Amazing Iceland, a 9 day road trip Itinerary
Nestled in the North Atlantic Ocean, Iceland is a testament to nature's raw power and beauty. Known as the "Land of Fire and Ice" with breathtaking landscapes and geothermal wonders, shaped by volcanic activity and glacial processes, featuring cascading waterfalls like Gullfoss and towering glaciers such as Vatnajökull, Europe's largest ice cap.When contemplating a trip to this paradise we choose September as the summer crowds dissipate, heralding quieter days, allowing us to explore Iceland's natural wonders in a serene setting. Outdoor adventures, most of the hiking trails, the Famed F-Roads and kayaking excursions are still accessible.The emergence of the Northern Lights, due to reduced daytime hours paints the night sky with ethereal hues of green and purple, offering prime conditions for aurora sightings. The drawback is the higher chances of rain and cloudy skies ,but if you are willing to set that aside it makes the landscape so much more dramatic. Read more on tour diary
Day1 - Reykjanes Peninsula and City of Reykjavik
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Hotel Langaholt is a family-run country hotel located in the south of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. It is located at one of the main intersections on the peninsula with comfortable rooms and a friendly atmosphere.
Hotel Budir One of the most beautiful places in Iceland, located next to one of the most famous locations in Iceland , the Black church of Budir with a restaurant with exquisite cuisine ( we could not get a reservation as it was all booked up)
Arnarstapi Cottages - further away , but beautiful location
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Lunch-Café Loki, right across the street of the famous Hallgrímskirkja church in downtown Reykjavik, a traditional Icelandic home style restaurant serving classic Icelandic cuisine.
Dinner- restaurant at Hotel Budir , holding up to its statement as “one of Iceland's best” They source fresh ingredients directly from local farmers and fishermen, making dinner a culinary journey in itself.
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Reykjanes Peninsula- The Reykjanes Peninsula , where the Eurasian and the North American tectonic plates meet, known as the Mid-Atlantic Rift. Due to these plates drifting apart the whole peninsula is extremely volcanically active and covered with moss-coated lava fields and cone-shaped mountains. Made famous by the recent on-again off-again glorious display of fountaining red-hot lava, drawing thousands of people to the site.This is where the Insta famous Blue Lagoon is located with its turquoise blue hot spring.Place to visit: Bridge Between Continents,Gunnuhver Hot Springs,Krýsuvík in the Seltún Geothermal Area,Valahnúkamöl , and the lava eruption site if active
City of Reykjavík-Iceland's capital, blends stunning nature with urban allure. Wander its colorful streets, lined with cafes and shops, stroll along the waterfront for breathtaking views or explore the Golden Circle's geysers and waterfalls within an hour's drive.The city also has numerous museums and a lot of music festivals all throughout the year. Hallgrimskirkja,The Handknitting Association of Iceland ( for iceland spun wool sweater know as lopapeysa),Laugavegur and Rainbow streets for shops and cafes, Omnom Chocolate Ice Cream Shop
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Keflavik is the international airport , 45 mins away from Reykjavik, but the detour through all the stops mentioned in the Reykjanes peninsula would add 2-½ hrs. drive time. Please check the current road conditions as some might be closed due to recent volcanic activity , which could add more time. Hotel Langaholt in Snæfellsnes peninsula is 2-½ hrs. from the capitol and Hotel Budir is 20 mins further down the road.
Our journey to Iceland began with experiencing the country's famed rapid weather changes firsthand. We were greeted with bright sunlight, but soon after, it switched to rain and windy conditions , prompting our embrace of the unpredictable climate from Day 1. Our exploration began with plans to visit the Bridge between Continents, symbolizing the meeting point of Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, but the horizontal rain prevented us from taking the short hike.
Driving through the Reykjanes Peninsula, we visited Gunnuhver, a geothermal field with a rich legend, and the Valahnúkamöl beach area, marveling at its rugged coastline and historical significance.
