8-Day Family Iceland Excursion

Transport your family to the mystical landscapes of the safest country in the world, Iceland, and prepare yourselves for an adventure of a lifetime. When you arrive at Keflavik Airport, your private transfer will guide you to a helicopter ride that circles the Southwest side of Iceland or the Golden Circle. You will have the rare opportunity of witnessing the beauty of Thingvellir National Park, which is the sole UNESCO World Heritage Site in Iceland, from a bird’s eye view. This exclusive experience will have you marveling at the Geysir Geothermal area in Haukadalur Valley, which is home to active geysers such as the infamous Strokkur, Smidur, and Litli-Strokkur. The spewing and blistering water of Strokkur will stun your family into silence with its majesty.

From here, you will continue toward Iceland’s signature waterfall of the region: Gullfoss or Golden Falls. The sheer size and grandeur of Gullfoss bring a light mist to anyone who is standing nearby. You can also gaze at the sensation of the mid-Atlantic ridge, which is the only ridge that can be seen above sea level, from this location. Later, you will tiptoe along the edge of the Almannagja gorge, which is home to long stretches of darkened volcanic rock and where part of North America’s tectonic plates lie. You can challenge yourself to see if you can discover the secret path that leads to another majestic but human-made waterfall, Oxararfoss. If you cannot find it, your guide will gladly give you hints. As you stand at the base of the waterfall, you will be carried away by its folklore and beauty that will make you feel completely at peace.

Today, you will experience the raw power of Iceland’s nature with a stimulating Hvita Glacier river rafting ride all the way down to Vestari Jokulsa. From there, you will journey to the black beaches of Solheimasandur to investigate the famed US Navy DC plane wreck, which stands frozen in time. You may touch the antique rivets and bolts before climbing inside to learn about this historical plane crash, where, fortunately, everyone survived. You can allow your children’s imaginations to run wild as they recreate the scene where the pilot mistakenly switched over to the wrong fuel tank, which forced them into an emergency landing. As you stand on the black sand and gaze out toward the horizon, it will feel as if you have been transported back in time and set in your favorite science fiction movie.

One of Iceland’s hidden gems, Bruarfoss, has the unique quality of possessing the bluest waters of all the waterfalls in Iceland. The blue color appears otherworldly, and with its surrounding, luscious green moss, it will seem as if you have just stepped into another world. Your guide will lead you to the lava tunnel, Raufarholshellir, which formed 5,600 years ago when the Leitahraun Volcano erupted. You can stand in the middle of the tunnel and immerse yourselves in the underground rock formations as if on a quest for untold treasures.

With bellies full of a scrumptious breakfast, the mystical and world-famous landmark of Iceland, Reynisfjara Beach, entices every traveler with a visit. Once you are here, you can listen to the magical story behind the monstrous basalt stacks, which are known as Reynisdrangar, that stand out along the black sand beach. When the tide is low, you can venture all the way to the stacks and touch the rocky legend. The rough-hewn rocks hold mystery and wonder and will transport you to where the legend rumors that a couple of trolls attempt to pull in ships from the ocean. Unfortunately, the trolls did not finish in time and were caught by the rising sun, which froze them on the beach as punishment.

As you arrive at the towering Crystal Ice Cave, it will steal your breath away with its staggering size. Your guide will lead you inside the crystal cave as your shoes crunch through the snow and ice with your crampons. Your guide will then help you to descend into this amazing and stunning world. Inside, it will feel like you are beneath a frozen ocean with its waves suspended in time, sparkling under the sunlight. The ripples and ice formations will act like northern lights, dancing in their own unique manner just for you.

After lunch, you will journey with your guide to the Diamond Beach of Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, which is also known as the crown jewel of Iceland. With its vast black beaches that are covered in ice, when the beaming sun shines on the ground, it will look as if you are walking on diamonds, which will be an absolute spectacle.

Your journey for today will begin at Hengifoss, which is the third tallest waterfall in the country and one of the more beautiful waterfalls in the world. Along your drive, roaming reindeer may lope across the road in front of you with their nonchalant nature being as relaxed as the country. As you arrive at the base of Hengifoss, you can allow the immensity and magical nature to embrace you. You may even be astonished by the thin, bright red layers of clay that are sandwiched between basalt that frame the waterfall.

From there, you and your guide will stop for a delicious lunch along the edges of the largest national forest in Iceland, Hallormsstadaskogur. Here, you can become engrossed in the mythical legend of a worm monster that lived in the lake during ancient times. It is Iceland’s very own Loch Ness monster and is extremely elusive. No one has been able to capture a clear shot, but there may be a reward for you if you are able to capture a photo of it during your exciting journey through the national forest.

A thrilling horseback ride with Icelandic horses waits for you as you pull into Egilsstadir. Whether beginner or experienced, there is nothing to worry about while riding these horses because they are one of the most intelligent and sweetest horses that you will come to know. Though short in stature, they are the gentle and wild souls of Iceland who love to receive pets and may even nudge you to do so, just like a puppy does. Anyone can walk up and stroke their lustrous hair or pet their thick coats. They also have a very special gait, which is called a tolt. Your sensational horseback ride will wind along the infamous fields, where you can gaze upon the dried lava flow, which is now covered in a luscious blanket of green moss.

