Off-the-Beaten-Path 8-Day Summer Vacation Package | Iceland’s South Coast, Westfjords & Highlands

Welcome to Iceland! It's your first day back in the country, the first day of your new adventure, and as you land at Keflavik International Airport, don't be surprised to feel a rush of adrenaline and anticipation.

Thanks to your itinerary, you'll already have your open bus ticket readily available, making your transfer to Iceland's capital city, Reykjavik, easy. This ticket covers transfers to and from the city at the beginning and end of your time here.

You could stop at the Blue Lagoon on your way to Iceland's capital city. This world-renowned spa is known for its healing waters, vivid azure colors, and luxurious treatments. It's in the middle of a moss-covered lava field, giving it an otherworldly atmosphere.

If you add the Blue Lagoon, it will be arranged according to your flights. If there's no time to visit the lagoon today, it can be added to another day. Your travel consultant will be able to arrange this for you. There's plenty to see and do in Reykjavik if you have extra free time.

Sit back and relax as you are driven the short ride to your accommodation in the capital. As you watch from the coach window, you'll be staggered by the sheer wealth of natural beauty on the Reykjanes peninsula, a region of cragged volcanic fields and ancient mountainscapes.

When you finally arrive at your accommodation, the rest of the day is free, so spend it as you see fit. Now that you're back in one of the most charming cities in Europe, why not spend some time sightseeing the cultural landmarks, such as the Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Center, Hallgrimskirkja church, or the Perlan observation deck?

Or, if you're looking to meet the Icelanders, head out to taste the city's vibrant nightlife, check out a local gallery opening, or even take in a show. The choice is entirely up to you.

With the South Coast fully discovered, it's time to set your sights on one of the country's lesser-visited regions, the almighty Westfjords.

You'll first catch a flight from Reykjavik domestic airport to the charming village of Bildudalur in the Westfjords, where you'll meet your guides for the next two days. After boarding your iconic super jeep, it's time to let the adventure begin!

The day's first stop will be at the Latrabjarg birdwatching cliffs, home to a wide variety of bird species, including Skuas, Guillemots, Arctic Terns, and Atlantic puffins. Because this area is a protected reserve and lacks Arctic Foxes, birdlife has thrived here, making it a must for bird lovers visiting the country.

Latrabjarg stands as Europe's westernmost point, extending 8.75 miles (14 kilometers) and dropping dramatically into the sea with heights up to 1,447 feet (440 meters). The sheer scale and magnitude of these cliffs are nothing short of awe-inspiring, and they offer not just unparalleled birdwatching opportunities but also breathtaking panoramas of the vast Atlantic.

Given the sheer number of volcanic, black sand beaches in Iceland, Raudasandur ("Red Sands") is one of the few exceptions to the rule, offering up a tiny slice of the Mediterranean here with its golden sands and pretty scenery.

The beach stretches for miles, painting a stark contrast against the azure waters of the Atlantic and the green, rugged cliffs that border it. Raudasandur's uniqueness doesn't end with its color; it's also a haven of tranquility, often less crowded than many of Iceland's other attractions. As the tide recedes, it reveals a vast expanse perfect for strolls, where every step reveals delicate seashells and traces of marine life.

The day concludes with bathing in a natural hot spring, relaxing your muscles and mind for your next day in the gorgeous Westfjords. You'll stay in Westfjords accommodation in a private room with an en suite bathroom tonight.

Today, you'll experience the many joys in the Icelandic Central Highlands, an area of colorful rhyolite mountain slopes, trickling glacial rivers, and cragged canyons. The Central Highlands are only accessible during the summer, making this a must for visitors who have only traveled to Iceland during winter.

Landmannalaugar ("The Pools of the People") is widely considered to be the best location for hiking trails in the whole of Iceland. Not only does it boast the incredible Laugavegur trail, but also countless other smaller hikes and scenic attractions. Thankfully, you'll tackle this region in a monster 4-wheel-drive, a well-equipped vehicle for handling the Highlands' rough gravel roads.

As its name suggests, Landmannalaugar is known for its abundant geothermal hot pools, perfect for hot spring bathing after a long day's hike. Remember your swimsuit and towel, because you can't get more Icelandic than this!

The landscape here is truly otherworldly, marked by rhyolite mountains that shift from pink to brown, green, and yellow. The contrasting vibrant hues, often enhanced by snow patches, create a surreal palette, making it a dream destination for photographers. Besides its colorful mountains, the area's vast lava fields and steaming vents offer a glimpse into the raw geothermal power of Iceland.

Alternatively to Landmannalaugar, you could opt for a day tour to Thorsmork valley, equally famed for its incredible natural landscapes. You can choose between an affordable 4WD bus trip or a more intimate super jeep version of either route. 

Thorsmork, named after the Norse god Thor, is a lush oasis surrounded by glaciers and rugged terrain. This sanctuary, with its intertwined rivers, lush meadows, and jagged canyons, offers a contrasting beauty to the icy realms of Iceland. The valley is a favorite among hikers, providing numerous trails that lead to panoramic viewpoints and hidden natural gems.

Due to the accessibility of mountain roads, tours to the highlands are available from June. If the highland options are not available during your travel dates, your travel agent will find something else to your liking.

After an unforgettable day trip traversing Iceland's wild landscapes, your driver will take you back to Reykjavik, where you'll spend the night.

Today, there's a variety of memorable experiences available to you. If you opt for the most famous spa in Iceland, the Blue Lagoon, it will be arranged on this day for you to relax after many days of outdoor adventure.

The Blue Lagoon is the perfect location to start wrapping up your holiday, allowing you to sit back, soak, relax, and reflect on your incredible vacation. The spa boasts serene, aquamarine, and geothermally heated water. It's also abundant in healing silica mud, known for its excellent medicinal properties on the skin.

The Blue Lagoon also has a restaurant, bistro, and bar, with massages, face masks, and local products available. When your time at the spa is over, you can spend the rest of your day exploring Reykjavik.

Those not yet ready to abandon the physical adventure can move their Blue Lagoon visit to their arrival or departure day and opt for one of several exciting tours.

One option is a riding trip on the back of the renowned Icelandic horse, a breed known for its reliability, pony-like stature, and five unique gaits.

Horseback riding in Iceland offers the opportunity to see the countryside in an entirely new way, a fact that is just as true for your second possible tour option—a geothermal helicopter tour! Flying high over Iceland's eclectic landscapes, you'll quickly realize that “flightseeing” is, perhaps, the most luxurious and breathtaking means of taking in the country's features.

Other options for this day include a trip inside the dormant caldera of Thrihnukagigur volcano. To experience the array of startling colors and intricate rock formations here, you'll first take a scenic hike in the surrounding area before descending into the volcano's underbelly by the elevator shaft. Where else but Iceland could such a thing be possible?

Your final option is to take a whole day to the gorgeous, mystical, and distinctive Snaefellsnes peninsula, an area known for its rugged coastlines, volcanic craters, and fascinating history. Traveling here, you'll experience such features as the Snaefellsjokull glacier (as made famous in Jules Verne's "Journey to the Centre of the Earth"), the Londrangar bird cliffs, and Djupalonssandur black pebble beach.

You'll spend your final evening at accommodation in Reykjavik.