Tour
Land of fire and ice: Iceland
Next trip 8 days from 19 June 2027
Prices from 拢4,695
Booking information
19 June 2027 – 8 days for 拢4,695 per person
16 October 2027 – 8 days for 拢4,395 per person
Register your interest for 2028 and we will contact you when confirmed details including finalised dates and prices are available.
Join an unforgettable tour of Iceland鈥檚 incredible landscapes, with days filled with volcanic and geological adventure, and evening opportunities to see the aurora borealis (October). Discover the awe-inspiring might of our planet and marvel at the sights, sounds and smells of erupting geysers, hot springs and bubbling fumaroles. Walk on one of the glaciers flowing from Europe鈥檚 largest ice cap.
Discover Iceland’s dramatic landscapes and the geological forces that continue to shape them on this immersive journey through the country’s most spectacular regions. From the Golden Circle and the glacier-carved valleys of 脼贸rsm枚rk to the black-sand beaches of the South Coast and the ice fields of Vatnaj枚kull, explore volcanoes, glaciers, geothermal areas and powerful waterfalls including Gullfoss, Sk贸gafoss and Seljalandsfoss. Expert-led talks throughout the tour provide fascinating insights into Iceland’s geology, volcanism and glacial history, bringing this remarkable landscape to life.
You will be accompanied by a leading volcanologist, either Tamsin Mather (first 3 days) or Dave McGarvie, whose expert insight will bring Iceland鈥檚 dramatic landscapes to life. Through a programme of talks, discussions and field interpretation, they will help explain the geological processes that have shaped the island, providing a deeper understanding of its volcanoes, glaciers and dynamic natural environment. An experienced Icelandic tour leader will also accompany the group, offering additional insight into the country鈥檚 history, culture and natural heritage.
This tour is ideal for travellers with a keen interest in nature, geology and the forces that shape our planet. Combining active exploration with expert insights, it is suited to curious and adventurous travellers who enjoy walking in spectacular landscapes and learning about the natural world. Whether you are fascinated by volcanoes, glaciers and geothermal activity or simply want to experience Iceland’s iconic scenery in greater depth, this journey offers a rewarding exploration of one of the world’s most dynamic natural environments.
In partnership with Intrepid Travel.
Itinerary
This itinerary has been carefully planned, but this type of travel requires a degree of flexibility. Local conditions, weather, transport or other unforeseen circumstances may require changes to the programme. Intrepid Travel鈥檚 experienced tour leaders will manage any changes on the ground, and while every effort will be made to operate the tour as described, the itinerary may be amended where necessary.
Day 1: Arrive in Reykjavik
Welcome to Iceland! Check into your hotel and meet your tour leader and fellow guests, followed by a tour briefing.
Your accompanying expert and tour leader will then join you for a group dinner in the hotel.
Day 2: Golden Circle to Hvolsv枚llur Valley via Geysir and the Gullfoss waterfall
Today, you will visit Thingvellir National Park, the site of Iceland’s first parliament, founded in 930, and a geological wonder where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are pulling apart. Next, head to Iceland’s Geysir geothermal area, where you will see the Strokkur geyser shoot water 30 metres into the air. The immense beauty and sheer power of the Gullfoss waterfall, also known as Golden Falls, can be spellbinding. After seeing that, you will continue on to the Hvolsv枚llur valley.
If the skies are clear tonight, head outside and explore the night sky independently, with the chance to see the aurora鈥檚 dancing green glow. (October departure only).
Your accompanying expert will then give a talk this evening.
Day 3: Hvolsv枚llur area, Including The G铆gj枚kull Glacier*
After breakfast, your Superjeep drivers will take you to the legendary Th贸rsm枚rk valley, nestled between three glaciers, with a stop at the G铆gj枚kull glacier. Here, you will be able to observe the rock destruction caused by extreme glacial melt during the 2010 eruption of the glacier volcano Eyjafjallaj枚kull. It is a magnificent site made all the more engaging by your accompanying expert, who will explain the powerful forces behind the eruption.