Hungry for Icelandic cuisine, we dined at Loki restaurant in Reykjavik, indulging in rye bread, salmon, lamb, and local delicacies like fermented shark. In Reykjavik, we walked the streets exploring major landmarks like the famous church Hallgrimskirkja, indulged in local coffee, and shopped for traditional wool sweaters at the The Handknitting Association of Iceland. Our journey continued with a visit to Omnom, a craft chocolate maker, before checking into Guesthouse Langaholt for the night, enjoying views of Snæfellsjökull Glacier. Despite cloud cover, we chased the northern lights late into the wee hours of the night, concluding our eventful day in anticipation of more Icelandic wonders. Read more on daily diaries
Day2 - Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Budir to Kirkjufellsfoss
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Dís Cottages in Grundarfjörður,Luxurious cabins with modern interiors and spectacular views across the water of Kirkjufell and surrounding mountains.
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Breakfast- Hotel Langaholt, a delightful buffet with icelandic breakfast items and glorious view
Lunch-Arnarstapi Center and Snjófell Restaurant or Stapinn for some fresh fish and chips and beer.
Dinner- Bjargarsteinn Mathús in Grundarfjörður,the building Bjargarsteinn was built as a home in the year 1908, after passing through several owners it was relocated at the old bait shack and a fish-drying shed in Grundarfjörður, with exceptional views of Kirkjufell. Pricey but amazing food and service. Could order local delicacies like fermented shark and puffin apart from the freshed seafood.
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The Black Church of Budir-This quaint black church known as Búðakirkja locally, dates back to 1703 and is one of the most photographed churches in Iceland. It is fully operational with a historic graveyard surrounded with a breathtaking view of mountains on one side and the ocean on the other.
Arnarstapi- a village on the southern side of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, once a fishing hub and now starting point for Snæfellsjökull National Park.The famous eroded circular stone arch, called Gatklettur, is also located here.
Snæfellsjökull National Park is one of three National Parks in Iceland and encompasses the subglacial volcano Snaefellsjokull. This twin-peaked glacier sits at the tip of the Snaefellsnes peninsula and is surrounded by the moss coated Budahraun lava field where you can go on glacier hiking or snowcat tour.Another interesting feature is the Vatnshellir lava cave, where you can take a tour as well. Rauðfeldsgjá,a beautiful gorge in Botnsfjall Mountain in the park is a fun hike as well with some clambering needed. You can also drive the F570 cutting across the national park if you have a 4x4, it connects Arnarstapi with Olafsvik..The park has a visitor center at Malarrif and Hellissandur.
Lóndrangar basalt cliffs in the southern tip of Snaefellsnes peninsula
Kirkjufell and the nearby Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall, this cap-like mountain and the waterfall is one of the most photographed locations and also appear in game of Thrones series as Arrowhead Mountain, whereas the foothills beneath it became the birthplace of the Night King.
Olafsvik- one of many beautiful small fishing villages along the coastline. Laki Tours runs a wildlife tour from here , when the weather is right.
Ytri Tunga - a golden sand beach in the south side of the peninsula good for seal watching , but only in summer.
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Hotel Langaholt to Kirkjufell driving the scenic route all along the Snæfellsnes peninsula is 1-½ hrs. drive time, with Budir is 20 mins. further down the road and Yatri Tunga 15 mins. up the road.Dis Cottages is 15 mins. from Kirkjufell.
Most of the parking lots in the peninsula are paid and are strictly enforced with cameras.
Our day began with a hearty breakfast overlooking the scenic vista at Guesthouse Langaholt. For our morning trip we set our sights on the famous black church of Budir. Surprisingly, the area was still relatively quiet when we arrived, affording us the luxury of solitude as we explored its surroundings. After a quick coffee break at Hotel Budir our drive around the Snæfellsnes peninsula led us to Rauðfeldsgjá, a stunning gorge nestled in the Botnsfjall Mountain. A pleasant gradual uphill walk leads you to a waterfall which gets narrower as you go in.The icy ground prevented us from reaching the deeper waterfalls.
Our next stop was at Arnarstapi for a much-needed meal of fish and chips, accompanied by refreshing local Icelandic beer.Refueled we ventured further along the coastline, capturing moments of awe at the Bárður Saga Snæfellsás statue ,Arnarstapi Cliff Viewpoint ,the iconic Gatklettur stone arch to name a few. Our impromptu discovery of the Midgja Rift from the stone bridge added an unexpected thrill, the pink basalt rocks standing in stark contrast against the backdrop of Snaefellsnes Mountain.Next stop was the untamed terrain of the F570 , our first venture into the famous F roads of Iceland. We were awestruck by the raw beauty of the Snæfellsjökull glacier from the rugged roads. However, our plans to venture further into Snaefellsjokull National Park were derailed by an unexpected snowfall, prompting us to opt for the scenic coastal drive instead.
