lagarfljótwurm, a snake-like animal that is supposed to guard a pot of gold located by Lake Lögurinn and take in the natural beauty of this fjord town where sheep farming, fishing, and music festivals are all part of the culture BreakfastDinner
Day 6 HÖFN AREA–LAKE JÖKULSÁRLÓN–SKAFTAFELL NATIONAL PARK–VIK AREA
Icy Beauty This morning, stop at [LF] Lake Jökulsárlón and snap photos to capture the beauty of the glacier Vatnajökull, the largest in Europe. Admire the stunning scenery as you drive through Skaftafell national park en-route to the Vik area. (B,D)
174 mi / 280 km
LOCAL FAVORITE
PICTURE PERFECT Drive through the national park at Skaftafell and stop at the stunning Lake Jökulsárlón, Iceland’s largest lake. Here, Icebergs break away from the vast Vatnajökull Glacier (the Water Glacier) and drift gracefully toward the Atlantic. Snap photos to capture the astonishing majesty of Iceland's largest ice cap BreakfastDinner
Day 7 VIK AREA–SELJALANDSFOSS–REYKJAVIK
Earthly Powers This morning, enjoy a scenic drive that offers stunning views of the mighty Eyjafjallajökull volcano. Later, stop to take photos of the Seljalandsfoss waterfall before continuing to Reykjavik. This evening, join your travel companions for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
118 mi / 190 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Eyjafjallajökull is one of Iceland’s few stratovolcanoes (with an ice cap covering the caldera). When the volcano erupted in 2010, the glacier topping also broke, and the plume of ash rose over five miles into the sky – interrupting European air travel for almost a month! BreakfastDinner
Day 8 REYKJAVIK
Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Accommodations
Reykjavik
Reykjavik
Reykjavik
Borgarnes
Borgarnes
Akureyri
Akureyri
Egilsstadir
Egilsstadir
Hofn Area
Vik Area
Vik Area
Vik Area
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