September 23 - October 1, 2028
Volcanos and Waterfalls
At the point where two continental plates brush up against each other lies incredible Iceland, the land of fire and ice. Experience the natural highlights of this staggeringly beautiful country, strolling along striking black sand beaches and hiking to enchanting, rainbow-dappled waterfalls. Watch the Earth in action at some of the island’s volcanoes, gain insights into the life and culture of the Icelandic people, and explore the otherworldly landscapes that have inspired fantasy writers for centuries, from Jules Verne to J.R.R. Tolkien and George R. R. Martin.
Service Level: Standard
Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.
Physical Rating: 3 - Average
Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.
Small group experience; Max 16
RATES: September 23 - October 1, 2028
Tour Cost per person based on double occupancy: CAD $5,699 per person
Single Room Supplement: CAD $1,069
Air Fare: Contact our office for air fares and flight information
Tour price includes:
- AccommodationStandard hotel (6 nights), local guesthouse (2 nights).
- Meals Included7 breakfasts
- Transport: Private minivan/bus, walking.
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
- Your Wellness Moment: Sky Lagoon Geothermal Hot Springs, Reykjavik
- Local guesthouse stay (Borgarfjörður).
- Mývatn lake visit.
- Vatnajökull glacier visit.
- Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon visit.
- Reynisfjara beach.
- Seljalandsfoss waterfall.
- The Golden Circle: Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir Hot Springs, and Þingvellir National Park.
- Enjoy a soak in Sky Lagoon just outside of the city.
- Day tour of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
Not included: Travel insurance, international air fare.
Singles wishing to share: We often get requests for single travelers wishing to share accommodation. If you are interested in traveling with a companion, please let us know, and we can try to match you up with a suitable traveling partner.
Transfers: Airport transfers can be arranged for an additional cost.
Insurance: Medical insurance is mandatory. Cancellation and trip interruption insurance is optional. Premiums depend on your age, the length of time away, and the cost of your tour; we will discuss and quote insurance at the time of booking.
Payment Schedule:
- Tour Deposit: $350.00 per person non-refundable
Final Payment: February 1st, 2028
Forms of Payment: Cheque, Visa and Master Card, or email. For information regarding e-mail payments, contact your financial institution. It is easy and convenient.
Itinerary
September 23 - Reykjavik
Arrive at any time. Tonight, meet your CEO and fellow travellers at the welcome meeting, then opt to head out for dinner. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Hotel Cabin (or similar)
September 24 - Reykjavic - Akureyri
Set off from Reykjavik after breakfast and enjoy the scenic journey to the Capital of the North, Akureyri. Explore Akureyri's old town. Enjoy optional lunch in one of the eateries in Akureyri and opt to go on a whale-watching tour.
Take some time to roam around this quaint town.
Optional Activity
Whale Watching from Akureyri - 3 hours $167 CAD pp
Head out to sea to spot whales off the coast. Some of the species spotted near Akureyri in Eyjafjörður include Bottlenose Whales, Mink, and Humpback Whales. **Please note that availability cannot be guaranteed and we recommend booking in advance**
Sveinbjarnargerdi Country Hotel (or similar)
September 25 - Akureyri to Bakagerdi (Borgarfjörður)
Stop at Goðafoss waterfall en route to Mývatn lake. Explore the lava formations of Dimmuborgir and the geothermal area of Námaskarð. Visit Dettifoss waterfall before arriving in Bakagerdi (Borgarfjörður) for a night in a local guesthouse.
Activities
Godafoss Waterfall Visit
Take an excursion to one of the most impressive waterfalls in Iceland, the Goðafoss waterfall. Measuring 12m high and 30m wide, the waterfall is a must-see and a short drive from Akureyri. While Iceland is famous for its many spectacular waterfalls, Goðafoss is a favourite for visitors because it's easily accessible by car. There are also walking paths all around the falls making it easy to take fantastic photographs from different angles.
Mývatn Geothermal Lake Visit
Explore the beautiful scenery around Lake Mývatn. Formed during a volcanic eruption 2,300 years ago, the geothermal area is a haven for a massive number of birds. The nutrient-rich water also attracts over ten species of migrating ducks to the area. Atlantic salmon and brown trout thrive in the river, feeding on the healthy midge fly population that swarms over the waters in the summer.
Dimmuborgir Lava Fields Visit
Walk the marked pathways to spot arches and pillars or check out lava caves. Meaning 'dark forts' in Icelandic, Dimmuborgir is an area of lava fields with black lava formations on display in dramatic fashion.
Námaskarð Visit
Stop at Námaskarð to see the bubbling mud pools and steaming fumaroles. There are some wooden pathways around the area, but most visitors prefer to get up close to look at the pools; be careful, the mud in this area is thick and sticky, and the residue from the steam can stain clothing.
Dettifoss Waterfall Visit
Stop at the Detiifoss Waterfall in northeast Iceland, rumored to be the most powerful in Europe, with an average water flow of 193 m3/s. Take in the view of the 45m-high, 100m-wide falls and take some photos to show off back home.
Alfheimar Guesthouse (or similar)
September 26 - Bakkagerdi / Hofn
Depart from the charming village of Bakkagerði and journey along the picturesque coastline through the majestic eastern fjords. As you travel toward Hofn, take in the stunning scenery and keep an eye out for breathtaking views of the Vatnajökull glacier, Europe’s largest ice cap. You will be making breathtaking stops along the way that will insure a memorable experience.
Activities:
Private Vehicle Bakkagerdi - Hofn, 4 hours
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Hotel Smyrlabjorg (or similar)
September 27 - Hofn / Vik
Visit the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and nearby Diamond Beach, with a chance to see seals sunbathing on the bright blue ice. Opt to check out the lagoon by boat. Continue on to Skaftafell National Park with time to explore the hiking trails or choose an optional glacier hike with glacier equipment before continuing on in the evening to the small town of Vík.
