CLASSICAL TOURS
Our most popular tours are the ones no visitor to Iceland should miss. Even though everyone tries to offer them we do offer some unique touches – not available elsewhere. A small country church with blue – painted interiors, beautiful flowers and vegetables in hothouses, a lava route made by half – giants more than a thousand years ago, a strange pond, shaped like a giant skate, with a curious legend attached to it. Some of these tours are offered on a regular schedule during the summertime.
Please see also our extended and extra special tours below
CLASSICAL DAY TOURS 8 – 10 HRS.
- GOLDEN ADVENTURE
- HIGHLAND GOLD
- VOLCANIC WONDERLAND
- OF SHARKS AND ISLANDS
- GATE TO HELL
- WOODS OF THE THUNDER GOD
- A TOUCH OF THE HIGHLANDS
- GOIN’ SOUTH
- THE ISLAND TIME FORGOT
- VOLCANO SPECIAL
- ISLANDS OF FISH AND FIRE
- WONDERS OF THE WEST
- EXTENDED TOUR: FIORDLAND
- EXTENDED TOUR: WHERE THE DARK POWERS REIGN
- EXTRA SPECIAL TOUR: OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
GOLDEN ADVENTURE
Classical golden circle
Visit the most famous sights of the south west: The famous Thingvellir national park, where the split between Europe and America increases every year, hot springs wonder at the Geysir thermal area, thundering Gullfoss, the golden waterfall, Skálholt bishopric with beautiful artwork in the modern cathedral and the volcanic “tub” at the Kerið crater. Along with minor alternate sights, such as picturesque “baby” churches and blooming horticulture. Duration 6 – 8hrs, depending on stops. Slightly altered program during winter
Summer alternate tour of the golden circle with highland adventure.
Visit the destinations of the Golden circle with a twist: a tour on a VERY primitive highland road in an overland vehicle. Not for the faint hearted, since the road is really primitive. It will take you on a back – door route between the Thingvellir National park and the Golden waterfall /Geysir area. Botanical assistance: Plant a tree in a desolated aria or spread some grass seeds and fertilizers. Return via settled agricultural area. Duration 8 – 9 hrs. Variable timing because of variable condition of the road. VERY ROUGH ROAD. Only available in july and august. INCLUDED IN PRICE: Seedlings, seeds or fertilizer for planting.
The Snæfellsnes peninsula National Park.
A day tour to this exciting National Park, where volcanoes and waves have worked together creating an infinite variety of interesting landscapes. Oceanic blow-holes, natural arches, drive – in craters and teeming bird cliffs await you. Test your strength on traditonal measuring stones, used by the fishermen of former times and get to know the mysterious Snæfellsjökull glacier, through which the heroes of Jules Vernes entered to reach the center of the earth. Follow in the footsteps of Arne Saknussem and Vernes heroes by exploring a cave of wonders within the Snæfellsnes National park. Duration 11 – 12 hrs.
Slightly altered program during winter INCLUDED IN PRICE: A bowl of seafood soupe or a quiche, served at a beautiful beach restaurant.
Island cruise peppered with strength – building shark
A day full of adventure and excitement. Visit the popular town of Stykkishólmur with traditional houses and the local museum in a Norwegian blockhouse, as well as an exciting new volcanic museum. Take a boat ride to the some of the uncountable islands in the fiord nearby and see birds nesting, among them an eagles nest. Walk the “road of the berserks” made by extra – strong supermen through rough lava – learn of their bizarre death – and get to know the famous putrid shark, this food they must have eaten in an overdose. All packed into a nice picturesque drive through som amazing landscape at the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Duration 10 – 11 hrs. Boat tours operate only in summer, but the tour is available without the boat tour at fringe seasons. INCLUDED IN PRICE: Boat tour
Into the highlands to Mt. Hekla and Landmannalaugar thermal area.
Visit the famous Mt. Hekla, believed to be the entrance to hell in European lore for centuries. Take a look at the new Hekla center dedicated to it at a nearby lying tourist center. Then visit the extra – beautiful rhyolite highland oasis of Landmannalaugar where mountains glow in almost every colour of the rainbow, yellow, green and red, touched by black lava. See the longest river in Iceland, Thjórsá and hear stories of giants living in the mountains. Return through a valley devastated by mt. Hekla in medieval times, where ruins appear out of the sand almost intact. If you like, you can visit a reconstruction of one of the farms destroyed. This is a long tour – 10 – 12 hrs. Picnic lunch can be arranged on demand. Summer only according to road opening. A lowland version of Mt. Hekla offered at other times. INCLUDED IN PRICE: Picnic lunch
To the beautiful highland oasis of Thórsmörk.
