8 Day - Iceland Ring Road Tour - Adventure Package
by Arctic Adventures · Whale watching · Glacier hiking · Multi-day packages · East Iceland
- Beginners welcome
- Fine on your own
- Eco-certified
Four or so stops a day. Early starts, and you will be glad of the coach seat.
26 stops across 8 days in the operator's own itinerary — 3.3 a day.
from €2,639 per person
Next departure: Mon 26 Oct
1 / 29
Duration
8 days and 1 hour
Difficulty
Easy
Season
All year
Starts in
Reykjavík
Pickup
Meet at the start point
Guide
Guided in English, Icelandic
Departs
14:00
Minimum age
8
Cancellation
Free until 24 hours before
About this experience
Day 1
Make your way to Reykjavík, and check into your accommodation in the afternoon. Free day in Reykjavík.
Day 2
The day starts with a pick-up from your accommodation in Reykjavík. First, we will head out to explore the famous Golden Circle, which includes Þingvellir National Park where Icelanders founded their parliament in the year 930 A.D., the oldest parliament in the world. The Circle includes Geysir hot springs and Gullfoss waterfall. Next, we will drive to the beautiful South Coast. Our first stop is at Seljalandsfoss, a unique opportunity to experience the power and wonder of nature. Don´t view this one from a distance – the walking path will take you directly behind the waterfall itself. Next, we will stop at the scenic Skógafoss, where the water crashes down over sea cliffs that marked the coastline of Iceland long ago. Watch out for rainbows – the incredible spray from this waterfall makes it an ideal spot to catch one or even two at a time. The final stop of the day is at Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, the home of the famous Reynisdrangar peaks, rumored to be the figures of two trolls caught in the sun and turned to stone, and a basalt column cave. After that, we will make our way to a country hotel near the charming village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, where we will rest for the night.
Day 3
The route continues along the South Coast toward Skaftafell, part of Vatnajökull National Park. Here you can join an optional 3-hour guided hike on one of Vatnajökull’s outlet glaciers. The glacier hike runs from April until October 1. From October to April, you can visit the Crystal Ice Cave instead, which is also optional.
Next, we’ll stop at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, where icebergs drift across the water and seals often rest on the ice. Across the road is Diamond Beach, a black sand beach where pieces of ice wash back onto the shore. Tonight’s accommodation is in Southeast Iceland.
Day 4
Embark on a journey to the breathtaking Eastfjords, a region of dramatic landscapes, serene fjords, and quaint coastal villages. Explore the charming fishing village of Djúpivogur, known for its unique outdoor art and strong connection to nature.
Before reaching Djúpivogur, we'll make a brief stop in Egilsstaðir, the largest town in East Iceland, surrounded by legends of the mysterious Lagarfljót Worm.
The highlight of our day will be a visit to the Wilderness Center, a living museum offering a glimpse into Iceland's past. Immerse yourself in the history and culture of the region, and enjoy a traditional hot spring bath to relax and rejuvenate.
Day 5
Today, we embark on a journey through North Iceland, a land of dramatic landscapes and natural wonders.
We'll start by exploring the stunning Stuðlagil Canyon, where towering basalt columns rise from the turquoise waters. Then, we'll venture to the mystical Námaskarð geothermal area, with its bubbling mud pools and steamy fumaroles.
Next, we'll discover the unique volcanic landscapes and abundant birdlife of Lake Mývatn. For those seeking relaxation, the Earth Lagoon (formally Mývatn Nature Baths) offer a chance to soak in mineral-rich geothermal waters.
We'll continue our journey to the otherworldly Dimmuborgir rock formations, and then witness the power of nature at the majestic Goðafoss waterfall.
Our final destination is the picturesque town of Akureyri, nestled on the shores of Eyjafjörður fjord. From September to April, you may have the opportunity to witness the breathtaking Northern Lights.
