Culinary Focus: On this inspiring culinary journey around the island we sample dishes from some of the best culinary traditions around Iceland, with private tours of local restaurants, farms, greenhouses, dairies and smoke-houses. During each dinner we enjoy a special meal of local ingredients with a culinary discussion with the chef or local food expert in the area. The stops are carefully selected not only for their Viking hospitality, charm and character but also for their beautiful, natural settings.
DAY 1 Arrival in Keflavík – Transfer to Hveragerði
Geothermal Village - Greenhouses
Welcome greet at Keflavík airport. Departure from Keflavík Airport to the nearby village of Hveragerði, which is one of the few sites in the world located directly on top of a geothermal area. Hveragerði is often called the flower village because of its many greenhouses heated by hot water from nearby springs. Located in the beautiful Reykjadalur valley, this area is typified by geothermal hot springs, and often plumes of steam can be seen rising from the ground. The Reykjadalsa River flows through this area which is where geothermally heated water meets fresh mountain streams, creating the perfect temperature for outdoor bathing in untouched nature.
Dinner and overnight stay in the Hveragerði area.
Culinary focus highlights: We enjoy dinner at Kjot & Kunst, as seen on Andrew Zimmer’s Bizarre Foods television program. This restaurant specializes in Icelandic cuisine and the unique kitchen is powered entirely by geothermal energy. Dine on lamb, fresh fish and vegetables all cooked using steam generated naturally from volcanic activity.
DAY 2 Þingvellir - Geysir - Gullfoss - Vík
National Park with Geological Wonders (UNESCO) - Exploding Geysers - Massive Waterfall - Puffin Colony - Black Sand Beaches
We depart from the village of Hveragerði to Þingvellir National Park to explore the grounds of the ancient parliament site, Alþingi, on the shores of Iceland’s largest lake. Here we see the dramatic continental drift between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates. We travel on to Iceland’s famous Gullfoss, or ‘Golden Falls’, and the nearby Geysir hot spring area to see the famous Geysir , and numerous hot springs and boiling mud pools. Continuing along the south shore we stop to admire Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls before continuing to Dyrhólaey* nature reserve. We conclude our journey in the charming village of Vík.
Dinner and overnight in the Vík area.
*Please note that Dyrholaey is closed during nesting season in spring, middle May til June 23rd
Culinary focus highlights: Enjoy a BBQ lunch at Geysir with grilled Icelandic mountain lamb prepared with locally gown herbs. A truly unique experience occurs up in the geothermal fields, where we sample rye bread, baked underground by hot springs.
DAY 3 Vík - Skaftafell National Park - Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon - Höfn
Lava Fields - Europe’s Largest National Park - Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs - Europe’s Largest Glacier
Cross Eldhraun, the largest mass of lava ever to flow on the face of the Earth, before reaching the small town Kirkjubæjarklaustur, a former site of a 12th-century Catholic convent. The tour continues over Skeiðarársandur sands to Skaftafell National Park. Continue to the stunning Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon to see floating icebergs and curious seals. Throughout the day we are afforded magnificent views of the mighty Vatnajökull Glacier.
Dinner and overnight in the Höfn area.
Culinary focus highlights: We stop for a delicious lunch of fresh trout caught in Kirkjubæjarklaustur which is famous for its “out of this world” trout fishing. We also stop for a boat tour on a magnificent glacial lagoon flowing with icebergs where we will have the unique experience of imbibing on Icelandic liquor served over glacial ice. For dinner we enjoy a lobster feast as Höfn is known as the “Lobster Capital of Northern Europe.”
DAY 4 Höfn - East Fjords - Egilsstaðir
Narrow Fjords - Steep Mountains - Picturesque Coastline - Mineral Collection
We drive from Höfn through Almannaskarð pass, stop and admire the majestic coastline. Continue to the towering mountains plunging vertically into the sea that form the magnificent East Fjords. Explore Petra’s renowned collection of local stones and minerals.
Dinner and overnight in the Egilsstaðir area.
Culinary focus highlights: We take a break for lunch in a charming restaurant in Breiðdalsvík to enjoy their special recipe for traditional meat soup, which is a dish that has been a staple in Icelandic kitchens for centuries. The lamb and vegetables featured in the stew come from farmers in the area.
