Ultimate Iceland Ring Tour – 10 Nights/11Days

Upon arrival to Iceland, your guide will be waiting for you at the arrival hall. Your Iceland adventure starts from here. The first stop will be to the famous Blue Lagoon where you can relax and let the warm and mineral-rich water warm you up and recharge you for your exciting trip in Iceland. 

The Blue Lagoon features an in-water mask booth, sauna, steam room, and an in-water bar (book with us and get a complimentary beverage). The silica mask is free-flow so you can use it as much as you wish. Spend the night near Borganes.

After breakfast, you’ll be headed to all the wonders that the Hidden Gem of the West, the peninsula of Snaefellsnes has to offer. 

Kirkjufell, “The Church Mountain”, and Kirkjufellfoss waterfall This iconic narrow mountain has become the landmark of Snaefellsnes in recent years. It became famous after being presented as the “Arrowhead Mountain” on Game of Thrones. The erosive powers of the glaciers during the last ice age about 12,000 years ago gave this mountain its shape. Due to this unique look, it is one of the most photographed sights in Iceland, and just across you will see the beautiful waterfall Kirkjufellsfoss which completes your perfect shot of the mountain. There are numerous vantage points for the perfect photograph and our guides know them all. 

Budakirkja, the Black Church of Budir On the south coast of the peninsula, there’s a village with only a hotel and a tiny black church called the Budakirkja that sits alone among a field of lava rocks. Budakirkja was built on the spot in 1703 and reconstructed in 1987 after a claim by a single member that lobbied to have it back. It has a historic graveyard, a bell, and a chalice from the time it was erected. It is a listed building, owned by the National Museum of Iceland, but it is in the care of the Budir parish. Without a doubt, this picturesque chapel has a romantic air about it and is a real attraction to the site. 

Arnarstapi Fishing Village, Hellnar & Arch This tiny fishing village has picturesque coastal cliffs derived from glowing magma hitting the wild waves of the Atlantic. Known in Iceland as the most beautiful harbor in the country. Thousands of years later erosion has formed beautiful stone arcs and a remarkable DTravcoe geyser. Enjoy a walk along the coastline while your guide tells you all about Barbour, half-man half-troll, and his misdeeds in the area. 

Ytri Tunga beach and seal colony Ytri-Tunga is a sandy beach that has a little secret hidden away down by the sea, behind the farmhouses… a seal colony. Seals love to spend their time on the rocks of this beautiful beach. They are friendly and curious and will climb up on the rocks for you to spot them from a distance.

The next attraction of the day is Europe’s most powerful hot spring, Deildartunguhver, where bailing water is bubbling from the ground, you will feel the heat from the hot steam. The next stop is Reykholt, one of the most important historical locations in Iceland. This was the home of Snorri Sturluson who was one of the most significant figures of the Middle Ages. After leaving Reykholt you will see two waterfalls, Hraunfossar and Barnafoss. Hraunfossar is a series of rivulets that stream through the dark lava field. Barnafoss waterfall is a light blue waterfall that rushes through a narrow gorge. 

Spend the night near Borganes.

Hvitserkur 

Visible from the black-sand beach, this 15-meter-tall basalt island resembles a dragon or rhino. It has been featured in numerous advertisements.

Troll Peninsula 

Troll Peninsula is an adventurous location with its high mountains, green valleys, lakes, and sea. The Northern light shines during the wintertime and the hills are filled with juicy berries during the fall. Not to mention the spring and the summertime where the days stets into the night and the light seems never-ending. The area is rich with culture and for that knowledge thirsty history is on display at local folk museums and Cultural houses have exhibitions all year round.

Optional Activities 

• Whale-watching 

Eyjafjordur bay is one of the best locations to experience the whales in their natural habitat. The beautiful Eyjafjorour bay which has in recent years been the habitat of humpback whales, mink whales, dolphins, and more species. As we set sail to reach the whales, our guides – who are locals and highly experienced, will make an effort to make you feel as

comfortable as possible. You’ll receive warm overalls and there are blankets on board. To ensure that the animals are not disturbed by our presence, we sail at a constant speed towards the whales’ habitat. As a result, a variety of species, from humpback whales to tiny porpoises, often surface within a few feet of the boat. When we reach the whales we’ll make sure not to disturb them with loud noises or sharp movements.

