Travelling along a mountain track in a mountain truck allows us to combine classic routes and all the famous points of interest in Iceland with the uninhabited and volcanic highlands, the vastes area of wilderness in Europe. This tour truly showcases the Icelandic diversed nature.

Across the Wilderness offers a complete Icelandic experience into only 9 days, which will conquer the hearts of first-timers as well as those that have been here before.

As our professional driver-guide Ari recommends as well, Across the Wilderness is a unique tour for various reasons:

• With maximum 19 participants, the small group size ensures that guests can be treated individually, giving space and focus to their different interests.

• With only a basic promised itinerary, this tour ensures freedom and flexibility to add extras and personal content.

• Only a manageable daily mileage ensures time to not just tick off boxes but take in this land of endless variations of natural power.

• The trips start at the end of snowmelt in the highlands and continue into early autumn. The high season trips give you midnight sun, but the last trips give you the chance to see the northern lights - Aurora Borealis.

Departures:

Maximum nr. of passengers: 19
Minimum nr. of passengers: 2

DAY 1 Arrival

Overnight stay in Reykjavík (transfer from Keflavík airport not included).

DAY 2 Thingvellir - Gullfoss - Geysir

UNESCO World Heritage site with Geological Wonders - The Famous Golden Falls - Exploding Geysers

An easy first day begins with a visit to Thingvellir National Park, the ancient site of the world's first parliament and a jewel of nature. Next we travel to the nearby Geysir geothermal area and witness boiling pools and hot springs. The most active geyser, Strokkur, shoots water high into the air every few minutes. Onwards to the beautiful Gullfoss (“Golden”) waterfalls, amongst the most impressive in Iceland. Overnight in Hvolsvöllur area.

DAY 3 Vík - Dyrhólaey - Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Thundering Waterfalls - Puffin Colony - Black Sand Beaches of the South Shore - Lava Fields

Admire the two classic waterfalls, Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss before enjoying great views from Dyrhólaey* headland where thousands of puffins nest during the summer. A stop in the quaint village of Vík follows before crossing the Mýrdalssandur outwash plains of Katla volcano. The day ends by passing through the vast Eldhraun lava field, the largest on earth since the end of the Ice Age. Overnight in Kirkjubæjarklaustur area.

DAY 4 Jökulsárlón - Skaftafell

Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs - Europe's Largest National Park - Europe's Largest Glacier

The day starts with a drive through beautiful scenery towards the Vatnajökull ice cap, by far the largest in Europe. We circumnavigate the Öræfajökull volcano with Icelands highest point, Hvannadalshnjúkur. The turn-around point today is Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon where huge icebergs float in water full of life. An optional boat tour among the icebergs is possible. At Svínafellsjökull close encounters with a glacier tongue are on offer. On the way we pass by Skaftafell national park. Overnight in the Kirkjubæjarklaustur area.

DAY 5 Landmannalaugar

Multicoloured Mountains of the Highlands - Lava Fields - Hot Springs with Bathing - Hekla Volcano

Meander along the primitive Fjallabaksleið interior track to Landmannalaugar, a magnificent area surrounded by colorful rhyolite mountains with the option of bathing in a naturally warm geothermal pool. This pearl of the interior consists of deep valleys and sculptured, often mossy mountains, many formed in volcanic eruptions under ice-age icecaps, forging a powerfully colorful experience. Overnight in the Þjórsárdalur area.

DAY 6 Sprengisandur

Uninhabited Interior and Highland Desert

Discover hidden parts of the Icelandic interior, exploring the vast and desolate wilderness of the Sprengisandur highland route. Sprengisandur is the longest stretch between the South and North and is passable only during the late summer months. We must bring our own lunch to the Nýidalur mountain hut in the country’s centre, as no services are available on the way. No bridges over the rivers means several river crossings on this rough track. Overnight in the Lake Mývatn area.

