Your Escape Details
Join our custom designed 6 day Ring Road of Iceland Tour!
Iceland has tons of hidden gems that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Experience the contrast of fire and ice, erupting geysers, glacier lagoons, exploring breathtaking waterfalls and even an ice cave. Every night we will be on the lookout for those elusive Northern Lights. Be sure to pack your sense of adventure and get ready to feel Iceland under your feet.
6 days Reykjavik to Reykjavik
Tour dates – November 15 – 21, 2020
Our small group tours are specifically curated to bring you deeply into the destination. Food, drink, people, customs and soft adventure activities to get you close to the natural surroundings. Specifically on this trip you will experience Iceland in winter, hike in caves, soak in hot springs, and experience lots of waterfalls.
Our service is second to none, from your decision to join our tour, throughout the trip and when you get home, we will be there for you.
Each escape brings you experiences you wouldn’t find on your own.
Other Dates Available, Please Call
As we hunt for the Northern Lights at night, your days will be filled with amazing experiences and scenery.
- Golden Circle Highlights: Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Seljalandsfoss and more
- Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
- Walk Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
- Soak in Mývatn nature baths
- Glacier hike and cave tour
- East fjords
- Dettifoss waterfall, Krafla crater and more
- North coast Akureyri town tour
- Western region Deildartunguhver, Hraunfossar falls and more
Please note, it will be out of season to do the whale watch. Some itinerary changes may occur due to weather.
Escape With Us
Our escapes are unique in offering you an adventure filled itinerary with a local flavor. We work with local guides, planners and connections to make sure you do, see and even eat and drink things you may not have even thought of on your own.
Small Groups
We keep our groups small so we get to know each other and travel together, unified by the destination and our experiences. Often lifelong friendships are forged. If anything, our growing group of like minded travelers start traveling together on future trips. “Where should we go next?” is often the last question asked as we depart for home.
Are you traveling solo? It is our pleasure to welcome you to our small group. We will match you with another solo traveler of the same gender. If you wish, you may choose to pay a solo supplement to have your own room. Please check for availability.
For each trip, you will be invited to our Facebook group so you can chat with fellow travelers, dream about the upcoming trip together, maybe prepare together, hiking, practice a useful skill, etc. Usually, we also organize a get together about a month before the trip to share information, pass out travel documents, and ‘break the ice’ so when we embark on our trip we already know each other a bit. If you don’t live in the area, no worries, we will Skype you into the party and mail you your travel documents.
Why negotiate and plan yourself. Even the best guidebook can’t give you the freedom to embrace and immerse yourself in the destination. Enjoy the pleasure of travel without having to think about the details, leave the planning to us, your job is to fully embrace the journey without the hassles! We are so happy you are considering being our guest and can’t wait to deliver your fantastic experience!
Itinerary
11/15 Day 1 Golden Circle
Our tour begins at Keflavik Airport as you arrive to Iceland you will join our coach to begin our tour.
Consider arriving one day earlier and stay overnight in Reykjavík to settle in before the tour starts. Walk down to explore the Reykjavík harbour, or visit the Harpa museum. There is lots to do in Reykjavik.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle, departing Keflavik and heading to the Golden Circle, starting with Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site, where you will experience a natural wonder on an international scale. Thingvellir is part of a fissure zone running through Iceland where the tectonic faults created by the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates shifting apart.
Then head to the iconic Gullfoss Waterfall, famed for it’s scale and beauty. One of the most impressive waterfalls in Iceland, cascades over three “steps” before spilling into a large crevice. Fed by a glacier lake, the water passing through the falls can be a dark grey depending on how much sediment gets pushed through the river.
Then on to Geysir where you will see a variety of geothermal pools and the erupting hot spring Strokkur. Geysir is one of the oldest geysers recorded in the world, but is most often dormant. Strokkur erupts a spray of boiling hot water straight into the air about every ten minutes.
In the evening, head out near the hotel in search of the Northern Lights. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and sightings will be dependent on weather conditions.
Meals included: Dinner
Accommodation Hotel Katla (or similar)
11/16 Day 2 Skaftafell and the Glacier Lagoon
Today we explore the atmospheric Reynisfjara black sand beach with the glorious Reynisdrangar peaks and visit the basalt column cave. Then it is over to the glaciers!
We pass the great Mýrdalsjökull glacier, which houses one of the most famous and feared volcanoes beneath its ice, the capricious Katla. In good visibility, you will get a glimpse of the great fire maestro! Witness the results of previous volcanic eruptions as we drive across the Eldhraun lava field to Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park. Skaftafell is a true oasis, with green birch forests and lush vegetation, a verdant jewel in the midst of the rough black sand desert.
We will embark on an Ice caving and glacier hiking adventure on the mighty Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier. Ice caves are naturally formed and are for that reason ever changing, making them even more charming and unique. The cave you visit on this tour is located quite high up on the glacier so a glacier hike is needed in order reach it adding even more excitement to the whole glacier experience.
