Amazing Family Adventure

Arrival in Iceland. On your own transfer to your hotel in Reykjavik. Airport transfer is not included, but we are happy to help you arrange shared or private transfers. You might also enjoy visiting the Blue Lagoon or the new Sky Lagoon on your way to the city. (This needs to be booked in advance; let us know and we’ll set it up!)

Your Iceland experience starts when you turn on the hotel’s hot water—the water comes right from underground volcano-heated springs and heats most buildings in Iceland! The rest of the day is yours to enjoy Reykjavik. Perhaps you’ll visit one of the city’s museums, several which have exhibits for children. One of our favorite activities among our families at Iceland Travel is a visit to one of the geothermal outdoor pools. It’s so fun to relax and play in the unique warm water, and you´ll see many Icelandic families out enjoying the same activity. Each facility has a pool area for small children, as well as arm floats. Some pools even have slides. One of the most popular swimming pools in the area for families is Laugardalslaug, located in the Laugardalur recreational area. This area is also home to the Family Park and Icelandic Farm Animal zoo. Remember to bring a swimsuit and towel if you visit a swimming pool. You can also rent these at the pool.

Please note that most hotels start check-in around 14:00 – 16:00 (2:00pm 4:00pm)

Amazing Flight Over Wilderness Wonders – Great Museums – Food and Fun

Breakfast at your hotel. Make your way to the Grandi area of Reykjavik’s Old Harbor neighborhood. You can get there by city bus or taxi. If you have older kids you can enjoy an easygoing walk through the charming town center (about a 30 – 40-minute stroll from most hotels). Once the area where fishermen worked, the Harbor has become a neighborhood for boat tours and whale watching, museums, art galleries and a fantastic foodie culture.

Today you are booked for the FlyOver Iceland amazing flight simulated experience. (Check your confirmation for your booked time). FlyOver Iceland utilizes state-of-the-art technology to give you the feeling of flight.

Enjoy two fun and educational experiences before your flight. First you’ll meet a friendly old Icelandic storyteller sitting by the fireside in a Viking longhouse. He’ll weave a wonderful tale as shadows act it out behind him. Afterwards, step into the Well of Time, where you’ll discover Iceland’s past. You’ll see how violent forces of fire and ice created the island millions of years ago.

Then it’s time for the flight! Board special flight seats where you’ll hang suspended, feet dangling, before a wrap-around 20-metre (66-foot) spherical screen. A film whisks you away on an exhilarating journey across Iceland. Soar over glaciers, waterfalls, vast volcanic wilderness and black sand beaches while soul stirring music plays. Special effects, including wind, mist and scents create an unforgettable experience as if you are actually flying over untamed wilderness wonders.

The rest of the day is open to enjoy Reykjavik your way. The Old Harbor area has plenty of activities your family will love. We’ve included some suggestions. These are not included in the price, but we are happy to book them for you.

• Take a boat tour to look for whales or puffins
• Meet life-size replicas of whales and dolphins and learn amazing facts about marine life at the Whales of Iceland exhibit
• Check out exciting films about volcanic eruptions, glaciers and northern lights at the cozy Cinema of Fire, Ice and Northern Lights
• Experience the Icelandic Sagas and Viking history at the Saga Museum with lifelike wax figures
• Board a Coast Guard vessel and see how people worked at sea in the 1950s at the Reykjavik Maritime Museum

Getting hungry? Head over to the Old Harbor’s Grandi Food Hall. Everyone in the family is sure to find something great to eat in this collection of artisanal street food. Afterwards, wander over to the Valdis ice cream parlor to try some of Reykjavik’s best homemade ice cream.

Perhaps you’ll end the exciting day with a visit to one of the outdoor geothermal pools.

A Walk Between Continents – Erupting Geysers – Golden Waterfall – Colorful lava formations

Breakfast at your hotel. Today remember to wear comfortable outdoor shoes, such as hiking boots, for the visit to the cave. We also recommended bringing a warm and waterproof jacket since the cave sometimes has water dripping from the ceiling. (Temperature in the cave is 0-4°C or 32-38°F).

Breakfast at your hotel. Pick up your rental car and set off to explore the Golden Circle, Iceland’s most famous collection of natural wonders!

First, visit Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You will see where the Vikings formed the world’s oldest parliament in the 9^th century and learn about how Icelanders would travel from all over the island once a year to meet here and make important decisions for the country. This is also where the European and North American tectonic plates meet. You can walk on a path that actually takes you between both continents!

