Diamonds of the North

8 days, 7 nights

 

 

Explore Northern Iceland with this 8-day itinerary. You will visit the stunning Golden Circle and many other Icelandic natural wonders.

 

Highlights

• Visit the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, which is often referred to as “Iceland in Miniature” because of its many national sights.
• Explore the natural area of Lake Mývatn, and take a relaxing soak in the Nature Baths.
• Stop at the spectacular Goðafoss waterfall, also referred to as “Waterfall of the Gods” for good reason.
• Discover all of the natural wonders of the Golden Circle, including Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir geothermal area and Þingvellir National Park.
• Marvel at the black sand beaches and waterfalls of the South Shore.

 

Overnight Stops

8 days, 7 nights

Reykjavík (1) – Borgarfjörður (1) – Stykkishólmur (1) – Akureyri (2) – Gullfoss (1) – Reykjavík (1)

 

Sample Itinerary

 

Day 1: Welcome to Iceland

Welcome to Keflavík International Airport! Upon arrival, you will head to Reykjavík for your first night’s stay. To unwind after your long journey, consider stopping by the Blue Lagoon for a relaxing and therapeutic soak before heading into town.

Optional highlights: Blue Lagoon, whale watching from Reykjavík

Overnight in Reykjavík
Tenon Recommends: Fosshotel Rauðará

 

Day 2: Reykjavík to Borgarfjörður

Start the day with a visit to Þingvellir National Park, the site of the first Icelandic parliament founded in 930. Þingvellir was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural value. Þingvellir Lake and its surroundings is also a place of great geological interest. The Kaldidalur Highland road will take you close to Langjökull glacier. This is the perfect opportunity to add an optional tour through the glacier tunnel before continuing towards Borgarfjorður. Stop at the Hraunfossar waterfalls where cold springs of subterranean water seep through the lava and drop as tiny waterfalls and rapids into the Hvítá glacial river. Further along the way, you can visit the historical site of Reykholt, known from the times of many Icelandic sagas, and visit the Deildartunguhver geyser.

Optional highlights: Fontana spa, glacier tour, snorkeling at Silfra

Overnight in Borgarnes
Tenon Recommend: Hotel Borgarnes
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 3: Borgarfjörður to Stykkishólmur

Explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, where you can observe most of the natural phenomena found around Iceland – only on a much smaller scale: lava fields, volcanic craters, glacier, waterfalls, sandy beaches, charming fishing towns, bird cliffs and more. Drive around Snæfellsjökull glacier, the entrance to the center of Earth! (At least according to Jules Verne’s story.)

Optional highlights: Vatnshellir cave tour

Overnight in Stykkishólmur
Tenon Recommends: Fosshotel Stykkishólmur
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 4: Stykkishólmur to Akureyri

The drive along the northern coast of the peninsula offers views of the numerous islands in Breiðafjörður bay. Continue through green valleys and along the fjords toward Skagafjörður. If time permits, visit the old turf Glaumbær Farm and Museum and the town of Sauðárkrókur. Holar, with the old cathedral, is one of the historical sites in Hjaltadalur. Continue north around the Troll Peninsula to Siglufjörður where you can visit the award-winning Herring Era Museum and get a glimpse into the times when this charming village was a thriving fishing town. The route continues through three tunnels and along the coastal road to your accommodation in Akureyri.

Optional highlights: Hofsós pool, whale watching on a RIB from Akureyri

Overnight in Akureyri
Tenon Recommends: Sæluhús Apartments
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 5: Akureyri to Lake Mývatn

Today you will see some of the most impressive sights in Northern Iceland. Drive to Goðafoss waterfall and explore the Lake Mývatn area and its abundant natural volcanic wonders. Enter the Icelandic rift zone and see clear signs of past activity, some as recent as 1984. Among the highlights, you will see are pseudocraters at Skútustaðir, Dimmuborgir and the solfatara field at Námaskarð with its boiling mud pits and steam vents. During the summer months, the lake is teeming with birdlife, as various bird and duck species come nesting in the surroundings of the lake. You will also have several possibilities for short easy hikes and a chance for a relaxing soak in the Mývatn Nature Baths.

Optional highlights: Mývatn Nature Baths

Overnight in Akureyri
Tenon Recommends: Sæluhús Apartments
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 6: Akureyri to Gullfoss

The route toward Varmahlíð is along the Ring Road and the Kjolur Highland road. Stopping at the Hveravellir hot spring area gives you a chance for a quick dip in the natural geothermal pool or a stroll around the boiling hot springs. Venture further south between the Langjökull and Hofsjökull glaciers through desert land. In the south, you will travel past the Gullfoss waterfall and the Geysir Hot Spring Area, where you can wait for Strokkur to spout off every 5 to 10 minutes!

Overnight in Gullfoss
Tenon Recommends: Hotel Gullfoss
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 7: Gullfoss to Reykjavík

After breakfast, drive to Selfoss along the Ring Road to Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, two of the most iconic waterfalls in Iceland. The drive continues at the foot of the Eyjafjöll mountains, where the infamous Eyjafjallajökull volcano rests under the glacier of the same name. A stop at Reynisfjara black sand beach offers spectacular views of the Reynisdrangar cliffs as well as the Dyrhólaey promontory. Head back west to Reykjavík for your last overnight stay.

Overnight in Reykjavík
Tenon Recommends: Fosshotel Rauðará
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 8: Depart Iceland

Depart from the Keflavík airport, or continue onward to more Icelandic adventures!
(Breakfast included)

 

Pricing

From $2,029 per person based on double occupancy*
*Price shown is an example of what to expect for a self-drive vacation. Each itinerary is customized and can change depending on seasonality, availability, etc.

This trip can be booked as a self-drive tour or chauffeur tour.

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