Home / Multi-Day Tours / Greenland / Iceland Greenland Tour for 12 Days
Double your adventure and combine a tour to Iceland & Greenland. This Iceland Greenland Tour includes a self-drive tour around Iceland with a 3 days trip to Ilulissat in West Greenland. Visit the highlights of the small volcanic island Iceland and explore the glacier world of Greenland. This tour is ideal for travelers with limited time who are looking for unforgettable holidays in the Arctic region.
We recommend booking a Greenland tour as early as possible as availability is limited and prices for flights normally raise during the year. Please note that the flights to/from Greenland are the most expensive part of this tour package. You can also add extra nights to make the most out of your Greenland holiday.
If you are interested in receiving more information about this tour, please click on the “Request a quote” widget on the left side of the page. A quick form will open up where you will provide us with more information about your travel expectations. You will then be connected with your specialized travel agent who will assist you throughout the planning a provide a fully detailed quote.
Please note that this itinerary can be adjusted and customized to meet your travel needs and preferences. The package can also be offered as a privately guided tour if a self-drive option is not what you had in mind for your Iceland experience.
GT-05
June - Sept
Self-Drive (by plane Greenland)
12 Days / 11 Nights
Iceland & Greenland
Welcome to your Iceland Greenland Tour! On arrival at Keflavik Airport, you will be greeted by our driver who will take you to your accommodation in Reykjavík. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the northernmost capital of the world. The capital of Iceland with its 120,000 inhabitants is relatively small and the highlights in the city center are all in walking distance. Visit the impressive Hallgrims Church and have a look over the city from the church tower, have a look at Harpa Concert Hall or visit a museum. Relax in one of the cozy cafés or discover Scandinavian design on Laugavegur – the main shopping street. You stay for the night in the city center.
Collect your rental car in the morning and begin your tour on the classic „Golden Circle“ route. Visit Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the great Geysir geothermal area where the powerful geyser Strokkur erupts every few minutes and have a look at the beautiful Gullfoss waterfall. In the afternoon you can take an optional dip in the warm waters of the Secret Lagoon and dine inside a greenhouse at Friðheimar restaurants. Top off your day with a visit to the volcanic crater Kerið which is 270 meters wide and 55 meters deep. You will find your accommodations for the night in the Golden Circle area.
Today you will be exploring the South Coast of Iceland, known for its plethora of beautiful sights. Start your day with an (optional) visit to the LAVA Centre in Hvolsvöllur where you can learn more about the volcanos in this area. Afterward visit Seljalandsfoss and Skógarfoss waterfall, at the latter you can also visit the Skógar Folk museum and view reconstructed Icelandic turf houses. Here you can also enjoy optional activities such as a snowmobile or ATV tour. In the afternoon, make your way to the Dyrhólaey stone arch which is home to thousands of seabirds during the summer months. Enjoy a stroll on the Reynisfjara black sand beach with views to the Reynisdrangar rock pinnacles before finding your accommodations for the night in the Vík/Kirkjubæjarklaustur area.
Today it’s time continue to Skaftafell National Park and have a look at Vatnajökull the largest glacier in Europe. It is possible to go on a guided glacier walk where you can see the different shades of the glacier – white ice, blue ice, and plain clear ice. Interesting is also the short hike to the beautiful waterfall Svartifoss waterfall. In the afternoon you visit the Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon, and the more famous glacier lagoon Jökulsárlón where icebergs slowly float around. Here you can enjoy an optional boat tour or a kayak tour on the lagoon. Continue to the area of Höfn where you will stay for the night.
Today you will have the opportunity to explore the wonderful East Fjords of Iceland. This is one of the least-visited region of Iceland, as many visitors prefer to bypass the beautiful fjords on their way to North Iceland. For a more relaxed day you can make a shortcut to the town of Egilsstaðir by driving over Mt. Öxi, but we highly recommend driving along the fjords and exploring highlights such as Petra’s Stone Collection in Stöðvarfjörður, discovering some French charm in the village of Fáskrúðsfjörður and visiting the colourful village of Eskifjörður. In this area you will also find plenty of beautiful waterfalls and interesting hiking trails. You will stay the night in the Egilsstaðir area.