In the Superjeeps, you will cross the deep and roaring rivers that guard the wooded surroundings of Th贸rsm枚rk and have time to hike around the area and admire some stunning views. Th贸rsm枚rk is Iceland鈥榮 most popular hiking area and visitors are captivated by its natural beauty and charm.
On the way back, head to the elegant Seljalandsfoss waterfall. You walk behind the plummeting stream for a unique viewing angle, but make sure to have your raingear on!
Return to the your hotel where your accompanying expert will give another third talk.
Day 4: South Coast 鈥� Sk贸gafoss and Kvernufoss Waterfalls and J枚kuls谩rl贸n Glacier Lagoon*
Start the day with a trip to the eerily beautiful Sk贸gafoss waterfall 鈥� one of the biggest in Iceland at 25 metres wide and 60 metres in height. You can get up close to feel its power and also climb a windy set of stairs up to a stunning viewpoint. On a sunny day, you should be able to spot rainbows in the spray. If you are feeling lively, you can take the 30-minute walk to Kvernufoss waterfall, the less visited but equally beautiful neighbour of Sk贸gafoss.
Continue along Iceland’s south shore to take in more of the country鈥檚 renowned natural wonders. From the stepping-stone rock formations of Reynisdrangar, the promontory of Dyrh贸laey and the black-sand beach of Reynisfjara, this is one of the country’s most scenic regions. En route, you will pass the lava of the Laki eruption of 1782 to 1783.
Stops may include the black-sand seaside town of Vik for lunch and Sv铆nafellsj枚kull glacier, where a short walk takes you to right to the edge of the ice flow.
Then visit the famous J枚kuls谩rl贸n glacier lagoon, a stunning sea of floating icebergs with blues that contrast vividly with the charcoal-coloured sand of the beach.
Weather permitting, there will be another opportunity to witness the natural wonders of the northern lights (October departure only), and this rural location away from town lights will make the phenomena much brighter.
*For the October departures, Tamsin will depart today.
Day 5: Vatnaj枚kull Glacier
Today, you will visit Europe’s biggest ice cap, Vatnaj枚kull, which has around 30 glaciers flowing out from it. These glaciers are retreating fast because of global warming, and in a century or two may be lost altogether. You will arrive by Superjeep, take a short 30-minute walk and, depending on weather conditions, you will either don crampons to walk across some of the glacier or visit a stunning ice cave underneath it (October only 鈥� the caves are closed to visitors in summer). The more adventurous can rope up and go right to the edge of a deep crevasse.
No experience is necessary to do the hike, but note that to fit the ice crampons, you will need to wear high ankle boots. If you would like to opt out, just embark on a hike to the glacier’s tongue or remain at the glacier lagoon at J枚kuls谩rl贸n, near to Diamond Beach.
In the evening, you will check into your hotel located near the town of Vik.
This day鈥檚 driving distance is the longest of the tour, taking 3 to 4 hours, but there will be several stops, possibly including the Hofskirkja turf church. The glacier walk is dependent on weather conditions.
Day 6: Lava Centre, the Secret Lagoon and Reykjavik
This morning, you will make your way to the Lava Centre, which is an interactive, high-tech educational exhibition depicting volcanic activity, earthquakes and the creation of Iceland over millions of years. The centre introduces the Katla Geopark, plus Iceland鈥檚 elaborate monitoring system for surveying volcanos and earthquake zones.
After the visit, you will continue to the Secret Lagoon natural hot springs. Located in a small village called Fl煤冒ir, this will give you the opportunity to relax in the warm thermal waters before travelling to Reykjavik and checking back into the hotel, where the remainder of the day will be at your leisure.
Day 7: Reykjanes peninsula
Head out to the Reykjanes peninsula, an extraordinary volcanic landscape formed by lava flows. This is where there have been several recent fissure eruptions, with authorities building defensive barriers to protect the town of Grindavik.
The final itinerary will be decided on the day, but may include the mud pools and steam vents at Gunnuhver, the spectacular coast at the Reykjanesviti lighthouse, the blowhole at Brimketill, the volcanic fissures at Stampar, the bridge between continents (where two continental plates are diverging), the high-temperature geothermal area Selt煤n and a hike to the Fagradalsfjall volcano, which last erupted in 2023.
