3 Day - Volcano Adventure and Iceland’s Highlands

Duration

3 Day

Tour Type

Multiday Tours

Group Size

Minimum Age

8 years

3 Day – Volcano Adventure and Iceland’s Highlands

This tour includes three fabulous days of exploring. Discover the Vestmannaeyjar Islands and Stórhöfði Cape and hike up Mt. Eldfell Volcano, and get some views of waterfalls, such as Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. On this tour, you will have a chance to see the Lakagígar craters that were formed during one of the biggest volcanic eruptions in historical times. And finally, we will visit Landmannalaugar, a gem of the highlands. At Landmannalaugar, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the lava field Laugahraun, hike to colorful Mt. Brennisteinsalda and/or soak in a natural geothermal pool.

Details

Highlights

Vestmannaeyjar Islands
Puffin Watching
Hiking
Eldheimar Museum
Mt. Eldfell, South Coast of Iceland
Vík Village
Kirkjubæjarklaustur
Eldhraun Lava Fields
Mt. Laki
Lakagígar Craters
Eldgjá Volcano Canyon
Landmannalaugar
Iceland Highlands
Hjálparfoss Waterfall

Included

Pick-up & Drop-off in Reykjavík
2 Nights of Hotel Accommodation w/ Private Bathroom and Breakfast
Guided Small-Group Experience
Eldheimar Museum Admission
Vestmannaeyjar Ferry
Landmannalaugar Facility Fees

On the first day of your tour, you'll be picked up from your accommodation in Reykjavík, and we'll head towards southern Iceland. Our first stop is Landeyjarhöfn harbor, where you'll take a 30-minute ferry ride to the Vestmannaeyjar Islands. Once we arrive, we’ll head straight to Stórhöfði Cape, located at the southernmost tip of the main island. This spot offers a great chance to get up close to the island’s famous residents—the Atlantic puffins. Next, we'll visit the Eldheimar Museum, dedicated to the volcanic eruption of 1973, which forced the island’s residents to evacuate in the middle of the night. After exploring the museum, you’ll have the option to hike up Mt. Eldfell Volcano or spend some time in the town before we catch the ferry back to the mainland. Upon returning to the mainland, we’ll drive along the south coast, passing beautiful waterfalls like Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, and the famous Mt. Eyjafjallajökull, which erupted in 2010 and caused major disruptions to air travel across Europe and North America. We’ll make a stop in the picturesque village of Vík, where you’ll have time to explore or stroll down to the black sand beach. From Vík, we’ll drive through the Eldhraun lava fields before reaching your hotel for the night.

Day Highlights

Vestmannaeyjar Islands
Stórhöfði Cape
Eldheimar Museum
Mt. Eldfell Volcano
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Skógafoss Waterfall

Included

Guided Minibus Tour
One night at a hotel

After breakfast, the adventure continues at the stunning Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon. Hiking along the canyon feels like stepping into a fairy tale with its dramatic landscape. After exploring the canyon, we’ll head into a more remote part of Iceland, to Laki and Lakagígar, located within the UNESCO-listed Vatnajökull National Park. Once we reach Mt. Laki, we’ll hike to the top of the volcano, where you’ll be rewarded with amazing views of the surrounding area. You’ll also see the Lakagígar craters, which were formed during the massive volcanic eruption of 1783-1784, one of the largest in recorded history. The eruption and its ash cloud caused widespread famine in Europe, which some believe played a role in sparking the French Revolution. We’ll then drive through the highlands, making a few short stops along the way before returning to the main road. Our next stop is the small village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, where you'll have some free time to explore. You can visit Systrafoss Waterfall, Systrastapi Rock, or Kirkjugólf (Church Floor), a fascinating area with basalt columns and stone slabs. Afterward, it’s a short drive back to the hotel.

Day Highlights

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
Laki and Lakagígar
Kirkjubæjarklaustur
Systrafoss Waterfall
Systrastapi Rock
Kirkjugólf

Included

Breakfast at the hotel
Guided Minibus Tour
One night in a hotel

After breakfast and checking out of the hotel, we'll hit the road again, heading back toward Reykjavík. But this time, we’ll take the scenic F road, Fjallabaksleið nyrðri, to explore some less-traveled spots. Our first stop is Eldgjá Canyon, part of the same volcanic system as Katla Volcano. This massive canyon, the largest of its kind in the world, stretches about 40 km, is 600 meters wide, and reaches depths of 270 meters. We’ll take a hike through the canyon and visit Ófærufoss Waterfall. Next, we’ll continue our journey toward Landmannalaugar, one of the true gems of the highlands. Here, you’ll have the chance to explore the vast Laugahraun lava field, hike up to the colorful Mt. Brennisteinsalda, or take a relaxing soak in a natural geothermal pool. After spending a couple of hours enjoying the beauty of Landmannalaugar, we’ll begin our return to Reykjavík. Before reaching the city, we’ll stop at Hjálparfoss Waterfall, located in the stunning Þjórsárdalur Valley. Finally, we’ll arrive back in Reykjavík in the evening, where you’ll be dropped off at your preferred location.