Small Group 8 Day Guided Summer Tour of the Complete Ring Road of Iceland & Snaefellsnes

Today you will be heading down Iceland’s scenic South Coast. Throughout your journey, you will be privy to a plethora of views, from ancient sea cliffs to rolling farmlands. During the drive, there will be mountains and glaciers to your left, while on your right, the rumbling blue waves of the Atlantic Ocean.

First, you will encounter the two waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. While both fall from the same height, these features could not be more different. Seljalandsfoss boasts a much narrower cascade, as well as a walking path that leads directly behind the falling water, bestowing a unique view of the South Coast. Skogafoss, on the other hand, is much wider, creating an ever-present plume of mist as it crashes into the rocks below.

Continuing along the coastline, you will finally arrive at the jet-black sand beach of Reynisfjara. This volcanic and visceral shoreline is sure to inflame the imagination, with its enchanting lava columns and the epic rock stack Reynisdrangar which, according to folklore, is the frozen remnants of an ancient troll.

If you want some more adventure today you can choose to visit an ice cave. In this experience, you will be taken into the depths of one of these icy wonders that are as unique as fingerprints.

You will then move onto the small town of Vik where you will be able to check out the incredible surroundings. You will spend the night in this quaint seaside town.

Crossing the black sand desert of Solheimasandur, you will arrive at the foot of Vatnajokull National Park, with the mountain and glacier of the same name towering over you in one of the most stunning and monumental sights in the country. This is truly Iceland at its best, with stark contrasts in landscape and color with each turn of the head.

You will stop at Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, sometimes called “The Crown Jewel of Iceland” due to its extraordinary and memorable aesthetic. Here, icebergs break away from a nearby glacier, falling impressively onto the lagoon’s mirror-like surface. Floating gently, these icebergs make for an impressive spectacle, creaking and groaning under their own weight as the resident seals play and splash in between them.

If you are visiting between May and August, you can add to this day an exciting boat tour where you'll cruise between ancient icy giants on Jokulsarlon's crystal waters. Only a limited number of boats are allowed on the lagoon and these tours are consistently sold out so be sure to consider this during the booking process.

On an amphibian boat tour, you'll explore this otherworldly spot that has featured in many Hollywood blockbusters. A large vessel, this preference is great for families and big groups and anyone who wishes to experience the novelty of driving into a body of water!

Over time, these icebergs make their way out towards the next stop, Diamond Beach. This is a photographer’s paradise, with the blue ice washing up on the black sand shore creating a bewitching disparity in color.

Today you will also travel through the Skaftafell Nature Reserve. This area sits within Vatnajokull National Park. Within Skaftafell you will take a glacier hike. In this adventure you will gear up and trek on the surface of a glacier, taking in the incredible surroundings, marveling over the formations, and gazing out over incredible views.

Tonight, you will be staying in the Jokulsarlon area.

Due only to their distance from Reykjavik, the Eastfjords are one of the country’s least-visited regions. Yet they are of striking beauty, boasting dark peaked mountains, cragged coastlines, and unique wildlife. During the day, your guide will stop at their personal favorite locations, offering guests the chance to see many natural attractions and sites that would otherwise be missed.

You will also be paying a visit to Lake Lagarfljot, one of the most beautiful bodies of water in Iceland. According to legend, a large worm-like creature is thought to live in its glittering depths—think of it as the Icelandic version of the Loch Ness monster!

Another unique experience on this day is a visit to Jon's Rock Museum. This attraction is in the peaceful town of Djupavogur and boasts an incredible collection of carefully cut and polished stones from the local area.

You will take time exploring Iceland’s largest national forest, Hallormsstadaskogur, something of an oddity in a largely treeless landscape. The forest is found close to the East’s largest town, Egilsstadir, and is famed for its lovely hiking trails, scenic picnic spots, and variety of tree and bird species, including the likes of redpolls, goldcrests, and the iconic ravens.

An optional tour here is a horseback riding adventure through the stunning landscapes of the region.

At the end of your fourth day, you will spend the night at accommodation in the Eastfjords.

On your fifth day of this guided adventure, you will tackle the Diamond Circle, considered to be the north-eastern version of the Golden Circle sightseeing route.

If you would like a bit of relaxation time before, you can choose to add the optional activity of visiting the Vok Baths. This spa harnesses the geothermal power of the area to provide visitors with an incredible chance to indulge on their journey through the north.

The Diamond Circle is comprised of five attractions; Dettifoss waterfall, Asbyrgi canyon, the fishing town of Husavik, Lake Myvatn, and the Northern town of Akureyri.