On the final evening, there is a farewell dinner with your tour leader in the hotel, to celebrate your exploration of Iceland.
Day 8: Depart Reykjavik
Today is the departure day and time to say “sj谩umst”. Your group departure transfer will take you to the airport for your flight home.
*Please note for the October departure Dr Tamsin Mather will only join for the first 3 days of the tour and will give talks on days 1,2 and 3.
FAQs
Where does this tour start and end?
This tour begins and ends in Reykjavik. Please speak to Intrepid Travel, who can offer flight advice and book flights for those travelling from the UK.
How fit do I need to be to enjoy this tour?
This tour is moderately active and involves regular walking over a variety of terrain, including gravel paths, coastal trails, volcanic landscapes and uneven ground. Most walks are unhurried and taken at a comfortable pace, with frequent stops for interpretation and photography, but guests should be comfortable spending several hours outdoors each day in often changeable weather conditions. The itinerary also includes a number of scenic road journeys, making it well suited to travellers with a reasonable level of fitness and an interest in exploring Iceland’s dramatic landscapes on foot.
The hike to the Fagradalsfjall volcano is about 4 kilometres each way to the edge of the lava field. Some of the ground is rocky and you will gain about 360 metres in elevation. As with all the activities on this tour, taking part in the hike is optional.
Do I need to pack any specialist equipment?
Sturdy walking boots are recommended, along with sunglasses to protect against bright light, wind and dust. Suncream may be useful in June while an eyeshade can help with sleeping during the long daylight hours. Crampons will be provided for the Vatnaj枚kull glacier visit; you will need to wear sturdy, high-ankle boots for this excursion. A full suggested packing list will be sent with your final travel documents.
How much driving is involved?
You will cover considerable ground by road during this tour, particularly as you travel along Iceland鈥檚 south coast between Reykjavik and the Vatnaj枚kull region. Most journeys are on paved roads, but some routes are remote and conditions can be affected by wind, rain, snow and ice, particularly in October. Day 5 involves the longest drive, of around 3鈥�4 hours, with several stops along the way. The itinerary includes regular breaks for sightseeing, walks and visits, but some days involve several hours on the road. On Day 3, you will travel by Superjeep on rougher tracks and across river crossings to reach Th贸rsm枚rk; conditions can be bumpy and the route is weather dependent.
What will the weather be like in Iceland?
During the tour, you will travel through southern Iceland, where weather can be cool and changeable at any time of year.
In June, long daylight hours and milder temperatures make it an excellent time to explore the region鈥檚 volcanic landscapes, glaciers and waterfalls, although you should still expect wind and occasional rain.
In October, temperatures are cooler and conditions more variable, with stronger winds and the possibility of rain, sleet or early snow.
Will there be a chance to see the northern lights during this tour?
October offers a good chance to see the northern lights as Iceland’s nights become longer and darker. However, sightings can never be guaranteed, as displays depend on solar activity, cloud cover and local weather conditions. Throughout the tour, your expert and tour leader will monitor forecasts and advise when conditions are favourable, but guests should view any aurora sightings as a potential bonus rather than an expected part of the itinerary.
The northern lights will not be visible on the June departure.
Is this tour suitable for solo travellers?
All of our tours, cruises and expeditions are perfect for solo travellers. If you want your own room, you will need to pay a solo supplement. However, if you are happy to share a room with a fellow guest of the same sex, we will do all we can to match you with another guest so you don’t have to pay the solo room supplement.
Route map
Booking information
Booking administration
This tour is operated by our trusted partner Intrepid Travel on behalf of New 精东传媒 Discovery Tours. Their dedicated specialist team will be your main point of contact from booking until you return home, handling your reservation, payments, travel documents, pre-departure information and any questions about your tour or travel arrangements.
