Volcanoes and Glaciers (Small Group)

Depending on the time of your arrival, this afternoon might be spent exploring Iceland’s capital. Reykjavik is a small and compact city that is easy to explore independently. We recommend starting with Hallgrimskirkja church, the city’s central landmark and most iconic – and tallest! – building. At the top of its spire is an observation platform from where you can survey the city.

From Hallgrimskirkja, several busy high streets, with shops and cafes, lead to the waterfront area, where you’ll find another of Reykjavik’s major landmarks, the spectacular Harpa concert hall.

Dinner this evening is to your own account. The shopping district around Hallgrimskirkja is a popular area to dine out, with a wide selection of restaurants.

This morning’s drive will see you cross the Reykjanes Peninsula and enter into a region of fertile volcanic lowlands. Along the way, you can expect marvellous views of the southern coast and of Iceland’s volcanic hinterlands.

You'll stop in the town of Hvolsvollur to visit the LAVA Centre, an interactive museum that will tell you more of Iceland’s unique geology, serving as a perfect introduction to many of the locations that you’ll visit over the coming days! From Hvolsvollur, you continue to Seljalandsfoss, one of Iceland’s most photographed waterfalls owing to its unique setting and formation.

Your journey then continues along the southern coast to arrive at Landeyjahofn harbour, where you take a half hour ferry ride to the Westman Islands, or Vestmannaeyjar. Located just off the southern coast of Iceland, this small chain of volcanic islands offers splendid views and scenery. Disembarking in Heimaey, the largest of the islands, you’ll begin a driven tour of the area, taking in the Storhofdi Peninsula, notable for its dramatic views of the Atlantic Ocean (and for its claim to be the windiest place in Europe!), and the volcanic cone of Eldfell, an active volcano that erupted as recently as 1973. After exploring Eldfell and taking in the views, you’ll be able to learn more about the eruption of 1973 and its impact at the Eldheimar Museum.

Following you’ll be dropped off at your hotel in central Heimar, with the rest of the afternoon free for you to explore independently. Enjoy a stroll along the waterfront, visit the folk museum, or go for a dip in the thermal swimming pool. For supper, you’ll have the pick of several places to dine, including the renowned restaurants of Slippurinn, which specialises in Icelandic cuisine, and Tanginn, where the focus is on local seafood dishes.

Overnight on Heimar Island at the Hotel Vestmannaeyjar.

This morning will see you explore the Katla Geopark, a region formed in 2011 to protect the unique volcanic and glacial features of southern Iceland. The park is centred on the active Katla Volcano and its glaciated slopes.

Your first stop will be at Skogafoss, a dramatic 62m high waterfall that figures in Icelandic folklore and myth. From Skogafoss, you journey to the Myrdalsjokull and Solheimajokull icecaps for your first experience of an Icelandic glacier! At Solheimajokull, you will have a choice of two activities: a glacier hike, or a kayak ride between the icebergs.

Leaving Katla this afternoon, you continue towards Vik, stopping at the Dyrholaey peninsula and Reynisfjara Beach en route. Reynisfjara is one of several black sand beaches on Iceland’s southern coast, and is famed its magnificent scenery and views. Reynisfjara is equally famous for its immensely powerful waves, which can occur with little warning – it is important to follow the lead of your guide while exploring.

Today’s journey ends in the village of Vik, where you stay this evening at the Hotel Vik. Expect to arrive in Vik late this afternoon, with the rest of the evening at leisure.

The product of the largest lava eruption in modern history, Eldhraun is a spectacular landscape of craters and moss-covered volcanic rock. The vast lunar-esque landscape is also where the Apollo 11 crew came to train for their moonwalk!

From Eldhraun, you travel to the town of Kirkjubaejarklaustur, whose green, pastoral setting contrasts with the nearby lava fields and the black sands of Skeidararsandur; and then on to Skaftafell.

A region of jagged mountain peaks and outlet glaciers, Skaftafell is situated at the foot of the Vatnajokull ice cap, part of the wider Vatnajokull National Park. You’ll enjoy a guided walk in the Skaftafell valley, amidst the giant glaciers and volcanic peaks, before travelling to Fjallsarlon glacial lagoon and nearby Diamond Beach to view the famous floating icebergs on land and via a Zodiac boat tour.

Return to Vik for dinner (included?) and overnight.

Start the day with a visit to the Haukadalur Geothermal Area to explore its myriad geysers, fumaroles and hot springs, including the spectacle that is Strokkur, a geyser that explodes to heights as great as 25m.

From Haukadalur, travel to Gullfoss, the “Golden Falls”, a dramatic, two-tiered waterfall formed by the Hvita River. A series of trails lead to various viewpoints overlooking the waterfall, allowing you to view and photograph it from many different angles.

In the afternoon, travel west to Thingvellir National Park, an area of spectacular natural beauty and geological interest. The park centres on Lake Thingvallavatn and its surrounding valleys and fissures, formed by the meeting and drifting apart of the Mid-Atlantic and Eurasian tectonic plates. Along with the East African Rift Valley, is the only place in the world where the meeting of two tectonic plates is so clearly visible above sea level.

In addition to its geological marvels, Thingvellir is also notable for its place in Iceland’s history. It was at Thingvellir, on the northern shores of Lake Thingvallavatn, that the Althingi, Iceland’s Viking-era parliament, would meet. Your guide will explain more about this history as you explore the site of the former Althing and the many natural landmarks, such as Law Rock, that formed part of the original Althing.

Late afternoon, continue to Reykjavik for overnight at the Skuggi Hotel, or similar. Evening at leisure.