Journeys: Explore Iceland

G Adventures · 9 days

4.3

2 Reviews

Duration

9 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Average

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

At the point where two continental plates brush up against each other lies incredible Iceland, the land of fire and ice. Experience the natural highlights of this staggeringly beautiful country, strolling along striking black sand beaches and hiking to enchanting, rainbow-dappled waterfalls.

Includes

Activities

Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Icelandic Farm Experience, Hvalfjörður Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group Your Wellness Moment: Krauma Spa and Geothermal Baths, Reykholt
Seljalandsfoss waterfall
Visit the LAVA Centre
Hveragerði geothermal garden
Visit Jökulsárlón Lagoon
Take an ice walk on a glacier in Skaftafell National Park
Visit black sand beaches
Explore Vatnajökull National Park
Golden Circle tour including Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall and Geysir Hot Springs
Explore Snæfellsnes Peninsula including Snaefellsjokull National Park, Sagaland and Deildartunguhver Hot Spring
All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodation

Hotels – 8 nts.

8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner

Transport

Private minivan/bus, walking.

Group Leader

National Geographic Expedition Leader throughout, local guides.

Highlights

Tour the Golden Circle and see the geological wonders here
Head to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and view the icebergs floating by
Hike in Skaftafell National Park
Explore the beautiful Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Relax at the Krauma Spa and Geothermal Baths.

Trip Details

Duration

9 days

Transportation

Private minivan/bus, walking.

Guide Language

English

Starts

Reykjavik, Iceland

Finishes

Reykjavik, Iceland

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

National Geographic Journey, Budget

Physical Rating

Average

Itinerary

Day 1: Reykjavik

Arrive at any time.
There is a lot to do in and around Reykjavik - should you wish to take advantage of the many optional activities, such as the Blue Lagoon thermal pools, we recommend booking a pre or post night.

Hotel accommodation in Iceland is very limited and rooms/facilities can be fairly simple with few amenities. Hotels are chosen for their location and access to the wonderous landscapes and natural wonders of Iceland. Hotels are often remote, all the better to enjoy the beautiful natural setting.

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Your opportunity to meet your National Geographic Expedition Leader and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.Accommodation - Fosshotel Reykjavik

Day 2: Reykjavik/Skaftafell

Discover the beauty of Iceland's southern coast as we drive towards Skaftafell.Take in views of the infamous Eyjafjallajökull volcano, whose 2010 eruption sent massive clouds of ash into the atmosphere of the North Atlantic. See the stunning Seljalandsfoss waterfall, and follow a hidden path through a canyon to the secluded falls of Gljúfrabúi. Stop in Hveragerði, nicknamed the “hot spring village,” where you will have the opportunity to taste bread baked in a hot spring. Then visit the Lava Center in Hvolsvöllur for a look at how volcanoes and earthquakes have shaped the island.

Meals included: Breakfast

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Visit the geothermal garden of Hveragerði, a hot spring village, where you have the opportunity to taste black bread and eggs baked directly in a hot spring. Learn how locals use the geothermal elements in daily life and have developed the community gardens and greenhouse to grow their town and promote green living.Activity - Seljalandsfoss is a 60m (196 ft) tall waterfall located along the popular ring road. Behind the flow of water is a path, allowing visitors to peek behind the curtain of water cascading over the rocks above.Activity - Visit this stunning interactive exhibition to learn about all aspects of Iceland's unique geography, including volcanoes, earthquakes and geothermal activity.Accommodation - Hali Country Hotel

Day 3: Skaftafell

Continue exploring the southern shore, driving through sandy plains and moss-covered lava fields and stopping along the way at historical and geological sites. Visit Diamond Beach, scattered with icebergs that wash up on the black sands, and see iridescent ice formations in the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon. Consider enhancing your experience by opting for the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Boat Ride, or take take some time on your own to soak in the stunning scenery. Hike in Vatnajökull National Park to Svartifoss waterfall, framed by basaltic lava columns, and pause at a historic farmstead in Öræfi, home to one of Iceland's best preserved turf churches.