During our drive, we paused at notable landmarks such as Malarrif lighthouse and the majestic Lóndrangar basalt cliffs, each offering breathtaking views of Iceland's dramatic coastline. As the day drew to a close, we were treated to a mesmerizing sunset at Kirkjufellsfoss, where we captured the enchanting waterfalls against the backdrop of Mt. Kirkjufell, the fading light casting a golden hue over the landscape.The highlight of our day was yet to come as we were unexpectedly treated to a spectacular display of the Northern Lights as we were finishing up a sumptuous dinner. Racing back to Kirkjufellsfoss, we watched in awe as the aurora danced across the night sky in hues of green and purple, a mesmerizing sight that left us spellbound until the early hours of the morning. As we retired to our cottage for the night, lullabied by the dancing of the Aurora Borealis in the night sky. Read more on daily diaries.
Day3 - Kirkjufellsfoss to Hvítserkur via Hólmavík
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Hotel Hvitserkur is a off the beaten path hotel located in Vatnsnes Peninsula in North Iceland run by a young german couple. The area is known for seal watching and the Hvitserkur sea stack .Being in a remote countryside setting a high clearance vehicle helps and you have to drive to the closest town of Hvammstangi for dinner or provisions , unless you let the hosts know few days earlier and they can have meal prepared.
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Breakfast- Made hot breakfast with coffee in the kitchen , overlooking Kirkjufell
Snaefellsnes Hotel Cafe for Cakes ,muffins with coffee in between
Lunch- Café of the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft in Holmavik
Dinner- Gourmet burgers picked up from Highway 1 close to Hvitserker
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Kirkjufell kayaking - A kayaking adventure with the chance to view this mountain from all angles ( weather permitting)
Puffin Tour from Grundarfjörður by Laki Tours ( only till August 20th, after that they are gone)
Whale Watching Tours - from Hólmavík by Laki Tours to be the only boat with the humpback. A separate tour can be done from Olafsvik as well which is closer.
Drive to Holmavik - beautiful vistas at each corner , a glimpse of what the Westfjords Region has to offer
Hvitserkur - 15 m high basalt stack along the eastern shore of the Vatnsnes peninsula, with two holes at the base, which give it the appearance of a drinking dragon or elephant , or a troll with a staff,or whatever your imagination can think of .Time it with low tide to walk to the base of the rock. Great for Northern light viewing and photography
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We woke up exhausted but happy with the amazing Aurora show and eager for the day's adventures of whale watching in Hólmavík. It is a very scenic drive from the town of Grundarfjörður passing through Iceland's breathtaking landscapes along the southern section of the Westfjords Region. On the way we stopped at Snaefells hotel and grabbed a quick breakfast of cake, muffins, and coffee. Energized, we resumed our journey, relishing every moment of the stunning scenery.
Arriving at our destination by 1 pm, we were relieved to find that our whale watching trip wasn't canceled due to weather disruptions. It was a pleasant boat ride as we spotted numerous gray and humpback whales against the backdrop of a vibrant rainbow. It was too late for the birds as most of them had migrated south by then.After our excursion had concluded, we had lunch at the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft's cafe. Though we skipped the museum, the seafood and lamb soups warmed our hearts on the chilly windy day.Continuing our journey, we embarked on a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Hotel Hvitserkur, located in Hvammstangi. We chose this quaint countryside hotel for its proximity to Hvítserkur, a towering basalt rock formation known as the "Troll of Northwest Iceland." This is quite a remote location and we grabbed burgers from the only open restaurant nearby before checking in. We couldn't resist a visit to Hvitserkur beach, and a climb down the cliff to get some pictures of the Rock formation with the receding tide.Read more on daily diaries.
Day4 - Highland Adventure to Kerlingarfjoll
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Highland Base - Kerlingarfjöll, Located at the edge of the majestic Kerlingarfjöll mountain range it is perfectly located to explore the highlands of central Iceland. Its open year round and is accessible by the F roads with 4x4 in the summer and on a super jeep in the winter. It has all kind of accommodations from campground and hostel huts to upscale rooms and luxury suites, with an amazing restaurant It is a first-of-its-kind highland resort with the breathtaking views of mountainscape's geothermal valleys.
