Home / Multi-Day Tours / Around Iceland / Guided Round Tour for 8 Days
This guided Iceland round trip follows a well-organized 8-day itinerary around the island in a small group setting. You will explore some of Iceland’s most unique natural wonders, with the help and expertise of a professional guide with very good knowledge of Iceland. You will visit all the highlights of the Icelandic nature such as Gullfoss & Geyser area, Skaftafell in Vatnajökull national park and Mývatn in the north of the country. Your guide will also introduce you to some hidden gems that are often overlooked by visitors and take you on short hiking tours. Included in the tour package is also a glacier walk on Europe’s largest glacier and a whale watching tour in the north of Iceland.
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.
This tour is available on selected dates all year. Most of the pictures were taken in summer and spring. Iceland also has a lot offer during autumn and winter. The Northern Lights are visible between mid of September and mid of April in Iceland. When coming to Iceland at this time of the year you have the chance to see snow, ice and the magical lights.
Please note that this tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.
This tour is provided by one of our reliable partners.
SD-11
All Year
Guided Group Tour
8 days / 7 nights
Around Iceland
8 Years old
Welcome to Iceland! You will be transferred to your accommodation in Reykjavik. You’ll be staying in a guesthouse or hotel in the city centre, making it easy to go out and explore the highlights of Iceland’s capital city.
If you arrive in the morning or around noon, we highly recommend starting your holidays with a guided walk in Reykjavik. On the tour, you will not only get a first overview of the city itself but also receive useful tips about the best places to eat and where to spend your free time. Visit sights such as the Sun Voyager sculpture, the Harpa Music and Conference hall and the old harbour in Reykjavík. No visit to Reykjavík is complete without a visit to Hallgrímkirkja church, where you can take an elevator to the top and enjoy spectacular views over Reykjavík. In the evening, we recommend a cosy dinner in one of the city’s gourmet restaurants to celebrate the start of your Iceland round trip. Overnight in Reykjavík.
Today, your Iceland adventure starts and your guide will pick you up from your accommodation in Reykjavik. In the next days, you will explore the highlights of Iceland in a small group setting. You start your Iceland round trip with a visit of the famous Golden Circle. First off is the fascinating Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can walk in between tectonic plates. You will also see the fountain geyser Strokkur, which erupts every 4 to 8 minutes. Last but not least you will also visit Gullfoss, the so-called “golden waterfall”.
On your way to the area of Vík (where you will stay for the night), you will visit two impressive waterfalls. Seljalandsfoss waterfall falls from a cliff with a large cave behind it. If conditions are good, you can actually walk behind the waterfall and enjoy a 360° view. The second waterfall will be Skógafoss, which cascades down around 65 meters. On a clear day, the two surrounding glaciers, Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull will also be visible from the area.
You start the day exploring Reynisfjara, the black sand beach close to Vík. There, you will find fantastic sights such as the impressive basalt column formations and the famous Reynisdrangar stacks. Before reaching other highlights of the day you will travel across a giant lava field, formed during huge volcanic eruptions in historic times. After that, you will arrive in the National Park of Vatnajökull where you will stop at Skaftafell Nature Reserve.
There, you will go on a glacier walk on one of Vatnajökull´s outlet glaciers. After the hike on Europe´s biggest glacier, you make your way to the famous Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. You will have enough time to explore the lagoon as well as the black sand crystal beach, which is often full of ice from the glacier. You stay for the night in a comfortable guesthouse in the area of Höfn.
Today you will explore the East Fjords of Iceland. Your guide will drive with you to Djúpivogur, a traditional small fishing village that is also home to a fine outdoor sculpture, Eggin í Gleðivík (meaning The Eggs of Merry Bay).
We will finish the day by soaking in geothermal Vök Baths surrounded by the amazing scenery of Lake Urriðavatn, they are distinguished by their modern design and the only floating infinity pools in Iceland. Please note that the admission fee is not included and need to be added as an add-on item during the booking process.
After the baths, we will jump in the car again and move on to Egilsstaðir, the largest town in East Iceland, where we will relax in a hotel for the night.
