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.
Best for ages 9+ (Ages 4+ ok) | Min. age to ride own bike: 7+ | Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+
Family — Teens & Kids
6 days 5 nights
Activity Level: 2-4
Premiere Hotels
From: $6,099 - $6,449 pp dbl occ
Plus $350 internal air
($1,250 for sgl occ)
In Iceland, opposites attract. Mossy lava fields beside ocean. Glaciers atop volcanoes. Icebergs on black-sand beaches. A temperate climate, yet named Iceland. It's rumored that adults and kids even gravitate toward one another here. It seems implausible. To have such extremes so close. But maybe it's just the natural order.
Start/End Reykjavík
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
In Reykjavík board a scenic flight to Iceland's southeastern shore, landing near Vatnajökull, Europe's largest ice cap | By Zodiac boat and on foot, marvel at a ghostly iceberg sculpture garden in the silty water of Fjallsárlón Lagoon | Arrive at the remote Cape of Ingólfshöfdi for an expedition through its seabird sanctuary–keep an eye out for puffins! | Surrounded by wildflowers, glaciers, mountains and views out to the coast, make your way through purple dwarf fireweed to several impressive waterfalls, including Svartifoss (Black Falls), a gorgeous cascade that plunges from a cliff made of black hexagonal basalt columns.
A modern Scandinavian-style hotel featuring wonderful views of the surrounding mountains.
Go for an ice walk in Skaftafell National Park and discover a frozen world of crevasses, fissures and waterfalls | Kids have a blast with a special dinner of their own | Voyage by ferry to the Westman Islands to discover Heimaey, the largest and only populated island | Walk along a volcano crater's rim for stunning views, then down to the coast and into town for a glimpse of local island life | Discover bird colonies such as fulmars and kittiwakes, and during April through August, the iconic Atlantic puffin.
Superior service plus mountain and seaside views await at this peaceful and modern riverside hotel.
Ride in a Super Jeep across creeks and rivers near simmering Katla Volcano | Discover Thórsmörk, an alpine oasis of icy peaks, caves and wildflowers at the end of the Laugavegurinn trail | Hike from bizarre rock formations and canyons to stunning high points with views of pristine valleys and brilliant lakes | Walk through a lunar landscape and learn about the geothermal wonders of this spectacular and extreme Land of Fire and Ice.
Set along the River Sog, in the heart of the Golden Circle, this country inn welcomes guests with spacious rooms and friendly service.
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 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 30 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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