Guided 12-Day Summer Vacation Package of the Complete Ring Road of Iceland & Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Your minibus tour around the island starts with your guide picking you up in the morning. After some friendly introductions, you'll begin your sightseeing route for the day, the Golden Circle.

Your first stop will be Thingvellir National Park, an area characterized by the rugged gorge that runs through it. On one side of the canyon is the exposed Eurasian tectonic plate, and on the other side, the North American plate. Iceland is the only place on earth where it's possible to walk in the middle of a continental divide in this way.

Thingvellir is also culturally significant as it was here that the Viking settlers gathered in the year 1000 AD to lay the laws of the land. Furthermore, this historic site served as the location for the world's first parliament, the Althingi, making it a focal point of Icelandic cultural identity. The park's landscape, punctuated by crystal-clear streams, moss-covered lava rocks, and birch woodlands, provides a picturesque backdrop to its rich history.

Moving on, you'll visit the Geysir geothermal area, named after the famous hot spring for which all geysers are consequently called. Watch in amazement as boiling-hot water erupts from the Strokkur geyser, reaching heights of up to 66 feet (20 meters).

This ever-active region is punctuated with bubbling mud pools and steaming fumaroles. The contrasting colors of the mineral-rich soil and rising steam create an almost otherworldly atmosphere that genuinely showcases the raw power of Iceland's geothermal activity.

Once you've fully appreciated this phenomenon, you'll move on to see the majestic Gullfoss waterfall. The Hvita river is made up of pure glacial water, and at Gullfoss, it cascades down two mighty tiers with great force. Viewing this natural feature from several angles is possible, offering several opportunities to get the best photo.

You will retire to accommodation in the Southwest Iceland area.

Today, it's time to travel to the South Coast, a region characterized by its vast black beaches and stunning waterfalls. If the weather is good, keep an eye out to sea, and you may be able to spot the outline of the Westman Islands just off the coast.

Your first stop will be Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which you can see from the road as you approach the cliffs of the Southern Highlands. However, nothing can prepare you for this site up close. Water cascades from 197 feet (60 meters) in front of a large cavern that you can enter to see the waterfall from all angles.

Not far is your second waterfall of the day, Skogafoss. Like Seljalandsfoss, this mighty waterfall falls an impressive 197 feet (60 meters) in a wide curtain of thundering water. The ground around it is very flat, allowing visitors to get quite close. On sunny days, it's possible to see several rainbows in the spray of the falls.

You could also choose to visit an ice cave today. Ice caves are an incredible natural wonder that will transport you into an almost crystal palace of icy walls marbled in white and blue.

You will also visit the Dyrholaey sea arch, a rocky promenade stretching from the South Coast's mainland into the sea. From here, you'll get a great view of the surrounding landscape. This spot is also a haven for birdwatchers, with many species, including puffins, often seen nesting on the cliff faces during certain times of the year.

Continuing your journey along the South Coast, you'll move onto Reynisfjara's black sand beach. This stretch of idyllic coastline is famed for its mesmerizing sand, spectacular basalt columns, and photogenic sea stacks, Reynisdrangar. Keep your eyes on the beach's impressive birdlife. You might spot a puffin or two.

Finally, you'll head to your accommodation in South Iceland.

Your day will begin with a drive across the sands of Solheimasandur, a vast black desert that stretches up to the edges of the grand Vatnajokull National Park. Marvel at the contrasting landscapes as each new horizon comes into view.

The first stop of the day is guaranteed to leave you spellbound. The Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon is often called the "Crown Jewel of Iceland" and is a sight to behold. It is Iceland's deepest lake, with a maximum depth of 814 feet (248 meters). It also has a surface area of 11.2 square miles (18 square kilometers).

Huge icebergs drift in the crystalline waters, breaking off from the Breidamerkurjokull glacier tongue and floating lazily out to sea.

Here, you have a chance to sail among the ice on a fantastic boat tour in a specialized amphibian vehicle that drives into the lake and cruises among the bergs, allowing you to take in the unique structure of each as they creak and groan under their weight.

Once you've fully taken in the majesty of Jokulsarlon, you'll make your way to Diamond Beach, a magnificent stretch of coast where the icebergs wash ashore. You can walk among the ancient glacier ice and take many picture-perfect photos here.

