Loading…
Come and join one of our expert guides on an unforgettable journey along Iceland’s famous Ring Road. We’ve crafted this itinerary to give our guests the perfect combination of natural wonders and Icelandic culture. Experience “must see'' attractions such as the Golden Circle, the Glacier Lagoon, Lake Mývatn , Dettifoss and Blue Lagoon.
Itinerary at a glance
Your journey to explore Iceland begins as you board your international flight to Reykjavik, the capital and largest city of Iceland. Widely known as “The Land of Fire and Ice” Iceland is home to some of the largest glaciers in Europe, and some of the world’s most active volcanoes.
Welcome to the Land of Fire and Ice! A local guide will meet you at the airport and bring you out to where the tour vehicle is waiting. Head over the lunar landscapes of Reykjanes Peninsula as you head to Reykjavík. We start off with a city sightseeing tour of Reykjavík. Included this morning is entrance to the observation deck at the Pearl (Perlan). Dinner is on your own tonight. Reykjavík’s tempting variety of restaurants and cuisines will make the dining experience a delight.
Enjoy a plentiful and healthy Icelandic breakfast at your hotel. Meet your guide and driver and depart Reykjavík for South Iceland Golden Circle. Your first destination is the Þingvellir National Park. At Þingvellir National Park explore the grounds of the ancient parliament site, Alþingi, on the shores of Iceland’s largest lake. Þingvellir also showcases the dramatic continental drift between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates. After Þingvellir we head straight for Gullfoss Waterfall. View Iceland’s famous Gullfoss, or ‘Golden Falls’, one of Iceland’s most beautiful waterfalls. Take some time to enjoy Gullfoss from several different angles. Next we visit the Geysir hot spring area, where your group can see numerous spouting hot springs and boiling mud pools. The most famous of these is Strokkur, a geyser that shoots a high column of water every ten minutes.
Continue along the South Shore region, an area of peaceful farms set against a backdrop of volcanoes. You’ll visit two photogenic waterfalls (make sure to have your camera ready. Seljalandsfoss has a trail that leads behind the ribbon-shaped fall. Skógafoss is a lovely waterfall that has been the backdrop for several Hollywood productions. Continue on to the Dyrhólaey* nature reserve. Many bird species make their home here, including puffins (Puffins are usually in Iceland between mid-May and early August.). Your exciting day ends in the charming village of Vík, where you can take a walk on the beautiful black-sand beach with powerful waves thundering in the distance.
Dinner and overnight stay in the Vík area.
*Note: Dyrhólaey is closed during nesting season in spring, from mid-May until June 25.
We will also visit Friðheimar Organic Greenhouse Farm – the beautiful greenhouse where you can see how vegetables are grown using Iceland’s geothermal energy. You’ll also enjoy a taste of fresh tomatoes from the farm.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Dinner
Breakfast at your hotel. Cross Eldhraun, an impressive lava flow. It is the largest lava flow to have occurred on Earth in recorded history (1783 – 1784 AD). It was part of a powerful volcanic eruption that changed the climate in Western Europe. Make a stop in the town of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, a green “oasis” in a setting of surrounding lava fields and black sand deserts. The tour continues over the Skeiðarársandur volcanic sand plains to Skaftafell, a beautiful glacial area that is part of the vast Vatnajökull National Park. The park itself is the largest of its kind in Western Europe.Continue to the stunning Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon and enjoy an exciting boat tour* on the lagoon, sailing among the majestic icebergs. You might even glimpse seals sunbathing on the ice. Nearby is the Diamond Beach, made popular on social media. The sight of glittering icebergs resting on the black sand beach is very dramatic. You then continue onward to the bustling fishing town of Höfn, enjoying magnificent views of the mighty Vatnajökull, the biggest glacier in Europe.
Dinner and overnight stay in the Höfn area.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast at your hotel. Make sure your camera is ready. Today you’ll be driving through the magnificent East Fjords. This is some of Iceland’s most dramatic scenery, with winding roads taking you through landscapes of steep mountains and coastline.
Drive from Höfn through the Almannaskarð pass, stopping to admire the magnificent coastline. Continue on for stunning views of towering mountains that plunge vertically into the sea. Each fjord has its own unique character. Some fjords are uninhabited while some fjords hide tiny villages where time seems to have stood still. The area has some of the most beautiful varieties of stones and minerals, and we’ve set up a visit to Petra’s Renowned Collection* of local stones and minerals. Here you can see a story told in stone about the East Fjords, one of Iceland’s most geologically ancient areas. It’s also a peek into local fjord culture; the exhibit was created by a village woman interested in sharing her region’s heritage with visitors.
After a day of amazing views your overnight is in the largest town in East Iceland, Egilsstaðir. The region around the town is becoming known as a paradise for foodies. We hope you agree when you try tonight’s dinner. (One of the area specialties is reindeer from the herds that roam wild in the eastern highlands.)
Dinner and overnight stay in the Egilsstaðir area.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel Hallormsstdur or Similar
Breakfast at your hotel. Explore the empty vastness of the highland desert plateau Möðrudalsöræfi and enjoy a stop at Dettifoss, the second most powerful waterfall in Europe, as you head to the Lake Mývatn area. Mývatn is a volcanic wonderland and a fantastic place to explore how natural forces shaped our planet. One of the first Mývatn sites you will visit is Námaskarð pass with its boiling mud pools and vibrant colors. The terrain is so exotic you might feel as though you are on another planet. Explore the peculiar lava formations of Dimmuborgir and the pseudo craters at Skútustaðir and enjoy views of Hverfjall crater. Another of the Mývatn area’s claims to fame is that it is home to more species of waterfowl than any other place on Earth, as well as many other bird species, so make sure to bring some binoculars if you enjoy viewing bird life.
