Iceland

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

After meeting our local guide, we will head to a nearby location for breakfast and then visit Viking World. There, we will see 'The Icelander,' a replica of a 9th-century Viking ship, and delve into the story of Iceland's Viking heritage. We then bypass the capital on our way to Thingvellir National Park, the site of Iceland’s first and one of the world’s oldest parliaments, established in 930 AD. This park is located along a geological fault that shapes Iceland’s stunning landscapes. Following a lunch break, our journey continues to the picturesque village of Reykholt, renowned as the home of 13th-century author Snorri Sturluson and the site of Iceland's largest hot spring.

Fosshotel Reykholt (2 nights) 

An exhilarating cruise exploring the natural paradise of Breiðafjörður awaits in the charming village of Stykkishólmur. Relax and take in the spectacular island scenery and dramatic tidal flows, teeming with a variety of bird life, including puffins, eider ducks, kittiwakes, fulmars, and the white-tailed eagle. Along the north coast, we visit remote fishing enclaves and observe the towing of a dredge along the ocean floor, scooping up shellfish delicacies that we have the opportunity to sample. Our journey continues around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. As we round its tip, with the icecap and volcano towering above, we pass Arnarstapi, a region of striking columnar basalt formations shaped by the pounding waves. We then drive through barren lava fields, past fertile farmlands, and by the Eldborg crater, en route back to our hotel.

We cross over the Holtavorouheioi Pass en route to Húnavatnssýsla and Skagafjörður, making a stop 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 in the meadows. We will enjoy lunch at a local horse farm, providing a perfect opportunity to observe these small horses up close and engage with the breeders and their 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 'The Waterfall of the Gods' before we arrive at our hotel near Lake Mývatn.

Sel Hotel Mývatn (2 nights)

Today, we head to the charming village of Húsavík 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 drive along the picturesque coastline of the Tjornes Peninsula to Ásbyrgi, a horseshoe-shaped gorge believed to be the hoof print of Odin’s eight-legged horse, Sleipnir. This evening, there may also be an opportunity to enjoy a local hot spring.

The landscapes around Lake Mývatn will fascinate us with their volcanic formations, geothermal springs, and abundant bird life, especially ducks. We will explore the moon-like lava  formations at Dimmuborgir and the pseudo-craters at Skutustadir. At Namaskard, the land is so densely covered with solfataras and devoid of vegetation that it feels like stepping onto another planet. Conditions permitting, there may be an opportunity to see the mighty Dettifoss, Iceland’s most powerful waterfall, thundering 44 metres down into a deep gorge. We continue through the remote desert highlands of Modrudalur to the Fossa River, before reaching our hotel near Egilsstadir and Lake Lögurinn.

Lake Hotel Egilsstadir (1 night)

Journey south through the sheltered eastern fjords, past small fishing villages like Reyðarfjörður and Fáskrúðsfjörður, stopping for brilliant photo opportunities. We shall visit Stöðvarfjörður village, where we will see the famous stone collection of Petra before continuing to Breiddalsvik and Djupivogur. Finally, our scenic drive brings us to the area around the former Almannaskarð Pass, offering stunning photo opportunities before we end our day near Höfn.

Hotel Smyrlabjörg (1 night)

Drive along the base of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest icecap, to the glacial lagoon of Jökulsárlón, 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 Skeiðarársandur outwash plains on our way to the village of Vík and our hotel. 

Hotel Vik (1 night)

Rising early, we visit the Skógar Folk Museum to gain insights into the lives and challenges faced by Icelanders over the last century. We then make a brief stop at Seljalandsfoss waterfall, followed by a visit to Geysir, where the Strokkur geyser dramatically showcases Iceland's geothermal activity by shooting 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 spectacular waterfall, before returning to Reykjavik.

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 for heating homes and offices. The excess brine, which is quite blue in colour, fills this lovely lagoon, where we can bathe in its hot mineral water. The land around the lagoon, covered with hard lava, gives the sense that we are on the moon. Upon our return, we will explore the capital by driving through the old city centre and the fisheries harbour, with visits included 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 visit the National Museum. Tonight, gather for a special farewell dinner 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.