100% customisable travel idea
Volcanoes, geysers and black sand Icelandic family road trip
Iceland - Reykholt Valley - Golden Circle - South Coast - Selfoss - Höfn - Vik
Iceland as a family
Your trip
Although Iceland may be a wild land, it is easy to visit in any season, even for families. In fact, we designed this trip especially for them, with reasonable distances and comfortable stop-offs. The family-friendly accommodation was chosen for the welcoming atmosphere: a retreat in the heart of nature with geothermal pools in the Reykholt valley; a warm farmhouse inn in Selfoss; a former school in Vik; a cosy guesthouse in Kirkjubaejarklaustur; a remote cottage at Höfn; and a comfortable, centrally located hotel in Reykjavik. Your itinerary includes all kinds of activities, offering a change of perspective and the chance to fully explore the area - hot spring baths with a view; a day on the Vestmann Islands; and a zodiac excursion among the icebergs of the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon. At the same time, you are free to explore the Golden Circle and Skaftafell National Park at your own pace. And, as always, our on-site Concierge will assist you throughout your trip.In Iceland, you will love…
Visit an island inhabited by elves, dwarves, trolls and giants; bathe in hot springs; cross landscapes that look like the Moon; encounter wild horses; make jet-black sandcastles on the beach; stay on a farm; see the frozen walls of glaciers; greet seals and seabirds; watch the brisk tölt gait of Icelandic horses; see volcanoes; visit puffins; spend the night in a former school; learn that the word “eruption” is used for both geysers and volcanoes; try dried fish, to nibble on like crisps - highly addictive!
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
International flight. On arrival in Keflavik, pick up your rental car and head north to the Reykholt valley (2 hours). It will not be long before the wonders begin to reveal themselves: craters, vast lava deserts, then lakes and large parks opening up before your eyes. And that is just the beginning.
The Reykholt valley is a one of the top historic sites in Iceland. Here you will find the former residence of Snorri Sturluson, a writer from the 13th century. There is a museum dedicated to him beneath the church. You are also in the perfect spot to visit Hraunfossar, the “lava falls”, a series of small, clear-waterfalls that spring from ancient, solidified lava flows; and Barnafoss, the “children’s falls”, famous for its natural arch carved by the current through the rock.
Stay for two nights in a hotel surrounded by nature. The hotel is in harmony with its environment and the fantastic panoramic views surrounding it, offering contemporary decor and amenities, with the added bonus of the pleasures of geothermal pools that are open all year round.
You have a day to explore the Reykholt valley at your own pace. You are sure to head to Hraunfossar, the “lava falls”, a series of small, clear-waterfalls that spring from ancient, solidified lava flows; or to Barnafoss, the “children’s falls”, famous for its natural arch carved by the current through the rock.
Optional: Horse riding in the Reykholt valley and visit to Vidgelmir cave.
This time, head south towards Selfoss, the gateway to the famous Golden Circle region.
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 will stay for two nights at a welcoming farm guesthouse run by chicken farmers, with attractive Nordic-style bungalows and comfortable bedrooms.
Scheduled: Laugarvatn Fontana baths. Less well known and less busy than the Blue Lagoon, these geothermal baths are just as relaxing, as well as surpising. In summer or winter, you can enjoy the naturally warm water of the pools, which are arranged by temperature. You also have a breathtaking view of Lake Laugarvatn, where you can cool off after a sauna or hammam. On site, there are snack options if you get hungry, and you can even try bread baked using the heat from the ground!
Drive to Vik (about 2 hours).
Scheduled: a day on the Westman Islands. The south coast of Iceland has some of the most astonishing landscapes on this tiny island. This coastline is inhospitable, but its few reefs and cliffs are nevertheless a nesting site for millions of seabirds. This day is an opportunity to discover the Vestmann Islands, known as the “Islands of the Westmen” (the Celts), which you can reach by ferry. Heimaey, which is a kind of natural fortress and the largest and only inhabited island, was devastated by a terrible eruption in 1973. During this eruption, a second volcano was born, increasing the island’s size by a third. It has an incredible concentration of birds that you can get very close to by boat.
You have a full day to enjoy Vik and its surroundings at your own pace. The village of Vik sits at the foot of green hills, bordered by cliffs where puffins soar. There are ten streets of colourful houses and a small white church on a promontory, overlooking the ocean. Beyond a stretch of black sand, the silhouette of basalt pillars stands out against the horizon. Along the coast, be sure to stop as often you need to so that you can admire the beautiful scenery: black sand beaches, steep cliffs where birds create nesting communities, dramatic waterfalls, glacial lagoons, etc. You’ll remember the green of the hills, the black of the cliffs, and the white of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier.
Nearby highlights: The impressive Seljalandsfoss waterfall (131 feet (40m)); the famous basalt stacks at Reynisdrangar.
Optional: Explore the Vik region by super jeep.
