Jagerson Family
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
ARRIVAL ICELAND: A WARM WELCOME
Upon arrival at Keflavik International Airport, your private driver will pick you up and take you to the world-renowned Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa, located just 15 minutes from the airport. The Blue Lagoon has a mystical appearance, but its unique restorative powers are quite real and ideal for regaining your energy after a long flight. Your driver will wait for you until you are ready to leave. Usually one hour in the Lagoon is enough for most people.
Your driver will then drive you into the city to your lodging. You’ll have time to walk around Reykjavík city, perhaps have lunch close by until your apartment/hotel room is ready. Meet your hosts and review the program for the week to come!
Overnight in Reykjavík
Day 2
ÞJÓRSÁRDALUR AND ICELAND’S HIDDEN TREASURES
Spend the day in Thjorsardalur Valley, with its stunningly diverse and colorful landscapes. Hike in the beautiful fairy-tale world of Gjáin. Gjáin is a lava wonderland with spectacular waterfalls and lush vegetation. The hike is relatively easy, and you will see lava caves and waterfalls. Stop for a picnic at Hjálparfoss (Help’s Falls) – another beautiful waterfall in the river Fossá in Þjórsárdalur Valley.
Later, visit a reconstructed medieval farmhouse. The farmhouse is a replica of the excavated Stöng, which is believed to have been destroyed in the Hekla eruption of 1104.
Today, you can also learn about hydroelectricity at the Búrfell Hydropower Plant. The power station has an interactive energy exhibition – a sure hit for kids of all ages. The exhibit educates and entertain visitors, while sharing knowledge about different energy sources and their effects on the community, economy, and environment.
Overnight Fosshotel Hekla
Day 3
FULL DAY OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
Drive through unforgettable landscapes with surreal beauty and steaming hot springs, through the rugged terrain of Fjallabak, in the highlands of Iceland. Landmannalaugar is one of Iceland’s most awe-inspiring places. The colorful Rhyolite Mountains are among its main characteristics, with their varying textures, shapes, and sizes. A bathing suit and towel are recommended if you’d like to take a dip into the hot pool at Landmannalaugar.
We will make the most of our Jeep and drive through glacial rivers that cut through the moon-like lava fields for an unforgettable melding of the elements. Stop at Lake Ljotipollur – a cobalt blue, crater lake formed in 1477.
Overnight Hotel Glacier Lagoon
Day 4
GLACIER LAGOON / GLACIER WALK
Start the day at the picturesque Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Take an amphibian boat ride between the huge icebergs, which constantly break away from the glacier tongue of Breiðamerkurjökull, producing a wonder world of ice. The lagoon has provided the backdrop for many major feature films and programs including ‘Batman Begins,’ and most recently ‘Game of Thrones.’
The Skaftafell region of Vatnajokull National Park is a lush oasis where you can hike for days on gorgeous trails through forests, waterfalls, black sands, mountains, and glaciers. You can’t leave this area without a hike to Svartifoss Waterfall, bordered on both sides by tall black basalt columns, resembling the pipes of a giant organ.
The highlight here is a glacier hike on crampons. Skilled guides will go over all safety features and equipment before you set foot on Vatnajökull, Europe’s biggest ice cap. On your journey, come across some spectacular ice formations, deep sinkholes, and rugged ice crevasses. (Minimum age 10 years).
Overnight Hotel Glacier Lagoon
Day 5
SOUTH SHORE / BLACK SAND BEACH / FJARÐÁRGLJÚFUR CANYONS / ATV TOUR
Today, drive along the south coast – a sweeping landscape of sandy deserts, rocky shores, and rolling farmlands sandwiched between snow-capped glaciers, mountains, and the ocean. Stop to admire the black sand beaches and cliffs at Dyrholaey. There are also vast bird colonies here, including puffins (generally seen mid-May to early August). Along the way, stop at the gorgeous Seljalandsfoss Waterfall where you can walk behind it and through to the other side! We’ll also stop at the majestic and much-photographed Skógafoss Waterfall, with its impressive 60 m (196 ft) drop.
Visit Fjarðárgljúfur Canyon, which reaches up to 100 meters deep and 2 km long. It was created by progressive erosion by glacier melt through the rocks over a long period of time. A walk around the Canyon or just enjoying the majestic views makes this a great stop and photo-op. The Canyon has been the site for many music videos; recently Justin Bieber’s famous “I’ll Show You” video was shot there.
Visit the Seljalandsfoss Waterfall along Iceland’s southern coast, which is fed by melting water from the famed glacier-capped Eyjafjallajokull Volcano. Your final stop today will be Reynisfjara – a black pebble beach that features an amazing cliff of regular basalt columns resembling a rocky step pyramid. The waves at Reynisfjara are especially strong and unpredictable.
This afternoon you may choose from two activities:
Horseback riding: One hour of horse riding at a farm in the south. Icelandic horses are quite small but very strong for their size and very surefooted. They control five gaits while most other breeds have only three or four.
ATV tour : This two-three hour ATV tour takes you between two of Iceland ‘s most famous and notorious volcanos, Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull. Cross small rivers and visit waterfalls and caves along the way. The scenery is enchanting enough to be home to elves!
Overnight Hotel Rangá
Day 6
INSIDE THE VOLCANO
Today, head back to the city. Before you do, take a journey to the center of the earth (12 year age limit – some exceptions possible). The hike from the parking lot to the volcano is 45 minutes on rugged terrain, but it is relatively easy. You’ll descend into the depths on a lift and spend up to 40 minutes inside the volcano. On the way, learn about volcanoes and volcanic activity in Iceland. In the late afternoon, you’ll arrive in Reykjavík. Enjoy this time to walk around the city center.
Overnight in Reykjavík
Day 7
EXPLORE REYKJAVÍK ON AN ELECTRIC FAT BIKE
Today, enjoy Reykjavík, either by renting traditional bicycles, or use electric fat bikes with a private guide to ride with you around the city. The tour will be designed based upon your interests. You can either stay within the city or ride through the scenic outskirts. Your tour can be anywhere from one hour up to a full day.
Reykjavík is filled with museums and interesting things to do and see. We recommend the Whales of Iceland museum, or join a whale watching cruise from the Reykjavík Harbor.
While in Reykavík, we highly recommend a visit to the OmNom Chocolate Factory. Do you know the difference in taste of chocolate beans from Madagascar and Tanzania? You will soon find out! Taste A LOT of chocolate during this interesting and fun tour through the factory.
Overnight in Reykjavík
Day 8
Departure Day
Enjoy a relaxing morning, as you wrap up your Iceland family vacation.
You will be picked up three hours before your flights is scheduled to leave and transferred to the airport.
