MAGIC OF ICELAND
AN 8-DAY CUSTOM ICELAND ADVENTURE
Trip Style: Adventure
SOUTH COAST, GOLDEN CIRCLE, GLACIERS & GEOTHERMAL WONDERS
-
STARTING AT $5995 per person
Fully planned & booked 8-day self-guided Iceland itinerary
Self-drive with included car rental
Trip Highlights
Self-drive flexibility with a carefully curated route and detailed directions
Falljökull glacier hike, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon + black-sand beaches, glaciers, waterfalls & volcanic landscapes
Cultural connection through an Icelandic horseback ride, family-run dairy farm, tomato greenhouse lunch and boutique B&Bs
Seasonal customization, including Westman Islands/puffins or Þórsmörk/Northern Lights
Opportunities to explore renewable energy & Icelandic sustainability
Iceland is a place that makes you stop and look. Volcanic landscapes meet glaciers, black-sand beaches meet crashing Atlantic waves, and geothermal heat bubbles beneath a countryside shaped by fire and ice. This thoughtfully curated 8-day self-drive journey follows Iceland’s South Coast and Golden Circle, combining some of the country's most spectacular landscapes with active experiences and memorable local stops. Walk behind Seljalandsfoss, explore the black sands of Reynisfjara, hike through the otherworldly Fjaðrárgljúfur gorge, and venture onto Falljökull glacier with an experienced guide. You'll also explore the remote landscapes of Þórsmörk by Super Jeep, soak in geothermal waters, and have time to follow your own curiosity along the way.
Beyond the big landscapes, you'll experience a few distinctly Icelandic pleasures: horseback riding through the countryside, homemade skyr and cheese at a family-run dairy farm, and lunch surrounded by tomato plants inside a geothermal greenhouse at Friðheimar. The itinerary also offers opportunities to learn about Iceland's innovative approach to renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and the future of its fishing industry.
This 8-day Iceland Adventure itinerary is just a starting point. Because every Traverse Journeys Iceland trip is custom, we'll adjust the route, activities and accommodations around your travel dates, interests, activity level and the season you visit. Travel Sept/October or March/April for a Þórsmörk Highland Super Jeep adventure and the possibility of Northern Lights, or May–August to include the Westman Islands and potentially see puffins. See all inclusions, itinerary details, and starting price point in the drop-downs below.
why this trip?
Iceland is about the landscape - and there is nowhere else quite like it. In a single journey, you can stand beneath a waterfall, walk across a glacier, watch icebergs drift into the ocean, hike through a volcanic valley, soak in geothermal waters, and drive through landscapes that seem almost otherworldly.
But this isn't simply a road trip built around checking off Iceland's most famous sights. We've carefully curated the route around experiences that let you engage with the landscape. Hike the ridges of Fjaðrárgljúfur, explore Falljökull with a glacier guide, and venture deep into Þórsmörk in a Super Jeep capable of crossing glacial rivers and reaching places an ordinary vehicle can't. Other hikes are yours to explore independently, giving you the freedom to set your own pace.
We've also chosen distinctive accommodations and local experiences that give the journey texture between the big adventures. Ride an Icelandic horse through the countryside, taste rye bread baked using geothermal heat, visit a family-run dairy farm, and have lunch inside a working tomato greenhouse heated by Iceland's geothermal energy. For travelers interested in sustainability, we can also arrange time with innovative local partners exploring the future of Iceland's fishing industry.
And because this is a custom itinerary, the version you see here is just a starting point. We adjust the route and activities based on the season, weather, your interests, and how active you'd like your trip to be. You might want more hiking, more time in the geothermal waters, horseback riding, wildlife, or simply more time to pull over and take in the scenery. We'll help you build the Iceland experience that fits you.
