Iceland
Iceland - Iceland Panorama
Iceland - Iceland Panorama
Duration
17 days
Start/End
Keflavík
Tour type
Group
Level
Simple
Accommodation
Hotel / Guesthouse
Overview
This grand study tour presents Iceland as an open-air geology museum: Þingvellir and Kaldidalur, Grábrók crater, the Kjölur highland route, Landmannalaugar, the glaciers of the south, Jökulsárlón, the east coast, Dettifoss and the Askja caldera – plus sagas, myths and culture.
Few other trips showcase the diversity of Iceland as comprehensively and intensely as this grand study tour. In the land of fire and ice that you will explore on this journey, the natural landscapes present themselves like an open-air geological museum. Volcanic activity and untamed nature are ever-present. But Iceland's culture, sagas, and myths also await discovery. This grand study tour covers Iceland in its entirety. You will cross the Kjölur Highland Route, explore the Askja Caldera, hike the Landmannalaugar rhyolite mountains, and visit the remote Westfjords.
Tour Code
Tour language
GermanItinerary
Day 1
Arrival – Reykjavik
Accommodation in Reykjavik
approx. 50 km
Flight to Keflavik and transfer to your accommodation in Iceland's capital. Evening at leisure. Overnight stay in Reykjavik.
Arrival – Reykjavik
Day 1
Accommodation in Reykjavik
approx. 50 km
Flight to Keflavik and transfer to your accommodation in Iceland's capital. Evening at leisure. Overnight stay in Reykjavik.
Day 2
Thingvellir National Park – Kaldidalur – Borgarfjord
ca. 165 km
In the morning, meet your tour guide and begin your tour. It starts with a visit to Thingvellir National Park, where the Icelandic parliament, the Althing, was founded in 930 AD. From the Kaldidalur highland track, you'll have a beautiful view of the Langjökull glacier. In the Husafell region, visit the Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls. Continue to Reykholt, the former home of Snorri Sturluson, an important medieval poet (author of the Prose Edda and Heimskringla).
Thingvellir National Park – Kaldidalur – Borgarfjord
Day 2
ca. 165 km
In the morning, meet your tour guide and begin your tour. It starts with a visit to Thingvellir National Park, where the Icelandic parliament, the Althing, was founded in 930 AD. From the Kaldidalur highland track, you'll have a beautiful view of the Langjökull glacier. In the Husafell region, visit the Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls. Continue to Reykholt, the former home of Snorri Sturluson, an important medieval poet (author of the Prose Edda and Heimskringla).
Day 3
Grabrok volcanic crater – Glanni waterfall – Vatnsnes
approx. 210 km
From the rim of the Grabrok crater, there is a beautiful view over the Nordura valley, one of the country's most important salmon rivers. The Glanni waterfall is also worth a stop. The journey continues northwards to the Vatnsnes peninsula.
Grabrok volcanic crater – Glanni waterfall – Vatnsnes
Day 3
approx. 210 km
From the rim of the Grabrok crater, there is a beautiful view over the Nordura valley, one of the country's most important salmon rivers. The Glanni waterfall is also worth a stop. The journey continues northwards to the Vatnsnes peninsula.
Day 4
Highland route Kjölur – Gullfoss waterfall – Geysir
approx. 310 km
The highland adventure awaits: At the Blöndudalur valley, we turn onto the barren Kjölur highland track. Along the way, there's an opportunity to bathe in the Hveravellir geothermal area. To the south, the "Golden Waterfall" Gullfoss plunges over several rocky steps into the depths. The geysers Geysir and Strokkur are also nearby.
Highland route Kjölur – Gullfoss waterfall – Geysir
Day 4
approx. 310 km
The highland adventure awaits: At the Blöndudalur valley, we turn onto the barren Kjölur highland track. Along the way, there's an opportunity to bathe in the Hveravellir geothermal area. To the south, the "Golden Waterfall" Gullfoss plunges over several rocky steps into the depths. The geysers Geysir and Strokkur are also nearby.
Day 5
Landmannalaugar
approx. 240 km
A highlight of the trip is the detour through the rugged, pristine landscape past the Hekla volcano to the colorful rhyolite mountains of Landmannalaugar. There is an opportunity to bathe in a natural hot spring.
Landmannalaugar
Day 5
approx. 240 km
A highlight of the trip is the detour through the rugged, pristine landscape past the Hekla volcano to the colorful rhyolite mountains of Landmannalaugar. There is an opportunity to bathe in a natural hot spring.
