Compare Iceland North East Triangle by Nordika Travel vs Iceland: See & Experience it ALL in 9 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours by Charlie The Traveler

Day 1: Welcome to Iceland

On your own transfer to Reykjavik, which we can make arrangements and book for you.  Depending on your arrival time you may want to visit The Blue Lagoon, which is on your way to your hotel (reservation is required/admission not included). Ask us to add this amazing stop to your trip.

Once you check into your hotel (most hotels begin check-in at 2pm), you are free to enjoy Reykjavik and dine on your own.

Day 2: Egilsstadir - East Iceland Mountains and Moors - Wilderness Center of Iceland

Legendary Lake - Secret Waterfall - Turf roofed mansion - Highland Wilderness Gateway

Breakfast at your hotel.  In the early morning, your guide will pick you up at your hotel to check in at the domestic airport in Reykjavik.  Catch a  one-hour flight to Egilsstadir, the capital of the East.  If the skies are clear, then you will have amazing views during your flight of the dramatic mountains and glaciers of the highland interior.

Upon arrival at Egilsstadir, you will drive to Fljotsdalur Valley, which rich green forest boardering the legendary Lagarfljót lake.  According to local folklore, the lake is home to a sea monster similar to the one in Loch Ness, Scotland, but with its own unique story.

Visit Hengifoss, a little-glimpsed silvery waterfall dropping down a multicolored cliff.  then discover local heritage at skriduklaustur, the turf roofed black and brown stone mansion of renowned Icelandic poet gunnar Gunnarsson.  This are was also the site of a medieval monastery that helped perserve Old Norse history and lore, and you can discover a few written treasures here.

Then it is time to head to the edge of the eastern highland wilderness a stunning area of vast green heaths, black mountains and rushing glacial rivers.  The Icelandic highlands are Northern Europe's largest wilderness area.  the new Wilderness Center is the gateway to the highlands, and it is also am experience of history.  Walk over a wooden bridge and into the past as you discover beautifully restored farm buildings from various periods in Iceland's highland history, including a turf roofed smoke house.  An interactive exhibit tells you the story of the highlands nature and the independent people who settled here.

As part of your experience, you will also enjoy coffee and home baked Icelandic refreshments in an old farmhouse kitchen along with a chance to chat with the area locals.  With luck, you may also catch a glimpse of reindeer, the symbol of East Iceland, as they wander in the mountains surrounding the Wilderness Center.

Dinner and Overnight in Egilsstadir

Day 3: Lake Myvatn Area

Highland desert - Lava Formations - Pseudo Craters - Colorful Geothermal Area

Breakfast at your hotel.  Cross the vast black sand deserts of the Modrudalsoraefi highland wilderness, before heading to the Lake Myvatn area.  Today we explore the natural beauty of this world renowned volcanic area, including the mysterious black lava formations at Dimmuborgir, the Jade green and umber pseudo craters at skutustadir and the intense colors of Namaskard pass with its boiling mud pools and fumaroles.  One of the Myvatn area's claims to fame is that it is home to more species of ducks than any other place on earth, with a very diverse birdlife in general.

Dinner and overnight stay in the Myvatn area for the next 2 nights

Day 4: The Diamond Circle, Dettifoss - Asbyrgi - Husavik

Europe's Mightiest Waterfall - Horseshoe Shaped Canyon - Charming Fishing Village

Breakfast at your hotel,  Myvatn makes up part of the magnigicent Diamond Circle route.  Today you will see other nature wonders on this route.  Cross a bridge over a powerful glacial river that flows through Jokulsargljufur, Iceland's longest river canyon the Viking settlers believed to be created be the legendary 8 legged horse Sleipnie.  The next stop will be in Husavik, Iceland's main whale watching town.  Enjoy a walk through the busy harbor area in town and admire the bright hued and charming buildings

Dinner and overnight stay in the Myvatn area

Day 5: The Troll Peninsula - Akureyri - Siglufjordur

Waterfall of the Gods - Capital of the North - Fishing Villages

Breakfast at your hotel.  Travel west towards the bustling northern port of Akureyri, making a stop at the magnificent Godafoss, the waterfall of the Gods.  Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland, which was voted #1 in the Lonely Planet's Best Destinations 2015.  The town has some of the finest timber buildings in the country, beautifully restored to their original glory.  it sits in an amazing setting of glacier capped mountains and the blue waters of Eyafjordur.

Continue along Eyjafjordur with its magnificent views.  Take a tour of Ektafiskur, a family owned fish processing company that makes gourmet quality bacalao.  Continue through the fjords where black steep mountains drop into the vast blue seas.  Pass through the small fishing villages Dalvik and Olafsfjordur and onwards to Siglufjprdur, a very pretty town in a haunting fjord setting.  Visit Segull 67, a family owned microbrewery.

Overnight stay at the new Hotel Siglo in Siglufjordur.  Dinner is on your own and there are several delightful restaurants to chose from.

Day 6: Siglufjordur - Deildartunguhver - Hraunfossar - Reykjavik

Award Winning Herring Era Museum - Europe's Most Powerful Hot Spring - Lava Waterfalls

Breakfast at your hotel..  In the morning, explore Siglufjordur and visit the award winning Herring Era Museum, where a 1950s harbor atmosphere has been brought to life and taste herring as a part of the visit.

In the afternoon, drive through Skagafjordur, an area central to Icelandic history and culture.  It is also Iceland's main horse breeding area.  You will pass fields with horses of many colors grazing on the wild grasses.  Cross Holtavorduheidi plateau, the gateway between North and South, on your way to the West of Iceland, which is characterized by fjords, valleys, volcanos and craters.  Lonely Planet chose West Iceland as one of their Top Places to Visit in 2016.

