8-Day Iceland Ring Road Tour

8-Day Iceland Ring Road Tour

We put together this fantastic eight-day tour for people who want to make the most of their time in Iceland and enjoy Reykjavík. Visit a shimmering glacier, spouting geysers, incredible volcanoes, and stunning waterfalls, and go whale watching in the north. Enjoy the Nature Baths at Myvatn and stray off the beaten track, building unforgettable memories. In winter, climb through ice caves and chase the Northern Lights. Your first and last nights are spent in Reykjavík, giving you the chance to explore this fantastic city on your own.

Day 1 – Arrival Day – Reykjavík 

Your accommodation in Reykjavik Lights Hotel with breakfast (next morning) or similar is included in this tour. 

Day 2 – the Golden Circle and South Coast

You will be picked up in Reykjavík at 8:00. Picking everyone up takes up to 30 minutes. You may have to wait a few minutes, depending on where your accommodation in Reykjavik is located. Your patience is much appreciated.

Your first day mainly focuses on visiting the fabulous and famous Golden Circle attractions.

We visit Þingvellir National Park, an incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site with immense geological, historical, and cultural significance. The historic Icelandic Parliament, called the Alþing, was founded here in 930 CE/AD. Icelandic Parliament is the oldest still existing democratic Parliament in the world. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates continue to move, runs right through Þingvellir. You will see the rugged plate edge of the gorge. 

Your next stop is at the Geysir geothermally active area, home to Great Geysir. This famous spouting hot spring gave us the English word ‘geyser.’ You will witness Strokkur, the most active hot spring in recent times, blasting powerful torrents of superheated water every 5 to 10 minutes. Steaming fumaroles and hot springs can also be seen around the area. 

Before we head along the south coast, the final Golden Circle attraction is the thundering Gullfoss waterfall or the “Golden Falls.” You will see golden-toned mists rising around the waterfall as the mighty Hvítá river crashes through two drops of 11 m and 21 m. Hvítá means ‘White River.’ This raging glacial torrent originates at Langjökull, the second biggest glacier in Iceland.

On our way to your country hotel, situated near the village of Vík, we will stop to enjoy two legendary and stunning waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Both are around 60 m high, but otherwise, they are very different. Skógafoss waterfall cascades gracefully from the former sea cliffs. Seljalandsfoss is sometimes referred to as “the unusual waterfall,” there’s a pathway that leads behind the curtain of falling water, offering you a unique experience and views.

After settling into the country hotel in Kirkjubæjarklaustur, slip away for a couple of hours to chase the Northern Lights from September to April.

You will sleep in Hótel Geirland (or similar) with breakfast included. 

Day 3 – Vík – Skaftafell – Glacier Lagoon – Höfn 

Our first stop today is at Reynisfjara black sand beach. A short walk along the coast will bring you to the awe-inspiring and unusual basalt column cave. You will also see the troll-like and atmospheric Reynisdrangar peaks rising just off-shore. Now to the glaciers!

We travel through some extraordinary landscapes and other-worldly scenery to Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park. You will see views of the stunning Mýrdalsjökull glacier, home to one of the most feared volcanoes of all, the notorious Katla. You will also see another great fire maestro, Eyjafjalljökull. Our journey will take us over the Eldhraun lava field to Skaftafell, a lush green oasis amid black volcanic sand areas. Skaftafell is relatively sheltered with flourishing vegetation and birch forests.  

Our experienced glacier guide will lead you on a three-hour hike, allowing you to explore the stunning glacier tongue of Vatnajökull, the biggest glacier in Europe. You will learn all about this sensational blue/white ice world.

From November to March, we explore Vatnajökull’s crystal ice caves instead of the glacier hike. New ice caves form and freeze through the glacier’s heart each winter. Walk through with your guide to see ice caps from a new angle!

We continue with the theme of ice, onwards to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Action scenes from James Bond and other movies have made this the most famous ice lagoon in the world. Feast your eyes on the jaw-droppingly beautiful iceberg-filled lagoon and visit the fabulous Diamond Beach. This coal-black beach glitters with shimmering blue/white icebergs washed ashore by the tide. You will feel like you have stepped through a magic doorway into a mystical ice realm with magic landscapes.

Your accommodation will be in Höfn, a charming town known as ‘the lobster capital of Iceland”, in Hotel Höfn (or similar) with breakfast included. Search for the Northern Lights at night from September to April.

Day 4 – East Fjords – Djúpivogur – Egilsstaðir

Today we head to Iceland´s sensational East Fjords. You will travel the narrow roads which thread their way between the mountains and the ocean, passing through the very remote peninsular of Hvalnes. Continuing onwards, you will see the theatrical and contrasting scenery around Lón, the Þvottárskriður landslides, and Álftafjarðar, a stunning fjord.  

We’ll stop at Djúpivogur, a small traditional fishing village. The friendly village community is known for its eco-conscious and welcoming ways. Look at Eggin í Gleðivík (The Eggs of Merry Bay), a splendid outdoor sculpture. 

At our next stop, we’ll enjoy an exhilarating three-hour hike to Hengifoss, the second-highest waterfall in Iceland (128 m). Then marvel at the towering Litlanesfoss Waterfall framed by giant hexagonal basalt columns. You’ll pass by a spectacular gorge where ash layers left by ancient volcanic eruptions can be clearly seen. 

Your accommodation for the night will be a country hotel in Egilsstaðir in Hotel Valaskjalf (or similar) with breakfast included. Chase the Northern Lights at night from September to April.