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Breakfast- In house breakfast at Hotel Hvitserkur
Coffee and cake for the road from B&S Restaurant at Blönduós
Lunch- Picnic Lamb sandwich on Rúgbrauð ( Icelandic Rye bread) with cheese , on the way with supplies picked up from Blönduós
Dinner- Buffet at Highland Base - Kerlingarfjöll
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The Vatnsnes Peninsula is one of the best places to watch seals from the shore. Weather and tide permitting you can see the resident Gray and Harbor seals, and occasionally Harp, Ringed, Hooded and Bearded seals as well.
Hveravellir- or “the Hot Spring Fields”, a beautiful geothermal area in the central highland between Langjökull and Hofsjökull glaciers. A nature reserve 650 meters above sea level with miles and miles of beautiful hiking trails and secluded hot pools to dip in.
Gýgjarfoss- A high volume and powerfull waterfall only 5 meters high and 20 meters wide, on the way to Hveradalir which joins the mighty river Hvítá, and forms Gullfoss in the Golden Circle route.
Hveradalir Geothermal Area- or 'the Valley of the Hot Springs,' is an amazingly beautiful secluded destination in the Highlands, only accessed in summer via the F roads of iceland. The hot springs are surrounded by the rhyolite mountains of the Kerlingarfjoll range, making for some spectacular and colorful surroundings with some amazing hiking. Northern light viewing and photography
Kjölur Route (F35)-It’s mountainous, unpaved, unpredictable and fast-changing weather areas makes it one of the famous F Roads of iceland. It is not dangerous and has no river crossing , but a high clearance 4WD is recommended. Regular rental cars are not allowed to go on Froads and the insurance does not cover driving on them.
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Hotel Hvítserkur to Hveravellir is 3-¾ hrs. drive time though the famous F- Road and Highland Base at Kerlingarfjöll is further south on the high around 1-½ hrs. away. The waterfall Gýgjarfoss is 15 mins. before the Hotel and the breathtaking Hveradalir Geothermal Area is 15 mins. after the hotel. Pick up all supplies at Blönduós just before going off-road.
We woke up late, but after breakfast, we headed to Hvítserkur. Due to high tides the rock base was in water and we enjoyed the view of crashing waves from the observation deck. We also walked around exploring the area little bit. There is a road on the right side of the parking lot which loops around and gradually takes you to the beach below.
After a stop in Blönduós, a local store for coffee and other groceries for the next few days, we embarked on our journey to Kerlingarfjöll mountain range via Hveradalir. The first part of the drive to Hveravellir passes through high plateaus with gravely and dusty raod with beautiful open vistas on either side. At Hveravellir after paying the necessary fees we explored the geothermal area for a couple of hours, taking numerous trails along the bubbling hot springs. This is also a good place to take a dip in famous icelandic hot springs.
Continuing towards Kerlingarfjöll, the drives gradually changes from high plateau to mouatains with few small river crossings. We stopped at Gýgjarfoss, a beautiful waterfall in Asgardur on the way before checking into the newly renovated Highland Base Hotel, enjoying a cup of coffee before driving to Hveradalir despite the fog, as we had only the evening to explore the area. Upon arrival at the parking lot ,we hiked down to the geothermal valley, surrounded by colorful rhyolite mountains. This place is brathtaking and the combination of fog and clouds made it extra magical. The places closes at sunset and we gradullay made our way back to the hotel for our dinner reservation. We indulged in a grand Icelandic buffet and with clouds hindering aurora hunting, we retired early.Read more on daily diaries.
Day5 - Highland Adventured to Landmannalaugar
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Landmannalaugar Campsite is located in the Icelandic highlands in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, surrounded by colorful rhyolite mountains, mixed vegetation, and the warm hot springs. It is also the starting point of the famous Laugavegur trail, a 4-day exciting adventure leading to Thorsmork. Landmannalaugar “The Pearl of The Highlands” is a rather remote location in Iceland, so it is only open early July to late September and can only be accessed by a 4x4 vehicle in summer and super jeeps in winter.
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Breakfast- Buffet at Highland Base - Kerlingarfjöll
Coffee and baked goods at Skjol Cafe. You can have Luch here as well.
