What follows is a sample itinerary based on the Budget Scheme.
Day 1: |
Fly from the UK to Keflavik and transfer to the Blue Lagoon where you can take a dip in the milky blue geothermal waters of Iceland's most famous attraction. Continue to your accommodation in Reykjavik for evening meal and overnight stay. |
Day 2: |
Meet your guide and travel east to the geothermal greenhouses at Hveragerdi, the former volcanic crater, Kerid and the Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Station located on the edge of the rift valley. Continue to Geysir where Iceland's most reliable geyser Strokkur spouts every 5 minutes or so. Witness the immense power of Gullfoss as it falls in two stages into Hvita River. Overnight on a farm. |
Day 3: |
Drive to the northern end of Thingvellir to explore the rift valley before entering the barren Kaldidalur passing between the two shield volcanoes of Skjaldbreidur and Ok. Descend to Husafell and visit the unusual Barnafoss and Hraunfossar falls before settling in to your hotel at Reykholt, an important site in the Sagas. |
Day 4: |
Visit the volcanic area around Baula, the town of Borgarnes and the circular volcanic tuff ring, Eldborg. Field studies can then be carried out in one of two glacial valleys affected by lava flows before moving west to your farmstay accommodation. |
Day 5: |
Reaching Snaefellsnes study the very varied coastline around the peninsula taking in the sand beach at Budir, the cliffs at Arnarstapi and the postglacial lava coast at the western end of the peninsula. Witness the acid intrusions and lavas of the Setberg peninsula and the extraordinary landscape of the Berkerkjahraun lavas. Between June and mid August it is also possible to take a whale-watching cruise from Olafsvik before returning to Reykjavik for overnight stay. |
Day 6: |
You may like to spend time in the capital sightseeing and shopping or possibly join a three-hour whale watching trip from Reykjavik harbour between April and October. Alternatively visit the Krisuvik geothermal area on the way to Keflavik for the return flight. |