6 Day Summer Package with Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

You’ll spend day two of your adventure on a day tour to the famous Golden Circle in Iceland. This popular attraction consists of three spectacular landmarks, where you’ll discover exactly why this country has earned the nickname of the ‘Land of Fire and Ice’. At Þingvellir National Park, you’ll delve straight into the rich cultural history of Iceland. This UNESCO World Heritage Listed site is where the Icelandic parliament, Alþingi, first convened in the year 930 AD. The geology here is absolutely fascinating, marking the meeting point of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. Thousands of years of continental drift have resulted in a torn landscape, characterised by large rifts and fissures, of which Silfra is perhaps the most well-known. Filled with crystal clear water, it’s the perfect place to book a once-in-a-lifetime diving or snorkelling experience. Your second stop will be at the otherworldly Geysir geothermal area, where hot springs, mud pots and steaming fumaroles reign supreme. With so much volcanic activity going on underground, it will certainly feel like the Earth is alive beneath your feet. Prepare yourself for the mighty explosion of Strokkur, a fountain geyser that erupts roughly every 5-10 minutes, spewing hot water around 20 metres high into the air! It makes for great photo and video opportunities, so be sure to have your camera ready. Your final stop on the Golden Circle will be at Gullfoss. This grand waterfall has its origins in the Langjökull glacier. The vivid blue water tumbles over two tiers with great force into the mighty Hvítá river at the base of a huge crevasse. You’ll be able to view it from multiple vantage points, including one that will take you so close to the wall of water that you may end up getting a little bit wet! Make your Golden Circle day tour even more special with optional activities in the afternoon, such as horseback riding into the Icelandic countryside from Gullfoss or an exhilarating snowmobile trip across the Langjökull glacier, the second largest ice-cap in all of Iceland. Once the tour has concluded, you’ll return to Reykjavík where you’ll be able to explore the city, go bar-hopping, immerse yourself in the vibrant nightlife or rest up for the next day ahead.

Day three of your summer tour will take you along the spectacular South Coast of Iceland, as you make the journey towards the east. Your ultimate destination will be the magical surroundings of the Vatnajökull National Park. Along the way, you’ll stop at two enchanting waterfalls, each spectacular in its own right. At Seljalandsfoss, you’ll have the opportunity to enter a cavern behind the billowing cascade of water, which will give you a unique view of the surroundings. Nearby, the famous Skógafoss waterfall drops from a height of around 60 metres, plunging over the edge of a cliff onto large rocks below. It makes for a truly stunning sight, especially when the heavy spray catches the sunlight, creating a rainbow in the mist. Thereafter, you’ll head to the Sólheimajökull glacier, where there will be the opportunity to undertake a glacier hiking tour. Equipped with the appropriate safety equipment, you’ll be led across the ice by an experienced glacier guide, between awe-inspiring ice formations and deep crevasses with extraordinary views of the Katla and Eyjafjallajökull volcanoes on the horizon. Once you have had your fill of adventure, you’ll make your way onwards to the Reynisfjara black sand beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The tall, basalt cliffs are uniquely shaped like columns and are home to a colony of puffins, which often swoop down from their nests to hunt for fish at sea. There is a lot to explore on this beach, including the Reynisdrangar sea stacks and views of Dyrhólaey rock arch in the distance. You’ll then continue the journey towards the Vatnajökull National Park, where you will check in to your accommodation for the evening.

No trip to Iceland is complete without a visit to the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. This astonishing natural feature is the result of glacial melt forming a lake that reaches out to the ocean. In its midst, you’ll find large icebergs that have calved from the glacier, floating serenely in the tidal waters. There is a lot of wildlife to be spotted here, including seals hauled out upon the icebergs and sea birds nesting nearby. If you are visiting Iceland between the months of May and October, then there will be the opportunity to take a breathtaking ride in an amphibious boat upon the lagoon, weaving between the icebergs as you learn all about how they came to be. Adjacent to the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon is a world-famous stretch of coastline which has been dubbed the ‘Diamond Beach’. This is where you will find spectacular icebergs that have drifted away from the lagoon into the ocean. The icebergs are drawn out by the waves and deposited back onto the sand to glisten like jewels in the sun. These ice sculptures can take on a variety of shapes and sizes – some even resemble large castles, which is quite an astonishing sight to behold! Thereafter, it will be time to wave goodbye to the tranquil surroundings of the Vatnajökull National Park, as you make the return journey to Reykjavík. It will be a long drive, though you will make several stops along the way where you’ll be able to stretch your legs and take in anything that you may have missed. You’ll arrive back in Reykjavík in the evening, where you will check in to your accommodation and spend the night.

Day five of your adventure in Iceland can be as action-packed or as relaxed as you want it to be. You have the choice of using it to explore Reykjavík at your leisure, delving into the local street art, boutiques, bars and restaurants to take in the best of Icelandic culture. Otherwise, there is the possibility of joining a day tour to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in northwest Iceland. Often described as ‘miniature Iceland’, this region encapsulates a diverse range of landscapes, reflecting what you might find in the rest of the country. Spending a day here will allow you to experience all of Iceland’s most characteristic features if you only have a limited amount of time. Immerse yourself in vast lava fields covered in bright green moss, spectacular coastlines and quaint fishing villages where colourful houses stand tall against a mountainous backdrop with the Snæfellsjökull volcano looming in the distance. Here, you will find the beautiful black church of Búðir, the majestic mountain known as Kirkjufell, Djúpalónssandur black pebble beach, unique rock pinnacles rising high from the tumultuous waves of the ocean, as well as 8,000 year old lava tube caves extending into the depths of the Earth. The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is the perfect place to undertake special activities, such as an ATV adventure that will have you roaming off-road through the rugged countryside. It’s an exhilarating way to experience this wild and wonderful region of Iceland in summer, surrounded by wildflowers in bloom. After an incredible day out in the city or visiting the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, you will spend your final night in Reykjavík.

This will be your final day in Iceland. When the time comes, you’ll take a shuttle bus back to Keflavík International Airport, where you’ll be able to catch your flight home or onwards to your next destination. If your flight is later in the day, then you may even choose to stop at the Blue Lagoon for a wonderful, relaxing experience before you head to the airport. Otherwise, there is the option of getting in some last minute shopping or taking a whale watching tour from the old harbour at Faxaflói bay, whereby you’ll have the chance to catch one last glimpse of the city that you’ve called home for the past week. For those who haven’t yet gotten enough of Iceland, there is the possibility of extending your stay by adding an extra day or two. Get in touch with our travel consultants, who can help you to arrange activities such as a ferry trip to the Westfjords, a magical stay at Lake Mývatn in the north, seeing Reykjavík from above on a helicopter ride, descending into the depths of a volcano or exploring the best-known lava tubes in Iceland.