Circling Iceland: Fire, Ice
and the Art of Exploration
10
DAYS
6
DESTINATIONS
7
BIOMES
Explore Volcanic landscapes, glaciers, geothermal areas, coastal cliffs and fjords
10-day adventure through Iceland
Beginning in Reykjavík, the journey moves along the South Coast, tracing waterfalls, black sand beaches and glacier-carved lagoons before continuing into the quieter East Fjords, where fishing villages and wide horizons define daily life.
In the north, volcanic craters, lava fields and geothermal landscapes unfold around Lake Mývatn, offering insight into the powerful forces that continue to shape the island. The route then turns west to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, before concluding with a restorative stay at the Blue Lagoon, set within a stark lava landscape.
Throughout, stays are chosen for their sense of place and thoughtful design, paired with local guiding, regional cuisine and experiences that deepen understanding of Iceland’s culture, geology and resilience. This is a journey for those drawn to raw beauty, meaningful travel and landscapes that leave a lasting impression long after departure.
Trip Highlights
Fire and Ice Along the South Coast
Explore Iceland’s most dramatic natural theatre along the South Coast, where waterfalls plunge from high cliffs, glaciers creep toward black sand beaches and icebergs drift through glacial lagoons. Guided walks and quiet moments reveal the immense forces that continue to shape this ever-changing landscape.
Remote Fjords and Eastern Stillness
Travel through the East Fjords, a region defined by wide horizons, winding coastal roads and small fishing villages set between sea and mountain. This quieter corner of Iceland offers a slower rhythm, inviting deeper connection with local life and the raw beauty of the fjord landscapes.
Volcanic Landscapes and Geothermal Wonders
Discover the geothermal heart of Iceland in the north, where steaming vents, lava fields and volcanic craters surround Lake Mývatn. Walk through landscapes shaped by fire beneath the earth’s surface, gaining insight into the geological forces that define the island.
Icelandic Culture, Craft and Contemporary Comfort
Stay in thoughtfully chosen hotels and lodges that reflect Iceland’s design sensibility and respect for place. Along the way, experience regional cuisine, local storytelling and moments of restoration, culminating in a final stay at the Blue Lagoon, set within a vast lava field - a quiet close to a journey shaped by nature, culture and balance.
Activities tailored for all experiences
Glacier Walks and Ice Encounters
Step onto ancient ice with expert guides, exploring glacier tongues and icy formations that reveal Iceland’s deep geological history. These walks offer an intimate understanding of the island’s glacial systems and their role in shaping the land.
Snorkelling Between Continents at Silfra
Float through the crystal-clear waters of the Silfra fissure, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates drift apart. This rare experience combines stillness and sensation, offering a literal immersion into Iceland’s geological story.
Volcanic Trails and Lava Landscapes
Walk through otherworldly terrain shaped by fire, from hardened lava fields to steaming geothermal areas. These guided explorations reveal the textures, colours and forces beneath Iceland’s surface, bringing the island’s volcanic identity into sharp focus.
Geothermal Bathing and Restorative Rituals
Balance days of exploration with moments of restoration, soaking in naturally heated waters set within stark landscapes. From regional hot springs to the Blue Lagoon, these experiences reflect Iceland’s deep relationship with geothermal energy and wellbeing.
Your Journey Overview
Circling the Edge of Fire and Ice
Travel the full arc of Iceland, a land shaped by elemental forces and lived at the margins of nature. This journey moves beyond the familiar, tracing the island’s outer edges through volcanic plains, glacier-carved valleys, quiet fjords and remote coastal settlements where daily life remains closely tied to the land.
Days unfold through a rhythm of exploration and pause: walking across ancient lava, standing at the meeting point of continents, soaking in geothermal waters and travelling through regions where vast landscapes dominate the horizon. Along the way, thoughtfully chosen stays and locally led experiences offer insight into Iceland’s resilience, creativity and deep respect for nature.
This is an invitation to experience Iceland in its full complexity, powerful yet intimate, raw yet restorative. A journey defined by contrast, connection and the enduring presence of fire, ice and time.
