8 Day Ultimate Iceland | Ring Road, Snaefellsnes & Highlands

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Top Attractions:

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Skaftafell Nature Reserve

Vatnajökull Glacier National Park

Thingvellir National Park

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Arnarstapi

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Eastfjords in Iceland

Lake Myvatn

Overview

Discover Iceland on this magnificent 8-day odyssey that will take you on a guided tour through the enchanting and ever-changing landscapes of Iceland.

Tour Snapshot

Duration

8 days

Level

Easy

Availability

All year

Starting point

Reykjavik

End point

Reykjavik

Languages

English

Minimum age

8 years

What to expect

On tour

Guided Minibus Tour
Glacier Hiking tour on Vatnajökull Glacier
Whale Watching at Eyjafjörður
Myvatn Nature Baths
(optional)
Geothermal Bathing in Landmannalaugar
(mid-Jun - end of Sept)
Landmannalaugar facility fees
Snowmobiling on Langjokull
(Oct - mid-June)

Transportation

Meet on location
Pick up & drop-off in Reykjavik

Accommodation & Meals

Hotel Room with Private Bathroom - 7 Nights
Meals
Breakfast Each Morning at Your Hotel

Route map

Check the itinerary to find out the details of your adventure.

8 days

Itinerary Overview

This incredible 8-day tour will take you all around Iceland, encompassing a multitude of natural wonders and must-see places. It will take you around Iceland’s famous ring road, in the company of an experienced guide and like-minded travelers, ensuring that you have an unforgettable time during your stay in Iceland. Your friendly guide will take you on an amazing adventure to all the must-see destinations, alongside a plethora of hidden destinations that are off the beaten path. Every single one of our guides is steeped in the rich history and folklore of Iceland, taking the incredible myths and legends that surround many of Iceland’s more famous places and making them come alive.

This journey will take you all around Iceland traveling on Ring Road with an added day on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and another going further into the country, to breathtaking Langmannalaugar (summer) or Langjokull Glacier (winter). You will be checking off your Iceland bucket list as you travel all around the country to all the highlights. We traverse the famous Golden Circle Route, replete with the Gullfoss Waterfall, bubbling geysers at the Geysir geothermal area and Thingvellir National Park. We then head for the South Coast, famed for its gushing waterfalls, incredible black sand beaches and imposing glaciers. This journey will take us all the way to the mesmerizing Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, with floating icebergs and surrounded by amazing landscapes. Glimmering icebergs glide across the crystalline waters to the nearby Diamond beach, where they come to rest on its jet-black sands, creating an awe-inspiring scene that is famous across the world. The beach gets its name from the iceberg's similarity to diamonds and it more than lives up to its name. We will also visit Skaftafell National Park and gaze upon Vatnajökull Glacier, the largest in the entire of Europe, where we will meet up with one of our certified glacier guides to go and explore one of the majestic glacial tongues that unfurl from this natural wonder. This glacier exploration will give you an incredible insight into the icy forces that have helped to craft the country and provide you with memories that will last a lifetime.

Starting point

Reykjavik

End point

Reykjavik

Day 1

The first day of our incredible adventure will take us to some of Iceland’s most iconic sights, including the spectacular South Coast and the amazing Golden Circle Route. It begins at the historic Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is both historically and geologically significant. It plays host to Althingi, where a group of Viking nobles gathered together in 930 AD, to convene Iceland’s first parliament, which is still in operation to this day, making it one of the longest continuously running democratic institutions in the world.

Day Highlights

Golden Circle
Þingvellir National Park (Thingvellir)
Geysir and Strokkur
Gullfoss Waterfall
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Skógafoss Waterfall
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
Vík Coastal Village

Included

Guided Minibus Tour
Knowledgeable guide and driver
Visits to Golden Circle Highlights
Visits to the Most Famous Waterfalls on the South Coast
Visit to the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
One Night Hotel Accommodation (Vík area)

Departure from

Golden Circle

Day 2

Day two will begin with a traditional Icelandic breakfast in our hotel before we head out on our next adventure. We will begin by heading east, aiming for the Skaftafell and Vatnajökull National Parks, famed for their sublime natural scenery, rich flora and fauna, mighty glaciers and imperious volcanoes. This includes a view of Iceland’s tallest peak Hvannadalshnúkur and the impressive Svínafellsjökull and Falljökull Glaciers.

