Dramatic Iceland by Foot and by Sea: A Circumnavigation

13 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Additional images not provided by operator
Video not provided by operator
4.3/5 Great
100+ reviews  
81%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Small Ship Cruise
Your hiking boots trace a picturesque coastline as cliff-side blowholes spray seawater skyward. Later, riding a Zodiac in a clear bay, you are awestruck as a mighty whale breeches starboard. At every turn of this educational adventure in Iceland, unexpected beauty and natural phenomena abound as you learn while exploring its ice, sand and lava by foot, and by...
From$6,395
See departure dates

Member Savings

Save up to $700!

Sign in to see which companies give additional
savings to Travelstride Members (it’s free)

Unlock Savings

Overview

Trip type
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Walk to Gullfoss waterfall and learn why the threat of a landowner’s daughter, Sigríður Tómasdottir, to plunge into the Gullfoss turned it into a natural treasure.
    • At the magnificent glacier Lagoon of Jökulsarlon, float past magnificent icebergs in a specially equipped boat and hike the extraordinary lava fields of Berserkjahraun.
    • Swim in the rejuvenating waters of Blue Lagoon and visit the site of the first Icelandic parliament at Thingvellir National Park.

What's this trip about?

    Your hiking boots trace a picturesque coastline as cliff-side blowholes spray seawater skyward. Later, riding a Zodiac in a clear bay, you are awestruck as a mighty whale breeches starboard. At every turn of this educational adventure in Iceland, unexpected beauty and natural phenomena abound as you learn while exploring its ice, sand and lava by foot, and by weaving into fjords and pristine bays by water craft. Discover why this extraordinary Land of Fire and Ice has an evolving story like no other.

Compare to similar trips

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - 24 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityReykjavik
End CityReykjavik

Travel Themes

  • 50 Plus
  • Hiking & Walking
  • Education / Learning
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

Activities

  • Educational/ Learning
  • Hiking
  • Historic Sightseeing
  • Sailing

Trip includes

    • 11 nights of accommodations
    • 3 expert-led lectures
    • 14 expert-led field trips
    • 2 performances
    • An experienced Group Leader
    • Customary gratuities throughout the program
    • The Road Scholar Travel Protection Plan, 24-hour-a-day emergency assistance coverage
    • Taxes

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Departures

In Flight

Day 2: Arrive Reykjavik, Welcome, The Blue Lagoon

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Saga Hotel

Activity note: If you wish to swim in the Blue Lagoon, please remember to pack your bathing suit in your carry-on luggage. Towels will be provided. Slippers, bathrobes and spa trea...

Day 3: The Golden Circle

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Saga Hotel

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room.

 

Morning: This morning you will depart on a full day journey from Reykjavik on this popular route which covers over 185 miles from Reykj...

Day 4: Reykjavik; Embark Ocean Diamond

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: MV Ocean Diamond

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room.

Morning: Following breakfast, enjoy a lecture —“Iceland: Past and Present"—by a local expert before visiting the National Museum of Iceland. This char...

Day 5: Hiking lava fields of Berserkjahraun

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: MV Ocean Diamond

Activity note: This morning's hike is approx. 4 hours in duration and covers approx. 5 miles. Please bring a small backpack and a water bottle. Comfortable hiking boots are required.

...
Day 6: Isafjördur

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: MV Ocean Diamond

Activity note: Today's hike will last 5 hours and covers approx. 8 miles. Please bring a small backpack and a water bottle. Comfortable hiking boots are required.

Breakfast: Aboard...

Day 7: Siglufjördur; Grimsey Island

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: MV Ocean Diamond

Activity note: This morning's hike is approx. 3 miles, and moderately hilly. Please bring a small backpack and a water bottle. Comfortable hiking boots are required.

Breakfast: Abo...

Day 8: Akureyri, Hike in the Lake Myvatn Area

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: MV Ocean Diamond

Activity note: Today's hike will last 4 hours; be forewarned: you'll need to climb two fences with ladders.

Breakfast: Aboard the ship.

Morning: Depart from port by coach to...

Day 9: Husavik, Whale Watching

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: MV Ocean Diamond

Activity note: Please wear warm clothing; the boat is not enclosed.

Breakfast: Aboard the ship.

Morning: Husavik is considered by visitors as the Whale Watching Capital of E...

