Iceland

Tour members from across Canada gather in Toronto for the direct flight that will take us to the North Atlantic island of Iceland. 

We start by meeting our local guide, then we transfer to a nearby location for a nourishing breakfast and a visit to Viking World, which features an exact replica of the famed Viking ship and tells the story of Iceland's Viking heritage. After bypassing the capital, we head to Thingvellir National Park, where Iceland's first and one of the world's oldest parliaments was founded in 930 AD. This park is located on one of the geological faults that create Iceland's stunning landscapes. After a lunch break, we'll drive through Borgarfjordur County to the charming village of Reykholt, famous as the home of the 13th-century author Snorri Sturluson and Iceland's largest hot spring. On our way to the hotel, we might also enjoy views of Langjökull Glacier. 

Fosshotel Reykholt (2 nights) 

An exhilarating cruise exploring the natural paradise of Breioafjorour Fjord awaits in the charming village of Stykkishólmur. Relax as we observe the fantastic island scenery and dramatic tidal flows featuring a variety of bird life, including: puffins, eider ducks, kittiwakes, fulmars and the white-tailed eagle. Along the north coast, there are a number of remote and quaint fishing enclaves where we will cast out a small net-plough and drag the seabed for some shellfish delicacies which everyone will have an opportunity to sample. We will continue our exploration as we drive around Snaefellsnes. Rounding the tip of the peninsula with the icecap and volcano towering above us, we pass Arnarstapi, a region of unusual columnar basalt rock formations that have been eroded by the pounding waves. We drive through barren lava fields, past fertile farmlands and the Eldborg crater en route back to our hotel. 

We cross over the Holtavorouheioi Pass en route to Húnavatnssýsla and Skagafjörður, to visit the beautifully restored farm museum of Glaumbaer. This county is famous for horse breeding, so we will certainly see many of the charming Icelandic horses in the meadows. We enjoy lunch at a local horse farm, where we will have opportunity to see these tiny horses up close and to chat with the breeders and their staff. Next, we follow the scenic route along the north coast as we journey to Akureyri, a city set on a beautiful fjord. Then we visit Godafoss, which means “The Waterfall of the Gods”, before arriving at our hotel near lake Mývatn.

Sel Hotel Mývatn (2 nights)

The charming fishing village of Húsavík awaits us, where we shall undertake a whale watching cruise, with opportunities to see humpback whales and thousands of puffins aboard Icelandic oak boats. After a break for lunch we drive along the stretch of attractive coastline of Tjornes Peninsula to Ásbyrgi, a horse-shoe-shaped gorge, reputed to be the hoof print of Odin’s eight-legged horse Sleipnir. There may be an opportunity this evening to enjoy a local hot spring. 

The landscapes around Lake Mývatn will fascinate us, featuring incredible volcanic formations, geothermal springs and the lake itself, teeming with bird life, particularly ducks. We will walk among the unique moon like lava formations at Dimmuborgir and explore the pseudo craters at Skutustadir. At Namaskard, the land is so peppered with solfataras and void of vegetation that it feels like standing on another planet. Conditions permitting, there may be an opportunity to see the mighty Dettifoss, Iceland’s most powerful waterfall thundering 44 meters down into a deep gorge. We continue through the remote desert highlands of Modrudalur to Fossa River, then to our hotel close to Egilsstadir and Lake Lögurinn. 

Lake Hotel Egilsstadir (1 night)

Journey south through the sheltered eastern fjords and past small fishing villages like Reyoarfjorour and Faskruosfjorour, stopping for brilliant photo opportunities. We shall visit Stoovarfjorour village, where we will see the famous stone collection of Petra before continuing to Breiddalsvik and Djupivogur. Finally our scenic driving day takes us up Almannskaro Pass to take photos before ending our day in Höfn.

Hotel Smyrlabjörg (1 night) 

Drive along the base of Europe’s largest icecap, Vatnajökull, to the glacial lagoon known as Jökulsárlón, to enjoy a cruise among the icebergs. Explore Skaftafell National Park, where huge valley glaciers sweep down almost to sea level. On a short walk through the park we will see a unique landscape and possibly wild flowers that thrive on the lower slopes of the mountains. We continue over the Skeioararasandur outwash plains to the village of Vík and our hotel.

Puffin Hotel Vik (1 night)

Rising early we visit the the lovely Skógar Folk Museum to gain some insights into the harshness of life in Iceland over the past century. After a brief visit at Seljalandsfoss waterfall, we will stop at Geysir to enjoy views of one of Iceland’s most famous highlights. Known as Strokkur, the geothermal activity in Iceland comes bubbling to the surface, ejecting a stream of boiling water high into the air every five to ten minutes. Nearby there are numerous hot springs that send steaming water cascading across the hills. Visit Gullfoss, Iceland’s most famous and spectacular waterfall before returning to Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital.

Hotel Klettur (2 nights)

Today’s highlight is the Blue Lagoon, one of Iceland’s best known sights. Bring your bathing suit to relax and refresh in the hot pools, sharing the experience with local Icelanders. A nearby heat exchange plant uses geothermal heat drawn from two kilometres underground to produce hot water to heat homes and offices. The excess brine, which is quite blue in colour, fills this lovely lagoon where we can bathe in the hot mineral water. The land around the lagoon is covered with hard lava, giving the sense that we are on the moon. We will explore the capital upon our return, driving through the old city centre and the fisheries harbour, with included visits to Perlan (the Pearl), for views over the city and the landmark Hallgrímskirkja Church. Enjoy free time to explore the city centre, see the parliament building and the visit the National Museum. Gather for a special farewell dinner tonight at The Harpa, one of the world’s most unique buildings. 

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.