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.
Multi-Adventure
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Iceland's Glaciers & Coast Multi-Adventure Tour - For Families with Teens & Kids
The Awe-Inspiring Land of Fire & Ice
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 - $6,499 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.
Walk/Hike
Zodiac
Ice Walk
Zip-Line
Raft
Wildlife Cruise
Iceland Glaciers & Coast Family Multi-Adventure Tour map
Iceland
Start/End Reykjavík
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Highlights
- Hike through a mystical, raw and wild landscape of crevasses, fissures and waterfalls by land, water and air
- Learn about Iceland's incredible geologic wonders, ranging from glaciers and geysers to volcanoes and sea stacks
- Ferry to stunning Westman Islands, perhaps side by side with dolphins and whales, and walk through volcanic landscapes
- Cross creeks and rivers alongside an active volcano in Super Jeeps—the ultimate family adventure!
Itinerary
Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
6 Days Premiere Hotels
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Day 1
Description
Board a scenic flight to Iceland's southeastern shore | Start your adventure with your family west, stopping at Jökulsárlón and Diamond beach to marvel at the blue icebergs | By zodiac boat, explore Fjallsárlón, an iceberg-filled lagoon at the foot of a glacier | Venture across remote black-sand marshland on a vintage sheep cart | The young and young-at-heart explore a seabird sanctuary on a pristine and secluded cape | Enjoy classic Icelandic cuisine with a modern twist at our hotel’s chic restaurant.
Accommodations
Fosshótel Glacier Lagoon
Hnappavellir
| Premiere Hotel A modern Scandinavian-style hotel featuring wonderful views of the surrounding mountains.
Days 2-3
Description
Get close to a glacial tongue on an ice-walk in Skaftafell | Kids venture on an exciting zip-lining adventure across Vík followed by dinner with their Adventure Leader | Travel into the green pastures of often pony-sized and always unique Icelandic horses | Caused by a massive eruption, learn how the dramatic lava flows we pass influenced the French Revolution | Hop aboard a ferry and cross to the enchanting Westman Islands | The youngsters are in for a splashing good time with activities at the pool | Hike along a volcano crater's rim, formed in 1979, and soak up local knowledge at a house excavated from the volcanic ashes | Admire coastal birds and get to know the local traditions of egg collecting | Sip coffee or cocoa with your family and enjoy a kleinur (Icelandic donut) while people-watching in Heimaey, the largest of the Westman Islands and the only one with a human population.
Accommodations
UMI
Hvolsvöllur
| Premiere Hotel Superior service plus mountain and seaside views await at this peaceful and modern riverside hotel.
Days 4-6
Description
Jump in a Super Jeep for an off-road adventure crossing lava beds and glacial rivers | Discover the magnificent remote valley of Thórsmörk, at the foot of three volcanoes | Walk original sheep tracks and find incredible vistas near Básar base camp | Explore vibrant green landscapes and pass dramatic rock formations | Enjoy an Icelandic lunch in a hiker’s refuge | Stop by Seljalandsfoss waterfall to snap the perfect Icelandic waterfall photo with your family | Wander around the geothermal mud pots and see the otherworldly Geysir erupt | Extend your vacation in Reykjavík, where there’s plenty to fascinate the whole family.
Accommodations
Hotel Geysir
| Premiere Hotel
This sleek, family-run hotel is located near some of the world's most powerful geysirs in the historic Haukadalur valley.
Dates & Prices
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.
June 2024
Jun 24 - Jun 29
Sold out
July 2024
Jul 22 - Jul 27
Sold out
Jul 29 - Aug 3
Sold out
August 2024
Looks like you’re traveling with a smaller group
Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.
Please Select a Group Size
Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.
From our Guests
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#MyBackroadsTrip
Share your adventure #MyBackroadsTrip
Activity Level:
2-4
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.
Route notes
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.
Daily Route Options
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.
Route notes
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.
What's Included
- All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips with biking, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers
- All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips with biking, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers
Straight talk
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.
Climate & Itinerary Changes
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.
Accommodations & Meals
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.
Internal Flight
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.
Shuttle Time
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.
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.
Climate & Itinerary Changes
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.
Accommodations & Meals
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.
Internal Flight
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.
Shuttle Time
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.
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