Region Overviews: Iceland Travel Guide: Overview
Just shy of the Arctic Circle, Iceland is an island nation that features pristine glaciers, sulfuric hot springs and stunning fjords alongside the trendy bars of capital, Reykjavík.
One or more kids 17+ required (siblings 14+ ok) | Min age to ride e-bike 16+
Family — Older Teens & 20s
6 days 5 nights
Activity Level: 2-4
Premiere Hotels
From: $6,899 - $7,249 pp dbl occ
Plus $700 internal air
($1,250 for sgl occ)
Let off steam in the Land of Fire and Ice. In the ancient realm of the Vikings, trek on lava beds to the Forest of Thor. Journey near active volcanoes, gaze at sharp mountain cliffs dotted with raging waterfalls, walk on a glacier and warm up in geothermal pools. And that's just the tip of the iceberg! Feel the energy of nature as you and your family discover Iceland at its rugged, beautiful best.
Start/End Reykjavík
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Hike in Vatnajökull National Park, shaped over millennia by volcanic eruptions, glacial runoff and rushing rivers | By Zodiac boat, explore Fjallsárlón, a frigid lagoon with an iceberg sculpture garden in its silty waters | Trek to Svartifoss (Black Falls), a stunning cascade pouring from hexagonal lava columns | Venture across a remote black-sand marshland on a vintage sheep cart to explore the seabird sanctuary in the secluded Cape of Ingólfshöfdi.
A modern Scandinavian-style hotel featuring wonderful views of the surrounding mountains.
Strap on crampons and trek over a dramatic glacier in Skaftafell National Park, admired for its ice formations, water cauldrons and pinnacles | Voyage by ferry to the Westman Islands, landing on the largest and only populated island, Heimaey | Hike to and around a volcano crater's rim and through colorful lava beds before wandering to town for a peek at local island life | Discover colonies of birds such as fulmars, kittiwakes, and from April to August, the iconic Atlantic puffin.
A countryside log cabin-style resort with three geothermally heated hot tubs and views of mountains, glaciers and the Hekla Volcano. A Small Luxury Hotels of the World member.
Hop aboard a "super jeep" for a drive across rocky lava beds, glacial outflows and rivers near Katla Volcano | Discover Thórsmörk, where lime-hued hillsides, snowy mountains and wildflowers create an alpine oasis at the end of the Laugavegur Trail | Hike from bizarre rock formations and canyons to beautiful viewpoints found above a vibrant green wonderland | Set off on a hike in the Hengill geothermal area | Climb through a beautiful gorge and across a valley, passing bubbling mud pots | Discover views of picturesque Thingvellir before journeying back to Reykjavík.
This sleek, modern and award-winning hotel sits amid geothermal pools, near the shore of Lake Thingvallavatn. (pool)
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.
Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.
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Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.
The hiking terrain on this trip includes some maintained trails as well as some rugged mountain paths with rocky, muddy sections and steep ascents and descents. The weather can also be extreme with wind, rain and fog, all of which can make the routes feel more challenging than the mileage may suggest.
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
The combination of Iceland's prolific waterfalls, vast icefields, vibrant green landscape and warm ocean currents makes this island like no other place in the world. The island's climate can be as surprising as its terrain, with weather patterns and microclimates that can bring sun, wind, fog, sleet, rain and snow all in the same day (or hour!). Please be sure to bring warm layers and waterproof gear for every day of the trip. In addition, the fluctuating weather might result in flight and mid-trip itinerary changes, but your Backroads Trip Leaders are always prepared to make necessary adjustments to ensure a great trip while keeping safety the top priority.
Luxury Iceland-style usually means modern, simple and nicely appointed buildings that prioritize location and views over plush amenities or landscaping. Please note that, due to the remoteness of our properties, dinners tend toward a local buffet-style affair and limited-choice menus, which is simply a part of the cultural experience of Iceland.
On this trip we travel by air to reach the exclusive hotels and activities this destination has to offer. We'll be flying on a charter flight with Eagle Air aboard a turboprop plane that seats 19 passengers.
In order to access the most scenic routes and significant points of interest on this trip, multiple shuttles of one to three hours in our support vans and in Super Jeeps are incorporated into our itinerary.
Just shy of the Arctic Circle, Iceland is an island nation that features pristine glaciers, sulfuric hot springs and stunning fjords alongside the trendy bars of capital, Reykjavík.
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