Day 6
Today starts in Eyjafjörður fjord, where you will join whale-watching boat tour. Humpback whales, dolphins, and harbor porpoises are regularly seen in these waters, and sightings are recorded on about 98% of trips.
From there, the route continues to Siglufjörður, one of Iceland’s northernmost towns. In the early 20th century, the small harbor town was the center of the country’s herring industry, and its colorful waterfront still reflects that history.
Driving around Tröllaskagi (the Troll Peninsula), you’ll follow the coast past mountain ski areas and small fishing villages. Farther along, the road runs through farmland toward Laugarbakki and gives you a look at rural life in North Iceland.
Before reaching the hotel, we’ll make a few stops in Skagafjörður, a wide fjord with several small islands. Tonight’s accommodation is a small hotel in the Laugarbakki area. On clear winter evenings, you can step outside to look for the Northern Lights.
Day 7
On this, our final day, we will find ourselves in West Iceland – an area which Lonely Planet voted as one of the best destinations in 2016. Borgarfjörður has many splendid sights and we will focus on these today. We stop at Deildartunguhver hot spring, the legendary waterfall, Barnafoss, (the Children´s Waterfall), and the Hraunfossar cascade, the atmospheric very low and wide falls where the water emerges, literally straight out of the lava field. Next on the agenda is the historic and picturesque site of Reykholt, home to Snorri Sturluson, the Icelandic historian, lawyer, politician, poet and the author of some Icelandic Sagas. See Snorralaug, Snorri´s pool, dabble your fingers and feel the temperature of the water in the place where Snorri is likely to have bathed. We will drive around scenic fjord, Hvalfjörður (Whale Fjord), on our way to back Reykjavík. We expect to arrive in the city around 5 – 6 pm.
Day 8
Free day in Reykjavík.
Description from the operator, Arctic Adventures. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.
Where you go
- Reykjavík
- Day 2: Þingvellir National Park
- Day 2: Geysir
- Day 2: Gullfoss
- Day 2: Seljalandsfoss
- Day 2: Skógafoss
- Day 2: Reynisfjara
- Day 3: Vík
- Day 3: Kirkjubæjarklaustur
- Day 3: Skaftafell
- Day 3: Jökulsárlón
- Day 3: Höfn
- Day 4: Djúpivogur
- Day 4: Hengifoss
- Day 4: Egilsstaðir
- Day 5: Námaskarð
- Day 5: Mývatn
- Day 5: Goðafoss
- Day 5: Akureyri
- Day 6: Dalvík
- Day 6: Siglufjörður
- Day 6: Laugarbakki
- Day 7: Deildartunguhver
- Day 7: Hraunfossar
- Day 7: Reykholt
- Day 4: Stuðlagil
Included
Pick-up from your hotel in Reykjavík, a guided tour in a minibus, visit to Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss, Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, Reynisfjara, Skaftafell, Jokulsarlon Ice Glacier Lagoon, Hengifoss, Dettifoss, Lake Mývatn, Dimmuborgir, Námaskarð, Goðafoss, Mývatn Nature Baths (admission can be added), Deildartunguhver, Hraunfossar, Whale watching, Ice Cave (during winter if accessible), Glacier hike & a certified glacier guide. Hotel room with bathroom for 7 nights and breakfasts.
Please note that food is NOT included on this tour, except breakfast at hotels and guesthouses.
Good to know
Warm outdoor clothing, a waterproof jacket and pants, headwear and gloves. Good hiking shoes are recommended. Please note that the tour does not include meals.
- Golden Circle - Þingvellir, Gullfoss Waterfall & Geysir Hot Springs
- Skogar - Skogafoss Waterfall.