Continue from Egilstaðir to the amazing are of lake Mývatn. On arrival to Lake Mývatn you have numerous natural wonders to explore, including Dettifoss waterfall, Námaskarð pass with boiling mud pools and colorful mountains, Krafla volcano with the interesting crater Víti, Dimmuborgir lava park and the pseudo-craters at Skútustaðir. In the evening we recommend a relaxing bath in the Mývatn Nature Bath. Stay for the night in this area.
Visit Goðafoss waterfall (the waterfall of the gods) in the morning before heading for Akureyri, the largest town in the North of Iceland. Visit the beautiful Botanical Garden and have a look at the church overlooking the town. It is possible to join a horseback riding tour or a whale watching boat tour. The Laufás turf houses in Eyjafjörður are also a must visit while traveling in North-Iceland. Continue to the area of Sauðarkrokkur where you will stay for the night.
On the way back to Reykjavik you will visit the natural highlights of the West of Iceland. Visit the Grábrók volcanic crater and the Icelandic Settlement Centre in Borgarnes. Head to the Borgarfjörður district to see Deildartunguhver hot spring, the largest hot spring in Europe, and visit the beautiful waterfalls Barnafossar and Hraunfossar. In the afternoon we highly recommend to join an optional tour into a 300 meters long man-made ice tunnel. This ice tunnel is the largest in Europe. Drop-off your rental car in the evening and spend the night in Reykjavik.
Today the second part of your Iceland Greenland tour is starting! In the morning you take a flight from the domestic airport in Reykjavik to Ilulissat on the Westcoast of Greenland. This charming arctic village is situated at the mouth of the UNESCO listed Ilulissat Icefjord and on a clear day you will have a wonderful view over the ice cap from the plane. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the surroundings. If you are interested you can also go on an optional tour like a helicopter tour over the glacier, a whale watching safari or an excursion to a remote settlement in the area. You spend the night in Illulisat.
Highlights of the day: Flight from Iceland to Greenland, Ilulissat, Ilulissat Icefjord, And more
Today you will go on a boat tour among the huge icebergs of the Ilulissat Icefjord. You will see huge pieces of ice which had broken off from the most productive glacier in the Northern hemisphere. The glacier flows about 30 meters a day and the icebergs get to the open sea just in front of the village Ilulissat. In the afternoon you can go on a hiking tour or we can also book a guided village tour or a kayaking adventure for you. You stay for a second night in Ilulissat.
Spend your last morning in Greenland with its colourful houses and Greenland dogs all around the city. We recommend to visit the Knud Rasmussen museum which gives an insight into local history and the life of this well known polar explorer and his many expeditions. The house which accommodates the museum dates from 1848 and was originally North Greenland’s first teaching college. In the early afternoon you fly back to Reykjavik where you stay for the night.
Highlights of the day: Ilulissat, flight from Greenland to Iceland, Reykjavik, And more
Unfortunately, this is the last day of your Iceland Greenland tour. Transfer to the airport by bus. If your flight is in the afternoon we recommend to visit the famous Blue Lagoon situation only 20 minutes from the airport. There you can relax in the warm water before flying home. Have a safe flight and thanks for traveling with Iceland Unlimited.
Budget accommodations include shared facilities in guest houses, country hotels, farmhouses, etc. In some cases, the rooms might be equipped with a TV and a washbasin. The in-room amenities are limited and basic but they all adhere to a high standard of cleanliness.
Breakfast is included.
Comfort accommodations offer access to private facilities (shower and toilet). This type of lodges belongs to the 3-star hotel category. Most of these properties have an in-house restaurant. This section offers an upgrade in comfort and service compared to the budget category. Breakfast is included.
Quality accommodations offer private rooms with en-suite shower/bath and toilet. These rooms are the best available accommodations in 4-star hotels or the highest quality lodges in each region. Luxury accommodations - the highest class of lodges, suites, and penthouses - are available upon request. Breakfast is included.
