Have you dreamed about visiting Iceland? Maybe you have wanted to plan a trip but didn’t know where to start? Or maybe your friends and family don’t want to go to Iceland?
Now is your chance to finally make your dream of visiting the Land of Ice and Fire a reality!
Join us in September 2023 for an 8-day, 7-night, women-only trip to Iceland’s South Coast. Make new friends, learn from a professional private guide, and enjoy the camaraderie of other women as we hike on glaciers, walk along Black Sand beaches and behind waterfalls, ride adorable Icelandic horses, soak in the waters of the Blue Lagoon, and experience the magic of Iceland. We may even get lucky enough to experience the Northern Lights.
This trip is hosted by Tamara Gruber, Editor and Publisher of Your Time to Fly, a travel and lifestyle website for Gen X women and We3Travel, a family travel blog.
The trip in a nutshell
September 2 | Arrival Day & Reykjavík Sightseeing
September 3 | South Coast Highlights: Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Black Sand Beach
September 4 | Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach and Glacier Hike
September 5 | South Coast Easy Day with Horse riding
September 6 | Westman Islands, Heimaey, Stórhöfði with RIB Boat Tour
September 7 | Golden Circle, Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse
September 8 | Lava Tunnel, Volcanic Eruption Site Viewpoint & Blue Lagoon
September 9 | Departure day
Want to know more? Read on for a day-by-day breakdown of this amazing trip.
Ready to book? You’ll find a booking form on the bottom of this page.
September 2 | Arrival Day & Reykjavík Sightseeing
A private driver will wait for you in the arrivals hall at KEF Airport* and take you to Reykjavík (ca. 45 mins driving) where you will be dropped off at your accommodation. Your rooms will be available from 3pm onwards so for now you can leave your luggage at the hotel and head out to explore Reykjavík. Have a relaxing day in Reykjavík to explore our favourite little city before you escape the city buzz for your countryside adventure. Albeit a small city, there are a lot of interesting things to see and do, as well as some incredible restaurants to try. Have one of Brauð & Co’s famous cinnamon buns and visit the top of Hallgrímskirkja church for views over the city. Wander along the pedestrian friendly main strip of Laugavegur in the compact downtown area. A fun option is FlyOver Iceland, a new and exciting activity in the Grandi area. For a sensory adventure, visit Fishersund. A unique perfumery concept store with an art and olfactory exhibition. For more inspiration, have a read through our Reykjavík City Guide where we’ve outlined some of our favourite places, covering everything from transportation in the city, to sights, activities and restaurants.
We’ll have dinner together tonight, to get to know each other a bit better before spending the next week together on the road.
*One airport transfer for the group is included for arrivals between 06:00 and 08:00 am. Should your flight be scheduled to arrive outside of this time frame, we can arrange an airport transfer for you at an additional cost.
Included activities: Private group airport transfer from KEF airport to your Reykjavík hotel
Included meals: Happy Hour hosted by Your Time to Fly (location TBD)
Accommodation: Reykjavík Exeter hotel in their superior rooms, spa on site
Reykjavík from above
Northern Lights over Hallgrímskirkja Church in Reykjavík.
Harpa Concert Hall
Hallgrimskirkja Church in Reykjavik, by Dagny Bjorg
September 3 | South Coast Highlights, Northern Lights?
Our Hidden Iceland guide will pick us up from our Reykjavík accommodation to embark on our adventure to explore the entire south coast of Iceland. We’ll visit Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls before taking a walk on Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. We continue our drive further east where we’ll soon start to see the spectacular glaciers and Iceland’s highest mountains. We hike along the ridges of the gorge with the impossible name, Fjaðrárgljúfur, before coming into our accommodation for the night at Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon. The hotel is perfectly situated for Northern Lights viewing and even has a wake-up service for if you haven’t spotted them before bed.
Included meals: Breakfast at the hotel
Accommodation: Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon in their ocean view rooms, spa on site
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach in winter with Hidden Iceland. By Simon Svensson Photography (31)-13
Reynisfjara Black Beach on the South Coast. Photo by Paul Fencaros
Seljalandsfoss Aerial | Hidden Iceland | Photo Danny Mcgee | Featured
Skógafoss Waterfall on the South Coast by Norris Niman. Skogafoss.
Fjaðrárgljúfur gorge is on the south coast of Iceland. Photo by Marc Hoey
September 4 | Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach and Glacier Hike, Northern Lights?
