Magical 11-Day Ring Road Summer Vacation Package with Experienced Local Guide

On day two, you'll be picked up in Reykjavik in the morning, and your guided tour will start with the classic Golden Circle, Iceland's best-known sightseeing route.

You'll start at Thingvellir National Park, the original site of Althingi, the Icelandic parliament founded by Vikings in 930 AD. In the area's more recent history, the park's moss-covered lava formations were used as a location for the HBO series Game of Thrones. 

At Thingvellir, you can walk between two continents as the park is in a rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

Then, your driver will take you a short distance to the Geysir geothermal area, where you'll find the geyser Strokkur, known to erupt every 5-10 minutes. Ensure you have your camera ready when the hot spring shoots a jet of boiling-hot water as high as 66 feet (20 meters) in the air. You'll also marvel at boiling mud pits and steaming fumaroles in this otherworldly landscape.

Last but certainly not least in the Golden Circle trilogy is the Gullfoss waterfall. The vast amount of glacial water plummeting down the 105-foot (32-meter) high rockface into the canyon below is a spectacular sight. It boasts an impressive 459 cubic feet (140 cubic meters) of water surging down per second, something best experienced during summer.

A favorite among photographers, you can capture the “Golden Falls” from several angles. Many say it's Iceland's most beautiful waterfall, which says a lot in a country full of spectacular cascades.

You will also stop at Efstidalur Farm. This family-owned attraction is a working dairy farm boasting some of the freshest and most delicious ice creams you'll ever taste, made with milk straight from the farm.

Your second day in Iceland will end at your cozy accommodation in the area. There, you can relax and prepare for the next day of exploration.

Get ready for an amazing adventure along the stunning South Coast!

Today's journey promises a mix of captivating sights, from towering mountains and glaciers to the vast Atlantic Ocean and sprawling fields where cows and sheep freely roam.

If you couldn't get enough of the Gullfoss waterfall yesterday, you're in for a treat today. You’ll witness not one, but two magnificent waterfalls, each standing about 197 feet (60 meters) tall.

First up is the charming Seljalandsfoss. What makes it special is the pathway that lets you stroll behind the waterfall's shimmering curtain. It's like stepping into a fairy tale, so have your camera ready to capture this magical moment.

Then, there's the thunderous Skogafoss, which sends a refreshing mist far and wide. You can get up close to this beauty as the terrain around it is pretty flat. If you're feeling adventurous, climb the nearby staircase for a bird's-eye view of the breathtaking cascade.

And if that's not enough, you can choose to explore an ice cave today. Ice caves are like stepping into a crystal palace, with walls adorned in stunning white and blue patterns. This is a rare opportunity to visit one of Iceland's few ice caves accessible in the summer.

Next on our list is the Dyrholaey sea arch, a rocky bridge extending into the sea. From here, you'll have an incredible view of the surrounding landscape, and if you're lucky, you might spot adorable puffins nesting on the cliffs during the summer.

Continuing along the coastline, you'll come across the famous Reynisfjara black sand beach. This unique beach, with its dark sands and towering lava formations known as Reynisdrangar, could inspire your inner poet or simply provide some fantastic photo opportunities for your Instagram.

As the day winds down, you'll find comfortable accommodations in South Iceland. It's the perfect place to rest and reflect on the incredible sights you've experienced along Iceland's captivating South Coast.

Day four's main attraction is the “Crown Jewel of Iceland,” Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.

It is, however, not the only precious site of the day. In and around Vatnajokull National Park, you'll see stunning landscapes created by the mighty Vatnajokull glacier, such as black sands, rivers of glacial water, and some of the country's highest peaks.

Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon is a spectacular sight to behold. Icebergs from a nearby glacier float on the tranquil lagoon, displaying blue and white shapes. The grandeur of the location seems to go unnoticed by the relaxed seals that hang out on the banks of the lagoon.

If traveling between May and October, you can take a boat ride on the lagoon for an up-close view of the icebergs. Sailing between the giant, natural ice sculptures on Jokulsarlon's mirror-like surface is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in this natural wonder and capture excellent photos.

A short distance away, the Diamond Beach awaits you. The beautiful icebergs from Jokulsarlon have washed ashore, creating the illusion of gigantic diamonds on the pitch-black beach. The contrast is impressive, and you'll have plenty of time to bask in your surroundings and take photographs for lasting memories.

