Small-Group 6-Day Ring Road Tour in Iceland with Glacier Hike, Ice Caving, and Whale Watching

Your guided Ring Road tour continues along the South Coast, one of the most scenic regions in Iceland. After breakfast at your hotel, your guide picks you up and you begin another day of adventure together. 

Today, you’ll experience the amazing power of nature inside Vatnajokull National Park. Vatnajokull is Europe’s largest ice cap, and within its vast icy landscape, you’ll find beautiful ice caves, scenic hiking trails, and the famous glacier lagoon that draws visitors from around the world.

In summer, the highlight of your second day is a scenic glacier hike in Skaftafell. After gearing up with crampons, helmets, and ice axes, your certified glacier guide leads you safely onto the ice and sets a comfortable pace for the group. 

As you explore, you walk past bright blue crevasses, narrow ridges, and smooth frozen surfaces that shift and reshape each season. This glacier hike on the South Coast is one of the most memorable moments of your multi-day Ring Road of Iceland tour. This activity is family-friendly, with children as young as eight welcome to join.

If you’re traveling in winter, your day‘s highlight is an exploration of the Crystal Ice Cave. These caves form naturally each year, and your guide will lead you safely inside to experience the shimmering blue ice up close.

After your glacier adventure, you head to the spectacular Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Iceland’s deepest lake. The lagoon is filled with drifting icebergs in brilliant shades of white and blue. 

When the icebergs reach the sea, waves push them back on the black sand shores of the nearby Diamond Beach, your next destination, only a short walk away. Look for seals, as they are often at both locations.

You finish today’s Ring Road tour in Hofn, a peaceful fishing town known for its beautiful harbor views. Rest up and get ready to continue your amazing adventures tomorrow.

On the third day of your Ring Road tour of Iceland, you travel into the Eastfjords, a region known for its quiet coastal roads, dramatic mountains, and abundant wildlife. This part of the country feels peaceful and untouched, giving you a gentle change of pace after the busy highlights of earlier days.

Your morning begins on the Hvalsnes Peninsula, a rugged stretch of coastline where seabirds nest along the cliffs and seals often rest near the shore. The long black pebble beach stretches toward a small yellow lighthouse, one of the area’s most photographed landmarks.

A little farther along the coast, you reach the charming village of Djupivogur, known for its quiet harbor and strong local art scene. Your guide brings you to the Eggs of Merry Bay, an outdoor artwork made up of 34 large granite eggs displayed along the shoreline. Each egg represents a different nesting bird from the region, giving the village a unique, creative touch.

As the landscape shifts toward the highlands, your journey leads you to the Wilderness Center, a memorable stop on your small-group Ring Road tour. Set at the edge of remote valleys and old farmhouses, the center feels like stepping into another era.

Restored farmhouses, old tools, and hands-on exhibits show what life was once like in this remote part of Iceland. Your guide will walk you through the museum, where stories of resilience and everyday life are on display.

As the afternoon slows down, you can unwind in the Wilderness Center’s traditional hot spring, built in a Viking style with stones and natural materials. Soaking in warm geothermal water while surrounded by mountains is a quiet and calming moment on your multi-day Ring Road of Iceland tour.

Throughout your time at the Wilderness Center, your guide is nearby to answer questions and explain the history and traditions of this unique place.

You spend the night here, far from city lights. If you’re traveling between September and April, watch out for the northern lights. This peaceful valley is an excellent place to spot them if the sky is clear.

After breakfast, you leave Egilsstadir and continue your guided Ring Road tour toward the unforgettable landscapes of North Iceland. Today, you follow the Diamond Circle route, but in the opposite direction of most travelers, giving you a calmer pace throughout the day.

Your morning begins with a visit to Studlagil Canyon, one of the most striking basalt formations in the country. Your guide leads you to the best viewpoints to see tall hexagonal columns rising above brilliant blue-green water.

If you’re traveling in winter, road conditions can sometimes limit access to Studlagil. When that happens, your guide will adjust the plan and take you to other great sights in the area, so you’ll still enjoy a memorable experience on this part of your journey.

With the canyon behind you, the landscape opens into wide highland plains as you arrive at Modrudalur, the highest inhabited farm in Iceland at 469 meters (1,539 feet) above sea level. After driving through miles of rugged wilderness, arriving here feels like stepping into a peaceful oasis. 

As you continue north, you drive along the shores of Lake Myvatn, a region known for its pseudocraters and rich birdlife. Your guide points out the unusual crater formations and tells you about the diverse duck species that make this lake famous. 

