Map of Premium Iceland including Iceland

Walk among the glaciers, mountains and volcanoes of Iceland.

Explore the beautifully rugged landscapes of Iceland’s western peninsulas with soaring coastal cliffs, centuries-old volcanic glaciers and idyllic waterfalls on a nine-day Premium adventure. Enjoy a boat cruise between icebergs at Glacier Lagoon, trek around vast waterside craters, visit local artisans in Grundarfjordur and charming fishing villages, and dip your toes in the Arctic Ocean. See the highlights of Iceland with expert local knowledge and time to explore – you’ll get a true taste of this Northern European outpost.


Start
Reykjavik, Iceland
Finish
Reykjavik, Iceland
Destination
Iceland
Style
Premium
Theme
Explorer
Code
BIPK
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

premium accommodation

Our best accommodation and highest level of service.

premium experiences

Unusual, exceptional and authentic on-trip experiences.

premium knowledge

Led by our most experienced and highest rated local leaders.

  • Witness the diversity of Iceland's natural phenomena – rootless craters, glacial lakes and geothermal lagoons. Visit Gulfoss, Iceland's largest waterfall, the famous Blue Lagoon, and drive through fields of lava.

  • Get to know Iceland’s gentle giants on board an eco-friendly carbon neutral sailing boat. This Exclusive Experience allows you to respectfully and silently spot whales with the help of an expert guide.

  • Step into Iceland’s history during your Feature Stay at the country’s oldest hotel. Enjoy personal and friendly service and old-fashioned touches, from antique furniture to original architecture.

  • Gain an insight into how the eruption of Eyafjallajokull volcano in 2010 has affected the lives of the residents in the Hvolsvollur Valley, then take part in their tree planting project during this Exclusive Experience.

  • From a soak in the Deildartunguhver Hot Spring to a visit to a local artist’s stone carving workshops and a tasting session of Icelandic specialties, your Exclusive Experiences will deepen your understanding of Icelandic culture.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Iceland can be very cold at any time of year, so it's important to bring appropriate clothing. On the rare occasion that your leader has to alter the itinerary due to adverse weather, alternative activities will be offered.

  • Many locations on this itinerary are remote, which means a few long drives of around 6 hours. This is a great opportunity to enjoy the scenery and spend some time getting to know your fellow travellers. Of course, you will stop frequently for photo opportunities.

Itinerary

Welcome to Iceland! Your adventure begins in Reykjavik, Iceland's quirky capital. You will be transferred from the airport to your hotel in a shared airport shuttle, where you will meet your group and tour leader for a 6pm welcome meeting. If you arrive early, take a stroll and acquaint yourself with the world's northernmost capital. Perhaps visit the National Museum to see the permanent exhibition on the history of Iceland. After your welcome meeting, head out with your leader and small group to get to know Reykjavik’s flourishing food scene. Enjoy dinner at one of the city’s fantastic local restaurants and learn about Icelandic produce and cuisine.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Reykjavik Saga or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Reykjavik - Welcome Dinner
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