Highlights
- Enjoy talks and walking seminars from an accompanying expert
- Visit a spectacular ice cave, located underneath Europe’s biggest ice cap, Vatnaj枚kull, which has around 30 glaciers flowing out from it
- Explore the famous J枚kuls谩rl贸n glacier lagoon, a beautiful sea of floating icebergs with blues that contrast vividly with the charcoal-coloured sand of the beach
- Spend time exploring the Reykjanes peninsula to see where two tectonic plates meet and walk on lava from recent fissure eruptions
- Explore Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss and Sk贸gafoss waterfalls and the J枚kuls谩rl贸n glacier lagoon (October only)
- Walk over Vatnaj枚kull glacier
- Superjeep safari tour of Hvolsv枚llur and the G铆gj枚kull glacier
- Visit the Lava Centre exhibition
- Explore the coastal capital city of Reykjavik
- Maximum group size 鈥� 29 people
Meet the experts
Dr Dave McGarvie (19 June 2027)
Dave McGarvie is a volcanologist who has spent nearly three years doing fieldwork on 21 of Iceland鈥檚 active volcanoes. His research specialises in what happens when volcanoes erupt into ice and his fieldwork has focused on studying ice-capped volcanoes in Iceland and Chile. He was a key contributor to the Horizon programme “Space Volcanoes”. Dave enjoys sharing his passion for Iceland and volcanism by giving numerous public lectures and leading field trips to the country. He is currently an honorary fellow at the University of Edinburgh, UK, and an honorary researcher at Lancaster University, UK.
Tamsin Mather* (16 October 2027)
Tamsin is a professor of earth sciences at the University of Oxford. She specialises in the role of volcanism in planetary scale processes throughout geological time and has shared her expertise on radio and TV, as well as at New 精东传媒鈥疞ive. She has just finished working on her new book, Adventures in Volcanoland: What volcanoes tell us about the world and ourselves, which is a scientific exploration of volcanoes and how they have shaped both nature and human destiny.
*Please note Tamsin will only join for the first 3 days of the tour and will give talks on days 1,2 and 3.
Tour leader
In addition to the science expert you will be accompanied throughout by an English-speaking tour leader provided by our partner for this tour, Intrepid Travel. The best people to show you the heart of a destination are those who live there. Tour leaders aren’t just local guides: they will be your teacher, travel guru and enthusiastic purveyor of grassroots experiences. They will also be able to offer insights on the country’s history and culture and will be on hand to sort all the logistics of the trip and to answer any questions you may have.
What’s included
- Three evening talks from an accompanying expert
- Entry to all sites and attractions
- English-speaking tour leader throughout
- All accommodation and internal transport
- All breakfasts and four dinners
- Arrival/departure group airport transfers for those on the suggested group flights
- 24-hour support
What’s not included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities for local guides, drivers and porters
- Private arrival/departure transfers for those arriving on different flights to the suggested group flight
- Visa/ETA (if applicable)
- Single supplement 鈥� June 2027: 拢1,060, October 2027: 拢720
Accommodations
Hotel Reykjavik Saga (All departures)
A stylish four-star hotel centrally located in the heart of Reykjavik and a short walk from Lake Tj枚rnin, the cathedral and art museum. Opened in 2022, this boutique style hotel has soundproof rooms, free wifi and a sauna.
Stracta Hotel Mosfell, Hella (All departures)
The hotel is nestled in the picturesque town of Hella. Offering a prime location amid stunning natural landscapes, allowing you to immerse yourself in the beauty of Iceland鈥檚 countryside.
Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon, Skaftafel (All departures)
A stylishly minimal 4-star hotel in a rural location, away from light pollution, so ideal for spotting the northern lights. The hotel is located close to the glacial lagoon and the Superjeep entry point for your visit to the Vatnaj枚kull glacier. All the rooms have large windows, giving excellent views over the ocean or rolling mountains.
Hotel Katla, near Vik (All departures)
A modern hotel with a rustic charm that offers amazing views across the surrounding landscapes. Traditional Icelandic food and local beers are served in the hotel’s restaurant.
Please note: If required for reasons beyond our control, we reserve the right to substitute alternative accommodation of equal or higher quality or adapt the itinerary if required.