ICELAND GRAND TOUR 2006

12 days / 11 nights, Reykjavik - Gullfoss- Geysir - Snæfellsnes - West Fjords - Ísafjörður -

Skagafjörður - Akureyri - Lake Mývatn - Húsavík - Tjörnes Peninsula - Dettifoss -

Egilsstaðir - Borgarfjörður - East Fjords - Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon - Skaftafell National Park -

South Coast -  - Þingvellir - Reykjavík

Departures:  English / French

  Thursdays, June 22 / July 06, 20 /  August 03, 17, 31

The comprehensive Grand Circle tour takes you to the most magnificent places around our multi-faceted Island of Ice and Fire. From powerful waterfalls, rich farmlands and floating icebergs to mountains, rivers, glaciers and volcanoes. Begin with the southern coast of Snæfellsnes peninsula with its magnificent columnar basalt rock formations and the legendary Snæfellsjökull Glacier. Visit Skagafjörður and the historic Folk Museum at Glaumbær. Through Öxnadalur valley to Akureyri, the capital of the North and to Lake Mývatn, surrounded by lava fields, strange volcanic formations in Dimmuborgir (Dark Citadels), pseudo-craters and underground caves with geothermal water. Further southeast lies the Tjörnes peninsula with the majestic Dettifoss, mightiest waterfall in Europe. Drive along the rugged coastline of the East Fjords to Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon, where huge icebergs float in the still, deep waters of the lagoon. Onwards to Skaftafell National Park and further southwest to Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss Waterfalls. The Þingvellir National Park, ancient site of the Viking Parliament, Geysir hot spring area, with the great geyser Strokkur and the majestic Gullfoss Waterfall, the Golden Fall, complete the Grand Circle of Iceland.
 

DAY 1: Reykjavík – Snæfellsnes peninsula
Morning drive to the south coast of Snæfellsnes peninsula to Arnarstapi with its magnificent columnar basalt rock formations. Circle around the legendary Snæfellsjökull glacier, which covers a central volcano.

DAY 2: West Fjords
Pass the fishing villages Ólafsvík and Grundarfjörður to Stykkishólmur, then cross Breiðafjörður bay by ferry with its countless islands and rich bird life. The tour continues along the unfrequented roads in the West Fjords with its impressive natural environment, with a stop at the spectacular waterfall Dynjandi. Pass the charming fishing villages Þingeyri and Flateyri before reaching Ísafjörður village.

DAY 3: Ísafjörður
Sightseeing tour of the picturesque town Ísafjörður and surroundings with a visit to the intriguing Ósvör maritime museum. In the afternoon there is an option of taking an
interesting boat trip to the paradise island Vigur, with rich bird life and charming landscape.

DAY 4: Ísafjörður – Laugar in Sælingsdal
Drive along the peaceful coast of Ísafjarðardjúp passing the village Súðavík and crossing Þorskafjarðarheiði plateau to Laugar in Sælingsdal.

DAY 5: Skagafjörður – Akureyri
After visiting the museum of Eric the Red, head north to Skagafjörður, to the regional history museum at Glaumbær, a turf-roofed farmhouse. Continue through Öxnadalur valley to Akureyri, the capital of the north and its center of trade and culture.

DAY 6: Lake Mývatn – Húsavík
Pass the beautiful waterfall Goðafoss en route to Lake Mývatn area. Lake Mývatn is surrounded by lava fields, volcanoes and mountains, with strange volcanic formations in Dimmuborgir (Dark Citadels), pseudocraters and underground caves with geothermal water.

DAY 7: Tjörnes peninsula – Dettifoss – Egilsstaðir
From Húsavík village proceed to Tjörnes peninsula and Ásbyrgi, a horseshoe-shaped canyon, and Dettifoss, the mightiest waterfall in Europe. Head southeast through barren
highland areas to Egilsstaðir, the center of East Iceland.

DAY 8: Egilsstaðir – Borgarfjörður eystri
Excursion to Húsey, a delta area of glacial rivers and Borgarfjörður eystri a strikingly beautiful landscape and diverse scenery, with an interplay of colours in basalt and
rhyolite mountains.

 

DAY 9: East Fjords
Drive along the rugged and varied coastline of the East Fjords with their towering mountains. On the way visit Petra´s stone collection and stop at Almannaskarð pass which offers a striking view of Vatnajökull glacier and the coastal area.

DAY 10: Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon – Skaftafell National Park – Kirkjubæjarklaustur
From Höfn drive along the coast to Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon where huge icebergs float and grind together in the still, deep waters of the lagoon. Onwards to Skaftafell National Park. Continue across Skeiðarársandur to the village Kirkjubæjarklaustur, former site of a 12th century Catholic convent.

DAY 11: South Coast
From Kirkjubæjarklaustur drive westwards across the vast Eldhraun lava fields to Vík, a small village on the south coast. Continue onwards to Reynisfjall and Dyrhólaey, a massive natural arch. En route to Skálholt past the twin torrents of Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls.

DAY 12: Geysir – Gullfoss – Þingvellir – Reykjavík
In the morning visit the Geysir hot spring area with its boiling sulphur pits and the majestic Gullfoss waterfall. On to Þingvellir National Park, the ancient site of the parliament and a geologically fascinating area.

Back to Top

 Departure Dates 2006

 Thursdays:

 June 22 / July 06, 20 /  August 03, 17, 31

 Prices in US Dollars

 Grand Tour, 12 days