8 Day Around Iceland Summer Minibus Tour Multi-day tour

Golden circle day

Your tour guide for the trip will pick you up in the morning and, after friendly introductions, whisk you away towards the first attraction on the Golden Circle, Iceland’s most popular sightseeing route. 

The first stop on this route is Þingvellir National Park, best characterised by its sweeping, moss-laden lava fields and epic scenery; this is one of the only places in the world where it is possible to see the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates standing exposed from the earth.

Next up, you will pay a visit to Geysir geothermal area, home to the famous hot spring Strokkur. This celebrated feature erupts every five to ten minutes, shooting frothing jets of water as high as 25 metres in the air, creating a natural spectacle that is nearly impossible to come by anywhere else. 

The final stop of the day will be at Gullfoss waterfall, a 32-metre high feature that sees glacial water, originating from the Langjökull ice cap, tumble into the dark and domineering Gullfossgljúfur canyon. While the walls of this canyon reach up to 70 metres in height, the waterfall itself is split into two craggy steps, providing photographers the chance to catch this epic sight from a number of interesting perspectives.

You will end the day at comfortable accommodation in the Golden Circle area, where you can unwind hopefully under the gentle glow of the Midnight Sun. 

South coast waterfalls and glaciers

Today you will be heading down Iceland’s scenic South Coast. Throughout your journey, you will be privy to a plethora of views, from ancient sea cliffs to rolling farmlands. During the drive, there will be mountains and glaciers to your left, while on your right, the rumbling blue waves of the Atlantic Ocean.

First, you will encounter the two waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. While both fall from the same height, these features could not be more different. Seljalandsfoss boasts a much narrower cascade, as well as a walking path that leads directly behind the falling water, bestowing a unique view of the South Coast. Skógafoss, on the other hand, is much wider, creating an ever-present plume of mist as it crashes into the rocks below.

Continuing along the coastline, you will finally arrive at the jet-black sand beach of Reynisfjara. This volcanic and visceral shoreline is sure to inflame the imagination, with its enchanting lava columns and the epic rock stack Reynisdrangar which, according to folklore, is the frozen remnants of an ancient troll. 

This second day offers an option of adding an ice cave tour in Katla from Vík, this is a perfect add on to get a different view of the amazing glaciers in Iceland and the affect the volcanic eruptions have on those.

In the evening, you will be staying in accommodation near the village of Vík. 

Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon

Crossing the black sand desert of Skeiðarársandur, you will arrive at the foot of Vatnajökull National Park, with the mountain and glacier of the same name towering over you in one of the most stunning and monumental sights in the country. This is truly Iceland at its best, with stark contrasts in landscape and colour with each turn of the head.

You will stop at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, sometimes called “The Crown Jewel of Iceland” due to its extraordinary and memorable aesthetic. Here, icebergs break away from a nearby glacier, falling impressively onto the lagoon’s mirror-like surface. Floating gently, these icebergs make for an impressive spectacle, creaking and groaning under their own weight as the resident seals play and splash in between them.

Over time, these icebergs make their way out towards the next stop,  Diamond Beach. This is a photographer’s paradise, with the blue ice washing up on the black sand shore creating a bewitching disparity in colour. Here you will have a chance to add the amphibian boat tour on the lagoon to get even closer to the icebergs.

Before reaching the glacier lagoon we will take you to Skaftafell for a glacier hike on the largest glacier in Iceland, Vatnajokull Glacier to enjoy the view from great heights as well as to feel the icy giant underneath your crampons.  

Tonight, you will be staying in the Jökulsárlón area. 

Eastfjords of Iceland

Due only to their distance from Reykjavík, the Eastfjords are one of the country’s least visited regions. Yet they are of striking beauty, boasting dark peaked mountains, cragged coastlines and unique wildlife. During the day, your guide will stop at their personal favourite locations, offering guests the chance to see many natural attractions and sites that would otherwise be missed.

You will also be paying a visit to Lake Lagarfljót, one of the most beautiful bodies of water in Iceland. According to legend, a large worm-like creature is thought to live in its glittering depths—think of it as the Icelandic version of the Loch Ness monster!

You will take time exploring Iceland’s largest national forest, Hallormsstaðaskógur, something of an oddity in a largely treeless landscape. The forest is found close to the East’s largest town, Egilsstaðir, and is famed for its lovely hiking trails, scenic picnic spots and variety of tree and bird species, including the likes of redpolls, goldcrests and the iconic ravens.

Today you can add a different experience to get to know the locals and some local products, a brewery tour at a small brewery in Egilsstaðir is a great way to end the day.

At the end of your fourth day, you will spend the night at accommodation in the Eastfjords.

Dettifoss, Myvatn & Akureyri

On your fifth day of this guided adventure, you will tackle the Diamond Circle, considered to be the north-eastern version of the Golden Circle sightseeing route. The Diamond Circle is comprised of five attractions; Dettifoss waterfall, Ásbyrgi canyon, the fishing town of Húsavík, Lake Mývatn and the Northern town of Akureyri.

