IcelandSignature: Iceland's Reykjavik, Golden Circle, & Fjords of the North
Welcome to Iceland. Your expedition begins as you touch down in Keflavík airport. You will be met and transferred to your hotel–crossing the moss-covered lava fields to reach Reykjavík, the world’s northernmost capital. In the evening, meet your fellow travellers and National Geographic Expedition Leader for an introduction and welcome reception. Enjoy a short presentation from the National Geographic Expedition Expert before heading to a local restaurant for dinner, sampling modern Icelandic cuisine and sharing toasts as you prepare for your exploration of this dynamic island.
Arrival Transfer
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.
Welcome Moment - Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group
Your opportunity to meet your Expedition Leader and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. 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. There will be an included group welcome dinner after the meeting.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Hotel Reykjavik Saga
Venture to the stunning southern coast of Iceland, a landscape shaped by the earth’s powerful natural forces over millions of years. Begin at the Lava Centre for an exclusive tour with a leading volcanologist. Gain unique insight into the magmatic forces rumbling beneath your feet. Continue to Seljalandsfoss, walking behind the thundering curtain of water to feel the cool spray on your face. Then, strap on crampons for a guided hike on Sólheimajökul glacier. Traverse the gleaming blue ice and deep crevasses, witnessing firsthand the immense power of the ice cap before settling into your hotel for the night.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Signature Moment: Lava Centre Visit with a Vulcanologist
Visit this stunning interactive exhibition with a volcanologist to learn about all aspects of Iceland's unique geography, including volcanoes, earthquakes and geothermal activity.
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.
Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike
Equipped with crampons and an ice axe, hike through the dramatic glacier valley and along the black sand flood plains to the edge of the ice. Enjoy stunning, panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, glaciers and the Eyjafjallajökull volcano. The guide will explain the volcanic history of the area and the effects of global warming.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Landhotel Hella
Explore the famed Golden Circle, where the earth’s power is once again on full display. Feel the ground shake at Gullfoss, the "Golden Falls," and watch the Strokkur geyser erupt skyward in a column of steaming water. Stop at the Friðheimar Greenhouse and learn how they harness geothermal energy to grow food year-round, then enjoy a lunch served on site. Conclude at Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site that sits atop of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, separating the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, and stand where the continents are slowly drifting apart.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Gullfoss Waterfall Visit
Discover one of the most impressive waterfalls in Iceland, 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.
Friðheimar Greenhouse Tour and Lunch
Tour the Friðheimar greenhouses with a local expert to discover how geothermal energy is used to grow Mediterranean-style tomatoes year-round in the Icelandic climate. Following the tour, enjoy a unique lunch served among the vines.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Guided walk at Þingvellir National Park
Explore the historic Þingvellir National Park on a guided walk through the dramatic rift valley where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are pulling apart. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the ancestral home of Iceland’s parliament and offers a unique look at both the island's geological marvels and its cultural origins.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Landhotel Hella
Continue west through the rugged landscapes of Borgarnes, where jagged peaks rise from the sea. In Húsafell, board a massive 8-wheel glacier truck to ascend the slopes of Langjökull, then venture into the glacier itself, walking through illuminated, man-made tunnels carved deep into the blue heart of the ice cap. Feel the ancient chill of the ice as a glaciologist explains the science of ice cores and the impact of climate change on this fragile environment. In the evening, settle into your hotel, surrounded by the silence of the highlands.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Langjokull Glacier Expedition
Enter the raw beauty of Iceland’s second largest glacier, Langjokull. Set off in modified glacier vehicles to the Klaki Basecamp and the glacier entrance where you'll go into man-made ice tunnels toward the heart of the glacier. Learn all about ice and geology along the way and gain a new perspective on these massive features that have shaped the planet.
Accommodation
Hotel Husafell Reykholt
Descend into the darkness of Viðgelmir, the largest lava tube in Iceland. Set off with a local guide to explore the colorful rock formations and learn about Viking outlaws who once hid here. Then, marvel at the Hraunfossar waterfalls, where glacial water streams mysteriously from beneath a lava field. In the afternoon, enjoy an unforgettable private experience at the Húsafell Canyon Baths. Relax in secluded, stone-lined pools fed by natural hot springs, gazing out at the remote canyon walls — a moment of pure geothermal bliss before a delicious dinner.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
The Vidgelmir Cave
Take a tour into the depths of the ear at the Víðgelmir Cave. Don helmets and headlamps as you explore this subterranean wonderland that showcases the raw power of Iceland's geological forces. Stroll along the walkways and admire the features and colours of this underground natural wonder.