Meals included: Breakfast

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Visit the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon with views of the ice cap. The lake is the lowest point in the country and filled with icebergs drifting towards the sea, often with seals lounging on top. The blocks of ice coming off the glacier are typically 30m high, in dramatic shades of white and bright blue. Stop by Diamond Beach, which gets its name from chunks of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier that float down to the coast's black sand shores. Total distance: 3km.Activity - Stop at Vatnajökull Glacier, the largest ice cap in Europe, covering over 8% of Iceland. There are multiple volcanoes underneath the glacier as well as over 30 outlet glaciers that stem from Vatnajökull. Activity - Enjoy a hike in Vatnajökull National Park to view Svartifoss waterfall. Also known as the black falls, the stunning site is surrounded by dark basaltic lava columns.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Hali Country Hotel

Day 4: Skaftafell/Vik

Embark on a guided walk atop a glacier in Skaftafell National Park, which was incorporated into Vatnajökull National Park in 2008. Strap on a pair of crampons and get close-up views of intriguing ice formations, deep sinkholes, and rugged crevasses. Later, stroll along the black sands of Reynisfjara beach, capturing images of the towering Reynisdrangar sea stacks.
Depending on the season and nesting habits of birdlife, we may also visit Dyrhólaey Cape. As well, it is possible to see puffins at Reynisfjara beach, Dyrhólaey Cape or near Vík in the summer months (15 May - 15 August).

Meals included: Breakfast

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Glacier Wonders is a superb glacier hiking tour from Skaftafell into the magnificent ice world of Falljökull glacier, a tongue of the mighty Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe. Your certified glacier guide will show you astonishing crevasses which wind through the ice and incredible glistening ice formations. During this tour, you will learn how a living glacier moves and why this magical ice kingdom is constantly changing. Total distance: 6km. WHAT TO BRING -Warm outdoor clothing -Waterproof jacket & pants -Headwear -Gloves -Good hiking boots are essential (rental boots available ISK 1000 extra) **Please note that availability cannot be guaranteed and we recommend booking in advance**Activity - Visit Reynisfjara Beach, just outside of Vík. Its black sand and ominous rock formations offshore make for stunning photos. Take some time to watch the foaming white waves crash over the black sand (but don’t get too close, the waves here can be extremely powerful), explore the shallow cave if weather and time permits, and get a photo of the basalt sea stacks. Accommodation - Hotel Dyrholaey

Day 5: Vik/Golden Circle/Selfoss

This morning, learn about Icelandic cultural heritage at the Skógar Folk Museum and visit the awe-inspiring Skógafoss waterfall, opting to climb 400-odd steps to the viewing platform for spectacular vistas. Then set out on a tour of the celebrated Golden Circle. Stand in awe before the steaming Geysir, from which the English word “geyser” derives, and visit the mighty Gullfoss waterfall.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Skogar Museum, is a cultural heritage collection of 15,000 regional folk craft artifacts exhibited throughout 6 historical buildings.Activity - Visit Skógafoss, one of the largest and most recognizable waterfalls in Iceland. The 60m (200 ft) high falls forms a constant mist that floats in the air, if viewed in the sunlight the mist can create rainbows. The sound and view of the thundering water cutting through the green hills make the falls a must-see on any trip to Iceland.Activity - See a variety of geothermal pools and the erupting hot spring Strokkur. Geysir is one of the oldest geysers recorded in the world, but is most often dormant. Strokkur erupts a spray of boiling hot water straight into the air about every ten minutes.Activity - Discover one of the most impressive waterfalls in Iceland, Gullfoss, and complete the circuit known as the Golden Circle. This massive waterfall cascades over three “steps” before spilling into a large crevice. Fed by a glacier lake, the water passing through the falls can be a dark grey depending on how much sediment gets pushed through the river.Accommodation - Hotel Ork Selfoss

