9 or 10 NIGHTS

REYKJAVIK - SNÆFELLNES - HUSAVIK - MYVATN - DETTIFOSS - EAST FJORDS - SKAFTAFELL - HELLA - REYKJAVIK

Days 1-2: Reykjavik (Friday* - Saturday)
Fly to Reykjavik and transfer 1 hour to Hotel Reykjavik for the next 3 nights ( * 2 nights for Manchester flight guests who arrive on Friday). Enjoy 3 days exploring Iceland’s capital city with a wide choice of optional excursions and activities.

Days 3: Reykjavik - Snaefellsnes (Sunday)
Depart Reykjavik for Snæfellsnes Peninsula dominated by views of its mystical glacier where Jules Verne’s ‘Journey to the Centre of the Earth’ began. Explore small fishing villages and lava fields and stroll along the beaches and cliffs of Budir and Arnastapi. Visit Stykkisholmur before arriving at Reykholt for the night.

Day 4: Reykholt - North Iceland (Monday)
After a walk around the beautiful lava waterfalls Hraunfossar and Europe’s most powerful hot springs we head north through fertile farmlands, sculpted valleys and horse country to Akureyri, capital of the north. Continue to Husavik or Laugar, our base for the next 2 nights.

Day 5: Whale Watching - Lake Myvatn (Tuesday)
Enjoy a 3 hour whale watching trip (weather permitting) from picturesque Husavik. Close encounters with dolphins, minke and humpback whales are common. Visit Godafoss waterfalls en route to Lake Myvatn, a beautiful and strange moonscape with bizarre lava formations, bubbling mud pools, steam vents and thousands of birds. We stroll through Dimmuborgir lava field culminating in a walk to the rim of Hverfjall ash crater.

Day 6: Dettifoss - Eastern Highlands (Wednesday)
Today we visit Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfalls in the impressive Jokulsa glacier river canyon. We then cross the barren landscape of the Eastern Highlands with awe-inspiring scenery seemingly belonging to another planet. Overnight in Egilsstadir area.

Day 7: Eastern Fjords - Vatnajokull (Thursday)
A visually stunning and varied route winds around the mountainous inlets of the coastal fjords. Near Hofn the glacial tongues of the massive Vatnajokull ice-cap form an impressive backdrop to vast lava fields. The day ends with a boat trip amonst the floating icebergs of the Jokulsarlon Lagoon. Overnight near Skaftafell National Park.

Day 8: Skaftafell NP - South Iceland (Friday)
After a walk in scenic Skaftafell NP with its giant glaciers and panoramic views, we continue past flood ravaged lava plains with isolated turf farms and cliffs rich in birdlife. We visit Skogar waterfall and folk museum and walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall before overnighting in the small village of Hella.

Day 9: Gullfoss - Geysir - Thingvellir NP (Saturday)
We start with an introduction to the Icelandic horse before driving to Gullfoss, the Golden Waterfalls. Nearby is the fascinating geothermal area of Geysir with its spouting hot springs, including ‘The Churn’ which spouts up to 70ft every 5-10 mins. We continue to the ancient Parliament area of Thingvellir National Park with its rift valley astride the drifting continental plates. We arrive back in Reykjavik in late afternoon in time for Saturday night out on the town.

Day10: Reykjavik - UK (Sunday*)
Heathrow and Gatwick flight guests have time for last minute shopping before flying home today. Sunday.
*Stansted, Manchester and Glasgow flight guests have an additional night in Reykjavik, flying home on Monday.