Iceland Volcanic Highlands & Ring Road - Big Group Adventure

This morning, you’ll meet your guide before setting off on a tour of the iconic sights along Iceland’s Golden Circle route. 

After a hearty buffet breakfast at your hotel, hit the road with your expert guide at the wheel. Throughout today’s journey, keep your eyes glued to the stunning scenery that flashes past the window. 

Soon you’ll arrive in Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park, the site of the world’s first parliament. Here, your guide will share the history of the area with you. What’s more, you can walk along the continental divide between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.

Then there’s the geothermal area at Geysir, another of the Golden Circle’s must-see attractions. Prepare to be amazed by the Strokkur geyser, the most active here. If you wait for just 5–10 minutes you’ll see it shoot super-heated water 20 meters (65 feet) into the air. 

Round off the day with a visit to Gullfoss waterfall, or ‘Golden Falls’, your final stop on the Golden Circle. Stretch your legs on one of the trails surrounding these tiered falls. Don’t forget to take your camera – this cascade of water looks impressive from all angles.

On today’s itinerary, you could see 3 of the things Iceland is best known for: spectacular waterfalls, adorable puffins, and volcanic formations. 

Begin the day with a visit to 2 breathtaking waterfalls: Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. At Seljalandsfoss you can even walk behind the impressive plume of water. 

Drive further along the south coast and you’ll come to Dyrhólaey headland, home to basalt columns, black sand beaches, and towering sea cliffs. Between May and mid-August, you’ll notice these cliffs are packed with nesting puffins. 

Later, stop off in the picturesque village of Vík before you glimpse more evidence of the country’s volcanic heritage. This comes in the form of Eldhraun, the world’s largest recorded lava field in the last 10,000 years.

You’ve seen some of the volcanism that puts the fire in the Land of Fire and Ice, but now it’s time for the ice. Today you’ll stand on the shores of a glacier lagoon, walk between icebergs on Diamond Beach, and see the country’s largest glacier.

This morning your guide will whisk you off to the biggest national park in Western Europe: Vatnajökull National Park. Here you’ll marvel at the glacier-topped peak of Hvannadalshnjúkur, Iceland’s highest, on your way to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.

Not only will you have time to walk the shores of the lagoon, but you’ll also board a zodiac boat to get up close and personal with the ice. Imagine sailing around the lagoon, surrounded by jagged peaks as icebergs bob past. 

Afterward, head to nearby Diamond Beach. An otherworldly scene awaits you. Think glittering shards of ice scattered across black volcanic sands with the ocean as your backdrop.

Venture into Iceland’s pristine interior to hike in multi-colored valleys and soothe your muscles in natural hot and cold springs. 

The rugged roads of Iceland’s highlands await today. Your guide will expertly navigate these dirt tracks to bring you into the volcanic heart of the country. Here you’ll embark on a short hike where you can admire the striking many-hued rhyolite mountains. 

In the afternoon, you can take part in a revitalizing Icelandic wellness ritual. This involves taking a dip in cold pools, before soaking in naturally warmed springs. 

Head further into the highlands as your guide navigates the Sprengisandur trail. Mind-blowing scenery is waiting for you!

Fueled up with a wholesome breakfast, it’s time to see even more of Iceland’s wild interior. 

With your guide at the wheel, you can take in the scenery from your comfortable 4x4 vehicle. Relax and rely on your skillful guide to safely ford glacial rivers and drive the rugged terrain ahead. 

Throughout the journey, enjoy gazing out at the view, which includes these beautiful glaciers: Hofsjökull and Vatnajökull. This region is known to have inspired many of Iceland’s ghost stories and folk tales. Why not ask your guide to share a few with you? 

If Sprengisandur is closed due to road conditions, don’t worry! Your group will take the Kjölur route through the highlands instead.

Explore the northern reaches of Vatnajökull National Park and marvel at the wildlife and geological wonders that you’ll find around Lake Mývatn. 

Once you reach Lake Mývatn, you’ll be blown away by your volcanic surroundings and the birdlife on the lake. Then visit the Hverir geothermal area where you can walk between boiling mud pits and see fields of cooling lava from the Krafla volcano.

