6-DAY FULL CIRCLE GUIDED TOUR OF ICELAND

RESERVE YOUR 6-DAY FULL CIRCLE TOUR OF ICELAND HERE:

ITINERARY FOR THE FULL CIRCLE GUIDED TOUR OF ICELAND IN 6 DAYS 

ITINERARY OVERVIEW: 

DAY 1: GOLDEN CIRCLE AND SOUTH COAST OF ICELAND 
DAY 2: VATNAJÖKULL GLACIER AND JÖKULSÁRLÓN GLACIER LAGOON
DAY 3: EAST FJORDS
DAY 4: NORTH OF ICELAND  
DAY 5: WHALE WATCHING, SIGLUFJÖRDUR, TRÖLLASKAGI AND LAUGARBAKKI 
DAY 6: WEST OF ICELAND  

DAY 1: GOLDEN CIRCLE AND SOUTH COAST OF ICELAND 

• Let's go! This 6-day tour starts at 8:00 a.m. in Reykjavík when you will be picked up from your hotel or the nearest tourist bus stop as indicated on your voucher.
• From here you and your new group of traveling companions will set out for one of the most popular routes in Iceland, the Golden Circle.
• 1^st Stop: Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you can witness the divide of the tectonic plates that separate Eurasia from North America. This is also the place that the first, and longest running parliment in the world was founded. 
• 2^nd Stop: the Great Geysir and its little brother Strokkur. While the Great Geysir went on to name all other erupting hot springs, Strokkur is the one which is still active and goes off like clockwork every 4-8 minutes up to heights of almost 30 meters or nearly 100 feet! Stand back and wait, it's a sight to behold. 
• 3^rd Stop: Gullfoss Waterfall, a magnificent natural specimen with cascades that fall down a series of cliffs before emptying into the Hvitá canyon below. 
• From here, you will exit the Golden Circle and head south to the coast, passing farmlands, traditional houses and small villages. 
• 4^th Stop: Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, know because you can walk behind the thick liquid curtain to the cave that is hidden behind it. Bring waterproof clothing so that you can enjoy the full effect of walking behind a waterfall, it's something you'll never forget. 
• 5^th Stop: Skógafoss Waterfall, measuring 60 meters of free flowing water, you can admire the views from the foot of the falls, or from above by following the steep but short staircase to the top. 
• 6^th Stop: Vík, a small village at the southern tip of Iceland where you will spend the night in beautiful accommodation 
• 7^th Stop: Check-in at Hotel Dyrholaey (or similar). For those visiting between September and April, you'll have the added benefit of being able to spend the night searching the night sky for the natural phenomenon which is world known and brings people from all over to Iceland: the auroras borealis or the Northern Lights.

DAY 2: VATNAJÖKULL GLACIER AND JÖKULSÁRLÓN GLACIER LAGOON

• Enjoy the delicious breakfast buffet in your hotel.
• 1^st Stop: Reynisfjara Beach, where you can dip your toes in the black sand, gaze in amazement at the incredible basalt columns and the iconic rocky formations off the coast of the beach. 
• 2^nd Stop: Skaftafell and Vatnajökull National Park where in the summer you will strap on crampons in order to enjoy the 3 hour hike across the Vatnajökull  Glacier, Europe's largest ice cap, or in the winter (November - March) you'll get to explore a natural ice cave. 
• 3^rd Stop: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, famous for the in numerous icebergs that float atop the lake, offering a mesmerizing show as they head to the sea. 
• 4^th Stop: Diamond Beach, where some of these icebergs run ashore and contrast so beautifully with the black sand that they shine and glitter like diamonds. Animal lovers and natural loves too of course, should keep an eye open for the various birds that live and next in this area as well as the seals that frolic and play not far from shore. 
• 5^th Stop: Check-in at Hotel Höfn-Inn (or similar), in the town of the same name, a well know location as the capital of lobster in Iceland.

DAY 3: EAST FJORDS

• Enjoy the delicious breakfast buffet in your hotel.
• Today you'll head east, passing along a beautiful stretch of the Ring Road and the Hvalnes Peninsula, an extremely remote and yet beautiful peninsula. You will see the aftermath of landslides in Þvottárskriður, between Lóns and Álftafjarðar.
• 1^st Stop: Djúpivogur, a small fishing village which is home to a beautiful open air sculpture stretching along the coastline and shine brightly in the sun. Named Eggin í Gleðivík, meaning "The Merry Bay eggs". 
• 2^nd Stop: the Hengifoss Waterfall, which we will reach after a 3-hour walk through some gorgeous terrain. Along the way you will also see the Litlanesfoss Waterfall, which is quite impressive and known for the giant hexagon-shaped basalt columns which surround the falls. You will also be able to see a beautiful ravine, which due to a volcanic eruption eons ago, has left a rainbow of colors across the walls of the gorge. Upon arrival to our destination, you'll stretch your neck back to take in Hengifoss, which is the second highest waterfall in Iceland at 128 meters or 420 feet. 
• 3^rd Stop: Egilsstaðirs, the largest settlement (at 2,000 inhabitants) in the east of Iceland, located on the banks of the Lagarfljót river. 
• 4^th Stop: Check-in at Hotel Valaskjalf (or similar). This night you'll have your second chance to go with your group and guide to star gaze and look for the Northern Lights (winter months only).

