1. Home
  2. Europe
  3. Iceland
  4. Iceland Retreat: Golden Circle

Unwind as you immerse yourself in the beauty of Iceland

Iceland is a land of contrasts – of steaming hot springs and icy glaciers, of endless landscapes and cosy, little villages. On this journey around the Land of Ice and Fire, you’ll have the chance to see the highlights of the iconic Golden Circle including stops at Gulfoss Waterfall, Strokkur Geysir and Thingvellir National Park. You’ll be staying on a sustainable, working farm where you’ll be treated to paddock to plate meals and the opportunity to learn about how a working farm operates. Relax in the countryside, even enjoying a soak in the famous hot springs, before spending some time exploring the capital of Reykjavik, guided by your local host.

Start
Reykjavik, Iceland
Finish
Reykjavik, Iceland
Destination
Iceland
Style
Comfort
Theme
Intrepid Retreats
Code
BILH
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 4, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Stay on a sustainably run, working farm and enjoy farm to table meals.

  • See the iconic sites of Iceland’s famous Golden Circle, including Gulfoss Waterfall, Strokkur Geysir and Thingvellir National Park.

  • Take a guided quad biking tour of the Icelandic countryside, driving through rolling hills and visiting a remote cave.

  • Relax and unwind with a soak in the hot springs at the Secret Lagoon.

  • Enjoy a walking tour of Reykjavik, where your local host will show you some of the hidden gems.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Please ensure you consult your local government’s advice regarding travel prior to booking this trip.

  • A remote location and high-performing currency are just two reasons Iceland can be an expensive destination. This affects things like museum entrance fees and outdoor activities, but is especially noticeable when eating out. Your leader will be able to advise on how to save money, but in remote areas the only option for dinner will be at the guesthouse we are staying at. Please stock up on food at a supermarket prior to arrival if you would like to opt out eating at the guesthouse's restaurant.

  • The extremity of the weather makes for incredible scenery, but it also means Iceland can be very cold, especially at the start and end of the summer season, at night and of course in winter. Please bring appropriate clothing for adverse weather conditions. On the rare occasion where your leader must alter the itinerary due to the weather, an alternative will be offered.

  • As accommodation on this trip is twin-share, solo travellers will share a room with other travellers of the same gender. This trip is a great opportunity to get to know other like-minded people, so embrace it while you can. Please note that a single supplement can be booked on this trip, subject to availability. For those travelling as a duo, hotels in Iceland often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together. In some cases, bathroom facilities will be shared rather than ensuite.

  • This is a new Intrepid Travel itinerary. And while we have thoroughly researched every detail of the logistics, new destinations can sometimes throw us some unexpected surprises. More often than not, it’ll be a great surprise. But every now and again there might be a hiccup. We like to think that’s what puts the ‘adventure’ in ‘adventure travel’.

Map of Iceland Retreat: Golden Circle including Iceland
BILH_iceland_quad-bike
BILH_iceland-Seljalandsfoss_waterfall
BILH_iceland_Fludir-Secret-Lagoon
BILH_iceland_accommodation

Itinerary
Expand All Collapse All

Welcome to Iceland, commonly known as the Land of Fire and Ice. This morning you’ll meet your local host and group in the hotel lobby for a welcome meeting at 10 am, before heading off to explore the island. Your first stop will be a colourful geothermal area known as Seltun. The hot springs and vibrant mud pools are located close to the road, so you’ll be treated to exceptional photo opportunities. As you continue on your journey you’ll stop at the remote Strandar Church, built on the Angel’s Cove. Legend has it that a group of fishermen lost at sea made a pledge to build a church wherever they found land, and then suddenly saw a bright light on the coast, which guided them to safety. From here, you’ll continue to your accommodation for the night, a sustainable working farm that doubles as a hotel. Enjoy a farm to table dinner and get to know your group a little better.
Accommodation
  • Farmstay (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Strandar - Strandarkirkja Church
  • Reykjanes Peninsula - Seltun Geothermal Area
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting at 10 am this morning as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time, and will head out of town straight after. Please take this into consideration when booking your flights to and from Iceland. We are happy to book additional accommodation before or after the trip for you in Reykjavik, subject to availability. If you are going to be late please let your booking agent or hotel reception know.

Today will be spent touring Iceland’s famous Golden Circle. Head to Thingvellir National Park, home to the Parliament Plains and the location of Iceland’s first parliament. Thingvellir also contains the Silfra fissure, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart. The resulting gap is partly filled with fresh water and is clearly visible. From here head to the Geysir geothermal area, checking out Strokkur and watching as the geyser swells with blue water before erupting and shooting some 20-30 metres in the air. Be spellbound by the immense beauty and sheer power of the Gullfoss (Golden) double waterfall on the Hvita River. When you’ve had your fill of wandering through the picture-perfect landscapes, you’ll head to the Secret Lagoon, where you can soak in the hot springs and unwind from a full day of sightseeing. Once back at your farmstay for the evening perhaps get together with the group and prepare a self-catered dinner.
Accommodation
  • Farmstay (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Golden Circle - Strokkur Geysir
  • Golden Circle - Gullfoss Waterfall
  • Fludir - Secret Lagoon
  • Golden Circle - Thingvellir National Park
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
At our remote farmstay the only option for dinner will be at the guesthouse we are staying at. If you would like to opt out eating at the guesthouse's restaurant, the property's kitchen facilities are free to use if you wish. Stock up on food at a supermarket prior to the return to the guesthouse today. Your host will be able to advise on the facilities and what best to cook.