Lunch- Picnic Lamb sandwich and skyr on Rúgbrauð ( Icelandic Rye bread) with cheese, on the way with supplies picked up from Blönduós
Dinner- Sandwich and skyr and hot chocolate from the local mobile snack bus.
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Kerlingarfjoll range- Kerlingarfjoll is a hiker’s paradise with breathtaking scenery and unbeatable solitude ( only in summer and weather permitting)
Langjökull Glacier Tours - known as the ‘Long Glacier’, is the second-largest glacier in Iceland, and famous for jeep and snowmobile trips. The tour starting location can be easily accessible from Reykjavik in a regular car on a paved road, from there they take you in a super jeep to the glacier.
Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall - 2 very popular sights very close to each other and in the Golden Circle Route. Only drawback , they are always crowded.
Road to Landmannalaugar camping - F225 is a shortcut from Road 26 at Landmannaleið, a scenic compared to F208/208 from the north, with some river crossing. F225 connects to F208 and then to the short detour of F224 to reach the camping area. This is one of the most fun 4WD drives with numerous crossings and absolutely stunning vistas. Before reaching the camping you have to cross two deep water streams. Northern light viewing and photography
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Highland Base at Kerlingarfjöll to Skjol Cafe( where the glacier adventure starts) is 2-¼ hrs. South of the F-35. The famous Gullfoss falls ( Golden Circle route) is less than 10 mins before. The actual snowmobile start location is 50 mins away in a super jeep.From the cafe the Landmannalaugar Camping site is 3 hrs. River crossings based upon the depth of the water add some time, but add exponentially to the adventure ,if you are up for it.
The weather on our Icelandic trip so far has been a rollercoaster of seasons. Despite a foggy sunrise, we geared up for the day's highlight: snowmobiling on Langjökull glacier. After breakfast, we drove to the Hveradalir area, stopping at the scenic "horseshoe bend" before starting our drive to the Skjol basecamp for our snowmobile tour with Arctic Adventures. It's a long highland drive which takes you past amazingly scenic highland landscape including the Langjökull glacier before crossing into the famous Gulfoss in the Golden Circle touristic area.
After our check in and getting properly geared up we took a ride in the super jeeps to the Langjökull glacier snowmobile area.The cloudy glacier ride was thrilling, and 2 hours flew by as we explored and learned from our guides about the glacier's geology and ecology.Returning to Skjol we changed gear and embarked on our drive to Landmannalaugar. En route, you pass through Iceland's vast farmlands and get numerous opportunities to come close to the very friendly and curious Icelandic horses. As we hit the F roads, the landscape transitioned to gravel and then to black lava rocks of the iconic Katla, offering a taste of Icelandic black and green terrain.Unfortunately it was cloudy all day and started raining before we entered the Katla region,which made hiking a unpleasurable endeavor , so we savored the journey, navigating numerous river crossings with excitement. The Landmannalaugar area in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve is nestled beside the raven-black Laugahraun lava field, made up of windswept rhyolite mountains, with a full spectrum of dazzling colors. After paying the necessary fees and Pitching our tent at the campsite ( our first outside the USA) , we relished the camping experience under the stars, a cherished activity for us. After setting up camp we enjoyed a simple dinner of bread, ham, and skyr, and socialized with fellow campers in the general tent.As night fell, we retired to our tent for a satisfying sleep.Read more on daily diaries.
Day6 - Katla Cave and exploring South Iceland
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Nónhamar cottages are easily accessible and conveniently located in between Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. They have two different kinds located on either side of the highway., the regular sized ones for people who want some extra space and comfort or have 3 people and the Mini sized ones for two people for a short stay. Both are well equipped with a kitchenette and a private bathroom.
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Breakfast- baked goodies picked up from Blönduós and hot coffee from the local mobile snack bus.
Lunch- Lava Bakery and Coffee in Vik
Dinner- Cooked dinner with supplies picked from grocery at Vik in the Mini Cottage
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Landmannalaugar- the starting point of the multi day hike to Thorsmark and numerous other hikes like the Laugahraun lava field Loop trail and the Bláhnjúkur mountain ( Blue Mountain) trail to name a few. Only in summer and weather permitting( unfortunately we had to skip the hikes due to heavy rains)
Thorsmork-a popular nature reserve in the southern Icelandic highlands for hiking lovers and a prime location for photographers. Needs an extra day to go there and needs a super jeep to cross the streams.( only in summer). We had to skip it as it needs an extra day.