Afterwards, visit the surreal Geysir geothermal area where a series of hot springs and mud pools bubble away. The Strokkur geyser shoots a high plume of steam into the air every few minutes; keep your camera ready! Nearby is Gullfoss, the Golden Falls, believed to be Iceland’s most beautiful waterfall. You can wander on footpaths leading around the falls for amazing views of the glacier water plunging into a deep canyon.

During the day, we also suggest a visit to Fridheimar, a geothermal greenhouse where vegetables are grown using geothermal energy. There is a café where you can enjoy some of the best tomato soup in Iceland! The Efstidalur dairy farm is a great place to stop to try home-made ice cream. In the ice cream café you can peek through a window overlooking the barn and see the cows who provide the milk for the ice cream.

On your way back to town, head to Raufarholshellir, the Lava Tunnel. The certified cave guide will take you into this magnificent lava tunnel. Created by a volcanic eruption over 5.000 years ago, the tunnel shows spectacular colors and lava formations. Your guide will tell you about how the tunnel was created. You might feel as you are seeing a volcano from the inside out!

Return to Reykjavik and drop off your car. Overnight in Reykjavik.

Volcanic Views –Wilderness Wonderland – Hot Spring River OR Frozen Ice Cave

Remember to dress well in layers and wear good outdoor shoes (such as hiking boots). Bring a wind and waterproof jacket. If you are visiting Landmannalaugar, bring a swimsuit and towel. Bring a packed lunch and water (the tour will stop at a shop along the way where you can purchase food).You’ll be heading into the wilderness highlands of Iceland’s interior. No one lives here, but it is a fun place to visit with a taste of adventure included. Expect bumpy roads, water crossings and some spectacular scenery and crisp air.

Breakfast at your hotel. Today you have a choice between two tours: a SuperJeep tour to Landmannalaugar OR a scheduled small-group minibus and SuperJeep tour to visit the South Coast and a wilderness ice cave.

Landmannalaugar Option:

Board a SuperJeep, a specially outfitted vehicle with large tires that can handle the unpaved rocky mountain tracks of the wilderness. Your driver guide will whisk you through the southern farmlands onto an unpaved mountain track leading towards Mount Hekla. This beautiful volcano is one of Iceland’s most frequently erupting (last eruption was 2000). You’ll get as close as possible to the volcano before heading into a fire and ice landscapes so bizarre that you’ll understand why Hollywood movies have been made in this area. Drive through a river and into Landmannalaugar nature reserve, a strange world where steam rises from the ground and the mountains are brilliant colors of red, orange and gold. If you’re up for it your guide will take you on a short hike to get a better view over the mountains, glacier ice and steaming hot springs. Then relax in a unique river that is a blend of cool spring water and underground hot springs—it’s the perfect temperature for a bath. Depending on road and weather conditions, today’s tour might visit beautiful Thorsmork, a beloved nature getaway for Icelandic families. Start with a visit to the elegant Seljalandsfoss waterfall.

South Coast and Ice Cave Tour Option:

On your own, transfer to the meeting point of the tour where the tour’s minibus will pick you up.

Enjoy the beautiful scenery of South Iceland on the way to Vik town, where you’ll meet your local glacier guide and board a specially outfitted SuperJeep. Drive scenic back roads to Kotlujokull, a glacier “finger” crawling from Myrdalsjokull glacier. Here you’ll get a safety briefing and gear up with a helmet, headlamp and crampons. Take an invigorating 10 – 15-minute glacier hike to a genuine ice cave. You’ll certainly marvel at the cave’s magnificent colors and crazy shapes! You’ll learn how Katla volcano helped shape the ice cave. There will also be time to take pictures.

Continue your glacier hike, hunting for secret waterfalls and glacier canyons. You’ll also visit one or two other ice caves depending on the current conditions of the glacier. Your local glacier guides are experts in finding the best caves available.

Hike back to the SuperJeep and drive to a private black sand beach off the beaten path and away from the crowds. You’ll then visit the actual film set of Star Wars Rogue One’s opening scenes, along with filming locations for Transformers, Noah and Oblivion.

Head back to Reykjavik, stopping at the two famous waterfalls of Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss. Return to Reykjavik in the evening. Maximum tour size: 12 participants ▪ Level of difficulty: Moderate

Head back to Reykjavik, enjoying more amazing scenery and learning amazing facts about Iceland.

Overnight in Reykjavik.

Breakfast at your hotel.

Transfer to the international airport for your departure flight. Airport transfer is not included, but we are happy to help you arrange shared or private transfers.  We recommend you depart your hotel no later than three hours before your departure flight.