Today, we’ll explore Vatnajökull National Park. We first make our way west to do the glacier hike on the Falljökull glacier. We are heading onto the glacier to hike all the way up to the astonishing ice fall of the glacier exploring the glacier textures, features and walk on the bottom of its crevasses. It’s truly a unique experience. The glacier hike is about 2,5 hours in total with 1-1,5 hour on the ice*. For more information, read our Glacier Hike Guide. Once we come back we will travel to the nearby Jökulsárlón where we take time to explore the enormous glacier lagoon and the icebergs which float around here. Seals can often be spotted swimming amongst the icebergs. We make our way over to the Diamond Beach, where the icebergs from the lagoon flow with the tide out to the ocean and wash up on the shores of the black sand beach. We’ll rest easy again at the Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon after a day exploring the icy landscape.
* For the glacier hike full ankle and knee mobility is necessary. The hike itself is easy with a short, relatively steep bit to get onto the glacier. If you have any concerns about being able to partake in this activity, please contact us.
Included meals: Breakfast at the hotel
Included activities: Private glacier hike with all glacier gear provided
Accommodation: Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon in their ocean view rooms, spa on site
Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon in winter by Scott Drummond, Hidden Iceland.
Falljökull glacier hike
Iceland Northern Lights and Starry Sky. Hidden Iceland. Photo by Brendan Bannister. Featured
Icebergs on the black sand shore of Diamond Beach by Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, photo by Emily Sillett.
Falljökull glacier hike
September 5 | South Coast Easy Day with Horse riding, Northern Lights?
After two big days of travel and adventure, it’s time to slow the pace a little on this more relaxed day. We will take our time travelling back along the south coast stopping off along the way at your guide’s favourite spots. We will arrive in the picturesque town of Vík in time for lunch. Here we will have ample time to do a spot of shopping for souvenirs, try the ‘best coffee in the south of Iceland’ at the Skool Beans converted school bus café and get some great views along the way. Our hotel for the night is just a short drive from here where you can spend some time relaxing and revisiting all the pictures taken for the past couple of days. However, before we get there, we will make a stop for a fun 1 hour horse riding tour on the famous Icelandic horse with its smooth 5th gait. These docile animals are as friendly as they are fast. This is a great way to see Iceland’s hidden landscape off the beaten path. No previous riding experience is necessary for this activity, though maximum weight to partake is 110 kg*. We’ll spend the night at the cozy country hotel Vos with its outdoor hot tub.
* If you can’t or don’t want to join the horse riding tour, you can opt for a stable visit, or we can look into a workshop to bake traditional Icelandic kleinur pastry.
Included meals: Breakfast at the hotel
Included activities: 1-hour private horse-riding tour (no riding experience necessary)
Accommodation: Hotel Vos in their superior rooms, outdoor hot tub on site
Dyrhólaey Black Beach View. Hidden Iceland. Photo Norris Niman
Horseback riding. Horse close up. Sólhestar.
Debbie Du in Vík í Mýrdal with Hidden Iceland. Vik Town.
Horse Riding at Skálakot
September 6 | Westman Islands, Heimaey, Stórhöfði with RIB Boat Tour, Northern Lights?
We start the day by taking the short ferry ride to reach the volcanic chain of islands known as the Westman Islands. We start exploring the islands by joining a 1 hour RIB boat ride to explore the islands, it is a fantastic and fun way to do it. The scenic boat tour takes you deep inside the sea caves, and around the small islands scattered off Heimaey that are otherwise inaccessible. If you are lucky you may even get close to the array of wildlife around the islands, like whales and hopefully you will still see some of the last puffins (they generally leave Iceland from mid August). It is amazing to see the islands from this angle. In summer the Westman Islands is one of the best places in Iceland to view puffins, with millions calling these islands home for the summer. We will eat lunch at one of our favourite restaurants in Iceland. The food at Næs is inspired by what is available locally, giving a modern twist to many of Iceland’s favourite dishes. After lunch we have more time to explore the islands. The main island, Heimaey, was almost destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1973 resulting in a full town evacuation. If you are feeling up to the challenge we will hike to the top of the still warm Eldfell volcano with great 360 degree views of the island and coast of Iceland. It is often referred to as the “Pompei of the North”. From here you can see the cooled lava and new section of the island that was created in 1973, with the island increasing in size by over 20% from all the new lava. We’ll visit the Eldheimar museum, dedicated to this explosive time on the island before taking the ferry back to the mainland. We come back to our south coast accommodation in time for dinner.
