iceland.nordicvisitor.com WINTER 4X4 CIRCLE OF ICELAND - PRIVATE TOUR ITINERARY DAY 1 DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN ICELAND & BLUE LAGOON On arrival to Keflavik Airport, your private driver will be waiting to greet you and take you to the amazing Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa surrounded by black lava—the perfect spot to unwind after a flight. From there your driver will transfer you the accommodation in Reykjavik. The rest of the day is free for you to go out and explore the city centre, full of shops, cafes, art galleries, museums and great walking paths to suit all tastes. Likewise, there are numerous downtown restaurants with a variety of cuisines to satisfy any taste buds, including Iceland’s specialties — locally-sourced grilled lamb and fresh seafood. And of course there are some good Icelandic micro-beers to taste if you wish to sample the Reykjavik nightlife. Spend the night in Reykjavik. Attractions: Blue Lagoon, Reykjavík DAY 2 DAY 2: GOLDEN CIRCLE & GLACIER ADVENTURE Your driver-guide will pick you up in the morning and begin your private tour with a journey around the “Golden Circle”, an attraction-filled route that makes a wonderful first impression of Icelandic nature. The first stop is Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the ancient assembly grounds of Viking settlers, set near a picturesque lake in an area of lava fields, deep gorges and narrow fissures. You’ll also visit the hot springs and geysers—including the original Geysir—at the Haukadalur geothermal area as well as the Gullfoss waterfall in all its winter glory and the Kerið volcanic crater. For an adventurous end to this day, your guide will drive you into the rugged highlands to Langjökull glacier, Europe’s second-largest, to marvel at the massive sheet of ice. Spend the night in the Golden Circle area. Attractions: Geysir, Gullfoss, Kerið, Þingvellir 1/4 DAY 3 DAY 3: EYJAFJALLAJÖKULL ADVENTURE ON GÍGJÖKULL GLACIER Today is an action packed day! Your guide will take you first to the Gígjökull glacier, which was covered in volcanic ash from the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption. During the eruption millions of litres of melted ice from Gigjökull surged down the mountainside, causing destructive floods on its way to the Atlantic. Next you will experience two of Iceland’s better-kept secrets, at the Stakkholtsgjá or Nauthúsagil gorges. Then you’ll see two of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss—both are gorgeous sights with the winter frost. Your guide will also take you to the “hidden waterfall” set within a spectacular canyon with green moss walls, where you will enjoy your lunch. Further along near the village of Vík you can walk on the black sands of the volcanic beach, with dramatic views to the rock pillars out at sea. Spend the night in the Kirkjubæjarklaustur area. Attractions: Gljúfrabúi, Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Vík í Mýrdal DAY 4 DAY 4: BLACK FALLS OF SKAFTAFELL & FLOATING ICEBERGS Spend some time exploring Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park, a place of great natural beauty named for Europe’s largest glacier. This area contains many interesting hiking trails, including one that leads to the Svartifoss (“Black Falls”), a waterfall that tumbles over dark cliffs of columnar basalt resembling giant organ pipes (hiking is dependent on weather conditions). Then your guide will drive you to the famous Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon—a dream for photographers—for a view of the floating icebergs. Spend the night in the Höfn area. Attractions: Höfn, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Skaftafell, Svartifoss, Vatnajökull National Park DAY 5 DAY 5: EAST FJORDS & FISHING VILLAGES Each day spent on Iceland’s Ring Road results in completely different scenery, and today is no exception. Today the barren black sand plains of the south-eastern coast give way to rugged fjord scenery around every twist and turn in the road. Driving through the East Fjords region you’ll encounter charming fishing villages such as Seyðisfjörður as well as other notable sights including the majestic Mt. Búlandstindur and the Lagarfljót River, said to be inhabited by a Nessie-like monster worm. Spend the night in the Egilstaðir area. Attractions: Búlandstindur, Egilsstaðir & Lagarfljót, Seyðisfjörður 2/4 DAY 6 DAY 6: LUNAR LANDSCAPES OF LAKE MÝVATN The journey continues to the Lake Mývatn area, where the earth comes alive with the geothermal and volcanic forces that lie beneath, as you can see first-hand over the next two days as you explore places that look like the surface of the moon. The major highlight today is a visit to the thunderous Dettifoss waterfall, the most powerful of its kind in Europe. A great way to end this day is a warm soak in the geothermal waters of the Mývatn Nature Baths (Optional; not included). Later in the evening, if the skies are clear, you may even be able to see another natural wonder—the northern lights. * Spend the night in the Lake Mývatn area. * The northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, are a natural phenomenon dependent on a number of factors beyond human control, so sightings cannot be guaranteed. Attractions: Dettifoss, Lake Mývatn DAY 7 DAY 7: VOLCANIC WONDERS & THE CAPITAL OF THE NORTH Start the day exploring more of the otherworldly attractions around Lake Mývatn. Your guide will take you to experience such natural wonders as the lunar landscapes of Námaskarð Pass, the Skútustaðagígar pseudo- craters, the Dimmuborgir lava maze and Mt. Krafla, one of Iceland’s most interesting volcanoes. Then you’ll head to Akureyri, nicknamed the “Capital of the North” as it is the largest town outside of the capital region. Here you will spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the city centre at your leisure. Spend the night in Akureyri. Attractions: Akureyri, Dimmuborgir, Krafla & Leirhnjúkur, Lake Mývatn, Námaskarð, Skútustaðagígar Pseudo-Craters DAY 8 DAY 8: JOURNEY ALONG THE WEST COAST Head to Reykjavik through beautiful West Iceland. Notable sights along the way include the Grábrók volcanic crater, the Icelandic Settlement Centre in Borgarnes, Deildartunguhver—the largest hot spring in Europe—and the beautiful Hraunfoss and Barnafoss waterfalls. If you like Old Norse literature, you may also wish to visit the medieval research institution of Snorrastofa at Reykholt, where the saga Heimskringla was written in the 13th century. On return to the city your guide will drop you off at your hotel and then you can enjoy the evening at your leisure, perhaps with one final gourmet feast at a downtown restaurant. Spend th night in Reykjavik. Attractions: Borgarnes, Deildartunguhver, Grábrók, Hraunfossar & Barnafoss, Reykholt, Reykjavík, Snorrastofa DAY 9 DAY 9: DEPARTURE So that the start of your journey home is just as enjoyable as the rest of your time in Iceland, a driver will pick you up from your hotel for a comfortable, private transfer to Keflavík International Airport. 3/4 Whatever your needs, we are here to help. If you have any questions about our packages or services, please do not hesitate to contact us. Nordic Visitor Tel: +354 578 20 80 [email protected] nordicvisitor.com 4/4.