12 Day Winter Package | Circle of Iceland & Snaefellsnes Peninsula

On your second day, you will leave the capital behind for the time being and board your minibus, where you will get to know the rest of the passengers and your friendly guides. You will begin by heading out to see the famed sights of the Golden Circle. This route is by far the most celebrated one in the entire country, and you will immediately understand why upon arrival.

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First up is Þingvellir National Park, both historically and geologically fascinating. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Þingvellir is the location where Iceland’s very first legislative body, Alþingi, was founded. The area is furthermore located on the continental rift where Almannagjá Fissure marks the meeting of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.

Once you have explored the enchanting valley, you will head on to the geothermal valley Haukadalur, home to spouting geysers and bubbling mud pools. There you can observe the grand geyser Strokkur naturally erupt every few minutes. Next up is the majestic waterfall Gullfoss—a cascading beast of unharnessed power as it plummets down two stages into the icy crevice of a glacial river.

If you chose to during the booking process, this day will also include a horse riding tour through the beautiful south lowlands. Icelandic horses are known for being both friendly and gentle and so this is the perfect tour for both new and experienced riders.

By the end of the day, you will retreat to a cosy accommodation in southern Iceland. Remember to look up in the sky for Northern Lights.

As you set out on your third day, you will trail along one of the country’s most beautiful areas belonging to the famed South Coast. You will pass cascading rivers and rural farmlands and stop at the two magnificent waterfalls Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss.

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The sights on the menu today are numerous and sure to leave you in awe, but if you want to embark on an additional activity, you can opt for a thrilling glacier hike on top of Sólheimajökull during the booking process. There really is no better way of comprehending a glacier’s power than by strapping on boots and crampons and ascending its icy surface.

Your destination for the night is the coast near the village of Vík, home to the black sand beach Reynisfjara, frequently voted as one of the most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world. Offshore you can observe the castle-like structure of the basalt sea stacks Reynisdrangar. Enjoy the local food or go souvenir shopping before calling it a day.

You will spend the night at an accommodation near the village of Vík.

On your fourth day, get ready for one of the ultimate highlights of any Icelandic Ring Road adventure, as you travel across the black desert Mælifellssandur, past Skaftafell nature reserve and under Iceland's tallest peak: Hvannadalshnjúkur.

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Next, you will pay a visit to the famous Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, where massive icebergs that have broken off one of Vatnajökull’s outlet glaciers float in tranquil waters before drifting off to the Atlantic Ocean. This is a sight you will never forget, as well as the neighbouring Diamond Beach where chunks of ice glisten like gemstones on a blanket of black velvet sand.

Another adventure awaits you today if you opted for during booking; exploring a natural ice cave. The beauty of the cave will leave you in awe as you move past the icy inlets and frozen sculptures that line the walls of this ethereal wonderland. You'll start the day with a visit to a cave in Mýrdalsjökull glacier if you are travelling before November, otherwise, you'll have an afternoon visit to a cave in Vatnajökull glacier.

By the end of the day, you will find yourself in the town of Höfn, which is where you will spend the night.

Today it is time to leave the south behind and head to the Eastfjords, one of the most untouched regions of wilderness in Iceland. As you trail along the fjords, you can experience the tranquillity of the nesting mountains and resident wildlife. Perhaps you will even spot roaming herds of wild reindeer.

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There are several stops to be made en route, such as the stretch of black sand in Breiðdalsvík, the small and charming fishing settlements that nest in the fjords, and the majestic gabbro mountain Vestrahorn, along with some secret gems that your guide will arrange along the way.

You will spend the night in one of the Eastfjord's many lovely towns.

Today you will leave the East behind and head North. Your first stop will be in the Lake Mývatn area, a stunning region characterised by geothermal and volcanic activity. Highlights of the area include Dimmuborgir, a lava field that made up of ghostly rock formations, and Námaskarð, where fumaroles, mud pools and sulphur pits rumble with geothermal activity.

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If you'd like, you can add a spa visit to this day during the booking process and take a dip in the warm, mineral-rich waters of the Mývatn Nature Baths, a smaller sister site to the Blue Lagoon. It is the perfect place to try and spot the Northern Lights, so keep your eyes peeled.

You will then make your way to the town of Akureyri where you will spend the night. En route, you'll stop at the beautiful waterfall Goðafoss where you can snap a few amazing photos as it is cloaked in its wintery beauty.

After breakfast, you’ll set out to explore northern Iceland further before making your way West where you will spend the night. Today, your guide will take you to some hidden gems and geological wonders, so have your camera ready!

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Your first stop will be at the charming, picturesque town of Hauganes. Here, you can stroll along a black sand beach and enjoy the surrounding mountain view. You could also decide to spice up your day with an adventure out to sea by partaking in a whale watching excursion.

