Iceland's Grand Countryside

Iceland's outer circle with whale watching.

Mountains, rivers, glaciers and volcanoes will unfold as you explore this otherworldly country. Only four hotels allows more time for exploring and relaxing with time to truly take in the day´s experiences and also the chance to do some walking in the beautiful countryside.

During the two included boat trips, you will experience considerable contrast between the icebergs on the south coast and the lush green islands on the west .

Truly a classical adventure with simple hotels of a good standard offering classic Icelandic hospitality.

Day 1 - Arrive Reykjavik

Arrive Keflavik Airport by air from the UK. Take the airport bus to your hotel.

1 night REKYJAVIK - Reykjavik Centrum **** (BB)

Day 2 - Reykjavik, Golden Circle, West Iceland

We’ll leave Reykjavik and drive to the famous double falls at Gullfoss and Geysir hot springs, followed by some man-made beauty at the church of Skálholt. We’ll see some history at Þingvellir National Park, site of the ancient Viking Parliament, before continuing to Reykholt. There’s more history here, as this is the home of the 13th century poet, Snorri Sturluson. We stay in West Iceland for the next two nights.

2 nights BORGARFJÖRDUR - Fosshotel Reykholt (HB)

Day 3 - Fishing Town & Bird Watching

Enjoy a day excursion to the Snæfellsnes peninsula and its “capital”, the charming fishing town of Stykkishólmur. Then it’s off to sea, cruising around Breiðafjörður Fjord, home to thousands of sea birds. Back on land, a uniquely Icelandic treat awaits us at Bjarnarhöfn, where they make Hákarl, the fermented shark. In the afternoon we stop at Europe’s most powerful hot spring Deildartungahver and the lava waterfalls of Hraunfossar.

Day 4 - From West to North

We travel through old lava fields, fertile farmlands and fjord landscapes to Northwest Iceland where we are introduced to the Icelandic horse. Then it’s over a high mountain pass to Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland. We spend the next three nights in the fishing town of Húsavík.

 3 nights HÚSAVIK - Fosshotel Húsavik (HB)

Day 5 - Whale Watching & Leisure Time

Start the day with a 3 hour whale watching tour from Húsavik, weather permitting. Afternoon is at leisure to wander around the town with the possibilty to visit museums and the church.

Day 6 - Geological Wonders & Nature Baths

We’ll visit the waterfall Goðafoss, en-route to Lake Mývatn. This lake is known for its lush vegetation and countless species of birds, some of which are not found anywhere else in Europe. The unusual lava field Dimmuborgir will be explored and we will walk up to the rim of the ash crater Hverfjall. All of our work is rewarded with a soak in the natural hot springs at Mývatn Nature Baths, before heading back to our accommodation.

Day 7 - From North to East

Today starts with a scenic drive around Tjörnes Peninsula, and a visit to the magnificent waterfall Dettifoss, the most powerful in Europe, part of Vatnajökull National Park, before heading through the uninhabited highlands to East Iceland where we will stay for the next three nights.

3 nights EGILSSTADIR - Hotel Herað (HB)

Day 8 - Forest, Waterfalls & Mountains

It’s a pretty drive around Lake Lögurinn to Egilsstaðir - please keep an eye out for the monster. We’ll visit the unusual farm mansion at Skriðuklaustur, which was built by a well known writer. When conditions are right, we can walk up to Hengifoss, one of the highest waterfalls in Iceland. We’ll also take a pretty drive over a mountain pass down to the fishing village of Seyðisfjörður.

Day 9 - The Secret of the East

Borgarfjörður Eystri is a short wide fjord and grassy fertile valley with a charming fishing village of the same name, and the capital of Iceland’s elf community in East Iceland. Magnificent colourful mountains and numerous beautiful rocks and rare stones are found here.

Day 10 - The Fjords, Glacier & Ice

We’ll enjoy the dramatic fjord landscape, twisty roads and fishing villages of the East Fjords. Soon we’ll see Vatnajökull, Europe’s biggest glacier, which dominates Southeast Iceland. We will experience the glacier on a boat trip among the floating icebergs in the glacial lagoon. For the next two nights, we will stay in the Vatnajökull National Park region.

2 nights SKAFTAFELL - Fosshotel Skaftafell (HB)

Day 11 - Europe´s Largest National Park

We’ll have the whole day to relax, walk, and explore Skaftafell and Vatnajökull National Park.

Day 12 - From the South to Reykjavik

Our return to Reykjavík goes through the fertile meadows and sandy desert of the south coast, overlooked by mountainous cliffs and glaciers. There are several beautiful waterfalls on the way and we may spot puffins and even some seals. There’s a short visit to the folk museum at Skógar with its turf houses, before arriving back at the capital.

1 night REYKJAVIK - Reykjavik Centrum **** (BB)

Day 13 - Departure

Take airport bus to Kaflavik Airport for your return flight to the UK.

Departure Days: Sundays
Departure Dates: 23 June 2013; 21 July 2013, 18 August 2013
Duration: 12 nights

N.B. Alternative departures available from Manchester and Glasgow, however, extra nights in Reykjavik may be required in order to fit in with flight schedules.

Pick up for tour: Between 0815 - 0845 from your hotel in Reykjavik.

Language: All tours are guided in English only.

Group size: Maximum 20 passengers. Once a booking is confirmed - the departure is guaranteed.

Accommodation: We only stay at 4 hotels during the tour. 2 nights in West Iceland, 3 nights in Northeast Iceland, 3 nights in East Iceland and 2 nights at the Vatnajökull National Park area. Accommodation is provided in simple but clean hotels with private facilities. Most of our groups will stay at the following hotels (subject to change):
* Fosshotel Reykholt, West Iceland
* Fosshotel Húsavík, Northeast Iceland
* Hotel Hallormsstaður or Hotel Herað, East Iceland
* Fosshotel Skaftafell or Islandia Hotel Núpar, Vatnajökull region

Meals: In Reykjavik only breakfast is included, giving you the opportunity to choose from one of the city´s many excellent restaurants. Whilst touring breakfast and dinner are included. Lunch stops will be made at restaurants or café-shops en route.

Hiking: There is an average of 1-2 hours walking each day, and it is an easy tour in which nearly everyone can participate. Good walking boots are needed on all our tours, as well as waterproof clothing.

Pre-Reserved Seating on Coach: It is possible to pay a supplement for a guaranteed window seat on our escorted coach tours which includes a window seat and next seat remaining empty (passenger gets actually two seats) as well as a pillow and blanket for upgraded comfort. Seats will be reserved in the front rows of the bus.

Baggage porterage: Mostly not available in hotels or farms in rural Iceland or tourist class hotels/guest houses in Reykjavik and it is not included in the tour price. A good rule of thumb is to bring no more than what guests can comfortably carry between the bus and the hotel room.