If you are visiting Iceland in summer, your morning will begin by heading out on to the farm and planting a tree, to help support your host’s commitment to sustainability and carbon offsetting efforts. Your guesthouse is 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. Overgrazing has then led to soil erosion. With this in mind, the owners had the idea to start a tree planting project on their land to contribute to lowering CO2 and counteract soil erosion. Join the effort to counteract this and head out into the hills surrounding the property to plant trees. During the colder winter months, when the ground is frozen, it’s not possible to partake in this activity, but never fear – you'll have the chance to head out in search of the elusive Northern Lights later in the evening. This afternoon, you’ll explore the countryside on a quad bike, led by a local guide. Travel on the paths and across the hills in the valley and visit a remote cave. Here, it’ll be time to warm up over a cup of tea and hear stories about the area and local life from your guide.
Accommodation
  • Farmstay (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Hvolsvollur Valley - Tree Planting Project (summer only)
  • Hvolsvollur Valley - Cave Visit with Tea & Coffee
  • Hvolsvollur Valley - Quad Biking
  • Hvolsvollur Valley - Northern Lights Viewing Opportunity (winter only, weather dependent)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today's activities differ according to the time of year you visit. The quad biking activity is available year-round, but the tree planting will only be possible in summer, and the opportunity to see the Northern Lights exists only in winter during the darker months of the year. Please note that while there is a good chance of seeing the lights of the aurora this far north in winter, there is no guarantee, as they are a natural phenomenon and weather conditions and overall activity can affect visibility. There are a number of apps you can download that show current and forecast activity of the aurora around the world. Some of these apps have a function that allow you to be alerted at night when the aurora becomes visible in your current location.

Today is the final day of your journey. After saying goodbye to the farm, you’ll set off on the journey back to Reykjavik. On the way, you’ll have the chance to stop off at the Seljalandsfoss Waterfall. Once back in Reykjavik your host will take you on a final walking tour of the city, before your retreat comes to an end and you say your goodbyes.
Included Activities
  • Reykjavik - Walking Tour
  • Seljalandsfoss - Waterfall Visit
Optional Activities
  • Reykjavik - Tales of Iceland Exhibition - ISK2200
  • Reykjavik - Silfra Fissure Snorkelling Day Trip - ISK21900
  • Reykjavik - Lava Tunnel Tour - ISK11400
  • Keflavik - Blue Lagoon - ISK11000
  • Reykjavik - Volcano House - ISK1790
  • Reykjavik - Settlement Exhibition - ISK1700
  • Reykjavik - Whales of Iceland Museum - ISK2900
  • Reykjavik - Saga Museum - ISK2200
  • Reykjavik - Harpa Concert Hall - Free
  • Reykjavik - Maritime Museum - ISK1700
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Please note that the tour comes to an end after the walking tour of Reykjavik at around 2 pm, subject to delays due to weather and road conditions. Please take this into consideration when booking your flights to and from Iceland. We are happy to book additional accommodation before or after the trip for you in Reykjavik, subject to availability. Please enquire with your booking agent.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

3 breakfasts, 1 dinner

Transport

Private minibus with free Wi-Fi

Accommodation

Remote farmstay (3 nights)

Included activities

  • Strandar - Strandarkirkja Church
  • Reykjanes Peninsula - Seltun Geothermal Area
  • Golden Circle - Strokkur Geysir
  • Golden Circle - Gullfoss Waterfall
  • Fludir - Secret Lagoon
  • Golden Circle - Thingvellir National Park
  • Hvolsvollur Valley - Tree Planting Project (summer only)
  • Hvolsvollur Valley - Cave Visit with Tea & Coffee
  • Hvolsvollur Valley - Quad Biking
  • Hvolsvollur Valley - Northern Lights Viewing Opportunity (winter only, weather dependent)
  • Reykjavik - Walking Tour
  • Seljalandsfoss - Waterfall Visit

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

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

Prices may go up, so secure your trip today!
Jump to a departure month
You have the flexibility to change your travel plans up to 21 days before your scheduled departure, and you can pick new travel dates or an entirely different trip, with no change fees. Learn more

Important notes

START & END OF TOUR
This trip starts with a group meeting at 10 am on day 1, and ends after the walking tour around Reykjavik at around 2 pm on the final day (subject to delays due to weather and road conditions, especially in winter). Please take this into consideration when booking your flights to and from Iceland. We are happy to book additional accommodation before or after the trip for you in Reykjavik, subject to availability.

MINIMUM NUMBERS
This trip requires a minimum of 4 clients booked and confirmed in order to depart.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A single supplement is bookable on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking. If you would like to book a single supplement and enquire about availability please speak to your booking agent.

COSTS & PRICES
Iceland can be an expensive destination in many ways, from museum entrance fees to outdoor activities, but especially in terms of eating out. Your leader will be able to advise on how to save money. In remote areas the only option for dinner will be at the guesthouse we are staying at. Stock up on food at a supermarket prior to arrival if you would like to opt out eating at the guesthouse's restaurant. Please make sure you read the itinerary carefully in order to know what is and what isn't included in the trip price.

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.

View Essential Trip Information

Reviews

Go to dates