Your Iceland round trip continues and today you will visit the northern part of the country. You will drive from Egilsstaðir through Möðrudalur route to Lake Mývatn. On the way you will stop at Dettifoss waterfall, Europe´s most voluminous waterfall. Around Mývatn you will explore amazing attractions such as the colourful Námaskarð geothermal area, the Hverfjall crater and the Dimmuborgir lava formations. The charming Goðafoss waterfall („waterfall of the gods“) will be the last stop of the day. Your guide will tell you the story behind the name which has a strong connection to the Icelandic Sagas and religion in Iceland. You stay the night in the area of Akureyri
In the morning, you have the chance to explore Akureyri and we recommend to visit the church and the botanical garden. Later today you will join a whale-watching tour from Dalvík and you have the chance to spot humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins and minke whales. At the end of the tour, you also get a chance to try your luck at sea angling. In the afternoon, you will visit the charming fishing village Siglufjörður and will go all around Tröllaskagi, the Troll Peninsula. You stay for the night in the area of Bifröst.
On your last day, you will visit the West of Iceland and will see the Hraunfossar waterfalls. They are actually a collection of small waterfalls coming out of a huge lava field. Close by you will then find another waterfall named Barnafoss. Barnafoss supposedly takes its name from two children who fell into the waterfall centuries ago (Icelandic folk mythology), and translates to “the waterfall of the children”. You will also visit the hot spring Deildartunguhver, which has the highest flow of any hot spring in Europe. The water temperature is 97 degrees Celsius and the flow rate is over 180 litres per second. You will also stop at the historic site of Reykholt to visit Snorralaug pool, the home of Snorri Sturluson who is the author of many of the Icelandic sagas.
You guide will drive the picturesque Hvalfjörður Fjord on your way back to Reykjavik. Arrive back in Reykjavik in the evening and check-in to your accommodation in the centre of Reykjavik. Your guided Iceland round trip is now officially over and it is time to say bye bye to your fellow travellers and your guide.
All good adventures have an ending and so does this wonderful Iceland round trip. We hope that you have made some good friends on the tour and that you enjoyed the tour around Iceland. You will be transferred to Keflavik International Airport in time for your departure. If you have an afternoon flight back home, it’s ideal to stop at the Blue Lagoon on the way to Keflavik International Airport (optional) a nice last-minute activity before leaving Iceland. Have a great flight home!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Solfar Sculpture, also known as the Sun Voyager, is the famous steel sculpture created by artist Jón Gunnar Árnason. The art piece is located next to the Sæbraut road in downtown Reykjavík. Its shape reminds of a ship floating on air, facing the ocean.
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.
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.
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.
Þingvellir National Park is the most important historic and geological sites in Iceland. The area is part of a fissure zone running through Iceland, being situated on the tectonic plate boundaries of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Major events in the history of Iceland have taken place at Þingvellir and today the entire area is a protected national treasure.
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.
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.
Eldhraun is a lava field in the southern highlands of Iceland. It was created by a great volcano eruption known as Skaftareldar.
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.
Hengifoss Waterfall, located in East Iceland, is the third highest waterfall in Iceland. The waterfall is 128 meters high and it is surrounded by basaltic rocks featuring red layers of clay between the lava strata.
Búlandstindur is a mountain in Easter Iceland of 1069 meters above sea level. It is a pyramid-shaped stack of basaltic strata.
This quiet little town in the area of Hérað is the capital of the east and sits on the banks of the Lagarfljót river with a population of 2300 inhabitants. This is one of the youngest towns in Iceland as urbanization began in the 1940s. Renowned for its warm weather in the summer and gorgeous northern lights in the winter.
Egilsstaðir has grown to become the largest town of East Iceland and its main service, transportation, and administration centre. It has an airport, college, and a hospital.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Siglufjörður, a lovely village, located in North Iceland, is often known as the Herring town as the herring industry was blooming in Siglufjörður in the 1940s and 1950s.
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.
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.
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.
Barnafossar, also known as Bjarnafoss, is a series of rapids coming from out of the surrounding lava plains. The name means "Children´s falls".
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.
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.
The Reykjanes peninsula is located on a drift zone, between two continents, the North American and Eurasian plate. It is a unique area where you can see different elements of the drift zone; very active geothermal energy, lava fields and other natural phenomenon. The Blue Lagoon and Keflavik international airport are also located in the area.