AND/OR 

• Beer Spa 

Take a dip in warm beer and beer yeast, which supposedly is good for your skin and hair. Even enjoy a cold beer while you bathe in the warm beer. Spend the night in Akureyri. 

Akureyri 

Known also as the city of love, Akureyri is Iceland’s capital of the north. We will take a city tour to explore some interesting places like the Christmas House and Akureyrarkirkja. During the summer, you can take a stroll in the Botanical Gardens of Akureyri where beautiful flowers bloom.

Gooafoss – Lake Myvatn – Hverir 

Godafoss is a spectacular waterfall plunging over a curved, 12m-high precipice, with paths to multiple viewpoints. Its name means “the waterfall of the gods”. Explore the area around Myvatn where there are caves, waterfalls, and the most popular Lake Myvatn. The next stop will bring you to an out-of-the-world location – Hverir. This geothermal hotspot is well-known for its boiling mud pools and steaming fumaroles emitting sulfuric gas. During the summer, you can take a detour to Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in all of Europe.

Stuolagil Canyon  

During the summer, we will take yet another detour to visit this picturesque canyon lined by basalt columns. Getting to this amazingly beautiful canyon takes a little effort but it will be all worth it. 

Spend the night in Egilsstaoir.

Start the day driving along the east fjords of Iceland. Keep a lookout for wild reindeers who are permanent residents of this area. During the summer, we take a detour to Borgarfjaroarhofn to visit the natural habitat of the puffins. Visit the interesting Eggin í Gleoivík, where giant sculptures of all the different kinds of eggs of resident birds of Iceland line the coast. Take a stroll in the Christmas tree garden and visit an old Viking village situated right beside the picturesque Vestrahorn and Stokksnes.

Optional Activity 

Petra’s Stone Collection is the world’s largest privately-owned stone and mineral collection. The stones and minerals, amongst other collections, are displayed within a beautiful garden.

Spend the night in Hofn. 

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon 

Starting this day by heading to Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, a 200m deep glacial lagoon fed by Breioamerkurjokull, an outlet glacier of Europe’s largest glacier. Enormous icebergs come from Breioamerkurjokull all year round so the lagoon is usually filled with ice that floats south. We will allow you to book a boat ride between the icebergs during summer time and get a closer look at the millenary ice. If boating is not your thing, then we walk alongside the glacier lagoon enjoying the magnificent views and dead silence of Icelandic nature. 

Diamond Beach 

On the other side of the road, the icebergs from the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon float into the Atlantic Ocean where they are quickly thrown back to shore by the tide and winds. This black sand beach is full of smaller ice rocks in all shapes and sizes, sparkling like diamonds in the daylight. The ice itself comes in all shades of white and blue forming beautiful contrasts, guaranteed to make your Instagram account pop. 

Optional Activity 

Summer: Amphibian Boat Tour OR Zodiac Tour 

Winter: Blue Ice Cave Tour OR Hovercraft Tour 

Amphibian Boat Tour is an exciting boat trip on the lagoon in an amphibian boat. During the excursion, you sail among the huge icebergs in the picturesque scenery of Jokulsarlon. On the boat, you get to taste the 1000-year-old ice and if you are lucky you might even see some seals. The excursion takes 30–40 minutes and includes an English-speaking guide who explains to you the geology and facts of the lagoon. Other languages may be offered upon request.

Zodiac Tour – During the excursion, you sail among the huge icebergs in the picturesque scenery of Jokulsarlon. On the Zodiac, we can cover large areas of the lagoon and get closer to the icebergs than on the amphibian. When possible the Zodiac goes almost all the way up to the glacier (as close as safe). Passengers are provided with flotation suits and a life jacket. We don’t recommend taking children under the age of 10 on the Zodiac tour.

