Explore the Volcanic Wonders of Iceland
Regions
Southwest
Starting Point
Reykjavik
Best time to travel
June - August
Recommended Length
4 - 5 days
Minimum Age*
Adventure Getaway
Activity Level **
4/5
Some of Iceland's most wonderful nature and thrilling outdoor activities can be found at Reykjavik's doorstep, so if you are looking for a getaway for only a few days, you don't always have to travel far to explore some of the magical natural heritage of Iceland. Spend some time to enjoy the vibrant cultural scene in Reykjavik, discover the highlights along the golden circle route, relax in the soothing warm waters of a geothermal pool and venture of to the stunning Thórsmörk valley in southern Iceland. And all this in just four days!
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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
✓ go snorkeling between continents in the continental rift in Thingvellir National Park
✓ explore the amazing landscape and volcanic heritage at the stunning Thórsmörk valley
✓ relax in soothing hot thermal pools while enjoying the beautiful Icelandic landscape
✓ venture around Reykjavik and learn about Icelandic cuisine on a guided foodie tour
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TOUR OVERVIEW
Day 1 - arrival - overnight in Reykjavik
Day 2 - snorkeling between continents at Silfra - Reykjavik foodie tour - overnight in Reykjavik
Day 3 - highlights along the Golden Circle including Geysir and Gulfoss - relax in the geothermal secret lagoon - overnight in Reykjavik
Day 4 - super truck tour and hiking to Thórsmörk valley - overnight in Reykjavik
Day 5 - departure
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 1 - WELCOME TO ICELAND
Welcome to the island made from fire and ice! After your arrival, a transfer will take you to the heart of Reykjavik, where you have the rest of the day to spend at leisure. Explore the colourful harbour area and visit the hip cafes and restaurants in the center.
Overnight in Reykjavik.
DAY 2 - SNORKELING AT SILFRA - REYKJAVIK FOODIE WALKING TOUR
This morning you will venture on a unique Icelandic adventure as you head to the Þingvellir National Park, which sits right in the middle of the Mid-Atlantic rift and was also the setting of Iceland's and the world's first parliament dating back to 930AD. Equipped with a wet suit and snorkeling equipment, you will descent into the crystal clear waters of the Silfra fissure, formed by the ongoing drift of the Eurasian and North-american tectonic plates. You will enjoy fantastic views of the bizarre rock formations and the volcanic heritage as the clear waters provide visibility of up to 100m!
Return to Reykjavik in the afternoon, where you will join a guided foodie walking tour, that will take you to some interesting and very special restaurants and bars around Reykjavik to sample some unique Icelandic treats and culinary delights.
Overnight in Reykjavik.
DAY 3 - GOLDEN CIRCLE - SECRET LAGOON
Depart from Reykjavik in the morning to discover more of the fantastic natural highlights along the famous Golden Circle route. Admire the ongoing geothermal activity at Geysir, home to the impressive geysers Strokkur or the Great Geysir, which spit water fountains up to several 100m high into the air every couple of minutes, though they have become less recently due to reduced activity in the area. Continue to the impressive Gulfoss Waterfall, thundering down over two stages into a narrow canyon. To finish the day, relax in the soothing, well tempered geothermal waters of the Secret Lagoon, one of Iceland's oldest natural swimming pools, and enjoy the fantastic views with the volcanic mountain ranges in the back.
Overnight in Reykjavik.
DAY 4 - THÓRSMÖRK VALLEY SUPER TRUCK TOUR
The stunning Thórsmörk valley lies nestled between the Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull, and Tindfjallajökull glaciers and is a must-visit area for any nature and outdoor activity lover. A guided super jeep tour will take you into the heart of the valley to discover vast lava fields, small valleys with lush forests and roaring glacial rivers falling from cliffs and following black river beds. Much of the volcanic hinterland is made off fascinating canyons with green moss and lush vegetation growing on the black rock. A true outdoor adventure day through and through.