Day 6: Selfoss to Snæfellsnes Region

Begin the day with a walk in Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where we'll see the meeting point of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Continue to a traditional Icelandic farm—located in the narrow fjord of Hvalfjörður—to learn about rural Icelandic life and enjoy a farm-to-table lunch. We'll then make our way to the stunning Snæfellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland.
Thingvellir National Park is the meeting place of the two tectonic plates on which America and Europe rest. This rift is clearly visible in the huge fissures that scar the landscape surrounding the lake and lava fields.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Stop at Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site, to see the tectonic faults created by North American and Eurasian tectonic plates shifting apart. The Oxara river cuts through the largest rift in the valley, Almannagja, and leads to the Oxarafoss waterfall. Iceland’s parliament was also established in the area in 930. The park was later created to protect the remains of the open-air assembly grounds.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Visit a traditional Icelandic farm in the narrow fjord of Hvalfjörður or ‘Whale Fjord‘. Enjoy a visit and learn about local farming practices and daily life then sit down for a local lunch from the farmers‘ own produce, including Icelandic lamb.Accommodation - Fosshotel Stykkisholmur

Day 7: Snæfellsnes Region

Spend the day exploring the peninsula, including Snæfellsjökull National Park and its mystical glacier-topped volcano, which Jules Verne wrote about in his novel Journey to the Center of the Earth. See Búðir church, a tiny black church perched in the middle of a lava field; the Lóndrangar sea stacks; the iconic peak of Kirkjufell, featured in Game of Thrones; and the black pebble beach at Djúpalónssandur.

Meals included: Breakfast,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, visiting places such as Kirkjufell, or 'Church Mountain', on the north shore, Ólafsvík and Arnarstapi villages, and Djúpalónssandur pebble beach.Activity - Established in 2001 to protect the area's unique landscape, indigenous plants and animal life as well as the important historical relics, the park is the only Icelandic national park that stretches to the sea. Within the park is the Snæfellsjökull Glacier, a 700,000-year-old glacier-capped stratovolcano which Many believe is one of the seven main energy centres of the earth. Surrounded in myth, the glacier also plays a big role as "the Center of the Earth" in Jules Verne’s famed novel Journey to the Center of the Earth.Accommodation - Fosshotel Stykkisholmur

Day 8: Snæfellsnes/Reykjavik

Venture to Borgarfjörður, a picturesque fjord that has provided the setting for many of Iceland's sagas. See the Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls; and step into Reykholt, the homestead of the 12th-century writer Snorri Sturluson. We'll also visit Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful hot spring, whose water heats most buildings in western Iceland. In the afternoon we'll take some much-needed time to relax at Krauma Spa and Geothermal Baths before continuing on to Reykjavík for our final evening.

Meals included: Breakfast

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Explore the Borgarfjörður region which was the setting for most of the Icelandic sagas. The area's landscape, nature and culture heritage seemingly bring history to life.Activity - Visit Deildartunguhver hot spring, the most powerful hot spring in Iceland whose water heats most buildings in the West of Iceland.Activity - Unwind at Krauma Spa, which offers five natural geothermal baths for a relaxing soak.Accommodation - Fosshotel Reykjavik

Day 9: Reykjavik

Depart at any time.

Meals included: Breakfast

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

From
AUD $6699

AUD $5,359

(Tour only)

Offer ends 21 Mar, 2026 Per Person Standard

Duration: 9 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Average

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 21 Mar 2026

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

4.0

Margaret

Traveled, August 2024

08/31/2024

The whole tour was excellent Alexianr and the guide Was just terrific. She answered every question. She was so knowledgeable and just a lot of fun.

4.5

Traveled, June 2024

06/26/2024

My wife and I were with a nice group of people for the trip. It wasn’t just a sightseeing but learning the history and architecture/arts of France, including the D- day event. We were blessed with a wonderful guide (CEO) - Phillip was very friendly and knowledgeable in history and arts, etc. so it was a pleasure to be with him,

Tour Operator

G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.

In Business Since 1990

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