Iceland is a small island nation on the edge of the Arctic Circle, but few countries are bigger on natural wonders. Glaciers and geysers, hot springs and waterfalls, basalt pillars and black sand beaches, frigid fjords and fields of lava…Iceland has all these and more, and our expedition showcases the full array of its striking contrasts. Uninhabited until the island was settled by Norse Vikings in the 9th century, Iceland today is one of the most sparsely populated countries in Europe. Along its shores, we're outnumbered by whales, seals and puffins, which we scout out on private boat excursions. Inland, walk atop raw terrain born of fiery volcanoes and carved by glaciers. Here the North American and Eurasian plates meet, and geothermal forces create a dynamic and dramatic landscape—an experience of pure nature at its most powerful.
Trip Highlights
An All-Encompassing, Full Loop Itinerary
Make a complete circle around Iceland by private mini bus, chartered plane, boat and 4x4—you won't find a more thorough immersion in Icelandic nature
A Rare Visit to the Remote Westfjords
Explore less-visited areas including the far-flung Westfjords, with a private boat cruise to see whales and a seasonal summer puffin colony
Super Jeep Tour into the Little-Visited Highlands
From a custom 4x4 built for rugged terrain, explore a raw, otherworldly landscape of volcanic deserts and mountains shaped by fire and ice
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NO ONE Shows You More of Iceland
Iceland is one of the world's leading travel destinations. That's why we have worked diligently to craft a unique itinerary that shows you all the best of Iceland while also getting you to less-visited places. Discover what makes Nat Hab's Iceland adventure different—and better:
You Will Experience SO Much More with Nat Hab
Compare carefully...while many operators offer the same limited set of Iceland highlights, we have included far more places, experiences and activities for a truly comprehensive immersion in the diversity Iceland has to offer. From private boat excursions in search of puffins and whales to a 4x4 expedition into the remote highlands, from traditional fishing villages to glaciers and geothermal features, you'll have a thorough encounter with this captivating country.Circle the Whole of Iceland, and Elude Crowds
Many Iceland tours focus solely on Reykjavik and the south coast. While there are plenty of exciting natural attractions in this limited area (and thus plenty of crowds), we take you completely around the country, As far as we know, this is the only land-based (non-cruise) trip to do that. Few visitors get out to the remote Westfjords. And few explore the east coast, a tranquil region of mountains, forests, fjords and fishing villages. Using a combination of flights and scenic drives, we follow the entire perimeter of Iceland while making inland forays into natural areas where people are fewer and elements of traditional culture endure.A Small Group Offers a More Authentic Experience
Conventional Iceland tours utilize large motorcoaches for groups of 30–50, but we limit our group to 11, ensuring a more peaceful experience, plus the ability to stay at smaller hotels in more remote locations. It also means you'll have personal interactions with our Expedition Leader and local Icelandic guide.Just 11 Guests Travel with Two Guides, for More Flexibility
Our trip is led by a Nat Hab Expedition Leader, plus a local guide who adds an essential insider perspective. This arrangement also allows us to divide up on occasion into two smaller groups for excursions at different physical ability levels.Internal & Chartered Flights Allow More Time for Exploring
While driving in Iceland is actually a highlight—its roadways offer some of the most scenic vistas in the world—distances between regions can be long, and roads are often rough and winding. That's why, where it makes sense, we've included air transfers to get you more comfortably from place to place, and to increase the time we have to explore on the ground. In one instance, we include a private chartered flight from Akureyri to Isafjordur, saving the time and hassle of a connection through Reykjavik.Three Private Boat Excursions
We charter our own excursion boat or Zodiac to get you closer to nature in three different settings. A full day outing in the Westfjords includes whale watching and a visit with a farm family on Aedey Island; on another trip we visit a colony of seals in Lonafjordur; and at Fjallsarlon Glacier Lagoon, we cruise alongside bobbing icebergs in a private Zodiac.We Seek to Avoid the Busiest Sites
While we choose to include some of Iceland's highly popular natural wonders, we mostly stay away from places and routes that are packed with tour buses and large groups (the Golden Circle being a prime example), instead featuring equally impressive yet less crowded spots. And when we do visit popular places you don't want to miss, we facilitate a quieter experience, such as arriving early before crowds form, or booking a private ice lagoon cruise just for our group.Private Vehicles Offer a Window Seat for All
We charter comfortable mini buses to accommodate our small group, ensuring room to spread out and enjoy the view from your window seat. It's a big contrast from motorcoach tours where you're jostling for a look or struggling to find a spot for your jacket. Our Super Jeep 4x4 excursions also include a window seat for every guest.Autumn Departures Offer a Chance to See the Northern Lights
Although we can never guarantee it, if you travel on a later-season departure, when night skies are dark once again after the long Arctic summer, you could see the aurora borealis! If it's on display and the sky is clear, our odds to spot it are good.You Won't Find More In-Depth, Personalized Guiding Expertise
Unlike some tours that rely on bus drivers or expeditors for each component of your trip, we enlist our own Nat Hab Expedition Leader to oversee every aspect of your adventure. Our guide is an expert naturalist, well versed in Iceland's geology, geography, botany, history and culture, who also cares for you in a highly personal manner. We also have a local guide with us for the duration, for an insider perspective that only an Iceland resident can provide. Traveling with two guides, we can divide into even smaller groups for excursions at different physical ability levels. See Expedition Leader bios and traveler comments regarding the quality of our leaders.Our Quality-Value Guarantee Ensures Your Outstanding Iceland Adventure
When you travel with Natural Habitat, you receive our exclusive guarantee, clearly stating that we will meet the lofty expectations we set in our promotional materials. To our knowledge, this is the most ambitious guarantee made by any adventure travel company. Read our important promise.Feel Good About Your Carbon-Neutral Journey
We care deeply about our planet, as we know you do. When you travel with us, the carbon emissions from your trip are 100% offset—including your round-trip flights from home. Natural Habitat Adventures has been the world’s first carbon-neutral travel company since 2007.Natural Habitat Adventures is WWF's Travel Partner
Because of our commitment to environmentally friendly travel, as well as the exceptional quality of our worldwide adventures, we have been chosen by World Wildlife Fund—the world's leading environmental conservation organization—as its worldwide travel partner, a designation that makes us exceedingly proud.
