Best of Iceland Tour in 8 Days

Your adventure awaits as the impressive landscape of Iceland welcomes you with open arms. Once you arrive in Keflavik Airport, your private transfer will lead you to the helicopter center for an exclusive tour of the Golden Circle, which will encircle the Southwest region of Iceland. As you take to the skies, the views of Reykjavik will take your breath away before venturing to Thingvellir National Park, which is the only UNESCO World Heritage site on Iceland’s mainland and the birthplace of Iceland’s democratic government. With its dried magma fields that are blanketed by the deep green moss of Iceland and its landscape that have been chiseled by glacial springs, the national park’s abundant beauty is a sight that you will not want to miss.

From here, your helicopter guide will take you over to the Geysir Geothermal Area in Haukadalur Valley. The Geysir itself has been inactive for years although Haukadalur Valley is also home to bountiful hot springs and active geysers, including the phenomenal Strokkur, Smiður, and Litli-Strokkur. The most powerful and famous geyser is Strokkur, which shoots colossal jets of scalding water into the air about 130 feet high. Make sure you grab your camera in time to capture the spectacular event. Though the geyser is in its inactive phase at the moment, you may be the only one to catch the rare sight of its eruption, which would shoot giant jets of water up to 230 feet in the air.

Your last stop of the Golden Circle is Iceland’s most beloved and exemplary Gullfoss, which is located in the Hvita river canyon. The water that powers the waterfall comes from the glacier Langjokull, where it cascades down two separate features before it reaches the bottom of the falls. During the summer, 459 cubic feet of water floods the waterfall every second, while in the winter, 389 cubic feet of water surges through the falls. When you stand by the edge of the geyser, the gushing water will energize your soul. Your guide will escort you to the wilderness geothermal pool at Mount Hengill, where the volcano is still active, but its last eruption was around 2,000 years ago. As you step through the edges of the volcano, you can feel the rumblings of the earth beneath your feet.

As your guide drives you along the Ring Road, which is the longest road that connects all of Iceland, the stunning beauty of the country will capture your imagination. With its sharp landscapes that are softened by luscious greenery, you will have a rest and enjoy a simple lunch by Glanni Waterfall, which sits by an ancient lava field and the Grabrok volcano. The locals believe that one of the more stunning waterfalls from the Nordura river is the home of elves and trolls, so it can a mystical and magical place to stop along your drive.

As you travel further north along the Ring Road, a 49-foot tall basalt stack that is known as the Troll of the Northwest, Hvitserkur, sits along the Vatnsnes peninsula. With its two holes at the base, it gives off the appearance of a dragon that is bending over for a drink of water. During low tide, you can walk to the monolith for a close-up and feel the magical power of Iceland’s landscape. This area is also known for its seal population so be prepared to come across a few that are lying about on the sand.

From there, your boat trip will take you into the Greenland Seas for a chance to catch a glimpse of the elusive blue whale in its natural habitat. The best location to scout for whales is at Eyjafjordur where you might even get the opportunity to see bottlenose whales as they leap through the air, humpbacks as they breach the surface, or minke whales as they play in the distance. Afterward, you can inhale a deep breath of Dalvík’s wind and let it rustle your hair as you ride your Icelandic horse across the sandy beaches during sunset.

Your journey to Husavik reveals rolling green hills and snow-capped mountains that are characteristic of Iceland’s landscape. You will stroll along the streets of this quaint fishing village, which was the first place to be settled by a Norseman in 870 AD. You will be immersed in the history that lays within its streets and enjoy a light lunch to satisfy your appetite. You will then glimpse inside an old wooden church that was built in 1907 and will uncover hidden treasures. You can even see if you can catch sight of the puffins that dot the shorelines with their colorful beaks.

Your adventure will continue further north toward one of the grandest waterfalls within Iceland: Godafoss. Dubbed the Waterfall of the Gods, Godafoss received its name after the Commonwealth was established in 930 AD. As Christianity was on the rise, many people decided to turn their backs on the pagan beliefs of the Norsemen who originally settled this area. The lawman at the time, an Asatru priest, decided to put forth Christianity as the official religion although paganism could be practiced in private. He threw idols of the Old Gods into the waterfall, and ever since, the name Godafoss has remained.

Iceland is covered in nature baths with geothermal springs that you can indulge in on your journey. After your outing, you can submerge yourself in a geothermal salt bath and relax as you open a cold beer and sink deeper into the GeoSea geothermal baths. As the sun sets along the stunning landscape and the heat from the geothermal pools warms you from within, this entire experience will help refresh your body, mind, and soul.

As you travel along the Ring Road, you can pause at Dettifoss, which is one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe. The waterfall is fed from the largest glacier, Vatnajokull, which is where the thunderous falls of 6,186 cubic feet of water rush past. It is an impressive sight to see and experience, and from here, you will venture to Lake Myvatn, which is renowned for its flourishing greenery and abundant birdlife. You will enjoy a lovely lunch with your guide while you sit among the bountiful flora. It is also known for its remarkable geology.

On your way to Vatnajokull, you can stop by the Viti, where you can explore a crater in Krafla, which formed in 1724 from a massive volcanic explosion that lasted five years. Today, the crater is filled with a calm blue lake, which is an astonishing and wondrous sight to see. You will be able to feel the crisp air on your skin as you stand above the lake and peer into its vast depth as loping reindeer sneak past you on the roads as you head towards Egilsstadir. You can take a moment to bask in your experience of the gorgeous and quaint town of Seydisfjordur after a scenic drive from Egilsstadir. You will then admire one of the most beautiful fjords in Iceland before walking through a trail to the revered Gufufoss, which is a very secluded waterfall.