Activities:
Private Vehicle Hofn - Vik, 3 hours
Settle in and take in the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Visit
Visit the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon with views of the ice cap. The lake is the lowest point in the country and filled with icebergs drifting towards the sea, often with seals lounging on top. The blocks of ice coming off the glacier are typically 30m high, in dramatic shades of white and bright blue. Stop by Diamond Beach, which gets its name from chunks of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier that float down to the coast's black sand shores.
Optional Activities:
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Boat Ride - .5hr - 1hr 5,700 ISK - 9,800 ISK pp
Opt to take a boat ride around the lagoon to get closer to the floating icebergs with their seal passengers. The lagoon can be appreciated from the shore, but joining an amphibian boat tour allows you to get up close to the beautiful and unusually coloured icebergs floating in the water. This activity is offered from 1 May to 30 October, and is subject to availability.
Skaftafell National Park Glacier Hike - 4hr $176 CAD pp
Glacier Wonders is a superb glacier hiking tour from Skaftafell into the magnificent ice world of Falljökull glacier, a tongue of the mighty Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe. Your certified glacier guide will show you astonishing crevasses that wind through the ice and incredible glistening ice formations. During this tour, you will learn how a living glacier moves and why this magical ice kingdom is constantly changing. Total distance: 6km.
WHAT TO BRING - Warm outdoor clothing -Waterproof jacket & pants -Headwear -Gloves -Good hiking boots are essential (rental boots available ISK 1000 extra)
Hotel Dyrholaey (or similar)
September 28 - Vik / Reykjavik
Visit Reynisfjara beach. Continue along the Golden Circle to Drangshólavík. Stop at the waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Gullfoss. Explore the Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir Hot Springs, and Þingvellir National Park. Arrive in Reykjavík in the early evening.
Activities:
Private Vehicle Vik - Reykjavik, 4 hours and 30 minutes
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Reynisfjara Beach
Visit Reynisfjara Beach, just outside of Vík. Its black sand and ominous rock formations offshore make for stunning photos. Take some time to watch the foaming white waves crash over the black sand (but don’t get too close, the waves here can be extremely powerful), explore the shallow cave if weather and time permits, and get a photo of the basalt sea stacks.
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall Visit
Seljalandsfoss is a 60m (196 ft) tall waterfall located along the popular ring road. Behind the flow of water is a path, allowing visitors to peek behind the curtain of water cascading over the rocks above.
Gullfoss Waterfall Visit
Discover one of Iceland's most impressive waterfalls, Gullfoss, and complete the circuit known as the Golden Circle. This massive waterfall cascades over three “steps” before spilling into a large crevice. Fed by a glacier lake, the water passing through the falls can be a dark grey depending on how much sediment gets pushed through the river.
Geysir Visit
See a variety of geothermal pools and the erupting hot spring Strokkur. Geysir is one of the oldest geysers recorded in the world, but is most often dormant. Strokkur erupts a spray of boiling hot water straight into the air about every ten minutes.
Thingvellir National Park Visit
Stop at Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to see the tectonic faults created as the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates shift apart. The Oxara River cuts through the largest rift in the valley, Almannagja, and leads to the Oxarafoss waterfall. Iceland’s parliament was also established in the area in 930. The park was later created to protect the remains of the open-air assembly grounds.
Hotel Cabin (or similar) - 3 nights
September 29 - Reykjavik
This morning join an optional snorkeling to the Thingvellir Silfra (where the tectonic plates meet).
Later in the day join Your CEO for a short walking tour of Reyjavik center and some time at the beautiful Sky Lagoon for a warm soak. Enjoy free time to further explore Reykjavik on your own.
Activities:
Reykjavik City Tour
Take a tour of the city, learning more about its history, architecture, people and culture.
Sky Lagoon Geothermal Hot Springs
Enjoy a uniquely Icelandic experience, a warm geo thermal bath overlooking the water near the city.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY:
Silfra Fissure Snorkelling in Thingvellir National Park from $302 CAD pp (from Reykjavik) 5.5hr
Float between the American and Eurasian continental plates and explore the incredible rock formations. Located in the heart of Þingvellir National Park, with clear, narrow blue water channels, Silfra Fissure is one of Iceland’s most incredible spots for snorkelling and regularly rated as one of world's top ten dive sites. Activity includes round-trip transportation from Reykjavík (35 mins each way). Travellers with certain medical conditions cannot participate in this activity and it is non refundable. Please read the following document to verify that you are able to meet the activity requirements as no refund can be issued if you are declined participation due to one of these conditions: https://adventures.is/media/230104/arcticadventures-snorkeling-silfra-guide.pdf
**Please note that availability cannot be guaranteed, and we recommend booking in advance**
September 30 - Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Today, explore the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Made famous by Jules Verne's Journey to the center of the Earth, the region is known to features many of Iceland's unique landscapes on one peninsula. Stop in small fishing towns and discover beautiful vistas along the way.
Reykjavik - Reykjavik, 11 hours
Explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, visiting places such as Kirkjufell, or 'Church Mountain', on the north shore, Ólafsvík and Arnarstapi villages, and Djúpalónssandur pebble beach.
October 1 - Reykjavik
Depart at any time.
In the event that you have to cancel, you must notify McPhail Travel & Discovery Tours immediately in writing. By booking or participating in a tour and any related products or services (a “Tour”) with G Adventures Inc. you (“you”) agree to these Terms & Conditions (the “Terms”) https://www.gadventures.com/terms-conditions/booking-terms/. Air fare penalties may differ and will be discussed at the time
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.