- Skaftafell - Vatnajokull National Park
- A visit to Jokulsarlon Ice Lagoon & Icebergs - Vik, the coastal village
- Reynisfjara, basalt colums & black sand beaches- Eyjafjallajokull Glacier / Volcano view.*
- Hekla Volcano / Volcano view.*
- Höfn village
- Hengifoss Waterfall
- Dettifoss Waterfall
- Lake Mývatn
- Mývatn Nature Baths
- Námaskarð geothermal area
- Dimmuborgir lava field
- Goðafoss Waterfall
- Whale Watching
- Deildartunguhver hot springs
- Hraunfossar/Barnafoss Waterfalls
Cancellation for this tour
Free cancellation until 24 hours before departure; no refund after that. If the operator cancels for weather or safety, you get a full refund or a new date.
If the weather cancels this tour
Iceland's weather is real. What usually stops this one is sea state — the skipper decides an hour or two before departure; in winter this happens often. Here is exactly what happens to your booking.
- 1Arctic Adventures decides, and tells us. Operators cancel when it is unsafe or pointless, and we back that call every time — we do not ask them to run anyway.
- 2We contact you by email, and by phone if your tour is the same or next day. You choose: another date if there is one you can make, or a full refund. There is no fee and nothing to argue.
- 3The refund goes back to the card you paid with, through Stripe, usually visible within a few working days. If this tour was one of several in your booking, the others are untouched.
What you do not get is the day back. If this is the only free day in your plan, put a spare day next to it — the planner leaves days free with the rest-day option. And if you want out because the forecast looks bad, that is your own cancellation: free until 1 day before departure, the operator's policy after that.
Questions on the day: [email protected] · +354 497 1373. How cancellations work in Iceland →
Sold out on your date?
Seats come back — a cancellation, or the operator adding a vehicle. Tell us the date and we will check once a day and email you if one opens. One email, then we delete the address; nothing else is ever sent to it.
Who this is not for
- Children under 8 cannot join this one.
Read off the operator's own conditions. If none of it applies to you, this is a good one.
Why we list it
Arctic Adventures is one of 207 operators we work with — chosen for reliability, honest descriptions and how they treat guests when weather changes plans. We don't list everything; we list what we'd book ourselves. The six checks every operator passes →
What travellers say about Arctic Adventures
Read all 5,195 reviews on Google →Operator rating 4.6/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.
★★★★★ · 3 months ago
This was a phenomenal trip with AMAZING sights. Our tour guide was informative, friendly, and easy to listen to. You will learn a lot and see nature at its greatest. We absolutely loved this tour and would recommend it to anyone. The car ride is comfortable and there is wifi as well! Shout out to our tour guide, Magnus (I hope I’m spelling his name correctly), who told us some hilarious stories.
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
I spent six days on a bus tour around Iceland with a professional guide. It was an excellent opportunity to gain a comprehensive overview of Iceland's breathtaking nature while also learning about the country's history and the everyday lives of its people. Iceland's landscape and animals are truly unique, featuring magnificent waterfalls, geysers, whales, seals, puffins, volcanoes, glaciers, and mountains. Every day brought new and unforgettable experiences. Of course, none of this would have been possible without our guide, Viko. He not only drove the bus safely but also shared fascinating stories about Icelandic history, culture, and way of life. He was willing to tailor the itinerary to our group's interests and wishes, making the experience even more enjoyable. I am very grateful for his professionalism, knowledge, and enthusiasm in interpreting Iceland's natural and cultural heritage. He played a key role in making this tour such a memorable experience.
★★★★★ · 3 months ago
I did the Iceland South Coast Full Day Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik. Such an amazing tour and one of the highlights of my trip to Iceland! Our guide, Erik, was incredibly knowledgeable and shared so much interesting information about Iceland throughout the day. We visited some of the country’s most beautiful sights, including stunning waterfalls, Vik, black sand beaches, and other breathtaking stops along the South Coast. The pickup process was simple and organized, making the day completely stress-free. The scenery was incredible from start to finish, and Erik helped make the experience even better with his knowledge, friendliness, and enthusiasm. If you’re visiting Iceland, the South Coast is a must-do, and I highly recommend taking this tour with Erik as your guide!
