6 Day Around Iceland Summer Minibus Tour Multi-day tour

The Golden circle

Day one and your tour begins with your expert tour guide picking you up in Iceland’s capital Reykjavík to embark on your first adventure, the Golden Circle Route. This is the most popular tourist circuit in Iceland and it features three main attractions: Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall and Geysir geothermal area.

After a safety and social introduction to your minibus and guide, you will move onto the first stop of the day, Þingvellir National Park. Not only is this vast park beautiful to look at, but it is also remarkable geographically as the ridge that runs through it is comprised of two exposed tectonic plates.

The Eurasian and North American plates pull apart here and give you the unique opportunity to walk between continents. It is also a historically rich area as it was also the sight where the first Icelandic parliament met in 930 AD, an institution which is still in operation today. You will have time to gently stroll through the park before returning to your tour bus.

Your next two stops are no less impressive. Gullfoss is a huge waterfall which cascades in two tiers into a massive 32m deep canyon. The resultant spray of the falling water often catches the light on sunny days casting rainbows across this beautiful natural wonder.

You will also stroll through the geothermal area named after its most famous resident, Geysir. Although nowadays this legendary hot spring very seldom erupts, you can watch his neighbour Strokkur erupt up to 20-metres in the air every 5-minutes.

You will spend the evening in accommodation in the Golden circle area.

The South coast

Today you will travel along the picturesque South Coast. Your first stops will be at two of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls. The first, Seljalandsfoss, cascades from the great heights of the interior; its unique feature is the small cavern that lies behind it which allows you to walk completely around it.

The next waterfall is called Skógarfoss which falls in a broad curtain from the steep highlands, and it is rumoured to have an ancient treasure hidden behind it. On sunny days, more than one rainbow can often be spotted depending on how close you get to its thunderous spray.

Today you have the option of adding a visit to the amazing Katla ice cave which is a great way to get to know more about glaciers and volcanic eruptions in the history of Iceland.

The final attraction for the day in the beautiful black sand beach Reynisfjara defined not only for its colour but its impressive basalt columns and famous sea stacks.

You will then head onto your accommodation close to the idyllic coastal town of Vík. 

Jokulsarlon Glacier lagoon

Your next destination will be the glacier lagoon Jökulsárlón with a few surprise stops along the way chosen by your guide depending on the weather and the group’s interests. Jökulsárlon is formed by the receding glacial tongue Breiðamerkurjökull where huge chunks of ice break away and float lazily out to sea. No one iceberg is the same and each is characterised by different blue and white shades scarred with volcanic ash from historical eruptions.

Before reaching the glacier lagoon we will take you to Skaftafell for a glacier hike on the largest glacier in Iceland, Vatnajokull to enjoy the view from the great heights as well as to feel the icy giant underneat your crampons. It can be cold on the glaciers even in summer so remember to pack accordingly. 

As these ancient icy giants make it to sea, some wash up on the adjacent beach which has been nicknamed Diamond Beach for the glittering chunks of ice that arrive with the surf. Walk beside chunks of ancient glacial ice and marvel at the magical sight at your feet.

You will spend the evening close to the Höfn area. 

Eastfjords

Today you will be exploring the beautiful and remote Eastfjords. Travelling through mountainous passes with the ocean to your left, your guide will make a number of stops along these meandering passages. As well as being known for its dramatic fjords, this area is characterised by its breathtaking beaches, littered with multi-coloured pebbles and rocks.

The entire region is sparsely populated, but the small communities that exist there live in quaint fishing communities, each with their own idiosyncrasies. Your guide will introduce you to small-town life out in the countryside before heading to the central ‘hub’ of the East, Egilsstaðir. As well as being the largest town in the Eastfjords, it is also close to the largest forest in Iceland, Hallormsstaðaskógar and the lake Lagafljót in which a legendary water monster is said to reside.

An optional brewery tour is a great way to get to know some locals and local products.

You will spend the night in Egilsstaðir. 

Dettifoss, Myvatn and Akureyri

You will be making your way to the North of Iceland today, right across the large and beautiful expanse of Vatnajökull National Park. Your first stop of the day will be the magnificent Dettifoss waterfall, the most powerful in Europe. The spray of this gigantic natural feature can be seen far before you reach the falls itself. Its awe-inspiring character has inspired many movie makers to select this area as a backdrop, including the blockbuster, Prometheus.

Your next destination is the varied and dynamic Mývatn area, named after the lake (‘Midge Lake’). This area is known for its energetic geothermal activity and you will get to see this first hand at the Námskarð area where these forces rise to the surface through steaming mud puddles and fumaroles.

The optional activity for the day is to soak in the Mývatn Nature Baths, to bask in the geothermal power of the surrounding area and enjoy magnificent views. 

You will then head to the ‘Capital of the North’, Akureyri. Before you cross the mountain pass to get there, however, you will make a quick stop at the waterfall, Goðafoss. This is a historically famous site in which the old idols of the pagan religion were cast into the water as an act of fealty towards the Christian faith.

You will spend the night in Akureyri 

Return to Reykjavik

Today you will head back to where your journey began. You can explore the town of Akureyri or take in some final extra adventures.

From here you could catch a whale watching tour. You will hop aboard a boat in the local harbour and head out to spot these gentle giants.

You will then head further south to the Hvitserkur area. Hvitserkur is an intriguing rock formation that is often referred to as the ‘Troll of Northwest Iceland.’ It stands 15 metres tall in the Hunafloi Bay. Local legends say that this formation was once a troll who stayed out too late and when the sun came up, was turned to stone. Today Hvitserkur is one of the most photographed attractions in Northern Iceland and you will quickly see why.

You will then head back to the capital of Reykjavik. You will have plenty of time on the way to take in the beautiful sights of Iceland and reflect on your incredible journey.