12-Days Grand Tour of Iceland Tour from Reykjavík
Overview
Available languages
288 hours
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Experience the spectacular splendour and untamed beauty of Iceland´s nature, breathtaking scenery and unique Icelandic history and culture. You will discover some of the most remote parts of the country and visit many well-known highlights as well. The Grand Tour of Iceland takes you on an unforgettable journey around Iceland including the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and the magical West Fjords. The tour features all the best the country has to offer. Each day combines touring by bus, going for light walks, enjoying soft adventures and experiencing Icelandic culture and history. We stay in simple and charming guesthouses, farm- and tourist-class hotels, many of them set in the most stunning locations.
Additional Info
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What‘s Included
Visit to Erpsstadir
Whale Watching Tour
Air-conditioned vehicle
11 nights accommodation
10 days escorted Iceland tour with an English speaking guide or driver-guide
Visit to Petra's stone collection in the East Fjords
WiFi on board
Documentary film at Lava Center in town Hvolsvöllur
Visit to three national parks
Ferry trip to the West Fjords
Arrival and departure transfer by FLYBUS airport shuttle (no guide)
Boat trip between floating icebergs on Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon
Additional meals, drinks and services
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Hotel Klettur
Mjolnisholt 12-14 Reykjavik Iceland
What To Expect
Welcome to Iceland. Individual transfer by Flybus shuttle bus from Keflavik Airport to your accommodation in Reykjavík.
Accommodations
Hotel Klettur, Reykjavík
Reykjavik
Relax at your hotel or explore Iceland’s capital city on your own if time allows. The hotel is ideally located to explore the city on foot with the main shopping street, Laugavegur, just around the corner.
Golden Circle
Accommodations
Hotel Hamar, Borgarnes
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
DINNER
Dinner
Fridheimar
Learn about the Icelandic horse, its unique qualities and history and visit a geothermal greenhouse.
Gullfoss
The mighty waterfall of Gullfoss - the Golden falls - perhaps the most beautiful in the country. The glacial river of Hvítá (white river) tumbles 32 meters (105 ft.) in a double cascade. On a sunny day a rainbow is very likely in the massive spray.
Geysir
There is a variety of hot springs and bubbling pools. The original geyser is now dormant but has been replaced by Strokkur, "the Churn", which erupts at 5-10-minute intervals.
Pingvellir National Park
UNESCO World Heritage site since 2004. Stroll around the country’s most sacred site, home of the oldest existing national parliament in the world, the Alþingi, and major events in the history of Iceland. Thingvellir is a place of fascinating natural beauty, a spectacular geological vista, set on a vast plain flanked by large fissures, right by Iceland’s largest lake, Thingvallavatn.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula & Ferry trip to West Fjords
Accommodations
Hótel Flókalundur, Patreksfjörður
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
DINNER
Dinner
Snaefellsjokull National Park & Glacier
Explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, which juts out from Iceland’s West Coast. A rugged mountain chain runs its length, capped by the 1,446-meter Snæfellsjökull glacier, a mystical cone-shaped stratovolcano. We travel around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, through lava fields, and along the ocean with many excellent Icelandic photo opportunities. We see the most popular sites at the Snæfellsnes National Park where volcanic craters, lava flows, an ice cap, glaciated peaks, fjords, sandy beaches, and high cliffs shape its landscapes. We follow the adventure of Jules Verne’s classic science-fiction novel about “The Journey to the Center of the Earth”.
Vatnshellir Lava Cave
Your chance to go on a trip to the interior of the earth under the glacier Snæfellsjökull! This lava cave tour takes you 35 meters underground and about 200 meters into the lava tube called Vatnshellir.
Kirkjufell Mountain
Jutting out into the bay rises one of the most photographed mountains in Iceland, Mt. Kirkjufell. A photo stop is of course included!
Stykkisholmur
In the afternoon, we catch the car ferry Baldur from Stykkishólmur to Brjánslækur in the West Fjords. On the 2,5 hour journey over Breiðafjörður Bay, we pass the island of Flatey, which is inhabited only during the summertime. If the weather is beautiful, you enjoy a magnificent view of the bay’s countless isles as well as the glacier Snæfellsjökull.
Iceland's Westernmost Point
Accommodations
Hótel Flókalundur, Patreksfjörður
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
DINNER
Dinner
Hnjotur - Minjasafn Egils Olafssonar
Folk and transport museum in Hnjótur. Items on display showing the history and every day life in the Southern Westfjords.
