Iceland Encompassed
Group Tour
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Overview
Also known as the ‘land of fire and ice’, Iceland is famous for its wild landscapes and ancient fishing settlements. Located in the North Atlantic Ocean, Iceland’s setting provides the perfect opportunity to see varied wildlife – a paradise for bird watchers and whale enthusiasts alike.
Encompassing all the best that Iceland has to offer, this ten-day adventure follows the ring road around the sparsely populated island. Beginning in the world’s northernmost capital, Reykjavik, we visit ...
Also known as the ‘land of fire and ice’, Iceland is famous for its wild landscapes and ancient fishing settlements. Located in the North Atlantic Ocean, Iceland’s setting provides the perfect opportunity to see varied wildlife – a paradise for bird watchers and whale enthusiasts alike.
Encompassing all the best that Iceland has to offer, this ten-day adventure follows the ring road around the sparsely populated island. Beginning in the world’s northernmost capital, Reykjavik, we visit some of Iceland’s most famous sites, including the natural wonders of the Golden Circle. From here we journey south to the beaches and floating icebergs at the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. We meet the locals and learn about Iceland’s maritime history and culture in the Eastern Fjords, before visiting nature baths and bubbling mud pools at the volcanic and geothermal north. There will be the opportunity to search for the many species of whale that inhabit the waters of Iceland, including Humpback, Minke and Orca. Journeying through snow-capped mountains and rugged landscapes we’ll visit the western coast, learning legends of trolls and the history of charming fishing villages, stretching back to Viking times.
There will be opportunities en route to hike crevasses of Skaftafell Glacier, and walk the dramatic coastline between two rural villages. This is an unforgettable adventure you don’t want to miss.
HIGHLIGHTS
At a glance
MEALS
TRANSPORT
On this tour we will use minibuses and boats.
GROUP SIZE
EXPERT TEAM
ACCOMMODATION
ENTRANCE FEES
FITNESS RATING
WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
As an overall ethos, wherever possible we aim to use characterful accommodation that enhances the overall travel experience, not just offers a bed for the night. This can obviously vary dramatically from country to country and from trip to trip. On this particular trip we will be in hotels. Please note that the accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is intended as a guide only and is always subject to availability.
FITNESS RATING
LOW: You should be comfortable walking around towns and cultural sites. May include some optional walks (typically 1-2hrs).LOW/MODERATE: May be of a long duration and/or involve numerous border-crossings. May include easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-3hrs/day). You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle.
MODERATE: May include several easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-5hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle. Previous experience of similar trips helpful.
MODERATE/HIGH: May involve several days of moderate hiking (up to 3-6 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
HIGH: May involve several days of moderate/strenuous trekking (up to 4-7 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a very fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
Map & Itinerary
Individual departures may vary so please refer to the information in the tour specific links in the Dates and Prices section below
DAY 1: TOUR STARTS IN REYKJAVIK
DAY 1: TOUR STARTS IN REYKJAVIK
The tour starts late this morning at the hotel. There will be a chance to freshen up, before taking a short, guided tour of the city this afternoon. The tour will take in some of Reykjavik’s cultural highlights including the National Museum, providing us with a fascinating insight into Icelandic history, and the Whales of Iceland exhibition with huge life-sized models of the many species of marine wildlife inhabit the shores of Iceland. This evening we’ll head to a local restaurant for dinner where we can enjoy traditional Icelandic cuisine.
DAY 2: REYKJAVIK - GOLDEN CIRCLE
DAY 2: REYKJAVIK - GOLDEN CIRCLE
Today we set off to explore Iceland’s famous ‘Golden Circle’ route, where we will see several amazing natural sites. We will visit the UNESCO site of Thingvellir National Park, where we will learn about its fascinating cultural history, including the formation of the National Parliament of Iceland, dating back to 930 AD, and witness its unique geological landscape. Here we can literally straddle two continental plates – North America and Eurasia. After lunch at the Fridheimar tomato farm, we will visit Gullfoss Waterfall, also known as the Golden Falls, with water cascading into the canyon of the Hvítá river below. We then move on to the Geysir Geothermal Area where we can witness the active geyser, Strokkur, frequently blasting water many metres high.
DAY 3: REYKJAVIK – VIK
DAY 3: REYKJAVIK – VIK
We will start the day by exploring two more of Iceland’s most spectacular waterfalls – Skógarfoss and Seljalandsfoss. For those who are up for it, there will then be the opportunity to hike across the crevasses of the nearby Solheimajokull Glacier, or alternatively there will be plenty to explore in the area around the glacier itself. From here we drive to the black sand beach of Reynisfjara, providing an amazing view of rock formations in the icy blue waters, including the Reynisdrangar basalt sea stacks. On the opposite side of the lagoon we visit the small promontory Dyrhólaey – the southernmost point in mainland. After spending the afternoon in this picturesque landscape, we will then drive to Vik where we can gain an insight into volcanic activity at the live Lava Show in the town. Approximate walking time 2-3 hours with crampons (glacier equipment included).
