Day 1, SUN: WELCOME TO ICELAND (50 km/31 mls)
The Flybus shuttle brings travellers from Keflavík International airport to Hotel Klettur in central Reykjavík where you spend two nights. At 19:00 there is a get-together where you meet your local tour leader and fellow solo travellers for a welcome drink in the hotel lounge, followed by an Icelandic fish dinner in a local Reykjavík Restaurant.
Day 2, MON: VOLCANO HIKE & WATERFALLS & FARM VISIT AND COOK YOUR OWN DINNER (320 km/198 miles)
This morning we travel to West Iceland and are introduced to the Icelandic sagas in the settlement center in Borgarnes and climb a volcano crater within an old lava field. Then you get warmed at Deildartunguhver, the Europe's most powerful hot spring, which produces 180 liters per second of water which at 97°Celsius (206 F) is nearly boiling. Nearby we see Hraunfossar which is a series of waterfalls pouring from beneath a long row of lava fields into the Hvítá River. Barnafoss, “the Children’s falls”, is nearby with its own tragic tale. Learn more about Icelandic history at the cultural site of Reykholt. We continue around the scenic "Whale Fjord" and visit a sheep farm where the whole group helps to prepare dinner together with the local host. Return to Reykjavík and overnight at Hotel Klettur.
Day 3, TUE: REYKJAVÍK & FOOD LECTURE & LAVA FIELDS & GEOTHERMAL BATH (200 km/124 miles)
After a Reykjavík city tour we learn about the history and culture of Icelandic cheeses and the unique dairy product skyr, which tastes similar to yoghurt but is actually strained cheese. You are able to taste a range of Icelandic cheeses and learn about the special qualities of the Icelandic dairy cow. Then we take a less travelled route around Reykjanes Peninsula. Diverse geological features, hot springs, mountains, lava fields, amazing bird cliffs, moon landscapes, light houses and fishing villages are on today’s itinerary. In the late afternoon we visit the famous Blue Lagoon where we’re soaking in the geothermal water and have a drink together. We continue to the small greenhouse village of Hveragerði in South Iceland, where we stay for the next 4 nights at Hotel Örk. The hotel features a large geothermal outdoor pool, several hot tubs, a steam bath and a small golf course. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Örk.
Day 4, WED: GOLDEN CIRCLE, GEOTHERMAL TASTE & ICELANDIC HORSES (200 km/124 mls)
This morning you can learn about the Icelandic horse, its special qualities and its history, and also visit a geothermal greenhouse where the local host tells what it’s like to farm under glass with geothermal heat. Taste some of the delicious tomatoes to see for yourself! Then continue to Gullfoss “the golden falls“, a double waterfall that tumbles 34 meters into the Hvítá river, and attracts tourists and travellers in summer and winter. You see steam from the Geysir geothermal fields as you arrive. There are a variety of hot springs and bubbling pools. The original geyser is now dormant but has been replaced by Strokkur „the Churn“, which erupts at 5-10 minute intervals. When you get to Geysir, the chef of the Restaurant Geysir will take you to the geothermal areas were you can taste freshly baked hot spring bread served with Icelandic butter, geothermally boiled eggs, and herring. It is best served with a small glass of Geysir Schnapps, very cold – nearly freezing. The next stop today is at the thermal baths FONTANA in Laugarvatn, where healing geothermal heat seeps directly from the ground amidst a landscape painted with beautiful mountain ranges. Laugarvatn FONTANA will be a highlight of any wellness retreat in Iceland. Here you find three geothermally heated baths, a sauna, a warm sand beach, and access to the pristine waters of Lake Laugarvatn. A visit to the open-air baths at Laugarvatn FONTANA will also give you the opportunity to experience the ever-changing Icelandic weather as the thermal baths can be enjoyed all year around. In fact, spring and autumn makes the visit to the thermal baths an even warmer experience. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Örk.
Day 5: THU: SOUTH COAST, EYJAFALLAJÖKULL VOLCANO AND OPTIONAL GLACIER HIKE (300 km/186 mls)
Today we take you out along the south coast. You start at the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall which plunges over the mountain. There‘s an interesting trail that goes behind the fall – if you are prepared to get wet! Further east we stop at the Eyjafjallajökull Information Center and learn about living next to a glacier and active volcano. Skógafoss waterfall is 60 meters high and one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country. It‘s situated near one of Iceland's finest folk museums. This museum contains an outstanding collection of farm and domestic artifacts typical of Iceland’s past as well as turf-built houses. Now you can choose between an optional guided walk on a nearby glacier, or continue the bus tour to explore a black lava beach with bird cliffs. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Örk.
Day 6: FRI: OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, COASTAL VILLAGES & LOBSTER DINNER (70 km/44 mls)
Free morning to enjoy a selection of optional activities: horseback riding, guided hiking or biking tour, visit the local wellness center or join an easy guided walk through the greenhouse village of Hveragerði with several surprising attractions. In the afternoon we travel to the coastal villages of Stokkseyri and Eyrarbakki with many old and colourful houses and visit a local folk and maritime museum. We stroll along the black sands at one of the local beaches. A real highlight will be a dinner of Icelandic lobster at a seashore restaurant and then we return to Hotel Örk.
Day 7: SAT: UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE & OPTIONAL WHALE WATCHING CRUISE & EXPLORE REYKJAVIK (110 km/68 mls)
We start the day with a visit at Þingvellir National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site, an area of exceptional geological and historical interest. We visit the law-rock where the ancient Viking parliament "Althing" met to make laws and settle disputes. We take a short but pleasant walk through this place of natural beauty. The next stop is at an Icelandic wool outlet store, just to see what they do with all those sheep! Around noon we return to Reykjavík, Iceland's capital, for a last night at Hotel Klettur. Afternoon at leisure for sightseeing, museum visits, shopping, spa treatments or optional whale watching tour.
There is a busy evening ahead of us. At 19:00 we start with Icelandic sushi appetizers before we see and participate in "Let’s talk Iceland", a fun and vibrant historical comedy performed in English. It tells you all you need to know about the history of Iceland and Icelanders from its settlement until present day. You will meet Vikings from the past, heroes of the nation and everyday people, who will take you on an unforgettable journey through the history of Iceland while discussing the strange people who live here, namely the Icelanders. The Vikings will reenact various events from the past and you will be a part of it. And if something is not clear, just interrupt and ask them. The Vikings know Iceland and its history like the back of their hands and are also very amusing and entertaining. The goal of this comedy show is to teach you a little bit more about Icelanders then and now in a comical way. Give it a try - laugh and learn. Afterwards you might be very hungry so it’s good to continue with dinner, main course and dessert at a cozy restaurant in Reykjavík. As the night is still young, you might want to remain downtown and check out Iceland’s famous nightlife scene.
Day 8: SUN: DEPARTURE HOME (50 km/31 mls)
The Flybus airport shuttle picks you up at your hotel and takes you to Keflavik airport.
Arrival in Iceland on Sundays and guided coach tour starts on Mondays at 09:00.
Get-together, welcome drink and dinner starts on Sunday at 19:00 h.
Note:
Total mileage without airport transfer is 1200 km (744 miles) during 6 days, which means a daily average of 200 km (124 miles). This means about 2,5-3 hours per day will be spent on the bus. On some days the driving might be longer than on some other days, see itinerary above.