3-Day - Iceland’s Highlands and Volcano Adventure

On the morning of the first day of your tour, you will be picked up from your accommodation in Reykjavík. The tour will then take you to the southern part of Iceland. The first stop of the day is at the port of Landeyjarhoefn, where you will board a ferry to the Vestmannaeyjar Islands. After a 30-minute ferry ride to Vestmannaeyjar Island, you will head straight to the southernmost part of the main island, Cape Stórhoefði. It is an ideal place to get up close to the oldest inhabitants of the island: the puffins. Next, visit Eldheimar Museum, a volcano museum dedicated to the memory of the 1973 volcanic eruption, when the entire population had to be evacuated from the island to the mainland in the middle of the night. After the museum, you have the option of taking a short hike up Mt. Eldfell Volcano or spending some time in town before heading back to the mainland in the afternoon. Once back on the mainland, you'll drive along the south coast of Iceland and get some views of waterfalls, such as Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, and the infamous Mt. Eyjafjallajoekull Volcano, which erupted in 2010. The eruption caused massive disruptions to air travel throughout Europe and North America. We then stop in the picturesque coastal village of Vík, where you will have some time to stroll around the village or walk down to the black sand beach. From Vík, you will drive for about an hour through the lava fields of Eldhraun to your hotel, where you will spend the night. 

Day Highlights

• Vestmannaeyjar Islands
• Stórhöfði Cape
• Eldheimar Museum
• Mt. Eldfell Volcano
• Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
• Skógafoss Waterfall

Included

• Guided Minibus Tour
• One night at a hotel

After breakfast, begin the day's adventure at the majestic Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon. The hike along the canyon is like something out of a fairy tale painting. After exploring the canyon, we continue to less-traveled areas of Iceland, Laki and Lakagígar, which are part of the UNESCO National Park of Vatnajoekull. Once at Laki, we will hike to the top of the volcano, where you will have great views of the area. You will see the Lakagígar craters, formed in an eruption from 1783-1784, one of the largest volcanic eruptions in historical times. The eruption and resulting ash caused a famine in Europe that eventually changed history, as it is said that the famine was the beginning of the French Revolution. We continue through the highlands, making a few shorter stops before rejoining the main road. There we stop at the small village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, where you will have time for a walk. You can check out Systrafoss Waterfall, Systrastapi Rock or Kirkjugólf (Church Floor), which are basalt columns and stone slabs. From there, it is only a short drive back to the hotel. 

Day Highlights

• Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
• Laki and Lakagígar
• Kirkjubæjarklaustur
• Systrafoss Waterfall
• Systrastapi Rock
• Kirkjugólf

Included

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Guided Minibus Tour
• One night in a hotel

In the morning, have breakfast and then check out of the hotel before heading back on the road. We will make our way back to Reykjavík, but we will take you off the beaten path by driving along the scenic F-road known as Fjallabaksleið nyrðri. Our first stop of the day is at Eldgjá Canyon, which is part of the same volcanic system as Katla Volcano. It is the largest volcanic canyon in the world – about 40 km long, 600 meters wide and 270 meters deep. We will hike in the canyon and explore Ófærufoss Waterfall. From Eldgjá, we continue to Landmannalaugar, a pearl of the highlands. In Landmannalaugar, you have the opportunity to explore the lava field Laugahraun, hike to the colorful mountain Brennisteinsalda and/or swim in a natural geothermal pool. After spending about two hours in Landmannalaugar, we will return to Reykjavík before nightfall. Before reaching Reykjavík, we make a short stop at Hjálparfoss Waterfall, located in the Þjórsárdalur Valley. When you are back in Reykjavík in the evening, you will be dropped off at your preferred location. 

Day Highlights

• Eldgjá Canyon
• Ófærufoss Waterfall
• Landmannalaugar
• Mt. Brennisteinsalda
• Hjálparfoss Waterfall,
• Þjórsárdalur Valley.

Included

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Guided Minibus Tour/Return to Reykjavík

Return time: We will return to Reykjavík around 8 pm, depending on the conditions.

Pick-up Information: Pick-up is at 7:30 a.m. from your hotel or a nearby meeting point in Reykjavík. Picking everyone up can take up to 30 minutes, your patience is much appreciated. Available pick-up points: pick-up list.

Remember to bring: Warm outdoor clothing including layers, thermal underwear (top and bottom), a waterproof jacket and pants, headwear, scarves, gloves, a swimsuit and a towel.