Welcome to Iceland
Arrive in Reykjavík, Iceland’s compact and creative capital, where bold architecture, deep-rooted history and a strong sense of place converge. After a private transfer from the airport, begin the journey with a curated culinary walk through the city, sampling locally sourced flavours and meeting the artisans shaping Iceland’s contemporary food scene. This first taste of Reykjavík offers an engaging introduction to the country’s culture, creativity and connection to land and sea.
Settle into the Apotek Hotel, a beautifully restored former pharmacy in the heart of the old town. With its elegant interiors and central location, the hotel provides a welcoming base from which to explore Reykjavík’s lively streets, cafés and galleries, easing gently into the rhythm of the journey ahead.
Exceptional Stay at Apotek Hotel
Between Continents and Into the South Coast
The day begins along Iceland’s Golden Circle, where shifting tectonic plates, erupting geysers and wide volcanic plains reveal the island’s restless energy. At Silfra, enter the crystal-clear fissure between continents for a guided snorkelling experience, floating through water of extraordinary clarity in a landscape shaped by deep geological time. Lunch follows at Friðheimar, a family-run greenhouse where sun-warmed tomatoes and sustainable growing practices offer a fresh, flavourful pause.
In the afternoon, continue south toward Iceland’s dramatic southern coastline, where glaciers, rivers and open farmland give way to wide horizons. Settle into Skálakot Manor Hotel, a refined countryside retreat beneath the glacier-capped Eyjafjallajökull, where warm hospitality, thoughtful design and the rhythm of rural life provide a peaceful close to a day defined by elemental contrast.
Exceptional Stay at Skalakot Manor Hotel
Ice, Water and Southern Iceland
After a relaxed breakfast, the day unfolds along Iceland’s striking South Coast, guided by a private expert who brings depth and flexibility to each stop. Waterfalls thunder over mossy cliffs, black sand beaches stretch toward the Atlantic and basalt formations rise from the shoreline, each landscape offering space for quiet observation as well as moments of awe.
In the afternoon, step onto the ice for a guided glacier hike, traversing a sculpted world of crevasses, ridges and shifting blue tones. This shared experience offers a powerful encounter with one of Iceland’s defining features, both exhilarating and grounding. The day concludes in Southeast Iceland at Hotel Glacier Lagoon, a calm and contemporary retreat set amid vast glaciers and open skies.
Exceptional Stay at Hotel Glacier Lagoon
Fjords and Iceland’s Eastern Edge
The day begins in Southeast Iceland, where glaciers meet the sea and light dances across icy water. A private boat journey on Fjallsárlón Lagoon offers an intimate encounter with drifting icebergs, followed by time at the Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach, where sculpted ice contrasts sharply with black volcanic sand.
After lunch in Höfn, renowned for its langoustine, the route continues into the East Fjords, a region defined by winding coastal roads, steep mountains and small fishing villages. The pace slows as the landscape opens, with the option to unwind in the geothermal waters of the Vök Baths before settling in for the evening at Blábjörg Resort, a peaceful coastal retreat where fjord, sea and sky converge.
Exceptional Stay at Blabjorg Resort
From Coastal Fjords to Hidden Highlands
The day begins in the far reaches of East Iceland, where quiet fjords and steep mountains frame a slower, more intimate way of life. In Borgarfjörður Eystri, set out on a gentle e-bike ride along the coast, arriving at the puffin colonies of Hafnarhólmi. Watching these vivid seabirds gather on the cliffs offers a joyful and grounding encounter with Iceland’s wildlife, set against the vastness of sea and sky.
Turning inland, the landscapes shift dramatically. Walk to Hengifoss, where red clay bands slice through towering basalt, then continue to the striking basalt formations of Stuðlagil Canyon, its turquoise river carving a path through columned rock. The day concludes deep in the Eastern Highlands at Fjalladýrð, a remote farm and lodge where stillness, open space and comfort come together before continuing north to Lake Mývatn, settling in at Fosshotel Mývatn on the water’s edge.
Exceptional Stay at Fosshotel Myvatn
Volcanic North and Arctic Waters
Wake to the stark, elemental landscapes of North Iceland, where volcanic forces remain close to the surface. Explore the geothermal fields of Hverir, where steam rises from the earth, before walking among the lava formations of Dimmuborgir and pausing at Lake Mývatn, its calm waters contrasting with the raw terrain that surrounds it. This region offers a striking introduction to the geological energy that defines Iceland’s north.