Today, you'll also take in the splendor of the Skaftafell Nature Reserve, a beautiful part of the country that sits within Vatnajokull National Park. From here, you'll go on a glacier hike, included in the package price.

Your expert guide will fit you with the necessary gear and take you up on the icy slopes to see the incredible views from the glacier's peak. During your journey, you'll marvel at intriguing ice formations and dramatic crevasses, a landscape that will be etched in your mind for years.

In the evening, you'll retire to your accommodation in the Southeast Iceland area, ready for another exciting day tomorrow.

Further exploration of East Iceland as you move towards the North awaits you on day six.

You can secure admission to the Vok Baths when booking your package, a stunning spa immersed in a lake by Egilsstadir.

Otherwise, you'll see Dettifoss waterfall, Asbyrgi canyon, Husavik town, and Lake Myvatn. These attractions are called the Diamond Circle, a sort of northeastern equivalent of the Golden Circle you saw down south.

First on the list is Dettifoss, a mighty cascade that boasts the highest volume of any waterfall in Europe. This 144-foot (44-meter) high waterfall has been featured in films such as Ridley Scott's movie Prometheus, but its true magnetism can only be felt by visiting it in person.

The second location visited on this day is Asbyrgi, a luscious canyon shaped like a horseshoe. Specifically, this shape is said to have been left there by Odin's eight-legged horse, Sleipnir, from Norse Mythology. The canyon is 0.68 miles (1.1 kilometers) wide, 2.2 miles (3.5 kilometers) long, and has cliffs up to 328 feet (100 meters) tall towering over it.

After Asbyrgi, you'll go to Husavik, a quaint fishing town. With a little over 2,000 people living in Husavik year-round, it just about manages to reach the population to be considered a town rather than a village. Yet, it very much looks like a cute little village.

In Husavik, there are many fascinating places to visit, including Husavikurkirkja, a wooden church dating back to 1907, and the Husavik Whale Museum.

Today's next stop is in the Myvatn region, named after a gorgeous lake surrounded by stirring landscapes. You will visit Namaskard pass, a geothermal area by the Mountain Namafjall, where white pillars of steam rise into the air and give the whole region a Mars-like look.

You'll then head towards the “Capital of the North,” Akureyri. On the way, you'll stop at a momentous waterfall called Godafoss, “The Waterfall of the Gods.”

After an incredible day, it's time to rest in North Iceland for the evening.

On day eight, the many gems of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula await you. Also known as “Iceland in Miniature,” this is a fantastic region to explore due to the many distinct and breathtaking attractions. The peninsula is home to Kirkjufell mountain, Djupalonssandur beach, the awe-inspiring Snaefellsjokull glacier, and several charming towns and villages.

Outside Grundarfjordur town is one of Iceland's most recognizable landmarks, the extremely photogenic mountain Kirkjufell. Game of Thrones fans might recognize it as “the mountain like an arrowhead,” which the Hound sees in a vision. Kirkjufell is often photographed from an angle that also captures the waterfall Kirkjufellsfoss.

Kirkjufell isn't the only Snaefellsnes landmark featured in popular culture. The Snaefellsjokull glacier plays a pivotal role in Jules Verne's science fiction novel “Journey to the Center of the Earth.” In the story, a scientist believes you can reach the earth's center through volcanic tubes in Snaefellsjokull. Sadly, the science behind that isn't exactly sound.

However, you can add your own underground adventure to the day. A cave exploration in the Vidgelmir lava tube is a fantastic way to connect with Iceland's hidden volcanic nature.

Vidgelmir, the largest lava tube in Iceland, is a testament to the country's volcanic activity, created around 1100 years ago by a massive volcanic eruption. As you descend into its depths, you're led along a safe path by experienced guides illuminating the tube's striking features, such as enormous lava stalactites and stalagmites.

The interior is breathtaking, adorned with unique rock formations and vivid mineral colors. This journey beneath the surface, exploring a naturally formed lava cave, provides a unique perspective on Iceland's geological wonders that few get to experience.

After a day filled with awe-inspiring sights and discoveries, you'll head to your accommodation in West Iceland to get some well-deserved rest before embarking on more adventures tomorrow.