Continue along the coast to Kirkjubaejarklaustur. After leaving the Skogar and Vik region, you enter an area of lava fields and gorges, with the vast Vatnajökull glacier to the east.
Not sure how to pronounce Kirkjubaejarklaustur? Say “Klaustur”, no one will hold it against you! It is a tiny town with barely a hundred inhabitants, surrounded by black ash beaches and a lava desert. Close by you will find the Laki crater and the Eldgja gorge. You’ll stay overnight in a cosy, homely guesthouse. People meet in the lounge at the end of the day to talk about what they have seen that day or, quite simply, to read or have a drink.
Next you head east towards the small fishing town of Höfn, between glaciers and black sand.
On the way: RIB excursion on the Jökulsarlon glacial lagoon. Boating among the icebergs takes your breath away. These bluish ice blocks, released by the Breidarmerkurjökull glacier, float on the lagoon like magnificent sculptures shaped by a fleeting moment. As they drift along, they gradually diminish and eventually head out to sea, leaving behind their last specks of sparkling dust on the black sand beach.
Not to be missed: Skaftafell National Park, which is close to Höfn, offers many walks where you can get close to the glacial lagoons of Vatnajökull and take in spectacular views of Hvannadalshnúkur, Iceland’s highest peak, which rises to 7250 feet (2,210m). There is also an easy hike to Svartifoss, a small waterfall decorated with a beautiful necklace of basalt columns. Near the lagoons with their Greenland-like atmosphere, seals and Arctic terns play hide-and-seek among the icebergs surrounded by an amphitheatre of glaciers.
You’ll stay overnight near Höfn, in a family-run guesthouse set in the heart of nature. Your cottage, a charming little wooden house with a red roof, has all the home comforts you need and even a small kitchen. It is so peaceful.
Optional: Tractor ride on the Ingólfur Headland.
Return your rental vehicle and take a flight to Reykjavik. There will be a transfer to your accommodation, a cosy establishment where comfort is found in traditional houses, right in the heart of the capital. Local craftsmanship and friendliness are part of the scenery, as is a warm welcome.
To see and do: Stroll through the 101 district, around Laugavegur, 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 emerging designers; climb to the top of Hallgrimskirkja church; visit Árbæjarsafn in Kistuhyl, an outdoor architecture museum, to see what the Icelandic capital looked like at the start of the 20th century; for adults only, sample caraway-flavoured potato schnapps; 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.
Transfer to Keflavik airport and return flight.
À la carte
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.
Horseback ride in the Reykholt Valley
Departing from Sturlureykir farm. From there, you follow the river, taking in the beauty of the region’s wild landscapes. During the ride, you can let yourself be carried along and test the unique tölt gait, the Icelandic horse’s comfortable and iconic way of moving.Optional - With an English-speaking guide.
Visit to Vidgelmir cave
Vidgelmir Cave displays all the features of a lava cave: stalactites, stalagmites, a tunnel marked by traces left by molten lava, signs of oxidation, etc. An absolutely fascinating place and easy to access.Optional - With an English-speaking guide.
Exploring the Vik region by super-jeep
You travel to the summit of Reynisfjall in a super jeep driven by an experienced Icelandic driver to admire the breathtaking view of the Reynisdranger rocks - three lava pillars rising on the horizon. According to legend, these are trolls who, while trying to rescue a ship in distress, did not see the sun rising and were turned to stone. The black sand beach of Reynisfjara and the Dýrhólaey lighthouse complete this tour with an English-speaking guide.Optional.
Tractor ride on Ingólfur Cape
Ingolfshöfdi is a kind of no man’s land where anything goes. To the north, a vast sand dune; to the south, it is the realm of birds, with high cliffs battered by the surf. The great skuas hunt the newly hatched gulls, forcing the gulls to patrol in self-defence, all under the astonished gaze of visitors. It’s not so easy to get there, as you have to wait for low tide and dare to cross vast stretches of black sand, which is often shifting. So it is Sigurdur, a farmer and expert on the region, who will take you on his trailer to discover Cape Ingólfur.Optional
Add an extra day and visit the Reykjanes peninsula and the Blue Lagoon
Swept by the winds of the Atlantic, the Reykjanes Peninsula is the south-western tip of Iceland. There you will discover mystical, rocky landscapes, still-smoldering lava fields and ash deserts. It is in the midst of this rugged landscape that the Blue Lagoon is found, a large milky pool nestled in the crevices of a lava field. Its paradise-blue waters, veiled in swirling steam, attract visitors from around the world for the magic of a turquoise bath in the heart of a lava field. The area also lends itself to adventure, with numerous fields and lava formations, spectacular stalagmites, and mysterious caves that call for exploration.
Why visit Iceland with Voyageurs du monde?
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your tripA few of the advantages of travelling with us to Iceland
- Globally unique concierge service
- Gourmet Voyageurs
- Adjust your trip while travelling
- 24-hour assistance
- CO2 absorption
