Iceland Hike and Explore

Your trip begins in Reykjavik in the evening. Meet your group at the hotel before getting to know one another over dinner. Take time to share your expectations for the upcoming days.

After a breakfast with great coffee, set out to explore the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik. Climb to the top of Hallgrimskirkja church for amazing views of this beautiful city. In the afternoon, you will head north on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula where you stay in a beautiful, seaside bed & breakfast. If time allows, take a hike in the area before a cozy dinner.

After enjoying a plethora of local breads and spreads, you will hike along the spectacular coastline between Hellnar and Arnarstapi. This unique hike boasts spectacular black rock arches, caves and cliffs. Enjoy a cappuccino at a cliffside cafe at the end of the trail.

Head to the Golden Circle and see immense, ancient volcanic fields on your way to the largest lava tube in Iceland. Take a guided tour into the lava tube to experience the amazing colors and rock formations. On the way back, stop and see beautiful set of waterfalls formed by rivulets streaming over 900 meters along a lava field.

Experience the raging expanse of Gullfoss waterfall and visit the first geyser ever documented at Geysir. Take in Thingvellir National Park and walk the boundary of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Thingvellir is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the Vikings established the Althing, the world’s first democratic parliament, in 930 AD. End the day relaxing in the hot pools at Hveragerdi.

Head to Vik on the southern coast and see some of Iceland’s most beautiful vistas. Take in the immense falls of Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss under the shadow of Eyjafjallajokull, a volcano that last erupted in 2010. Walk along the sweeping black sand beach before settling in for the evening.

From Vik, head north on an incredible road to hike to the Myrdalsjokull glacier. This otherworldly landscape will surely take your breath away--bring your camera! There is a steep but wide 40 minute trail to get to a plateau, then relatively easy hiking from there. Have lunch at an unusual rock formation we call the "Trolls Garden" on the way to glimpse the glacier. Return to your lodging in the evening for happy hour with your fellow hikers.

Saddle up your Icelandic pony to go horseback riding along the black sand beach. Take the afternoon to explore the town of Vik before relaxing and enjoying a traditional Icelandic dinner.

Continue up the coast to visit Skaftafell National Park for views of incredible mountain valleys and the Vatnajokull glacier. Continue on to the turquoise blue Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon to experience Iceland’s deepest lake. This place is yet another example of the dramatic beauty of Iceland.

We will take a boat tour through amazing sea caves and potentially spot playful puffins swooping from steep cliffs high above our heads. 60% of the worlds population of Puffins nest in Iceland in the summer, before heading out to sea in September. Vestmannaeyjar is loaded with history. Pirates from the Barbary Coast raided the island in 1627 and sold hundreds of local residents into slavery. A cannonball fired during that conflict is still embedded in the rocky entrance to the harbor. In 1973 a major volcanic eruption destroyed nearly 1/3 of the homes and buildings but increased the size of the island by 2 square kilometers. You will see homes encased in lava reminiscent of a mini Pompeii. Fortunately, no residents of Heimaey were hurt during this episode of island life.

Bid farewell to your fellow travelers after breakfast before taking in your final views of Iceland. If you choose, make one last museum stop or relax at the Blue Lagoon hot pools on your way to the airport (not included).