Small Group 12-Day Winter Package Tour of Iceland & Snaefellsnes Peninsula

On the second day of your winter tour, you will discover the sights of the Golden Circle sightseeing route.

After breakfast, you will leave the capital behind 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 sightseeing route. The Golden Circle sightseeing route has three natural attractions and covers around 190 miles (300 kilometers). 

As you visit each feature, the guide will tell you more about its history, geological features, and fascinating folklore.

This route is by far the most celebrated in the country, and you will immediately understand why upon arrival. 

First up is the Thingvellir National Park, a site of historical and geological importance to Icelanders. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Thingvellir National Park is where Iceland’s first legislative body, Althingi, was founded. 

The national park is located on the continental rift, where the Almannagja gorge marks the point where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are drifting apart. 

Once you have explored the enchanting valley, you will head to the geothermal valley Haukadalur, home to spouting geysers and bubbling mud pools. You can observe the grand geyser Strokkur erupting up to 66 feet (20 meters).

The water eruption of Strokkur geyser happens every five to 10 minutes, so you’re sure to see its dramatic show at least once on your visit.

The last feature of the Golden Circle sightseeing route is the majestic Gullfoss waterfall. Gullfoss waterfall plummets down two stages into the icy crevice of a glacial river with a height of around 105 feet (32 meters). 

Besides its breathtaking appearance, the Gullfoss waterfall has a rich history that your guide will tell you about.

By the end of the day, you will retreat to cozy accommodation in South Iceland. Remember to look up in the sky for the northern lights.

On the third day of your winter vacation in Iceland, you will explore one of the country's most beautiful areas on the famed South Coast, one of the country's most scenic, majestic, and visited regions.

Its wealth of diverse attractions framed by rugged coasts and the Atlantic Ocean are breathtaking to see up close.

You will pass cascading rivers and rural farmlands before stopping at the two magnificent waterfalls, Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss. Although both waterfalls measure around 200 feet (60 meters), they have a unique beauty.

Seljalandsfoss waterfall is one of the best waterfalls to explore in the country. Besides the tall cascade, it features a narrow cave behind, allowing you to admire and photograph its beauty in all directions.

Meanwhile, the Skogafoss waterfall offers visitors the chance to see its beauty from the top of its cliff or at the bottom of its cascade. Seeing a rainbow above its cold waters is also possible if you visit on a sunny day.

The highlight of the day is a glacier hiking experience atop Solheimajokull Glacier, one of the most accessible glaciers in the country. There is no better way of seeing a glacier's power than by putting on boots and crampons and ascending its icy surface.

An expert guide will lead you through the glacier's icy terrain, crevasses, and moulins. They will ensure you're safe and enjoying the trip.

Your next destination is the coast near the village of Vik, 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 in your comfortable accommodation in South Iceland.

On the fourth day of your winter holiday, you'll explore the Vatnajokull National Park, one of the highlights of any Icelandic Ring Road adventure. Vatnajokull National Park is the largest glacier in Europe.

The Vatnajokull glacier has diverse natural features, some accessible even in winter. Two of its most famous attractions, the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and the Skaftafell Nature Reserve, will be the highlights of today's itinerary.

As you drive across Southeast Iceland, your minibus will pass through the black deserts of the region. Depending on the road conditions, you may briefly stop to admire the Skaftafell Nature Reserve with its snowy valleys and forests. 

If the skies are clear, you may also see Iceland's tallest peak, Hvannadalshnjukur mountain.

Next, you will visit the famous Jokulsarlon Glacier lagoon, the crown jewel of Iceland. Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is where massive icebergs that have broken off one of Vatnajokull's outlet glaciers float in tranquil waters before drifting to the Atlantic Ocean. 

The deep lagoon is a sight you will never forget. To elevate your experience, visit the neighboring Diamond Beach, where chunks of ice glisten like gemstones on a blanket of black velvet sand. This glacial beach offers visitors a unique opportunity to witness the beauty of nature's contrasts, where the crystal-clear ice contrasts with the volcanic sands of the beach.