Day 5 – Dettifoss – Mývatn – Goðafoss – Akureyri 

Today we will explore North Iceland. Our journey from Egilsstaðir will take us through the wilderness area around Möðrudalur, the highest inhabited place in Iceland at 469 m. The farming community here hosts the most elevated coffee house on the land!

Our first destination is the Dettifoss waterfall. These falls have the most powerful flow rate in Europe. Believe us when we say that this roaring torrent is truly remarkable – you will feel humbled by the power of Icelandic nature. Your next attraction, the mystical landscapes around Lake Mývatn, have a different character.

The scenery will keep getting more surreal! We are heading to the steaming lunar landscapes and bubbling technicolor mud pots at the Námaskarð geothermal area. The steaming fumaroles and sizzling hot springs waft clouds of steam across these other-worldly vistas. There are more extraordinary scenes when we take you to the Hverfjall crater and the unbelievable Dimmuborgir lava formations, known as the Dark Castles!

Now for some relaxation! Mývatn Nature Baths, the Icelandic name for these baths is Jarðbóðin – unsurprisingly, the hot water comes straight up out of the earth. Bathe in the mineral-rich alkaline water (36 – 40 C). The entrance fee can be paid when booking or on-site. Bathing is an optional extra activity, but we recommend booking it beforehand to reserve your spot! Otherwise, you could take a stroll to enjoy the beautiful views and take a break in the cafeteria. Goðafoss, a dreamy crescent-shaped waterfall, is our last stop before we continue to Eyjafjörður, the longest fjord in Iceland, rimmed by high mountains.

Your accommodation will be at a country hotel in Akureyri in Icelandair Hotel Akureyri (or similar) with breakfast included. Your guide can help you chase the Northern Lights during winter at night.

Day 6 – Whale Watching in Dalvík – Siglufjörður – Tröllaskagi – Laugarbakki

Sometimes we can fit in a short stop at the Capital of the North, Akureyri. Our journey will always take us through this beautiful little town amid the mountains close to the apex of the mesmerizing Eyjafjörður Fjord (the Island Fjord). We are heading for the absolutely charming and still traditional fishing town of Dalvík, with its busy working harbor and fabulous views over Eyjafjörður and Hrísey Island.

The dramatic high mountains, home to some of the best ski slopes in Iceland, will be at your back. Your three-hour whale-watching boat trip starts at Dalvík harbor. You will skim over Eyjafjörður, going in whichever direction is best to see humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, minke whales, and occasionally even blue whales. These tours are successful when it comes to spotting whales. They are seen on 98% of tours. You will be surrounded by the incredible natural beauty of Eyjafjörður, the longest Fjord in Iceland. 

Next on the agenda is a drive to Siglufjörður, a beautiful fishing village with an incredible history. This town was overtaken by a Klondike-like gold rush atmosphere in the early 20th century when the tiny and isolated community became known as the herring fishing capital of the Atlantic.

Traveling around Tröllaskagi (the Troll Peninsula), you will see stunning ocean scenery and incredibly steep mountains. Your visit to Siglufjörður will give you tremendous insight into how life in tiny and isolated Icelandic villages. 

On the way to your hotel for the night, you will pass through the farming heartland of Iceland, which is also a big horse farming area.

Your small hotel will be in Laugarbakki in Hotel Laugarbakki (or similar) with breakfast included. Hunt the Northern Lights on winter nights.

Day 7 – Borgarfjörður – Reykholt – Hraunfossar – Hvalfjörður – Reykjavík

The final day of your 6 day trip around Iceland will be focused on the delights of West Iceland. 

Your first stop of the day is at Grábrók, a volcano crater surrounded by lunar-like lava. Your guide will lead you on a short hike to view the crater from the top – magnificent views over the whole area. We will enjoy the fabulous and highly diverse sights of Borgarfjörður today. We’ll also stop at the Deildartunguhver hot spring, the most powerful hot spring in Europe, and the incredible Hraunfossar cascade. These wide falls are composed of thousands of tiny rivulets which tumble out of the lava field – a truly astonishing sight! Then there is Barnafoss waterfall. The name means ‘the Children’s Falls,’ a rather tragic folklore tale associated with this particular waterfall’s naming.

Now for some history and the gentle landscapes around Reykholt, home to the famous Icelandic saga writer, historian, lawyer, and poet, Snorri Sturluson. You will see the pool where Snorri is reputed to have bathed, Snorralaug. Nowadays, this pool is still filled with naturally warm water. Our drive back to Reykjavík will take us around, Hvalfjörður (Whale Fjord), a scenic fjord. We should arrive back in the city at approximately 5 – 6 PM. You are dropped off at Reykjavik Lights Hotel (or similar) with breakfast included for the following day.

Day 8 – Reykjavík

The breakfast for today’s morning is included and depends on what you will plan for this day. This was the last day with the accommodation provided and included in the price. 

If you plan to take a bus back to the airport, you can easily book it HERE. 

HERE you can book a Walk With a Viking in Reykjavik Tour if you want to explore the city with an experienced guide. 

We also recommend you to visit the Sky Lagoon, a fantastic geothermal SPA located only 7 kilometers from Reykjavik – you can buy the admission tickets HERE and take a taxi to get there. 

The Magical Snæfellsnes Peninsula Tour (Lunch included) is called Iceland in a nutshell, so it’s a great option to leave the city again, admire outstanding views and ideally end your Icelandic adventure. You can book this tour HERE.

Cancelation policy
We will charge a cancellation fee of 100% if the booking is canceled 2 days or less before the event. We will charge a cancellation fee of 50% if the booking is canceled 14 days or less before the event. We will charge a cancellation fee of 0% if the booking is canceled 365 days or less before the event.