Day Highlights

Vatnajökull National Park
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
The Diamond Beach
Eldhraun Lava Field

Included

Hotel breakfast
Guided Minibus Tour
Guided glacier hike on Vatnajökull Glacier
Certified Glacier Guide
All Glacier Hiking Equipment
Visit to Jökulsárlón and the Diamond Beach
One Night hotel accommodation

Departure from

Vatnajökull Glacier National Park

Day 3

Day three will take us to Iceland’s gorgeous Eastfjords, where stunning crystalline waters are shadowed by snow-peaked mountains. Foremost of these is the spectacular Vatnajökull Glacier, which we will provide the backdrop for most of the day’s festivities.

At the end of the day, we'll arrive at the Wilderness Center, a historic spot and museum in the vast wilderness of Northern Europe. You can have fun outdoors and see exhibits about Icelandic life for free. After your adventures, relax in the warm pool and stay in cozy old buildings while enjoying local food.

Day Highlights

Djúpivogur Fishing Village
The town of Egilsstaðir
Wilderness Center

Included

Hotel breakfast
Guided Minibus Tour
Visit to the Fishing Village of Djúpivogur
Free access to Wilderness Museum
One Night Hotel Accommodation

Departure from

Iceland Wilderness Center

Day 4

Day four will take us to the north of Iceland, where you'll encounter stunning landscapes that will leave you in awe. We'll start by visiting Stuðlagil Canyon, known for its incredible basalt columns and vibrant blue river.

As an optional extra, you can visit the naturally heated Mývatn Nature Baths, also known as the "Blue Lagoon of the North." These geothermal pools are fed by mineral-rich water from deep below the surface, about 8,200 feet (2,500 meters) down. There’s a swim-up bar and steam baths, making it an ideal place to relax in the natural warmth from the earth. From Jan–Mar 2026, we’ll go to Forest Lagoon instead of Mývatn Nature Baths due to renovations.

We also drive to the Námaskarð Geothermal Area, where you'll see bubbling mud pots and colorful mineral deposits. After that, we'll explore Dimmuborgir Lava Formations, a mysterious place with twisted rock formations. Finally, we'll stop to see the stunning Goðafoss Waterfall, also known as the "Waterfall of the Gods."

Day Highlights

Stuðlagil Canyon
Lake Mývatn
Myvatn Nature Baths (optional extra)
Námaskarð Geothermal Area
Dimmuborgir Lava Formations
Goðafoss Waterfall

Included

Hotel breakfast
Guided Minibus Tour
Time to explore the magnificent attractions
One Night Hotel Accommodation (Akureyri area)

Departure from

Studlagil Canyon

Day 5

Day five begins at the picturesque villages of the North, which overlooks the ocean. We will get on a classic whale watching boat and head to the Eyjafjordur, one of Iceland’s best Whale Watching locations, in search of these majestic giants of the deep.

Day Highlights

Akureyri - Capital of the North
Whale Watching from Eyjafjörður
Tröllaskagi Peninsula
Siglufjörður Fishing Village

Included

Hotel breakfast
Guided Minibus Tour to All Highlights
3-hour Whale Watching and Sea Angling Boat Tour
Eyjafjörður and Akureyri scenery
One Night Hotel Accommodation

Departure from

Akureyri

Day 6

Day six’s adventure begins in the incredible lava fields of the Borgarfjörður area, which was given the prestigious honor of being one of Lonely Planet’s best travel destinations in 2016. There we will find the impressive Grabok Volcanic Crater, which rises 170 meters into the sky and was created by the vicious rage of a volcanic eruption many millennia ago. Once we reach its summit, we will be rewarded with a panoramic view of the colorful crater, which is well worth the climb.