The shared airport shuttle is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through us. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 14 days prior to travel, as we may not be able to confirm a request made within 14 days of travel.
Today you’ll board a private vehicle and drive to Thingvellir National Park (Parliament Plains) – your leader will explain how this stunning spot is both the original location of Iceland’s first parliament from AD930 and a geological phenomenon. From here enter the Borgarfjordur area and visit the spectacular waterfalls of Hraunfossar (Lava waterfalls) and Barnafossar (Children’s waterfalls). Continue to Deildartunguhver – Europe’s hottest water spring. In the afternoon head to your overnight stay in the southern part of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Once settled in, meet up with your group for an included dinner.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Rjukandi Snaefellsbaer or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Borgarfjordur - Deildartunguhver Hot Spring
  • Golden Circle - Thingvellir National Park (Parliament Plains)
  • Borgarfjordur - Hraunfossar & Barnafoss Waterfalls
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today's total driving time is approximately 5 hours.
Today you will continue around the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and its magnificent glacier Snaefellsjokull, an icecap covering a dormant volcano underneath. Places you’ll visit today include the small town of Budir, basaltic pebble beaches framed by strange lava formations, and Arnarstapi, where a short stroll along the coastal cliffs gives you access to the rich birdlife and other wonders of nature. Continue to the pretty town of Grundarfjordur, where you’ll stop and meet a local artist by the name of Liston, who will show you his workshop. This is a great opportunity to admire his stone carving pieces and to find out about the life of a local artisan. Afterwards, drive to Saudarkrokur in Iceland's north, located on beautiful Skagafjordur Fjord. Here you will find the family-run Hotel Tindastoll, Iceland’s oldest hotel and your Feature Stay accommodation for the evening. You’ll experience a part of Iceland’s history as soon as you step through the door, and nods to the hotel’s past are everywhere; from antique furniture to original architecture. Enjoy personal and friendly service, a delightful courtyard with a thermal hot tub and absolutely incredible surroundings.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Tindastoll Saudarkrokur (feature stay) or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Snaefellsnes Peninsula - Snaefellsjokull, Arnarstapi & Stykkisholmur
  • Snaefellsnes Peninsula - Liston's Stone Carving Workshop
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today's total driving time is approximately 5 hours.
Drive around the picturesque Trollaskagi Peninsula and visit the small fishing town of Siglufjordur. Explore the compact town centre, dwarfed by towering mountains on three sides, and opening up to the fjord on its northern side. Further along the stunning coast you’ll have the special opportunity to dip your toes in the Arctic Ocean and enjoy an Icelandic schnapps tasting, accompanied with some local delicacies. You group leader will offer you some specialties of the region – think shark, lamb’s head, liver sausage and dried fish. They’re not called delicacies for nothing! Continue to the town of Akureyri, Iceland's second town, where you will have an oriention walk. Perhaps visit the church – the unique building is an iconic symbol of the town. Next, drive to the mighty waterfall of Godafoss, also known as The Waterfall of the Gods, before continuing to your hotel in Husavik.
Accommodation
  • Husavik Cape Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Trollaskagi Peninsula - Siglufjordur
  • Trollaskagi Peninsula - Icelandic Specialties Tasting
  • Myvatn - Godafoss Waterfall
  • Husavik - Whale Watching Excursion
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today's total driving time is approximately 4 hours.
Spend the morning getting to know the gentle giants of Iceland’s waters on board an eco-friendly and carbon neutral electric boat. Minke and humpback whales are commonly spotted in these parts, and the silent boat keeps a respectful distance from the whales, allowing you to observe them in their natural environment without disturbing or distressing them. You’ll be joined on board by an expert whale watching guide who will help to spot these beautiful creatures while providing insight on their lives and habitats in Arctic waters. Continue to Lake Myvatn, one of the most interesting geological areas of the northern hemisphere. Visit a number of geological anomalies lining the lake’s shoreline, including the lava labyrinth of Dimmuborgir and the pseudo-crater group at Skutustadir, and the boiling mud pots and sulphuric vents of Namaskard. Your leader will be on hand to explain how these natural wonders came to be. Drive via the highlands to your overnight stop at Egilsstadir.
Accommodation
  • Icelandair Hotel Herad Egilsstadir or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Myvatn - Lake Myvatn
  • Myvatn - Namaskard Boiling Mud Pools, Dimmuborgir & Skutustadir Crater Group
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today's total driving time is approximately 4 hours.
This morning after breakfast, continue along the beautiful coastal region of Iceland's East Fjords, taking in spectacular views of the varied landscape as soaring mountains give way to deep fjords. If you are lucky you may even spot a seal or two. Drive to the famous Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon for an unforgettable boat tour on the milky blue waters. Get up close and personal with huge floating icebergs, originating from Vatnajokull, Europe’s largest ice cap. Carry on to some of the country’s most impressive, uninterrupted scenery to your hotel for this evening. This rustic farm hotel carefully considers its surroundings as its windows show off views of the mountains and sea. Enjoy the onsite cultural center and museum before enjoying a traditional dinner made with local ingredients.
Accommodation
  • Hali Country Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Jokulsarlon - Glacier Lagoon Boat Ride
  • East Fjords - Scenic Drive
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Driving time approximately 4.5 hours; 350 km. Today is a long day of travel, however the scenery and beauty of the coast makes up for this.
Visit Skaftafell National Park and walk to the tongue of the glacier of the same name. Drive over the black sands and lava formations caused by the Laki eruption of 1782-1783, an event that has shaped Iceland's history and culture. Visit the waterfalls of Seljarlandsfoss and Skogafoss, then stop off at an eco-farm in the Hvolsvollur Valley – the leader in responsible tourism and sustainability in Iceland. Since the arrival of the first settlers to Iceland, deforestation has taken place in order to make space for pastures. The owners implemented a planting project on their land to contribute to lowering CO2 and counteract soil erosion. Join the effort and head out into the hills surrounding the property to plant trees yourself. Later in the day, continue to your base for the evening near Hella.
Accommodation
  • Landhotel Hella or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • South Coast - Laki Lava Fields
  • South Coast - Seljalandsfoss & Skogafoss Waterfalls
  • Hvolsvollur Valley - Responsible Travel Tree Planting Activity
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today's total driving time is approximately 4.5 hours. Please note that the tree planting activity is only possible during the summer months from mid-May to mid-September and depends on weather conditions.
From Hella, drive to the geyser geothermal area for the spouting hot springs of Geysir (after which all other geysers were named) and Strokkur, the most reliable of the geysers, erupting every ten minutes, on average. Don’t stand downwind if you don’t want a hot shower! Then it’s on to Gullfoss (the Golden Waterfall) where, on a sunny day, you can see rainbows shimmer in the spray above the waterfall. Next up take part in one of Iceland’s most celebrated activities during a visit to the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa surrounded by a black lava field. Its warm waters are rich in minerals and silica mud, said to cleanse and soften the skin. Sit back and enjoy a relaxing soak against a remarkable mountain backdrop. Drive back to Reykjavik for a short tour with your leader to get to know the main sights of this eclectic city. The evening is free for you to explore the streets of Iceland’s capital – you may like to join your group for a final dinner together to round off your adventure.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Reykjavik Saga or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Reykjavik - Walking Tour
  • Golden Circle - Strokkur Geyser & Gullfoss Waterfalll
  • Reykjanes Peninsula - Blue Lagoon
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today's total driving time today is approximately 3 hours. Arrival back into Reykjavik this afternoon will be at around 5pm.
Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. As there is not much time spent in Reykjavik on this trip, you may want to consider booking some additional days in the capital. If you wish to spend more time here, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).
Optional Activities
  • Reykjavik - Perlan Museum - ISK4990
  • Reykjavik - Saga Museum - ISK3000
  • Reykjavik - Settlement Exhibition - ISK2500
  • Reykjavik - Whales of Iceland Museum - ISK3400
  • Reykjavik - Harpa Concert Hall - Free
  • Reykjavik - Maritime Museum - ISK2050
  • Nauthólsvík - Thermal Beach - Free
  • Laugarvatn - Fontana Geothermal Baths - ISK3950
  • Reykjavik - Lava Tunnel Tour - ISK11400
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

