In Iceland, fire and water create life, and it’s these elements – in all their forms – that are embraced on the island to nourish wellbeing. From relaxing natural thermal spas to exhilarating views from the glacier tops, the island both calms and invigorates.
The terrain of Iceland is otherworldly, at times it might feel like you’re on the moon, which will move the hustle and bustle of everyday life even further from your mind.
In our week together, we’ll dive deep into this unique environment, discovering how geothermal power grows vegetables, how locals embrace both the 24 hours of midnight sun in summer and winter’s long nights (with only four hours of daylight) and visit sites that won’t exist anymore in a few years time due to climate change.
We’ll visit an ice cave located within a glacier, walk the shores of magical volcanic black sand beaches, feel the mist of powerful waterfalls on our faces, and soak (more than once!) in luxuriously soothing thermal waters. And hopefully the northern lights grace us with their presence.
Intrigued? Read on for a day-by-day breakdown of a wild and wonderful seven days.
Ready to book? You’ll find a booking form on the bottom of this page.
November 6, 2022 (day 1) | Arrival day, Reykjavík
Welcome to Iceland! Enjoy today at your leisure, shake off the jetlag, go for a soak at the Sky Lagoon, the newly opened luxury hot pool is just 15 minutes from the city centre. Or venture out and explore our favourite little capital. Grab a coffee from Reykjavík Roasters, which has a new location inside Ásmundarsalur Art Museum. Bite into Brauð & Co’s famous cinnamon buns and visit the top of Hallgrímskirkja church for views over the city. Perlan Museum boasts a 360-degree view of Reykjavik on a clear day and hosts a wonderful exhibition called The Wonders of Iceland. Another fun option is FlyOver Iceland, a new and exciting activity in the Grandi area at walking distance from your hotel – it’s an incredible way to see parts of the country that you can’t really get to otherwise. And get a jump on souvenirs with a visit the Sóley flagstore, one of the wonderful Icelandic cosmetic brands that uses 100% natural and Icelandic ingredients – so pure you could eat their products. Though you might prefer eating the amazing ice cream and chocolate from their neighbours at Omnom.
Tonight, join the group for dinner at a hip restaurant, which features local produce, and meet your travel mates for the week before you take on the island.
Included activities: Group airport transfer from KEF airport to hotel in Reykjavík
Included meals: –
Accommodation: Hilton Hotel Konsúlat, gym and spa on site (check in from 3pm)
Reykjavík from above
Delicious lunch and brunch at Coocoo’s Nest Restaurant
Sky Lagoon, Iceland.
Hallgrimskirkja Church in Reykjavik, by Dagny Bjorg
November 7, 2022 (day 2) | South Coast Highlights
We’ll get picked up at the hotel by our guide and head out to see an impressive variety of natural phenomena. Today we’ll explore the entire south coast of Iceland, including Skógafoss waterfall and moody and majestic Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. Both sites will leave you in awe of the power of Mother Nature. We’ll have lunch here before heading further east. The afternoon will be filled with views of spectacular glaciers and Iceland’s highest mountains, as well as a hike along the ridges of Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, believed to have been formed 9,000 years ago. We’ll have dinner at the hotel restaurant, which showcases traditional Icelandic dishes. Post meal, treat yourself with a visit to their sauna and hot tub. And if the stars align, you could see the Northern Lights. The hotel is in a great location for viewing the aurora borealis on a clear night, and offers wake up calls if they appear after you’ve gone to bed.
Included meals: Breakfast at the hotel
Accommodation: Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon, sauna, hot tub and gym on site
Skógafoss Waterfall on the South Coast by Norris Niman. Skogafoss.
Reynisfjara Black Beach on the South Coast. Photo by Paul Fencaros
Skógafoss Waterfall | Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon 2 Day Tour | Hidden Iceland | Photo by Norris Niman. Skogafoss.
