Iceland Full Circle & Westfjords Guided Tour - Small Group Adventure 14 Days

Today your Icelandic full circle adventure begins in earnest. Your expert driver-guide will meet you at your hotel and introduce you to your fellow travelers before embarking on a tour of the iconic Golden Circle route.

First, you'll visit Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can witness the Mid-Atlantic Ridge as the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates slowly pull apart. This dramatic rift valley is also where Iceland's ancient parliament, the Alþingi, was established in 930 AD.

Continue to the Geysir geothermal area, where the active Strokkur geyser erupts every 5-10 minutes, shooting boiling water and steam up to 30 meters (98 feet) into the air. The surrounding area bubbles with hot springs and steaming vents, showcasing Iceland's powerful geothermal forces.

Next, witness the legendary Gullfoss waterfall, where the glacial Hvítá river plunges in two dramatic tiers into a rugged canyon. The name means "Golden Falls," and on sunny days, rainbows often dance in the spray.

After exploring the Golden Circle, you'll visit the Friðheimar greenhouse and farm. Here you'll taste delicious geothermally-grown tomatoes and visit the stables where you'll meet friendly Icelandic horses, learning about these unique animals that have remained pure-bred for over 1,000 years.

Back at your accommodation, you and your fellow travelers will enjoy dinner together (included), beginning the social connections that will grow throughout your 14-day journey. 

This morning, you'll learn about Iceland's volcanic geology at the LAVA Center, an interactive high-tech exhibition depicting volcanic activity, earthquakes, and how Iceland evolved over millions of years through volcanic forces. The immersive displays and films provide fascinating context for the landscapes you'll explore throughout your tour.

Afterward, explore the dramatic South Coast where you'll discover natural wonders around each bend. First up is Seljalandsfoss, a jaw-dropping 60-meter (197-foot) waterfall where you can walk behind the curtain of water on a footpath, experiencing the cascade from a unique perspective. The surrounding cliffs create a magical environment, especially when sunlight filters through the falling water.

Continue to Skógafoss, another one of Iceland's most beautiful waterfalls with a 60-meter (197-foot) drop. This perfectly shaped cascade is famous for the rainbows that often appear in its spray, and legend says Viking settler Þrasi Þórólfsson hid treasure behind the falls. If time permits, climb the stairs beside the waterfall for spectacular views over the South Coast.

Your next stop is the Skógar Museum, where you'll find a fascinating collection of historical artifacts including a model turf-house village that demonstrates how Icelanders lived for centuries. The museum preserves Iceland's cultural heritage through exhibits about fishing, farming, and daily life.

Further on is the coastal village of Vík í Mýrdal. Here you'll walk the iconic Reynisfjara black sand beach and see the dramatic Dyrhólaey promontory and Reynisdrangar basalt sea stacks rising from the ocean. According to folklore, these rock formations are trolls turned to stone by sunlight.

Spend the night in picturesque Kirkjubæjarklaustur, where you and your group will enjoy a delicious dinner together (included). 

Today you'll venture east to see some of Iceland's most photogenic attractions. Your first stop is Skaftafell, a nature lover's paradise within Vatnajökull National Park. Here you'll spend time soaking up the area's epic landscapes, from birch woodlands to glacial tongues descending from Europe's largest ice cap. The surrounding peaks create a dramatic amphitheater of mountains.

Continue to Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon, a smaller and more intimate glacial lake with a stunning mountain backdrop. The icebergs here often appear bluer due to the angle of calving from the glacier.

Next, your guide will take you to Jökulsárlón, Iceland's most famous glacier lagoon. At this spectacular location, you'll sail between shimmering icebergs on a guided amphibian boat tour. These massive ice formations, some hundreds of years old, drift through the 180-meter (591-foot) deep lagoon in shades of brilliant white, electric blue, and black from volcanic ash. Seals often swim among the icebergs, and your guide will explain the glacial processes creating this constantly changing ice gallery.

Afterward, stop for homemade ice cream at a nearby local farm, a beloved tradition for travelers exploring this area. The farm produces delicious ice cream from milk from their own cows.

This evening, enjoy a group dinner at your accommodation in the Höfn area (included), sharing impressions from your day among Iceland's glacial wonders. 

On your drive through East Iceland, you'll be treated to views of pretty fishing villages, stunning fjords, and dramatic landscapes. The Eastfjords region offers some of Iceland's most pristine and untouched scenery, where steep mountains plunge directly into the sea creating deep fjords.

As you wind through the coastal road, you'll pass through several charming villages including Djúpivogur, known for its artistic community and picturesque harbor. Watch for reindeer grazing on mountain slopes, the only wild land mammals in Iceland (introduced from Norway in the 18th century).

In Stöðvarfjörður, you'll stop at Petra's Stone Collection, a remarkable private mineral and stone exhibition housed in a beautiful botanic garden. Petra María Sveinsdóttir spent decades collecting stunning minerals, crystals, and geological specimens from around Iceland. The colorful collection showcases Iceland's diverse geology, from zeolites to jasper, arranged in a whimsical garden setting.