You’ll also get to glimpse Dettifoss waterfall, one of the most powerful in Europe. 

Before arriving in Húsavík, you’ll stop off at Ásbyrgi canyon to see its 100-meter (328-feet) tall walls. Here your guide will delight you with age-old legends. One of which says, the horseshoe shape of the valley was made by the hoof of Óðinn’s eight-legged horse, Sleipnir. 

In the afternoon you'll visit the pretty fishing village of Húsavík to get a glimpse of local life before returning to your accommodation.

Today you’ll see volcanic craters, turquoise lakes, and the vast expanse of Vatnajökull National Park’s Ódáðahraun desert area. 

Once more, your guide will lead you into Iceland’s rugged heart. The terrain here is so otherworldly that it was used as a training site for the moon landings by NASA in the 1960s. 

From here, you’ll head for the huge Askja caldera, which formed during an eruption in the last ice age. 

The caldera is home to 2 neighboring lakes: Víti and Askja. Although Lake Askja is the largest, the milky blue waters of Lake Viti make it just as striking, despite its small size. A hike to the crater’s edge will give you unrivaled views over the lakes. 

Then round off your day with a visit to Drekagil, the ‘Dragon Valley’. Here you can wander between the strangely shaped lava formations and gaze up at the rocky pinnacles that gave the area its name.

Journey along Iceland’s north coast and discover magical valleys, quaint villages, and Akureyri, the country’s second city.

This morning, you’ll begin your journey along the Arctic Coast Way. Sit back and enjoy views of the spectacular coastline dotted with picturesque villages. En route, you’ll stop off at Goðafoss (‘Waterfall of the Gods’), another of Iceland’s breathtaking falls. 

Next, arrive in Akureyri, the capital of the North, where you’ll have time to explore. Have your camera at the ready as you meander along the charming streets, lined with colorful houses. You could head to the botanic gardens or tour the artist’s district. 

Afterward, hit the road again on your way to Tröllaskagi (‘Troll Peninsula’). This striking region got its name from the rock formations that resemble frozen trolls. From here, continue onto Skagafjörður, the home of the Icelandic horse.

As well as being the traditional heart of this hardy horse breed, you’ll also find that Skagafjörður boasts many historical sites from the Viking-age sagas.

Continuing along the Arctic Coast Way, you’ll have plenty of time to marvel at epic sea cliffs before immersing yourself in Viking history. 

Your guide will take the wheel once more, following the Arctic Coast Way, as it skirts the Arctic Circle. 

Keep a lookout for seals hauled out on the beaches that line this stretch of coast. You’ll also pass Hvítserkur, a 15-meter (49-feet) tall arched rock formation that rises out of the sea. 

In the afternoon, you’ll drive across Laxardalsheiði heath and the surrounding farmland. The region is known to be the home of Erik the Red and his son, Leifur Eiríksson, two of the most famous Viking explorers. Your guide will share Viking legends with you and you’ll be able to learn more by visiting the Erik the Red Museum.

Soak up the wild beauty of Snæfellsjökull National Park as your guide shows you the region’s top spots. 

This beautiful corner of Iceland is home to a dormant volcano, topped by a dazzling glacier. It’s this glacier, Snæfellsjökull, that gives the park its name. 

Your guide will also take you to Kirkufjell, perhaps the most photographed peak in the country. After time to capture this iconic mountain, you’ll head for Arnarstapi village where basalt sea stacks line the coast.

Before returning to Reykjavík, you may also have time for a short hike between the historic settlements of Arnarstapi and Hellnar.

Once you arrive in Reykjavík, your guide will say goodbye at your hotel. The rest of the evening is yours to spend as you like.

Shared airport transfer to Keflavík Airport for your return flight (included).

Now that your unforgettable trip to Iceland has come to an end, it’s time to say farewell and board the plane home. 

Or, if you’d like more time to enjoy the buzz of city life, why not stay in Reykjavík for an extra night or two?