Iceland in 8 Days: From Glaciers to Waterfalls to Hot Springs (Flight Included)

Ready to discover the spectacular cities and landscapes of Iceland? Arrive at your departure airport, ready to catch a flight to Reykjavik.* Night on board.

* If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Touch down in Reykjavik, the capital and largest city in Iceland. Self-transfer to the hotel* and get settled in before enjoying the remainder of the day exploring at your leisure. If time allows, get out and explore the cosmopolitan atmosphere and unique Icelandic cuisine of the capital or visit Reykjavik's fantastic museums on Viking heritage. Overnight stay in Reykjavik. *Optional private or shuttle bus transfers can be added as a supplement in the next step of the booking process.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, embark on an adventure taking you to the West via Mosfellsbær town heading towards Hvalfjörður Fjord (Whale Fjord).

This beautifully scenic drive around the fjord will then continue to Borgarnes, a historic town stretching all the way back to the time of the Vikings that played an important role in Iceland’s settlement. Here, you will visit the Settlement Center— devoted to recreating Iceland’s earliest days and introducing visitors to one of the country’s most iconic heroes, Egil Skalla-Grimson. The center also houses a restaurant, a café and a souvenir shop. Later, continue inland to Deildartunguhver, Iceland’s largest hot spring. Drive further to the historic Reykholt, home of a 13th-century chieftain, writer, poet and scholar, Snorri Sturluson. Make your way to Hraunfossar and Barnafossar, some of Iceland’s most scenic waterfalls and finally head to Húsafell, a small birch forest at the edge of the highlands. Overnight stay in Borgarnes.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a full-day excursion to the Snæfellsnes peninsula and explore the natural wonders of this location that divides the west coast of Iceland into two large bays. Start by visiting the northern part of Mýrar, home to an array of volcanic craters, including Eldborg, the largest one.

Next, head west towards the tip of the peninsula, passing the small fishing towns of Grundarfjörður, Ólafsvík, Rif and Hellissandur. You will also be passing by the Snæfellsjökull National Park, full of interesting geological phenomena and historic sites. Among many places of interest are Dritvík, Djúpalónssandur and Öndverðarnes, a former fishing station. Make a short detour to Djúpalónssandur and take a short walk along a marked path to the beach.

From here, you will drive around the tip of the peninsula at the foot of Snæfellsjökull, a glaciated volcano where the famous novel “The Journey to the Centre of the Earth” by Jules Verne is set in. Visit Þúfubjarg, a spectacular cliff and a nesting colony for many seabirds. Continue to Arnarstapi and Hellnar to view the beautiful coast and impressive variety of birdlife. Stop by Búðir, a charming little site located on a natural inlet. Finally, make your way to the east along the south coast of the peninsula where seals can often be seen on land or in the water at Ytri Tunga farm before returning back to Reykjavik via Hellisheiði and the village of Hveragerði. Overnight stay in Snaefellsnes.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, embark on a full-day excursion to the South Shore. Start by visiting Seljalandsfoss, a gorgeous waterfall that drops 60 m and is part of the Seljalands River.

From here, visit the Skógar Museum and then pass by Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers before stopping by Sólheimajökull glacier where glacier walks are available. Continue on to Dyrhólaey nature reserve home to the nesting colony of numerous seabirds. Finally, drive to Reynisdrangar, known for its spectacular coast and beautiful rock formations. Continue to Vik, a small town on the black beach. Overnight stay in South Shore.

Breakfast at the hotel. Take part in an excursion to Golden Circle where you will visit the numerous hot springs and see the famous Great Geysir and Strokkur, an active geyser that shoots out strong jets every few minutes. Then, you will make your way to Gullfoss waterfall, one of Iceland’s most beautiful natural wonders.

Later, head towards Þingvellir National Park, known for being the site of Iceland's parliament from the 10th to 18th centuries. On the site are the Þingvellir Church and the ruins of old stone shelters. The park sits in a rift valley caused by the separation of 2 tectonic plates, with rocky cliffs and fissures. As an added optional, take part in a visit to the Secret Lagoon*. Overnight stay in Reykjavík.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, head to the Blue Lagoon, one of Iceland's most iconic sites. You will then have the option to participate in the additional activity where you can bathe in the mineral-rich waters of the Blue Lagoon (additional fees)* or stroll along the walking path taking in the spectacular views of this majestic location. Overnight stay in  Reykjavík.

*Optional Swim in the Blue Lagoon: With waters that are milky-blue and mineral rich, enjoy a visit to the Blue Lagoon, known for its healing properties, relaxing atmosphere and slather on a silica mud mask as you enjoy a complimentary drink at the swim-up bar.

Breakfast at the hotel. It's time to bid farewell to the captivating landscapes of Iceland. At the indicated time, self-transfer to the airport for your flight back to Canada.* Arrive in Canada and end your trip. 

*Optional private or shuttle bus transfers can be added as a supplement in the next step of the booking process.