In the afternoon, shift from land to sea with a shared RIB boat whale-watching excursion from Húsavík, scanning the waters of Skjálfandi Bay for humpback and minke whales. The day concludes in Akureyri, the lively capital of the north, where colourful streets, local dining and a relaxed pace offer a welcoming close after a day shaped by fire, water and wildlife.
Exceptional Stay at Hotel Akureyri
Northern Heritage and Westward Horizons
The morning is unhurried, offering a choice to explore Akureyri’s colourful streets, gardens and cultural corners, or to journey to Siglufjörður, a historic fishing town tucked deep within a dramatic fjord. Both options invite a slower pace, allowing time to wander, observe and absorb the character and stories of northern Iceland.
In the afternoon, step into Iceland’s rural past at the turf house farm of Glaumbær and the beautifully preserved Víðimýri Church, before enjoying a traditional meal rooted in family recipes and local heritage. The day then unfolds westward toward the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, arriving at Hotel Búðir, a striking retreat set on a lava field by the sea, where refined comfort and vast coastal landscapes signal a gentle shift into Iceland’s western reaches.
Exceptional Stay at Hotel Budir
Snæfellsnes Peninsula to Reykjavík
The day begins on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, a region often described as Iceland in miniature, where lava fields, rugged coastlines and fishing villages sit beneath the presence of Snæfellsjökull. Explore the peninsula’s dramatic scenery and descend into Vatnshellir Lava Cave, discovering the hidden chambers and textures formed by volcanic forces over thousands of years.
By afternoon, return to Reykjavík, where the energy of the capital offers a striking contrast to the wild landscapes just explored. Settle back into the Apotek Hotel, returning to the elegant retreat that marked the beginning of the journey, and enjoy a relaxed evening in the city – a familiar and fitting pause before the final days unfold.
Reykjavík at Leisure and Geothermal Retreat
Enjoy a final unhurried morning in Reykjavík, exploring the city at your own pace. Wander along Laugavegur’s boutiques and cafés, admire the striking form of Hallgrímskirkja, or stroll the Old Harbour and the quiet paths around Tjörnin, where the capital’s creative energy meets moments of calm and reflection.
In the afternoon, travel west to the Reykjanes Peninsula and arrive at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon. Set within a vast lava field, this serene sanctuary offers space to slow down and restore, soaking in geothermal waters and settling into a setting designed for deep relaxation. The evening unfolds in stillness, marking a restorative close to the journey through Iceland’s landscapes.
Exceptional Stay at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon
Stillness at the Blue Lagoon
The journey draws to a close with a final morning at the Blue Lagoon, where geothermal waters and serene surroundings invite deep rest and reflection. Time is unhurried, allowing space to soak in the warm mineral-rich pools, wander through the lava landscape or choose bespoke spa rituals that support renewal and balance.
When ready, a private transfer brings you to Keflavík International Airport for your onward journey. Depart Iceland with a sense of calm and clarity, carrying memories of elemental landscapes, quiet moments and a journey shaped by connection to place.
Our purpose
Journeys With Purpose engage guests with the world’s most ambitious and exciting conservation projects across our seven continents. We believe travel can be a powerful force for learning, for expanding horizons and shifting perspectives on the magic and wonder of our natural world.
Our journeys invite you to step outside of your daily ecosystem and engage with new cultures, environments and people in the world’s wildest corners. At this moment in history, we are placing unprecedented pressure on the planet and wildlife, communities and nature is under threat. True wilderness is increasingly rare, yet there are remarkable examples of nature rebounding, and flourishing.
These conservation successes showcase the resilience of our natural world, and our journeys serve to spotlight, and support, these projects. Whether on a safari, diving trip or mountain expedition, by travelling with JWP you contribute to our mission: to conserve and restore 30 million acres of land and 30 million acres of seas by 2030. We are proud members of 1% for the Planet, through which we donate 1% of our annual revenue to grass-root initiatives.
Journeys With Purpose is also a member of The Long Run, a Conde Nast Traveller specialist travel agency, and a Certified B Corp, awarded “Best for the World: Environment 2022”.
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