By David
from Bethesda, Maryland
8/30/2017
5.0Pleasantly surprised by Iceland
By Donna
from Twin Cities, MN
6/24/2017
5.0This trip was everything I expected and more!!
6/18/2017
5.0Visit the Iceland that most tourists never see
6/11/2017
5.0Marvelous. Spectacular itinerary, scenery & accommodations
By David B.
from Washington DC
3/13/2017
4.0This is a wonderful trip in a wonderful place
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Premiere Hotels
Accommodations may vary based on departure date. Any difference from what is listed below can be found by clicking on your desired date on the View Scheduled Dates or Private Dates tabs.
Hótel Grímsborgir
Selfoss (2 nights)
Set along the River Sog, in the heart of the Golden Circle, this country inn welcomes guests with spacious rooms and friendly service.
ION Adventure Hotel
Nesjavellir (1 night)
This sleek, modern and award-winning hotel sits amid geothermal pools, near the shore of Lake Thingvallavatn. (pool, spa)
Hótel Búdir
Snaefellsnes (2 nights)
This simple yet sophisticated hotel is set at the edge of Snaefellsjökull National Park.
This Trip Is Rated Levels 1-4
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next—and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
Daily Route Options (drag to see full )
| Daily Route Options |
| 1 |
3 |
100 |
4 |
400 |
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|
|
|
| Heimaey Boat Tour (1 Hour) |
| 2 |
|
|
3* |
400 |
5 |
500 |
6 |
800 |
|
|
| 3 |
|
|
5* |
900 |
9* |
900 |
10 |
1500 |
|
|
| 4 |
1 |
100 |
4* |
500 |
4 |
250 |
|
|
|
|
| 3* |
400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 5 |
4* |
200 |
7* |
300 |
|
|
9 |
400 |
|
|
| 6 |
2* |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
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| Optional Horseback Riding (2 Hours) |
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Note:
The terrain on this trip includes a mix of well-maintained paths, rolling headland walks and rugged mountain trails. Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary in order to access the best hiking routes.
* Includes shuttle.
Learn more about how we determine our activity level and fully support a range of abilities and interests.
Please note that our distance and elevation figures come from Ride with GPS. Other sources (such as Map My Ride and Garmin devices) may give differing elevation figures due to different GPS and mapping technologies. Readings from a Garmin or a smart phone are influenced by other factors such as air pressure.
Meals
All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners
Also Included
- 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, 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 and porterage
Get the Straight Talk about This Trip
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 rest assured 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.
Why Travel with Backroads in Iceland
Fly Right to the Start of the Trail
Your Iceland adventure begins with a charter flight directly to the start of your hike, so you can head out even sooner to explore the volcanic island of Heimaey on foot. We figure why sit in a van for a long shuttle when we can take a short, hour-long scenic flight to off shore islands where we'll hike for the day—the flight itself is an amazing aerial tour of volcanoes, glaciers and rugged coastlines.
More Leaders to Support You
On our Iceland trips we have an extra leader supporting you along the trail—for a total of three, compared to the industry standard two. So we can be in more places at once, giving personal attention to guests traveling at their own pace. Here's more on our Trip Leaders.
Experts with Secrets to Share
In choosing the ideal experts to enrich your travel experience, we look for people with a wealth of local knowledge, but also the ability to convey their insights in English. Too often travelers find themselves smiling politely, not quite understanding what they're being told. Our experts share intriguing facts, anecdotes and inside stories that stay with you forever.
Everyone at Their Own Pace
We design and support our Iceland trips to suit mixed abilities and varied interests—so you can set your own pace, then change things up as the day unfolds. And all guests are free to do the same, traveling together or apart, with no one cramping anyone else's style. Which sounds easy in theory, but it's hard to pull off. Here's more on how we do it.
Our Cultural Roots Run Deep
Thanks to our extensive connections in Iceland, Backroads takes you off the beaten track and deep into the region's culture in ways that traditional travel can never hope to do. We know the people and their customs, the legacy of art and architecture, the complex history and politic—and if we're not sure, our amazing local experts can fill in the blanks.
The Best Leaders in Iceland
Backroads has the best-qualified people to lead your trip in Iceland, and our guests back that up, rating our Trip Leaders an average of 9.75 out of 10 for all-around quality of performance. Get the facts (and no fluff) on how we recruit and develop the very best people for your trip.
A Variety of Routes Each Day
In Iceland you head off each morning after choosing among several expertly designed routes—all with detailed directions, mileage and shuttle options. Unlike trips with one fixed daily route (or worse, one guide that everyone's obliged to follow), you're free to enjoy the best of the region at your pace, stopping wherever you want to explore further.
In Europe Since 1988
Backroads has been welcoming active travelers to Europe since before the Berlin Wall came down. Today it's virtually our second home. We know the perfect roads and trails, the most scenic valleys and hilltop towns, the hidden churches and gem-like museums, the up-and-coming vintners and celebrated chefs—and, of course, all the best places to stay.
We've Set the Standard
For nearly four decades we've worked to earn and maintain our right to call Backroads the world's #1 active travel company. In pursuing that vision on behalf of our guests, we believe we've set the standard for our industry—captured in the Backroads Quality Guide, which clearly sets out the benchmarks of excellence, choice and support that we live by