DAY 5 Egilsstaðir – Lake Mývatn Area
Highland Desert - Bizarre Lava Formations - Geothermal & Volcanic Activity - Rich Birdlife - Protected Salmon River
Explore the empty vastness of the highland desert plateau Möðrudalsöræfi, heading to the Lake Mývatn area. Visit Námaskarð pass with its boiling mud pools and vibrant colors. Explore the natural beauty of the Lake Mývatn area, including the peculiar lava formations at Dimmuborgir, the pseudo craters at Skútustaðir and Laxá salmon river. One of Mývatn area’s claims to fame is that it is home to more species of ducks than any other place on Earth, with very diverse birdlife in general.
Dinner and overnight in the Mývatn area.
Culinary focus highlights: We stop for lunch at Möðrudalur farm which has been run by the same family since 1874. Here we learn how they smoke meat in a charming small turf house as well as peruse their homemade woolen-wear and handicrafts. At the café we have a taste of the country pates, smoked meats, and sausages made on the premises.
DAY 6 Lake Mývatn Area - Akureyri
Waterfall “Of the Gods”- Folk Museum - Iceland’s Second Largest City
Travel towards the bustling northern port of Akureyri making a stop at the magnificent Goðafoss waterfall and the old turf farm Laufás. Akureyri has some of the finest timber buildings in the country, beautifully restored to their original glory.
Dinner and overnight in the Akureyri area.
Culinary focus highlights: On the banks of Lake Mývatn we stop at the charming Vogafjós Cowshed Café which is known for its homemade local food, such as smoked lake trout, smoked lamb, mozzarella and feta cheeses made from the farm’s cow milk. We will learn how the trout and lamb are smoked on the premises using long-standing and traditional methods.
DAY 7 Skagafjörður - Borgarfjörður - Reykjavík
Fertile Farmlands - Glacial Rivers - Viking Horses - Reykjavík City Sightseeing
Majestic mountains and narrow passes lead to Skagafjörður for an introduction of the unique Icelandic horse that has a special fifth gait - the tölt. Towards the village of Blönduós built on both sides of the river Blanda with Hrútey Island a protected nature reserve located in this popular salmon river. Cross the Holtavörðuheiði plateau through Borgarfjörður to our final destination of Reykjavík for a city sightseeing tour.
Overnight in Reykjavík area.
Culinary focus highlights: On our sightseeing tour of Reykjavik we make some tasty stops along the way. Our farewell dinner takes place at the Gallery Restaurant, which is a benchmark for Icelandic culinary excellence since it opened in 1965. Chef de Cuisine, Friðgeir Ingi Eiríksson, and his team, will guide us through this feast of the senses, aided by a trip to their private wine cellar with over 4000 bottles.
DAY 8 Departure
Transfer to Keflavík Airport for the return flight.
Note: We reserve the right to alter routes without prior notice due to road conditions.
Includes
• Guided arrival and departure transfer
• Accommodation for 6 nights in the countryside including breakfast, rooms with private facilities
• Accommodation in Reykjavík for 1 night including breakfast, rooms with private facilities.
• Coach tour with guide as per itinerary
• 6 x dinner in the countryside, 3 course with coffee/tea
• Entrance to Laufás museum with refreshments
• Entrance to bird museum in Mývatn
• Entrance to Gauksmýri horse show
• Entrance to Petra’s Mineral Collection
Excludes
• Dinner in Reykjavík
• Lunches
• Beverages
• Free pax
• All services not mentioned above
Price quotations vary with service levels. To help us assess your needs quickly and give you our best price, please consider the following points:
- Group size and approximate number of DBL and SGL rooms required,
- Hotel quality requirement: Cat I, Cat II or Cat III (shared bathroom facilities)
- Travel period and number of days travelling
- Arrival and departure dates.
- Extra services or special requirements that will differentiate the group offer to your clients.
Price point? Let us know what to compare with and we will inform you immediately whether this program can match that price. Email us at sales@icelandtravel.is or fill out our quotation request.
Discounts & Special offers
May and September are offered with a 10% discount.
Commission Category: 0
Includes
• Guided arrival and departure transfer
• Accommodation for 6 nights in the countryside including breakfast, rooms with private facilities
• Accommodation in Reykjavík for 1 night including breakfast, rooms with private facilities.
• Coach tour with guide as per itinerary
• 6 x dinner in the countryside, 3 course with coffee/tea
• Entrance to Laufás museum with refreshments
• Entrance to bird museum in Mývatn
• Entrance to Gauksmýri horse show
• Entrance to Petra’s Mineral Collection
Excludes
• Dinner in Reykjavík
• Lunches
• Beverages
• Free pax
• All services not mentioned above
