Reykjavik
The tour starts in Reykjavík, where we will pick you up at your hotel, guesthouse or at one of the bus stops downtown (See a list of bus stops in Reykjavik). The pick-up is always between 8:00 and 8:30, but you have to be ready at 8 o'clock. When the pick-up is done we head out of town and the guide introduces him/herself.
Hvolsvöllur
The first stop of the day is at a gas station in a town called Hvolsvöllur, it's about 1 hour and 20 minutes from Reykjavík. Here we can go and grab a coffee, breakfast, candy, use the restrooms or simply stand up and stretch our legs. We usually stop here for 15 minutes.
Skógafoss
The second stop of the day is one of the most photogenic and visited waterfalls in Iceland, Skógafoss. The waterfall is extremely beautiful, both in summer and winter. If we are lucky enough and the sun is shining, we will see surprising rainbows.
The drop of the water is about 60 meters (200 ft) high and 25 meters (82 ft) wide. There are a few ways to admire the waterfall, either from the steps on the right side of the waterfall where you have a beautiful view from above, or right in front of it where you can feel all its power.
We usually stop at Skógafoss for 40-50 minutes. The parking lot is just 1 minute walk from the waterfall. There are restrooms for visitors.
Reynisfjara (the black sand beach)
Reynisfjara is a unique place, as simple as that. It is the most famous black sand beach on the island and one of the most well-known in the world. The landscape is dramatic, with glaciers and volcanoes all around. A few years ago Reynisfjara was chosen on the Top 10 list of non-tropical beaches to visit in the whole world.
The nature is beautiful at the black sand beach and the basaltic columns by the beach are one of a kind. The three cliffs called Reynisdrangar rise up in the ocean with the island Dyrahólaey not far away, making for one of the most stunning panoramas in our country.
Quite a few Hollywood movies were shot here, such as Noah, Star Trek and of course Game of Thrones.
It is really important when you visit the beach to be careful since the waves can be unpredictable and powerful. Your guide will tell you what to keep in mind when visiting the beach.
We also stop for lunch here, there is a small cozy restaurant where you can buy lunch. This stop is about 60-70 minutes.
Vík
Vík is a small fishing village at the other site of the mountain where Reynisfjara is. After lunch we go to the church in the town for a photo stop. The view is spectacular and gives you a real feeling of how the Icelandic fishermen lived back in the day.
This stop is about 10-15 minutes.
Sólheimajökull
We do have many glaciers in Iceland, especially on the south coast of the island. The one we stop at is called Sólheimajökull and is located between two our most famous volcanoes, Eyjafjallajökull and Katla. The glacier is part of a bigger one called Mýrdalsjökull and is fairly accessible.
The glacier is probably one of the most well-known in Iceland, especially among scientists, since unfortunately the glacier is melting rapidly due to climate change. We will tell you everything you need to know about the glacier and the area.
It is about 15 minutes walk from the parking lot to the glacier. This stop is about 50-60 minutes.
Seljalandsfoss
The last stop of the day is the waterfall Seljalandsfoss, which is one of the most popular waterfalls in Iceland. The reason for it is that in the summer time you can walk behind it and, if you are in the mood for it take amazing selfies there.
Seljalandsfoss is about 60 meters (200 ft) high and you can get really close to it. The water from the river is super fresh and good to drink!
There is a coffee shop here and restrooms as well, which are recommended to use before the drive back to Reykjavík.