F208 South drive- An amazing drive with several river crossings of various size river crossings with views changing from color full rhyolite mountains to moss covered black landscape to completely black dusty roads of the backside of the iconic Katla volcano
Katla Ice Cave - the tour starts in a Super-jeep from Vik, to the ice glacier sitting on top of the iconic Katla volcano, with panoramic views, stunning ice formations and tunnels .
Reynisdrangar - amazing basalt sea stacks shooting dramatically out of the ocean located near the shore of Reynisfjara beach. They featured in Game of Thrones, at Eastwatch by the Sea. ( very poor visibility due to rains)
Reynisfjara Black sand Beach is a world-famous beach and one of the must see sites of south iceland. ( very poor visibility due to rains)
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Landmannalaugar Camping site to Vik is 2-½ hrs. ( with some additional time needed for multiple river crossings). Vik to Katla ice cave is 45 mins. one way in a super jeep.
Vik to Non-Hamar mini-cottages close to Skaftafell is 1-¾ hrs.
We woke to the soothing sound of rain, finding tranquility in our tent as we listened to the gentle pitter-patter. Since we were under the weather and did not feel like hiking in the rain ( even though we had the gear for it ) ,once the rain subsided we packed up and embarked on a scenic drive to the town of Vik, marveling at the vivid hues of the landscape against the backdrop of the Laugahraun lava field. The drive takes you through numerous river crossings and grand vista lookouts.
Our day's highlight awaited in Vik, where we joined a guided tour to explore the glacial caves of the renowned Katla volcano. A massive superjeep transported us to the cave's base, where we donned crampons and hard hats for an exhilarating ice hike. Guided by experts, we traversed the icy terrain, admiring stunning vistas of black and white contrasting against the glacial backdrop. Waterfalls cascading gracefully, added to the allure of the natural wonders surrounding us.
Returning to Vik, we aimed to catch the sunset at Reynisfjara's famous black sand beach, known for its dramatic rock formations. Despite the looming clouds and heavy rain, we trekked along the shore, captivated by the rugged beauty of Reynisdrangar. Though the sunset eluded us, the experience was unforgettable, and we retreated to our car, eager to reach our cozy cottages for the night, nestled in the tranquil countryside close to Skaftafell . We finished our dinner with groceries picked up from Vik, and enjoyed a hearty dinner in the cozy mini cottage. We religiously kept an eye out for Aurora’s but a thick cloud cover made sure nothing would be visible that night. Read more on daily diaries.
Day7- Vatnajökull National Park , Ice Climbing and South Iceland
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Fosshotel Vatnajökull, located in the southeast of Iceland just outside Höfn with a spectacular panoramic view of the majestic glacier Vatnajökull and close to Stokksnes And Vestrahorn Mountain. A newly renovated Icelandic chain hotel with a great restaurant using local ingredients to prepare unique modern courses
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Breakfast- Cooked hot breakfast in Mini Cottage
Lunch- Lamb sandwich on Rúgbrauð ( Icelandic Rye bread) with cheese
Dinner- restaurant at Fosshotel Vatnajökull
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Vatnajokull Glacier Explorations- The largest glacier in Europe covering more than 8% of Iceland with over 30 outlet glaciers. Numerous activities like glacier exploration, ice climbing, ice cave exploration etc.Numerous locations from here were used in Game of Thrones for north of the Wall.
Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon -Iceland's most visited landmarks in the National Park, which sits at the base of the outlet glacier Breidamerkurjokull with large and mazing shaped icebergs float by in a vast lake with the Vatnajokull in the background. Northern light viewing and photography
The Diamond Beach - Across the highway from the lagoon, the large icebergs that have broken off are washed by the Atlantic Ocean to form the Diamond Beach.Better and bigger ice diamonds in the morning.
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Nonhamar Mini-Cottages to Skaftafellsstofa( Vatnajökull National Park Visitor Center, where all glacier trips begin is around 15 mins. From The visitor center the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon is 50 mins, and the Fosshotel Vatnajökull is 1 hrs. from the lagoon parking lot. The Diamond beach is just across the hi9ghway from the lagoon parking lot, and has a separate parking lot. The hotel is 12 mins. west of Hofn. Parking fees are strictly enforced using cameras.
