.nordicvisitor.com ICELAND FULL CIRCLE WITH A PRIVATE GUIDE ITINERARY

DAY 1 DAY 1: ARRIVAL TO REYKJAVÍK & FREE TIME At Keflavík Airport you will be met by a driver who will drive you to Reykjavík. Spend the rest of the day exploring the city centre on your own, or ask us about guided tours if you have a specific interest in mind.

If you're keen on checking out Icelandic design or experiencing the city's thriving coffee culture, head to the main street, Laugavegur, to enjoy its various shops and cosy cafes. Into Nordic history or art? Stop into one of the many small museums or art galleries scattered around the city. And in the evening, there are numerous restaurants in the city centre with a variety of cuisines to satisfy any taste buds, including Iceland’s specialties - locally-sourced grilled lamb and fresh seafood.

Spend the night in Reykjavík. Attractions: Reykjavík

DAY 2 DAY 2: MEET YOUR GUIDE & EXPLORE THE GOLDEN CIRCLE 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. First on the route is the UNESCO-listed Þingvellir National Park, located on the plains of the North Atlantic Rift. Take some time to explore the unique geology here and walk in the footsteps of Vikings, as this beautiful area is where early settlers founded the country’s parliament over 1,000 years ago.

Next you will see Iceland’s famous geothermal forces in action at the Haukadalur geothermal area, home of the great Geysir - from where we get the word geyser. But here it’s the Strokkur geyser that steals the show, spouting a column of boiling water several meters into the air roughly every 8 minutes. End the route with visit to the two-tiered waterfall, where you can follow a trail to get closer to the roaring, misty cascade.

Spend the night in the Hvolsvöllur area. Attractions: Geysir, Gullfoss, Kerið, Þingvellir

1/4 DAY 3 DAY 3: SOUTH COAST WATERFALLS & VOLCANIC BEACHES The south coast is known for its lush, Tolkienesque landscapes, in particular the plentiful waterfalls that seem to pop up around every corner. Among the famous waterfalls you’ll chase today are , where you can walk right behind the misty cascade, and the gorgeous 60-metre high Skógafoss just a short drive down the Ring Road. Your guide will also lead you on an easy hike into a canyon to the Gljúfrabúi “hidden waterfall”. Get your camera ready for that experience!

Further ahead the focus shifts from tumbling water to landscapes shaped by water. At the Reynisfjara beach near Vík, walk on the black volcanic sands and smoothed pebbles, enjoy a photo opportunity at the beach’s pipe organ-like columnar basalt cliffs and take in the stunning views of the Dyrhólaey cape and Reynisdrangar sea stacks. End the day with a stop at the deep, narrow Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon.

Spend the night in the Kirkjubæjarklaustur area Attractions: Dyrhólaey, Fjaðrárgljúfur, Reynisfjara & Reynisdrangar, Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Vík í Mýrdal

DAY 4 DAY 4: VATNAJÖKULL GLACIER & FLOATING ICEBERGS Today you’ll experience some of the icy wonders that truly give Iceland its name. Start the day by exploring the beautiful Skaftafell area of Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland’s largest protected landmass named for Europe’s largest glacier. Besides views of glacial tongues and ice-capped peaks, this area contains many interesting hiking trails, including an easy path (approx. 2-hour walk) leading to Svartifoss (“black falls”), a waterfall that tumbles over dark cliffs of columnar basalt resembling giant organ pipes.

The day’s ultimate highlight is the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, where icebergs slowly drift out to sea on a mirror-like lake. This is one of Iceland’s best known and most photographed locations, and you will have the option of taking a boat tour here among the floating ice and curious seals.

Spend the night in the Höfn or Djúpivogur area. Attractions: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Skaftafell, Svartifoss, Vatnajökull National Park

2/4 DAY 5 DAY 5: EAST FJORDS & GEOTHERMAL BATHS 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.

