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Reykjavík
– Kids, we’re going on holiday to Iceland this summer!
– Umm…we won’t be able to swim and it’s going to be cold…can’t we go to the beach instead?
– No, you’ll see, it’s going to be a wonderful trip. You’ll go swimming in hot springs and every day we’ll try a new and exciting activity like mountain biking, kayaking, boat tours. We’ll see icebergs and volcanoes and we can go horseback riding. They have a small horse breed that’s perfect for children! Then, there are the beautiful beaches with seals and birds everywhere! Did you know that it’s daylight almost all the time and it’s not actually that cold? So what do you think?
– Let’s go!
Best season for this trip: from July to September
Regions visited during this trip to Iceland : Reykjavik & The Golden Circle | Snaefellsnes | South Coast
N.B.: This trip to Iceland is an individual tailor-made tour, to be personalized with our Iceland specialist advisors.
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Arrival at Keflavik international airport. Rental car pick up and drive to Reykjavík. Settle into your accommodation. The rest of your first night is at your leisure in the world’s northernmost capital.
Distance travelled:50 km. 1h
Overnight in Reykjavík.
Depart taking national road number one that follows the southern coast and that drives between the geothermal area of Hellisheidi then discover the marvels lying at the feet of the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers. Black sand beaches and bird cliffs on the ocean-side of the road. On the other side, innumerable waterfalls crash from cliff tops and glacial tongues drift down from the mountains higher up. Stop at the two biggest waterfalls; Seljalandsfoss and also at Skogar, where you’ll be able to visit it’s charming little folk museum.
Distance travelled: 230 km about 4h
Overnight in the Kirkjubæjarklaustur region.
Optional excursion Glacial hike at Sólheimajökull. You are fitted with a harness, crampons, gloves and a helmet as you tackle a glacial tongue from the Myrdalsjökull glacier. A one of a kind arctic experience!
With 4WD option: Discover the Hjörleifshöfði monolith. This gigantic volcanic block is covered in moss and dominates almost 200 meters of black sand beach.
Two days to discover the foot of the Vatnajökull glacier. You keep heading east crossing tremendous expanses of black sand resulting from the glacier’s occasional floods. Hike through some of the many marvels of the Skaftafell National Park, including the Svartifoss waterfall as well as the basaltic rock formations around it. Further east is the glacial lagoon of Jökulsárlón, a truly arctic setting of icebergs and seals with Europe’s largest glacier in the background.
Distance travelled:300 km about 5h
Overnight in the Kirkjubaejarklaustur region.
With 4WD option: Add a day to your trip and discover the Laki region where the biggest recorded volcanic eruption since the island was populated occurred leaving behind surreal and lunar-like landscapes. A chain of 120 craters extends over 25 km here.
Optional excursions
– Mini-cruise around Jökulsárlón between its’ icebergs.
– Glacial hike at Svínafellsjökull
– Mountain biking in Skaftafell.
– Ride in a trailer as the tractor takes you to the rocky island of Ingólfshöfdi, from where you’ll be able to get a closer look at puffin and great skua colonies as well as admire beautiful panoramas from the tip of the island.
Today, discover the verdant Kirkjubæjarklaustur region: waterfall sand ancient moss-covered lava flows that remain from the 1783 Laki eruption. Stop at the Fjardrarglufur canyon, which is reachable from the road after a short walk. Heading west, cross the huge expanse of the Mýrdalssandur desert.
Distance travelled:280 km about 4h
Overnight in the Flúdir region.
With 4WD option: Add a day to your trip to explore the nature reserve of Fjallabak which houses some of Iceland’s most spectacular and wildest sites, the Hekla volcano, the volcanic rift of Elgjá, and of course, the hot water river of Landmanalaugar, nestled in the mountains that geothermal activity has stained many colours over the years! The children will love it!
Optional excursions
– Horseback riding on the black sand beach near Dyrhólaey
– Amphibious vehicle tour beneath the cliffs of Dyrhólaey.
Discovery of Iceland’s famous Golden Circle: The Strokkur geyser at Geysir (the place which originally gave the phenomenon its name) and the Gullfoss waterfall where the Hvítá river has dug an impressive canyon. Then on to Thjórsárdalur and the Gjá valley With its myriad of small waterfalls, ponds and rivers that sometimes re-emerge from the basalt volcanic formations.
Distance travelled: 100 km about 2h
Overnight in the Flúdir region.
With 4WD option: A magnificently scenic return trip to and from Hveravellir, where you will discover its hot water spring and be able to relax in this outdoor geothermal pool at the foot of the Langjökull glacier. Possible detour to the volcanic and geothermal systems of Kerlingarfjöll and its landscapes of Springs, geysers, fire and ice. Optional excursions – Horseback ride in the Gullfoss/Geysir region – Rafting or jet boating on the river Hvítá.
A short drive to Laugarvatn and its steam bath spa followed by a dive in the lake’s chilly waters! Hike in Thingvellir to observe the effects of the oceanic rift and the former location of the oldest parliament in the world. Stop at the waterfalls of Hraunfossar and Barnafoss, and the hot water springs of Deildartunguhver (too hot for bathing). After, Borgarnes waits, with its’ Eldborg crater, “the fortress of fire”, fortunately inactive but still breathtaking.