8 breakfasts, 5 dinners

Transport

Private Vehicle (Ford Transit van or similar)

Accommodation

Comfortable hotel (7 nights), Feature stay (1 night)

Included activities

  • Reykjavik - Welcome Dinner
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Borgarfjordur - Deildartunguhver Hot Spring
  • Golden Circle - Thingvellir National Park (Parliament Plains)
  • Borgarfjordur - Hraunfossar & Barnafoss Waterfalls
  • Snaefellsnes Peninsula - Snaefellsjokull, Arnarstapi & Stykkisholmur
  • Snaefellsnes Peninsula - Liston's Stone Carving Workshop
  • Trollaskagi Peninsula - Siglufjordur
  • Trollaskagi Peninsula - Icelandic Specialties Tasting
  • Myvatn - Godafoss Waterfall
  • Husavik - Whale Watching Excursion
  • Myvatn - Lake Myvatn
  • Myvatn - Namaskard Boiling Mud Pools, Dimmuborgir & Skutustadir Crater Group
  • Jokulsarlon - Glacier Lagoon Boat Ride
  • East Fjords - Scenic Drive
  • South Coast - Laki Lava Fields
  • South Coast - Seljalandsfoss & Skogafoss Waterfalls
  • Hvolsvollur Valley - Responsible Travel Tree Planting Activity
  • Reykjavik - Walking Tour
  • Golden Circle - Strokkur Geyser & Gullfoss Waterfalll
  • Reykjanes Peninsula - Blue Lagoon

Premium Inclusions

  • Arrival airport transfer
  • Tipping for accommodation, activities and transport
  • Luggage transfer
  • Daily breakfast and signature local meal experiences
  • 24/7 on-ground support

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Premium Iceland trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. There are a limited number of single supplements available per trip departure. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. 
3. Travel is always an adventure and, as destinations reopen, there are a few challenges as everyone gets back up to speed and adjusts to the new normal. Our leaders are experts when it comes to dealing with anything unexpected along the journey, so pack your understanding and flexibility, sit back and relax while they take care of the rest.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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