5 Day Summer Package | Golden Circle, South of Iceland with a Greenland Day Tour

You'll start your second day in Iceland with a visit to the famous Golden Circle. This area is the most popular tourist route in the country. It is known for its trio of attractions comprising a stunning national park, a magnificent waterfall, and a geothermal area.

Your first stop on the Golden Circle route is the Thingvellir National Park. This UNESCO heritage site is not only historically significant but also a geological wonder. 

Thingvellir is the place where Viking settlers gathered to establish Iceland's parliament in the year 930 AD. It is also where two tectonic plates are drifting apart, sometimes causing measurable earthquakes in the area. You can see evidence of this drift in the faults and cracks that distinguish the region.

Next up on your tour is the majestic Gullfoss waterfall. Located on the Hvita river, this dynamic waterfall cascades down two tiers before plummeting 105 feet (32 meters) into the river gorge. A pathway leads you close enough to Gullfoss to feel the water spray on your face.

If you're visiting Gullfoss on a sunny day, it's possible to see rainbows shooting above its cascade and heavy mist.

Your last stop on the Golden Circle is the geothermal area of Geysir. The valley features bubbling mud pools and shooting hot springs. It's where you can witness the dependable Strokkur geyser erupting every five to 10 minutes, reaching 66 feet (20 meters).

If you'd like to add something extra to your Golden Circle day, there are plenty of choices. You can go snorkeling in an underwater canyon called Silfra in the Thingvellir National Park. Snorkeling participants need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.

Thrill-seekers can also opt for a snowmobile tour on the nearby Langjokull glacier.

Alternatively, you can go horseback riding in the countryside. The Icelandic horse is famous for being friendly and gentle, perfect for both beginners and expert riders alike. 

After a fun-filled day in the Golden Circle, you'll return to your hotel in Reykjavik.

On this day, you’ll get an immersive Arctic experience when you board a plane at Reykjavík’s Domestic Airport and head out to Greenland. You’ll land on a small island just off the eastern shores of Greenland, where you’ll visit the charming village of Kulusuk.

Air travel from Reykjavik to Kulusuk takes about two hours. The flight crosses deep blue seas and oceans before ice sheets and mountainous coasts appear in your view. 

Greenland is one of the eight countries comprising the Arctic Circle, a circle of latitude that marks the northern polar region. Although Iceland is part of this area, only Grimsey island is technically part of the imaginary circle. On this day, you’ll finally explore the Arctic.

You’ll meet your guide when you land at Kulusuk Airport. They will lead you across the island while sharing information and folklore only locals know about.

You’ll start walking from the airport to the village and around the island. Kulusuk is a small village nestling on the island of the same name in the southeastern part of Greenland. It is known for its stunning natural beauty, traditional culture, and unique Arctic environment.

Notable features of this Greenland settlement with less than 300 residents are colorful old houses. The traditional green, yellow, and red houses dotting the locale seem entirely unaffected by time and have stood against the harsh climate.

Surrounding Kulusuk village are breathtaking landscapes featuring towering icebergs, jagged mountains, and pristine fjords. You’ll enjoy stunning views of these natural wonders from various vantage points around the village. Don’t forget to bring your camera as you’ll have many photo opportunities.

Additionally, Kulusuk offers rare chances to witness massive icebergs floating in the nearby fjords and waters. The changing shapes and colors of these ice formations create a mesmerizing sight.

After sightseeing and immersing in the local culture, you’ll fly back to Reykjavik in the late afternoon.

On the penultimate itinerary of your five-day summer vacation, you’ll take a trip to the beautiful South Coast of Iceland. This fantastic region is filled with amazing contrasting landscapes, where you’ll see green valleys, barren sand fields, volcanoes, glaciers, and waterfalls.

You’ll stop at Dyrholaey peninsula, the southernmost part of the country’s mainland, where puffins and other seabirds nest in the summer months. Before heading to your next destination, you’ll view mountains, glaciers, beaches, and the noticeable arch that the sea has eroded from the heartland.

At the black sand beach of Reynisfjara, you’ll see the huge basalt column cliffs for which it is famous. Rising from the waters are the towering rock formations of Reynisdrangar, and you’ll be able to hear the thunderous noise when mighty Atlantic waves crash into the cliffs and the volcanic rocks surrounding the beach.

You will also visit two of Iceland’s most beloved waterfalls, Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss. 

The former is one of the biggest cascades in the country, with a width of 82 feet (25 meters) and a 200-foot (60-metre drop). On sunny days, you might see a double rainbow forming in the mist. 

Seljalandsfoss is a unique waterfall with a pathway leading you behind the water curtain. It is a rare experience that only a few waterfalls in the world offer.

If you are feeling adventurous, you can join a glacier hike on Solheimajokull, one of the most beautiful and accessible glaciers in the country. When you book the optional activity, an experienced guide will take you past the snowy peaks and blue crevices. 

Alternatively, you could extend your journey and travel all the way to the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. If you add the experience to your booking, you can watch enormous icebergs that have broken off a nearby glacier float on the serene water before they drift off to sea.

After your South Coast adventure, the guide will take you back to your accommodation in Reykjavik.

Today is your departure day in Iceland. If you have an early flight, make sure to head over to the Keflavik International Airport two to three hours before your flight. Your tour package includes a bus transfer from Reykjavik to the airport.

If you have a later flight, you can spend the day exploring the city on your own. There is so much to see in Reykjavik, so your choices are endless, from sightseeing to cultural experiences.

For example, you can head to the city’s many cafes for your morning coffee or do as the locals do and visit a bakery for an Icelandic sweet roll called snudur. For lunch, don’t miss your chance to sample Icelandic menus like seafood and lamb.

In Laugavegur street, you can do some last-minute shopping for souvenirs to take back home. This downtown street is lined with Reykjavik’s best boutiques and specialty shops that can suit your budget or preferences.

For some sightseeing and photo opportunities, various iconic landmarks are accessible in the city center. Hallgrimskirkja, the tallest church in Iceland, is a Reykjavik attraction you shouldn’t miss. Besides its beautiful facade resembling basalt columns, Hallgrimskirkja church offers panoramic views of the surrounding streets and bay.

Nearby is the Sun Voyager, a beautiful sculpture by the harbor. This sleek art piece made of steel evokes the image of a Viking ship as a tribute to the rich maritime history of Iceland.

As the Sun Voyager stands against the backdrop of the ocean and the surrounding mountains, it makes a great subject or background for photography.

Finally, if you didn’t stop at the Blue Lagoon on your way to Reykjavik, here is your chance to soak in the hot geothermal waters. If you already have, you can board the bus to the airport and catch your flight.

See you on your next trip to the land of fire and ice.