Day 1: Welcome to Iceland!
Arrival at Keflavik airport, transfer to your accommodation in Reykjavik for the first night. Depending on your flight schedule there may is some time to already explore some of Iceland's capital.
Day 2: The (thorough) initiation
After breakfast we meet our guide and our new 4x4 minibus that will be our means of transport for the next 2 weeks. Off we go towards the Reykjanes peninsula! Among vast lava fields we drive in direction of Krýsuvík, a very active geothermal region. It's also a coastal region, so on our way we will pass thousands of dangling fish bodies, hung to dry - a preserving method already used by the Vikings. In Krýsuvík we will get our first close contact with steam vents and bubbling hot springs - the geothermal phenomenons Iceland is famous for. It's part 1 of today's "Icelandic initiation" since the area with its contrasting colours is not only a feast for the eye, our nose will have its share as well...
From here we continue on to Hveragerdi where we go for a little walk in the mountains to reach the place for part 2 of our "Icelandic initiation": a bath in an authentic naturally hot river! The creek flows in cascades down the mountain, forming a little pool before each step – nature's the best architect!
After so much relaxing it's time again for some serious sightseeing. The famous Golden Circle with its three highlights Geysir, Gullfoss and Thingvellir is next on our program. Geysir, the one and only, the "father", the one geyser that gave its name to all Geysers in the world has been dormant for some years. In the neighbouring Strokkur, though, he has found a worthy substitute, erupting in photo-friendly 5-7 minute intervals. With a height of 32m Gullfoss, the golden waterfall, is not Iceland's highest water drop but one of its most beautiful. Last but not least we explore Thingvellir, a place of high historical and geothermal interest. It was here that the first still active democratic parliament was created and it's right here where the tectonic plates of North America and Europe drift from each other being not only the cause for all the geothermal phenomenons but the reason for Iceland's very existence.
Head and camera full of images we direct ourselves towards our nearby accommodation for the night.
Day 3: A journey to the centre of the Earth (or to the West of Iceland)
Today's itinerary leads us toward the peninsula of Snæfellsnes dominated by the snow capped volcano Snæfell which in Jules Verne's famous novel "The voyage to the centre of the Earth" is the entrance through which the protagonists reach, well, the centre of the Earth.
We will have a little bit of everything today: caves, white sand beaches and steep lava cliffs in the most beautiful surroundings.
On our way we will stop among other at Deildartunga, Europe's most powerful hot springs and also at Barnafoss, the "child's fall", a beautiful waterfall (with a sad story...) emerging directly from the rocks where we go for a little walk.
Our accommodation on this and the following night will be on the peninsula.
Day 4: Lifting stones and climbing a volcano
There's a lot to explore on this peninsula often referred to as "little Iceland" since it's combining the country's different landscapes on its small area. Today we explore the peninsula's South rounding the volcano and glacier Snæfellsjökull stopping to admire the geometrical lava rock formations of Arnastapi.
On we move towards Djupalonssandur, a beautiful black sand beach amidst a gallery of ocean washed rock sculptures. On our way down to the beach we come by an assembly of smoothly polished rocks in different sizes which - according to the legend - were part of a Viking "employment test for seamen": the position a candidate got on the ship depended on the weight he managed to lift. Feel free to try!
After having admired the majestic Snæfells from afar it's now time for us to get a closer look. A gravel road leads us up its flanks but then it's our turn to hike the last part to the volcanoes top. How far we get depends on our motivation, weather conditions and the judgement of our expert guide. The strenuous climb will be well rewarded with a stunning panoramic view down the flanks of the volcano, the whole peninsula and the sea. On clear days we will even be able to see Reykjavik in the South.
Afterwards we'll return to our accommodation.
Day 5: Akureyri
Today we'll leave the peninsula heading north towards Akureyri, Iceland's second largest city and "capital of the North". We drive through vast pasture lands where sheep roam freely during the summer. We'll stop here and there in small villages on the way.
In the afternoon there's time to explore Akureyri on your own or do some shopping. Tonight dinner's on your own. Akureyri has a number of restaurants for all tastes. Those who want to prepare their own food can do so using the kitchen at the accommodation.
Accommodation in Akureyri.
