Experience the best of Western and Southern Iceland on this 9-day tour: volcanoes, fjords, red and black sand beaches, glaciers, hot springs, wildlife and more.

Highlights

  • Hike Around Iceland's top Landscapes: the Westfjrods, Highlands, and Skaftafell
  • Explore the Golden Circle's most popular sights
  • Walk along sea cliffs and black sand beaches in the Snafellsnes Peninsula

Brief Itinerary

Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrival, Blue Lagoon, Downtown Reykjavik Reykjavik
Day 2 Volcanic Snaefellsnes Peninsula Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Day 3 Ferry to the Remote Westfjords Patreksfjörður
Day 4 Hiking or Kayaking in Isafjordur, flight to Reykjavik Reykjavik
Day 5 Golden Circle Highlights Golden Circle Area
Day 6 Discovering the Highlands at Landmannalaugar Kirkjubæjarklaustur
Day 7 Skaftafell Glaciers and Jokulsarlon Lagoon Kirkjubæjarklaustur
Day 8 South Coast & Fimmvörðuháls Trail Hvolsvollur
Day 9 Back to Reykjavik & Departure  

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival, Soak in the Blue Lagoon, Explore Reykjavik

Mountain view over Reykjavik
Mountain view over Reykjavik

Welcome to Iceland! Arrive at Keflavik Airport in the morning (adjust this day if you arrive later) and head into Reykjavik to explore the town. All the main sights are within walking distance of each other, you can see as much or as little as you want before heading to your hotel to recover from any jet lag. The next 8 days are packed with adventures, and you’re going to need your rest. If you prefer to recover while floating in hot springs, take a short detour to the Blue Lagoon on your way from the airport (you can also do this on your way back to the airport and the end of your trip as your farewell to Iceland).

Plan your trip to Iceland
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.

Day 2: Tour the Snæfellsnes Peninsula

basalt columns at Gerðuberg
Visit the basalt columns at Gerðuberg and hike to the top

Drive through the Snæfellsnes peninsula, enjoying a taste of the best of Iceland in a small, manageable area. You will see volcanoes, fjords, golden beaches, gorges, dramatic lava flows, and cute small towns. Spend some time at Stykkishólmur national park: Stykkishólmur crater was made famous by Jules Verne in Journey to the Center of the Earth. Visit the basalt columns at Gerðuberg and hike the path leading to the top.

Walk along the lava fields at Búðahraun where the dark black lava mixes with the warm golden sand. In Winter you can see a variety of birds and sea life on the northern side of the peninsula. Spend the night around Stykkisholmur.

Day 3: Ferry to Westfjords; Explore Geothermal Pools, Beaches, and Waterfalls

Puffins on cliffs
Puffins taking flight over the dramatic cliffs at Ljátrabjarg in the West Fjords

Continue north along the western side of Iceland taking a ferry to the southern West Fjords. Walk along the endless Rauðisandur (“red sand”) beach with its red, yellow, and orange sand. Drive to the westernmost point of Iceland at Ljátrabjarg and walk along the dramatic cliffs, home to thousands of birds. Finally, walk to the massive Dynjandi waterfall and experience the sheer force of mother nature. When you’re all worn out, continue to Patreksfjordur or Isafjordur to stay the night.

Day 4: Hike, Sea Kayak, or Whale Watch in Isafjordur

Ísafjörður
Dramatic landscape of Ísafjörður in northern Iceland

Spend an active day around Ísafjörður before you fly back to Reykjavik. Ísafjörður is the largest town in the western fjords and has been a trading post for at least 500 years. You can hike around the region, paddle a sea kayak around the waters, or join a whale watching trip. Fly back to Reykjavik in the evening and spend the night.

Day 5: Golden Circle Highlights: Thingvellir, Geysir, Gulfoss Falls

Along the Golden Circle: Þingvellir national park
Along the Golden Circle: Þingvellir national park

Depart from Reykjavik and tour the top sights along Iceland’s famous Golden Circle route towards Landmannalaugar where you can stay in a cottage or camp if you prefer (Mountain lodge is also possible). Hike around Þingvellir national park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visit the famous Strokkur and Geysir geysers, and watch as glacier water pours over Gullfoss (golden falls) waterfall.

Day 6: Hike Landmannalaugar, Mountain Drive past Volcanoes

Laki Crater near the Jökuldalir valley
Laki Crater near the Jökuldalir valley

Continue exploring the Landmannalaugar region by hiking dramatic trails in landscapes that seem out of this world. Drive the mountain route of Nyrðra Fjallabak and the canyon of the volcanic Eldgjá fissure, one of the largest lava fields on earth. Visit the most deadly volcano at the Laki Crater, where an eruption from 1783-84 caused the death of 50% of Iceland’s livestock and the aftermath of crop failure and drought led to 6 million deaths globally. Finish your dramatic drive through Jökuldalir valley and spend the night in the Kirkjubæjarklaustur area.

Day 7: Jökulsárlón Glacial Lake, Hiking in Skaftafell, Ice Walking on Glaciers

Hike or ice walk around Skaftafell National Park
Hike or ice walk around Skaftafell National Park

Drive east along the coast to Jökulsárlón (“Glacial River Lagoon”) between Vatnajökull National park and the coast. Listen to the icebergs crack as they float in the milky blue waters. Hike or Ice walk around Skaftafell National Park before heading back to Kirkjubæjarklaustur (or all the way to Hvolsvollur if you prefer to spend the next day there).

Day 8: Hike through Fimmvörðuháls or Thorsmork

Thorsmork
River through Thorsmork Valley

Hike past 26 waterfalls and around 2 of the youngest mountains along the Fimmvörðuháls trail. Magni and Móði were created in 2010 as part of the Eyjafjallajökull eruption. This 25km/16mi hike offers some of the best scenery in Iceland, and the challenging hike is worth the effort. If you prefer something a bit shorter, hike in the Þórsmörk (Thorsmork) valley, known as the “land of Thor”. Spend the night around Hvolsvollur.

Day 9: South Shore Sights, back to Reykjavik

Seljalandsfoss waterfall in Southern Iceland
Seljalandsfoss waterfall in Southern Iceland

Discover Iceland’s scenic south shore on your way back to Reykjavik. Stop at waterfalls, black sand beaches, lava fields, and small fishing villages. If you skipped the Blue Lagoon on your way in, take one last soak in Icelandic geothermal pools before you head to the airport.

Map

Map of Western and Southern Iceland - 9 Days
Map of Western and Southern Iceland - 9 Days