Day 10: Seydisfjördur, Vesturdalur Hiking

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: MV Ocean Diamond

Activity note: Today's hike is 4-5 miles with an elevation change of about 2000 feet. This hike starts off steep, but quickly evens out.

Breakfast: Aboard the ship.

Morning:...

Day 11: Djupivogur, Glacier Lagoon Jökulsárlon

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: MV Ocean Diamond

Activity note: The journey from Djupivogur to the glacial lagoon is quite far. Please be prepared for a long but very rewarding day!

Breakfast: Aboard the ship.

Morning: Tod...

Day 12: Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: MV Ocean Diamond

Activity note: This morning's hike is approx. 6 miles and approx. 650 ft. in elevation change. Zodiac excursions are dependent on favorable weather conditions.

Breakfast: Aboard th...

Day 13: Departures
In Flight  B

Meals: Breakfast

Aboard the ship.

Morning: The Ocean Diamond is scheduled to arrive in Reykjavik at 8:00 AM. Upon disembarkation, enjoy a panoramic coach excursion of Reykjavik. See historic Höfði House - sight of the 1986 meeting between Reagan and Gorb...

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $6,395
Price per day$492
Last Updated: 7/13/2023

  • Select Custom Arrangements to get to and from Road Scholar-provided airfare for your program

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Road Scholar.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Travelstride Gift Card
One card, thousands of extraordinary trips
Gifts Card

Road Scholar Reviews & Ratings

4.3/5  Great
Excellent
236
Great
9
Average
2
Disappointing
9
Terrible
46
Write a Review

Other Road Scholar Reviews

M

Michal McGinnis

Feb 2025

Written on

Wonders of Costa Rica at a slower pace

When I signed up for the Wonders of Costa Rica at a slower pace. The hotel listed in the itinerary for day 8&9 was a 4 star hotel on the beach called the Punta L...

F

Floralin

Jan 2025

Written on

Same complaint as everyone else

Same complaint as everyone else. While I can see why the Cancel for Any Reason clause may be necessary for the business model, the problem is that THIS IS NOT EXPLA...

L

Lolly Kauss

Dec 2024

Written on

Road Scholar SCAMS older adults

If you want a real review and not their good reviews on their website, read this. Their customer service is horrible and they try to get as much money as possible by...

Write a Review

Travelers also viewed

Tour Operator

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

Accommodation

Radisson Blu Saga Hotel: 2 nights  Reykjavik, 107

Settle in with exceptional service and stunning views of the urban landscape, sea or glaciers at this sleek hotel just a ten-minute walk from the heart of the city. With a history of hospitality that dates back nearly 50 years, the Radisson Blu Saga Hotel is an iconic Icelandic accommodation. Its modern, stylish spaces and amenities still embrace timeless traditions of high quality and impeccable service.

Guides
Gróa Másdóttir Gróa Másdóttir was born and raised in Reykjavík. When she was 24 years old, she moved to Norway and lived there for six years. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history and archaeology, and an MBA in human resources. Gróa is also a yoga instructor and lifestyle coach. In 2014, she began working as an expert leading hiking adventures.
Ship & cabin information
MV Ocean Diamond
Enjoy The Breathtaking Nature Of Iceland And Greenland Aboard The Ocean Diamond Thanks to two stabilizers that significantly reduce roll and an ice-strengthened hull (ice class 1D), the super yacht OCEAN DIAMOND is the ideal ship for expeditions in the Arctic region. Due to the ship’s compact size, we can take passengers to places off the traditional cruise routes to experience all the highlights of both Iceland and Greenland. With a maximum of 199 passengers, the OCEAN DIAMOND features a range of modern onboard amenities and is staffed with outstanding officers and crew, as well as bilingual expedition leaders and guides. The 107 cabins and suites, all of them elegantly designed, offer modern amenities and exterior views. The ship’s own Zodiacs are available for shore excursions. After a busy day of exploration, passengers can browse books or DVDs in the well-stocked Polar library or enjoy views of the spectacular Arctic scenery from the panorama salon.
Registration: Bahamas Launched/Renovation: 1974/1986/2012 Staff and Crew: 106 Guests: 199 Ice Class: 1D Length: 124 m Breadth: 16 m Draft: 4,9 m Max. Speed: 15 Knots Voltage onboard: w220V
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

12 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches and 10 Dinners

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
[object Object]
Trip ID
roadscholar-21878RJ

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save
Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >
Sign in to reveal savings up to $700 per person!