Iceland: Circling the Land of Fire & Ice

Arrive at Keflavik International Airport where you are met on arrival and transferred to our hotel in Reykjavik, about a 45-minute drive. If you arrive early, you may store your bags at our conveniently located hotel while you explore this compact, walkable city on your own. This evening, join our Expedition Leader for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, with an orientation to all the adventures that lie ahead in this geological wonderland.

Explore Iceland’s south coast en route to Vik, an area known for its volcanic black sand beaches and countless waterfalls. We are in the region affected by the powerful 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajokull volcano, an event brought to life at the Lava Center, which features interactive exhibits depicting the colossal natural forces that have created Iceland over tens of millions of years. Here we learn about Iceland’s dynamic geology: the volcanic eruptions and lava flows, rift systems, faults and glacial floods that have forged the island. The center introduces us to the UNESCO Katla Global Geopark plus Iceland’s elaborate monitoring system for surveying volcanoes and earthquake zones.

Continuing along the south coast, we stop at several thundering waterfalls, including Skogafoss and Kvernufoss. Another highlight is Reynisdrangar Rocks, a trio of columnar basalt sea stacks. Legend holds that they were formed after two trolls were out fishing in a three-masted ship. When the trolls did not return to their cave before sunrise, they and their vessel turned into needles of stone, since trolls cannot tolerate daylight. Here, we'll have a chance to walk on the famous black sand beach and admire the columnar basalt formations before continuing to our hotel for the evening, where we'll have dinner.

Our focus today is Skaftafell, a national park now absorbed inside the larger Vatnajokull National Park established in 2008. Known for its rugged landscapes, mountains and glaciers, Skaftafell contains about half of the Vatnajokull Glacier, Europe’s largest ice cap. No roads penetrate the park’s wild recesses, but two options offer a chance to explore a slice of it: Choose between a walk atop a glacier or an easy hike. We then board a private Zodiac to explore Fjallsarlon Glacier Lagoon, a less-touristed opportunity to get close to giant floating icebergs. The lake is the meltwater from Fjallsarlon Glacier, a tongue of the massive Vatnajokull Glacier, which has calved the huge chunks of blue ice that drift on the surface.

Enjoy a day of cultural connections as we enter the East Fjords, a little-visited region of forests, farms and picturesque fishing villages. In the town of Djupivogur, admire the Eggs of Merry Bay, one of Iceland’s most unusual sculptures. Created in 2009 by Icelandic artist Sigurdur Gudmundsson, the 34 large-scale egg replicas represent 34 bird species found in the area, each one mounted on a platform along the harbor. Take a scenic walk along the coast near Alftafjordur, then join a local resident for a stroll around a historic fishing town, learning about daily life where traditions and livelihoods center on the sea.

Heading inland, follow a remote road to Vallanes Farm where we stop for hot drinks and snacks at this organic farm and cafe crafted of sustainably harvested wood. Continue to Modrudalur, one of the oldest farms in Iceland, with evidence of its presence since the original settlement by the Vikings. The site was an important crossroads where two historic cross-country trails intersected, and its location is referenced in the famous Sagas that date to the 10th and 11th centuries. Modrudalur is also the highest inhabited place in Iceland, at 1,539 feet above sea level. We spend the next two nights here at Fjalladyrd, a hospitable family-run farm and guesthouse.

Set out this morning in Super Jeeps—kitted-out high-clearance 4x4s—to explore the hidden wonders of eastern Iceland’s highlands. These large SUVs have been modified with big tires and extra shock absorption to provide a more comfortable ride over off-road terrain, allowing deeper access into this remote region. On our adventurous journey through the lunar-like landscape, stops include Troll Rocks, a mysterious stack of massive boulders with no known origin, and tea at a traditional turf house. Marvel at Hafrahvammagljufur Canyon, a 650-foot-deep gorge, from high grassy slopes overlooking the chasm. Ultimately, we make our way to Laugarvalladalur, a verdant valley warmed by a geothermal creek and known for its hot springs waterfall that doubles as a natural shower. Return to Modrudalur for a second night at Fjalladyrd.

Witness the power of Dettifoss, Europe’s largest waterfall by volume and the most powerful cataract in Iceland. This thundering curtain of water, 330 feet wide and 150 high, is fed by the giant Vatnajokull Glacier. If we're lucky, we might see a rainbow over the falls, which makes for dramatic photos. Next, we explore the Hverarond geothermal area, an otherworldly setting of hissing steam vents, bubbling mud pots, cracked earth and pungent sulphur, then continue to Lake Myvatn. Formed during a massive eruption 2,300 years ago, the Myvatn region is still a site of geothermal activity, with lava flows coming most recently from the 1984 eruption of Krafla volcano. Numerous lava formations are found in and around the shallow lake. These phenomena are formed when lava flows over wet ground, pushing it down and trapping steam. As pressure mounts, steam explosions create these fascinating "false craters.”

This afternoon, explore the fascinating lava formations around Lake Myvatn on horseback. This optional 1-hour private ride offers a striking vantage point on the region's wondrous geological features, including whimsically shaped pillars and a close-up look at a false crater. For those who may not wish to ride, a birdwatching walk is an alternative. One of the premier birdwatching areas in the world for northern ducks and Arctic waterbirds, Lake Myvatn’s marshes provide habitat for huge numbers of migratory birds in summer. More than 115 species have been seen at the lake, including 13 species of nesting ducks.