Day 6: Whales, enchanted cities and pseudo-craters
Why not start the day with a highlight? Our bus takes us to Eyjafjördur, one of Iceland's most beautiful fjords, where we get on the boat for a whale watching tour! We may not only spot whales and dolphins but also get to try our luck in fishing. What we catch will quite probably end up on our dinner table.
Back on fast land we continue today's journey in direction of lake Mývatn and its plenty attractions. On the way we won't miss out on Godafoss, the "waterfall of the gods", in which - according to the legend - a Viking chieftain threw his idols of pagan gods as proof of his newly acquired Christian faith.
Next we explore Dimmuborgir, the "sinister villages", bizarre rock formations that indeed remind of arbitrarily constructed houses springing from the minds of some ghostly creatures. They are in fact the product of various volcanic eruptions and erosion. We then climb Hverfjall's crater enjoying the panoramic view from above on lake Mývatn and its beautiful surroundings.
We then pay a visit to the so called pseudo-craters, hills with the shape of craters but of non-volcanic origin. Our guide will explain us all about the geological phenomenons on site.
On we go towards Namafjall, the region with the highest concentration of steam vents and bubbling hot pools in the country! Here we once again climb a little mountain to be rewarded with a spectacular panoramic view of the geothermal area on one side and lake Mývatn on the other.
This and the following night we'll spend at the same accommodation in the area.
Day 7: Odin's horse and a Hollywood movie protagonist
If you thought the day before we've seen all that is to see in this area we'll prove you wrong today. Passing the small fishing village of Husavík, we head towards the Ásbyrgi National Park. Apart from one of the few and at the same time most beautiful woods in Iceland it stars a huge canyon in the almost exact shape of a horse shoe. You won't have difficulties in believing the legend of Odin's 8-legged-horse Sleypnir that left its footprint here.
On we drive to the next highlight of the day: Dettifoss, which literally means the "falling waterfall"... It is the most powerful waterfall in the whole of Europe! This and the barren, extraterrestrial surroundings were for sure the reasons for it to star in Ridley Scott's Science Fiction movie "Prometheus".
After all this action it's time to relax. We will do so in the best possible manners with a bath in the milky blue waters of the Mývatn Nature Bath, a smaller but at least as charming version of the famous (and much more crowded) Blue Lagoon.
Relaxed and hungry we'll return to our accommodation.
Day 8: Eastbound
We follow the Ring Road East on its highest part through the Northern mountains in direction of Egilsstadir. After some shopping we do a little detour for a one hour trek up to the Hengifoss waterfall - a nature gem off the beaten tourist paths. Cycles of volcanic eruptions and erosion have created a unique pattern of geometrically lava columns and multicoloured alternating layers of rock and petrified plants. From here we also get to see Hallormstadur, Iceland's biggest forest and the Lagarfjlot lake.
Following the winding and incredibly scenic coastal road along the fjords of the East we reach the area of Djupivogur and our home for the night.
Day 9: I.C.E
We have reached the South of Iceland and the landscape for the next days will be totally different from what we've seen before. Today we will have our first close encounter with the mighty Vatnajökull, not only Iceland's biggest glacier but also the biggest one in the whole of Europe.
Several glacier tongues descent from its vast centre down to the coast. One of them ending in the famous Jökulsárlón, a glacier lagoon filled with white-blue-black icebergs in all shapes. We will also visit the smaller and less known Fjallsarlón, another lagoon with less icebergs but an impressive glacier front making for an ideal photo opportunity.
Finally we move on west to the National Park of Skaftafell. Here we will do a trekking up into the mountains with spectacular views on the descending glacier tongue below us. From the view point at our destiny we will not only see the vast interior ice cap of the Vatnajökull but also the peak of Hvannadalshnúkur, at 2.110 m Iceland's highest mountain. We will also visit beautiful Svartifoss - the black waterfall - named after the black basalt columns surrounding it.
With some luck we on our way will see some of the ptarmigans living in the area.
Back down we will visit the interesting information centre with among other a film about Grimsvötn, the volcano underneath Vatnajökull's thick ice cap, who's eruptions cause devastating floods.
Accommodation in the area.
Day 10: Iceberg close-up
Early in the morning we'll drive back to the area of the glacier lagoons. This time, though, we won't content ourselves with admiring their icy beauty from afar but embark on a zodiak and drive AMONG them. An incredible journey with close contact with the icy sculptures.