This day marked our thrilling ice climbing adventure, building on our past experiences in Alaska.Opting for the Glacier Extreme circuit, our day promised ice climbing and glacier hiking.We met our Arctic Adventures guide at Skaftafell Basecamp and equipped with our hard hats and ice climbing gear, we felt ready for anything. A quick 15 mins bus ride takes you to the starting point of Falljökull, a sister glacier of the main Vatnajökull.
After a short hike across gravel covered ice terrain, crampons were fitted, and our group of six, along with our guide, began the ascent. The glacier's grandeur, marked by vibrant ice formations ,mysterious moulins and grand vistas is truly captivating and you get the strong urge to stop and check it out ever so often. Despite our initial challenges adjusting to the ice, by midday, we commenced our ascent up the ice wall. Unfortunately being under the weather for the last few days had sapped our energy, prompting a decision to forego the full climb. Adapting our plan, we joined another group for the Glacier Explorer hike, so that we can still enjoy the glacier's beauty.
Returning to basecamp by mid-afternoon, we concluded the climb and headed to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, where we soaked in the stunning vistas until dusk. An hour-long drive brought us to Fosshotel Vatnajökull, offering breathtaking views of the Vatnajökull glacier on the way. Despite our hopes of witnessing auroras, heavy cloud cover thwarted our plans, leading us to retire to the hotel after a very enjoyable dinner.In retrospect, the day embodied the essence of our adventure and adaptation. Despite setbacks, adjusting our plan allowed us to salvage the experience and reaffirm our commitment to tackle it in future adventures. Read more on daily diaries.
Day8- Exploring glacier lagoons in South Iceland
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Brú Guesthouse -Nice,quiet and fully furnished cottages with fully equipped kitchen and incredible mountain views in the South Iceland close to Seljalandsfoss and Glúfrabúi waterfalls ,Geyser and Gullfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls.
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Breakfast- restaurant at Fosshotel Vatnajökull
Lunch- Nailed It Fish and Chips , one of the food truck at Jökulsárlón lagoon parking lot
Dinner- Cooked dinner with leftover in Cottage
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Vestrahorn,/Vesturhorn or Stokksnes - This location has breathtaking scenery with sharp mountain peaks jutting out at the edge of the water with a black sand beach making it a unique place for photography ( for all weather except heavy rain, which is what we got) or for enjoying unspoiled nature. The beach has a small entrance fee as it is private. Northern light viewing and photography
Glacier Lagoon kayaking in Vatnajokull National park- Kayaking among floating icebergs and seeing the glacier gives you a unique perspective of the lagoon.There are multiple glacier lagoon locations you can kayak in this huge National park , like Heinabergsjökull and Jökulsárlón. We chose the former as it's quiet and your group will be the only one in the water, and we were doing a Zodiac Tour in the other.
Zodiac boat tour in Jökulsárlón lagoon-An amazing boat cruise which takes you close to the glacier wall zig zagging past giant icebergs floating in a breathtaking glacial lagoon.
Dyrhólaey - On the way back or to Hofn, a unique place to stop is the hidden location of Dyrhólaey, where you can not only see hundreds of nesting puffins ( in summer only) but also an amazing vista of the south coast of Iceland
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Vestrahorn or Stokksnes is 25 mins. from Fosshotel and Hotel Smyrlabjörg ( where we met for our kayaking trip ) was 25 mins the other way from Fosshotel on Highway 1.Jökulsárlón lagoon is 25 mins more from Hotel Smyrlabjörg and Bru Guesthouse is 3-1/2 hrs. further. Dyrhólaey falls about 2-½ hrs into the drive and is 15 mins Vik.