Continue through more spectacular fjord scenery to Egilsstaðir, the largest town in East Iceland and a regional hub. The surrounding area offers beautiful lake views and forested areas, unusual in Iceland's generally treeless landscape.

At the end of the day, enjoy dinner at your hotel (included) while reflecting on the day's journey through Iceland's dramatic eastern coastline. 

This morning your journey takes you north to witness one of Europe's most powerful natural spectacles. You'll visit the mighty Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall by volume. The massive flow of glacial water from Vatnajökull crashes 45 meters (148 feet) into Jökulsárgljúfur canyon with tremendous force, creating spray visible from kilometers away. The thunderous roar and raw power exemplify Iceland's untamed nature.

Next up is beautiful Lake Mývatn, which sits in the middle of a giant lava field in North Iceland. This shallow lake and its surrounding area showcase Iceland's volcanic forces through bizarre geological formations. You'll explore the otherworldly landscapes created by volcanic activity, including steaming vents and colorful mineral deposits.

Visit dramatic volcanic craters and pseudocraters around the lake's shores. You'll see Skútustaðagígar, a field of pseudocraters formed when lava flowed over wetlands, creating steam explosions that left behind these distinctive formations.

Explore the bubbling mud pools and steaming fumaroles at Námaskarð pass, where sulfuric steam rises from the earth in vivid shades of orange, yellow, and white. Walk through Dimmuborgir, a labyrinth of dramatic lava pillars and volcanic caves formed 2,000 years ago. Icelandic folklore claims this dark maze is where trolls and hidden people dwell.

In summer, Lake Mývatn's lush shores are home to dozens of bird species, making it a paradise for birdwatchers.

End your day with dinner at your accommodation (included), surrounded by the unique landscapes of the Mývatn area. 

Your first stop today is the coastal town of Húsavík, also known as Iceland's whale watching capital. At the excellent Whale Museum, you'll find 11 complete whale skeletons on display, along with interactive exhibits about these magnificent marine mammals and the history of whaling in Iceland. The museum provides fascinating insights into the various whale species that frequent Icelandic waters.

Next, explore Jökulsárgljúfur National Park, part of the larger Vatnajökull National Park. The park is home to the spectacular horseshoe-shaped Ásbyrgi canyon, a massive 3.5-kilometer-long formation with sheer cliffs up to 100 meters (328 feet) high. According to Norse legend, this glacial canyon was formed by the hoof of Óðinn's eight-legged flying horse, Sleipnir. The canyon floor is covered with birch and willow woodland, creating a unique forested oasis.

Later in the day, you'll get to unwind in the warm, mineral-rich waters at Mývatn Nature Baths. Often called the "Blue Lagoon of the North," this geothermal spa offers a more intimate and natural setting than its famous southern counterpart. The alkaline waters are rich in minerals and sulfur, renowned for their skin benefits. Relax in the steaming pools surrounded by otherworldly lava formations while enjoying views over Lake Mývatn.

Come evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel with your group (included), sharing stories from another incredible day of exploration.

Kick off this morning with a visit to the stunning Goðafoss, the "Waterfall of the Gods." While not Iceland's tallest waterfall, the cascade divides into two horseshoe-shaped falls creating a unique and powerful display. The name comes from legend: in the year 1000, when Iceland officially converted to Christianity, the local lawspeaker Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði threw his pagan idols into the waterfall.

You'll then have free time to explore Akureyri, often called the capital of North Iceland. This charming city offers the perfect blend of small-town atmosphere and cultural attractions. The city center is dotted with historic wooden buildings from the early 20th century, cozy cafés serving excellent coffee, interesting museums, boutique shops, and excellent restaurants. Visit the striking Akureyrarkirkja church perched on a hill overlooking the town, browse the pedestrian shopping street, or simply enjoy coffee with views of Eyjafjörður fjord.

Your next destination is Tröllaskagi, the "Troll Peninsula," home to deep valleys, picturesque fjords, and Iceland's tallest mountains. The dramatic landscapes here showcase the power of glacial erosion that carved these steep-sided valleys over millennia.

Make a stop at the Herring Era Museum in the small fishing town of Siglufjörður, beautifully situated at the head of a narrow fjord. Here you'll taste local delicacies and learn about the town's fascinating history during the herring boom of the early 20th century, when Siglufjörður was one of the world's most important herring ports.

Head to your accommodation in the Skagafjörður area, where you'll enjoy dinner with your group (included). This region is famous for its Icelandic horses and rich Viking history. 

Today marks the beginning of your Westfjords adventure as you venture into Iceland's most remote and rugged region. Your 14-day Iceland tour now takes you off the beaten track to explore landscapes and communities that most visitors never experience.

Your first stop is Hólmavík, an idyllic town famous for its history of witchcraft and sorcery. You'll learn all about the myths, superstitions, and historical witch trials at the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft, gaining insight into a dark chapter of Iceland's past.

Enjoy the rest of the day in the fishing village of Drangsnes. Here you can take a dip in the geothermal hot tubs positioned right along the shoreline, offering spectacular views of the fjord and surrounding mountains while you soak in naturally heated water.

