Iceland

Tour members from across Canada gather for our flight to the North Atlantic island of Iceland. 

After meeting our local guide, we’ll start the day with breakfast nearby before visiting Viking World, home to "The Icelander," a replica of a 9th-century Viking ship. Here, we’ll explore the roots of Iceland’s Viking heritage. We then bypass the capital as we make our way to Thingvellir National Park, site of Iceland’s first—and one of the world’s oldest—parliaments, established in 930 AD. The park is located along a geological fault that shapes Iceland’s stunning landscapes. Following a lunch break, we continue through the scenic Borgarfjordur region before arriving at our countryside hotel.

Hotel Varmaland or similar (2 nights)

An exhilarating cruise through the natural paradise of Breidafjordur awaits in the charming village of Stykkisholmur. As we sail, we’ll take in spectacular island scenery and dramatic tidal flows, rich with birdlife such as puffins, eider ducks, kittiwakes, fulmars, and white-tailed eagles. A dredge will be towed along the ocean floor, bringing up fresh shellfish that we’ll have the chance to sample on board. Our journey will continue around the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, where we’ll round the tip of the peninsula beneath the glacier-capped Snaefellsjokull volcano and pass Arnarstapi, known for its striking basalt cliffs shaped by the sea. This scenic region is also home to landmarks like Kirkjufell mountain and Ytri Tunga beach, a favourite for spotting seals. We’ll then travel through lava fields and farmlands before returning to our hotel. 

We cross over the Holtavorduheidi Pass en route to Hunavatnssysla and Skagafjordur, stopping at the beautifully restored Glaumbaer farm museum. This region is famous for its horse breeding, so be sure to keep an eye out for the charming Icelandic horses grazing in the meadows. We will enjoy lunch at a local horse farm, where we’ll have the chance to observe these small horses up close and learn more about them from the breeders and staff. Afterward, we follow the scenic route along the north coast to Akureyri, a city nestled on a stunning fjord. Our day concludes with a visit to the impressive Godafoss or “Waterfall of the Gods,” before we arrive at our hotel near Lake Myvatn.

Sel Hotel Myvatn (2 nights) 

Head to the charming village of Husavik to embark on a whale watching cruise with chances to see humpback whales and thousands of puffins aboard traditional Icelandic oak boats. After lunch, we continue along the scenic coastline of the Tjornes Peninsula to Asbyrgi, a striking horseshoe-shaped canyon said in Norse mythology to be the hoofprint of Sleipnir, the eight-legged horse of Odin—the powerful god of wisdom, war, and magic. From there, we make our way to the Hverir geothermal area near Namafjall, where steaming vents and bubbling mud pools highlight the region’s dramatic geothermal activity. This evening, there may also be an opportunity to enjoy a local hot spring. 

Today we travel through the rugged northeast, where the landscape shifts from open highlands to quiet valleys. If weather allows, we’ll stop at Dettifoss, the country’s most powerful waterfall, where glacial water crashes 44 metres into a deep canyon. From there, we continue on to the town of Egilsstadir, on the shores of Lake Logurinn.

Lake Hotel Egilsstadir (1 night)

Journey south through the peaceful Eastern Fjords, where dramatic coastlines and quiet seaside villages shape one of Iceland’s most scenic regions. Along the way, we’ll stop for photos and visit Petra’s Stone Collection, featuring an impressive array of locally gathered minerals and crystals. The drive continues along winding fjord roads and ends near Hofn, with sweeping views in the area surrounding the former Almannaskard Pass. 

Hali Country Hotel (1 night)   

Drive along the base of Vatnajokull, Europe’s largest icecap, to the glacial lagoon of Jokulsarlon, where we will enjoy a cruise among the icebergs. Explore Skaftafell National Park to see vast valley glaciers descending nearly to sea level. On a short walk around the park, we will see a unique landscape and possibly wildflowers that thrive on the lower slopes of the mountains. Then we will cross the Skeidararsandur outwash plains on our way to the village of Vik and our hotel. 

Hotel Vik (1 night)

Rising early, we begin our day with a visit to the Skogar Folk Museum, offering insight into the daily lives of Icelanders in past centuries. We then continue to the picturesque Seljalandsfoss waterfall before visiting Reynisfjara, Iceland’s striking black sand beach, known for its basalt sea stacks and dramatic Atlantic waves. After a full day of exploration along the South Coast, we return to Reykjavik for our final nights in the capital.

Center Hotels Arnarhvoll (2 nights)

Today’s highlight is the Blue Lagoon, one of Iceland’s most iconic sights. Bring your bathing suit and enjoy a relaxing soak in the warm, mineral-rich waters. The lagoon’s milky blue colour comes from geothermal brine, a by-product of a nearby heat exchange plant that draws energy from two kilometres underground. Surrounded by black lava fields, the landscape feels almost lunar. We’ll also visit Perlan, a glass-domed exhibition space and observation deck offering panoramic views over Reykjavik and its surroundings.  In the evening, we gather for a special farewell dinner at La Primavera, located inside Harpa, Reykjavik’s striking glass concert hall and cultural centre. 

Enjoy a free morning to explore the capital before we transfer to the airport for our return flights to Toronto and our homes across Canada.