If you like this tour and would rather do it as a Self Drive consider the Wildlife Adventure Driving Tour. We offer drive tours with or without air included and as a self drive you get a very complete itinerary outlining a lot to do and see, along with much supporting literature.

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

The Daily itinerary

Saturday :
Travelers from North America leave for Iceland on an overnight flight with an early morning arrival at Keflavik Airport in Iceland.

Sunday:
Keflavik - Reykjavik
Following an early arrival in Iceland, you’ll take the Flybus shuttle to your guest house in Reykjavik, you'll have the day to rest, explore the capital and get a good night's sleep in a the outfitter's guesthouse. We’ll provide lots of ideas for meals, which are on your own.

Monday:
Gullfoss - Geysir - Thingvellir
At 10:00AM you'll leave Reykjavik, heading along the south coast to Hella. The day starts with a visit to the historic sites of the first Icelandic Parliment at Thingvellir National Park. Then you'll continue to Gullfoss, which is Iceland's "Golden Falls'. In sunshine it is often spanned by a beautiful rainbow. A few miles down the road is the fascinating geothermal area of Geysir. The most active geyser is Strokkur, "The Churn" which can spout up to seventy feet every ten minutes or so. From there you'll travel to Hella where you will spend the next 2 nights.

Tuesday:
Landmannalaugur
The day's travel goes into the geothermal area of Landmannalaugar, a jewel in the Icelandic landscape. The rhyolite mountains here have the feel of another planet, ranging in colors from beige to red and from blue to black. Their are huge formations of shiny black obsidian. You will have an opportunity to enjoy a relaxing soak in one of the largest natural warm water pools in Iceland. Take your bathing suit!

Wednesday:
Hella - Sprengisandur, Eyjafjordur/ Thingeyjarsysla
Today it's across the highlands, north through the vast gravel desert of Sprengisandur with views of the distant glaciers on both sides - Vatnajokull, Europe's largest glacier, and Hofsjokull, perched deep in the wilderness of Iceland. It's a part of Iceland that not many visitors see. You will also visit the majestic waterfalls Aldeyjarfoss and Godafoss . You'll stay in the north for the next three nights.

Thursday
Dettifoss- Tjornes
You'll see the north coast of Iceland today, with its vast bird life along the Tjornes Peninsula. Then onto Hljodaklettar, with its unusual rock formations, and Asbyrgi Canyon, followed by Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall. You'll also visit the hot springs at Namaskard before heading to your accommodation.

Friday:
Husavik Whale Watching - Lake Myvatn
The coastal town of Husavik starts the day where you can enjoy a 3 hour Whale Watching tour, weather permitting. There are lots of whales and sea life to be seen! It's a short drive to Lake Myvatn, a unique area which features unusual lava formations, attractive bays, pseudocraters and thousands of birds. It is considered the lushest area on earth and it's close to the Arctic Circle. You can stroll through the lava fields and towers of Dimmuborgir, ending with a walk up to the rim of the ash crater Hverfjall. You'll relax at the Nature Baths before heading to your accommodation.

Saturday:
Thingeyjarsysla-Akureyri- Reykjavik
Today the tour returns south through Akureyri, the "capital" of the North. The Oxnadalur mountain pass and the ever changing countryside of Skagafjordur are both breathtaking, and a good place to get an introduction to the Icelandic horse in a short program. There's a stop at the Glaumbaer folk museum, a very good example of a 19th century manor farm house complex, made mostly of turf, (which will make you appreciate today's creature comforts). Then it's back to Reykjavik, where the tour ends. You'll have a night in a guesthouse, with a chance to enjoy some of Reykjavik's night life.

Sunday:
Reykjavik - home?
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.

Download a PDF of the itinerary of the Country Odyssey Tour

The Country Hotels used on this tour are often “summer hotels” used much of the year as boarding schools. They are simple and clean, all with private baths, but often don’t have usual “hotel” ammenities, such as in - room phones or televisions. These are available in the central sitting room, however

Travel dates include a pre and post night. Also, it's easy to add a few days on to the beginning or end of your tour - just ask!

Price includes round trip airfare, including fuel surcharge and departure taxes from Boston, New York and Washington Dulles International Airport. Ask about prices from Seattle, Minneapolis, Toronto, Halifax and Europe. The price also includes all airport transfers, a night before and after the tour in a Reykjavik guesthouse with breakfast. You’ll spend all nights in double rooms in guesthouses, and summer hotels, all with private baths. Meals on the tour, include breakfast and dinner, from dinner on the first day to breakfast on the last day, and a picnic lunch on day 3. Whale watching cruise, an introduction to the Icelandic horse, entry fees to the Nature Baths at Lake Myvatn and a visit to the Glaumbaer museum are included in the price. NOTE -we can upgrade pre and post nights in Reyjkavik from guesthouse to 3 or 4 star hotel - just ask!
*Not included are Travel Insurance, meals on pre-and post-tour days, lunch while on the tour, (there will be a stop made everyday to purchase this) and any additional expenses or travel you may choose.