When you arrive at Vatnajokull, which is the largest glacier in Europe, you will be transported to another world as you step into the ice cave with your guide. When you get your first glance of the inside of the ice cave, you may have your breath taken away. Then, your exploration will take you down into a calm valley as you venture towards Hofn, which is the langoustine capital of Iceland and is where you can fill your bellies with fresh and tasty seafood as you watch the sun dip below the horizon.

On your way to the most photogenic destinations in Iceland, Vik, your guide will lead you to the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, which is known as the natural crown jewel of Iceland because it formed from melted glacial water. The lagoon is constantly growing and makes each trip unique as it will never be the same after your visit. Your stroll along the beach will kick up black diamonds, which are aptly named because the ice resembles diamonds when the sun beams down on it. The astonishing beauty of the lagoon will capture your heart for an unforgettable and bounteous moment while every now and then, a friendly wildlife seal will pop up from the waters as birdlife teems along the lagoon.

Your expedition will include stepping into a world of magic as you climb down into the Blue Ice cave, which is one of the larger ice caves to explore. A rare but naturally formed phenomena, the caves constantly change location as the melting spring water freezes in the fall, creating new ice caves each year. You will take a breather in Skaftafell for lunch as you experience Svartifoss, or Black Falls, which was named for the dark lava columns that surround the waterfall. These falls will have you feeling refreshed and invigorated by the flowing water.

As you arrive in Vik, the moss-covered mountains and striking cliffs will stun you with their dramatic beauty. You can wander along the Reynisfjall Mountains, which towers over a long stretch of black sand. As you scale the mountains, you should keep an eye out for the basalt sea stacks, which are called Reynisdrangar. As you stand along the cliffs and peer out to the vast sea, Iceland will inject its elemental power into you with its ethereal atmosphere.

In the morning, your ferry ride will take you to the best-kept secret of Iceland: the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago. Composed of 15 islands and 30 rock stacks off the south coast of the country, this archipelago is home to puffins for its natural nesting place. It also boasts luscious greenery along its jagged cliffs. You will feel time stand still as you stand along the edge and peer out toward the little islands, which formed from volcanic eruptions. In Iceland, it is known for some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country, where the rolling hills allow sheep, puffins, and horses to roam the area peacefully.

As you sail around the islands, you may spot the elusive Elephant Rock, which formed from one of the many eruptions of the local volcano of Mount Eldfell. With the sea spray in your face, you will be surrounded by Iceland’s iconic landscapes and will never feel more alive. Your guide will lead you towards Heimaey, or Home Island, which is the largest island in the archipelago. A vibrant and cheerful place, Heimaey is home to the Eldfell Mountain, which is the last mountain that formed from the volcanic eruption in 1974. You can hike along its edge and look back to the mainland of Iceland for a mindblowing view before you indulge in a journey to the dormant volcano of Eldfell, where you can walk up to and around the crater.

Your tour of the islands includes a ride in a rigid inflatable boat, which will grants you an unforgettable and life-changing experience. Afterward, you can venture back into the town of Heimaey for the Eldheimar Volcano Museum and visit the spots where Icelanders pumped seawater onto the lava from the volcanic eruptions to stop the erosion of the landscape. You can let the history of Iceland soak into your bones as you walk within the city before hiking to the highest point of the Vestmannaeyjar at Heimaklettur. This mountain offers the best view of Heimaey, the shore of Iceland, and the Eyjafjalljökull glacier.

After a hearty breakfast, you can dive deep into the waters outside of Reykjavik to explore the exposed North American and Eurasian tectonic plates in the Silfra Fissure. This is one of the most exclusive snorkeling spots in the world, and it is sure to take your breath away. As you surface from your dive, you can stop for lunch at the Seljalandsfoss Waterfall. Instead of being limited to a front-facing view of the waterfall, Seljalandsfoss allows you to follow the path through a wide cavern so you can view the mesmerizing waterfall from behind.

As you continue past Seljalandsfoss to the hidden secret waterfall of Gljufrabui, you can admire its wondrous nature in peace. This waterfall is often overlooked by others as it is not as popular, so the area will be private to you. On your trek back to Reykjavik, you will dine in the only Michelin-starred restaurant in Iceland while enjoying the marvelous views. You can tilt your head back and let the northern lights dazzle you with their wondrous nature, creating an aura of mystery and fascination of Iceland’s magical skies.

As you head to the Westfjords of Iceland and witness the untouched landscapes and climatic features of the country, you will visit Dynjandi, which is the jewel of the Westfjords. The largest waterfall of its kind in the region, Dynjadi cascades from a height of 328 feet, boasting 98 feet at the top before widening to 196 feet at the bottom. You can view the waterfall from any angle, and it will still be an astonishing sight that you will never forget as Iceland embraces you with its electrifying elements.

One your journey back into Reykjavik, you will stop for lunch in a critically acclaimed seafood restaurant that is famous for its fresh cuisine. As the succulent food fills your bellies and the cold beer satisfies your thirst, it will prepare you for a day of relaxation. Your exploration of the best of Iceland ends with a glorious soak in the milky blue waters of the Blue Lagoon, where the crisp air washes over your skin as you sink even deeper into its healing pools. From there, your private transfer will lead you back to your luxury accommodation before you have to transfer to Keflavik Airport for your journey home.