Later today, enjoy a quintessentially Icelandic experience with a soak in a nearby thermal bath. At Earth Lagoon Myvatn, amid clouds of steam rising from a fissure deep in the Earth, immerse yourself in soothing, milky-turquoise water that's naturally heated by geothermal forces. Drawn from depths of up to a mile and a half below the surface, temperatures in the lagoon pools range from 98°F to 103°F.

Husavik is famous as the whale-watching capital of Iceland and is globally recognized as one of the best places on Earth to see whales. We go in search of them on a private boat cruise this morning. The ecosystem of Skjalfandi Bay is dense with nutrients for whales, fed by melting snow and rivers that combine with three different ocean currents and near-perpetual summer sunlight to create a food-rich environment. With teeming masses of plankton and fish to filter-feed on, baleen whales enjoy a seasonal feast off Husavik that attracts them in greater numbers here than anywhere else in Europe. Sightings of minke and humpback whales are common, while occasionally we may see blue whales, fin whales and orcas. Playful pods of dolphins sometimes make an appearance, too, along with scores of seabirds.

This afternoon, explore Asbyrgi Canyon, a dramatic horseshoe-shaped depression steeped in local folklore. Just over 2 miles long, the curving canyon formed as a remnant of the last Ice Age, following catastrophic glacial flooding of the Jokulsa a Fjollum River, which likely occurred due to a volcanic eruption beneath the ice cap of the Vatnajokull Glacier. Just 3,000 years ago, this process repeated itself, further sculpting the gorge contained by sheer walls that rise more than 300 feet from its depths. The bottom of the canyon is filled with birch and willow woodlands that put on a brilliant show of golden foliage in autumn. A more romantic story of the canyon's origins is found in Icelandic mythology: Legend holds that Odin’s eight-legged steed, Sleipnir, stomped his immortal foot at Asbyrgi, leaving a colossal hoofprint in the earth that remains to this day.

Our day begins at Dimmuborgir, a dramatic lava field formed by a volcanic eruption some 2,300 years ago. Distinguished by towering rock pillars, caves and unusual lava formations, Dimmuborgir is spectacular in the fall when the vibrant foliage is at its peak. Continue to Godafoss, one of Iceland’s most striking waterfalls, originating deep in the highlands. Shaped like a crescent, it drops 40 feet over a sheer volcanic cliff. Then it's on to Akureyri, Iceland’s second-biggest city. Nestled at the base of a fjord and surrounded by mountains, Iceland’s “Capital of the North” is a cultural outpost, and we have time to check out downtown galleries and the scenic waterfront, as well as the renowned Akureyri Botanical Gardens, before connecting with our late-afternoon chartered flight to Isafjordur. Originally settled in the 9th century, Isafjordur became a trading post for foreign merchants in the 16th century and today is the main town in the remote Westfjords in far-northwest Iceland, with an economy long focused on fishing.

Set out by boat to explore part of the vast Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, which can only be reached by sea. A wild, unspoiled realm of tundra, sea cliffs, flowering fields and glacier-carved fjords, this 220-square-mile landscape sits in Iceland’s most remote corner and has been protected since 1974. Humans inhabited scattered settlements along Hornstrandir's bays and coves in recent centuries, although they were abandoned in the 1950s as residents sought growing job opportunities and an escape from harsh living conditions, leaving for surrounding towns. No roads, power lines or other manmade structures remain except for a few summerhouses that dot parts of the area.

Keep an eye out for marine life as we cross the bay of Isafjardardjup—we could see humpback or minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises or seals. Skirting the sheer cliffs on Bjarnarnupur, we pass a dramatic rock arch (a seasonal home to cormorants and other seabirds) as Kviar comes into view. A large farm until 1948, when the family that lived here joined their neighbors in search of an easier life elsewhere, the property is now a welcoming lodge, and we stop for lunch in the cozy guesthouse. Look for protected Arctic foxes that roam freely on the land, and admire the red and orange fall foliage on a short walk.

Return to Isafjordur for a dinner of freshly caught seafood at Tjoruhusid (Tar House). This famous restaurant occupies one of Isafjordur’s oldest buildings, dating to 1781. Rather than a set menu, the focus is on the day’s catch prepared in uniquely Icelandic recipes, like monkfish in creamy blue cheese sauce and a renowned hearty fish chowder.

Step into Iceland’s deep geological past and rich cultural tapestry on a Super Jeep journey in the Westfjords. On this immersive tour, explore how the dramatic forces of geology have not only shaped the towering mountains but also defined the lives, legends and livelihoods of the people who have called this region home from the Viking Age to the present day. Our adventure begins in Isafjordur, the heart of the Westfjords, before crossing into the neighboring fjord of Dyrarfjordur where we stop in the charming village of Thingeyri—a historic site that was once a Viking assembly point. Along the route to Arnafjordur, we pass through an area rich in cultural and geological significance, including active archaeological sites where researchers are excavating early iron-smelting operations. These digs give unique insight into how early Icelanders harnessed the volcanic geology of the region to create tools, forge connections and survive in a raw and rugged environment. Each layer of basalt, each scree slope and glacial valley tells a story not just of millennia of volcanic and glacial activity, but of human resilience and adaptation to the forces of nature. Returning to Isafjordur, we have an early farewell dinner and then head to the airport for our evening flight to Reykjavik.

Please note: Activities in the Westfjords may take place on days or times that are different from what this itinerary indicates, depending on local schedules, weather conditions, etc.

After breakfast, a transfer to Keflavik International Airport is included to meet departing flights.