Next on the agenda is the famous Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Gaze in wonder at the magical iceberg-filled lagoon and see the famous Diamond Beach, its coal-black sands peppered with the glittering crystal, blue/white icebergs which have been washed ashore. You will feel you are in a film scene, and in a way you will be – footage of James Bond and other movies has been shot here.
Our accommodation for the night will be in the Höfn area, known as the lobster capital of Iceland. Slip away from the guesthouse tonight to chase the Northern Lights.
Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner
Accommodation Hotel Smyrlabjorg (or similar)
11/17 Day 3 East Fjords
Today we will explore the East Fjords of Iceland. We continue threading our way along the coastline, driving some narrow roads around Hvalnes, a very beautiful and remote peninsula, and the stretch around the Þvottárskriður landslides between Lóns and Álftafjarðar.
We will stop at Djúpivogur, a traditional small fishing village which is also home to a fine outdoor sculpture, Eggin í Gleðivík (meaning The Eggs of Merry Bay). There is then an invigorating hike to Hengifoss, Iceland’s second highest waterfall (128 m), we will also see the towering Litlanesfoss waterfall, the cascade is framed by giant hexagonal basalt columns. The hike takes about three hours in total. You will see a beautiful gorge where the layers from volcanic eruptions in ancient times can be seen in the colorful rock face.
Following our hike we travel to Egilsstaðir, the night will be spent in a country hotel in the area. And of course, we will search for the Northern Lights.
Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner
Accommodation Lake Hotel Egilstadir
11/18 Day 4 Dettifoss – Mývatn – Goðafoss – Akureyri
Today we are on our way to the north of the country. From Egilsstaðir, we drive over the wilderness around Möðrudalur, the highest farm in Iceland for generations and now the highest inhabited place and restaurant, at 469 m. We will stop at Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall, the voluminous flow is truly awesome!
We then explore the mystical landscapes around the lake at Mývatn – from here it just gets more surreal – we head to the steaming lunar landscapes of the Námaskarð geothermal area. See boiling hot springs, steaming fumaroles and technicolor bubbling mud pots. The wonders continue when we visit the Hverfjall crater and the amazing Dimmuborgir formations, known as the Dark Castles!
The next stop is at Mývatn Nature Baths, in Icelandic these are called Jarðbóðin because the hot water comes straight up out of the earth. Mývatn Nature Baths, giving you the opportunity to bathe in the hot spring pools. Bathing is an optional extra activity but we highly recommend you book it beforehand to reserve your spot! Here you can bathe in the mineral-rich alkaline water (36 – 40 C), the entrance fee can be added when booking or paid on site. For those do not wish to bathe, there is the option to stroll around and enjoy the exceptional views or relax in the cafeteria, there is a sun terrace for fine days! The wide and dreamy crescent-shaped waterfall, Goðafoss, is the last stop of the day before we journey to Eyjafjörður, an outstandingly beautiful fjord with high mountains.
Our accommodation for the night will be at a country hotel near Akureyri. From November to March, your guide will help you find Northern Lights viewing areas near the hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner
Accommodation Hotel Nordurland (or similar)
11/19 Day 5 Akureyri, Skaga Fjord and moving west to south
Akureyri is often named the capital of North Iceland. It’s by far the biggest town outside of the capital area, this morning we will take a walking tour around the city to see what it has to offer.
We will begin our drive west and south to make the full loop of Iceland. We will pass through Skaga Fjord, which is part of the Greenland Sea area and lies between two peninsulas off the Northwest coast.
Grábrók is a crater formed by a fissure eruption approximately three thousand years ago. If time allows we will hike the path to the top of the crater which is about 170 meters high and take in the view of the most beautiful part of the western region of Iceland.
Today’s drive will be through an area which Lonely Planet voted as one of the best destinations in 2016. We will see lots of Icelandic horses, agricultural areas, and more amazing scenery.
Of course we will continue our hunt for the Northern Lights. Hopefully we will have seen them many nights already. But just in case we haven’t, there are still two more nights full of opportunity.
Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner
Accommodation Hotel Bifrost (or similar)
11/20 Day 5 West Iceland Highlights
On this, our final tour day, we will travel south through West Iceland back to Reykjavik.
Borgarfjörður has many splendid sights and we will focus on these today. We stop at Deildartunguhver hot spring, the legendary waterfall, Barnafoss, (the Children´s Waterfall), and the Hraunfossar cascade, the atmospheric very low and wide falls where the water emerges, literally straight out of the lava field.
