All Colors Of Iceland

Physical Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. This Tour Involves 2 — 5 miles of hiking daily with an elevation gain of up to 1200'. 

Weather: The weather in Iceland is unpredictable and can be changed every 15 — 30 minutes. Participants must be prepared for a temperature range from 40°F to 70°F. At night the temperature might be dropped to 30 °F. We will probably get several hours of rain during our Tour. Participants must be ready for rainy and windy weather conditions.

Transportation: included in the Tour’s price except for the flights to and from Iceland and transfer to/from the airport. We rented two full-size SUVs (Toyota Land Cruiser)

Lodging: All nights, we will stay in hotels and guest houses (double or triple occupancy). Lodging possibilities in Iceland are limited, especially close to some particular nature wonders away from cities and villages. We booked some rooms and guesthouses with three beds. We sent requests to a hotel’s management for two separate beds in our rooms for all double rooms in all hotels. But these requests are not guaranteed; you can find one big bed in your room.

Meals: are not included. We can find some restaurants in our hotels or nearby.

Day 1.  07/20. Saturday. 

Participants will arrive in Iceland, and by 10 AM, we will meet at the airport. If you reach Iceland the day before, you should get a hotel next to the airport so we can pick you up from your hotel. Do not book a hotel in Reykjavik — it would be about 1-hour drive, and you have to take a taxi to get back to the airport. 

After loading our luggage, we immediately go to one of the most remote and hard-to-reach places in Iceland’s highlands — Kerlingarfjoll. We will drive for about 4 hours, and half of this time, we will drive a rough 4×4 road. 

Here will get to the famous geothermal zone of Hveradalir. This is a small valley of red rhyolite mountains, steaming vents, and bubbling rivers. It’s a hiker’s paradise, a photographer’s dream, and an ideal destination for the mildly adventurous traveler. We will spend at least 2 — 3 hours wandering between yellowish and reddish hills and climbing on top of them. 

After dinner, we will hike 25-30 minutes from our rooms to the natural hot spring, where we can sip a glass of wine at the end of this beautiful day.

Night in the Kerlingarfjoll Lodge. 

Day 2.  07/21. Sunday. 

The weather in Iceland is unpredictable, so today, after breakfast, we will have another chance to visit Hveradalir at different times of the day with different weather. 

We will start driving back to “civilization” at noon. On our way, we will stop at the mighty Gullfoss Waterfall. After that, we will quickly stop and stretch our legs at the most famous geyser in Iceland — Geysir. Here we can have lunch in a pretty cozy restaurant (if it wouldn’t be too crowded). 

Our next stop will be at the fantastic waterfall — Brúarfoss (hike 4 miles). 

After that, we will have dinner in the city of Selfoss. And later in the evening, we will finally get to our simple guest house in Iceland’s highlands. 

Night in Langahlíð Guesthouse

Day 3.  07/22. Monday

On this day, we will visit Landmannalaugar. Landmannalaugar is a captivating and otherworldly geothermal area nestled in the rugged highlands of Iceland and known for its surreal landscapes painted with a palette of vibrant colors. Surrounded by multicolored rhyolite mountains, steamy hot springs, and bubbling mud pots, Landmannalaugar offers a unique and unforgettable experience. 

Here, we hike up Bláhnúkur Mountain (meaning blue peak). This is the most challenging 5-mile Landmannalaugar hike in the area. There’s a steep ascent with a narrow path, precipitous drops on both sides and a river that we may need to wade across. So what is the reward of this hike? The views from any spot on this trail are simply majestic. 

And after this hike, we will go to the natural hot spring. And as we did one day before, we can get a glass of wine in this hot pool! 

On our way back to the guest house, we stop at the real hidden natural gem —  Sigöldugljúfur canyon, with waterfalls and clear turquoise water on the bottom.

Night in Langahlíð Guesthouse

Day 4. 07/23. Tuesday

Today will be a very intense day with many stops and sightseeing views. We won’t perform any long hikes but a lot of walking at a relaxing pace. 

First, after breakfast, we will stop at the fantastic Haifoss waterfall. 

Our next stop will be a not well-known place — Gjáin. It is a hidden gem in the Icelandic highlands, offering enchanting beauty that feels almost surreal. Tucked away from the beaten path, Gjáin is a lush oasis characterized by cascading waterfalls, emerald-green meadows, and a tranquil river that meanders through the landscape. This ethereal spot presents an opportunity to escape the modern world and immerse oneself in a landscape that seems to have sprung from the pages of a fairy tale.

When we return to the South Coast, we will stop at one of the iconic Iceland waterfalls — Seljalandsfoss. We will get a chance to walk behind the falls (don’t forget to wear waterproof clothing.

Also, we will visit another icon of Iceland — the mighty waterfall Skógafoss and a hidden gem — the Kvernufoss waterfall. 

Later we will try to find some puffins at one of the countless shoreline cliffs (hopefully, they still will be there — usually, they are nested along the coast from April to the beginning of August. 

And we will finally get to our Hotel Laki at Kirkjubæjarklaustur in the evening.

Day 5. 07/24. Wednesday.

