Nature of Iceland

In the morning after an overnight flight, so we will make it a leisurely day. We depart Keflavík airport on the Reykjanes Peninsula and head straight to breakfast at the Hotel Keflavik. After, we'll visit the Reykjanes Bridge with a walk across the plate boundary between the North American and Eurasian plates and then drive into Reykjavík for a brief city tour and volcano show, before check-in at the hotel. Your afternoon is free to catch up on some sleep or wander the streets and browse the shops of the city. Tonight we host a Welcome Dinner! LD

Start off with a visit to Þingvellir National Park. It lies in the deeply fractured rift zone where the tectonic plates are spreading apart and upwelling lava creates new land and is a perfect place for our first official walk-in Iceland. We'll travel to a small village next to a beautiful lake, visit an Icelandic horse farm to learn about this unique species and its impact on Icelandic culture and tour a greenhouse to see how geothermal energy is used for the production of vegetables.

Strokkur and Geysir, are the namesakes of "geysers" worldwide. Our walk among them will tell you why! We'll take a short walk to Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s most beautiful waterfalls, then onto an overlook of Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull volcanoes, the latter of which erupted in 2010. In the afternoon we'll travel by ferry to Heimaey, the largest island off the shores of mainland Iceland, home to about 4500 people and millions of puffins and other migrating birds! BLD

Today we explore Heirmaey Island. In 1973 a volcanic eruption covered part of the town on this tiny island and its small community. The lava flow was stopped when local citizens pumped seawater onto the flow to cool it, but not before it covered a third of the town. Now under excavation, we'll visit the site, the volcano and explore a sea cave created in the lava flow. BLD

This region takes its name from the numerous wild and rugged mountains with deeply incised valleys, which are found there. Today, we leave the lowlands and explore this mystic land behind mountains and glaciers! First, we travel along Fljótshlíð towards the Highlands with magnificent views of Eyjafjallajökull (just say E-15) and Þórsmörk (Thorsmork), one of the most beautiful glacial valleys in Iceland. We travel back to the coast where we see and feel the contrast of black sand with the white glacier. This is a Walking Connection Exclusive! We are one of the only international tour companies that offer this experience. Sure to gain popularity in the future, our time to see it is NOW! BLD

This morning we cross the vast coastal plain formed by sediments from the volcano and glacial outburst floods. This area was very isolated by big rivers until late in the last century. Therefore, the history and culture here are closer to nature than anywhere else in the country. We start the day bypassing one of Iceland‘s most recognizable mountains and there we head to Skaftafell, the largest national park in Europe and home to its largest glacier. We travel the Ring Road that takes us to an amazing glacial lagoon that provided the dramatic setting for scenes in the James Bond film, ‘Die Another Day.’ You'll have the option to take an incredible boat tour and float among the glacial icebergs. BLD

Today we continue along The Ring Road (Route 1) takes us along the scenic coast to a small fishing village and then onto the capital of East Iceland. Lunch today is at your leisure and this afternoon you have free time to relax, and hike along Lake Lögurinn. BD

Visit two fjords in the spectacular Eastfjords country, the colorful and oldest part of Iceland. The region is known for its great natural beauty and we'll hike on one its most famous trails, “The Elves´Castle.” This is a bird-watching paradise where over 20 species have been sighted at once, including puffins and kittiwakes. The colorful, Norwegian-style wooden houses render the village here one of the most unique in Iceland. It boasts a thriving arts scene for both local and visiting international artists. BD

Today we bid farewell to the Icelandic countryside with our flight to Reykjavik (cost not included). Transfer to Keflavík airport for your flight back to the USA. Those with late-night flights will have time for further exploration of Reykjavik. Or if you prefer we can make arrangements for you to stay in Reykjavik.

*Itinerary: Please note that the details of this itinerary are subject to change. Many of the planned activities are organized according to availability, events or seasonal dates, appropriate weather conditions, schedules of hosts, or the discretion of our guides. We make every effort to provide the experience described in the itinerary with the understanding that some things may change.