Iceland Classic Circle in Summer 8N

Arrival

Welcome to the Land of Fire and Ice! On your own, transfer to Reykjavik. If your flight lands
early in the day, a great suggestion is to explore Reykjavík, the largest municipality in Iceland.

Ingolfur Arnarson, the first settler of Iceland, built his farm on the peninsula where
Reykjavík stands today. The town got its name “Smoky Bay” after the columns of steam that
rose from the hot springs in the area and made such a deep impression on the first settlers.

Dinner is on your own. Reykjavik offers a multitude of restaurants and/or coffee-houses, making
dinner a great way to get better acquainted with Iceland's capital.

Please note guaranteed early check-in is not included in the price. Most hotels begin check-in
around 14:00 (2:00pm).

Overnight: Reykjavík (airport transfer not included)
Meal: --/--/--

Geysir - Gullfoss - Skogar - Dyrholaey - Vik
Exploding Geysers - Waterfalls - Seabird Colony - Black Sand Beaches of the South Shore

Breakfast at your hotel. Start the day with a short city sightseeing of Reykjavik. From Reykjavik
head through the greenhouse village of Hveragerdi. Head on to the Golden Circle natural
wonders. Explore Gullfoss, the "Golden Waterfall", and the nearby Geysir hot spring area to see
the famous Geysir and Strokkur, as well as numerous other hot springs and boiling mud pools.
Continue along the south shore and stop to admire the waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss
before continuing to Dyrholaey* nature reserve. Continue to the village of Vik.

*Please note that Dyrholaey is closed during nesting season in spring, approximately mid-May
until June 25th.

Overnight: Vik area
Meal: Breakfast/--/Dinner

Vik - Skaftafell National Park - Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon - Hofn
Lava Fields - Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs - Europe's Largest Glacier

Breakfast at your hotel. Continue your journey along the Ring Road. Cross Eldhraun, the
largest lava flow recorded on the planet in historical times. Visit Kirkjubaejarklaustur town,
the former site of a 12th-century Catholic convent. The tour continues over Skeidararsandur
sands to Skaftafell, a beautiful glacial area within Vatnajokull National Park. Continue to the
stunning Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon to see the birthplace of icebergs. As you head east,
you will continue to enjoy magnificent views of mighty Vatnajokull, Europe‘s largest glacier.
Your destination is Hofn, a seacoast village located near the glacier.

Overnight: Hofn area
Meal: Breakfast/--/Dinner

Hofn - East Fjords - Egilsstadir
Narrow Fjords - Steep Mountains - Picturesque Coastline

Breakfast at your hotel.  Today you‘ll enjoy amazing scenery as you head from glacial
landscapes to fjord views. Drive from Hofn through Almannaskard pass, stopping to admire
the majestic coastline. Head into the magnificent East Fjords with its views of towering
mountains plunging vertically into the sea. Pass through coastal fjord villages on your way to
Egilsstadir.

Overnight: Egilsstadir area
Meal: Breakfast/--/Dinner

Lake Myvatn Area
Highland Desert - Bizarre Lava Formations - Geothermal & Volcanic Activity - Rich Birdlife -
Protected Salmon River

Breakfast at your hotel.  Explore the empty vastness of the highland desert plateau Modrudalsoraefi
as you head towards the Lake Myvatn area. On the way, stop at Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful
waterfall. Continue onwards to Namaskard pass with its boiling mud pools and vibrant colours. Explore
the natural beauty of the Lake Myvatn area, including the pseudo craters at Skutustadir and the Laxa
Salmon River. One of the Myvatn area's claims to fame is that it is home to more species of ducks than
any other place on Earth, with very diverse birdlife in general.

Overnight: Myvatn area
Meal: Breakfast/--/Dinner

Lake Myvatn Area - Akureyri - Siglufjordur
"Waterfall of the Gods" - Folk Museum - The beautiful Troll Peninsula

Breakfast at your hotel. Start the day by exploring the peculiar lava formations at Dimmuborgir. Visit
the magnificent Godafoss waterfall and the old turf farm Laufas. Afterwards, visit Akureyri, the colourful
northern “capital“ of Iceland. The town has charming buildings and beautiful view of the Eyjafjordur
Fjord. After spending some time in Akureyri, continue along the coastal roads of Eyjafjordur and the
Troll Peninsula. This is a beautiful drive along steep mountains with amazing views over the Arctic Sea
and black sand coastline. The destination is Siglufjordur, set in a beautiful fjord of the same name.
This town has some of the finest timber buildings in the country, beautifully restored to their original
glory. The evening and dinner is on your own at one of the town's restaurants.  Siglufjordur is a very
enjoyable and friendly town for an evening stroll.

Overnight: Siglufjörður
Meal: Breakfast/--/--

Skagafjordur - Borgarnes
Fertile Farmlands - Glacial Rivers - Unique Viking Horse Demonstration

Breakfast at your hotel. This morning visit Siglufjordur‘s award-winning Herring-Era Museum. The
museum recreates the atmosphere of the early 20th century, when Siglufjordur was transformed into a
herring boom town, thanks to a large migration of herring. Afterwards, head along majestic mountains
and narrow passes lead to Skagafjordur, considered to be one of the finest places in Iceland for horse
breeding. Enjoy an introduction to the unique Icelandic horse breed with its special fifth gait - the tolt.
Continue towards the village of Blonduos built on both sides of the river Blanda.  Hrutey Island, a
protected nature reserve, sits within the centre of this popular Salmon River. Cross the Holtavorduheidi
plateau through Borgarfjordur to the beautiful town of Borgarnes.

Overnight: Borgarnes area
Meal: Breakfast/--/Dinner

Borgarfjordur - Thingvellir - Reykjavik
Europe's Largest Hot Spring - Picturesque Waterfalls - National Park with Geological
Wonders (UNESCO)

Breakfast at your hotel. Drive to Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in the world. Stop to
admire the beautiful Hraunfossar waterfalls before continuing via Hvalfjordur fjord to Lake
Thingvallavatn, Iceland's largest lake and Thingvellir National Park. This UNESCO heritage site is where
the world‘s oldest continuing parliamentary government was founded in the 10th century. It is also the
place where the North American and European tectonic plates meet.

Overnight: Reykjavík area
Meal: Breakfast/--/--

Departure

Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to the airport not included, but we would be happy to book it for you. 
We advise departing your hotel no later than three hours before your international flight.

If you did not visit the Blue Lagoon on your arrival day, you might use the opportunity to stop there
now on your way to the airport.

Meal: Breakfast/--/--