Latrabjarg bird cliffs
We continue through a very remote and sparsely populated region to the bird cliffs of Látrabjarg, the largest seabird cliff and the westernmost point of Iceland and Europe where you can see puffins from mid-May till mid-August. We take a walk in the wilderness to the top of the highest bird cliff in Iceland. Látrabjarg is known in the world for its density of Nordic birds. Puffins, razorbills, guillemots, fulmars, cormorants, kittiwakes and other cliff birds flock either in hundreds, thousands and even in millions. Látrabjarg is a place where you can get very close to the seabirds, and even if you're not into birdwatching, you are entertained by the comic puffins and mesmerized by the sheer number of birds.
Beautiful West Fjords
Accommodations
Hotel Laugarbakki, Hvammstangi
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
DINNER
Dinner
Dynjandi (Fjallfoss)
The unique waterfall Dynjandi with its seven levels of plunging water, declared the country’s most beautiful waterfall by the people of Iceland. continue over a mountain pass and travel along the southern shores of the West Fjords. This is a route less travelled and characterized by sheer cliffs, deep cut bays and narrow stretches of coastal lowland.
A family run dairy farm best known for their ice cream and various other dairy products. Take a look at the milk production world and taste their unique ice cream directly from the farm, with local flavours
Heading North
Accommodations
Sæluhús Studio Apartments, Akureyri
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
DINNER
Dinner
Hvitserkur
A gravel road takes us around the peninsula to Hvítserkur, a highlight on the east coast of the region; a mass of igneous rock, about 15 meters high, situated on the seashore. Fulmars and gulls live on Hvítserkur. An old story has it that Hvítserkur is a petrified troll that intended to stone a nearby cloister, but dawn arrived before he could succeed.
Borgarvirki
Take a short walk up to Borgarvirki, on a 180-meter ridge. The ruins of Borgarvirki are a circular, fort-like stone enclosure rising above 10-15 meter basalt columns. Inside are the remains of a well and some dwellings.
Kolugljufur Waterfall
We continue to Kolugljúfur canyon, where waterfalls cascade into the deep, rugged gorge. It is a breathtaking sight to walk on the viewing platform and watch the calm waters of the river suddenly leap and tumble onwards over so many impressive falls – a sight which will leave no one unmoved.
Vioimyrarkirkja Church
Further north we stop at Víðimýri to visit one of the few preserved turf churches in Iceland. The church was built in 1834 and has turf walls, but timber gables both back and front.
Iceland's Northernmost Town, Whale Watching & Sea Angling
Accommodations
Sæluhús Studio Apartments, Akureyri
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
DINNER
Dinner
The Herring Era Museum
Iceland’s largest maritime museum and the only Icelandic museum who has won the European Museum Award. Totaling 2500 square meters, this museum shows the remarkable history and past glory of Siglufjörður as the herring capital of Iceland.
Go whale watching for 2-3 hours in Eyjafjörður – Iceland’s longest fjord right below the Arctic Circle. You will see humpback and minke whales, harbour porpoises and dolphins – The success rate to spot whales is 99%! For an added bonus and fun, try your luck at sea angling towards the end of the tour.
Akureyri
Akureyri, a charming town of 18000 inhabitants. Sometimes called 'The capital of the north' it is the largest town outside the southwest corner.
Geological and Volcanic Lava Wonders
Accommodations
Hérað Berjaya Hotel, Egilsstaðir
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
DINNER
Dinner
Godafoss
One of the prettiest waterfall in Iceland. 'Waterfall of the Gods' draws its name from the time when Christianity became the official religion of Iceland.
Dimmuborgir Lava Formations
In the morning we hike in a lava labyrinth at Dimmuborgir “the dark castles”, hoping to get a glimpse of the trolls who are said to live there.
Lake Myvatn
Lake Mývatn which is known for its geological wonders and active bird life during summer. We stop at the bizarre lava formations at Kálfaströnd followed by a walk around the many pseudo craters.
We visit the hot spring area of Námaskarð with bubbling mud pools and steaming solfataras.
Dettifoss Waterfall
Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall, in the northern part of Vatnajökull National Park. The round-trip walk takes about 40-60 minutes.
Eastfjords and Geothermal Bathing
Accommodations
Hotel Jökulsárlón, Jökulsárlón
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
DINNER
Dinner
Egilsstadir Swimming Pool
Our first stop will be at Vök baths, a geothermal floating pools in Lake Urriðavatn where guests can soak in the hot water, within and surrounded by the lake.
Petra"s Stone Collection
Visit Petra’s fascinating rock collection. A naturalist and a collector are two terms that have been used to describe Petra since she was a little girl. Petra collected for nearly 80 years this unique treasure of rocks, crystals, zeolites, quartz and more, all from the nearby area in the Eastfjords.
Vatnajokull Glacier
Europe’s biggest glacier that is visible all over Southeast Iceland.
