Mountains, rivers, glaciers, icebergs, hot springs and volcanoes are all here to explore in this comfortable voyage around Iceland. Staying in four hotels around the country you'll have days of adventure, and evenings to relax. Iceland is like one big National Park - with icebergs on the east coast, lush green islands on the west, dramatic mountains and fjords in the north. A bit of walking, and three contrasting boat trips make this the perfect trip for those who want to see the great array of land-and sea-scapes on this small island.

Our Prices include taxes, fuel charges and a number of “extras”.
See the details under Prices.

Here's the daily itinerary for the Grand Countryside Tour:

Sunday:
Welcome to Iceland!
A day to rest and/or explore the city
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
Waterfalls, Geysie, A bit of Viking history
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 Skalholt and the Thingvellir National Park, site of the Viking Parliament, are highlights for the day, before heading to Reykholt, home of Iceland's most famous poet - Snorri Sturlusson- where you'll stay for two nights.

Tuesday:
Snaefellsnes
The Magical area that inspired a classical science book, fishing settlements and a boat trip among isolated ixlands
You'll travel around the Snaefellsnes peninsula whose glacier and volcano, according to Jules Verne's book, is 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
A very unusual waterfall, a well preserved ancient farmstead, Icelandic horses and a drive to within a few miles of the Arctic Circle
Heading north, you'll visit the lava-layered water falls of Hraunfossar, and then on the way to Skagafjörður 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 the Husavik area for the next three nights.

Thursday:
Husavik - Whale Watching
A drive through Northern Iceland and a visit to the town of Husavik, with a boat trip into the northern sea to look for whales
The day starts with a 3 hour whale watching tour from Husavik, weather permitting. Afternoon is at leisure to wander around the town to visit museums and the church.

Friday:
Godafoss - Myvatn
A huge and legendary waterfall and some unique landforms and geology
A stop at the waterfall of the Gods, Godafoss, en-route to Lake Myvatn. 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
Continuing north and another great waterfall
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
A high waterfall and a drive to dizzying heights
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
Up to a remote fishing village on the edge of the mountains
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
Begining several days in the company of Europe's biggest glacier, with a boat trip among icebergs
Vatnajokull, Europe's biggest glacier, dominates the landscape with its icy tongues and icebergs calving in a glacial lagoon. Your boat trip in 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 park on the glacier's south edge has its own unique attraction
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
Closing the loop past high waterfalls and Icelandic farms
Return to Reykjavík 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. You’ll have a last night back in Reykjavik, at the outfitters guesthouse, and a chance to sample some of the city’s great restaurants – and perhaps -if you dare- even it’s night life!!

Friday:
Farewell...
Travelers on early flights will make an early departure via Flybus to the airport., while those leaving late afternoon will have time to explore a bit of Reykjavík, do some shopping, or soak in the warm swimming pool in nearby Laugardalur, before being picked up by the Flybus around 1 PM 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

Finer Print: Price includes round trip airfare, including fuel surcharge and departure taxes from Boston, New York Minneapolis, Washington Dulles International Airport, Denver. Ask about Seattle, Toronto, Halifax and Europe. The price also includes all airport transfers and pick ups at your accommodations for the listed tours. Accommodations are in double rooms, with breakfast every day.Meals on the tour, include Icelandic breakfast buffet and dinner, from dinner on the first day to breakfast on the last day, as well as 3 boat trips, four national parks, visit to the Myvatn Nature Baths, introduction to Icelandic Horse, and entry fee for the Glaumbaer museum.

*Not included are Travel Insurance, ( which we can help with), lunch and dinner on pre-and post-tour days in Reykjavik, lunch while on the tour, (there will be a stop made everyday to purchase this) and any additional expenses or travel you may choose. NOTE: Your pre and post nights in Reyjkavik are in comfortable 3 star hotels -- we can also book a guesthouse which will reduce the price a bit, or upgrade you to a 4 star hotel as well. Just ask!!

A couple hotels on this tour are “summer hotels” used much of the year as boarding schools. They are simple and clean, all with private baths, but don’t always have usual “hotel” amenities, such as telephones or in - room internet connections. There are available in central sitting room, however. 
Please note that the price is subject to revision until you book your tour by making a deposit. The prices listed on print material may not be the latest available price. We can sometimes find some deals on air, which we’re happy to pass on to you. Our contract rates for air aren’t always availble as we get closer to travel dates. While we make every effort to keep prices on our webpages and their PDFs up to the minute, things can change quickly. . We welcome phone calls or email about prices and any other details.