Take an exciting tour across unbridged glacial rivers to the lovely highland oasis of Thórsmörk in the shelter of two glaciers. This pristine place is decorated with the most beautiful vegetation and many species of flowering plants, among them wild geraniums and orchids. Take a hike in the area, walk into a great river canyon and stop at a glacier created lagoon. Visit the Seljalands waterfall and other beautiful falls on your way.
Picnic lunch arranged on demand. 8 – 9hrs. Summer only. June – early September according to accessibility. NOTE. This area was severly affected by the volcanic eruption, it is still however available, but the sights offered may have changed, for example the glacier lagoon. Due to changes, still going on in the volcano, however the area may be closed. We shall in that case compensate you with another highland tour.INCLUDED IN PRICE: Picnic lunch.
Small sampler of the highland nature – and then some
Get to know the contrasts of Icelandic nature on this pleasant day tour. Visit the Thingvellir national park, where the Eurasian and the American plates diverge, creating exciting canyons. Drive into the highland wilderness on the only half – decent road available (not paved though ) and through the pass of the Oxenbacks. View glaciers and deserts as well as some famous volcanoes. Then turn into a long farming valley, visit a forest plantation and the beautiful Hvalfjörður, the whale fiord, that served as a secret naval base of the allied during WWII. This is a tour for those who would like to see what the highlands look like without sacrificing much comfort. Duration 5 - 6 hrs. Offered as long as the road is accessible which is usually late may – late september, but can be variable.
To the black sand beaches, where the waves break.
A comprehensive tour of the extreme south, under the thundering volcano of Eyjafjallajökull, which now is keeping a low profile. This area is steeped in folklore, especially the “hidden people” and giant ladies. Visit the famous black sand beaches, the town of Vík with the famous Reynir cliffs, Sólheimajökull glacier harboring some hidden geothermal action and two majestic waterfalls in Skógar and Seljaland. The local museum of Skógar offers many exibits of older buildings and replicas as well as a thorough history of communications in Iceland. See some of the effects of the volcano. Although this is not a volcano tour in the strictest sense, you shall see a lot of it on this tour. Optional boat ride in the area is available, but needs to be pre - ordered. Duration 9 – 10 hrs. Offered in some way all year round, depending on weather in wintertime, this area is usually easily accessible. No boat rides in winter. INCLUDED IN PRICE: Museum entrance at Skógar. Boat tour is optional.
The extraordinary Flatey island
A day tour to the Flatey island – flat island, located in the middle of the bird paradise Breiðafjörður – the wide fjord. This little island has managed to maintain its 19th century ambience, there are no automobiles and most of the houses are 19th century timberhouses many of the covered in the ubiquitous corrugated iron. We shall walk around the island, visit the library, which is one of the oldest (and smallest) in the country, the church with frescos by the catalonian painter Baltazar Samper and enjoy a delicious lunch in the lovely little hotel. En route we shall also visit the town of Stykkishólmur, with more timber houses and taste of the incredible putrid shark, enjoyed by the Icelanders. Duration up to 11 – 12 hrs.
Ferry travel, with a late return. This tour may change according to the ferry schedule. INCLUDED IN PRICE: Boat transport and lunch.
For all those interested in the recent eruption.
A comprehensive tour of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano and vicinity. We shall explore this large stratovolcano, situated in the extreme south along with some parts of its affected area. En route to the volcano we shall visit the famous Mt. Hekla as well – this is Iceland’s most famous volcano and a part of the same southern volcanic belt. There is a visitor’s center here which we shall see as well as some evidence of destruction in Hekla’s wake. Then we shall drive down to Eyjafjallajökull, viewing the volcano from various points of view and visiting the new visitor’ s center in the town of Hvolsvöllur. Duration: 6 – 7 hrs. Subject to changes, as this volcano is still considered active. INCLUDED IN PRICE: Entrances to exhibitions. PLEASE NOTE: Exhibition in Hvolsvöllur is not ready as this is written.