DAY 4: NORTH OF ICELAND  

• Enjoy the delicious breakfast buffet in your hotel.
• The morning will start by passing through the farming land of Mödrudalur.
• 1^st Stop: Dettifoss Waterfall, the most powerfall waterfall in Europe. While not as tall as the previous falls, Dettifoss measures only 44 meters or 144 feet high, but 100 meters or 330 feet wide which gives it such power. 
• 2^nd Stop: Mývatn Lake y surrounding areas,  where much of the film for the Game of Thrones took place. In this relatively small zone, you'll see so many natural wonders, such as the smoking lunar-like landscape in the geothermal zone of Námaskarð, the Hverfjall Crater and the incredibly dramatic rock formation of Dimmuborgir. 
• 3^rd Stop: Mývatn natural hot springs, to relax a bit after an exciting morning. These geothermal heated pools are rich with minerals and well worth a visit (entrance is not included and must be reserved beforehand when making a booking).  
• 4^th Stop: Godafoss Waterfall, otherwise known as the waterfall of the gods. Listen as your guide explains the fascinating tales that surround this waterfall. 
• 5^th Stop: Eyjafjörður, one of the longest fjords in Iceland, is surrounded by hills and mountains as well as valleys. There are many geothermal vents in the area as well, so you might see steam rising from the earth. Hence Iceland's nickname, "the island of ice and fire". 
• 6^th Stop: Check-in at Hotel Dalvík or similar.

DAY 5: WHALE WATCHING, SIGLUFJÖRDUR, TRÖLLASKAGI AND LAUGARBAKKI 

• Enjoy the delicious breakfast buffet in your hotel.
• 1^st Stop: Akureyri, the enchanting capital of the north is a famous port and fishing center for the country. 
• 2^nd Stop: Dalvík, a quaint fishing village, where we will get to experience a whale watching tour to see the most magnificent mammals in the ocean. With some luck, we will also be able to see how fishing is done in these parts and even get to taste the freshest catch of the day. The initial whale-watching tour is included, but for those brave enough, you can add as an extra addition to the trip, an excursion in a fast boat which will allow the passengers to go quicker and get closer to the whales. As the whales are free creatures, there is no guarantee that they will be seen, however there is a 98% chance of seeing them throughout the year. 
• 3^rd Stop: Siglufjörður, another charming village of fishermen. There you will discover Tröllaskagi , the peninsula of the Trolls. This is also where you will witness the best views of the coast and the ocean and the ski areas in Iceland. Here you can really get a good understanding of how life was for the Icelandic people in antiquity.  
• 4^th Stop: Check-in at Hotel Laugarbakkit (or similar). Once again, for those visiting in the winter months, you will have another (and final) chance to spy the Northern Lights in all of their splendor.

DAY 6: WEST OF ICELAND  

• Enjoy the delicious breakfast buffet in your hotel.
• Start the first leg of the journey this morning contemplating the previous 5 days and the wonderful places your eyes have laid sight on.
• 1^st Stop: Grábrók Volcanic Crater, where you can enjoy an easy hike along a wooden path up and across the top of the crater, giving you a feeling of awe and amazement. 
• 2^nd Stop: Deildartunguhver, where you will discover the source of the most powerful hot spring in all of Europe. The water leaving the springs has temperatures up to 97º C or 206º F. Take care! 
• 3^rd Stop: Hraunfossar and Barnafoss Waterfalls, which both receive their water from the Langjokull Glacier. What sets these waterfalls apart from some of the ones you've already seen, is that these are a collection of hundreds of little falls that together create a chandelier effect, which when seen from afar is enchanting and mesmerizing.  
• 4^th Stop: Reykholt, a small town in western Iceland. It was once home to Snorri Sturluson, who was the famous Icelandic author of many traditional Icelandic fables and tales. 
• 5^th Stop: a pass by Hvalfjörður Fjord which translates to Whale Fjord does not currently host whales, and it's naming is uncertain and carries with it many theories, all of which your guide will paint a picture of to showcase the rich history that is on Iceland. 
• 6^th Stop: Reykjavík. Back to the capital of Iceland, with an expected arrival time of about 17:00-18:00 (5-6 p.m.).

DETAILS OF THE FULL CIRCLE TRIP AROUND ICELAND IN 6 DAYS 

More information about the small group, full circle of Iceland

What do I need to bring? Iceland is a beautiful country, however the weather can be unexpected, at any time of the year, although most especially in winter (late September through April). Therefore all visitors are encouraged to bring clothing worthy of cold and potential wet weather conditions. This includes a heavy winter jacket and waterproof pants, clothing suitable for hiking on a mountain, proper shoes for hiking, gloves, a warm hat, sunglasses, sunscreen/sunblock cream with UV protection, a camera, a bottle of water and a backpack.
***It is especially important to have hiking shoes when you take the glacier hike, as crampons are ONLY able to be attached to hiking boots and NOT to any other type of shoe, loafer or sneaker. 

Important note: Between November and March, instead of walking above the Vatnajökull Glacier, the group will instead get to experience a natural ice cave, below the surface. This is an utterly magical experience that will not soon be forgotten. (all excursions are subject to weather and meteorological conditions).

Important note: Between September and April, you will have the wonderful experience in which you will be able to spend your nights looking for the Northern Lights, as the winter months, as well as the locations of the accommodations are ideal for seeing the auroras borealis (the weather conditions always play a role, and it is not guaranteed that they will be seen).  

Important note: If you are traveling alone or in groups of an uneven number (i.e. 3, 5 7), please be sure to add the supplement of an individual room if you do not wish to share with someone not in your group. If you do not reserve a single room, you will be placed with another passenger (of the same sex) in a shared, double room.

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