Day Highlights

Borgarfjörður
Deildartunguhver Hot Spring
Barnafoss Waterfall
Hraunfossar Cascades
Reykholt
Hike up to Grábrók, a Volcano Crater

Included

Hotel breakfast
Guided Minibus Tour
Visits to the highlights of Borgarfjörður
Visit to the Historic Site of Reykholt
One Night Hotel Accommodation (Borgarnes area)

Departure from

Borgarfjordur Fjord - West Iceland

Day 7

Day 7 starts a little later, offering the chance for you to enjoy a relaxing morning before we head to the famous Snæfellsnes peninsula, which more than lives up to its nickname: Iceland in a nutshell. Our first stop will be at the rustic hamlets of Arnarstapi and Hellnar, where we will find one of the most charming and photogenic houses in all of Iceland. We will pause for lunch in one of these beautiful villages and appreciate a spectacular view over the Snæfellsjökull Glacier.

Day Highlights

Djúpalónssandur Beach
Mt. Kirkjufell
Lóndrangar

Included

Hotel breakfast
Guided Minibus Tour
Visits to the highlights of Snæfellsnes
One Night Hotel Accommodation in Reykjavík

Departure from

Kirkjufell Mountain

Day 8

Please note that on this day our activities depend on the season. From mid-June to the end of September, we will take you on the Landmannalaugar Super Jeep Tour in the Central Highlands of Iceland. From October to mid-June, we will go on a snowmobiling tour on Langjokull Glacier (you have to have a valid driver's license). During the summer, we will take off from Reykjavík along the South Coast but this time, we are going straight into the highlands! This region is definitely off the beaten path.

Past farmlands and the voluminous volcano Hekla we make our way off the Ring Road and into the wild, where variations of flora and fauna vary in incredible ways. We will drive to the vicinity of a lava field formed during a volcanic eruption in the year 2000 eruption. From this mountaintop, you will have the chance to explore as far as the eye can see, with glaciers, volcanoes and untamed nature all around. The Landmannalaugar area is often called a geothermal paradise and its mountains are without equal. Remember to bring a bathing suit as right under the banks of the lava field that sits in the center of the area you will find the most alluring hot baths where you can soak in natural hot waters. This experience is authentic without comparison!

During the winter, we will pick you up from your accommodation in Reykjavik with a Super Jeep! We’ll head towards Langjokull Glacier Base Camp, where you’ll be provided all the necessary snowmobiling equipment: helmet, balaclava, and an overall suit.

Then your certified snowmobile guide will show you how to operate a snowmobile. Don’t worry if you don’t have any snowmobiling experience, beginners are welcome!

Langjokull Glacier in the Icelandic Highlands is the second-largest glacier in Iceland. Translated from Icelandic it means “the long glacier.” Loved by locals and travelers alike, the glacier is surrounded by breathtaking panoramic views. Your ride will last for about an hour and you’ll be able to witness the stunning wonderland of Langjokull in winter.

At the end of the day, we will drive you back to Reykjavík and drop you off at your selected drop-off location around 9 p.m.

Day Highlights

Landmannalaugar (mid-June - end of Sept)
Hot Spring Bath (June - Sept)
Mount Brennisteinsalda (June - Sept)
Laugahraun Lava Field (June - Sept)
Snowmobiling on Langjokull Glacier (Oct - mid-June)

Included

Hotel breakfast
Guided tour
Drop-off in Reykjavík
Snowmobiling gear and safety equipment

Departure from

Landmannalaugar

Please note

Activities on day 8 of the tour change depending on the season. From mid-June to the end of September we take you on a guided super jeep tour through the Icelandic Highlands. From October to mid-June, we will go on a snowmobiling tour across Langjokull Glacier, the second-largest glacier in Iceland.
A snowmobiling tour on Langjokull Glacier is available from October to June.
Two people ride one snowmobile. If you are on your own or wish to ride solo (a valid driver's license is mandatory), you need to book this and pay an extra 10000 ISK. If you are a solo traveler and don't have a driver's license or a pair with another person, you need to pay an extra 51000 ISK to hire a driver guide.
All snowmobile drivers need to bring a valid Driving License.

