Iceland Grand Circle 2024

INCLUDES:

All Airport Transfers vis Bus
Roundtrip Airfare & 1 Checked Bag/Person
English Speaking Local Guide - GJ Travel
Bus Transportation - GJ Travel
On Tour Representative from Riley's
Attractions Listed
Meals Listed
Accommodations
*No Luggage Handling*

Day 1 Overnight Flight to Iceland
A Riley motorcoach will transfer us to MSP Airport where we will board an overnight flight to Reykjavik, Iceland.

Day 2 Welcome to Iceland
We'll arrive in Iceland this morning and be transported to our hotel. We'll have the day to get rested or explore on your own.
Accommodations: Fosshotel Reykjavik

Day 3 Volcano Crater, Seals, Fjords & Mountains
This morning we will meet our local tour guide who will be with us for our entire trip and travel west, passing the town of Borgarnes and take a short walk to see Grabrok Volcano Crater. In the afternoon we visit the Icelandic Seal Center & Museum located in a small fishing village in northwest Iceland. Then take a stroll around their local harbor. Further north we stop at the Turf Church, Vidimyrarkirkja, which has been extensively restored to it's original form and is widely considered one of the purest and most beautiful examples of traditional Icelandic architecture. We continue along scenic fjord landscape and over several mountain passes until we reach Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland. (B, D)
Accommodations: Hotel KEA

Day 4 The Capital of North Iceland, Lake Myvtn & Geothernal Baths
This morning we will explore Akureyri, a charming town of just over 119,000 people. We visit the botanical garden and enjoy panoramic views over Eyjafjordur fjord. In the afternoon we will travel to an important spot in Iceland's history, Godafoss, the waterfalls of the Gods. Next we continue to Lake Myvatn which is known for it's geological wonders and active bird life during summer. We stop at Kalfastrond which is known for it's bizarre lava formations, followed by a walk around pseudo craters. To end an exciting day, we take a relaxing soak at Myvatn Nature Baths, a small lagoon with a unique blend of minerals, silicates and geothermal micro-organisms. The warm soothing waters benefit both skin and spirit alike. (B, D)

Accommodations: Sel Hotel Myvatn
Day 5 Lava Labyrinth, Hot Springs & Travel East
In the morning we take a walk at Dimmuborgir "the dark castles," a lava labyrinth, hoping to get a glimpse of the trolls who are said to live there. After lunch, we visit the hot springs area of Namaskard, with bubbling mud pools and steaming solfataras. Next head through the uninhabited highlands and moonlike surrounding to east Iceland. With some luck we might spot an Artic fox or see a reindeer. We will take a detour to Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall in the northern part of Vatnajokull National Park. (B, D)
Accommodations: Hotel Hallormsstadur

Day 6 Fjords, Glaciers, and Ice
Today we'll admire the dramatic fjord landscape and tiny fishing villages, at the end of the twisty roads of the east Fjords. Then we see Vatnajokull, Europe's largest glacier that is visible all over southeast Iceland. Past the town of Hofn, we stop at Jokulsarlon, a glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs. As we explore this extraordinary site maybe we'll see seals swimming in the arctic waters. You can walk on the famous "Diamond Beach" where large icebergs get stranded. We will take a boat ride on the lagoon here. (B, D)
Accommodations: Hotel Jokull

Day 7 South Coast
A beautiful drive with many natural wonders awaits us today as we spend time in Europe's largest National Park, Skaftafell, which as Iceland's highest mountains and alpine environment. We continue along the coast passing Eldhraun Lava Field then cross the Sandy Desert overlooked by mountainous cliffs, glaciers and waterfalls. We stroll along the black lava beach of Reynisfjara near the village Vik. Next stop is at Skogafoss, an impressive waterfall that is 60 meters high. We continue to the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall which plunges over the mountain. And finally, we make a visit to the LAVA Center at Hvollsvollur. (B, D)
Accommodations: Grand Hotel Reykjavik

Day 8 Icelandic Horses & Golden Circle
Today we begin at the staples, where we learn about the Icelandic horse, it's special qualities and history. We'll visit Frdheimar Tomato Farm and a geothermal greenhouse. Later, we will see geyser geothermal fields with hot springs and bubbling pools. The original geyser "Geysir" is now dormant but has been replaced by Strokkur "the Chruch" which erupts at 5-110 minute intervals. We continue our travels to Gullfoss known as "the golden falls." This double waterfall tumbles 34 meters into Hvita River. We'll travel inland to Thingvellir National Park before returning to Reykjavik where we are given a short city tour of the highlights of the world's northernmost capital. (B)
Accommodations: Fosshotel Reykjavik

Day 9 Depart for Home
We'll be transferred to Keflavik airport and fly back to Minneapolis, MN. (B)

5 dinners 
0 lunches and 
7 continental breakfasts

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