July 5 – 9, 2022

Trip Overview

This short 4-day tour takes us to Iceland, a small Nordic country located on the edge of the Arctic Circle. Iceland has a wild, primitive and extreme landscape characterized by active volcanoes, lava fields, geysers, hot springs and streams, massive glaciers, and mountains with lush green valleys during the summer. The tour begins in Reykjavik, the colorful capitol of 132,000 and then proceeds to visit geysers, hot springs, glaciers, beaches and a glaciers lagoon along the South Coast.

Highlights

Visit the iconic Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral in Reykjavik
See awesome thundering waterfalls including Gullfoss, Seljalandsfoss, and Skogafoss
Two-hour Hike on the Skaftafell Glacier to see magnificent ice formations
Zodiac boat tour of the Glacier Lagoon to see icebergs and glaciers up close
Enjoy an afternoon soaking in a thermally heated stream in a beautify valley
Spend the afternoon at the Blue Lagoon Spa and enjoy soaking in the thermally heated water
See geyser, hot springs and other thermal features

Itinerary

Day 1 – Tuesday, July 5, 2022. Arrive Reykjavik, Iceland
Arrive Reykjavik, clear customs and take a Flybus to the bus terminal downtown and then transfer to a mini-bus which takes you to our hotel. In the afternoon we will visit the Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral, a 244-foot-tall Lutheran church build with columnar basalt in 1986 and designed to resemble the mountains and glaciers of Iceland. This church has become a symbol for Iceland’s national identity. We will visit the historical heart of the city which was founded in 874 AD by the Norseman Amarson. We lodge at the Reykjavik Lights Hotel and have Free Wi-Fi.

Day 2 – Wednesday, July 6, 2022. Geysers, Warm Stream and Waterfalls
We drive for 66 miles to the Geyser Geothermal Field, an area characterized by volcanic features including geysers, steaming vents, and glistening multi-colored formations. The star attraction is the Great Geyser which started erupting in 1,294 AD, but still performs well today. The smaller, but more reliable Strokkur Geyser spits a column of water up every five minutes to a height of 66 feet. Next, we visit the nearby Gullfoss Waterfall, Iceland’s grandest waterfall, the most powerful in Europe, and one of Iceland’s most popular tourists’ attractions. The 105-foot double cascade creates a thundering sound and a mist with dozens of rainbows on a sunny day.

Next we drive to the town of Hveragerdi and have lunch and then we explore Iceland’s natural beauty with a trip to the nearby Reykjadalur (steam valley) Hot Springs. We hike 30-45 minutes to a beautiful valley characterized by hot springs, bubbling mud pools, and a warm water stream. We will spend several hours relaxing in the warm water stream.

We then proceed east along the Ring Road to the small town of Vik and stop along the way to visit two waterfalls. We first visit the Seljalandsfoss Waterfall which drops 200 feet and is part of the Seljalands River that has its origin in the volcano glacier Eyjafjallajökul. This waterfall has a pathway to the bench behind which allows one encircle the waterfall in the summer. We next stop at the Skogafoss one of the biggest and most beautiful waterfalls with an astonishing drop of 197 feet and a width of 82 feet. This waterfall generates a misty spray which creates a double rainbow on sunny days. We next proceed to Vik, a small fishing village of 300 people with an amazing panorama of ocean and glacier. The beautiful, photogenic and iconic Reyniskirkja Church sits on the hill overlooking the village. We lodge at the Hotel Katla located near Vik and have great views of mountains and glaciers. The hotel has a restaurant, outdoor geothermal pool, sauna, gym, and free Wi-Fi.

(B, D)

Day 3 – Thursday, July 7. Beach Walk, Glacier Hike and Zodiac Boat Trip
After breakfast we visit the nearby world famous Reynisfiara Black Beach. The striking dark pebble beach has imposing columnar basalt cliffs, a wild and dramatic beauty amid the roaring waves of the Atlantic Ocean.

After the beach stroll, we head east along the Ring Road to the Skaftafell Glacier. We first visit the Visitor Center to learn about the natural history of the area. Next, we meet a certified glacier guide who will instruct us how to use the crampon and ice axe and lead us through this frosty wilderness, past magnificent ice formations, deep cracks and blue crevasses. During this tour, on a clear day we can see the magnificent Hvannadalshnúkur, the Iceland’s highest mountain.

We next drive east for about 50 minutes to the Jokulsarion Glacier Lagoon which borders Vatnajökull National Park. The Lagoon’s still, blue water is dotted with icebergs from the surrounding Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier, part of larger Vatnajökull Glacier. The Glacier Lagoon flows through a short waterway into the Atlantic Ocean, leaving chunks of ice on a black sand beach. We have a one-hour Zodia boat tour amid the icebergs of the Lagoon. After the tour we head to the nearby Fosshotel Nupar. Out hotel has a bar, restaurant and free Wi-Fi.

(B, D).

Day 4 – Friday, July 8, 2022. Canyon Hike & Blue Lagoon Soak
We drive west for about one and one quarter hours to the spectacular Fjaorargljufur Canyon which is 325 feet deep and 1.25 miles long and the Fjaora River flows through it. This steep walled canyon dates back to the Ice Age. A waterfall flows down the western side of the canyon and is visible from an observation platform at the end of a one-mile hike up the eastern edge.

We next proceed west to the Blue Lagoon Spa one of the most visited attractions in Iceland. The Blue Lagoon is located on the Reykjanes Peninsular south east of Reykjavik. The Blue Lagoon includes a huge outdoor pool, an indoor swimming area, conference rooms, a restaurant, bar and changing rooms. The geothermal seawater of the florescent blue outdoor pool is close to 104 degrees F and this mineral rich water has curative powers. In addition to the bathing lagoon, visitors can visit the lava cave or take a steam bath powered by nature.

After a relaxing visit to the Blue Lagoon we head to our nearby hotel, Northern Lights Inn. Our hotel has a restaurant, bar and free Wi-Fi.

(B, D)

COSTS

Land Cost: $2,900 for 4-6 travelers based on double room occupancy. Single supplement $560.

Cost Includes: All lodging, breakfast each day, dinner where noted in itinerary, transportation throughout the tour, airport transfers, Zodiac boat ride, glacier walk equipment and guide, entrance to the Blue Lagoon, and an American Tour guide.

Cost Does Not Include: Airfare, insurance and alcoholic beverages

GRADE

We take short hikes on several days and walk on a glacier another day. Our longest hike is about 3.7 miles. The grade of this tour is rated as easy.

REGISTRATION AND INFORMATION
If you would like additional information, e-mail us at info@adventureboundmen.com, or call us locally at 303-449-0990 or toll free at 1-877-440-0990. Our office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) Monday through Friday.

You may also download our trip registration form, and mail it in to us.

Reykjavik