DAY 4: VIK – HOFN
DAY 4: VIK – HOFN
This morning we will visit Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, often referred to as one of the most beautiful canyons in the world, where we’ll have the chance to explore on foot. We will then journey to Skaftafell National Park, a famous location for its use on many films as well as its awe-inspiring waterfall views. Here we can admire Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon by boat - known as the Crown Jewel of the South - to see the broken icebergs that float towards Diamond Beach, where they lie scattered across the black sand. After exploring this picturesque landscape, we will drive on to our hotel in Hofn. Approximate walking time 2-3 hours.
DAY 5: HOFN – MÝVATN
DAY 5: HOFN – MÝVATN
Today we will venture to explore the Eastern Fjords of Iceland. Our first stop will be Djúpivogur to meet retired fisherman, Jón, who has a fascinating stone collection and produces handcrafted souvenirs. Nearby, we will visit the geothermal area of Namaskaro Pass and see its colourful landscape and remarkable geological features including steam vents and bubbling mud pools. Later this afternoon there will be the opportunity to visit Myvatn Nature Baths – a quieter alternative to Blue Lagoon - to relax in the geothermally-heated pools.
DAY 6: MÝVATN - AKUREYRI
DAY 6: MÝVATN - AKUREYRI
This morning we will explore Lake Myvatn and its stunning surroundings. The vast lake has been shaped by surrounding volcanic eruptions, filling it with many islands. This afternoon we will visit the lava field at Dimmuborgir where there are many fascinatingly shaped lava pillars. Finally, we will have the chance to see the beautiful Godafoss Waterfall, before heading to our hotel in Akureyri.
DAY 7: AKUREYRI - REYKHOLT
DAY 7: AKUREYRI - REYKHOLT
This morning - subject to local conditions - we will go whale-watching from the village of Hauganes, searching for the many species of whale that inhabit the waters of Iceland, including Humpback, Minke and Orca. Alternatively, you can spend some time exploring the coastal town of Akureyi, before heading west to the town of Reykholt, where we will check into our hotel for the evening. En route today we will also see two of the country’s most famous waterfalls – Hraunfossar and Barnafoss. The unusual Hraunfossar is comprised of a series of waterfalls and literally translates to ‘Lava Falls’, whereas nearby Barnafoss bursts its way out of a narrow channel through the impressive canyon.
DAY 8: REYKHOLT: SNÆFELLSNES PENINSULA
DAY 8: REYKHOLT: SNÆFELLSNES PENINSULA
Today we will set off early to visit the western coast of Iceland, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, famous for its ancient fishing settlements and wild landscape. Our first stop is the beautifully picturesque mountain of Kirkjufell, located at 463m above a charming fishing town, featured in Game of Thrones. After admiring the 360-degree view of the surrounding Snæfellsjökull National Park from the Saxhóll Volcanic Crater, we can enjoy the sights of two contrasting beaches: the volcanic black pebbled beach of Djúpalónssandur and the white sand beach of Ytri-Tunga. This afternoon we will walk the dramatic coastline between two small fishing villages – Hellnar and Arnarstapi – and learn the legends of trolls and the history of this area, stretching back to Viking times. We'll make a stop at the tiny, romantic Black Church of Búdir, with its impressive mountainous backdrop and historic graveyard, before heading back to Reykholt for the evening. Approximate walking distance 2.5km. Approximate walking time 1 hour.
DAY 9: REYKHOLT - REYKJAVIK
DAY 9: REYKHOLT - REYKJAVIK
Today we will head to the district of Borgarfjörður. We will first visit Europe’s most powerful thermal spring Deildartunguhver, used to power many Icelandic nearby homes. Finally, will then head back to Reykjavik via mountain Esja overlooking the city. On arrival in Reykjavik we will have some free time for some last-minute shopping, before heading out to a local restaurant for our farewell dinner.
DAY 10: TOUR ENDS IN REYKJAVIK
DAY 10: TOUR ENDS IN REYKJAVIK
The tour ends this morning in Reykjavik. Anyone travelling on the suggested group flight will transfer to the airport after breakfast.
PRIVATE HOLIDAYS: DATES DON’T FIT?
All group tours can be taken on a private basis.
Additional Details
Responsible Travel
With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.
When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.
Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.
Getting There
If you would like us to send you a quote for the suggested tour flights or on any alternative flight that may suit you better, please let us know, noting that for our US clients, we will most likely refer you to one of our preferred partners. For this trip our suggested flights from the UK (subject to change) are shown below.