Arctic Adventures

Arctic Adventures is a top Icelandic tour operator known for its small-group experiences. Since 1983, they’ve specialized in guiding travelers through Iceland’s wild terrains, from glaciers to volcanoes. Their tours are all about adventure and sustainability, led by expert guides who make sure every trip is safe, fun, and memorable. Arctic Adventures combines deep local knowledge with a strong commitment to nature, making them a trusted choice for anyone looking to explore Iceland up close and responsibly.

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Packing list

Get ready for your trip, here are some items, you should not forget.

What to bring (Required)

Warm outdoor clothing
Waterproof and breathable pants and jacket
Headwear
Gloves
Good hiking boots with ankle support

We're here to answer your questions

Our multi-day tours will give you a small group experience as they are operated in a mini-bus and you get a better connection with the guide.

By booking a multi-day tour with us, you don’t need to have to worry about finding accommodation during the time of the tour as our multi-day tour includes accommodation which is often booked far in advance. You will get more opportunity to explore Iceland further and experience places that you would normally not be able to see on a one day tour. Please be noted that packages do not include accommodation.

All of our tours are English guided so you will have English speaking licensed guide throughout the tour that will tell you everything about what you see along the way and knows where the best locations to stop by at to get the absolute best experience.

When booking you are guaranteed accommodation at a friendly country hotel and/or guesthouse. All of the hotels we have partnered up with are all with the same standard and offer nice rooms with made-up beds. The standard room is a twin room but it is possible to request a double room or a triple room, with no extra charge. The rooms come with private or shared bathrooms, depending on your booking.

Free Wi-Fi, towels, a hairdryer, and a kettle are accessible at all of the hotels.

If you want to have your own room than a single supplement is available but you are not required to pay a single supplement. If you do not wish to book a single room then you will be roomed with another traveler of the same gender.

Breakfast is included at the hotel/guesthouse restaurant during the tour. Meals and beverages are not included on your tour. However, we will make stops at restaurants and conveniences stores where you are able to purchase all necessities.

The average amount spent on food each day per person is 8,000 ISK (80$). Cash is not necessary, as credit cards are accepted at all restaurants and stores. A small amount of cash won't hurt though.

Breakfast is included at all the hotels/guesthouses we stay during the tour. The breakfast will be a typical breakfast buffet, offering bread, toppings, cereal, yogurt, fruits, coffee, and tea etc.

Your guide will also find a good place for the group to eat lunch, where you can find a wide selection of dishes on the menu, so there will be options available for everyone. The dinner is usually at the hotels/guesthouses we stay at for the night.

For multi-day tours, each participant is allowed to bring a small backpack and 1 piece of luggage weighing a maximum of 20 kg (44 lbs). If you have more or heavier luggage with you, you will need to book storage for the surplus luggage before you arrive, there is a small fee for using this facility. Luggage storage in Reykjavík can be added during the booking process of your order in the extras section.

* The combined dimensions of each bag must not exceed 158 cm (62 in).

We welcome all participants of all ages older than the listed minimum age for each tour. Our average group usually consist of participants between the age of 22-55 years. Although we have people of all ages ranging from 8-99 years joining our multi-day tours. We get a lot of solo travelers joining us as well as families and friends.

If you find yourself having difficulties participating in any of the activities included in the tour, for example, a glacier activity, then you are more than welcome to skip it. Iceland is surrounded by beautiful scenery so you can explore your surroundings in the meantime r wait elsewhere while others do the activity. Our guide should be able to drop you off at a nearby place where there are some services available if requested.

The average is around 300 km (186 miles) per day on our multi-day tours. You’ll spend approximately 4-5 hours in the car each day. Stops are of course made on multiple locations throughout the tour for sightseeing, activities, bathroom breaks, lunch stops and etc.

We do offer some necessary items for rent. For most of our multi-day tours, we rent out waterproof jackets and pants as well as hiking shoes. These items are available to book under the selection ‘’Extras’’ in the booking widget when booking your tour on our website.

If you have already booked the tour and wish to add some rental gear to your booking, you can do that at least 24 hours prior to your tour starts, via our Customer Portal.

The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and therefore we can unfortunately never promise that they will be seen on your tour. Their appearance depends upon atmospheric and weather conditions. The best time to see the lights is between September - March when it’s a dark and clear sky. The sky needs to be as dark as possible, so the best places to see them are well away from the city lights.