Continuing our journey west we will stop at the photogenic Eldja canyon and continue on through the desert like southern river deltas to the town of Vík.
Soon after we'll reach our accommodation for the night.
Day 11: Falling water and flying birds
Once more the landscape will change completely. Today we'll visit the steep cliffs of the Southern shore, its bird rookeries and endless black sand beaches. If we haven't see Puffins until now today our chances are sky high, literally, since our first stop will be Dyrhólaey. The basalt cliff is not only a spectacular sight in itself but also the breeding place of choice for a big puffin rookery during the summer. From its top we will have a good view on the parent's coming and going and the little ones in their rocky nests.
Reynisfjaraserá is our next stop, a vast black sand beach decorated by basalt rocks in unique shapes. Out on the ocean we'll also see giant rocks that with a little fantasy remind of petrified trolls – at least that's what the legend wants us to believe.
On we go towards Skógar, where we admire Skógafoss' wet beauty. With a height of 60m and a width of 25m it's one of the biggest waterfalls in the country. On a short trek up the river we'll pass several more small waterfalls.
But we're not through yet with the wet, rumbling and splashing Icelandic beauties: Seljalandfoss and Glufrafoss are on today's list as well. At Seljalandfoss we can even get behind the fall (and maybe a little wet...). Glufrafoss is one of the many hidden Icelandic treasures and although located right next to the popular Seljalandfoss far less visited. In this area we can also witness the effects of the eruption of the famous Eyjafjallajökull volcano in 2010.
This (and the following 2 nights) we'll spend at the same accommodation.
Day 12: The Westman Islands
Today we embark on a ferry and head over to the Westman Islands, an archipelago of 14 small islands and stage for one of the most dramatic volcanic eruptions in modern times. In 1973 on a stormy winter night the earth on the main and only inhabited island, Heimaey, opened and half the city vanished beneath rivers of glowing lava. But the lava does not only destroy it also creates. During several years in the 60ties a new island emerged from the ocean just south of Heimaey, Surtsey, Iceland's newest land mass.
We start our tour of the island by visiting Eldfell, the "firy mountain", the place where the fatal eruptions in the year 1973 started. With our bus we'll then drive to the West of the small island for a very nice short trekking. We start from a viewpoint with very good views on a puffin rookery below. The Westman Islands, are in fact home to the biggest puffin colony in the world, almost 9 million birds! From there we follow a coastal trail with fantastic views out on the ocean and to the other islands and, of course, more puffins. It's a beautiful area set apart from the beaten tourist paths.
Back at the harbour we'll see if we can't get some fresh cod for our dinner tonight. Heimaey's harbour is the most important fishing harbour of the country. Cod is among the most frequent catches.
In the evening we'll leave the island and drive back to our accommodation.
Day 13: Landmannalaugar or a trip to the moon
Today we leave the coastal regions and the Ring Road and venture into the rough and beautiful interior. An arid moon like landscape awaits us on our drive. Landmannalaugar itself is known for its multi-coloured landscape. Mountains made of yellowish clay and different rock types in all shades from grey to red contrast with the black of the lava fields and the fluorescent green moss. It's one of Iceland's most famous hiking areas.
Having arrived we start exploring the area by having a look at the Ljótipollur crater. Afterwards we hike up Bláhnúkur, the blue summit and when coming down again do some small hikes among vast areas of basalt, rich in rhyolite and obsidian.
Before heading back to our accommodation we won't miss out on taking a bath in the natural hot springs close to the mountain hut.
Day 14: Stops “surprise” and Iceland's capital
On our way back to Reykjavik we stop at small southern villages like Selfoss, an agricultural town, known for its geothermal green houses. Iceland grows (among other) its own tomatoes! Our guide will also surprise us with some extra stops... but shhhhh – don't tell anyone when you come back!
In the afternoon we'll have free time in Reykjavik. Iceland's capital is a vibrant, international city with plenty of excellent restaurants, a lively bar and music scene and a world famous night life.
Day 15: Good bye, Iceland
Depending on your flight schedule you may in the morning have some more time to explore Reykjavik on your own.
With a transfer to Keflavik airport the journey ends after two eventful weeks in the land of ice & fire. We'll wish you a good journey home, assuming that we'll see you again. You may haven't noticed but you have been infected with the Arctic Virus in this two weeks. And that will make you want to come back. Soon.