Type: Compact
Passenger: 5
Luggage: 2
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
(Manual option available)
Type: Compact Economy
Passenger: 5
Luggage: 2
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
(Manual option available)
Type: Intermediate Wagon
Passenger: 5
Luggage: 4
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
(Manual option available)
Type: SUV Full Size Intermediate
Passenger: 5
Luggage: 4
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
(Manual option available)
Type: SUV Full Size
Passenger: 5
Luggage: 4
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
(Manual option available)
Type: VAN
Passenger: 8
Luggage: 5
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
(Manual option available)
Reykjavík is the capital and biggest city of Iceland with a population of approximately 124,000. It is the northernmost capital in the world. Despite its small size, you can find many attractions and museums, making Reykjavik a popular destination.
Hallgrímskirkja Church is most certainly Reykjavík´s best-known landmark. The white concrete Church whose image is printed in many postcards, dominates the city. As a matter of fact its tower can be seen from almost every corner of Reykjavík. Its distinctive and futuristic exterior made the Church one of the most visited spots in Reykjavík.
Laugavegur is the main shopping street in Reykjavik and it is located in the heart of the city. Its name means literally „wash road“ as this was once the route to the hot springs where many Icelanders took their clothes to launder. Today it is a vibrant and innovative street filled with designer ateliers, tourist gift shops, bars, and restaurants.
Harpa is the famous concert hall and conference center located in Reykjavik. The building features a distinctive and original colored glass facade inspired by the basalt landscape of Iceland. Its unique architecture makes it one of Reykjavik most loved landmarks.
Alþingi is the national parliament of Iceland. It is one of the oldest parliaments in the world, founded in 930 at Þingvellir National Park. It is located in downtown Reykjavik.
Geysir is the famous hot spring area located in the Haukadalur valley. The main attraction is known as Strokkur, which erupts energetically at regular intervals of 10 minutes or so its boiling waterjets can reach as high as 30 meters.
Gullfoss, also called the Golden Waterfall, is one of the most iconic gems of the likewise named Golden Circle. The waterfall is located in the upper part of the River Hvíta. Gullfoss is actually two separate waterfalls, the upper one has a drop of 11 meters and the lower one 21 meters.
Kerið is a volcanic crater lake located in the area called Grímsnes in the South of Iceland, along the famous Golden Circle route. The crater walls are steep and often covered with Icelandic moss. The inside of the crater is a lake whose water is aquamarine colored due to the minerals from the soil. The crater is 55 meters deep and about 3000 years old.
Seljalandsfoss is one of the most famous and visited waterfalls in Iceland. It located along the South Coast of the Country right by the road n. 1. The waterfall is part of the Seljalands river that originated from the famous volcano glacier Eyjafjallajökull. The waterfall is approximately 60-meter high and it is famous for its path that leads visitor behind its powerful water flow.
Skógafoss is a waterfall located on the Skógá river on the South Coast of Iceland. This picture-perfect waterfall descends 60 meters from the cliffs. Before pouring down the cliffs becoming the famous waterfall, the river flows through the Skógárgil gorge.
Reynisfjara is a famous black sand beach in the South of Iceland, just next to the village of Vik. Black sand, lava formations, and basalt columns make it a popular stop for all visitors.
Reynisdrangar cliffs are towering basalt-type rock formations situated near the shore of Reynisfjara black sand beach, on the South Coast of Iceland. The folk legend wants them to be the rocky representation of two trolls turned into stone after being caught by the sunlight after dawn.
Vík is the southernmost village in Iceland, located on the ring road (Road number 1), featuring the impressive and popular black sand beach.
Jökulsárlón is a large glacial lake located in the Southeast of Iceland on the edge of the Vatnajökull National Park. The Lagoon developed into a lake after the glacier started receding from the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. The lake can be seen from Route 1 between Höfn and Skaftafell. The lagoon offers outstanding views of the ice cap and it is one of the most spectacular and loved, natural destinations in all Iceland.