First, you will visit “The Beast”, Dettifoss Waterfall. With a height of 44 metres, this incredible feature was once famously portrayed in the Ridley Scott science-fiction film, Prometheus, but has long been one of the country’s most beloved attractions. Dettifoss is Europe’s most powerful waterfall, creating a plume of mist that, on clear days, can be seen from miles away.

Next up, you will pay a visit to the horseshoe-shaped canyon of Ásbyrgi which, according to folklore, is the print left by Odin’s eight-legged horse, Sleipnir. The canyon measures 3.5 kilometres in length and boasts a width of 1.1 kilometres, with enormous cliffs on each side that reach a towering 100 metres.

Continuing from Ásbyrgi, you visit the sleepy fishing town of Húsavík. With its historic buildings and picturesque harbour, Húsavík is among Iceland’s prettiest towns and has a year-round population of little over 2000 people. Visitors here could choose to visit some of the town’s most famous institutions, including The Exploration Museum and Húsavík Whale Museum, as well as the wooden church Húsavíkurkirkja, built in 1907.

You will then make a stop at the glittering Lake Mývatn, a body of water that was formed following volcanic eruptions 2300 years ago. The lake covers a total area of 37 km² and is surrounded by dark, cragged landscapes blended beautifully with lush wetlands, creating a true haven for birdlife.

While in the region, you will visit the geothermal area of Námaskarð Pass, a valley that more closely resembles Planet Mars than earth, with its pillars of steam, bubbling mud pots and striking red sands.

If you would like a bit of relaxation time you can choose to add the optional activity of visiting the Myvatn Nature Baths. This spa harnesses the geothermal power of the area to provide visitors with an incredible chance to indulge on their journey through the north.

You will finally head to the picturesque town of Akureyri. On your way, you will make a short stop at the Goðafoss waterfall. This was the site where Iceland adopted Christianity over 1000 years ago.

You will then spend the night in the ‘Capital of the North’ Akureyri. 

Towards the west

You will begin your sixth day by saying farewell to the charming northern town of Akureyri.

If you would like some added adventure, you could add the chance to see the gentle giants of the sea on a whale watching tour. Here you will board a boat and set sail to catch a glimpse of these incredible creatures in Icelandic waters.

You will then head further south to the Hvítserkur area. This place is home to the majestic Hvítserkur rock formation. It juts out from the sea creating incredible imagery that will give you envy-inducing photos.

You will then head to your accommodation for the evening in the Borgarnes area where you can rest and be ready for more adventure tomorrow. 

Snæfellsnes peninsula

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is known as “Iceland in Miniature” due to its plethora of natural attractions, including snow-peaked mountains, tumbling waterfalls, black sand beaches and, of course, the incredible glacier and volcano, Snæfellsjökull. Without a doubt, Snæfellsnes is one of the most memorable and beautiful regions in the entire country, truly worthy of your last day on this guided summer tour. 

One of the peninsula’s most iconic sites is the ‘mountain like an arrowhead’, Kirkjufell, made famous from Season 7 of HBO’s Game of Thrones. As the town landmark of Grundarfjörður, Kirkjufell is found on the peninsula’s northern shore and holds the title as Iceland’s “most photographed mountain” due to its unique and striking aesthetic. The mountain reaches a height of 463-metres and is often captured alongside its resident waterfall, Kirkjufellsfoss. 

You’ll next make a visit to the black sand beach of Djúpalónssandur, found at the base of Snæfellsjökull glacier. Once a popular fishing village and port, Djúpalónssandur now lays deserted, save for the four famed lifting stones that, throughout history, have been used a test of strength among local fishermen. 

If you want to spice up your day, you could choose to explore Vatnshellir lava tube, an 8000-year-old cave situated 35-metres under the ground. Visitors here will descend a metallic staircase, revealing a 200-metre long subterranean world filled with intricate rock formations and captivating colour shades.

In the end of the day you will end up back in the Borgarnes area for the night.

The West

Today you will explore West Iceland.  

You will begin by leaving Borganes and you will make your first stop in the Reykholtsdalur Valley. This is a place that demonstrates the powerful geothermal forces that have shaped Iceland. This area is the home of Europe’s most powerful hot spring, Deildartunguhver.

You will then head to the village of Reykholt. This place was the home of Snorri Sturluson. Snorri was a noted Icelandic poet, historian and lawspeaker who lived during the middle ages. His work is considered an invaluable record of the Old Norse mythology and language.

You will also make a stop at two incredible waterfalls. Barnafoss and Hraunfossar. Hraunfossar is fed by underground water that soaks through the pores of lava rock. Barnafoss pushes its way through a narrow gorge.

Today you can add a horse riding tour where you can get to know these amazing animals that played a vital role in the survival of the locals throughout the history of Iceland.

Before you make your way back to Reykjavík, your guide will make stops at a number of their favourite attractions. Your tour then ends, as you arrive in Reykjavík in the late afternoon. It is not recommended that you plan to fly home the same evening as delays and bad weather could possibly affect your journey.