Tonight we are dropped off in Reykjavik. We will say goodbye to our amazing tour guide! We are overnight in Reykjavik. We have free time from now until our flight, which departs tomorrow morning. Enjoy exploring the city, maybe plan a visit to the Blue Lagoon. If the weather is good, you can join a whale watch out of Reykjavik harbor. Or just relax in a cafe and enjoy the city.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation Fosshotel Lind (or similar)
11/21 Day 7 – Reykjavik
Today you are on your own to explore until your flight departs. There are public buses to get you to the airport or we can help you arrange private transportation if desired.
Your Investment
Your Investment is $2575 per person based on double occupancy. (we will match same gender roommates) If you want your own room, please contact us for the single supplement fee.
The deposit to hold your space is $350 per person. Final Payment is on August 28, 2020.
If you prefer to make payments, please contact us and we will arrange a plan that works.
Your Trip Includes
- English speaking driver-guide
- Accommodations as listed in itinerary
- 5 breakfasts and 5 dinners
- Tours as listed in the itinerary
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Admission to Myvatn Nature Baths
- Into the Glacier – hike and ice cave tour
- Glacier hike equipment, crampons, harnesses, ice axes, helmets
Your Trip Does Not Include
- International Flights (flights from Boston in the range of $400 per person)
- Meals not listed in itinerary
- Airport transfers
- Travel insurance
- Optional tours
- Gratuities
How We Make Your Escape Awesome!
We are ready to answer your questions throughout the process via phone or email.
Once you sign up and pay your deposit:
- We will send you a link to your My Trips account. You can view your trip details any time from your PC or Mobile Phone.
- We will send you arrival and departure details so you can make your flight arrangements.
- We will email you your final payment reminder about 1 week before it is due.
- About two-three months before the trip we will send significant details like packing lists, further itinerary details, etc.
- One month before the trip we will mail you your travel documents (or pass them out at a gathering for those local).
Facebook Group
You will be invited to a private Facebook group where you can meet, virtually, your fellow travelers, discuss the trip, make any preparation plans together, and share your excitement.
Our groups are typically 10-15 travelers. We aren’t a ‘big bus’ tour and don’t want to be. We don’t just look out the window and drive by the sights. Typically, our tours are custom and private. The advantage is, we can say, ‘stop here, we want to see this’ and we can stop and explore, even if it isn’t in the plan. Yes, we have an itinerary, but we also feel it’s important to take advantage of unexpected moments that arise. We attract travelers who are flexible and adventurous. A bit of spontaneity is a good thing!
You should know, our travelers are like you, they don’t want a canned tour, they like a sense of freedom on their trip, they understand the value of flexibility in travel, and they love the idea of working with a planning team that understands and respects their travel values.
So, Is this Trip for You?
- You love traveling with like minded people and a tour company that is focused on traveling deeply into a destination, knowing how to read the group and make the best decisions for a perfect trip.
- You find joy in trying new things, food, activities, etc.
- Plans are good, and important to a great trip, however, flexibility sometimes brings a deeper experience and it’s OK with you.
- You enjoy meeting and traveling with new people.
- Some moderate physical activity will bring you the memories that make your trip special.
This Trip is Not for You If…
- Travel is stressful and sometimes you find yourself anxious and frustrated when things don’t go perfectly as planned.
- New things, new situations, aren’t really your thing.
- You don’t like trying unusual local foods.
- You feel uncomfortable and unsafe in places that are ‘foreign’ to Western culture.
- Too much walking for long distances is tough.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often will I change accommodations during the trip?
You will change accommodations each night as we travel the full circumference of Iceland.
Can I extend my stay?
Absolutely, adding a pre or post stay always enhances a trip. You spent the money to get there, why not stay a while? We will be happy to help you make plans.
What airport do I fly into and out of?
You will fly round trip to Reykjavik.
What are VISA requirements for these countries?
There are no visa requirements for Iceland.
What type of currency is used in these countries?
The currency used in Iceland is the Króna, however, credit cards are the standard form of payment for pretty much anything throughout the country.
Who do I contact for other questions and travel advice?
Call us at 860-779-6531 or send an email to lwhittemore@cruiseplanners.com
What is the age group of my potential fellow travelers?
Our guests typically range in age from 45-75. They tend to be of an age where they are either already retired and traveling is an objective for them, or are getting close. There are some tours that attract a younger group, sometimes adult children of a traveler in the group will join the tour.
Groups tend to be predominantly female, although we are wanting a good mix of men and woman, solo and couples traveling.
In any case, our travelers are in good health, active and adventurous.
I’m not a tour person, will this be too much of a standard tour for me?
No worries here, your fellow travelers feel exactly the same way and so do we, your tour curators. Of course there are some parts of our tours that are standard, we travel often by a van or motor coach, we eat together and do activities together. What makes us different, are two critical things, we don’t like traditional touring either, we work hard to be different. And two, you will always have the opportunity to choose. If you want to do something on your own or different than the group plan, you are welcome to do that.
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