Vatnajökull National Park, Glaciers & Glacier Lagoon
Accommodations
Hotel Vík, Vík in Mýrdalur
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
DINNER
Dinner
Jokulsarlon
Jökulsárlón, a glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs. Explore the amazing site and you might see seals swimming in arctic waters. Included is a boat ride amongst the floating icebergs, considered one of the highlights on tour around Iceland
Fellsfjara
Black sandy beach, the so-called Diamond beach, across the road from Jökulsárlón. Here large icebergs from Jökulsárlón get stranded.
The South Coast
Accommodations
Hotel Klettur, Reykjavik
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
DINNER
Dinner
Farewell dinner at a local restaurant in Reykjavík
Reynisfjara Beach
Take a stroll on the black lava beach and along bird cliffs at Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. Interesting caves and impressive rock formations can be seen, including columnar basalt.
Skogafoss
Skógafoss waterfall, another must-see location in South Iceland. The crashing water creates a mist that results in frequent and magical rainbows, just adding some more memorable experiences to the sheer beauty of this stunning scenery and place.
Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss waterfall where you can follow a slick and wet trail and walk right behind it. Come prepared and bring a raincoat and good boots as you will get wet.
Lava Centre
Visit the Lava & Volcano Exhibition Centre focused on geology and active volcanoes and watch a documentary film about volcanic eruptions in the past years in Iceland.
Departure Day - Individual transfer by Flybus shuttle from your accommodation in Reykjavik to Keflavik Airport
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Relax at your hotel or explore Iceland’s capital city on your own if time allows. The hotel is ideally located to explore the city on foot with the main shopping street, Laugavegur, just around the corner.
Options
Single Room Private
Pickup included
Twin/double Room
Pickup included
Reviews
12 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Our small group tour was a great choice.
MarkP08,
Aug 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We saw so much in a small amount of time. We saw the essence of Iceland from the undeniable majesty of scenic views to wildlife. We had experienced cultural folk tales, impromptu language lessons, history and met local people. The trip was simply faultless. All this was made possible by our tour guide Martina. She was the epitome of professionalism and humanity. Funny, gregarious, knowledgeable, humble, thoughtful and caring. There was however one sour note, After an 11 day tour of never ending herding our willing group, Martina had to wash and clean her vehicle herself. Not sure that this job fits in with all her other skills.
Excellent trip.
Becky W,
Sep 9, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We spent seven days in the south, southwest and west of Iceland. It was wonderful. Friendly people. Sparsely populated. Very quiet. Great roads. Everyone follows the rules of the road. Great seafood and lamb. Breathtaking geysers, waterfalls, with sheep and ponies everywhere. We would visit Iceland again.
An excellent Grand Tour of Iceland.
N1560YKjohnb,
Sep 4, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Last month, I went on the 12-day grand tour of Iceland. I chose this tour because it went to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula as well as to the Westfjords. I had a brilliant time on the tour, despite the poor weather that Iceland was experiencing. This tour was capped off by seeing the latest volcanic eruption as I went on the flybus from Reykjavik to Keflavik to catch my flight home. The accommodation was very good, especially the apartment in Akureryi, which had its own hot tub. Ideal to use after a days travelling. I did also enjoy having breakfast in the cafe in the Botanical Gardens in Akureryi. The food in the hotels was really good too. For lunch we’d often combine a visit to a museum that also had a cafe. Ágúst, the driver/guide we had for the tour was brilliant. His driving, especially on the gravel roads in the Westfjords was so good. He showed us some really impressive sites that were off the beaten track & he’d stop so that we could take photos along the way. I’d happily go on another tour with Ágúst as the driver/guide. This was my 2nd Icelandic tour with GJ Travel. I’d highly recommend them for anyone thinking of going on an escorted coach tour of Iceland. I would certainly use them again.
Best Tour of Iceland
tjackc1955,
Aug 3, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I'd done some research on Iceland and this included almost everything I'd listed to try and see, PLUS some I had no idea about. We'd also thought about just renting a car and going on our own, but having a driver / tour guide was WONDERFUL. We got to places I didn't know about, we learned a lot that I would not have found out about, and having a tour guide on the trip made a world of difference. I would HIGHLY recommend the Grand Tour of Iceland. We even made a few quick stops that were not on the Itinerary. Lunch was on our own, but we always stopped for lunch at places that had great selections. And dinners, which were included in the tour, we GREAT. Also a big shout out to our driver / guide! Martina was AWESOME and really made the trip 5 star.
AN ABSOLUTE MUST!