The scenery makes a striking transformation again as you head into the Lake Mývatn area of North Iceland, where the landscapes look more alien-like than earthly. Spend the night in the Lake Mývatn area. Attractions: Egilsstaðir & Lagarfljót, Lake Mývatn

DAY 6 DAY 6: WHALES & NATIONAL PARK EXPLORATION This is a whole day to explore North Iceland as you wish. One option is to take a trip up to the coastal village of Húsavík, “The Whale Watching Capital of Europe”, and partake in a boat tour to see whales and other marine life.

This is also an ideal day for your expert guide to show you the geological wonders of Jökulsárgljúfur — part of the massive Vatnajökull National Park — with visits to such sights as the hoof-shaped Ásbyrgi canyon, the echoing rocks at Hljóðaklettar and the most powerful waterfall in Europe, .

Spend another night in the Lake Mývatn area. Attractions: Ásbyrgi, Dettifoss, Hljóðaklettar, Húsavík, Jökulsárgljúfur National Park

DAY 7 DAY 7: LUNAR LANDSCAPES & THE CHARMING NORTH Take in more of the lunar atmospheres around Lake Mývatn in the early part of the day. Here the earth comes alive with the geothermal and volcanic forces that lie beneath, as you can see first-hand at places such as the steamy Námaskarð Pass, the Skútustaðagígar pseudo-craters, the Dimmuborgir lava formations and the Mt. Krafla volcano. From here you will head to Skagafjörður, stopping on the way to admire the Goðafoss waterfall before reaching Akureyri, the “Capital of the North”. You will have some time to walk around this small city -- the second largest in Iceland -- before on to your accommodation for the night. Spend the night in North-West Iceland Attractions: Akureyri, Dimmuborgir, Goðafoss, Krafla & Leirhnjúkur, Lake Mývatn, Námaskarð, Skútustaðagígar Pseudo-Craters

3/4 DAY 8 DAY 8: OFF THE BEATEN PATH IN THE NORTHWEST As you head towards Snæfellsnes Peninsula today you’ll experience some of Iceland’s better kept secrets, like the countless mounds of Vatnsdalshólar or step back into the Viking Age with visits to the Guðrúnarlaug geothermal pool, mentioned in the Icelandic Sagas, and the living museum at Eiríksstaðir, the homestead of Erik the Red. Then spend some time exploring Stykkishólmur, a picture-perfect fishing village overlooking Breiðafjörður Bay on the northern edge of Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Here, you can take a walk up to Súgandisey, the small hill overlooking the harbour, for panoramic views over the town, ocean and surrounding mountains. Spend the night on Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Attractions: Stykkishólmur, Vatnsdalshólar

DAY 9 DAY 9: SNÆFELLSJÖKULL GLACIER & NATIONAL PARK Snæfellsnes is a bit like “Iceland in Miniature”, because here on this 100 km-long peninsula you’ll find many things the island is known for: towering peaks, lush valleys, stark lava fields, bird cliffs, pristine beaches and-of course-a volcano topped with a glacier. And most of these marvels are all clustered within Snæfellsjökull National Park, surrounding the area’s prominent landmark - the ice-capped Snæfellsjökull stratovolcano.

Take in the secluded beauty of the coastline around the national park, at places like Dritvík Cove, the cliffs of Lóndrangar and Arnarstapi, the hamlet of Hellnar and other quaint fishing villages. You might also wish to test your strength with the “lifting stones” like fishermen of the past at the black volcanic beach of Djúpalónssandur.

Head back to Reykjavik in the afternoon, and spend the night in the city. Attractions: Arnarstapi, Djúpalónssandur, Lóndrangar, Reykjavík, Snæfellsjökull National Park

DAY 10 DAY 10: DEPARTURE When it’s time to say goodbye to Iceland, enjoy a comfortable, private transfer back to Keflavik International Airport for your flight back home. If you depart in the afternoon or evening, you might wish to enjoy a refreshing soak in the Blue Lagoon or a guided tour around the Reykjavik area.

Of course you can also extend your stay in Iceland. Just ask your Nordic Visitor travel consultant to add extra nights or activities to your custom tour. Attractions: Fjaðrárgljúfur, Reynisfjara & Reynisdrangar, Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Vík í Mýrdal

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

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