Overnight in Reykjavik.
DAY 5 - DEPARTURE
Transfer to the airport and departure.
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SERVICES INCLUDED
Family Adventure Holidays
- accommodation in good standard middle-class hotels, quintas and/or guesthouses
- private care hire for the entire trip
- activities, visits and tours as outlined, with a certified, English speaking guide where desired/required
- all taxes and insurances for the activities
- expert travel planning, trip preparation and 24/7 on-tour support
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TIMES & RATES
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Description
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GALLERY
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Contact us for a quote
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TRAVEL TIPS
When to travel
The main season and most popular time for visitors to come to Iceland is between June and August when the days are long and large parts of the country are free from ice and easily accessible. The hinterland offers great hiking conditions during this period as most of the terrain is now fairly dry.
May and September also allow travelers to get to most places in Iceland, but some of the higher areas and the heartland might be restricted because of snow. The weather is colder, wetter and breezier than over the summer months, but you will be rewarded with less crowded landscapes and viewpoints.
Even though most of the side roads are closed and the days are shorter, October to April is a rewarding time to visit Iceland. This is the perfect time to experience the Northern lights flickering on the dark sky and to venture off on a real snow and ice adventure.
How to travel
Keflavik, Iceland’s international airport, is located around 50km southwest of Reykjavik. Icelandair and many other international airlines offer frequent connections to Keflavik usually a few times a week. There are many direct flights from the European continent and it’s also possible to connect through major European hubs. You will also find frequent connections to North America due to the fact that Iceland had recently become a popular stopover destination between North America and Europe and the flights take only a couple of hours.
It is easiest to rent a car upon arrival and discover the island in your own time. Alternatively, if you prefer not to drive, there is a wide range of organized tours starting from Reykjavik nearly every day, bringing you to many exciting places in Iceland.
Traveling with children
Travelling with kids in Iceland is easy. Even though there are not many activities only for kids, the overwhelming landscape, the many swimming pools and the friendly hospitality of the Icelandic people make a trip to Iceland with kids very enjoyable. Curious children will be eager to find out more about the volcanoes, waterfalls and glaciers and will be delighted by the sheer amount of seabirds. Adventure activities are available for kids from 8 years (sometimes older) and the easy hikes, horse riding adventures, speedboat or whale watching tours will keep them easily entertained. The route should be planned carefully as some of the distances between the attractions can be quite far. Reykjavik has the biggest choice for kids. Kids pay half price (or often nothing) in museums and pools. Most of the accommodations offer family rooms and cater for smaller children.
What to bring
Regardless of the time of the year that you are travelling, you should come prepared for all kind of weather in Iceland and plan a lot of layers. Make sure to pack smart and to stay warm and dry. So your luggage should always contain the following items:
- fleece jacket or wooly sweater/jumper
- rain and windproof jacket
- rain pants
- sturdy walking shoes with good grip
- proper waterproof hiking boots
- gloves and a scarf
- hat (sun hat also)
- swimsuit
- thermal underwear
- warm socks
- quick dry towel
As you will encounter the midnight sun over summer, it can also be helpful to bring some eye shades for sleeping. Sunglasses and sunscreen are highly recommended. Midgets are common over the summer months, so bring an insect repellent.
A very warm, ideally insulated jacket should always be packed if travelling over the winter months.
Remember that you will most likely also hit town in Reykjavik, so make sure to pack a nice outfit and shoes.
For more practical travel advise and general information on visiting Iceland, please follow the link below.
Family Adventure Holidays
* The minimum age is based on the overall tour, some activities can require a higher minimum age, this will be advised at proposal stage. While not all activities are suitable for very small children, we are happy to tailor the tour to meet your specific wishes and needs.
** The activity level is based on the amount of tours and activities included (1 - few tours and activities with a lot of free time, 5 - a lot of tours and activities with little free time). The activity level does not reflect the difficulty of the activities or tours included. Itineraries can be tailored to match the preferred level of activity.