THE HIGHLIGHTS OF ICELAND IN 5 DAYS

Day 01: Arrival/Reykjavik
Welcome to Iceland! Once you arrive in Keflavik International Airport, you will be welcomed by our private chauffeur who will transfer you to your accommodation in the heart of Reykjavik. Central Reykjavík is quite compact and you can visit most sites by walking around, Laugavegur is the main shopping street and second to that is Skólavörðustígur that leads up to Hallgrímskirkja church where you have great views from the tower. Check out the colourful houses of the old town, the pond, City hall, the Parliament by Austurvöllur and more. Not far from Harpa concert hall, around the harbour area there are lots of new local shops, cafés and restaurants. Walk past the dry dock by the Marina hotel to the Grandi area to visit the Whale museum, Aurora museum and the Maritime museum at Víkin. Close by you will find the famous Valdís ice cream and cupcakes at 17 sortir, for a fuller meal visit Kaffivagninn or Coocoo´s Nest. Overnight in the heart of Reykjavík.
Sites recommended in Reykjavik:
- Hallgrímskirkja church
- Laugavegur shopping street
- Harpa concert and conference centre
- Old harbour of Reykjavík
- and more

Day 02: The Golden Circle
Today you receive you rental car in the morning and you start your day by driving to Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004. There is a good visitor centre at the park, make sure you look at the church, visit Almannagjá and Öxarárfoss waterfall. Here you also have the opportunity to go snorkeling between the tectonic plates in Silfra fissure (optional and must be booked in advance). After exploring the treasures of the park, you will drive further to see Geysir Spouting Spring and Gullfoss waterfall to complete the “Golden Circle”. Other interesting places you can visit are the Friðheimar Farm where you can gain an insight into the processes of greenhouse horticulture and taste their tomato products. At Laugarvatn you can visit the Fontana SPA and relax a bit before continuing. Drive to the south coast and stay the night at a hotel/guest house/cottage in the area.
Highlights of the day
- Þingvellir National Park
- Gullfoss waterfall
- Geysir
- and more

Day 03: The Westman Islands – Volcanic Crater and Puffins
Today you visit Heimaey the largest island of the Westman Islands archipelago. Take the ferry from Landeyjahöfn (30 minutes) and explore this volcanic island. We recommend a hike on the volcanic crater of Eldfell - Iceland’s most famous volcano. The volcano’s last eruption started in January 1973, caused a major crisis for the island and nearly led to its permanent evacuation. The ground of the crater is still warm enough to bake bread in it. From the top you have a wonderful view over the whole island. On Heimaey thousands of puffins nest during summer and you have the chance to come very close to these cute little birds. In the afternoon we recommend to go on an optional boat tour around the island where you will see various caves, thousands of seabirds and occasionally also some whales. The boat trip ends by sailing into the ocean cave Kletthellir. A musical instrument will be played to showcase the cave‘s stunning acoustics. You can also visit the Eldheimar Museum to learn more about the life of the people before, during and after the big volcanic eruption. You stay for the night in a comfortable accommodation on this little island.
Highlights of the day
- Ferry to Heimaey
- Volcanic crater Eldfell
- Puffins
- Eldheimar Museum (optional)
- Boat tour around the island (optional)
- and more

Day 04: The Active Geothermal Peninsula Reykjanes
In the morning you take the ferry back to the main land and today you will visit Reykjanes peninsula; an active geothermal area and a diamond in the rough. In Seltún (Krýsuvík) you will find boiling mud pools and colorful mountains. Continue along the coastline to Grindavík village where you’ll find the Salt-fish Museum; a museum dedicated to the history of salt fish that in the late 19th century was to Iceland’s exporting industry what oil is to Saudi Arabia. Continue to the unique Blue Lagoon where you can stop to relax and unwind after a few days on the road (you would need to book it in advance). We also recommend to visit Gunnuhver a highly active geothermal area of mud pools and steam vents on the southwest part of the Reykjanes Peninsula. Named after an angry female ghost, Gudrun, whose spirit was trapped in the hot springs by a priest 400 years ago, the steamy area has an eerie atmosphere and an incredible sulphur vapor. Continue to your hotel in Reykjavik after returning the rental car.
Highlights of the day:
- Reykjanes peninsula
- Krýsuvík cove
- Salt-fish museum
- Grindavík
- Blue Lagoon
- and more

Day 05: Departure
Sadly your Iceland vacation has come to an end. Pickup at your accommodation and transfer to Keflavik International via fly bus in time for your flight home. Have a safe and enjoyable trip back home!

Included:

• 4 nights' accommodation (comfort) – 1 family and 1 single room with continental breakfast (you might stay for one or two nights in an apartment where breakfast is not available)
• Rental car (Option A, B or C) for 3 days with unlimited mileage/CDW & VAT
• GPS for easier navigation
• Extra driver included
• Private pick-up at Keflavík Airport and transport to your accommodation in Reykjavik
• Flybus transfer with pickup at your accommodation upon departure
• Optional private information meeting in our office on your arrival day
• Maps and driving instructions
• 24-hour emergency service
• Icelandic mobile phone with 1500 ISK worth of calls
• Taxes and service fee