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
What a wonderful adventure! The 3 Day South Coast/Golden Circle tour included all of the sites we wanted to see and it did not disappoint. We were picked up at a bus stop in downtown Reykjavik and our journey began with about 16 other guests, a good group size. Our tour guide "Good" John did an excellent job teaching us about the history of Iceland and the sites we saw. The tour is well organized with just enough time at each site. He also made adjustments to the itinerary based on the weather as well as including sites not on the tour to give us more to see, which we loved! There were plenty of bathroom/food breaks as needed and we loved that we could just sit back, relax, and enjoy the views outside the window rather than worrying about driving and parking. Our multi-day tour included a 2 night stay at Adventure Hotel Geirland, which Arctic Adventures owns. Such a quiet hotel, convenient location with beautiful views. Our only complaints were that the shower leaked and made the floor wet, and that dinner at the restaurant was expensive with limited options. However the food was good and breakfast was included. The Katla Ice Cave was our favorite part, which was partnered with Southcoast Adventure, and our guide Inga was very friendly and knowledgeable. We did pay for a hiking boot rental for my husband but never received the boots. We did not ask our tour guide so we are not sure what happened with that. Overall we absolutely loved this tour and would highly recommend Arctic Adventures to anyone visiting Iceland for the first time!
Reviews from Google · updated 23 Oct 2026
Read before you book
- Best Glacier Hike in Iceland (2026): 5 PicksThe glacier hikes we would book ourselves in Iceland, on Sólheimajökull and in Skaftafell, with real adult prices, departure points and who each one is not for.
- Glacier hike in Iceland: which glacier to bookThree glaciers sell almost the same walk at different prices and distances. Which one fits your route, what 'easy' means, and what blue ice really requires.
- Glacier hike or ice cave: which to bookBetween October and April, book the Skaftafell hike-and-cave combo and get both. The rest of the year, a glacier hike on Sólheimajökull is the better day.
Reviews from our travellers
Only people who booked this tour through us can write here. We publish every review in full — good or bad.
Reviews arrive the day after each trip — none yet for this one. After your tour we send one email asking how it was, and what you write goes here, unedited.
Whale watching — questions people ask
When is the best time for whale watching in Iceland?
April to October, with June to August the most reliable. Humpbacks and minke whales feed in Faxaflói off Reykjavík and in the northern fjords all summer, and white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises turn up on most trips. Winter boats still sail from Reykjavík, but sightings drop and the sea is rougher. If whales are the point of your trip, come in summer and book an early departure; seas are usually calmer in the morning.
Can you see whales from Reykjavík in December?
Sometimes. Boats run from the Old Harbour all year, and winter trips do find whales, mostly humpbacks and the occasional orca. But December means short daylight, cold wind and a higher chance the operator cancels for weather. Sightings are noticeably less frequent than in summer. If you are here in winter, go anyway, but treat it as a sea trip with a chance of whales rather than a whale trip. Most operators offer a free second trip if nothing shows.
Is Húsavík or Reykjavík better for whale watching?
Húsavík, if you can get there. Skjálfandi Bay in the north sees humpbacks close to shore from May to September, and the small family-run boats like Friends of Moby Dick (/experience/752602/) keep group sizes down. Reykjavík is more convenient: boats leave the Old Harbour five minutes from most hotels and run all year. Akureyri and Dalvík in Eyjafjörður are also strong. If you are only in Reykjavík, go from Reykjavík and do not feel short-changed.
Will I get seasick on a whale watching tour?
You might. Faxaflói is open sea and the boats roll, especially in wind. Take a tablet an hour before departure, stay on deck in fresh air and watch the horizon rather than your phone. Morning trips tend to be calmer than afternoon ones. If you know you suffer badly, a two-hour RIB trip (/experience/155331/) is faster and bumpier but shorter, or pick a northern fjord like Eyjafjörður, which is more sheltered than the bay off Reykjavík.
One checkout, any number of operators
Rankings are not for sale
206 operators vetted, and not all of them accepted
If it falls short, we fix it
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