Iceland : The Outer Circle Grand Tour

Escorted scenic walking tour and excursions by boat

This is one of the classic Icelandic adventures encompassing mountains, rivers, waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes and wildlife. With plenty of walking and several boat trips, there are numerous opportunities to explore Iceland's ever-changing scenery and contrasts, from icebergs in the south to green islands in the west. On the tour you will stay in just four different comfortable summer hotels or guest houses, so the pace is relaxed allowing you to enjoy warm Icelandic hospitality and the company of your fellow travellers.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Depart London Heathrow - Arrive Reykjavik

On arrival at Keflavik Airport transfer to Reykjavík and check in to the Hotel Reykjavík ideally located in the city centre. Spend the rest of the day exploring the old town centre and enjoying the city's wonderful nightlife.

Day 2 - Reykjavík - Borgarfjörður

After breakfast you will be collected from your hotel. The tour starts with a drive to Gullfoss, the Queen of Iceland’s waterfalls, and the hot springs and mud pools of the famous Geysir area. We then visit the beautiful church of Skálholt, an historic building steeped in legends, and the Thingvellir National Park, site of the old Viking Parliament and an area of great geological interest, before continuing to Reykholt, home to the 13th century poet Snorre Sturlason. We stay the next two nights in the Borgarfjordur area. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3 - Snæfellsnes

Today we drive around the Snæfellsnes peninsula which is dominated by the glacier where, according to Jules Verne’s book, the entrance to the Centre of the Earth can be found. Magnificent mountain and coastal scenery unfolds as we visit small fishing towns and drive through fascinating lava fields. We visit the delightful town Stykkishólmur and take a boat trip around the islands of Breiðafjörður, home to colonies of puffins, eider ducks, kittiwakes, fulmars and majestic white-tailed eagles. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 - Eyjafjörður

We visit the beautiful waterfalls of Hraunfossar before we head for Skagafjörður where we visit the farm museum at Glaumbær and are introduced to the unique Icelandic horse. We continue to our overnight accommodation in the Eyjafjörður area where we will stay for the next three nights. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5 - Eyjafjörður

This morning we go sightseeing in Akureyri, the capital of northern Iceland, and take a short boat trip to the island of Hrísey situated in Eyjafjörður, Iceland’s longest fjord. We also visit the fishing village of Dalvík before returning to our accommodation. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 - Godafoss - Mývatn

On our way to Myvatn we make a stop at one of Iceland’s most majestic waterfalls, Godafoss, where it is said that the wooden idols of Norse mythology were thrown into the waters when Icelanders adopted Christianity in the year 1000AD. Mývatn is a unique area of attractive bays, pseudo craters, lush vegetation and many different species of birds, some of which are not found anywhere else in Europe. Here we visit the Dimmuborgir lava field and climb up to the rim of the Hverfjall volcanic ash crater. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7 - Dettifoss - Fljótsdalshérað

We travel around the Tjörnes Peninsula and visit the magnificent Dettifoss waterfall, the most powerful in Europe. For the next three nights we will stay in the Egilsstaðir area. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 - Fljótsdalur - Seyðisfjörður

We tour around Lake Lögurinn, passing the large farm mansion at Skriðuklaustur with its highly unusual architecture. We visit the fishing town of Seyðisfjörður and, if conditions are suitable, we walk up to Hengifoss, one of the highest waterfalls in Iceland. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9 - Borgarfjörður - Eystri

This short wide fjord and grassy fertile valley with a charming fishing village of the same name is situated north-east of Egilsstaðir. Magnificent colourful mountains and numerous beautiful rocks and rare stones are to be found here. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10 - Fljótsdalshérað - Skaftafell

Europe’s biggest glacier Vatnajökull, with its glacial tongues calving into an icy lagoon, dominates this landscape and we will take a boat trip on the lagoon amongst the icebergs. For the next two nights we stay in the Skaftafell National Park area. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11 - Skaftafell

Today is spent simply relaxing or walking at Skaftafell. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12 - Skaftafell - Reykjavík

We return to Reykjavík through the fertile meadows and sandy deserts along the south coast against a backdrop of mountainous cliffs and glaciers. There are several beautiful waterfalls on the way and we may spot puffins and even some seals. After tour, return to Reykjavik for overnight bed and breakfast at Hotel Reykjavík. Meals included: Breakfast

Day 13 - Reykjavík

After breakfast, transfer to Keflavik Airport in time for your return flight. Meals included: Breakfast

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Prices

Iceland - The Outer Circle Grand Tour - Prices From:
Dates	Price
	Adult
10/05/2009 - 22/05/2009 06/09/2009 - 18/09/2009	£3,003
Notes
Prices are per person, based on two adults sharing. The tour departs on the following Sundays from the UK: 11 May, 08 & 22 Jun, 06 & 20 Jul, 03 & 17 Aug, 07 Sep 2007

Prices for single travellers:

Iceland - The Outer Circle Grand Tour - Prices From:
Dates	Price
	Adult
10/05/2009 - 22/05/2009 06/09/2009 - 18/09/2009	£3,358
Notes
Prices are per person. The tour departs on the following Sundays from the UK: 11 May, 08 & 22 Jun, 06 & 20 Jul, 03 & 17 Aug, 07 Sep 2007

What's Included?

• Return flights with Icelandair from London Heathrow to Reykjavik
• All airport taxes and security charges.
• 2 nights at the Hotel Reykjavik sharing a twin/double room with private facilities
• 10 nights in hotel/guest house accommodation sharing a twin/double room with private facilities on a half board basis
• Transportation by bus
• English-speaking guide
  

What's NOT Included?

• Optional activities
• Airport Transfers, (Shuttle-bus to center of Reykjavik approx £20)

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