Most of the hotels on our tours are remotely located and therefore ideal to spot the northern lights. If the forecast is in our favor, then it is very likely that you will be able to see the northern lights. Most of the hotels offer a Northern Lights wake-up call upon request if lights are spotted, so it is more likely that you will see the lights on a multi-day tour!

The pickup time is stated on your voucher and therefore we recommend you to review your voucher carefully. We ask all participants to be ready from the start of the pickup time indicated as you may well be the first pick up of the day. Please be at your assigned location at the right pick up time that you chose when booking the tour.

Wait for your guide at your assigned pick up location.

Have your email and phone number listed with us so we can contact you if we run into any trouble finding you.

View our pick-up locations in Reykjavík.

Alcohol is prohibited on all of our tours before and during activities. If we find the participant to be intoxicated, we will prohibit them from taking part in the activity.

After the activities of the day are finished then you are more than welcome to have a drink and relax.

Yes, we do have a tour into Langjökull Ice Cave that has no minimum age and it is a fantastic option for the whole family. As a Whale Watching with our partner company Special Tours, enjoyable tour for a family traveling with young children, these guys have an enormous success rate in seeing whales (upwards of 98% in the summertime).

If you want to explore parts of Icelandic Highlands than we have our magnificent Landmannalaugar Safari tour that also offers you to bathe in natural hot springs. Almost all of our jeep tours are suitable for children over the age of 6 years old. Then we also have a relaxing experience that we highly recommend, our Golden Circle & Secret Lagoon tour.

We reserve the rights to adjust the itinerary and/or take different routes depending on conditions. Your safety is our number one priority.

Please read more information in our terms and conditions in regards to this matter.

Yes, we have specially trained and certified guide on all of our tours, expect on our self-drive tours.

All of our tours are English guided.

No, for all your questions and concerns you would need to contact our customer service.

In Iceland, the standard is 230V and 50Hz and we use F-type power sockets and plugs. If you are visiting from the UK, USA, Canada or other countries using a different voltage, Hz or plugs, therefore, we highly recommend you to bring an adaptor.

We have four different categories that help participants to get a better understanding of what to expect from the tour. The categories are Easy, Moderate, Challenging and Demanding. All of our tours are rated to make it easier for you to find a tour that suits you.

For further information about the difficulty ratings and descriptions.

You can book almost all of our trips here on our website. You will find a booking window on each tour page and the best and safest way is to book and pay is directly through our website.

1. You can pay directly through our website. That is the easiest, safest and fastest way to reserve and pay for your adventure. If you choose this way then you will receive a voucher as a confirmation via email. Which you will need to bring with you on your trip.

2. You can pay via phone, our phone number is +354 562 7000. Please be noted, however you pay, you will always get a voucher. It is important to have your voucher ready for your tour so please remember to print it out or make sure that you can show it through your electronic device.

You will receive a confirmation email after you have made the booking. If you think that you have made a booking and haven’t received an email confirmation then you may please contact us via email with an inquiry through our contact form, and we will figure it out together.

All charges are made in the tour operators currency: For tours in Iceland it's Icelandic krona, ISK, but for tours in Canada/Greenland it's either USD or CAD.

On Adventures.com you can view an estimate of prices in EUR and other currencies. This is only to help you understand the approximate price.

Your credit card will always be charged in the operators currency.

Keep in mind that your card issuer may charge you a foreign transaction fee.

We do not require minimum participants on most of our tours but there is a minimum of 2 people for a few of our trips. If you are traveling solo and interested in a tour that requires more than 2 participants than we can take down your information and contact you if more people book the tour.

We can arrange private departures as per customer request. Almost all of the tours that we offer can be arranged as a private tour. If you prefer to have a private tour arranged than you may feel free to contact us through email info@adventures.com

Unfortunately, we don’t have any waiting list for our tours. Availability is found on our website in the availability sheet where all updates will automatically be made to the sheet listed in each tour description. We have a variety of different adventure tours around Iceland so there is a big chance that you find a similar version of the tour that you were originally looking for.

