Welcome to the mythical lands of Iceland! You’ll arrive at Iceland’s Keflavík International Airport and make your own way to the group hotel in Reykjavik via a shared shuttle service. Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to explore the capital city. We recommend checking out the wonderful National Museum of Iceland and learning about the Viking history of the region, or discovering the architectural wonder that is Hallgrímskirkja, one of the most beautiful churches in the world and where you can find exceptional views over the city from the tower. In the late afternoon, we'll gather in the hotel lobby to meet your tour leader and the rest of the group for a tour briefing followed by a welcome dinner at a nearby restaurant. 

Fuel up on a hearty breakfast before embarking on a full day of Icelandic explorations. Start in Hafnarfjörður, home to Iceland’s largest colonies of elves, trolls, and mythical creatures. Listen to the most famous Icelandic fairy tales before setting off on the most famous route in Iceland, the Golden Circle. Þingvellir National Park will be your first stop, an area known as the home of Iceland’s parliament from the 10th to 18th centuries. It also lies on the edges of the European and North American tectonic plates, it’s this active boundary under Iceland that creates the steaming vents and chimneys of the Geysir Geothermal Area. The final stop on your excursion today will be the spectacular Gullfoss Waterfall. Venture close enough to feel the mist on your face via the pedestrian walkway at the waterfall’s edge. 

Discover Iceland’s picturesque South Coast today, punctuated by several spectacular stops. You’ll see the 200-foot tall Seljalandsfoss waterfall and the impressive Skógafoss waterfall. Keep your eyes peeled as we continue our drive past Drangurinn Rock, a landscape feature that, according to local folklore, was ripped from a mountain by an outlaw and then became a home for elves. A little further on and you’ll find yourself at Reynisfjara, a picturesque beach with enormous columns of basalt rising from its distinctive black sands.Your last stop is Jökulsárlón, a stunning glacial lagoon renowned for its icy blue waters speckled with icebergs from the surrounding Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. End our day in the fishing town of Höfn at the base of the Vatnajökull ice cap. 

Today, leave the mainland and take a short ferry ride to the nearby Vestmannaeyjar - or Westman Island, Iceland’s best kept secret. Part of an archipelago of 15 islands and 30 rock stacks off the South Coast, Vestmannaeyjar is famous for its spectacular scenery, and being home to the world’s largest puffin colony. A 1974 volcano eruption resulted in the archipelago increasing 20% in size. Enjoy dinner with your group this evening. 

Take a scenic drive around the island, with your finger’s crossed that you will spot a puffin. Drive to Eldfell Volcano in the morning to learn about the 1974 eruption and take a look at the space-like lava fields. You will then stop at the puffin lookout point to try and spot some of these beautiful birds (they breed on the islands from late April to August and even September, so all summer groups have a high chance of a sighting, though not guaranteed). Later, you’ll explore Elephant Rock before heading back to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at your leisure. Meet up again with your group in the evening for dinner. 

Board the ferry back to the mainland and head to the lunar-like landscapes of the Reykjanes peninsula. Stop at the Bridge Between Continents, a footbridge that spans a fissure between the North American and Eurasian continental plates, then visit the eerie mud pools and steam vents of Gunnuhver, named for the angry ghost that is believed to have been trapped in the hot springs 400 years ago. Return to Reykjavik in the late afternoon and enjoy some free time to explore the city. 

Today you’ll make an excursion to the magical Snæfellsnes Peninsula, your home for the next two days. On your way visit the Borgarfjordur area and be amazed by the stunning waterfalls of Hraunfossar and Barnafossar. At the tip of the peninsula you’ll find the glacier-topped Snæfellsjökull volcano that was the inspiration for Jules Verne’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth.” You’ll also make a few other stops to appreciate the dreamscape-like scenery of the peninsula including at the black church of Búðakirkja in Búðir.

Enjoy a guided tour of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula today. Visit the small town of Budir, see basaltic pebble beaches framed by strange lava formations, and study the rich birdlife that call the coastal cliffs of Arnarstapi home. Continue to the pretty town of Grundarfjordur, where you’ll stop and meet a local artist by the name of Liston, who will show you his workshop. This is a great opportunity to admire his stone carving pieces and to find out about the life of a local artisan. Finish the day by visiting the fascinating Shark Museum, a farmstead where you’ll have the opportunity to sample a unique local delicacy - fermented shark. A shot of Brennivín schnapps is offered alongside the shark meat, which visitors often use to wash away the strong flavor of the shark from their palate.

After breakfast, return to the capital. Take some time to relax at your hotel or explore on your own before rejoining your group for a short walking tour of Reykjavik, a compact, walkable city with colorful (and often very unique) architecture, vibrant street art, waterfront views, and pretty green parks. In the evening, join your group for an Icelandic beer tasting and one last farewell dinner. 

After a remarkable ten days together, you’ll catch your flight home today or head onward to your next adventure destination. Until our next adventure!