Here's the daily itinerary:
Sunday:
Welcome to Iceland!
After an early arrival in Iceland, you' ll hop on the Flybus shuttle that will take you from the airport to your guesthouse in Reykjavik. Then you' ll have the day to rest and explore Reykjavik, the world's most northerly capital. We'll provide lots of ideas for what to see and places to eat- meals are on your own today.
Monday:
Reykjavik - Borgarfjordur
After a 9 AM departure, you'll
see several well known sites - the double falls of Gullfoss and the
geothermal water spouts at Geysir. The beautiful church at Sk?lholt
and the ?ingvellir National Park, site of the Viking Parliament,
are highlights for the day, before heading to Reykholt, home of
Icelands most famous poet - Snorri Sturlusson- where you'll stay
for two nights.
Tuesday:
Snaefellsnes
You'll travel around the Snaefellsnes peninsula whose glacier is, according to Jules Verne's book, the entrance to the center of the earth. There are many small fishing towns, lava fields, and beaches. You'll see Stykkisholmer, the main town, and take a boat trip through the islands of Breidafjordur, home of puffins and white tailed eagles.
Wednesday
Borgarfjordur - Eyjafjordur - Thingeyjarsysla
Heading north, you'll visit the
lava-layered water falls of Hraunfossar, and then it's on to
Skagafj?r?ur where you ll visit the turf farm museum at Glaumbaer,
and meet the Icelandic horse. You'll have a pretty drive further
east, and stay in Eyjafj?r?ur or ?ingeyjars?sla for the next three
nights.
Thursday:
Eyjafjordur
Morning sightseeing in Akureyri and a short boat trip to the island
of Hr?sey in the middle of Iceland's longest fjord Eyjafj?r?ur.
Then a visit to the pretty fishing village of Dalv?k all with the
drama of the nearby snow-capped mountains.
Friday:
Godafoss - Myvatn
A
stop at the waterfall of the Gods, Go?afoss, en-route to Lake
M?vatn. There is lush vegetation here and many different species of
birds, some of which are not found elsewhere in Europe. There's a
visit to the unusual lava field Dimmuborgir and a climb up to the
rim of the ash crater Hverfjall. You ve earned a nice soak in hot
mineral waters of the Myvatn Nature Baths!
Saturday:
Dettifoss - Fljotsdalur
You'll travel along the Tjornes Peninsula a few miles below the Arctic Circle, with its fossil filled rocks, one of the most fascinating geological areas of Iceland. And there's the magnificent waterfall Dettifoss, the most powerful in Europe. Then south to Egilsstadir for the next three nights.
Sunday:
Fljotsdalur - Seydisfjordur
Travel around the lake Logurinn past the writers museum at the mansion at Skrituklaustur and then on to one of the highest waterfalls in Iceland, Hengifoss. In the afternoon there's a pretty drive to the fishing town of Seydisfjordur, where the ferry from Europe docks.
Monday:
Borgarfjordur Eystri
This short wide fjord and grassy, fertile valley with a charming fishing village is northeast of Egilsstadir. Magnificent colorful mountains and beautiful rocks and rare stones are to be found here.
Tuesday:
Fljotsdalur - Skaftafell
Vatnajokull Europe's biggest glacier, dominates the landscape with its icy tongues and icebergs calving in a glacial lagoon. Your boat trip Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon amongst the icebergs may be a highlight of the trip! You'll stay near Skaftafell National Park for two nights.
Wednesday:
Skaftafell
The whole day is spent at Skaftafell Park. You'll be able to take a walk, perhaps up to and on Europe's largest glacier Vatnajokull , or just relax at the park.
Thursday:
Skaftafell - Reykjavik
Return to Reykjav?k through the
fertile meadows and the sandy-lava desert of the south coast,
shadowed by mountainous cliffs and glaciers. There are several
beautiful waterfalls on the way - you may spot puffins and even
some seals. Returning to your guest house in Reykjavik you'll have
a last night to enjoy urban life in Iceland!
Friday:
Farewell...
Travelers on early flights will be Europeans will be picked up at
the guesthouse and transferred to the airport via the Flybus in
time for early flights, while Americans may have the option to take
late afternoon flights, which gives time to explore a bit of
Reykjavik or take a dip in a warm swimming pool. The Flybus will
pick up at the guesthouse in the early afternoon in time for late
afternoon flights at Keflavik International Airport.
Download a PDF of the itinerary of the Grand
Countryside Tour
Back to Coach Tour Page
All Grand Countryside Tours start in Iceland
on a Monday and end on Friday evening, 12 days
later. American travelers will have to leave the US on
or before the Saturday before the tour starts.
Travelers from Europe can leave home and arrive in Iceland on
Sunday.
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On a few tours dates