Our last day in Iceland was an exhilarating finale to our trip, beginning with a kayaking exploration in Heinabergslón glacier lagoon, an activity enjoyed by both of us. We met our guide at Arctic Adventures basecamp, donned dry suits and flotation vests before getting on the van for a quick ride to the starting point. We then set off on tandem kayaks, marveling at the pristine white icebergs that surrounded us. We leisurely navigated through the lagoon, stopping at various points to get as close as safely possible to the glaciers and caves. On our return we made a quick stop on an iceberg to explore and stretch our legs. Heinabergslón's secluded beauty was a welcome escape from the more touristy spots, offering a sense of tranquility and unique perspective to take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding area. After our kayaking adventure, hunger led us to the Jökulsárlón glacier parking lot, where we indulged in fish and chips from one of the food vendors. As we savored our meal, we soaked in the picturesque views of the Jökulsárlón lagoon, which is an astonishing place constantly changing with the changing light.
Our next planned excursion was a late afternoon zodiac boat tour with Ice Lagoon Adventure tours.Boarding the zodiac boat, we embarked on a 75-minute journey through the icy waters of Jökulsárlón lagoon. Surrounded by sculpture-like icebergs, all we could do was marvel at the vastness of the landscape and the raw beauty of nature. The giant glacier wall of Jökulsárlón, with the calm lagoon waters provide a complete serenity, only to be disturbed by the occasional spectacle of glacier calving.
From the lagoon we embarked on the long drive to Bru guesthouse in Hvolsvöllur, the evening light creating an almost magical view all throughout the drive. Arriving at the guesthouse, we quickly freshened up and enjoyed a hearty dinner reminiscing about the past eight days in Iceland, with a tinge of sadness knowing that our time in this beautiful country was drawing to a close. Read more on daily diaries.
Day9- Exploring waterfalls of South Iceland
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Icelandic Air
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Breakfast- Leftover baked goodies and Hot coffee in Cottage
Lunch- leftover Rúgbrauð ( Icelandic Rye bread) and skyr on the way
Dinner- IcelandAir on board meal
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Seljalandsfoss- This narrow cascading waterfall is one of the most famous waterfalls of Iceland. The cliffs behind the falls have a wide cavern, which allows you to walk around it but be prepared to get wet in all seasons. Another waterfall Gljúfrabúi, is within walking distance but needs some finding as it's hidden behind a rock face.
Skógafoss Waterfall- one of the biggest waterfalls in Iceland, with a straight vertical drop of 200 feet (60 meters) which produces a lot of drizzle and you can see rainbows at the base ( only on sunny days). You can also walk right up to it but will be soaked to the core. It's a surreal feeling though
Airport Drive through Grindavik- A small fishing town which is in the news recently due to the tourist-friendly eruptions in Litli-Hrutur . Driving around the entire area showcases how new land is constantly formed due to the lava and how quickly new life springs up. The instagram famous milky blue waters of Blue Lagoon is in this area as well.
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Seljalandsfoss is 15 mins. from Bru Guesthouse , and Skógafoss is 30 mins. down the road on Highway 1 to Vik ( which is 1 hr ). The international airport (KEF) is 1-¼ hrs. but the detour through Grindavik ( if the roads are open and lava free) adds 1 hour to the drive time.
Our last day in Iceland before our 7.30 pm flight back to Chicago was dedicated to the exploration of Iceland's renowned waterfalls. Preferring an early start to avoid crowds, our first stop was Seljalandsfoss, a majestic waterfall on the South Coast. With few cars in sight, we marveled at its 200-foot drop. A short hike led us behind the falls, where the misty spray added to the enchantment. It gets really wet in the back and you need to be prepared to keep everything dry or enjoy getting drenched. Though we missed the nearby Gljúfrabúi waterfall as it started to rain, Seljalandsfoss left us in awe.
We decided to avoid busy attractions like Geysir, and choose to visit the waterfalls which promised solitude and stunning scenery. Continuing our journey, we arrived at Skógafoss, one of Iceland's largest waterfalls. Despite the lack of sunshine, its towering presence was breathtaking. While we hoped to hike the Skógafoss Waterfall trail, time constraints led us to forgo it. As we reluctantly left the falls behind, we savored the coastal vistas on the scenic route to the Airport Keflavik with a detour through Grindavik.Returning to our rental car, we boarded the shuttle to the airport, bidding farewell to Iceland's beauty, and eagerly awaiting our next trip , wishing its landscapes would always welcome us back, hopefully with a kinder weather. On the flight back we were treated with some glorious aerial view of the glaciers of Greenland , basking in the setting sun, giving us a glimpse of all the wonders this world has to offer. Read more on daily diaries.