If you wish to arrange your own flights you are completely free to do so and in this case we can arrange any transfers or supplementary accommodation that you may require. However please note that if you are planning on making your own flight arrangements, we recommend that you first check with us to see if the trip is guaranteed. We then suggest that you purchase flights that are flexible and ideally refundable as due to the nature of adventure travel, itineraries and destination accessibility can change at any time. For more information, please refer to our booking conditions.
| Flight Code | Departing | Arriving |
|---|---|---|
| BA 800 | London Heathrow (LHR) 07:35 | Reykjavik Airport (KEF) 09:45 |
| BA 801 | Reykjavik Airport (KEF) 10:25 | London Heathrow (LHR) 14:30 |
Visas
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact a reputable visa agency. More details can be found here - www.wildfrontierstravel.com/visa
For this tour UK passport holders currently do not require a visa for Iceland.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
Further details will be sent out to you on booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Extensions
If you have more time available, why not arrive early to adjust to a new time zone or just to get a feel for the country before your tour starts? Or alternatively you might choose to allow a few extra days after the tour to relax or to undertake some further exploration.
The choice is completely yours and we can usually arrange anything from simply additional accommodation and transfers to full tailor-made itineraries.
Below is just a small sample of what you could do. Please contact the office for more details and to discuss your individual requirements.
Blue Lagoon
Relax in the milky blue waters of Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, located just outside Reykjavík. Allow half a day.
Governmental Travel Advice
Many governments issue advice which highlights potential hazards their citizens might experience when travelling abroad. We strongly suggest you refer to your country’s particular advisory site before booking and contact us if you have any queries or concerns. Click to follow links to the advice of the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or the US State Department.
Non-UK citizens should consult the travel advice of their respective governments.
Key Information
CLIMATE
Iceland’s northerly location means weather conditions can be extremely varied. The most popular time to go is June – August as days are longest and conditions warmest. However, Iceland is a fantastic year-round destination. Temperatures in spring and autumn can range from 5-10 °C and can prove a great time to see some of Iceland’s wildlife, such as whales and puffins. Whilst winter days are shorter and snowstorms are common, with temperatures ranging from approximately -5-5°C, October to March is the best time to see the amazing Northern lights. Please prepare for all eventualities, including rain.
IS THIS TRIP FOR ME?
It may sound obvious but Wild Frontiers tours are not always for everyone and it is important to us that the tour you choose is the most suitable. All our tours have a fitness rating as a guideline but you should check the day-by-day itinerary carefully. In certain instances we may ask you to complete a travel questionnaire before confirming your booking in order to ensure your suitability. Should you have any concerns about your ability to partake in any aspect of the tour then please contact the office.
KEY ASPECTS TO CONSIDER
Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour. Please note that the hikes mentioned in this itinerary are optional, and due to the nature of tourism in Iceland, your tour leader will also act as driver.
NB: Please note that quite unlike most Wild Frontiers tours, we have taken the decision not to include any meals other than breakfast in the tour. This is due primarily to the huge variations in the cost of food in Iceland, depending on individual choices and preferences. We will still organise group meals, but with the additional flexibility for people to order as they wish. You should therefore budget separately for 9 lunches and 9 dinners. On average this is likely to cost in the region of approximately £40 - £60 / $50 - $75 pp per day.
THE NATURE OF ADVENTURE TRAVEL
We feel that it’s worth pointing out that while we will always strive to stick as close to the stated itinerary as possible, it may be necessary from time to time to make changes to our itineraries or services (due to weather, political and religious influences etc.) and this can happen with little or no notice. This unpredictability can be one of the most exciting aspects of adventure travel and for many of our clients often leads to unexpected highlights as the tour-leader necessarily adapts the tour to the changing conditions. However we are aware that this lack of assuredness may not suit everyone. As such, with the greatest respect, if you are someone who needs to know that everything will happen exactly as planned, we would kindly suggest that perhaps our tours are not for you. Adventure travel can be infectious and once you’ve caught the bug, it is likely to never leave you, but especially if this is your first such tour we would strongly urge you to give us a call if you have any concerns whatsoever about your suitability for this trip.
TRAVELLING SOLO AND SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip.
On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
INSURANCE
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.
General Information
TOUR PRICE
All our tours are priced on a land-only basis, giving you maximum flexibility when deciding how to get to and from your tour.
DEPOSIT
A £200 (or equivalent) deposit is required to confirm your booking.
PROTECTION FOR YOUR MONEY
For further details please see our travelling with peace of mind page
WILD MILES
This tour will earn you 2356 Wild Miles
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.
Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour/nationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
WILD FRONTIERS COMMUNITY
If you’re still not sure if this trip is right or just want to see get some different perspectives, then why not have a look at the wide variety of resources we have on our website? Browse our community section to read our blogs, watch videos and find out about our events.
WHY WILD FRONTIERS?
We are frequently asked what makes Wild Frontiers different from other tour operators. Visit our Why Wild Frontiers page to find out.