On this tour, you’ll head out from the town’s harbour to search for Minke Whales, Humpback Whales Harbour Porpoises or one of the many other species of whales found in the waters just outside of town.

If you’d rather have a relaxing day, there is also the option of bathing in beer. The local brewery has opened the unique Beer Spa where guests can unwind in warm beer, said to do wonders for both your hair and skin.

You will then head to Húnafjörður fjord to snap some cool photos of the rock Hvítserkur. This 15-metre high monolith is a popular stop for both professional and amateur photographers alike as it stands tall out from the ocean.

From there, you’ll have a long but scenic drive to your accommodations near the town of Borgarnes. Don’t worry, there will be plenty of stops along the way, for snacks and exploring hidden gems only your local guide knows about. In the evening, you can search for the Northern Lights while relaxing in the hotel’s hot tub.

You don’t have to worry about packing before you leave today as you’ll be ending your day back here, providing you with another opportunity to hunt for the Northern Lights while soaking in a hot tub.

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Your first stop today is at the hot spring Deildartunguhver. It is Europe’s most powerful hot spring and it generates heat for towns up to 50 km away. Watching the water bubbling is a great reminder of the powerful forces that lie just underneath the Earth’s crust.

Then, you’ll make your way to the village Reykholt in Borgarfjörður, an area rich in fascinating settlement history. Reykholt was the home of Snorri Sturluson, a poet, scholar, chieftain, writer of Sagas and arguably one of the most prominent figures of the Middle Ages.

Your driver will then take you to the waterfalls Hraunfossar and Barnafoss. The former looks like it appears out of nowhere as the water hides underground before it trickles down cliffs in the surrounding lava field.

The latter is located only a few steps from Hraunfossar but couldn’t be more different. Barnafoss sometimes appears unbelievably blue as it cascades down a jagged gorge in a violent stream.

Then it is time to head back to your accommodation.

On day nine, you will find you’ve just about made a full circle in exploring the island of ice and fire. The destination for today is a fitting one, as it is the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, an area famed for boasting of such diverse Icelandic terrain that it is often dubbed ‘Iceland in minuscule’.

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Tall cliffs, ancient fishing ports, black beaches, caves and coastal lines make up the landscape of the peninsula, crowned by the jewel of Snæfellsjökull—the volcano glacier that Jules Verne used as the subterranean entrance in his classic adventure novel 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth'.

The area is also home to Mt. Kirkjufell, decidedly the most photographed mountain in Iceland. Besides sightseeing, you will also make time for a caving tour into Vatnshellir. The cave in question is one of Iceland’s largest, and the underground dome that greets you inside will provide you with your very own Verne-esque adventure.

Finally, you will head back to Reykjavík where you will spend the night.

Welcome back to Reykjavík. As you have now circumnavigated the entire island, you can enjoy the open arms of the capital for an additional two days before your departure, so there will be no need for hectic last minute shopping or sightseeing. To make it even better, we offer a discount on activities added upon the time of booking.

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How you spend these two city days is entirely up to you. The available adventures on hand, provided you reserve them during booking, are two thrilling experiences. One is to hop on a snowcat and venture into Langjökull Glacier through a man-made ice tunnel, and the other is to enjoy a panoramic view of Reykjavík City from a helicopter that takes you to the peak of Mt. Esja.

If you prefer to sightsee the city from within, there is plenty to do. You can visit some of the city's museums and galleries, as well as the Reykjavík Family Park and Zoo and the delightful geothermal swimming pools that dot the city.

No matter how you choose to spend your day, you will spend the night at your accommodation in Reykjavík.

Day eleven will be your last full day, and again how you spend it is up to you. If you would like to get better associated with the wildlife of Iceland, you can choose to go on a whale watching tour from Reykjavík harbour, or a horse riding tour in the nearby countryside. The Icelandic horses are world-known for their gentle and friendly nature and getting acquainted with them is a genuine Icelandic experience.

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You could also choose to go on a 2 hour ATV adventure. In this experience, you will be picked up and taken to the ATV base camp just outside of Reykjavik. You will then be given a safety briefing and fitted with all you need, then you will set off to discover the incredible landscapes of the surrounding area.

You can also stay in town and enjoy the city’s restaurants, shops and cafés, as well as additional tours that all set out from the city centre.

Spend your day shopping, sightseeing, adventuring or relaxing, before retreating to your city accommodation for the night.

All adventures must come to an end, so say farewell to the city and catch your complimentary ride to the airport in time for your return flight.

For those who have a later flight and choose to visit the Blue Lagoon today, you will finish off your stay unwinding before you head to the airport. This is the perfect place to relax as you bathe in the warm, mineral-rich waters as you look back on the incredible adventure you have just taken in the land of fire and ice. If your flight is later there are plenty of things to do in Reykjavik. If you have an early flight back home, we wish you a pleasant journey.