The Westfjords region showcases a completely different side of Iceland compared to the more accessible south. Towering mountains plunge directly into deep fjords, creating some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in Europe. The remoteness of this region means you'll encounter far fewer tourists, offering an authentic glimpse of traditional Icelandic life.

Later, enjoy dinner at your hotel with your small group (included), sharing impressions of your journey so far and anticipating the Westfjords highlights ahead. 

Your Iceland full circle tour continues deeper into the Westfjords, where you'll be treated to views of towering mountains and epic fjords around every bend. Visit the rustic turf farmstead Litlibær to see how Icelanders lived in centuries past, before heading to Ísafjörður, the unofficial capital of the Westfjords.

This charming fishing town is known for its picturesque surroundings and beautifully preserved historic wooden buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Take time to explore the town's small museums, cafés, and shops while soaking up the atmosphere of this remote community.

Spend the rest of the evening exploring Ísafjörður and dining at your leisure, perhaps trying locally caught fish or lamb from nearby farms. 

Today you'll follow in the footsteps of Vikings in Dýrafjörður. This dramatic fjord was the setting of the Saga of Gísli Súrsson, one of Iceland's great medieval sagas featuring the Viking-age hero Gísli, an outlaw who survived for 13 years before his dramatic death.

Continue to Hrafnseyri, where you'll visit a museum dedicated to Jón Sigurðsson, the most important figure in Iceland's fight for independence from Denmark in the 19th century. The museum occupies a beautiful location at the head of a fjord, with the small turf church where Jón was baptized still standing nearby.

Before heading to your accommodation, your guide will take you to Dynjandi, often called the jewel of the Westfjords. This spectacular waterfall cascades down seven tiers over 100 meters (328 feet), widening as it descends to create a shape reminiscent of a bridal veil. The main fall is impressive enough, but smaller cascades above and below add to the spectacle.

The relatively short hike to the top of the falls rewards you with stunning views over Arnarfjörður fjord. This is one of Iceland's most photogenic waterfalls and a highlight of any 14-day Iceland tour.

In the evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel while reflecting on your Westfjords adventures (included).

Start your day with a visit to Látrabjarg, Europe's largest seabird cliffs and one of the world's premier puffin watching locations. These dramatic cliffs stretch for 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) and rise up to 440 meters (1,444 feet) above the Atlantic Ocean.

If you love puffins, Látrabjarg is paradise. During summer months, you'll find some of the world's largest puffin colonies here, with millions of birds nesting on the cliff ledges. The puffins at Látrabjarg are remarkably unafraid of humans, often allowing photographers to approach within a few meters. You'll also see razorbills, guillemots, and other seabirds.

After your wildlife encounter, board the Baldur ferry for a scenic crossing of Breiðafjörður Bay to Stykkishólmur village on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. The ferry journey offers stunning views of countless islands dotting the bay, with opportunities to spot seals and seabirds.

Upon reaching Snæfellsnes, you'll spend the afternoon exploring the area's natural highlights. Visit Kirkjufell, one of Iceland's most photographed mountains thanks to its distinctive conical shape and the picturesque Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall in the foreground.

In the evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel (included) while anticipating tomorrow's exploration of this remarkable peninsula. 

This morning your 14-day Iceland summer tour takes you to Snæfellsjökull National Park and the southern tip of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, often called "Iceland in miniature" because it showcases nearly every type of Icelandic landscape in one compact region.

One highlight is Djúpalónssandur black pebble beach, where you can test your strength by lifting the ancient "strength stones" that fishermen once used to qualify for positions on fishing boats. The stones range from 23 to 154 kilograms (51 to 340 pounds). From here, you'll have breathtaking views of Snæfellsjökull, a 700,000-year-old glacier-capped stratovolcano made famous by Jules Verne's "Journey to the Center of the Earth."

Visit Arnarstapi village to admire striking basalt rock formations sculpted by thousands of years of Atlantic waves. The area is rich in birdlife during summer, with Arctic terns nesting nearby. Walk along the coastal path between Arnarstapi and Hellnar for spectacular views.

On your drive back to Reykjavík, you'll pass by the iconic Búðakirkja, which means "black church" in Icelandic. This small black wooden church against a backdrop of lava fields and Snæfellsjökull glacier creates one of Iceland's most photographed scenes.

Once you reach the capital, you'll have free time to explore the city and dine at your leisure, perhaps celebrating the completion of your incredible full circle journey. 

Your comprehensive 14-day Iceland full circle tour has come to an end. Before your flight, you'll be picked up by a shuttle bus and transferred to Keflavík International Airport. We recommend departing your hotel approximately three hours before your flight.

If you're flying later in the day, you could add an optional stop at the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa on your way to the airport, providing one final Icelandic experience as you soak in mineral-rich milky-blue waters surrounded by black lava fields.

We hope you've created unforgettable memories exploring every corner of Iceland from the volcanic south coast to the remote Westfjords, from the bustling capital to tiny fishing villages. We wish you a pleasant journey home and hope to welcome you back to Iceland again!