First, you will visit “The Beast”, Dettifoss Waterfall. With a height of 44 meters, this incredible feature was once famously portrayed in the Ridley Scott science-fiction film, Prometheus, but has long been one of the country’s most beloved attractions. Dettifoss is Europe’s most powerful waterfall, creating a plume of mist that, on clear days, can be seen from miles away.

Next up, you will pay a visit to the horseshoe-shaped canyon of Asbyrgi which, according to folklore, is the print left by Odin’s eight-legged horse, Sleipnir. The canyon measures 3.5 kilometers in length and boasts a width of 1.1 kilometers, with enormous cliffs on each side that reach a towering 100 meters.

Continuing from Asbyrgi, you visit the sleepy fishing town of Husavik. With its historic buildings and picturesque harbor, Husavik is among Iceland’s prettiest towns and has a year-round population of a little over 2000 people. Visitors here could choose to visit some of the town’s most famous institutions, including The Exploration Museum and Husavik Whale Museum, as well as the wooden church Husavíkurkirkja, built in 1907.

You will then make a stop at the glittering Lake Myvatn, a body of water that was formed following volcanic eruptions 2300 years ago. The lake covers a total area of 37 km² and is surrounded by dark, cragged landscapes blended beautifully with lush wetlands, creating a true haven for birdlife.

While in the region, you will visit the geothermal area of Namaskard Pass, a valley that more closely resembles Planet Mars than the Earth, with its pillars of steam, bubbling mud pots, and striking red sands.

You will finally head to the picturesque town of Akureyri. On your way, you will make a short stop at the Godafoss waterfall. This was the site where Iceland adopted Christianity over 1000 years ago.

You will then spend the night in the ‘Capital of the North’ Akureyri.

You will begin your sixth day by saying farewell to the charming northern town of Akureyri and start heading towards the southwest. Your first stop will be the Hauganes area. Hauganes is a charming village in the beautiful Eyafjordur fjord.

Here, you'll set out on a whale-watching adventure that takes you onto the high seas to witness some of the world's most beautiful animals. Many Humpback Whales feed here every summer, while dolphins and porpoises live all year round, making sighting success rates some of the world's best. You might even see creatures such as puffins, orcas, and Blue Whales.

You will then head further south to Hvitserkur. This place is home to the majestic Hvitserkur rock formation. It juts out from the sea creating incredible imagery that will give you envy-inducing photos. It is often possible to see seal colonies in this region too.

You will then head to your accommodation for the evening in the Borgarnes area where you can rest and be ready for more adventure tomorrow.

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is known as “Iceland in Miniature” due to its plethora of natural attractions, including snow-peaked mountains, tumbling waterfalls, black sand beaches, and, of course, the incredible glacier and volcano, Snæfellsjokull. Without a doubt, Snæfellsnes is one of the most memorable and beautiful regions in the entire country, truly worthy of your last day on this guided summer tour. 

One of the peninsula’s most iconic sites is the ‘mountain like an arrowhead’, Kirkjufell, made famous from Season 7 of HBO’s Game of Thrones. As the town landmark of Grundarfjorður, Kirkjufell is found on the peninsula’s northern shore and holds the title as Iceland’s “most photographed mountain” due to its unique and striking aesthetic. The mountain reaches a height of 463-metres and is often captured alongside its resident waterfall, Kirkjufellsfoss. 

You’ll next make a visit to the black sand beach of Djupalonssandur, found at the base of Snaefellsjokull glacier. Once a popular fishing village and port, Djupalonssandur now lays deserted, save for the four famed lifting stones that, throughout history, have been used as a test of strength among local fishermen. 

If you want to spice up your day, you could choose to explore the Vidgelmer lava tube, a beautiful cave situated deep under the ground.

You'll return to your accommodation in the evening.

Today you will explore West Iceland.

You will begin by leaving Borganes and you will make your first stop in the Reykholtsdalur Valley. This is a place that demonstrates the powerful geothermal forces that have shaped Iceland. This area is the home of Europe’s most powerful hot spring, Deildartunguhver.

You will then head to the village of Reykholt. This place was the home of Snorri Sturluson. Snorri was a noted Icelandic poet, historian, and lawspeaker who lived during the middle ages. His work is considered an invaluable record of Old Norse mythology and language.

You will also make a stop at two incredible waterfalls. Barnafoss and Hraunfossar. Hraunfossar is fed by underground water that soaks through the pores of lava rock. Barnafoss pushes its way through a narrow gorge.

Your tour then ends, as you arrive in Reykjavik in the late afternoon. It is not recommended that you plan to fly home the same evening as delays and bad weather could possibly affect your journey.