Welcome to Iceland! You’ll arrive at Iceland’s Keflavík International Airport and make your way to the group hotel in Reykjavik via a shared shuttle service. Depending on your arrival time you may have time to explore some of Reykjavik. If you do, we recommend checking out the wonderful National Museum of Iceland to learn about the Viking history of the region. Meet your guide and fellow travelers this evening for a delicious welcome dinner in a local restaurant. 

Hit some of Iceland’s top highlights today, starting with Hellisheiði, the largest geothermal power station in the country. Sustainability is at the core of this 13,000-square-meter, state-of-the-art facility. Learn about the production process of the power plant, and enjoy panoramic views of the geothermal area and Hengill volcanic system, from the station’s balconies. Your next stop will be the spectacular Þingvellir National Park, home to the first Icelandic parliament, from the 10th to 18th centuries. It lies on the divergent edges of the European and North American tectonic plates, and it is this active plate boundary and associated hotspot under Iceland that creates the steaming vents and chimneys of the Geysir Geothermal Area. Continue from here to the Geysir and one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland - Gullfoss. Arrive at your accommodation in the early evening, just in time for dinner.

Begin your day with a visit to two different waterfalls; iconic Seljalandsfoss is often featured in Icelandic tourist guides, while lesser known 60m high Skogafoss is one of the tallest waterfalls in the country. Next, make your way to Reynisfjara, better known as the black beach of Iceland. The sand here is actually volcanic ash that’s been ground down over thousands of years. Then visit the extraordinary Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, a stunning glacial lagoon renowned for its icy blue waters speckled with icebergs from the surrounding Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. As night falls, embark on a quest to discover the magical Northern Lights with your guide before returning to your hotel for dinner. 

Take a scenic ride back along the south coast towards Reykjavik today, stopping at more of the country’s beauty spots, including Drangurinn Rock. Refuel at Fontana Bakery and try geothermal baked bread and other treats for lunch. Upon arrival in the capital, take some time to rest in your hotel, before enjoying a short walking tour. The rest of the day is yours to explore. Don’t miss the distinctive Hallgrimskirkja church, which looks more like an alien spaceship than a place of worship. And the Icelandic Phallological Museum is fun too! If you fancy witnessing the northern lights from the sea, consider joining our optional northern lights boat tour, available in the afternoon or this evening. For dinner, there are lots of great restaurants in the city, or you could seek out Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, one of the oldest family businesses in Reykjavik; they’ve been serving their popular lamb-based hot dogs here since 1937. 

Leave Reykjavik today and head north. Your first stop will be Barnafoss, which literally translates as ‘children’s waterfalls,’ where you will hear the ancient Icelandic legend that explains how the waterfall got its unique name. Continue on to Krauma geothermal nature baths, where you’ll enjoy a relaxing soak in the geothermal pools overlooking dramatic Icelandic landscapes. You’ll then head to the stunning Snaefellsnes Peninsula, where you’ll bed down for the night, and hope to see those elusive Northern Lights.  

Today you’ll explore the magical Snæfellsnes Peninsula, famous for its 700,000-year-old glacier-capped stratovolcano, which was the inspiration for Jules Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth. You’ll make a few other stops to appreciate the dreamscape-like scenery of the area, including at the black church of Búðakirkja in Búðir. The afternoon brings a journey to the heart of the earth: Vatnshellir Lava Cave, an 8000-year-old marvel of volcanic history. Don't forget to bundle up for the cool cave temperatures! In the evening visit a local farmhouse to learn about Icelandic cuisine and taste the best local food. Later, venture out into the night for another chance to witness the mesmerizing spectacle of the Aurora Borealis. 

Explore Iceland's whaling history today, on a thought-provoking journey to Hvalfjörður, the ‘Whale Fjord.’ Opinion is divided in Iceland about whale hunting, despite a number of international organizations advocating a wholesale ban on whaling. The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is one such organization, that dared to sabotage a whaling station here in 1986, which resulted in two boats sinking. See the sunken vessels that still rest ashore, a poignant reminder of the ongoing debate surrounding whaling practices. Later, return to the vibrant capital and lose yourself in Reykjavik's enchanting charm before enjoying a farewell dinner with your travel companions, where you can toast the epic adventure you have just embarked upon together. Skál!

After breakfast you are free to depart for home or further Icelandic adventures. If you are planning to stay in Iceland, check out Atlas Obscura’s Guide to Iceland for itinerary inspiration. Until our next adventure!