Highlights & Hidden Gems | Golden Circle, South Coast, Snaefellsnes, Westfjords & Highlands

Today you will go on a tour of the Golden Circle, visiting the some of the best-known sightseeing spots in Iceland. 

You'll start the day by meeting your local tour guide/driver and the rest of the passengers. You'll be travelling the country in a minibus, with a group of no more than 16 people, allowing you to see the best sights without the rush and hassle of the big buses.

Your first stop of the day is the UNESCO World Heritage site Þingvellir National Park. It is a place of great geological, cultural and historical importance as this is the site where Iceland's parliament,  Alþingi, was founded in the year 930 AD. 

After taking in all the sights, you will head inland towards Geysir geothermal area where you will see the Strokkur geyser spout steaming hot water 15-20 meters into the air at an interval of 5 - 10 minutes. Not far from Geysir lies the iconic two-tiered waterfall Gullfoss.

You'll continue towards the South Coast, ending the day at your accommodation in either the village of Hvolsvöllur or Selfoss town.

Today you head to the wild highlands to visit the colourful Landmannalaugar region. 

On your way, you will pass the infamous volcano Hekla and go through the valley of Dómadalur before reaching the otherworldly Landmannalaugar. Once there, you will enjoy a leisurely hike and admire the vivid colours created by the geothermal and volcanic activity in the area. 

You will then head back to the coast, this time taking the Fjallabak highland route which will take you past Eldgjá, the largest volcanic canyon in the world. You'll go through the Torfajökull nature reserve, reaching the Ring Road and then heading west. 

You'll pass through the village of Vík and take short stops at the waterfalls Skógafoss and Seljalands before you return to the Selfoss area for the night.

Today you will travel at a more leisurely pace as you explore parts of western Iceland. 

You will first head to the foot of Mt. Hengill and visit Nesjavellir geothermal area, situated on the southern end of Lake Þingvallavatn. 

From there you'll take the scenic route to the Borgarfjörður region, passing through the countryside and along the gorgeous Hvalfjörður fjord. Once in the Borgarfjörður inlands, you will see Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, where fresh water trickles out from underneath the lava. You will also visit the ancient bishopric Reykholt and Europe's most productive hot spring, Deildartunguhver.

You'll overnight in the Borgarfjörður area.

Today you'll head up to the westernmost point of Europe, Látrabjarg. 

You'll travel up north from Borgarfjörður, passing through Búðardalur village, following a route that will take you across mountains and wetlands, along the coastal road around the fjords with views of Breiðafjörður Bay and its islands, through slopes with tiny waterfalls and lush vegetation. 

You'll continue your journey all the way to Látrabjarg to see the bird cliffs teeming with thousands of seabirds, including guillemots and puffins. This is a photographer's heaven, as the birds soar along the cliffs.

You'll overnight in the town of Patreksfjörður.

Now it's time to make your way back south. You'll travel along the coast to Brjánslækur ferry port where you will take a ferry across the Breiðafjörður Bay. 

The journey takes just under 3 hours, which gives you plenty of time to take in the views of both the fast approaching Snæfellsnes peninsula, as well as the mountainous region of the Westfjords.

Upon arrival in Stykkishólmur, you will travel along the coastline on the northern side of the peninsula, passing through various fishing villages along the way. You will drive around the great Snæfellsjökull glacier, circumnavigating the peninsula and arriving at your accommodation in the tiny hamlet of Hellnar.

On your last day on the road, you'll continue your exploration of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, this time along its southern side. 

Snæfellsnes is like a tasting menu of all the natural wonders that you can find in Iceland; waterfalls, volcanoes, hot springs, basalt columns, sandy beaches, bird cliffs and glaciers, albeit on a smaller scale than elsewhere. 

One of the highlights of the day is the hamlet of Arnarstapi, with its amazing ravines, grottoes and columnar basalt formations. In the afternoon we drive towards Reykjavík, through the village of Borgarnes.

You'll overnight in the city.

Depending on your departure time from Iceland, you might have time to go city sightseeing, visit the Blue Lagoon or just stroll around downtown Reykjavík to pick up a souvenir.

Remember to book your departure transfer at the hotel lobby as transfer to the airport is not included.