Stunning 9 Day Vacation Package with a Guided Tour of the Ring Road of Iceland

You will be picked up at your hotel by your guide and head east out of the city on day two. Your first stop is the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Þingvellir National Park, where the tectonic plates of Europe and America are visibly pulling apart, creating a landscape of deep clefts and expanses of lava rock.

You will also visit a family-owned dairy farm called Efstidalur. This site is a great place to take in real Icelandic country life. The best part of the day is Efstidalur has a cozy cafe where you can grab a bite or a drink while taking in the country surroundings. You will also be able to sample some ice cream made on-site with milk from their own cows, the freshest you could probably taste.

Other amazing sights include the Silfra fissure and Öxarárfoss waterfall. In this place, Icelanders founded what is now the longest-running democratic parliament in the world, more than a thousand years ago.

Your next stop is the Haukadalur valley, where the Geysir hot spring resides. While this feature is currently inactive, a neighboring geyser, Strokkur, erupts to heights that have been known to exceed 66 ft (20m) every five to ten minutes.

Not far away, the great river Hvítá rushes down into a deep canyon in the form of the waterfall Gullfoss. The glacier water plummets down more than 98 ft (30m) in two steps with such force that the enormous spray drenches those on the bank.

You will spend the evening in accommodation located in the Golden Circle area.

You'll hit the road early on day three and follow the southern coastline to Vatnajökull national park. En route, you'll stop to see some amazing natural attractions. You'll start the day by visiting Seljalandsfoss waterfall, famous for the small cavern found behind its tumbling water. You will then visit Skógafoss waterfall, a wide and stunning cascade fed by the infamous Eyjafjallajökull volcano glacier.

You will visit the famous Dryaholaey Sea Arch. This rocky promenade stretches out from the mainland of the South Coast into the sea. This is a great spot to take in the marvelous ocean views framed by black beaches, sweeping planes, and mountains in the distance.

Next up is the black sand beach of Reynisfjara, where you'll have a spectacular view of the great Reynisdrangar sea stacks, which rise out of the Atlantic Ocean like mighty trolls.

For some added fun today, you can choose to visit an ice cave. These natural wonders form during glaciers' regular melt and freeze cycles and are as unique as fingerprints. Stepping into one of these icy wonders will leave you with lasting memories.

You will also visit the small seaside town of Vík, where you will spend the night.

On Day 4, you'll continue to travel to Vatnajökull National Park where you'll find Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, colloquially known as "the Crown Jewel of Iceland". Here, gargantuan icebergs crumble from Breiðamerkurjökull glacier tongue into the still, azure waters, creating a truly ethereal ambiance.

If you arrive between May and August, you can take a boat ride on the lagoon, allowing you to get up close and personal with these giant icebergs. A guide will teach you all about the geology and history of the lagoon itself, and if you're very lucky, you may even spot some seals!

After your time at the lagoon, you will take a short stroll to the nearby stretch of shoreline known as the Diamond Beach. Its name is derived from the fact that icebergs wash up here on their way out to the Atlantic Ocean. This is one of the most beautiful spots in the country for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike.

Today you will also see Skaftafell Nature Reserve, which sits within Vatnajökull National Park. From here, you will take a glacier hike. You will be suited up with all the things you need on your adventure; helmet, crampons, ice ax. You will then ascend the mighty glacier, like an arctic explorer, and take in the wide vistas of the south.

Your night will be spent at accommodations in the southeast of Iceland.

On your fifth day of this exciting package, you will visit the remote Eastfjords, a region of sharply peaked mountains, twisting rivers, and stunning landscapes. Throughout your trip across the area, your guide will make several stops of their choice based on the preferences of your now well-acquainted group.

One fascinating stop you will make on your travel is in the town of Djúpavogur. Here you will visit an impressive collection of carefully cut and polished rocks and stones from the surrounding area. Auðuns Rock Collection attracts people from all over the world.

You will also be introduced to life in the countryside, stopping off at a number of the region's quaint towns and villages. On top of that, you will pay a visit to the hub of the Eastfjords, Egilsstaðir.