Vestmanna islands special
Starting in late summer 2010 it will be possible to visit these famous islands on the south shore of Iceland via a short ferry ride. Get Iceland is proud to announce a tour of the interesting islands. Drive down to the black sand shores, pick up the ferry in the new ferry port of Bakki and sail across. Get to know these volcanic islands, which are among the youngest parts of the country, the latest one only 45 years old. Learn about the eruption of 1973, which almost devastated the main island. An optional boat ride around the island of Heimaey is offered and a visit to the 18th century church and local aquarium. Return by the same route. Duration at least 12 hrs. Offered the whole year around, still depending on weather conditions. Tour is offered as soon as this ferry connection opens. INCLUDED IN PRICE: Boat transport and entrance to Westmanna Islands Natural museum. Boat tours around the island operate only in summer.
Enjoy a sampler of everything Iceland has to offer.
This tours has almost everything. Boiling hot springs, foaming waterfalls, glaciers and desolation, historical sites, and fiordland. Drive through the famous Thingvellir National Park on your way to the highland route of the Cold Valley, very desolate and taking you up to 2100 feet. See the second largest glacier in Iceland up close before you enter the holiday area of Húsafell, seeing the wonderful waterfalls of the Hraunfossar (lava falls), Reykholt the center of the medieval writer Snorri Sturluson and the Deildartunguhver, one of the largerst water hot springs in the world. This one spring heats up two towns. Return via the whale fiord, where the allied had their secret naval base in WWII. Duration 10 hrs.
This tour is offered in summer, in spring or autumn – depending on snowfall we offer a winter version of this tour, which includes many beautiful sights as well.
INCLUDED IN PRICE: Entrance to Reykholt center.
EXTENDED TOUR: FIORDLAND.
A visit to the south shore of the West fiord triangle
Visit an area never visited on day tours. Because of improved roads we are able to offer you a day tour of the small fiords on the fringe of the west fiords. This land was the powerhouse of Iceland during mediavel times, when all the richest noblemen lived here. Drive around the Klofningur peninsula to see the extraordinary altarpiece of Skarð, dating from the 15th century - now just in a small church. Visit Reykhólar, an extraordinary location, and learn about the goods of nature. Then drive along the small fiords in the most amazing landscape to the last fiord, Vatnsfjörður, where a whole - year settlement of Iceland was tried for the first time - and failed, still giving us our cold name. Return with a ferry across the Breiðafjörður ( 2 1/2 hrs. cruise) and a 2 hour drive to Reykjavík. Duration 15 - 16 hrs +.
INCLUDED IN PRICE: Ferry travel back to Reykjavík. Ferry travels in summer only.
WHERE THE DARK POWERS REIGN
A day tour into the Strandir region
On this tour we shall take you on a visit to an area where sorcery and magic has been prevailing. En route you shall get to know the wonderful landscape of the Icelandic fiords. Drive on variable gravel roads up to the town of Hólmavík, in the center of the region and visit an exhibition on sorcery. In the next fiord see a small hut of a sorcerer and get to know the dark arts. Return via a new road offering wonderful vistas of the western fiords. Duration: at least 14 hours. A long tour with lots of driving, but also many interesting stops.
INCLUDED IN PRICE: MUSEUM ENTRANCES. Due to weather: Summer only.
EXTRA SPECIAL: OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
Come with us on a tour into the highlands, drive a road where you will meet no - one except the odd jeep traveller on the same quest as you. Drive on a VERY ROUGH jeep route with river fords between two popular destinations, the golden waterfall, Gullfoss and the Þjórsárdalur valley, cradeled in the armpit of the mighty Hekla volcano. See waterfalls, the golden one and other falls, among them the high and mighty Háifoss, the hot springs at Geysir and then some wilderness. See the difference between the crowded touristy areas and the real highlands where only the intrepid go. Duration: This is a long tour and can last up to 10 - 12 hrs. at least.
This tour is only for those who really enjoy solitude and adventure. It is on a rough road where there are no service locations and everything has to be brought along. Please note that there are hardly any toilet facilities on the highland portion of the road. Good dress and equipment necessary. Prepare for rain. You will bounce around on this road. INCLUDED IN PRICE: Picnic lunch. SUMMER ONLY.