In the West, water flows fir the earth in every form, from rivers of sparkling cool mineral water to Europe's most voluminous hot spring, Deildartungahver.  Stop to admire the beautiful Hraunfossar waterfalls seeping through black lava rock, before the last stop of the day in Borgarnes at the Farmers Market, Ljómalind.  The non profit market offers seasonal and regional produce and is run on a volunteer basis by local ladies.  Continue via Hvalfjordur tunnel back to Reykjavik.

Dinner in Reykjavik is on your own.

Day 7: Departure

Breakfast at your hotel.  Transfer to the airport is not included.  We advise departing your hotel no later than 3 hours before your international flight.

If you did not visit The Blue Lagoon (Reservation required) on your arrival day, you might use the opportunity to stop there now on the way to the airport.

Day 1: Whale Watching & Colorful Skies

From mid-May to mid-October, our tour starts in Iceland's second most visited city, Akureyri. Get ready to go on a whale watching tour. From late October to early May, whale watching is done instead in the capital that is Reykjavík. From September to early March, also included is a night tour to an area where we see the northern lights.

Day 2: A Lake Created by Lava & Geothermal Eruptions

As a land daytrip from Akureyri (mid-May to mid-October) or a flight daytrip from Reykjavík (late October to early May), we are taken on a tour to Goðafoss Waterfall, Lake Mývatn, a geothermal area called Hverir and Dettifoss Waterfall. Goðafoss waterfall has a height of 12 meters over a width of 30 meters. Lake Mývatn was created by a large basaltic lava which erupted 2,300 years ago. The surrounding landscape is dominated by volcanic landforms, including lava pillars. Dettifoss is reputed to be the second most powerful waterfall in Europe.

Day 3: Approaching a Caldera & Bathing in a Crater or Iceland’s Best Bar Lagoon Accompanied with a City Tour

Today’s destinations and activities depend on the season. From mid-May to mid-October, as a daytrip from Akureyri, we first hike Askja Caldera and then visit a crater called Viti, the latter of which offers a pond where we go bathing. From late October to early May, we go bathing at a ‘fashionable’ geothermal spa called Sky Lagoon, located near to the capital. We are also provided with a tour of the capital.

Day 4: Why They Call This Area the ‘Golden Circle’

From mid-May to mid-October, we relocate from Akureyri to Reykjavík. From late October to early May, we are not based in Akureyri. Instead, we are still based in Reykjavík. Either way, today we are doing the so-called ‘Golden Circle’ as a daytrip from Reykjavík. Destinations include Gullfoss Waterfall, Geysir/Strokkur geyser and Þingvellir National Park (a.k.a. Thingvellir National Park). Gullfoss is 32 meters tall and features not 1 but 2 drops. Geysir’s eruptions can hurl boiling water up to 70 meters in the air. Þingvellir is notable for its unusual tectonic and volcanic environment in a rift valley.

Day 5: One of the Ten Most Beautiful Beaches on Earth & Thundering Waterfalls

We leave Reykjavík and start the journey along the southeast coast. Highlights for today include Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, Skógafoss Waterfall and the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. We end up lodging in the Skaftafell area. The Seljalandsfoss Waterfall drops 60 meters. Visitors can walk behind the falls into a fascinating cave. Skógafoss is one of the biggest waterfalls in the country, with a width of 25 meters and a drop of 60 meters. Reynisfjara was ranked by National Geographic as one of the ten most beautiful non-tropical beaches on Earth.

Day 6: Huge Icebergs, Exploring an Ice Cave & a Surreal Shoreline

Although today we head to Thorsmork Valley, many destinations are visited en route. They include Skaftafell Nature Reserve, Jökulsárlón Glacial Lake, the natural ice cave at Vatnajökull National Park and Diamond Beach. Skaftafell’s landscape is similar to some of the Alps. The difference is Skaftafell has been formed over thousands of years by different influences of fire and water. Jökulsárlón Lake provides outstanding views of icebergs which rise to a height of 910 meters. Jökulsárlón has been a setting for four Hollywood movies: (1) A View to a Kill, (2) Die Another Day, (3) Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and (4) Batman Begins. Vatnajökull’s ice cave contains canals for water which run through or at the bottom of the glacier. Diamond Beach features icebergs which float onto the shore from Jökulsárlón.

*Note that the surreal looking Svartifoss Waterfall is sometimes-but not always-included on today’s tour. It depends on many factors, including the weather. Also, note that the ice cave is not open June through September. It is open only during the winter season.

Day 7: A Hiker's Paradise

Before returning to Reykjavík, we hike around Thorsmork Valley. The highlights are Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, Stakkholtsgjá Canyon, Nauthúsagil Canyon and Gígjökull Glacier. This is arguably the best area in the country from where to go hiking.

Day 8: Mud Pools, Hot Springs & Blue Waters

From Reykjavík, we make a daytrip to the Reykjanes Peninsula: Lake Kleifarvatn, a geothermal area called Krýsuvík, Gunnuhver’s mud pools and hot springs and the Blue Lagoon. Krýsuvík consists of several geothermal fields. Here solfataras, fumaroles, mud pots and hot springs have formed. The soil is colored bright yellow, red and green. Nearby are several craters which were created by the explosions of overheated groundwater. The Blue Lagoon, one of the most visited attractions in Iceland, is a geothermal spa. There we enjoy bathing inside the warm water.

Day 9: Our Tour Ends Today

Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Reykjavík.