Sample Six-Day Iceland Advanced Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary for a guest looking for action-packed days combined with down time in the evenings. This trip took place in July, with the midnight sun providing 19 hours of daylight each day.

Day 1: Arrive in Reykjavik

You've just arrived in Reykjavik after a long flight. The rest of the day is for relaxing! Drop your bags off at your hotel and ask them to call you a taxi to the Sky Lagoon, a natural hot spring right outside Reykjavik, for an Icelandic spa ritual. Spend the evening exploring Reykjavik's top site, the Hallsgrimkirkja, and make your way to the water to see the famous Sun Voyager sculpture and the uniquely designed Harpan Concert Hall.

Morning 
Arrive in Reykjavik

Afternoon
Sky Lagoon ($70 USD)
Hallsgrimkirkja (Free to enter, $8 to go to the top)
Sun Voyager
Harpan

Accommodation
Stay in Hotel Centrum ($200 USD/night)

Day 2: Golden Circle

Start your day early and walk to Blue Car Rental to pick up your rental car. Head towards Thingvellir National Park, where you'll stroll through expansive landforms and see a waterfall. Put on your wet suit and snorkel through the Silfra Fissure - the only place in the world where you can swim between two tectonic plates. Next, head to Laugarvatn Fontana, where you'll learn how traditional Icelandic rye bread is made. Spend the rest of the day discovering a few of Iceland's waterfalls and dipping in a natural outdoor hot spring.

Morning 
Thingvellir National Park (45 min drive)
Snorkel in the Silfra Fissure
Laugarvatn (Rye bread tour @ 2:30pm) (30 min drive)

Afternoon
Geysir (22 min drive)
Gullfoss (10 min drive)
Hranalaug Hot Spring (20 min drive)

Accommodation
Stay at Hotel Vos (1 hour drive) ($240 USD/night)

Day 3: Waterfalls

Today is for chasing waterfalls! Continue your journey east and stop by two enormous waterfalls that you can get up close and personal with. Discover what it feels like to stand behind and next to a waterfall, and take in the breathtaking sites around you. After lunch, go on a short, picturesque hike to find your next waterfall. End the day exploring a black sand beach and the towering basalt columns surrounding it.

Morning 
Gljufrabui (40 min drive)
Skogafoss (30 min drive)

Afternoon 
Kvernufoss (5 min drive)
Reynisfjara black sand beach (30 min drive)
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Accommodation
Stay at Hótel Kría (10 min drive) ($220 USD/night)

Day 4: Glaciers

Get ready for a day of adventure exploring Vatnajokull, Iceland's largest glacier! Strap on your microspikes and grab your ice pick (both provided by your guide) as you navigate through the crevasses of the glacier and enjoy fresh glacial water, straight from the source. After your glacier adventure, continue driving east to Jokulsalon Glacier Lagoon, where you'll see massive icebergs floating through Iceland's deepest lake.

Morning 
Skaftafell Glacier hike @ 12pm (1 hour 45 min drive)

Afternoon
Jokulsarlon Glacier lagoon (45 min drive)

Accommodation
Stay at Fosshotel Nupar (1 hour 10 min drive) ($240 USD/night)

Day 5: Green Lava

Today, you'll see some sights that make you wonder whether you're still on Earth. Start by heading to Svartifoss, a unique waterfall with a backdrop of basalt columns. Then, head to Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, a scene straight out of Lord of the Rings. Go on a short scenic hike to Kirkjubaejarklausturand and take in the views of 'green lava', or lava covered by moss. If you're not all waterfall-ed out, visit the last two waterfalls of your trip, or skip them and head to your accommodation early to visit with the goats that live on the residence.

Morning 
Svartifoss (black waterfall)
Scenic green lava walk/Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon
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Afternoon
Gluggafoss
Seljalandfoss
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Accommodation
Stay at Skalatjorn Guesthouse ($150 USD/night)

Day 6: Back to Reykjavik

Drive back towards Reykjavik but stop by the Reykjadalur thermal springs, where you'll go on a 6km out and back hike and soak in another one of Iceland's natural hot springs. Head back to Reykjavik and return your rental car. Spend the rest of the day exploring Reykjavik by foot and decompressing after an action-packed trip. Pack your bags, and get ready to fly home the next morning.

Morning 
Reykjadalur Thermal Springs

Afternoon
Perlan
National Museum of Iceland
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Accommodation
Stay at Hotel Holt ($250 USD/night)