With its verdant green surroundings as if from a painting, Rjukandi is a beautiful and unique waterfall to stop at along the Ring Road. Rjukandi has the ability to defy gravity on windy days, and if you stand at the base of the waterfall during one of these windy days in Iceland, of which there can be several, the water will appear to actually run back up the waterfall, finely misting your family with its gravity-defying abilities.

The electric blue color of the volcanic lake of Lake Myvatn stands at attention where a team of Siberian huskies will be patiently waiting to lead you on a rip-roaring sled ride. You can get bundled and cozy in the sled as your musher, the person guiding the sled, leads you around the lake before a meet and greet with the dogs. You will then sink deep into the Myvatn Nature Baths, which is a series of pristine geothermal heated baths where an abundance of nature will embrace you. The hot steam and grandiose views of the surrounding landscapes will be the perfect precursor to a hearty lunch.

One of the most beloved and impressive displays of power along the Ring Road is Godafoss Waterfall or the Waterfall of the Gods. The name comes from a time in Iceland’s history when Christianity was on the rise and culminated in a priest who decided the residents of Iceland could worship their Norse gods in private, but in public, Christianity would be the official religion. The priest took the old Norse gods to the waterfall and threw them in, thus dubbing it the Waterfall of the Gods. When you stand along the edge and feel the gushing power of Iceland in these rapids, you might even spy some of the old Norse icons like Odin or Thor in the waters.

Today, you will take a moment to venture around Akureyri and discover all of its hidden nooks and crannies. You can look across the fjord that the city sits on and feel elation as it bubbles inside you at the sight of the flick of a whale tail or a spray from their blowhole. Although we cannot guarantee that you will witness these majestic creatures, Iceland is one of the best places in the world to see them, so you have a reasonably good chance.  After your jaunt in Akureyri, your guide will drive you to Vatnsnes Peninsula to visit the Icelandic Seal Centre, which is an interactive playground where you can assist the lab with their research and expand your knowledge of the friendliest-looking mammals of the sea.

The daunting mountains of the Westfjords, which are located on the largest peninsula in Northwestern Iceland, will tower majestically above as you drive through them. In Isafjordur, which is the largest town and also the capital of the region, you can inspect the oldest, standing house that was turned into the local folk museum. You can transport yourselves through history in the folk museum, touch the centuries-old wood, climb the steps that many others have tread, and marvel at how it has developed over the years.

A refreshing lunch awaits you at the famed seafood restaurant of the region before you venture over to the maritime museum, which showcases how Isafjordur became one of the largest fisheries in Iceland. You will then step into the shoes of the locals and become fishermen for the day to see how the industry evolved since its origin. You will finish your journey with a decadent dinner at a luxurious restaurant, watching the sun dip below the horizon before returning to your luxurious property for a good night’s rest.

As the morning dew kisses the ground, the gorgeous Snaefellsnes Peninsula, which is the Western point of Iceland and home to magical and epic landscapes, pulls you into its embrace. This area is known for its pink and golden-sand beaches, which are a rarity to see. As you stand on the vast beach, you may catch a glimpse of the playful whales as they swim about in the ocean as they love to frequent this area.

The dramatic landscape, which is reflected in the waters that surround the island of Videy, will be the picturesque background for your lunch. Over 30 species of birds live here, and Videy is also known for its ancient ruins and for possessing the oldest church in the country. Here, you can explore the history of the first settlers in Iceland, which date back to the 10th century, and visit the first stone house that was ever built. You can also run your hands over the ancient stones and feel the ancient power as it transfers into your body.

Iceland is known for its lava tubes, as the entire country was formed from volcanic eruptions. The Leidarendi on the Reykjanes Peninsula is a lava tube that consists of two caves that were formed during two separate eruptions: one from two thousand years ago and the other from about a thousand years ago. You will journey deep underground and gaze in wonder at the reds, yellows, and greens from iron, sulfur, and copper that dance within the walls inside the tunnel. Afterward, an extravagant dinner at the only Michelin-starred restaurant in Reykjavik will culminate off your day.

Today, you will venture into the cool underworld in Snaefellsjokull National Park, where you will visit the lava cave of Vatnshellir. The lava cave is over 8,000 years old and stretches out 656 feet long and 114 feet below the surface. A spiral, metal staircase will take you deeper inside, where you can follow the lava and admire the intricate play of gorgeous colors and formations. Clouds of mist will rise from the geothermal springs as you sink deeper into its healing waters. The Blue Lagoon is famous for refreshing the soul, and if you peer up at the sky, you might see some northern lights dancing above you. Once you are properly rejuvenated, your private transfer will lead you to Keflavik Airport for your journey home as you reminisce on your idyllic, Icelandic vacation that was filled to the brim with unforgettable memories.