Two of the closest attractions to Egilsstaðir are Iceland's largest national forest, Hallormsstaðaskógar, and the glittering Lake Lagafljót. The lake is rumored to be home to a mystical beast thanks to local sightings throughout the centuries. Similarities can be drawn to Scotland's Loch Ness monster, although the myth at Lake Lagarfljót is far older.

If you elect to do so while booking, you can go horseback riding through the beautiful landscapes of the East today.

You will spend the evening in Egilsstaðir. If you have spare time in the evening, you could visit the local swimming pool or go for a walk by the water.

The brother of the Golden Circle sightseeing route is the Diamond Circle, which covers the famous Lake Mývatn, which you'll spend day six exploring.

If you're in the mood for some relaxation before departure, you can choose to add the experience of visiting the Vok Baths. This spa facility offers tranquil geothermal waters with incredible views of the surrounding landscape.

Otherwise, you will first visit the most powerful waterfall in Europe, Dettifoss, in Jökulsárglúfur canyon which is still part of the vast Vatnajökull National Park. Next, you will make your way to the impressive Ásbyrgi canyon, verdant with vegetation shaped like a horseshoe.

The legend goes that this canyon was created from the footprint of Odin's eight-legged horse Sleipnir, as he stamped down upon the earth. Once you have enjoyed this fascinating feature, you will move on to the quaint little town of Húsavík, prized for its multi-colored houses, an ornate wooden church, and charming harbor.

Afterward, you will traverse the dramatic, moss-covered lava fields that surround Lake Mývatn. This area has high geothermal activity, as you'll note at the Námaskarð geothermal area, rich in boiling mud puddles and steaming fumaroles.

You will then head off to make a stop at another waterfall, Goðafoss. This spectacular wonder was also the site where Icelanders decided to adopt Christianity over a millennia ago.

You will then move on to the capital of the north, Akureyri. Here you will stop for the night at your accommodation.

Today you will start your journey back to Reykjavik. Your day will begin with you saying goodbye to the charming northern town of Akureyri. You will then head to the beautiful Eyjafjörður fjord to the town of Hauganes. On the way, you will also stop at the cozy Kaffi Ku. This is a great place to stretch your legs and grab a bite or drink as you gaze upon the incredible scenery around you.

You will make a stop where you can take a walk and enjoy the local sites, or you can choose to add some more experiences.

The waters around the north of Iceland are well known as hubs of whale activity, and Hauganes is the perfect place to take a whale-watching tour because of this. You can board a boat that will take you out into the sea to meet these friendly giants.

You will then head to the mysterious Hvítserkur area. This is home to a rock formation of the same name. Hvítserkur is one of the most photographed landmarks in Iceland. It sits proudly off-shore. Local legends tell of a troll that stayed out too long and was turned to stone by daylight, becoming the formation standing there today.

You will then make your way back to Reykjavík.

Today, you will have a free day in Reykjavík to truly explore, discover and immerse yourself in Icelandic culture. With the city as your playground, you could choose to visit such landmarks as the Lutheran church Hallsgrimkirkja, Harpa Concert Hall, or Perlan Museum and Observation Deck.

You could also choose to go on an epic whale watching tour to see some of Iceland's incredible marine wildlife in Faxaflói Bay. You will be taken by your whale expert to the best locations to spot whales as well as dolphins and porpoises. Extend your Icelandic adventure to the seas and opt for this excursion.

Of course, there are a few other options you could opt for today, the first of which is taking a day tour to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Otherwise known as "Iceland in miniature" due to its range of attractions, the peninsula is most famous for its namesake, Snæfellsjökull, and Iceland's most photographed mountain, Kirkjufell.  

Another option is to partake in a snorkeling tour in the gorgeous Silfra Fissure, located in Þingvellir National Park. This glacial spring is famous for its striking visibility and vivid shades of blue. Please be advised that it is necessary for you to know how to swim to join this tour.

Finally, you could decide to go snowmobiling on the mighty Langjokull glacier, the perfect activity to mix epic sightseeing with a heart-thumping adrenaline rush.

This is your final day which concludes your summer vacation in Iceland for now. You'll be picked up in Reykjavik and taken through the black lava fields once again to Keflavík International Airport in time for your departure.