From glittering glaciers to black-sand beaches, Iceland’s wild landscapes will surprise and inspire travelers of all ages. Explore this subarctic isle’s natural and cultural treasures alongside our dynamic guides as you step behind the curtain of a spectacular waterfall or hike to the edge of a volcanic crater. Descend inside a lava tunnel, delve into Viking history, and get to know all about Icelandic horses at a farm.
Travel Style
National Geographic Family Journeys
Service Level
Upgraded
Physical Grading
3 - Average
What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group
Your Family Journeys Moment: Horse Farm Visit, Hveragerdi
Your Foodie Moment: Geothermal Bakery, Laugarvatn
Your Family Journeys Moment: Skogar Open Air Museum, Hveragerdi
Your Wellness Moment: Secret Lagoon, Fludir. Arrival transfer. Perlan Museum visit. Whale watching tour. Visit a horse farm. Lava tunnel visit. Golden Circle tour including Thingvellir National Park, Gulfoss waterfall and Geysir Hot Springs. Skogafoss waterfall lunch. Visit a Black Sand Beach. Westman Islands excursion. Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Secret Lagoon admission. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Walk through glacial landscapes and soak in steaming hot springs, step into Viking realms on a visit to a traditional turf house, set out on a whale-watching excursion to seek out minke and humpback whales, taste traditional Icelandic bread fresh from a geothermal bakery.
How large will the group be?
Max 20, avg 18
What meals are included in this trip?
7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Private minivan/bus, boat, walking
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Odd number adult travellers in your family will be paired in twin accommodation with another adult traveller of the same sex for the duration of the trip.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Hotels (7 nts)
Itinerary
Reykjavík
Welcome to Reykjavik–your arrival transfer to the hotel is included. Check in and get excited to meet your fellow travelers during a welcome meeting this evening where all families can bond before the Journey ahead. Hotel accommodation in Iceland is very limited and rooms/facilities can be fairly simple with few amenities. Hotels are chosen for their location and access to the wondrous landscapes and natural wonders of Iceland. Hotels are often remote, all the better to enjoy the beautiful natural setting.
Reykjavík
Start the morning at the Perlan museum, which showcases Iceland’s geological forces through exhibits on volcanic eruptions, explosive geysers, and more. After a classic Icelandic hot dog lunch, hop aboard a ship for a whale-watching expedition on Faxaflói Bay. Search for minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises diving through the waves, and learn about the incredible diversity of sea life in Iceland’s waters. The rest of the day is free for relaxing at your hotel or exploring Reykjavík. Our travel time today includes our many stops along the way.
Hveragerði
Set off on a hike through an area dotted with hot springs, stopping to soak your feet in steaming pools along the way. Travel to a vast lava field and enter one of the longest lava tunnels in Iceland, where we’ll explore the amazing inner workings of a volcanic eruption. Then head to a traditional Icelandic horse farm to meet the friendly equine residents and learn about this special breed. Icelandic horses are small, hardy, and have a unique ambling gait called the tölt. Get to know the horses amid the beautiful backdrop of surrounding hills before gathering for a homemade lunch at the farm. This afternoon, continue to our hotel in Hveragerði, a town built around its own bubbling hot spring.
Golden Circle
Discover the celebrated Golden Circle, a circuit that will take us to some of Iceland’s most amazing natural treasures. Hear the roar of the mighty Gullfoss waterfall and visit the Geysir hot spring, the namesake of all the world’s geysers. Continue to Thingvellir National Park, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates collide. Then visit a geothermal bakery to watch bakers digging pots of fresh bread out of hot black sand. Taste a slice still warm from the ground, and get the recipe for a loaf of rye. In the late afternoon, opt to stop by the Laugarvatn Fontana Spa for a soothing soak in geothermal waters. Our travel time today includes our many stops along the way.
South Coast
Today, explore Iceland’s amazing history, from the Viking era to the industrial revolution. Visit a traditional turf-walled dwelling, and step inside a 20th-century schoolhouse while learning about Iceland’s architectural heritage, folk crafts, and modern technology. Then take a short walk to the Skógafoss waterfall, one of the biggest falls in Iceland at more than 80 feet across. Enjoy lunch at the Skogafoss Bistro. This afternoon ramble on one of Iceland’s legendary black-sand beaches. Our travel time today includes our many stops along the way.
Westman Islands/Vík
Leave the mainland behind and voyage to the Westman Islands, a volcanic archipelago off Iceland’s southern coast. Go ashore on Heimaey, the only inhabited isle in the archipelago, and wander among the white wooden buildings of the single tiny town. Learn about the island’s recent volcanic history, view parts of the town buried by lava flows, and hike up the slopes of the Eldfell crater, where the ground is still warm from geothermal activity! Search for adorable puffins and other seabirds nesting on the island’s steep cliffs, then sail back to Vík—the southernmost village in Iceland, known for its black-sand beach and strange rock formations.
Reykjavík
Return to Reykjavík this morning, stopping along the way to visit Seljalandsfoss, one of Iceland’s most spectacular waterfalls. Step behind the curtain of the falls into a hidden cave filled with mist, and enjoy one of the best photographic opportunities in Iceland. Continue to the oldest natural swimming pool in Iceland, the Secret Lagoon, to soak in the hot spring’s blue waters. Continue to Reykjavík and enjoy a farewell dinner. Our travel time today includes our many stops along the way.
Reykjavík
Depart at any time.
Is travel insurance required for my trip?
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