Baroness53,
Jul 21, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour must have been extended now as our's was 10 days/11nights. Still it was the best I have ever been on. It was pretty 'full on' time-wise with so much to see in the 10 days so I'm glad they have added an extra day or so. Magnificent scenery: jaw-droppingly huge waterfalls, mountains and landscapes showcasing Mother Nature's awe-inspiring vastness. Many, many fabulous experiences: a boat ride among massive icebergs, a luxurious spa in a hot-spring plus being up close and personal with masses of puffins to name only a few. All this as well as excellent food and accommodation. Our Guide/Driver Martina was an encyclopedia of knowledge whether it was mythology and culture, the geology and geography of Iceland or just day to day life. She transported us around this amazing country sprouting facts and figures mixed with the perfect blend of humour and warmth of personality. Her number one priority of course was always our safety and comfort and this was conveyed in the way she kept an eye on every individual during our 'stops' and was particularly mindful of those who were not as robust as the rest of us. Additional to this was her extraordinary skill as a driver, particularly on some of the hazardous roads. I genuinely feel we had THE BEST OF THE BEST and would highly recommend this company for this tour.
Never had a better tour guide or a better tour
linda barret,
Jul 28, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour hit the highlights of the glorious geography and culture of Iceland. Our tour guide Martina provided extensive information on the culture and development of Iceland, as well as the current society. She showed us things we certainly couldn't have seen on our own and shared things we couldn't have known short of actually living there. She let us see the magic of Iceland. Accommodations, food, and the bus were all excellent. The schedule was fast paced with new views of beauty every day. Additionally, Martina was a great driver, was personable and professional, and instructive and caring. Never had a better tour guide or a better tour.
Great itinerary, great guide
r8ter2018,
Oct 14, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This company has been in business for 85 years, well before the trendy travelers arrived, and their expertise shows! We visited the usual highlights, but got to see SO MUCH MORE! I loved visiting out-of-the-way sites and seeing all the parts of Iceland, not just one little corner. We were especially lucky because we had only seven travelers in our group, but even a full group would be small. The van was comfortable, especially because we had extra seats for our daytime gear. Our guide/driver was Jonas, and he was so well informed and always so cheerful--just a great guide! If you are a photographer who loves waterfalls and scenery, take extra memory for your camera! The accommodations and meals were perfect to my mind--not too fancy, but with a local feel. The same is true for the meals. We ate in various kinds of restaurants, and that was just an added experience of local culture and food. The hotel in Reykjavik is nothing special, but it's close to the main bus stop so it's easy to get around, and you aren't in the city that long. We did stay an extra day in Reykjavik at the end of the trip, and I recommend that. After traveling around Iceland, it's easier to pick out what you want to do in the city. For example, we didn't go to the main museum because we had learned so much about the country on the trip, but we did go to see the remains of the first buildings there. Also we tried licorice ice cream and ate local foods that we hadn't tried yet. We felt like that extra day gave us a chance to wander around and get one last feeling for life in Iceland.
Unforgettable experience
UVaChemist,
Aug 20, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was truly magnificent, all we had expected and more. My wife and I traveled with two grandchildren (ages 14 and 16) and two long-time friends, along with five others for a total of 11 in our group. Our guide, Thor Ostensen, was outstanding -- very knowledgeable, attentive to the diverse needs of the group, and often taking us to special places off the stated itinerary, and with a great sense of humor. For the grandkids especially this was an amazing experience that they will treasure for years. My wife and I have been to many places around the world but this trip was truly special, and we have no doubt we made the right choice in selecting a tour of Iceland. We are still trying to absorb all that we saw and did on this trip. The fact that we were fortunate to have almost perfect weather was an added bonus.
Fabulous tour with a great guide
CPaul107,
Jul 4, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour exceeded my expectations. I was a little apprehensive that it might be trying to squeeze too much in to just 10 full days, but although we did considerable mileage we seemed to also have quite adequate time at the various places we stopped.The tour included perhaps most of the big tourist sites, but also many lesser known and "out of the way" locations. Hotels were all good with excellent food, a number in very remote locations. The tour was undoubtedly enhanced by our guide and driver Eirikhur who told us much about Iceland, it's history, people and language. He went out of his way to ensure we saw as much as we could of the waterfalls, geothermal areas, glaciers and tectonic rifting, as well as being able to get close to the extensive birdlife. He even sang a verse from a traditional Icelandic hymn in one of the churches. We had a wonderful group of people from Australia and the UK, and the weather was also very kind to us!
Grand tour plus!
njb043,
Jul 4, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I have spent the most enjoyable and informative 10 days touring Iceland with a small group and our very knowledgeable guide Johan. Each place visited had something unique to see and experience, plus we had at least one waterfall a day to be amazed by. The accommodation was always clean and comfortable, and the food delicious. The stories of the Vikings, the early settlers, the trolls and elves kept us amused, and gave us a glimpse of what life must have been like in the past. The geography and geology of the island is fascinating, and we witnessed the full power of nature. Our guide was always considerate and polite, and always willing to answer our questions, particularly mine about all the beautiful wild flowers. I feel I have now a greater understanding of this tiny island nation.
From €6,370.00
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