Day 6
South Coast – Glacier world at Eyjafjallajökull
ca. 215 km
Visit the two waterfalls: Seljalandsfoss, behind which a small path leads, and Skogafoss. The surf of the North Atlantic is impressive at the black sand beach of Reynisfjara. Today, the area around the Mýrdalsjökull glacier and the Eyjafjallajökull glacier volcano will be explored.
South Coast – Glacier world at Eyjafjallajökull
Day 6
ca. 215 km
Visit the two waterfalls: Seljalandsfoss, behind which a small path leads, and Skogafoss. The surf of the North Atlantic is impressive at the black sand beach of Reynisfjara. Today, the area around the Mýrdalsjökull glacier and the Eyjafjallajökull glacier volcano will be explored.
Day 7
Skaftafell National Park – Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
ca. 200 km
We will explore Skaftafell National Park, where well-maintained trails invite you to enjoy easy hikes. The highlight is the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, where we will take a boat trip among floating icebergs.
Skaftafell National Park – Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
Day 7
ca. 200 km
We will explore Skaftafell National Park, where well-maintained trails invite you to enjoy easy hikes. The highlight is the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, where we will take a boat trip among floating icebergs.
Day 8
East Coast – Egilsstadir
Accommodation near Egilsstadir
ca. 190 km
Continue your journey on a narrow ring road along the high tuff mountains of the east coast. You'll experience the remote East Fjords with their steep cliffs and idyllic fishing villages. Overnight stay near Egilsstaðir.
East Coast – Egilsstadir
Day 8
Accommodation near Egilsstadir
ca. 190 km
Continue your journey on a narrow ring road along the high tuff mountains of the east coast. You'll experience the remote East Fjords with their steep cliffs and idyllic fishing villages. Overnight stay near Egilsstaðir.
Day 9
Mödrudalur – Dettifoss – Myvatn
ca. 240 km
The journey takes us across the Mödrudalur plateau to the north of the country. We continue to Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe, and on to the volcanically active Mývatn region with the pseudocraters of Skutustaðir and the lava formations of Dimmuborgir. With its diverse birdlife and unique vegetation, the area is a paradise for nature lovers. (2 nights)
Mödrudalur – Dettifoss – Myvatn
Day 9
ca. 240 km
The journey takes us across the Mödrudalur plateau to the north of the country. We continue to Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe, and on to the volcanically active Mývatn region with the pseudocraters of Skutustaðir and the lava formations of Dimmuborgir. With its diverse birdlife and unique vegetation, the area is a paradise for nature lovers. (2 nights)
Day 10
Caldera Box
approx. 390 km
Today, a highland bus will take us into the uninhabited interior to Askja, the largest caldera on the island, with its small, warm lake, Viti, both of which are perfect for a hike (approx. 1.5 hours). A picnic lunch will be provided in the highlands along the way!
Caldera Box
Day 10
approx. 390 km
Today, a highland bus will take us into the uninhabited interior to Askja, the largest caldera on the island, with its small, warm lake, Viti, both of which are perfect for a hike (approx. 1.5 hours). A picnic lunch will be provided in the highlands along the way!
Day 11
Godafoss – Akureyri – Heimatmuseum – Pferdeshow
approx. 270 km
Passing Godafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods, we travel to Akureyri. We pay a short visit to the capital of the north before heading to Skagafjörður, considered the heartland of Icelandic horse breeding. We visit a local history museum that illustrates Icelandic life in bygone eras. A demonstration of purebred Icelandic horses awaits us.
Godafoss – Akureyri – Heimatmuseum – Pferdeshow
Day 11
approx. 270 km
Passing Godafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods, we travel to Akureyri. We pay a short visit to the capital of the north before heading to Skagafjörður, considered the heartland of Icelandic horse breeding. We visit a local history museum that illustrates Icelandic life in bygone eras. A demonstration of purebred Icelandic horses awaits us.
Day 12
Hrutafjördur – Isafjördur
ca. 365 km
The journey takes you through the impressive fjord landscape of the Westfjords. With a bit of luck, you might spot seals along the way. In Reykjanes, you'll have the opportunity to swim in Iceland's longest swimming pool. The destination is Ísafjörður, the heart of the Westfjords.
Hrutafjördur – Isafjördur
Day 12
ca. 365 km
The journey takes you through the impressive fjord landscape of the Westfjords. With a bit of luck, you might spot seals along the way. In Reykjanes, you'll have the opportunity to swim in Iceland's longest swimming pool. The destination is Ísafjörður, the heart of the Westfjords.
