Scenic South Iceland

Welcome to Iceland! On arrival at Keflavik International Airport, you will be welcomed and driven to your accommodation in Reykjavík. If you are arriving earlier in the day, you might consider adding a day tour. A favorite activity after a long flight is to visit one of the neighborhood geothermal pools. It is so refreshing to relax in the warm water, breathing in the fresh Icelandic air. It's a great way to get to see Icelandic daily life and maybe meet a few locals. It's also nice to take a stroll in the old city center, perhaps visiting one of the museums or relaxing with a cup of coffee in a cozy cafe.

Dinner this evening is at your leisure. Reykjavik offers a multitude of restaurants and coffee-houses, making dinner a great way to get better acquainted with Iceland's capital. Please note that hotels in Iceland start check-in around 14:00 (2:00pm), and early check-in is not guaranteed. Most hotels will be happy to store your luggage if you are not able to check in early.

Good to Know: Generally, on Days 2 - 4, there will be no more than 45 minutes to one-hour driving between each tour stop. You'll arrive at each night's accommodation in the late afternoon. Please note: If you have added extra nights in Reykjavik before your tour, the guide will meet your group on Day 2 according to the standard "Scenic South Iceland" itinerary. Approximate Distance: 50 km (32 miles).

Breakfast at your hotel. Today, you'll tour along the South Shore, a region of volcanic mountains and waterfalls. You'll get a taste of how Icelanders have harnessed volcanic energy with a visit to the geothermal park in the town of Hveragerdi. Your group will boil eggs in a hot spring and taste fresh rye bread that has baked overnight in geothermal steam. Next you'll drive through scenic farmlands to Hvolsvollur town. There you'll discover more about volcanoes and earthquakes with a visit to the LAVA Center's interactive exhibits.

Your journey continues to the fairy tale-like Seljalandsfoss waterfall-the only one in Iceland where you can walk behind the roaring cascade on a footpath, followed by the magnificent 60-metre (197 ft) free-falling Skogafoss waterfall known from Iceland travel blogs. Journey past the beautiful Eyjafjoll mountain range, including Eyjafjallajokull volcano towards volcanic black sand beaches. One of these beaches is Reynisfjara, known for its black volcanic sands, smooth pebbles, and unique rock formations. Dinner and overnight in the Kirkjubaejarklaustur area. Approximate Distance: 290 km (180 miles).

Breakfast at your hotel. Today's drive takes you to some of Iceland's most photogenic attractions. The incredible views start with a visit to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, where you will enjoy a morning guided amphibian boat tour among the floating icebergs. Near the Glacier Lagoon the Diamond Beach awaits, where you will see chunks of sparkling ice dotting the black sands like diamonds.

Next, your group will head to the smaller (but no less scenic) Fjallsarlon Glacier Lagoon, a great location for a lunch break (lunch is not included, but there are food options in the area). Continue to the beautiful Skaftafell area of Vatnajökull National Park, named after Iceland's largest glacier. On your way back to the hotel your group will stop at Dverghamrar, a small but impressive canyon full of unusual hexagonal basalt columns. Dinner and overnight in the Kirkjubaejarklaustur area. Approximate Distance: 255 km (157 miles).

Breakfast at your hotel. Today the journey takes you back along the south coast. The route may be the same, but you'll find the views from this direction are very different. Along the way, you'll will stop at a local farm, where you'll learn about daily life at an Icelandic farm. Meet the family and some of their farm animals, including horses, sheep, goats, chickens, cats and the family dog.

No trip to Iceland is complete without the Golden Circle, so your group will head to this area with some of Iceland's best-known natural sites. Your first stop is the picture perfect two-tiered Gullfoss waterfall, where you can see the water thrash and tumble before falling meters below into a canyon.

Next, you will visit the nearby Geysir area and explore the bubbling mud pots and spouting Strokkur geyser, which erupts steam and boiling water high into the air every few minutes. End your day with a visit to Thingvellir National Park. This beautiful volcanic plain is the heart and soul of Iceland. The Viking settlers founded a national parliament here in the 10th century, creating Iceland as an independent nation. Thingvellir is also where the North American and European tectonic plates meet, giving you that rare chance to walk between two continents. After this exciting day, head back to Reykjavik, where your driver-guide bids you farewell. The evening is open for your own activities. Overnight in Reykjavik. Approximate Distance: 380 km (236 miles).

Breakfast at your hotel. Please note that this might be a light breakfast if you are taking an early morning flight. When it's time for your Iceland adventure to end, you will be picked up from the hotel for your airport transfer by a shuttle bus about three hours before your flight. If you're flying in the afternoon, consider a visit the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa (not included) to relax in the warm mineral waters before continuing to the airport, which is just a short drive away. Approximate Distance: 50 km (32 miles).