Day 1, MON: WEST ICELAND AND OVER THE MOUNTAINS TO THE NORTH (500 km/310 mls)
After leaving Reykjavík, we explore Hraunfossar, a series of waterfalls pouring from beneath a long row of lava fields into Hvítá River. Barnafoss “the Children’s fall” is nearby, with its own tragic tale. Then we visit Europe's most powerful hot spring and climb the Grábrók volcano crater in West Iceland. We see some of Iceland’s past with a visit to Glaumbær Turf Farm Museum, and travel along fjords and over mountains to Akureyri - the capital of North Iceland, our base for the next five nights.
Day 2, TUE: AKUREYRI AND OPTIONAL TOUR TO HRÍSEY ISLAND (20 km/12 mls)
In the morning, you have a guided walk to explore Akureyri, which has a charming city center and a fine botanical garden. The afternoon is free to explore on your own, or join an optional excursion by bus and ferry to Hrísey Island, located in the middle of Iceland’s longest fjord and home to thousands of sea birds (driving about 90 km/56 mls).
Day 3, WED: GEOLOGICAL WONDERS OF LAKE MÝVATN (230 km/143 mls)
We explore Goðafoss, the waterfall of the Gods, and continue to Lake Mývatn, known for its rich bird life and extraordinary volcanic lava landscapes. Visit pseudo craters, walk in the lava field Dimmuborgir, climb up to the rim of the ash crater Hverfjall, see the hot springs and bubbling mud pools of Námaskarð, and travel to the Crater Lake Víti in the Krafla geothermal fields.
Day 4, THU: LEISURE DAY OR OPTIONAL DAY TOUR TO SIGLUFJÖRDUR (300 km/186 mls)
Explore Akureyri on your own or join our optional excursion to see some spectacular fjord landscapes while travelling to Siglufjörður, Iceland’s northern most town and known as the herring capital of the North Atlantic. Siglufjörður is located on the mountainous Tröllaskagi Peninsula and on the way we pass small fishing villages and stop at a deserted valley that even most Icelanders have not seen yet. Near to Siglufjörður is Hofsós, a small and friendly village on the eastern shores of the Skagafjörður Bay whose natural harbour makes it one of the oldest trading ports in Iceland dating back to the 16th century. The Western Emigration Centre focuses on the mass emigration from Iceland to North America in the late 19th century and is interesting to locals and visitors alike.
Day 5, FRI: WHALES, WATERFALLS AND EUROPE’S LARGEST NATIONAL PARK (360 km/223 mls)
Húsavík is a picturesque small fishing town only an hour from Akureyri, where you can join an optional whale watching cruise or visit some of the many museums. Then we travel to the northern part of the Vatnajökull National Park, stop at bird cliffs where puffins may be seen, and visit the huge canyon of Ásbyrgi and Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall.
Day 6, SAT: KJÖLUR HIGHLAND ROAD AND RETURN TO REYKJAVÍK (490 km/304 mls)
We go through the heart of Iceland today – travelling on the Kjölur Trail, between the glaciers Langjökull and Hofsjökull. We stop at the hot springs of Hveravellir, where you can soak in a natural hot pool. This region is shrouded in mystery, with folktales of ghosts, giants and outlaws. You experience one of Europe's last wildernesses! The Best of North Iceland ends today, as travellers return to Reykjavík in the evening.
Note:
- About 1-2 hours light walking each day, mainly several short walks from the bus to the different nature sights.
- It is an easy tour in which nearly everyone can take part.
- Total mileage is about 1600 km (992 miles) for the tour, and about 390 km (242 miles) for the optional tours