Winter Drive South Iceland. Hidden Iceland. Photo Norris Niman
Fjaðrárgljúfur gorge is on the south coast of Iceland. Photo by Marc Hoey
November 8, 2022 (day 3) | Ice Cave & Super Jeep adventures in Vatnajökull National Park
Today, we’ll explore Vatnajökull National Park. You’ll want to make sure your phone is fully charged because the photo ops are plentiful. Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, the first stunning sight, has icebergs floating around this enormous lagoon and washing up on the black sand shores of Diamond Beach. Here you’ll learn about the effects of climate change on Iceland’s glaciers. There we meet with our partners who will take us to a highlight of the trip: an ice cave. Together, in their specialized super jeeps, we’ll drive over rugged terrain to a more
remote part of the glacier. From here, it’s a short walk to the cave where you’ll see close up the textures of these natural works of art. Once back at Jökulsárlón, we take time to explore the enormous glacier lagoon. Seals can often be spotted swimming amongst the icebergs. We then return to the hotel. And if we’re lucky, another chance to see the Northern Lights.
Included meals: Breakfast at the hotel
Included activities: Private Ice Cave Tour with all glacier gear provided
Accommodation: Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon, sauna, hot tub and gym on site
Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon in winter by Scott Drummond, Hidden Iceland.
Icebergs on the black sand shore of Diamond Beach by Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, photo by Emily Sillett.
Sapphire Ice Cave Tour. Hidden Iceland
Sapphire Ice Cave Tour. Hidden Iceland
Sapphire Ice Cave by Scott Drummond, Hidden Iceland.
Northern Lights over Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Hidden Iceland. Photo by Tom Archer
November 9, 2022 (day 4) | South Coast Sights with optional Horse Riding Tour
After two adventurous days in the southeast, it’s time to slow the pace a little and have a more relaxed day as we head west. Our guide will show you their favourite places to see along the south coast. We’ll stop at the Eldhraun lava field, which was created in one of the biggest volcanic eruptions recorded in history. We’ll have lunch in the picturesque town of Vík before heading out to one of Iceland’s wonderful horse farms. It’s time to meet the famous (and adorable) Icelandic horses; you might get some hair envy while you’re at it. You have the option to add on a one-hour horseback ride to the beautiful, hidden waterfall Írárfoss, and experience the tölt, the extra gait unique to the Icelandic horses that allows them to safely and speedily cross the lava landscapes. You’ll notice that this gait is also very
comfortable for you, the rider, as you can just lean back and relax. If horses aren’t your thing, no worries. Our guide will lead you on a short canyon hike with beautiful views and offer insight into the local terrain. We’ll then head to our accommodation for the night, one of our favourite south Iceland accommodations, which is only a short drive away. Enjoy a soak in their outdoor hot tub in the evening. The hotel is perfectly located for seeing the Northern Lights when conditions are favourable. You might even see them from the hot tub…
Included meals: Breakfast at the hotel
Optional activities (not included): 1-hour private horse-riding tour (cost: 9,000 ISK / approx. $96 CAD; no riding experience necessary)
Accommodation: Hotel Vos, outdoor hot tub on site
Horseback riding. Horse close up. Sólhestar.
Driving in Iceland
Horse Riding at Skálakot
Dyrhólaey Black Beach View. Hidden Iceland. Photo Norris Niman
Hidden Waterfall. Hidden Iceland. Photo Emily Sillett
November 10, 2022 (day 5) | Þórsmörk valley in the Highlands
Another jolt of adrenaline today as you head to Iceland’s highlands for exploration via super jeep. The first stop at Gigjökull glacier puts the jeep to the test as we splash through rivers and streams. Gigjökull is a glacier tongue stretching from the world-famous glacier Eyjafjallajokull, the volcano that erupted in 2010 wreaking havoc all over Europe. Iceland has one of the highest densities of active volcanoes in the world. This and the fast changing and sometimes harsh weather conditions instilled an absolute awe for mother Nature in the Icelandic people. She dictates all and we have to abide by her rules. Once we are deep into the Þórsmörk valley, you’ll hike through extraordinary terrain and soak in remarkable vistas. You will be able to take the time to let the beauty of this area sink in – it’s an ideal location for meditative exercises focused on experiencing silence and connection with the world around you. At the end of this amazing tour, you’ll visit the gorgeous Seljalandsfoss where you can enjoy the spectacular views from behind the water curtain. Then it’s time to head back to civilization and Reykjavík, the northernmost capital of the world, to enjoy a nice late dinner.