Included meals: Breakfast at the hotel
Included activities: 1-hour RIB Boat tour (open departure, not private), entry to Eldheimar museum
Accommodation: Hotel Vos in their superior rooms, outdoor hot tub on site
Ferry to the Westman Islands. Hidden Iceland. Photo Norris Niman
RIB Boat Tour
Arial View of the Westman Islands
View from Eldfell Volcano. Photo Lucas Peters
Westman Islands. Hidden Iceland. Photo By Norris Niman
September 7 | Golden Circle and the Secret Lagoon
Once we’ve checked out of our accommodation this morning we make our way to see the famous sights within the Golden Circle.The mighty Gullfoss waterfall, the erupting geysers and geothermal area of Geysir. Afterwards we make our way to the nearby Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse where we have a delicious lunch right amongst all the plants in the tomato greenhouse. It’s a truly unique experience! We end the day at one of the most historic and stunning sights in Iceland. Þingvellir National Park, where the tectonic plates are pulling apart, is also the site of the first parliament here in Iceland just after settlement. From here it’s only a short drive to Reykjavík, for dinner on your own or with new friends you have made on the trip. Check out our Best Restaurants in Reykjavík Guide for inspiration.
Included meals: Breakfast at the hotel, lunch at Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse (all inclusive, except for alcoholic beverages)
Included activities: –
Accommodation: Reykjavík Exeter hotel in their superior rooms, spa on site
Þingvellir tectonic plates in the Golden Circle by Erik Solie, Hidden Iceland. Thingvellir National Park.
Autumn at Thingvellir National Park in the Golden Circle Platinum Tour. Photo by Dennis Stever
An erupting geyser in the Golden Circle. Photo taken by Dennis Stever.
Rainbows in summer sun at Gullfoss in the Golden Circle by Erik Solie, Hidden Iceland.
Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse by Dagný Björg Stefánsdóttir
September 8 | Lava Tunnel, Volcanic Eruption Site Viewpoint & Blue Lagoon, Northern Lights?
Today marks our final day of travelling together where we’ll spend the day exploring the UNESCO Global Geopark of Reykjanes Peninsula, which is home to some incredible sights. We start with a visit to Raufarhólshellir, or more widely known as the Lava Tunnel. This is one of the longest lava tubes in Iceland and a must see Iceland spot. Here we will explore the depths of this colourful lava tunnel. You will witness the inner workings of a volcanic eruption from 5200 years ago. Afterwards, we will take part in a moderate hike to the newest lava field on the planet at the dormant volcano, Geldingadalur. We will walk around the lava field learning all about the 2021 eruption in the area.
From here it’s only a short drive to the famous Blue Lagoon where you can unwind and relax from all the adventures from the last few days. Enjoy the warm, milky blue, mineral rich waters of the lagoon. After your relaxing soak, your driver will take you to the lovely boutique hotel Berg where we’ll say goodbye to our wonderful guide and spend one last night in Iceland. Fingers crossed for another chance at the Northern Lights.
Included meals: Breakfast at the hotel
Included activities: Guided hike to Volcanic Eruption Site (if safe), 1 hour Lava Tunnel tour (general departure, not private), Premium entry to Blue Lagoon
Accommodation: Hotel Berg in their superior rooms
Geldingadalur volcano lava field by Ásgeir Long 2.
The Lava Tunnel. Photo taken by Norris Niman. Featured.
The Gerlingadalur Volcano by Dr. Holly Spice. Hidden Iceland (1)
Blue Lagoon, Iceland
Blue Lagoon, Iceland
September 9 | Departure day
Today marks the last day of your Iceland adventure! The hotel provides complimentary transfers to KEF Airport for your outbound flight, the airport is only a short drive away. Very convenient to accommodate different departure times. Those who depart later can spend the morning in Keflavík, visiting the Viking World museum (by taxi), or the fun and quaint Icelandic Museum of Rock ‘n Roll (reachable on foot), or just relax at the hotel and enjoy their lovely rooftop pool.
Then it is time to head to the airport, have a safe flight home. And as Icelanders say: Þar til næst… until next time!
Included meals: Breakfast at the hotel
Included activities: Airport transfers provided by the hotel
Keflavík airport.
Reykjanes Peninsula Drive. Between Continents Reykjanes & Lava Tunnel tour. Hidden Iceland | Photo by Norris Niman
TOUR SUMMARY AND PRICE