Overview:
Much of Iceland is still taking shape before your very eyes – raw, dramatic landscapes born from volcanic eruptions and carved out by glaciers. Other parts have hardly changed since the first Viking settlers saw them more than 1,100 years ago. On this Extended Iceland Circle fly-drive you’ll have more time to experience wilderness and wildlife, energy and total calm that Iceland has to offer.
Holiday price is from £ 1,695 per person based on availability and two persons sharing a standard double/twin room. Single supplement upon request.
2017 Departure Dates:
| Package / Departure |
May. Sep |
Jun - Aug |
Standard package
(simple hotels, farmhouses and B class car)
|
£1,250 |
£1,750 |
Comfort package
(good tourist class hotels and farmhouses and C class car)
|
£1,475 |
£1,950 |
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Welcome to Iceland (49 km/30 miles)
Arrival and 1 night at Guesthouse Borgartún or Grand Hotel Reykjavík.
Day 2: Snaefellness Peninsula (270 km/168 miles)
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula (the peninsula of the snowy mountain) juts out from Iceland's west coast, like a long arm with a clenched fist at its tip, in many ways a microcosm of the whole island. Craters, lava flows, an ice cap, glaciated peaks, fjords, sandy beaches and high cliffs are its landscapes. A rugged mountain chain runs its length, capped by the 1,446m Snæfellsjökull, a mystical cone-shaped strato volcano where according to Jules Verne´s book the entrance to the centre of the earth can be found. The south side of the peninsula is farming country yet has conserved much of its extensive marshlands, which are an important habitat for birds. Fringed by golden sand beaches, the wild and windswept coast is pounded by surf as it faces the full onslaught of an unforgiving Atlantic. The north side of Snæfellsnes is more sheltered and has fjords which make a good anchorage for fishing vessels.
1 night at Hotel Framnes in Grunðarfjörður.
Day 3: Going North (410 km/255 miles)
Stykkishólmur is a charming fishing town offering amazing view over Breiðafjörður fjord with thousands for small islands. Continue along the north shore of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula to Haukadalur, a rather authentic replica of the homestead of Eirik the Red, the famous explorer, who founded the Icelandic colony in Greenland. His son Leif-the-Lucky, born in Haukadalur, Iceland, went on to become the first European to set foot in North America. Now the excavated and reconstructed farm in Haukadalur is a living Viking museum which is a fun, informative and rather photogenic place. The landscape is dominated by mountains, valleys, the sea and wide open spaces. Continue to Skagafjörður, valley of the horses and sagas. Here you find the Glaumbær turf farm & folk museum and the Viðimýri church, one of the most beautiful examples of traditional turf church architecture.
1 night at Hotel Norðurland in Akureyri.
Day 4: Akureyri - Lake Myvatn (130 km/81 miles)
Akureyri is the capital of North Iceland and we recommend a visit to the old town, the modern church and botanical garden. Continue to Goðafoss, the waterfall of the Gods. Lake Mývatn offers a wide spectrum of volcanic and geological features, abundant bird life and a wealth of walking trails.
1 night at Hotel Laxá, Lake Mývatn
Day 5: Going East (280 km/173 miles)
Travel east over Jökuldalsheiði moorland plateau, lava and sand desert. We recommend a detour to Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall, subject to season. Egilsstaðir is the center of East Iceland, located at Lögurinn Lake and not far from Hallormsstaður woods and Hengifoss, Iceland's 2nd highest waterfall. Continue to the small village of Fáskrúðsfjörður in the East Fjords and stay at one of Iceland's most charming hotels.
1 night at Fosshotel Eastfjords in Fáskrúðsfjörður.
Day 6: Vatnajokull National Park (420 km/260 miles)
Travel the scenic route along the dramatic fjord landscape and fishing villages of East Iceland before reaching Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier and National Park. We recommend a boat tour between icebergs on Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon and a short hike in Skaftafell National Park.
1 night at Laki Cottages in Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
Day 7: South Shore (240 km/149 miles)
A beautiful drive with many natural wonders awaits you today as you head across the Laki lava field, pass the waterfalls Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss. The bird cliffs of Dyrhólaey and Reynisfjara are simply amazing. We recommend also a stroll on the black lava beaches of Vík and a visit to the folk museum and turf houses at Skógar.
2 nights at Hotel Örk in Hveragerði.
Day 8: South Iceland Activity Day
The village of Hveragerði is heaven for outdoor activities and surrounded my volcanic mountains and beautiful green valleys with geothermal springs and even some natural hot rivers to take a bath in the wilderness. We recommend a South Iceland activity challenge day or simply explore the nearby seashore villages.
If you are up for more sightseeing by rental car, the Thjórsárdalur valley is well-known for its numerous excavations of old viking farms, which were buried by the ash of an eruption of Hekla volcano in the year 1104. The farm at Stöng is especially worth seeing. In this area are two beautiful waterfalls, Hjálparfoss that is easy to reach and Háifoss waterfall that is a bit off the beaten track. A short walk leads to the ravine Gjáin that offers a surrounding with waterfalls, lava formations and wonderful vegetation. This is an enchanting spot and not to be missed. This round trip is about 170 km / 105 miles.
Day 9: Golden Circle (195 km/121 miles)
Today's program is called Golden Circle with Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir hot springs and Thingvellir National Park. Take some time to explore Reykjavik, Iceland's capital.
1 night at Guesthouse Borgartún or Grand Hotel Reykjavík.
Day 10: Going Home (49 km/30 miles)
Departure.
Package Includes:
- Direct return flights from London Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh or Glasgow to Reykjavik (Other UK airport upon request)
- 1 piece of check-in luggage per traveler
- 9 nights accommodation in standard or comfort category hotels, guesthouses and farmhouses with private facilities
- 10 days car hire incl. unlimited mileage (B class - Toyota Auris, C class - Toyota Avensis Sedan or simillar)
- 9 x breakfasts
- Emergency phone service
- Detailed travel itinerary
- 24 hour emergency service
- ATOL protection
- All taxes
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