9-Day Iceland Adventure from Reykjavík with Askja and Jökulsárlón

• From mid-June through September:
  • The tour starts in Iceland's second most visited city, Akureyri.
  • Activity: whale watching tour.
• From October to early June:
  • Whale watching is replaced with horseback riding near Reykjavík.
• From September to early March:
  • Night tour to an area where we see the northern lights.

Note: If there are not at least 2 persons in your party, then the tour would start in Reykjavík, even from mid-June through September during the summertime. If there are at least 2 persons in your party and you are visiting during the summertime, then there is an added expense to start this tour in Akureyri.

• As a land day trip from Akureyri (mid-June through September) or a flight day trip from Reykjavík (October to early June), we are taken on a tour to Goðafoss Waterfall, Lake Mývatn, a geothermal area called Hverir, and Dettifoss Waterfall.
• Goðafoss Waterfall has a height of 12 meters over a width of 30 meters.
• Lake Mývatn was created by a large basaltic lava eruption 2,300 years ago. The surrounding landscape is dominated by volcanic landforms, including lava pillars.
• Dettifoss is reputed to be the second most powerful waterfall in Europe.

Note that if there are not at least 2 persons in your party, then visiting these destinations mentioned above would be via a flight day trip from Reykjavík, even from mid-June through September.

• From mid-June through September:
  • As a day trip from Akureyri, we first hike Askja Caldera.
  • Then, we visit a crater called Viti, where there is a pond for bathing.
  • In the evening, we relocate by flight to Reykjavík.
• From October to early June:
  • You are provided with a tour of the capital.
  • Bathing at a 'fashionable' geothermal spa called Sky Lagoon, located near the capital.
  • Note: Children under 12 years old are not allowed into the Sky Lagoon.

Note: If there are not at least 2 persons in your party, then Askja Caldera would be replaced with a sightseeing tour in Reykjavík. If there are at least 2 persons in your party and you are visiting between mid-June and September during the summertime, then there is an added expense to visit Askja Caldera instead of doing a sightseeing tour in Reykjavík. Also, note that if there are at least 2 persons in your party and you are doing our tour in the summertime, typically we visit the 'fashionable' geothermal spa called Sky Lagoon tomorrow evening.

• Today we are doing the so-called 'Golden Circle' as a day trip from Reykjavík.
• Destinations include Gullfoss Waterfall, Geysir/Strokkur geyser, and Þingvellir National Park (a.k.a. Thingvellir National Park).
• Gullfoss is 32 meters tall and features not 1 but 2 drops.
• Geysir's eruptions can hurl boiling water up to 70 meters in the air.
• Þingvellir is notable for its unusual tectonic and volcanic environment in a rift valley.

Note: If there are at least 2 persons in your party and you are doing our tour between mid-June and September, typically we visit the 'fashionable' geothermal spa called Sky Lagoon this evening. Children under 12 years old are not allowed into the Sky Lagoon.

• We leave Reykjavík and start the journey along the southeast coast.
• Highlights for today include Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, Skógafoss Waterfall, and Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach.
• We end up lodging in the Skaftafell area.
• Seljalandsfoss Waterfall drops 60 meters. Visitors can walk behind the falls into a fascinating cave.
• Skógafoss is one of the biggest waterfalls in the country, with a width of 25 meters and a drop of 60 meters.
• Reynisfjara was ranked by National Geographic as one of the ten most beautiful non-tropical beaches on Earth.

• Although today we head to Þórsmörk Valley, many destinations are visited en route.
• They include Skaftafell Nature Reserve, Jökulsárlón Glacial Lake, the natural ice cave at Vatnajökull National Park, and Diamond Beach.
• Skaftafell's landscape is similar to some of the Alps. The difference is that Skaftafell has been formed over thousands of years by different influences of fire and water.
• Jökulsárlón Lake provides outstanding views of icebergs which rise to a height of 910 meters. Jökulsárlón has been a setting for four Hollywood movies: (1) A View to a Kill, (2) Die Another Day, (3) Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and (4) Batman Begins.
• Vatnajökull's ice cave contains canals for water which run through or at the bottom of the glacier.
• Diamond Beach features icebergs which float onto the shore from Jökulsárlón.

Note: The surreal-looking Svartifoss Waterfall is sometimes - but not always - included on today's tour. It depends on many factors, including the weather. Also, note that the ice cave is not open from June through September. It is open only during the winter season. During the summer season, the ice cave is replaced with hiking a glacier. Note that children under 8 years old are not allowed to hike at the volcanoes.

• Before returning to Reykjavík, we hike around Þórsmörk Valley.
• The highlights are Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, Stakkholtsgjá Canyon, Nauthúsagil Canyon, and Gígjökull Glacier.
• This is arguably the best area in the country for hiking.

Note: There is a supplemental fee for visiting Þórsmörk Valley.

• From Reykjavík, we make a day trip to the Reykjanes Peninsula.
• Highlights include Fagradalsfjall Volcano, Merdalir Volcano, hiking Geldingadalur Volcano, Lake Kleifarvatn, the 'bridge between continents' (a.k.a. Midlina), and the Blue Lagoon.
• Midlina is a footbridge spanning a gaping rift between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.
• The Blue Lagoon, one of the most visited attractions in Iceland, is a geothermal spa. There we enjoy bathing in the warm water.

Note: Children under 12 years old are not allowed to hike at the volcanoes.

• Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Reykjavík.