Iceland - Southern Highlights

Self-Guided, Minimum 2 People, Seasonal Daily Departures, Self-drive

This tour allows you to experience nature's wonderland through the highlights of the south, witnessing and walking amongst the dramatic landscapes formed by the opposites of hot and cold, fire and ice, combining to create a unique beauty of many colours and shapes. Much of Iceland is still taking shape, raw and dramatic, born of volcanic eruptions and carved out by glaciers. Other parts are as they were 1,000 years ago when the first Viking settlers saw them.

Wherever you go you will experience wilderness and wildlife, energy and total calm, a silence that you can almost reach out and touch. Glaciers, raging rivers, waterfalls, volcanoes, hot springs, lava landscapes, geological and human history, a multitude of birds and whales - hike and bathe, travel and experience the archaeology and culture of this fascinating country.

Day 1. Outbound

Fly to Reykjavik, the gateway to Iceland, and transfer to your guesthouse.

Days 2 and 3. The 'Golden Circle'

Collect your car and set off on the voyage of discovery. Heading east on the 'Golden Circle' to Thingvellir, you visit the birthplace of Iceland's parliament, Geysir with THE original geyser and Gullfoss, Iceland's most famous waterfall. Hike amongst the natural wonders and feel the power of nature. Continue on to Landmannalaugar, a natural pearl in the highlands and the largest geothermal field in the country. Walk through the rainbow streaked Rhyolite Mountains, across lava fields, past steaming vents and sulphur deposits, coloured lakes and craters and bathe in one of the numerous hot pools.

Days 4 and 5. Skatafell National Park and Jokulsarlon

A spectacular drive will bring you to Skatafell, Iceland's largest National Park where icecaps and glaciers meet the coast. Dominated by Vatnajokull, Europe's largest ice cap, there are a variety of hikes through lovely natural vegetation with panoramas of ice, ice-scoured rock and a tangled web of rivers slicing through the glacial landscape. Continuing to Jokulsarlon, a glacial lagoon full of spectacular blue icebergs floating and grinding together in the deep still waters, you can hike on a glacier or take a boat amongst the bergs.

Day 6. Vik and the South Coast

Driving southwest along the coast you arrive in the tiny trading community of Vik, the most southerly village in the country. Set on broad black sand beaches you will hike past sea stacks, basalt columns and caves eroding the cliffs and providing homes for the many puffins to nest.

Days 7 and 8. Reykjavik and Homeward

Continuing west around the south coast you pass glaciers and waterfalls, travelling through historic fishing communities and lands which inspired one of the most famous and bloodthirsty legends of the Icelandic Sagas - Njals Saga. Returning to Reykjavik you can enjoy the delights of the city for your final night before flying back to the UK.