You have the option to relax at the Earth Lagoon, often called the “Blue Lagoon of the North.” These geothermally heated pools range from 97–100 F (36–40 C) and offer soothing, mineral-rich waters with views of volcanic ridges in the distance. 

Admission to the baths is not included but can be added during booking. If you’re traveling between January and March 2026, the Forest Lagoon will replace the Earth Lagoon during renovations.

After your soak, your guide takes you to Dimmuborgir, an area filled with towering lava formations and caves.

End your day at Godafoss, one of Iceland’s most elegant waterfalls. Spanning around 100 feet (30 meters) across and dropping 39 feet (12 meters) into a curved canyon, it is both powerful and graceful. Multiple viewpoints let you see the falls from different angles.

In the evening, you arrive in Akureyri, the unofficial capital of North Iceland. As you settle in for the night, you’re nearing the final stretch of your multi-day Ring Road tour of Iceland, with more northern beauty waiting the next day.

On the fifth day of your Ring Road tour of Iceland, you begin your morning in Akureyri, the largest town in North Iceland. Your guide takes you on a relaxed tour of the town’s highlights, starting with its scenic harbor framed by mountains on both sides of the fjord. 

You also visit the striking Akureyri Church, a modern landmark overlooking the town. With colorful houses, botanical gardens, and cozy cafes, Akureyri is a charming stop and a wonderful place to ease into the day before continuing your small-group Ring Road tour.

From Akureyri, you follow the shoreline of Eyjafjordur, Iceland’s longest fjord. The drive is filled with flat-topped mountains, shimmering blue water, and quiet coastal farms. Soon, you reach the village of Hauganes, where your guide gets you ready for a memorable whale-watching adventure. 

This is one of the best whale-watching locations in the country, with a sighting rate close to 95 percent. Humpback whales and white-beaked dolphins are common here, but lucky travelers sometimes spot belugas, orcas, and in summer, even blue or fin whales.

Once your time on the water comes to an end, the journey carries you north to the colorful fishing village of Siglufjordur. Surrounded by steep mountains and quiet fjord views, this small town has a welcoming charm.

If time allows, your guide may take you to the award-winning Herring Era Museum, where you can learn about the town’s vibrant history during Iceland’s herring boom. Otherwise, a relaxed walk around the harbor is a lovely way to take in the atmosphere.

As the afternoon unfolds, the route leads you onto the dramatic Trollaskagi Peninsula, a region defined by tall mountains and winding coastal roads. Cliffs, inlets, and scattered seaside farms appear along the drive, each giving a fresh view of North Iceland’s rugged beauty. 

As the day winds down, you make your way to Laugarbakki, where you’ll settle in for the final night of your multi-day Ring Road of Iceland tour. It’s a peaceful area surrounded by open countryside, perfect for relaxing before your last day on the road.

On the final day of your 6-day Ring Road of Iceland tour, you make your way back to Reykjavik through the scenic landscapes of West Iceland. Your guide leads the way as the mountains, valleys, and wide-open plains create a calm and beautiful backdrop for your last stretch on the road.

Your morning begins at Grabrok, a striking volcanic crater formed around 3,400 years ago. A well-marked path takes you up the side of the crater, and from the top, you can look down into its bowl and out across the surrounding lava fields. 

To expand your experience of Iceland’s geothermal forces, you travel to Deildartunguhver, the highest-flowing hot spring in Europe. Powerful plumes of steam rise from the earth here, and your guide explains how this spring supplies hot water to much of the surrounding region. 

The waterfalls of Hraunfossar and Barnafoss are your next stop, and their contrast is part of what makes them so memorable. Hraunfossar is wide, gentle, and serene, with countless small streams flowing out of a lava plateau into a calm river below. 

Just a short walk upstream, Barnafoss is the opposite. It’s narrow, fast, and full of energy as the water rushes through a tight canyon. 

Your final sightseeing stop on this guided Ring Road tour is Reykholt, a small village with a famous, lovely red church. Your guide shares stories about Snorri Sturluson, the medieval historian and chieftain who lived here. Snorri wrote many of the sagas and myths that preserve tales of the Old Norse gods, including Thor and Loki. 

As your journey comes to an end, you pass through the lush scenery of Hvalfjordur, a long, green fjord framed by mountains and winding waterways. It’s a beautiful final view before you reach Reykjavik. 

Once back in the city, say bye to your tour guide and group. Grab some dinner or a drink to celebrate the end of your guided Ring Road tour and six unforgettable days exploring Iceland.