Distance travelled:250 km about 4h
Staying overnight in the Snæfellsnes peninsula.
With 4WD option: Follow the Kaldidalur trail that links the Reykholt valley to the Thingvellir valley along the western flanks Langjökull glacier.
Visit the wild coast in between the tiny ports of Arnastapi and Hellnar. Coves and cliffs alternate along the shore and are the homes of Black-legged Kittiwake Gulls and of Arctic Terns. You can also choose to discover the reefs of Djupalonssandur or the lava flow at Budahraun. Experience the enviroment that inspired Jules Verne’s imagination for the beginning to his novel: “Journey to the Center of the Earth.”
Distance travelled:250 km env. 4h
Staying overnight in the Snaefellsnes peninsula.
With 4WD option: You can drive to the edge of the Snæfellsjökull glacier with its pumice stone expanses and 360 degrees of spectacular vistas.
Optional excursions
– Horseback riding on Löngufjörur’s beach.
– Mini-cruise in the fjord of Breidarfjördur from Stykkishólmur.
– Sea kayaking in Stykkishólmur.
Return to Reykjavik through Hvalfjördur, “Whale Fjord.” Hike to the Glymur waterfall that drops 200m and bathe in the overall beauty of this wonderful fjord!
Distance travelled: 180 km about 3h
Return the rental car and stay overnight in Reykjavik
Optional excursions
Whale watching tour departing from Reykjavik
Today is your last day in the land of fire and ice, if your departure is in the afternoon or the evening, take some time to visit Reykjanes peninsula and the Blue Lagoon. (Not included) Then it’s time to go back home, after returning your rental car at Keflavik airport, you then board your flight; it’s then full of memories and unforgettable souvenirs of your family trip that you take off.
– A great family trip for the festive, winter and spring seasons.
– Best between February and April so you can enjoy the days as they get longer.
– It’s the best season for glacial hiking.
– Rent a D or G 4×4 vehicle for better access to the country during the winter months.
– For a trip based at one location, check out our Chalet/Summer house in the south
– Take a group tour before or after your self-drive trip to access the highlands with a snowshoe hiking trip in and around the huts at Landmannalaugar. Landmannalaugar Winter Retreat
– Take advantage of your trip in Iceland to visit Greenland for 4 to 7 days.
Surfing the Artic waves
Of course it is possible, come surf the cold Arctic waves !
Discover one of the most surprising activities to do in Iceland!
This 8 hours excursion starts with a visit of the wonders of the Reykjanes peninsula before jumping onto your surfboard ! To surf the best waves in the best conditions, keep an ear out to the precious local advices, they always love to share their tips for this unique experience!
This unique experience is an Iceland Like A Local finding
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Sleep in an ice cave
Do you long to experience the deep cold? Well put on your crampons and helmet, grab your ice pick and traverse a glacier to explore an ice cave that will also be your accommodation for the night.
The exact location is confidential, but we can tell you that it is located 25 km from the Skaftafell region.
Once you have arrived at the Vatnajökull glacier, it’s time to meet your equipment! Helmets, crampons and ice picks will make sure you are properly prepared! Enter the ice cave and be amazed by the many focal points as you discover the various shades of blue created by the varied density of the ice.
After a local Icelandic diner, set out your sleeping bag and enjoy your night under the glacier. What an adventure!
This activity is available from mid-December to mid-March.
Note: This activity is not recommended for families and seniors.
This unique experience is an Iceland Like A Local finding
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Sleeping in a yurt in Iceland
Thinking of sleeping in a yurt in Iceland? Well, it may seem unbelievable, but yes it is possible!
Make your trip to Iceland unforgettable spending a night in a yurt!
Embark on a zodiac tour to be able to reach a small isolated island in the middle of a glacier river (south Iceland).
You will find several yurts there. It’s time to reconnect with the nature and enjoy every second of this experience : it all starts off by turning your phone off, taking the fishing nets out of the water and season the fresh salmon for tonight’s bbq.
After stargazing and perhaps get the chance to see northern lights, slip under your sheepskin cover in your yurt for a lovely night..
This unique experience is an Iceland Like A Local finding
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Blue Lagoon Day Tour
Spend a relaxing time in the Blue Lagoon
During your stay in Iceland you cannot miss a bath in this fountain of youth whose presence we owe to the island’s geothermal activity. Located about 50km from Reykjavik, you can spend a few relaxing hours there, or even the whole day! Open air baths in the Blue Lagoon’s turquoise waters and temperatures around 40°C (104°F) are an unforgettable experience.
Golden Circle Tour
A day to discover the “Golden Circle!”
This tour allows you to explore Iceland’s most iconic sites, only 100 km from Reykjavik, and to get your first look at the country’s untamed interior.
Meeting point: at your hotel at 8:30
Departure time: 09:00
Length of tour: 8 hours
Return: at 17:00 to your hotel