Höfn is an Icelandic fishing town located in the southeastern part of the Country. The town, the second largest in the southeastern part of Iceland, offers scenic views of Vatnajökull (the largest ice cap in Europe by volume). The main economic activities in Höfn are fishing and tourism. The location is also well known for its culinary tradition with lobster being the most acclaimed specialty of the area.
Petra's Stone Collection is a rock museum/ collection in Stöðvarfjörður, East Iceland. Petra was a local lady who collected various natural stones throughout her life, the stones that now make up her stone collection.
Fáskrúðsfjörður is a fjord located between Vattarnes and Hafnarnes peninsulas on the East of Iceland. The town at the bottom of the fjord is named after it and it has french heritage.
Mývatn is a volcanic lake in northern Iceland. It is located in a geothermal area not far from Krafla volcano. The lake was formed by a volcanic eruption therefore the surrounding area is characterized by lava pillars and craters. The lake is also well known because of the rich waterbirds fauna that populates it.
Dettifoss is a waterfall in Vatnajökull National Park in Northeast Iceland. It is part of the Diamond Circle and it is the considered the most powerful waterfall in Europe. The water of the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river descends from the nearby Vatnajökull glacier and falls for more than 44 metres, causing a massive, crashing spray. This the largest waterfall in Iceland in terms of volume discharge.
Krafla is one of the largest calderas in Iceland, at a whopping 10 km in diameter, located in the Lake Mývatn area. One of the most stunning features of Krafla is the 300 m crater Víti that formed in an explosive eruption in 1724, that lasted 5 years. This extremely active volcano is a source of many legends and interesting history and is well worth the visit.
The Krafla Víti crater, located near lake Mývatn in North of Iceland, is a circular crater filled with blue water and surrounded by a geothermal area and beautiful mountains.
Dimmuborgir is a field of unusually shaped lava formations located east of Mývatn in Iceland. The area consists of caves and rock formations resembling an ancient collapsed fortress. The lava tubes were formed by a lava lake flowing in from a large eruption in the Þrengslaborgir and Lúdentsborgir crater row to the East. The legend wants Dimmuborgir to be connecting earth with the infernal regions.
Skútustaðir is a chain of volcanic pseudo craters in the Mývatn area. They were formed by gas explosions when boiling lava flowed over the cool, wet surfaces about 2,300 years ago.
Mývatn Nature Baths, located in the popular Lake Mývatn Geothermal Area, is an impressive man-made hot-spring. The characteristics of the water are unique in many ways. It contains a large amount of minerals, is alkaline and well suited for bathing.
Goðafoss Waterfall is located in the Barðardalur area in the northeastern region of Iceland. The water of the river Skjálfandafljót falls from 12 meters height. The river originates in the Icelandic Highland and runs from the highland through the Bárðardalur valley. It is amongst Iceland larger waterfalls.
Akureyrarkirkja is an outstanding Lutheran Church in Akureyri designed by Guðjón Samúelsson. It is located in the center of the city, overlooking the town from the top of a hill.
Akureyri is the main town of northern Iceland. It is located at the base of Eyjafjörður Fjord and is the second largest urban area of Iceland. Akureyri is well known to be an important port and fishing center.
Akureyri botanical garden is located in the southern part of the city, in North Iceland. The garden is exceptional for its extreme northern location. This is also known as a site of scientific research where it has been proven that shrubs, trees and other plants can survive on the edge of the Arctic.
Grábrók Crater is the larger of three craters in a volcanic fissure belonging to the volcanic system of Ljosufjoll. Grábrók is located in the fjord of Borgarfjörður in West Iceland.
The settlement center in Borgarnes tells the account of Iceland‘s famed Viking poet Egill Skallagrímsson as well as the story of the settlement of Iceland. This comprehensive exhibit tells the record of how Iceland was discovered, how the settlers traversed the Atlantic from Norway and Northern Ireland to establish a new commonwealth up to the institution of the general assembly of Alþingi in the mid 10th century.
Barnafossar, also known as Bjarnafoss, is a series of rapids coming from out of the surrounding lava plains. The name means "Children´s falls".
