Private Iceland Adventure: Grand Tour

Welcome to Iceland! Our car service wil pick you up at Keflavik Airport and drive you to Reykjavik. Check into your centrally located hotel and spend the rest of the day relaxing and exploring on your own. Suggested hotel: Hotel Borg (Suite)

Thingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss, Kjölur, Skagafjörður: Today, your expert driver guide will pick you up at 9AM. We start the day with a drive to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thingvellir is situated in the dramatic rift valley where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates pull apart, clearly visible at the great Almannagja or Everyman’s Gorge. Our next stop is at Geysir, the place that gave its name to the phenomenon worldwide. From here, a 10-minute drive takes you to Gullfoss, or Golden Falls, Iceland’s most famous waterfall. After lunch, we head north along the Kjölur mountain route, stopping along the way at Hveravellir, a geothermal oasis in the highlands. Overnight in Skagafjörður region. This fjord is one of Iceland´s most beautiful. You will overnight in the small town of Saudarkrokur in one of Iceland´s oldest hotels. Suggested hotel: Hotel Tindastoll (Suite)

Skagafjordur region: Today, we visit Glaumbær folk museum which focuses on rural life in Iceland in the 18th and 19th centuries or you can visit a family run horse ranch and get to know the friendly Icelandic Viking horse. In the afternoon, we arrive in Akureyri, Iceland´s second largest city with a total population of 17,000. This surprisingly cosmopolitan town has an excellent selection of cafes, restaurants and museums, as well as Iceland´s largest botanical garden. Overnight in Akureyri. Suggested hotel: Hotel KEA (Suite)

Lake Myvatn area Mývatn: Today we head east from Akureyri to the Lake Myvatn area, a starkly beautiful but otherworldly landscape of sputtering mudpots, weird lava formations, steaming fumaroles and volcanic craters. The area is also world-famous among bird-watchers. Here, we´ll explore the pseudo-craters at Skutustadagigar, the lava formations at Dimmuborgir, the explosive crater Hverfjall, and the geothermal area at Namaskard. At the end of the day, you may choose to take a dip in the mineral-rich waters of the Myvatn Nature Baths. Overnight at a hotel on the shores of Lake Myvatn. Suggested hotel: Hotel Reynihlid (Superior double)

Mývatn, Dettifoss, to Egilsstadir: We leave Lake Myvatn, and travel east across the highland desert known as Möðrudalsöræfi towards the largest town in the east, Egilsstadir. On the way, we visit Dettifoss, Europe´s largest and most powerful waterfall. On the way to Egilsstadir, we can also stop ap Sænautasel farm, the setting of Independent People – the novel by Nobel-prize winner Halldor Laxness. Overnight in Egilsstadir. As time allows you can explore either Seydisfjordur town, a small fishing village nestled in fjord or you can go to Hallormstadaskogur forest – one of the very few forests in Iceland. Suggested hotel: Guesthouse Egilsstadir (Superior double)

Egilsstaðir to Hofn: Today we travel the beautiful east fjords with numerous interesting stops along the way. Around lunch time, reach the fishing village Hofn. Hofn is the lobster capital of Iceland and on clear days the view towards Vatnajökull glacier – the biggest glacier in Europe is breathtaking. Spend the afternoon relaxing in Hofn. Consider visiting the Glacier museum, stroll down to the harbor, go swimming in the outdoor geothermal swimming pool and at dinner time be sure to visit Humarhöfnin restaurant for a delicious langostine lobster dinner. Suggested hotel: Hotel Hofn (Superior double)

Hofn to Kirkjubæjarklaustur: The first stop today is the dramatic Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon. Two James Bond movies were filmed in this fantastic location and floating among the ice you may spot seals, eider ducks, and, even witness the glacier calving into the crystal turquoise waters. Go on a boat ride among the icebergs. From here we continue on to Skaftafell National Park. Europe's largest national park encompasses a breathtaking collection of peaks and glaciers along with varied flora and fauna. Today we have a few options. You can hike up to Svartifoss waterfall with breathtaking views of the alpine surroundings or take an easy stroll to the impressive Skaftafell glacier tounge. By dinner time we arrive in the small village of Kirkjubaejarklaustur. Suggested hotel: Hotel Klaustur (Suite)

Kirkjubæjarklaustur to Ranga: Today, we traverse the world´s largest lavafield and visit some of the numerous sites along the south coast of Iceland. We´ll stop in Vik, the southern most village in Iceland. We´ll visit Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls and we´ll explore the black-sanded beaches. We will explore the area beneath Eyjafjallajokull volcano, the one that erupted in 2010 and stopped air traffic in Europe for over a week. By late afternoon, we reach Hotel Ranga, one of Iceland´s finest hotels. The hotel is located by the banks of famous salmon river Ranga. Be sure to order the wild salmon in the hotel´s wonderful restaurant. Suggested hotel: Hotel Ranga (Jr Suite)

Westman Islands: Today, we go on a tour to the Westman Islands. We take the ferry from Landeyjarhöfn which is located about 30 min drive from Hotel Ranga. The sailing across is about 30 min. The Westman Islands are home to one of the largest puffin colonies in Iceland. Go sailing around the island and into caves. Hike the easy hike up to the top of Mt Eldjfall (Fire mountain) -- the mountain that was born after the dramatic volcanic eruption in the Westman Islands in 1973. The lavarocks at the top are still burning hot! See the remains of houses buried underneath lavaflow. At the end of the day return to Hotel Ranga. Suggested hotel: Hotel Ranga (Jr Suite)

Return to Reykjavik and Free afternoon: Today, you will return to Reykjavik. You can discuss with your guide about possible stops on the way – perhaps you want to visit Hellisheidi Geothernal Power Palnt for a wonderful exhibit about geothermal energy. You will arrive in Reykjavik around lunch time. In afternoon, you guide can take you on a sightseeing tour of the city. Suggested hotel: Hotel Black Pearl (Deluxe Suite)

Departure: Our car service will pick you up 3 hours before the departure of your flight and take you to Keflavik Airport