Hraunfossar & Barnafoss Visit
Stroll along easy walking paths to witness the striking turquoise glacial waters of Hraunfossar as they filter through an ancient lava field into the river below. Nearby, you can explore the powerful rapids of Barnafoss while learning about the local legends and geology through interpretive signage at scenic viewpoints.
Free Time
Spend the evening however you wish with free time or an optional short forest walk around the Húsafell birchwood area.
Húsafell Canyon Baths
Descend on foot from the hotel in the remote Icelandic wilderness to natural geothermal pools nestled in highland canyon. Enjoy private access to these pools fed by pure underground volcanic hot springs.
Accommodation
Hotel Husafell Reykholt
Travel north across the highland moors to the Skagafjörður region. Step back in time at the Glaumbær Turf Museum, wandering through traditional 18th-century sod farmhouses that blend seamlessly into the landscape. Continue to Akureyri, the "Capital of the North" and stroll through the Akureyri Botanical Garden, admiring a surprising collection of Arctic and foreign flora thriving just miles from the Arctic Circle.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Glaumbær Turf Museum Visit
Discover the iconic grass-roofed farmhouses of Glaumbær, a remarkably preserved example of how early Icelanders utilized the earth for insulation and shelter. Guided by a local expert, you’ll explore the interconnected rooms and learn about the daily rhythms of rural life in these historic structures.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Guided Visit of Akureyri Botanical Gardens
Take a stroll around one of the northern most botanical gardens in the world, and see a variety of both Icelandic and foreign flora.
Accommodation
Berjaya Akureyri
Drive along the coast to Húsavik, the whale watching capital of Iceland. Visit the University of Iceland research center for an exclusive meeting with a marine biologist. Learn about their research into cetacean populations and sustainable fishing then take to the sea on a whale watching boat. Scan the dark, cold waters of Skjálfandi Bay for the blow of humpback, minke, and blue whales, hoping to catch a glimpse of these giants breaching against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains. Return to Akureyri for some free time to explore or relax before dinner in the evening.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Signature Moment: Meet with a Marine Biologist at the University of Iceland’s Research Center
Visit the University of Iceland's Research Center and meet with one of their resident marine biologists to learn about ongoing studies into North Atlantic whale populations and the development of sustainable fishing practices.
Whale Watching
Head out to sea to spot whales off the coast. The town of Húsavík is the whale watching capital of Europe and the best spot in Iceland to view Humpbacks, Minke, or Blue Whales. Over 20 species have been spotted in the area but the most frequent visitors are the Humpback and Blue Whales.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Explore Akureyri with free time this evening. Check out the several cafés, harbor area, or art galleries
Accommodation
Berjaya Akureyri
Fly back to Reykjavík this morning, watching the volcanic landscape pass below you. Visit the Perlan Museum, a glass-domed landmark offering 360-degree views of the city. Explore interactive exhibits showcasing Iceland’s geology, glaciers, and climate, including a real indoor ice cave. Spend the afternoon exploring the vibrant streets of Reykjavik on your own, perhaps take an optional visit to soak in the thermal springs of the Sky Lagoon before a farewell dinner in the evening.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Perlan Museum Visit
Visit the Wonders of Iceland exhibit at the Perlan museum, where you can see and feel all of Iceland's natural wonders under one roof. Walk through a 100m long man-made ice cave to experience what glacial environments are like, and how global warming affects this part of the world. Top your visit off with an unparalleled 360° view of Reykjavik and surrounding areas from the observation deck.
Free Time
Spend a final afternoon in Reykjavik before your farewell dinner.
Accommodation
Hotel Reykjavik Saga
Your expedition to Iceland concludes today. After breakfast, enjoy a final breath of fresh Arctic air before your transfer to Keflavík International Airport, provided at any time during the day.
Departure Transfer
You will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport at the end of your adventure.