Travel towards the bustling northern port town of Akureyri, making a stop at the magnificent Goðafoss waterfall. Akureyri is home to some of the finest timber buildings in the country, beautifully restored to their original glory.
Overnight stay in the Akureyri area. Dinner at leisure in Akureyri.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch
Breakfast at your hotel. Today, majestic mountains and narrow passes lead to Skagafjörður, an area famous for horse breeding. Visit a family-owned horse farm and enjoy a Horse Show* as an introduction to the unique Icelandic horse breed that has a special fifth gait - the “tölt”. Continue along the Ring Road, passing the village of Blönduós built on both sides of the river Blanda with Hrútey Island nature reserve located in this popular salmon river. Cross the Holtavörðuheiði plateau to reach Borgarfjörður, a region of West Iceland known for its Viking history and for its picturesque volcanic and waterfall landscapes. One of these volcanic craters is Grábrók, a crater with a path that leads up for amazing views of the countryside. Later we visit the picturesque Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, where glacial water in brilliantly blue and white hues flows through unusual lava structures. The Deildatunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring, is also visited.
Dinner and overnight in Borgarnes.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Dinner
Breakfast at your hotel. Today we leave the hotel in Borgarnes and head for the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. We will visit Budarkirkja, the historical black church in the hamlet of Budir. This is one of the few black churches in the country, painted with pitch in order to protect the wood from the harsh climatic conditions of Iceland. The dramatic coast of Arnarstapi is waiting for us next. Powerful waves are constantly eroding the cliffs and leave impressive rock formations behind. We will also visit the black sand beach of Djupalonssandur, too, where we can see the remains of a shipwreck that took place in 1948.Stop to admire Kirkjufell, probably the most-photographed mountain in the country. Surrounded by streams and small waterfalls, it was chosen to be one of the filming locations for Game of Thrones. Kirkjufell is the most photographed mountain in Iceland, one of the top 10 most beautiful mountains in the world, and yet most recognized as being “Arrow Head Mountain” on Game of Thrones. Lunch on own today. Continue on to Reykjavík and check into your hotel. Farewell dinner included tonight at a restaurant near the hotel.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Dinner
Breakfast at your hotel. Check out the hotel and visit the Blue Lagoon. The lagoon’s warm geothermal water and natural active ingredients; mineral salts, silica and blue green algae help you relax and unwind while the lagoon’s distinctive white silica mud gently cleanses and exfoliates the skin. The mineral salts balance and relax the body and soul. Transfer to the airport. Enjoy your trip back to your home country and the fond memories of your time in Iceland! (The visit to Blue Lagoon will be possibly changed to Day 02 based on clients flight schedules)
Included: Breakfast at hotel
Create your ideal getaway with the following upgrade options. Extensions and upgrades can be added during the booking process or speak to one of our travel advisors to tailor your perfect trip.
Treat yourself to the most sought-after seats on our coaches — those in the first two or three rows. We assign 10 seats in the front rows on a first-come, first-served basis subject to availability. To pre-book these seats for less than $10 per day, select the front of coach seating option online in your Peony Tours account.
Airfares included in the advertised Land + Air Package prices are from Boston(BOS) / Newark(EWR) / New York(JFK), including fuel surcharge and taxes/fees, not including any baggage fees or seat assignment fees.
Departures from other gateway cities, please add appropriate U.S. domestic add-on fares. For time zone of your gateway city, please call Peony Tours.
*Fares are subject to availability; for detailed gateway fares please view our dates & pricing
★ ★ ★ ★
Fosshotel Reykjavík, Iceland’s largest hotel stands prominently in Reykjavík’s business district, only a short walk from the main shopping area. Its convenient location makes it an excellent base for the perfect Reykjavik city holiday. Here, from the heart of the city, you can easily explore Reykjavík's magnificent architecture, captivating history, vibrant markets and rich culture – the ideal starting point for experiencing the best of everything the city has to offer.
Hótel Vík í Mýrdal features 78 comfortable guest rooms, 46 of which are designed in a contemporary, nature-inspired style by noted Icelandic architect Guðbjörg Magnúsdóttir. Designed with beautiful Icelandic accents, our Superior hotel rooms offer extra space for your Vik i Myrdal visit. Enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi access, as well as a flat-screen TV and an en-suite bathroom with L’Occitane products.
Hotel Smyrlabjörg is a family-run hotel that is well located in a beautiful town in Suðursveit. A great location to explore all the pearls that Vatnajökull State in the Southeast has to offer. All bedrooms have private bathrooms, extra pillows, TVs, hairdryers and blackout curtains. Facilities include a casual restaurant and a farm with horses and sheep.
East Iceland is one of the most beautiful places on Earth with stunning nature, geothermal springs, Northen Lights or reindeers. Come explore East of Iceland while staying at the heart of Icelands biggest forest with amazing views and rooms designed for comfort and luxury.
Hótel Kea is located in the heart of Akureyri, North Iceland, next to the iconic church of Akureyri. With view over the fjord the hotel is within walking distance from the town central with shops, cafés and restaurants. The hotel's location is perfect for those who want to enjoy cultural events, a casual stroll between cafes and all that town of Akureyri has to offer.
The natural beauty of the land and surroundings of Borgarnes inspired the Design of B59 Hotel. The natural elements of colour and texture with high quality and contemporary furniture create a cozy and chic atmosphere. Inviting and warm the hotel is a perfect space to relax in modern luxury after a long day in the Icelandic wilderness.