Included meals: Breakfast, (simple) lunch box
Included activities: Private Super Jeep day tour to Þórsmörk
Accommodation: Hotel Vos, outdoor hot tub on site
Thorsmork (Þórsmörk). The Valley of Thor in the Highlands of Iceland.
Thorsmork Midgard Superjeep in highlands summer.
Winter in Þórsmörk
Þórsmörk Super Jeep Tour | Hidden Iceland
Seljalandsfoss Aerial | Hidden Iceland | Photo Danny Mcgee | Featured
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall at Sunset. Hidden Iceland. Feature
November 11, 2022 (day 6) | Golden Circle and the Secret Lagoon
Today our journey of Iceland’s famed Golden Circle starts with thermal therapy. Icelanders are addicted to their pool and hot pot visits, and you’ll discover why at the Secret Lagoon, the country’s oldest natural geothermal hot pool. You’ll get your glow on thanks to the water, rich in sulfur, which has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, and stays at 38-40 C year-round. Soaking in the warm water helps reduce stress and brings a sense of peace and serenity that is enhanced by the natural environment of the pool. Lunch provides insight into how the island, much of which is tundra, produces food. Our time at Friðheimar Tomato Farm includes a tour and a cozy, very fresh lunch among tomato vines inside their greenhouse. It’s a truly unique experience! After lunch it’s off to see the famous sights within the Golden Circle where the mighty Gullfoss waterfall awaits us, as well as the geothermal area of Geysir with its erupting geyser (yes, this is where the word comes from). We end the day with one of the most historic and stunning sights in Iceland, Þingvellir National Park, where the tectonic plates are pulling apart, making the country grow a bit larger every year. From here it’s a short drive back to Reykjavík, just in time for dinner in the city.
Included meals: Breakfast, all inclusive lunch at Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse (excluding alcoholic beverages)
Included activities: Entrance fees and towels at Secret Lagoon
Accommodation: Hilton Hotel Konsúlat, gym and spa on site (check in from 3pm)
An erupting geyser in the Golden Circle. Photo taken by Dennis Stever.
Gullfoss in summer by Daniel Guindo
Autumn at Thingvellir National Park in the Golden Circle Platinum Tour. Photo by Dennis Stever
Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse by Dagný Björg Stefánsdóttir
Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse Lunch by Kat Craats
November 12 (day 7) | Departure Day & Blue Lagoon
Reality awaits, but not before one final Icelandic wellness experience – a soak at the famous Blue Lagoon. It’s the stuff Instagram dreams are made of. But honestly, there’s no better way to prepare for a flight home. The warm silica rich milky waters are so beneficial for your skin that they have even developed psoriasis treatments. With the Premium Entrance, you’ll get the full experience with three silica and mud masks, so you’ll board your flight with a glowing skin and feeling totally relaxed after a three-hour soak in the warm waters surrounded by an otherworldly lava landscape. Then it is time to head to the airport for your flight home.
As Icelanders say: Þar til næst… until next time!
Included meals: Breakfast
Including activities: Airport transfer from Reykjavík to KEF airport with three-hour stop at the Blue Lagoon, Premium entrance to Blue Lagoon (includes entrance, three masks, one drink, towels, use of slippers & bathrobe)
Blue Lagoon, Iceland
Blue Lagoon. Hidden Iceland.
Keflavík airport.