If your tour that you have booked is canceled on our behalf than you will receive a 100% refund. The refund process is different depending on the way you booked the tour.

If you booked the tour through our website then we will start the refund process as soon as we know if you will not be rescheduling and you will receive a separate email with a confirmation about that your refund has been processed.

If you booked the tour via booking agent than you will need to contact them directly to receive the refund. We will confirm with them about your canceled tour and then the refund process will start on their end. Extreme Iceland only receives the payment when the tour has finished, that means that your payment still remains with the booking agent and therefore, the refund can only be processed directly from their end.

The minimum age requirement is decided by our operational managers and is dependent on each activity and its difficulty ratings and can, therefore, vary between tours We put great value towards safety for our customers and the minimum age policy falls under this. Therefore we can not accommodate a person that has not reached the age limit on the tour.
We ask you to try to understand that this is based on safety procedures and we can therefore unfortunately not make any exceptions on this rule.

We can unfortunately not accommodate you and your group if the number of your group extends the number of available seats left on the tour. Our website shows the correct number of available seats left. It is impossible to squeeze additional participants onto sold out departures as we have really strict policy measures as to how many participants are assigned to each guide on our tour departures. Therefore we hope that you understand as this is of course done with our customer's safety in mind.

Iceland is known for unforeseeable weather. It is likely that you can see all 4 seasons in one day.

Dressing for that kind of weather can always be demanding, so we suggest dressing in layers. 3 or 4 upper layers are highly recommended, for example, a light t-shirt (preferably wool) next to the skin, then a fleece or heavy wool garment topped off with a waterproof windbreaker.

Jeans are not recommended for our trips as they are not suitable for the weather conditions, they become very heavy, cold and uncomfortable to wear when they get wet.

Lightweight hiking pants, track pants or long cotton pants are convenient and wear wind/waterproof pants over them. There is high UV and sunlight reflecting off on the glacier so we highly recommend using sunglasses and sunscreen even if it is cloudy.

You will need sturdy hiking boots that fit crampons for the glacier hiking tours. If you do not own a pair then we rent out suitable hiking boots as well as a waterproof raincoat and trousers.

It is good to bring your own backpack on our full day or half day tours. It’s the best carry-on for a small lunch, extra clothes and other necessary items.

The scenery on the tour is full of stunning, scenic views that are photographable so you should definitely bring your camera along.

This is surely a personal choice, we do not deny pregnant women on our glacier trips but we highly recommend you to take a closer look at our trip description and difficulty ratings, they will hopefully give you a better idea. We also recommend you to contact your physician, as pregnant women’s health can be quite different. If you have any further questions or concerns then feel free to contact us.

Lunch is not provided on any of our trips, therefore we recommend you to bring your own lunch especially for the longer trips, snacks and a bottle of water (you can refill it on the trip).

Crampons make you enable to walk on the glacier ice without slipping. They are metal spikes that we attach to the soles of your hiking shoes.

Yes, we have specially trained and certified glacier guide on every glacier tour that we offer. And for our 3rd party tours we only partner with operators that meet our quality and safety standards.

Yes, we provide you with all the necessary glacier gear for our glacier hiking tours. Ice axe, crampons, harness, and helmets are provided. This will help you to complete the tour safely. The minimum shoe size to attach crampons is EU 35.

Iceland is known to have a lot of snow and when the snow stays long enough in one place than it turns to ice. Over long periods of time, the ice layers up becoming huge blocks called glaciers. It forms to create ginormous glaciers that sweep across huge masses of land. Iceland is home of the largest glacier in Europe that is called Vatnajökull. The Glacier Guides can tell you more about and everything you need to know about the Glaciers.

Rain is common in Iceland but we never let the rain be in our way to go forward with our tours.
That’s why we highly recommend appropriate clothing so you can be warm and dry on the tours.
Nature is out of our control and therefore we need to adapt to the weather. Your safety is our first priority so if your safety is compromised by going on the tour then we will cancel it and you will get full reimbursement.

Still not convinced?

Customer Care

For Iceland, Scandinavia & Baltic tour

Open daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM GMT

Address

Köllunarklettsvegur 2

104 Reykjavík

+354 562 7000