Iceland Express

Travel Code: IC004

Unescorted

Reykjavík – Geysir – Gullfoss – Þingvellir – Skaftafell National Park – Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon – Dettifoss – Húsavík – Mývatn – Goðafoss Waterfall – Akureyri – Skagafjörður

Level of Travel:

During this 9 day/8 night journey, discover the best of Iceland on your own with a detailed itinerary that offers a wealth of unparalleled sites.

9 days/8 nights from $1755 pp/dbl – LAND ONLY

June 01 – August 31, 2009

***Call for competitive pricing on Iceland Air or SAS Airlines

Ask about our discounts in May and September!

Compact car: $1755

Intermediate car: $1945

 

Small 4WD: $2265

Day 1: Depart U.S. on your transatlantic flight from your gateway city

Day 2: Reykjavík

Arrive in Reykjavík and transfer by Flybussen to your city-center hotel. Pick up your documents at the hotel including a clearly marked road map. Enjoy a day of leisure to catch up on jet lag and explore this vibrant city.
Accommodations: Hotel Klopp, a newly refurbished hotel in a perfect location, B

Day 3: Reykjavík – Mýrdalsjökull

Start your journey with a fabulous drive to see some of Iceland’s highlights: Þingvellir National Park, a place of great geological and historical interest, the spectacular Gullfoss Waterfall and Geysir hot-springs area. Travel along the south shore, viewing Skógafoss Waterfall, the black beaches around Vík and the Mýdalsjökull Glacier.
Accommodations: Mýrdalsjökull Glacier area, B

Optional: Snow-scooter tour on Mýrdalsjökull Glacier

Day 4: Mýrdalsjökull – Höfn

After breakfast, meander through the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur and explore Skaftafell National Park, a green oasis nestled below the great Vatnajokull Glacier surrounded by black volcanic sands. Continue to Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon and then on to the harbor town, Höfn.
Accommodations: Höfn area, B

Optional: Boat tour on Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon, glacier hike in Skaftafell area.

Day 5: Höfn – Stöðvarfjörður

Today’s drive is along the rugged, varied coastline of the East Fjords, with their towering mountains and charming fishing villages. On the way, there is an option of taking a boat tour to Papey Island to see the thousands of puffins nesting in summer, or visit the famous stone collection of Petra at Stöðvarfjörður.
Accommodations: Stöðvarfjörður area, B
Optional: Boat tour to Papey Island, Petra’s Stone Collection.

Day 6: Stöðvarfjörður – Húsavík

Continue on your memorable journey across the Mörudalsöræfi Highlands, renowned for their stark beauty, to Dettifoss, Europe’s mightiest waterfall. From there, visit the magnificent horseshoe-shaped canyon, Ásbyrgi. Culminate your day on the Tjörnes Peninsula at Húsavík fishing port.
Accommodations: Húsavík area, B
Optional: Whale watching at Húsavík

Day 7: Húsavík – Akureyri

Head over to Lake Mývatn area for numerous highlights: the strange volcanic formations at Dimmuborgir, the pseudocraters at Skútustaðir, the colorful sulfurous slopes of Námaskarðand Krafla Volcano. Drive on to Goðafoss Waterfall, the town of Akureyri or Skagafjörður.
Accommodations: Akureyri area, B

Day 8: Akureyri – Reykjavík

Awaken and drive through the historical region of Skagafjörður, renowned for horse breeding. There is an option of visiting the old farmstead of Glaumbær, a great example of Old Icelandic architecture. Continue to the bay of Húnaflói and across Holtavörðuheiði Plateau, returning to Reykjavík in the late afternoon.

**Another option is to travel across the barren Kjölur Highlands (4WD needed, track open from mid-June), to the geothermal oasis at Hveravellir and onward to Reykjavík.

Accommodations: Hotel Klopp, a newly refurbished hotel in a perfect location, B
Optional: River rafting in Skagafjörður, horseback riding in Skagafjörður

Day 9: Reykjavík After your final Icelandic breakfast, make your way to the airport on the Flybussen.