The shining pieces of ice on the dark sand look like sparkling diamonds, which is how the beach got its name. The sound of waves hitting the ice is remarkable and adds to the beauty of the place.

Today, you'll also take in the Skaftafell nature reserve, a beautiful part of the country within Vatnajokull National Park. From here, you'll go on a glacier hike. You'll be fitted with the necessary gear and taken up on the icy slopes to see the incredible views from atop a glacier.

You'll spend your evening in accommodation in Southeast Iceland. Make the most of the midnight sun. Sit outside or go for a walk to take in your beautiful surroundings.
 

After leaving the Eastfjords, your trip will take you to some of the attractions that make up the Diamond Circle route, the cousin of the Golden Circle in the southwest.

Before departure, however, you can enjoy the Vok Baths, a spa immersed in a lake, if you elect to do so when booking.

The Diamond Circle comprises four main attractions - Dettifoss waterfall, Asbyrgi canyon, Husavik town, and Lake Myvatn.

First, you'll feast your eyes on "The Beast," the nickname bestowed upon the huge waterfall Dettifoss, considered the most powerful in Europe. This colossal natural feature is somewhat of a celebrity as it was featured in Ridley Scott's sci-fi movie, “Prometheus.” After a short walk to the falls, you can take in its tremendous might as it sends massive amounts of water over a 144-foot (44-meter) drop.

Next, you'll visit Asbyrgi, a horseshoe-shaped canyon which, according to legend, was formed by Odin's eight-legged horse, Slepinir, as he stomped down on the earth. Once you've taken in the verdant landscapes at Asbyrgi, you'll stop in the pretty town of Husavik, famed for its beautiful harbor and an ornate wooden church.

Next, you'll move on to Lake Myvatn, a stunning body of water surrounded by a wealth of fascinating natural features. It measures around six miles (9.5 kilometers) long and four miles (6.5 kilometers) wide, making it Iceland’s fourth-largest lake.

You'll explore the Namaskard Pass, a geothermal area where the earth's powers rise to the surface as steam spews from fumaroles or boiling mud pits.

You'll then head towards the Northern Iceland town of Akureyri. Along the way, you'll stop at “That Waterfall of the Gods,” Godafoss. It's believed this was where a Viking Chieftain symbolically threw his pagan totems into the water, encouraging Icelanders to adopt Christianity to avoid conflict with Norway.

You'll then finish your day at your accommodation in North Iceland.

Traveling further west, today you'll visit the Snaefellsnes peninsula, affectionately dubbed “Iceland in Miniature” for the wealth of varied natural features that color its jagged coastline. The peninsula is named after Snaefellsjokull, the grand glacier volcano featured in Jules Verne's famous story, “Journey to the Centre of the Earth.”

There will be plenty of sightseeing stops throughout the day. You'll visit one of the most photogenic mountains in Iceland, Kirkjufell, which starred in Season 7 of Game of Thrones as the “mountain shaped like an arrowhead.” You can capture its striking aesthetic with the picturesque foreground waterfall for the perfect picture.

Additionally, the tranquil surroundings of Kirkjufell make it a haven for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. As you take in the mountain's iconic silhouette against the expansive Icelandic sky, you'll understand why it has inspired countless photographers and filmmakers.

Within Snaefellsjokull National Park, you'll visit Djupalonssandur beach. Mighty waves crash onto this dramatic beach and smooth its resident pebbles beautifully. As you walk into the area, you'll find four heavy lifting stones that sailors used to test their strength.

These stones, each with varying weights, are remnants of an old tradition where sailors proved their worthiness for challenging sea voyages. As you try to lift or observe them, you're momentarily transported to a time when the strength of one's arms could determine their fate on the sea.

Add even more adventure to your day by exploring the underground world of the Vatnshellir lava tube. Equipped with a headlamp, you'll descend to explore the secret colors and structures hiding under our earth's surface.

Delving deep into this 8,000-year-old cave, you'll be greeted by a maze of intricate rock formations and ancient stalactites. Guided by experts, learn about the volcanic activity that sculpted this underground wonder and hear tales of its historical significance.

You'll return to the same accommodation you were in the night before in West Iceland.