Another adventure awaits you today, exploring a natural ice cave. The cave's beauty will leave you in awe as you move past the icy inlets and frozen sculptures that line the walls of this ethereal wonderland. 

This winter season, two beautiful ice caves have been discovered in the Vatnajokull National Park: the Western Ice Cave and the Eastern Ice Cave. On this amazing adventure, you will get to visit the best ice cave accessible on the day, taking into account the weather conditions and visibility to ensure the ultimate ice-caving experience.

You'll start the day with a visit to a cave in Myrdalsjokull Glacier if you are traveling before November. Otherwise, you'll visit a cave in the Vatnajokull glacier in the afternoon.

By the end of the day, you will find yourself in Hofn. Because less light pollution is here, you'll have a better chance of seeing the aurora borealis.

You will spend the night in Southeast Iceland.

On day seven of your winter vacation in Iceland, you’ll explore North Iceland and take a whale-watching tour.

After breakfast, you’ll explore North Iceland further before going to the 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.

Before leaving the comforts of Akureyri, be sure to stroll around downtown to see its fascinating streets, shops, and cafes. Akureyri offers visitors a charming blend of natural beauty and urban amenities, making it a popular destination for both outdoor enthusiasts and cultural explorers.

From Akureyri, your first stop will be the charming, picturesque town of Hauganes. You can stroll along a black sand beach and enjoy the mountain views here. The highlight is your whale-watching excursion.

On this tour, you’ll sail out from the town’s harbor to search for minke whales, humpback whales, harbor porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, or one of the many other marine animals and seabirds found in the waters just outside the village.

The Eyjafjordur fjord, the location of your whale-watching tour, is home to many species of whales and dolphins, even in winter.

You will then head to Hunafjordur fjord to snap some fantastic photos of the rock Hvitserkur. This 49-foot (15-meter) high monolith is a popular stop for professional and amateur photographers as it stands tall from the ocean. 

Legend has it that Hvitserkur was once a troll who got caught in the sunlight while attempting to destroy a nearby monastery, turning into this unique rock formation.

You’ll have a long but scenic drive to your accommodation in West Iceland, near Borgarnes. There will be plenty of stops for snacks and exploring hidden gems that only your local guide knows about. 

You can search for the northern lights in the evening while relaxing in the hotel’s hot tub. If the conditions are right, you can enjoy this winter highlight for over 15 minutes.

On day eight of this winter vacation in Iceland, you will discover the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, an area famed for boasting such diverse Icelandic terrain that it is often called 'Iceland in miniature.'

Tall cliffs, ancient fishing ports, black sand beaches, glaciers, volcanoes, lava fields, caves, and coastal lines make up the peninsula's landscape, crowned by the jewel of Snaefellsjokull glacier. 

During your minibus tour around the area, the Snaefellsjokull glacier volcano will tower over you at around 4,744 feet (1,446 meters).

Snaefellsjokull glacier is not just famous for its breathtaking beauty but also because of the prominent writers that have featured it in the past. 

For example, world-renowned author Jules Verne used the glacier volcano as the underground entrance in his classic adventure novel 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth.'

Another breathtaking mountain is Kirkjufell Mountain, one of Iceland's most beautiful and photographed mountains. Mount Kirkjufell has a distinctive steeple shape reaching approximately 1519 feet (463 meters).

If you're a fan of the hit TV series Game of Thrones, you would be happy to see Kirkjufell up close as it was featured in one of its episodes as the "Arrowhead Mountain."

Another place of interest in the Snaefellsnes peninsula is the Ytri Tunga beach. Unlike many of the beaches in Iceland, Ytri Tunga has golden sand rather than black. Alongside the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, Ytri Tunga is the best place in Iceland for seal-watching.

An optional activity you can do today is a caving tour at the Vidgelmir lava cave, one of the largest and most captivating lava caves in the world, known for its stunning ice formations and otherworldly underground landscapes.

If you add the experience during the booking process, you can explore this Icelandic lava tube's geological formations and colorful terrain.

Then, it is time to head back to your accommodation in one of the towns in West Iceland.