100% customisable travel idea
From Geysers to Glaciers The Very Best of Iceland
Iceland - The Golden Circle - The South Coast - Eastfjords - Lake Mývatn - Reykjavík
100% customisable travel idea
Iceland - The Golden Circle - The South Coast - Eastfjords - Lake Mývatn - Reykjavík
100% customisable for you
On arrival, collect your rental car and drive to the south of the island and the Golden Circle region. Along the way you will see wild landscapes with the beautiful colours that are typical of Icelandic decor.
To see in the Golden Circle region: Thingvellir National Park, the former site of the Icelandic National Parliament, the Althing, founded in 930. There you can see a beautiful waterfall and numerous gorges, including Almannagjá, where there are stunning views over the valley and Lake Thingvallavatn, the largest natural lake in Iceland. The Strokkur Geyser, whose name means “The Churn”, erupts every five to eight minutes and reaches a height of up to 66 feet (20m). The Gullfoss waterfalls are also among the must-sees.
In Selfoss, you’ll stay for two nights at a welcoming farm guesthouse run by chicken farmers, with attractive Nordic-style bungalows and comfortable bedrooms.
Head towards the south coast of the island, to the small village of Vik. The scenery along the coast is extremely beautiful! There are black sand beaches, breathtaking waterfalls, glacial lagoons and steep cliffs that birds turn into nesting communities. You will remember the contrasting colours: the green of the hills, the black of the cliffs, the white of the Myrdalsjökull glacier.
Must-sees along the way: The impressive Seljalandsfoss waterfall (131 feet (40 m)), the Skogar folk museum, the Dyrholaey cliffs, and the black sand beach of Reynishverfi.
What we love:Walking up through the greenery beside Skogafoss waterfall, against a backdrop of glaciers and black sand beaches. To be clear, this is an easy hike.
Vik is nestled at the foot of green hills, bordered by cliffs where puffins soar. You will be staying at a charming country hotel with a welcoming atmosphere. The building, constructed in a typically Icelandic style, offers spacious and welcoming bedrooms. The sauna, Nordic bath and restaurant are there to relax your body and restore your energy ready for the discoveries that await you.
Heading east towards Höfn. The road takes you between glaciers and black sand, showing you some extraordinary views.
Already planned along the way: A RIB excursion on the Fjallsarlon lagoon, giving you the chance to see the impressive Oraefajokull glacier from below. All around you there are icebergs, fleeting sculptures with glints of blue.
The small fishing town of Höfn is a beautiful introduction to traditional Icelandic ways of life, involving fishing and agriculture. You will stay overnight in the area, in a hotel in the midst of nature, opposite the majestic Vatnajökull glacier. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. From the panoramic restaurant and bar, the view of the glacier is breathtaking.
Must-see: The Fjadrargljufur gorges and the Svartifoss waterfall, which plunges into an amphitheatre of basalt columns.
You leave Höfn and follow the east coast towards Egilsstadir (about 3 hours). After the wild bay of Lonsvik, you reach the remote bays of Hamarsfjördur and Alftafjördur. You then head directly north to discover this wild area of the eastern fjords.
Must-see: Djúpivogur, a fishing outpost nestled in the heart of steep fjords; the Hengifoss waterfalls, among the most spectacular in the country; Mjóifjörður fjord, one of the most beautiful in the region: it can be reached by an unpaved road with some tight hairpin bends; the tiny fishing port of Brekka and its small church are the only signs of human presence in this landscape, which is magnificent, especially at nightfall.
Optional: Vatnajökull by super jeep and snowmobile.
Stay overnight in Egilsstadir. In a rural setting, on the shores of Lake Lagarfljot, surrounded by mountains, stands a large white building with a bright red roof, evoking the atmosphere of the early 20th century. The furnishings and decor are simple yet warm: light wood, embroidered curtains and bouquets of dried flowers. A highly comfortable place to stay, which is also renowned for its excellent cuisine.
Drive through volcanic deserts and arid plains and along wide rivers, heading inland towards Lake Myvatn (about 3 hours). You will see astoundingly beautiful volcanic landscapes, which never stop steaming, hissing and bubbling. The lake is also an exceptional reserve for ducks—fifteen species nest in these shallow waters, including Barrow’s goldeneye, with its black head marked by a white spot, the harlequin duck with its black plumage streaked with white lines, and the horned grebe with its red-ringed eyes, each more beautiful than the last.
Check in for two nights in Husavik, in a very comfortable villa. There is a whirlpool bath, a fully equipped kitchen, spacious rooms and contemporary decor combine with large picture windows overlooking the surrounding nature to offer you a wonderful, relaxing getaway. The bonus is that there are hikes right from your doorstep. For dinner, you can head to the village or try the farm’s specialities: smoked trout, extra-smoked trout, or lamb, which is also smoked.
Optional: Whale watching by schooner.
Already arranged: Entrance tickets to the Mývatn hot springs. Less touristy than the one on the Reykjanes Peninsula, this Blue Lagoon of the North, a vast expanse of turquoise-blue water at a temperature of around 40°C, offers a stunning panoramic view of the surrounding volcanoes and lava fields. Ideal for a dip in the heart of nature.
Must-see, must-experience: Hverir, an amazing volcano formed by an eruption; the pseudo-crater of Skutustadir; the ruin-like formations of Dimmuborgir; the field of solfataras and bubbling mud pots at Námaskard; the Leirhnjukshraun lava field; Lake Viti.
We love: Climbing to the top of the Hverfjall stratovolcano for a breathtaking view of the duck lake and its surrounding mountains.
You’ll make a short stop off in Akureyri, where you will drop off your rental car before flying to Reykjavik.
To see and do on the way: Visit Laufás farm, an open-air museum set in a former farmstead dating back to the mid-19th century. The walls are made of peat and the roofs are covered with grass.
On arrival in Reykjavik, you’ll have a transfer to your hotel, which is on one of the most beautiful and oldest streets in the city. In addition to its main building dating back to 1764, the hotel has chosen to design the exteriors of its other houses in the architectural style of the period. This major restoration uncovered significant remains from the Viking era underground, so when you stay here you are truly immersing yourself in the past!
To see and do: Take a stroll through the 101 district, around Laugavegur street. This is a “village” best explored on foot, with its brightly-coloured houses, cafes, galleries, showrooms, design shops and concept stores, where you might be tempted by a pure wool blanket or creations by up-and-coming designers; climb to the top of Hallgrimskirkja church; visit the Marshall House, a former herring factory opened in 1948 and funded by the Marshall Plan, now renovated as an exhibition space for artist collectives.
Private transfer to Keflavik airport and return flight.
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
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