Blue Ice Cave Tour – You will get the opportunity of a lifetime to enjoy one of the world’s greatest wilderness, Iceland’s largest glacier. You are driven in a specially modified Super Jeep to the glacier, where you get to explore the glacier environment, enjoy a view out of this world, go into and underneath the glacier and experience the glacier’s beauty from the inside. Blue Ice Cave Exploration is truly a unique experience. An experienced local guide leads the way and shares a wealth of fascinating information about glaciers, icefields, and their impact on our environment during our journey, making sure everyone enjoys themselves to the fullest. Our guides provide you with safety equipment (helmet and crampons) and the fun begins. 

Hovercraft Tour – Experience the exciting Hovercraft tours in the stunning surroundings of Vatnajokull National Park where we go to one of the natural wonders of Iceland, Glacier Lagoon, Jokulsarlon. Enjoy the smooth, safe sailing with an experienced and professional local pilot. Nowhere else in Iceland is this experience available. Spend the night on the south coast.

Start the day with a hike into the mountains to Svartifoss, known as the black waterfall, where waterfalls between basalt columns. Along the way, you can see the highest peak of Iceland, Hvannadalshnukur. Have a photo-stop at the Eldhraun lava field, the largest lava field in the world and which event disrupted lives all around the world. 

Reynisfjara, the Black Sand Beach 

Heading further west, we visit the black sand beach of Reynisfjara where the massive waves of the Atlantic meet the unique basalt columns in the cliffs above the sand. Rock pillars in the water and the cliffs of Dyrholaey are seen in the distance. This area of the south is also a paradise for bird lovers, as Puffins and dozens of other unique species nest on top of these cliffs in the summertime from June to August. 

Spend the night on the south coast. 

Skogafoss 

Further west along the coast is Skogafoss waterfall. Skogafoss is an incredibly picturesque sight. Tucked in a little gorge, the river Skoga tumbles down a 60-meter cliff before continuing down the landscape towards the Atlantic Ocean. Alongside the gorge, a staircase can take you to the shelf above the waterfall for stunning views. See if you can count your steps on your way up.

Seljalandsfoss

The adventure begins when your arrival is announced by the powerful theatrics of Seljalandsfoss. Bring a raincoat and you’ll be able to make the short hike behind the falls. The scene behind the fall and the trembling ground from the power of the falling water makes for an automatic Instagram blockbuster.

LAVA Centre OR Kerid Volcano Crater 

The Lava Centre is an interactive, high-tech educational exhibition depicting volcanic activity, earthquakes, and the creation of Iceland over millions of years. Examine the various volcanos—eruptions and lava flows, volcanic and rift systems, faults, and glacial floods that make Iceland a showcase of volcanism. Kerid is a 3000-year-old extinct volcano. After its last eruption, the volcano collapsed to form a crater. This scenic lake has attracted visitors from near and far.

Optional Activities 

• Glacier Hike in Solheimajokull

Solheimajokull is a part of Myrdalsjokull, one of the biggest glaciers in Europe. It is featured in detail in the 2012 documentary “Chasing Ice,” an award-winning investigation of climate change. Once you reach the ice, you’ll be given plenty of time to marvel at the eerie silence and feeling of isolation, as if you and your fellow hikers are alone in a vast, empty world of ice and snow. You’ll view millennia-old blue ice, created when oxygen bubbles are trapped in the snow and compressed into ice by the enormous weight of the glacier pressing down upon it. You’ll be able to gaze deep into a glacier moulin, a vertical shaft like a well, which can go all the way to the bottom of the glacier.

OR

• DC3 Plane Wreck 

Visit the famous plane wreck on Solheimasandur. This plane wreck of the US Navy has been sitting on the vast black sand since 1973.  Spend the night on the south coast.

