Guided 6 Day Summer Tour of Iceland with the Best of the South, East & North

Today you will travel along the picturesque South Coast. Your first stops will be at two of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls. The first, Seljalandsfoss, cascades from the great heights of the interior; its unique feature is the small cavern that lies behind it which allows you to walk completely around it.

The next waterfall is called Skogafoss which falls in a broad curtain from the steep highlands, and it is rumored to have an ancient treasure hidden behind it. On sunny days, more than one rainbow can often be spotted depending on how close you get to its thunderous spray.

You will then make a stop at the Dyrholaey Sea Arch. This rocky promenade is a favorite place for local birdlife. Dyrholaey is well known for its arch, which forms out of the sea. From here you can get an incredible 360-degree-view of the coastline and surrounding areas.

Not far from Dyrholaey is the beautiful black sand beach Reynisfjara, defined not only for its color but its impressive basalt columns and famous sea stacks.

You will then come to the idyllic coastal town of Vik. This quaint seaside area is framed by mountains and the sea.

If you elect to do so while booking, you can go ice caving in the glacier that caps Katla volcano today for a mesmerizing experience.

Vik is a great place to take in the authentic atmosphere of small-town life on the South Coast. Here is where you will spend the night.

Your next destination will be the glacier lagoon Jokulsarlon with a few surprise stops along the way chosen by your guide depending on the weather and the group’s interests. Jokulsarlon is formed by the receding glacial tongue Breidamerkurjokull where huge chunks of ice break away and float lazily out to sea. No one iceberg is the same and each is characterized by different blue and white shades scarred with volcanic ash from historical eruptions.

If traveling from May onwards, you will have the opportunity to glide alongside these icy giants on a boat tour. You'll cruise amid these impressive icebergs on an amphibian boat tour which is ideal for families and larger groups. A limited number of vessels are allowed on the lagoon every day so don't miss your chance to explore the massive bergs.

As these ancient icy giants make it to sea, some wash up on the adjacent beach which has been nicknamed Diamond Beach for the glittering chunks of ice that arrive with the surf. Walk beside chunks of ancient glacial ice and marvel at the magical sight at your feet.

You will also visit the magical Skaftafell Nature Reserve. This area sits inside Vatnajökull National Park and is home to many of the South Coast's natural wonders.

At this point in your trip, you will head for a thrilling excursion: a glacier hike. Glacier hiking is one of the most unique opportunities Iceland offers, with the fascinating terrain of the ice caps, the views from their peaks, and the sense of adventure they inspire.

You will spend the evening close to the Jokulsarlon area.

Today you will be exploring the beautiful and remote Eastfjords. Traveling through mountainous passes with the ocean to your left, your guide will make a number of stops along these meandering passages. As well as being known for its dramatic fjords, this area is characterized by its breathtaking beaches, littered with multi-colored pebbles and rocks.

The entire region is sparsely populated, but the small communities that exist there live in quaint fishing communities, each with its own idiosyncrasies.

You will make a fascinating stop at Jon's Rock Museum. This attraction in the town of Djupivogur is a beautifully curated collection of stones from the local area. Carefully cut specimens of quartz, agate, crystals, and zeolite that have been beautifully polished are on display.

Your guide will introduce you to small-town life out in the countryside before heading to the central ‘hub’ of the East, Egilsstadir. As well as being the largest town in the Eastfjords, it is also close to the largest forest in Iceland, Hallormsstadaskogar, and the lake Lagafljot in which is a legendary water monster is said to reside.

You can also choose to go horseback riding today to experience the landscapes of the East like the early settlers.

You will spend the night in Egilsstadir.

You will be making your way to the North of Iceland today, right across the large and beautiful expanse of Vatnajokull National Park. Before starting, however, you'll have a chance to bask in the waters of the luxurious Vok Spa.

Otherwise, your first stop of the day will be the magnificent Dettifoss waterfall, the most powerful in Europe. The spray of this gigantic natural feature can be seen far before you reach the falls itself. Its awe-inspiring character has inspired many movie makers to select this area as a backdrop, including the blockbuster, Prometheus.

Rejoining your group, the next destination is the no-less spectacular Asbyrgi canyon which is shaped like a horseshoe and in Norse mythology. It is said to have been created by the foot of Sleipnir, Odin’s very own horse.

Your next destination is the varied and dynamic Myvatn area, named after the lake (‘Fly Lake’). This area is known for its energetic geothermal activity and you will get to see this first hand at the Namskard area where these forces rise to the surface through steaming mud puddles and fumaroles.

You will then head to the ‘Capital of the North’, Akureyri. Before you cross the mountain pass to get there, however, you will make a quick stop at the waterfall, Godafoss. This is a historically famous site in which the old idols of the pagan religion were cast into the water as an act of fealty towards the Christian faith.

You will spend the night in Akureyri.

Today you will head back to where your journey began, making several great stops along the way. First is Hauganes, a charming coastal town from which you will set out on a fantastic whale-watching excursion. The seas here are home to countless seabirds, dolphins, and, of course, the great migratory whales that call Iceland their seasonal home.

You will then head further south to the Hvitserkur area. Hvitserkur is an intriguing rock formation that is often referred to as the ‘Troll of Northwest Iceland.’ It stands 15 meters tall in Hunafloi Bay. Local legends say that this formation was once a troll who stayed out too late and when the sun came up, was turned to stone. Today Hvitserkur is one of the most photographed attractions in Northern Iceland and you will quickly see why.

You will then head back to the capital of Reykjavik. You will have plenty of time on the way to take in the beautiful sights of Iceland and reflect on your incredible journey.