Today we will get up as early as possible. After breakfast again, we will go to another part of Iceland’s highlands — Laki. 

The Laki fissure famously erupted in 1783, unleashing a catastrophic eruption that spewed forth massive lava flows and a dense haze of sulfur dioxide, devastating consequences for the environment and human populations. This eruption profoundly impacted global weather patterns and is thought to have contributed to famines and disruptions worldwide. Despite its tumultuous past, Laki’s starkly beautiful landscape, marked by its rugged lava fields and craggy formations, reminds us of nature’s unpredictable power and ability to shape and reshape our world.

Getting to the center of Laki is a true 4×4 adventure. We will drive on the rough roads, ford several rivers, and climb mountain passes. 

When we get there, we will hike Mount Laki for a bird-eye view of all the surroundings. This hike is one of the most scenic in Iceland!

After lunch, we get a short hike to a tranquil lake in the middle of the crater with one of the kind scenery. 

On our way back, we will stop at another spectacular Icland waterfall — Fagrifoss.

And by the end of this day, we get to one of the most picturesque canyons in Iceland — Fjaðrárgljúfur. 

Night in the Hotel Laki

Day 6. 07/25. Thursday

After breakfast, we will continue driving in southern Iceland toward Svínafellsjökull Glacier. Right from the road, we will get an unobstructed view of several glaciers today!

At the glacier’s base (if weather permits), participants can take a scenic flight above an enormous ice field with countless glaciers and the surreal net of glacier rivers. That flight is optional and not included in the tour’s price. It costs around 500 Euro. 

In this area, we plan to hike Svartifoss waterfall, surrounded by hundreds of natural stone hexagonal pillars (a 3-mile round trip hike). 

Later, we will stop next to the historical and charming grass-roofed church and check in at the luxury Fosshotel — Glacier Lagoon. 

After that, we will drive for about 25 minutes to the beautiful  Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, full of flowing icebergs. Also, if it would be safe, we can stop by Dimond Beach and take pictures of small icebergs on the black sand. 

Night in  Fosshotel — Glacier Lagoon.

Day 7. 07/26. Friday.

After breakfast, we will hike (a 5-mile round trip hike with a 1000' elevation gain) the truly hidden gem of Iceland — Múlagljúfur Canyon. It is a mesmerizing canyon nestled in the remote Icelandic highlands, offering a glimpse into the raw and untamed beauty of the country’s landscapes. Carved by the relentless forces of water and time, the canyon is a testament to the transformative power of nature. Towering cliffs adorned with vibrant greenery frame a river that winds its way through the heart of the gorge. The sight of cascading waterfalls and the symphony of rushing water adds to the enchantment of Múlagljúfur, making it a haven for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure in Iceland’s rugged wilderness.

We will drive to our next guest house for over 4 hours on this day. But the road won’t be boring at all! We will make several stops next to roadside waterfalls and scenic viewpoints. 

After check-in, we will drive toward another picturesque canyon — Stuðlagil.

Stuðlagil has only recently gained attention due to its striking beauty and unique basalt column formations. Tucked away in the East Iceland Highlands, Stuðlagil boasts dramatic rock columns that reveal their geometric splendor as the Jökulsá á Dal River flows through the canyon. The vibrant hues of the basalt columns juxtaposed against the calm blue waters create an awe-inspiring and surreal visual spectacle. 

We must walk on a leveled path for about 20 — 25 minutes to get to the viewpoint. 

Night in Ásgeirsstaðir Holiday Homes

Day 8. 07/27. Saturday.

In the morning, we will get one more chance to visit Stuðlagil Canyon (in case the weather was bad yesterday). 

Today we will have a lot of driving and sightseeing activities again. We will make a first significant stop at incredible Goðafoss Falls. 

We can stretch our legs at Hverir geothermal area if it isn’t too muddy. 

If everybody in the group would like, we can stop for about 2 hours at Mývatn Nature Baths to get into hot blue water and relax in this nature wonder. It costs about $50 per person and is not included in the tour price. Another option — we can visit two extra picturesque waterfalls — Dettifoss and Selfoss. 

On our way to the hotel, we will stop at Glaumbær Farm & Museum to see more traditional Icelandic grass-roofed buildings. 

Night in North West Restaurant & Guesthouse

Day 9. 07/28. Sunday.

This morning we will go to one of the countless Icland fjords to see one of the most famous Iceland sea-stack — Hvítserkur. 

Not so far away from this rock, we can try to check out a beach — often, we can see resting seals there. 

And later, we will go to Keflavik (about a 4-hour drive), where our tour will be officially over. We will be in the airport area at about 4 PM, so participants can start looking for a return flight from 6-7 PM. 

Recommended Personal Gear:

• Rain jacket and pants (Gore-Tex technology preferable).
  
• Fleece jacket.
  
• Light down jacket. 
• Waterproof hiking boots.
  
• Extra warm clothing for cold weather conditions, including long underwear, hats, and gloves.
  
• Backpack to carry your gear, water, extra layers, and camera or drone. 
• Thermos. 
  
• Rubber boots or waterproof overshoes to walk on Dimond Beach.