THingvellir National Park

We visit the place where the two tectonic plates, the North American and the Eurasian plate, are moving away from each other. Few places in the world offer a better and clearer view of this massive geographic activity. The biggest natural lake in Iceland is also located at Thingvellir National Park and hosts a great variety of fish and birdlife. Thingvellir is also an important place for Icelandic national history. At Thingvellir Icelanders founded their parliament in 930 a.d. where the chieftains had their annual meeting every summer. The name “Thingvellir” translates to “Parliament Plains”. 

Geysir Geothermal Area 

The Geysir geothermal area hosts hundreds of colorful hot springs and two geysers, erupting hot springs. One is called “Geysir” and name giving for all the geysers in the world. Today, however, it erupts very seldom. The other geyser is called “Strokkur” and erupts every 5 minutes up to 40 meters.

Gullfoss Waterfall 

The melting water from Iceland´s second biggest glacier, Langjokull, falls into a deep canyon forming the majestic “Golden Falls”. On a sunny day, you can see the glacier Langjokull in the distance and enjoy a rainbow in the midst of the waterfall, an Instagram blockbuster waiting to happen.

Optional Activities 

• Snowmobile

Go on a snowmobile tour on Iceland’s second-largest ice cap. Once you are at our base camp we suit up for the tour, we offer snowsuits, gloves, helmets, and shoe-covers if needed. We go over a safety briefing before heading out to the Snowmobile tour so that everyone feels safe and secure to start the tour.

OR 

• Dog-sledding 

This tour will operate with a sled on snow or with a kart on DRY- LAND depending on the conditions. Feel the power, excitement, and energy of our amazing sled dogs as they are harnessed to go. During the ride, your Musher guide will drive your team while sharing his knowledge and passion about dogsledding. Spend the night in Reykjavik. 

The Reykjavik city tour covers the city‘s top attractions, interesting facts, and stories that relate to history and culture in Reykjavik and throughout Iceland. Traveling the Reykjavik area and surrounding municipalities provides an excellent opportunity to discover various things to see or to do in Reykjavik during your stay in Iceland. 

On this tour, you will visit the Perlan glass dome where a 360 viewing platform provides some of the best places for sightseeing in Reykjavik. 

After enjoying the spectacular view over Reykjavik city and its surroundings the tour proceeds to go to Reykjavik’s seafront to the old Hofoi building where an important summit between former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and former U.S.S.R. Secretary General Mikhail Gorbachev took place in 1986.

The next stop is Hallgrímskirkja church who’s design was inspired by basalt lava columns, a common volcanic rock formation in Icelandic nature. From Hallgrimskirkja church, the tour explores Reykjavik city center in and around the Parliament building by Austurvollur which, sometimes is referred to as “the Old town”. 

Optional Activity 

• Wonders of Iceland & Arora Northern Lights Show

Located in Reykjavik’s most iconic building, Perlan – Wonders of Iceland, offers unforgettable experiences of Iceland’s rare and astonishing natural wonders. See, hear, and feel the power of volcanoes, earthquakes, & geothermal energy. Step inside the only planetarium in Iceland and take a visual journey through the unique landscape of Iceland to observe the Northern Lights. Enter a real indoor ice cave and learn about Iceland’s glaciers, their effect on the land, and their bleak future. At last, enjoy the observation deck with an amazing 360° view of Reykjavik.

AND/OR 

• Whale-watching Tour 

Enjoy a magical 3 hr. cruise into Faxafloi bay with our expert crew and specially trained naturalists in search of the whales and wildlife of Reykjavík. The landscape surrounding the bay adds that something special to the experience and is certainly not to be missed.

AND/OR 

• Northern Light Cruise (Sep – Apr) 

Search for Aurora Borealis away from the city lights, on this thrilling winter cruise. Northern Lights are best displayed under dark, clear skies. You can find these conditions from September until the end of April in Reykjavík. Watching the lights constantly change in intensity, color, and movement in the vast starry space with the gentle lull of the ocean beneath is a thrilling, unique experience. Spend the night in Reykjavik.

You will have this day at your leisure for shopping or any other activity you like to do before your flight back home.