Day 13
Westfjorde
approx. 280 km
Traveling along the stunning Westfjords, we reach Dynjandi waterfall on Arnarfjörður, which thunders down numerous cascades into the depths below. Afterwards, we visit the Latrabjarg cliffs, one of Europe's most important seabird colonies and a nesting ground for gannets, auks, cormorants, and puffins.
Westfjorde
Day 13
approx. 280 km
Traveling along the stunning Westfjords, we reach Dynjandi waterfall on Arnarfjörður, which thunders down numerous cascades into the depths below. Afterwards, we visit the Latrabjarg cliffs, one of Europe's most important seabird colonies and a nesting ground for gannets, auks, cormorants, and puffins.
Day 14
Snaefellsnes
ca. 75 km
A ferry ride through Breidafjördur Bay, a maze of countless small islands, leads to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, an extinct volcanic region dominated by a mighty ice cap. On the south coast, with its fishing villages of Hellnar and Arnarstapi, bizarre rock formations and striking bird cliffs await us.
Snaefellsnes
Day 14
ca. 75 km
A ferry ride through Breidafjördur Bay, a maze of countless small islands, leads to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, an extinct volcanic region dominated by a mighty ice cap. On the south coast, with its fishing villages of Hellnar and Arnarstapi, bizarre rock formations and striking bird cliffs await us.
Day 15
Snaefellsnes – Reykjavik
ca. 235 km
From Snaefellsnes, the journey continues through the Whale Fjord Tunnel back to the capital, Reykjavik. A short city tour provides orientation before the tour guide bids farewell.
Snaefellsnes – Reykjavik
Day 15
ca. 235 km
From Snaefellsnes, the journey continues through the Whale Fjord Tunnel back to the capital, Reykjavik. A short city tour provides orientation before the tour guide bids farewell.
Day 16
Reykjavik – Day at leisure
The day is yours to enjoy at your leisure. Explore Iceland's capital city on your own or join an optional excursion.
Reykjavik – Day at leisure
Day 16
The day is yours to enjoy at your leisure. Explore Iceland's capital city on your own or join an optional excursion.
Day 17
Return flight
approx. 50 km
Transfer to the airport and return journey.
Return flight
Day 17
approx. 50 km
Transfer to the airport and return journey.
Services
What's included
Non-stop flight with Icelandair from various German airports to Keflavik
16 nights' accommodation in rooms with shower/toilet in typical local hotels or guesthouses
16 x breakfast
13 dinners (days 2-14)
3 x Lunch boxes (4th, 5th & 10th day)
Airport transfers in Iceland
Bus tour according to the program in a partially highland-capable off-road bus with German-speaking tour guide (days 2-15)
Ferry crossing Breidafjord
1 piece of hand luggage & 1 piece of checked baggage per person
2 x museum admission
Pferdeshow
Boat trip to the Jökulsárló glacier lagoon
Iceland Nature Guide with comprehensive information
Guaranteed departures with a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 24 participants.
What's not included
Travel insurance (we are happy to put together an individual offer)
personal equipment
Visa and vaccinations, if required
Tip
Single room supplement from €1,945
Meals not included in the services
For very early return flights, breakfast may be omitted, depending on the breakfast times of the respective accommodation.
Excursions not listed in the services
Fees for the use of public sanitary facilities
Personal expenses
Possibly additional flight surcharges
Feeder flights, other departure airports or Rail&Fly (we are happy to put together a suitable offer)
Character of the trip
Fitness
Simple
Altitude
Low
Culture / nature
Nature-led
This tour is suitable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. Along the way, there are short walks and easy hikes to waterfalls, viewpoints, and other natural attractions, mostly on well-maintained paths, though some sections are uneven and can be slippery when wet. You'll travel by bus with a German-speaking tour guide and stay in typical Icelandic hotels or guesthouses. Sturdy shoes and windproof/waterproof clothing are essential, as the weather in Iceland can change quickly.
Dates and prices
Group dates
Notes on the trip
Notes
Our tip: Price advantage for solo travelers: On selected dates we offer half double rooms. The itinerary may be reversed! We reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary due to hotel changes or weather and road conditions. Highland journeys may be affected by weather and road conditions. For groups of up to 16 people, the tour guide will usually drive the bus. The following file contains important information about our group tours in Iceland. A 3-bed room is a double room with an extra bed; it may be very cramped. Fixed price for children up to and including 11 years of age in a double room with their parents Half double rooms available on request!