Hraunfossar is a series of waterfalls coming from underneath Hallmundarhraun, a lava field formed by an eruption of the volcano situated under the glacier Langjökull. The waterfalls pour into the Hvítá river. Hraunfossar is located near Húsafell and Reykholt.
Deildartunguhver Hot Spring is the largest hot spring in Europe. It provides all hot water for the neighbouring villages.
Krauma is a luxurious geothermal spa located in West Iceland, featuring various steam rooms and hot pots powered by the water of Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful geothermal spring.
Flights to Ilulissat depart from Reykjavík airport. Flight time is 3 hours and fifteen minutes.
Please check in for your flight at least 90 minutes earlier to your flight time to avoid queues and so that the airline can keep on schedule. Please have all required documentation at hand before checking in, your confirmation number and identification. For flights that belong to the Schengen Region, passengers can show their passport or drivers license. For flights outside Schengen only a passport is valid. Please note that Credit and Debit Cards are not a valid ID.
At the airport is a cafeteria which sells drinks, snacks and other refreshments. When traveling internationally from Reykjavík airport there is a duty free store.
Ilulissat combines all the magical elements of Greenland, the big blue icebergs, North of Arctic Circle, Greenland Dogs, and the wilderness. Sermeq Kujalleq, the the world’s fastest glacier is nearby Ilulissat. It advances 40 meters daily and creates 46 cubic kilometers of icebergs annually.
Ilulissat combines all the magical elements of Greenland, the big blue icebergs, North of Arctic Circle, Greenland Dogs, and the wilderness. Sermeq Kujalleq, the the world’s fastest glacier is nearby Ilulissat. It advances 40 meters daily and creates 46 cubic kilometers of icebergs annually.
Almost every visitor in Ilulissat chooses to try this boat trip among the icebergs at least once. During one year, more than 48 km3 of ice flows into the fiord. The result is gigantic icebergs, which can be more than 100 meters on each side and with a height on more than 100 meters above the water surface. These giants strand at the end of the fiord, and that gives us the opportunity to sail among them.
The icebergs are beautiful in every kind of weather; in the sunshine the contrasts are very clear, the blue shades are seen best when it is cloudy and the midnight sun casts a unique glow on the icebergs during the night.
Midnight sun in Ilulissat lasts from May 21st to July 24th. The midnight/evening sun gives the icebergs a unique play of colors that people return to experience again and again. Sailing during the night with the sun still shining is a fantastic and unusual experience; you do not want to be without, while visiting Ilulissat.
Flights to Reykjavík depart from Ilulissat airport. Flight time is 3 hours and fifteen minutes.
Please check in for your flight at least 90 minutes earlier to your flight time to avoid queues and so that the airline can keep on schedule. Please have all required documentation at hand before checking in, your confirmation number and identification. For flights that belong to the Schengen Region, passengers can show their passport or drivers license. For flights outside Schengen only a passport is valid. Please note that Credit and Debit Cards are not a valid ID.
Reykjavík is the capital and biggest city of Iceland with a population of approximately 124,000. It is the northernmost capital in the world. Despite its small size, you can find many attractions and museums, making Reykjavik a popular destination.
Reykjavík Old Harbour is fast becoming the new lively center of the city. There you will find museums such as Maritime Museum, the Northern Lights center and the Whales of Iceland exhibition. The harbour, which is quickly transforming into a modern city space, is also home to restaurants and cafes. A local favourite is ice cream shop Valdís, which makes fresh ice cream every morning and always offers new flavours.
The Reykjavík Maritime Museum is located by the old harbour in Reykjavík, founded in 2004 and open daily from 10:00 – 17:00. One of their main exhibitions is the former coast guard vessel Óðinn, and is accessible for guided tours three time per day; 13:00, 14:00 and 15:00.
The Blue Lagoon is a famous geothermal spa located in Reykjanes peninsula nearby the International Airport of Iceland. It was formed during an operation at the nearby geothermal power plant. Reservations in advance are necessary for those who are planning a visit.