DAY 7 Tjörnes - Ásbyrgi - Dettifoss - Lake Mývatn

Glacial River Gorge – Europe’s Most Powerful Waterfall - Geothermal Activity - Rich Birdlife

An absolutely packed day with a wild variety of landscapes. We travel through Húsavík town and around the Tjörnes peninsula, the most northern point of our journey. Discover the serene horseshoe-shaped canyon of Ásbyrgi National Park that according to myth, is the hoof-print left by Sleipnir, the magical eight-legged horse of the Norse god Óðinn. Continue to thundering Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe, located in the expansive Jökulsárgljúfur canyon. The uniquely beautiful nature reserve of Lake Mývatn follows, a paradise for nature enthusiasts and bird watchers. On the “to-do list” are the solfataras at Hverarönd geothermal region, peculiar lava formations and explosive craters at Krafla. Overnight in the Lake Mývatn area.

DAY 8 Akureyri - Skagafjörður

Waterfall “Of the Gods” - Iceland’s Second Largest City - Viking Horses

Goðafoss waterfall visited before continuing to Akureyri, the vibrant “Capital of the North” and the second largest urban area in Iceland. Spend some free time in Akureyri, which can include a visit to the amazing botanical gardens, the geothermal pool complex, go shopping or just chill in a local café. Continue to the Skagafjörður area, renowned for horse breeding as well as being home to many important sites relating to the classic Icelandic Sagas. In the evening, a horseback riding tour on locally bred Iceland horses is optional, or take a regenerating walk in the picturesque surroundings. Overnight in the Hvammstangi area.

DAY 9 Hvammstangi - Eiríksstaðir - Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Fertile Farmlands - Birthplace of Leif Eiríksson - Quaint Fishing Villages

The journey continues through rolling farmlands and across Laxárdalsheiði heath to the Viking Age house at Eiríksstaðir, the original home of Erik the Red and birthplace of his son Leifur Eiriksson, two of the most celebrated Vikings in the world. Then we pass through a series of small fishing villages on the northern coast of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Overnight in the Snæfellsnes area.

DAY 10 Snæfellsjökull National Park

Snæfellsjökull Glacier - Sand Beaches - Sea Cliffs with Birdlife - Quaint Fishing Villages

A day in Snæfellsnes National Park. Circle around the legendary Snæfellsjökull glacier, where, according to Jules Verne, is the entrance to the center of the Earth. Continue to the expansive black sea shore of Djúpalónssandur. Stop at the picturesque harbour village of Arnarstapi with its magnificent columnar basalt rock formations. Take a unique walk between the villages of Arnarstapi and Hellnar before driving to Reykjavik. Overnight in Reykjavík.

DAY 11 Departure

Transfer to the airport not included.

Included

• 9 day coach tour with driver-guide from/to Reykjavík
• Accommodation 2 nights w/breakfast and w/facilities in Reykjavík
• Accommodation 8 nights w/breakfast and w/facilities in the countryside
• 8 dinners in the countryside
• Entrance Eric the Red museum

Not included

• Optional tours
• Meals other than those listed in itinerary
• International flight
• Any service not specifically listed under "included"

OPTIONAL (at extra cost):

• Boat tour on the Glacial Lagoon
• Horse riding tour
• Evening whale watching trip from Húsavík (high season)
• Tour to Blue Lagoon the last evening

Included

• 9 day coach tour with driver-guide from/to Reykjavík
• Accommodation 2 nights w/breakfast and w/facilities in Reykjavík
• Accommodation 8 nights w/breakfast and w/facilities in the countryside
• 8 dinners in the countryside
• Entrance Eric the Red museum

Not included

• Optional tours
• Meals other than those listed in itinerary
• International flight
• Any service not specifically listed under "included"

OPTIONAL (at extra cost):

• Boat tour on the Glacial Lagoon
• Horse riding tour
• Evening whale watching trip from Húsavík (high season)
• Tour to Blue Lagoon the last evening