INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR TOUR
3-DAY SOUTH COAST & GOLDEN CIRCLE ADVENTURE
Luggage Allowance:
For multi-day tours, each participant is allowed to bring a small backpack and 1 piece of luggage weighing a maximum of 20 kg (44 lbs). If you have more or heavier luggage with you, you will need to book storage for the surplus luggage before you arrive with Arctic Adventures; there is a small fee for using this facility. Luggage storage in Reykjavík can be added during the booking process of your order in the extras section.
* The combined dimensions of each bag must not exceed 158 cm (62 in).
Meals
Breakfast is included at all the hotels we stay in during the tour. The breakfast will be a typical breakfast buffet, offering bread, toppings, cereal, yogurt, fruits, coffee, tea etc.
Your guide will also find a good place for the group to eat lunch. We always try to choose places that have a wide selection of dishes on the menu, so there will be options available for everyone. Dinner is not included, but the overnight hotel has a restaurant with a varied menu
Driving times: We drive on average around 300 km (186 miles) per day. You will be spending approximately 4-5 hours in the car each day. We do stop throughout the tour for sightseeing, activities, bathroom breaks, and lunch breaks
Accommodation: You will stay at a nice country hotel or guesthouse with made-up beds and private bathrooms. The standard room has twin beds, but it’s possible to request a room with a double bed in advance. All hotels have free Wi-Fi, towels, a hairdryer, and a kettle.
Remember to bring:
• Warm outdoor clothing including layers
• Thermal underwear (top and bottom)
• Waterproof jacket and pants
• Headwear
• Scarf
• Gloves
• Sturdy hiking boots (essential for glacier hiking since they are the only kind of footwear that fit ice crampons) *
• Sunglasses
• Reusable water bottle
• Mobile phone with universal power adapter (Type C/F plug for Iceland)
Recommended items:
• Lip balm (protects against Iceland’s cold, dry air)
• Sunscreen (UV rays can be strong, even in winter)
• Weatherproof camera
* Hiking boots for the glacier hike can be rented in the booking process or at the Glacier Guides Booking Centre in Skaftafell. We recommend renting in advance.
ITINERARY
Day 1: The Famous Golden Circle
Your 3-Day Golden Circle and South Coast tour begins with the famous Golden Circle: Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss. Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the historic location of the Icelandic Parliament, the Alþingi. Established in 930 AD, this is the oldest continuously operated Parliament in the world, situated in one of the most geologically fascinating places on the planet.
Þingvellir is home to a rift valley between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. Stand atop the Law Rock where the Law Speaker, the Parliament’s orator, would make speeches. The cliffs look out over Þingvallavatn, a very beautiful lake set within this incredible landscape.
Next, you’ll visit the geothermal wonder Geysir Geothermal Area. Geysir was once a magnificent geyser that lent its name to the English word “geyser.” Though now dormant, its neighbour Strokkur always delights. You won’t have to wait more than a few
minutes to see Strokkur burst forth scalding water skywards, jumping up to 25 metres high.
Finally, you’ll stop at Gullfoss (the Golden Falls), the most-visited waterfall in Iceland. Witness the powerful Hvítá (“White”) River roar down the two-tiered cliffs into the rugged canyon below. The force of the falls and the beauty of the surrounding golden mist are a remarkable sight
After the Golden Circle, you’ll head southward. On a clear day, you’ll get great views of Mount Hekla on the way to Seljalandsfoss, one of the most unusual waterfalls in the world. You can walk behind these graceful falls to enjoy the view from both sides.
Your hotel for the night will be in a fantastic area to catch the mesmerizing northern lights during the winter months if conditions are right. A little luck is very useful when it comes to auroras!
Overnight in Southeast Iceland.
Day 2: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon & Ice Caving
Breakfast at your hotel. In the morning, you’ll head east towards the magnificent Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and nearby Diamond Beach. The lagoon is filled with icebergs of all shapes and sizes, as they glide in a dreamlike procession towards the salty waves of the Atlantic. The multifaceted colours are caused by a combination of factors, including ice compression.
Many of them are washed ashore at the Diamond Beach, where they glitter like diamonds on the black sand. There’s nothing quite like walking on the beach as sunlight illuminates the beach with bright blue tones of the icebergs. Ocean birds are abundant and, if you’re lucky, you might spot a playful seal.
From Jökulsárlón, head to Skaftafell Nature Reserve for a new adventure. From You’ll join a certified glacier guide and step into the mesmerizing world of the Vatnajökull Glacier.
During your beautiful glacier hike, you’ll enter a natural ice cave where you’ll have some time to explore and take photos. Photographers will get the rare chance to capture mysterious blue light passing through glacial ice. On your walk, an expert guide will explain how these glacial ice formations came to be.
The ice cave you visit will be chosen based on current conditions. Including both ice cave and glacier hike exploration, you’ll spend roughly 2 hours on the ice. This tour is
suitable for people who can comfortably walk around 2 hours across easy outdoor terrain. Ice cave temperatures hover well below freezing, so don’t forget to dress warmly.
Overnight in Southeast Iceland.
Day 3: South Coast Sightseeing
After a nourishing breakfast, start your day slowly driving towards Reykjavik and making plenty of stops along the way. If the roads are clear, your group will take a quick detour to Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon.
Next, you’ll have the chance to visit the iconic Eldhraun lava field before heading to Reynisfjara black beach. The powerful waves of theAtlantic Ocean really show their force here. Watch as these roaring, white-tipped beauties crash onto the black beach. A word of warning – the waves here can be unpredictable! Always follow the advice of your tour guide.
You should pop into the black basalt cave before you leave the beach. Reynisfjara is famous for its basalt columns just off the shore, called the Reynisdrangar. Gazing up at these dramatic black pillars, you’ll get a good idea of where the legends of Icelandic troll folklore sprang from!
After Reynisfjara, your next stop will be a visit to Skógafoss, an impressive waterfall that drops into a tranquil pool below. There are 527 steps leading to the top, yet the steep climb is worth it for the panorama alone. The famous volcano, Eyjafjallajökull, lurks high above the waterfall, so if visibility is good, you’ll get a glimpse of this magnificent mountain glacier.
After enjoying your final stop at Skógafoss, your 3-Day Iceland’s South Coast tour comes to an end. Return to Reykjavík between 16:00 and 19:00 (4pm and 7pm), depending on the weather conditions