Spectacular 6-Day Guided Ring Road Tour with Golden Circle and Optional Activities from Reykjavik

Day two of the ring road tour in Iceland begins with a hearty breakfast from the hotel. Right after, your friendly tour guide will bring you to the best attractions in the Vatnajokull National Park before taking you to the picturesque towns of the Eastfjords.

Be amazed by a back-to-back visit to Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach, the crown jewels of Vatnajokull glacier. These attractions are most known for their glittering ice chunks from the nearby Breidamerkurjokull outlet glacier.

Jokulsarlon lagoon is Iceland’s deepest lake at 814 feet (248 meters). Thousands of icebergs, varying in size and color, float in its ice-cold waters. Before the ice pieces melt towards the Atlantic Ocean, some end up on the nearby Diamond Beach. The ice crystals scattered on the black volcanic sands are views you will never forget.

As you venture into the eastern region of Iceland, there will be more natural attractions to see but fewer tourist crowds to encounter. First on the list is Vestrahorn mountain, one of the most recognizable mountains in Iceland because of its distinctive peaks.

As the tour goes deeper into the Eastfjords, dramatic fjords with impressive coastal villages and fertile inland farmlands are the familiar sights. In particular, you’ll visit the historic seaside village of Djupivogur, where you can see the famous artwork Eggs of Merry Bay.

After a day of touring in East Iceland, you will spend the night at a lovely accommodation in Egilsstadir, where you can also find excellent shops and restaurants.

Optional Activities:

Day two offers two optional activities for sightseeing and relaxing. First, at Jokulsarlon lagoon, you can get up close with the icebergs and seals by joining a 45-minute amphibious boat tour.

Meanwhile, to cap off an adventurous day, you can opt to have a relaxing geothermal bath at Vok Baths by Urridavatn lake in Egilsstadir.

Day three of the small group excursion brings you to the breathtaking nature of North Iceland through moon-like landscapes, massive waterfalls, and thriving Icelandic birdlife.

Before reaching the first destination in the northern region, you will have a quick stop at the Studlagil canyon near Egilsstadir. The canyon is one of the most impressive hidden attractions of East Iceland because of its unique basalt columns and clear glacial water.

As the ring road tour brings you to the north after traveling 78 miles (126 kilometers), you’ll reach Dettifoss waterfall, the most powerful waterfall in Europe. The waterfall has a wide cliff mouth measuring 330 feet (100 meters) that produces plumes of spray visible even from afar.

Two more magnificent waterfalls await you on this Diamond Circle route along the ring road. In particular, Godafoss waterfall is known for its deep history, while Selfoss waterfall is famous for its short but wide cascade.

The highlight of this day is a trip to the Myvatn area, home to the fourth-largest lake in Iceland and some otherworldly geological formations. Lake Myvatn features pseudo-craters in its waters because of its active geothermal activities. It is also an excellent place for birdwatching because over 13 species of waterfowl and ducks are nesting here.

Fans of the popular show Games of Thrones will recognize one of the attractions near the lake called Grjotagja cave, as it features in one of the episodes. Other places of interest include the Dimmuborgir lava fields and the Hverir geothermal area.

The day ends as you arrive at your hotel in Akureyri to recharge for tomorrow’s activities.

The fourth day of your Icelandic sightseeing tour starts with a delicious breakfast at your hotel in Akureyri. Today, you will be exploring more scenic towns and villages in North Iceland, with a chance to meet the gentle giants of the sea.

Before leaving Akureyri, you will have ample time to see this beautiful town in one of the longest fjords in Iceland. As the capital of the north and the biggest settlement outside Reykjavik, Akureyri has all the amenities you need, from shops, malls, restaurants, and even an airport.

Less than an hour’s drive from the town is the small coastal village of Dalvik. Just off the area’s coast is Eyjafjordur bay, where you’ll have the optional whale watching activity. Measuring 47 miles (70 kilometers), Eyjafjordur is a deep fjord with fertile waters known to support a significant number of marine animals.

As the group continues exploring the ring road, you will head to Varmahlid village for a quick stop to see landmarks like the Vidimyrarkirkja turf church.

Before arriving at your final destination for the day, you will have two more attractions to visit in North Iceland. Hvitserkur is a bizarre basalt rock sea stack in the Vatnsnes Peninsula that is an exceptional subject for nature photography. Not far from here is the Kolugljufur canyon, where a series of spectacular waterfalls cascade beautifully.

As you leave the northern region and circle back to West Iceland, the group will retire in a charming hotel at Borgarnes town in the Borgarfjordur area.

Optional activity:

If you opt for today’s optional activity, you will spend three hours roaming around the bay to spot humpback whales, fin whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, and more. Your guide will also tell you more about these aquatic animals as you marvel at them.

The fifth day of the ring road tour will let you discover the best of West Iceland through the Silver Circle tourist route. The awe-inspiring series of waterfalls and extraordinary geological formations in the area will elevate your Icelandic holiday.

First on the list is the remarkable Deildartunguhver hot spring in Reykholtsdalur. With a rapid flow rate of 48 gallons (180 liters) per second, Deildartunguhver is the highest-flowing hot spring in Europe. Due to its power and high temperatures, the hot spring’s waters are used to heat Icelandic homes as far away as Akranes.

Like the rest of Iceland, this area also features countless waterfalls of varying heights and flows. Glanni and Barnafoss waterfalls are parts of a stream of waterfalls in the Hvita and Nordura rivers with a deep history in local folklore. You may ask your guide about these fascinating stories.

Considered to be the most beautiful waterfall in this stream of cascades is the Hraunfossar waterfall. The most distinctive feature of this Icelandic attraction is the lava field that makes up its cliff. With the rocky and rugged shape of the cliff, the water trickles down into many small streams that are wonderful to see.

The highlight of this day is a lava caving experience at the Vidgelmir cave. This West Iceland cave system is the largest lava tube in Iceland at 5200 feet (1585 meters). For nearly two hours, you will explore its subterranean wonders of colored walls, glimmering icicles, and unique rock formations. This expedition will let you realize how powerful volcanic eruptions can be.

Before returning to Reykjavik for an overnight stay, you will stop by the large farm area of Husafell, where you can see towering mountains over the horizon.

The last day of your ring road tour in Iceland takes you to the most visited tourist route in the land of fire and ice, which loops at 190 miles (300 kilometers). The Golden Circle of Iceland is where you can see the Nordic country’s three most famous attractions, the Thingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area, and the Gullfoss waterfall.

From Reykjavik, the closest tourist spot is Thingvellir, a spectacular area with notable historical and cultural significance to Iceland. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the only place where you can walk between two continental plates, as the Eurasian and North American plates drift apart here.

The second natural wonder on the Golden Circle is what gave geysers all over the world their name. Geysir geothermal area is home to the mighty geysers that shoot superheated waters several feet into the air.

Although Geysir is dormant these days, its neighbor Strokkur is still active and gives a spectacular show every few minutes. Witnessing this firsthand is one of the most impressive things you’ll see in Iceland.

The third attraction on this route is the last waterfall you’ll see on this ring road tour. Gullfoss is a two-tiered waterfall flowing from 105 feet (32 meters). With its massive cascade and rich history, the Gullfoss waterfall is one of Iceland’s most beloved and essential attractions.

As you approach the end of your six-day excursion and return to Reykjavik, the minibus will take your small group to Kerid volcanic crater to marvel at its red-colored caldera and the shallow lake at its center.

Optional Activity:

After an adventurous week along Iceland’s ring road, a calming geothermal bath in the Blue Lagoon is the best way to cap it off. This geothermal spa features mineral-rich and milky blue waters famous for their healing qualities.