Testimonials
Trip Inclusions
-
7 nights boutique 3-star B&Bs, hotels and local guesthouses with a 4- or 5-star upgrade for the final night
-
Car rental (Skoda Octavia Combo or equivalent) with upgrade option (Toyota Highlander)
-
South Coast highlights including Seljalandsfoss & Skógafoss waterfall
Time to explore Reykjavik and surrounding area
Falljökull glacier hike with gear and guide
Thorsmörk Highland Tour in Jeep 4x4s with hiking and packed lunch (Oct-April)
Westman Islands with round-trip ferry, 1 hour group boat tour, and entrance to Eldheimar Museum (May-August)
Opportunities for short or long hikes
Stops at picturesque coastal towns including Vík
Creamery farm tour
-
Daily breakfasts at our accommodations
1 packed lunch on group excursion day (fall/winter)
Tomato Farm lunch reservation (food cost not included)
Farm-to-table, traditional Icelandic meals using fresh, seasonal ingredients
-
Visit to our local social enterprise partners
Traverse representative assisting you from booking to departure
Detailed Iceland travel itinerary with complete self-guided instructions, local recommendations, and cultural tips
-
Icelandic horse stable visit and 1-hour Icelandic horse ride
Entry with towel to the Secret Lagoon
Zodiac boat tour at the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
Entry to the Lava Show in Vík
Sky Lagoon geothermal pool entry
Blue Lagoon spa entry
Day 8 upgrades:
4-star Upgrade: Silica Hotel Mountain Deluxe room, includes Blue Lagoon entry
5-star Upgrade: The Retreat Moss Junior Suite, includes Blue Lagoon entry
-
International airfare
Additional meals, excursions and activities not listed
Fuel costs (for self-drive)
Alcohol, unless specified
Required travel insurance
-
Minimum 2 people per itinerary. Due to the dynamic nature of pricing in Iceland, the final trip cost will be determined at the time of confirmation, reflecting hotel availability, time of year, and vehicle price. June-July-August are generally the highest season for prices.
STARTING at $5995 per person
High Season Surcharge: June-July-August approx. +$500 per person, final cost on booking
Holiday Surcharge: If your dates fall +/- 5 days around US Thanksgiving, December 25th, or January 1st there will be a holiday surcharge of $500 per person.
-
Due to the dynamic nature of pricing in Iceland, the final add-on price will be determined at the time of confirmation, reflecting time of year and exchange rate fluctuations.
+$175 Sky Lagoon Day 1 - Afternoon excursion to the Sky Lagoon geothermal spa. Premium Package with Skjól ritual and access to private changing facilities. Requires an early arrival (before 10 a.m.) or an extra night before arrival day
+$135 stable visit & 1-hour country horse ride Day 1 - On an Icelandic horse + stable visit, includes transit. Requires an early arrival (before 7 a.m.) or an extra night before arrival day
+$135 Zodiac boat tour Day 3 - at the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
+$60 Lava Show Day 4 - in Vik, a truly unique experience!
+$105 Hvammsvík Hot Springs with entry & towels
+$100 Blue Lagoon Day 7 - Entrance, towel, 1 drink, 1 mud mask.
Extra Night - Starting at +$525 per room (single or double occupancy)
Helicopter Ride: Starting at $350, inquire for customized option
HOTEL UPGRADES
Starting at +$495 4-star Blue Lagoon Silica Hotel upgrade Day 8, price per room
Starting at +$1595 5-star Blue Lagoon Retreat Hotel upgrade Day 8, price per room
+$1495 Toyota Landcruiser upgrade for self-drive (price subject to change according to current rates)
Faqs
-
October through March is generally the best time as the skies are dark during winter skies. That said, the Northern Lights are never a guarantee and will greatly depend on atmospheric conditions.
-
Our itineraries in Iceland contain a fair bit of hiking from shorter half hour hikes to 2-3 hour ones. and that's also how you get to see some of the sites like waterfalls, hot springs and glaciers. That said, if you're tired or not feeling up for it there are generally options to hang back from the excursion.
-
We know, Iceland is not cheap! There are many reasons for that, including standard of living, the fact that it's an island, and sustainability. Check out our blog to learn more! Why is Iceland so Expensive?
-
It all depends on what you want to do! Spring is puffin and lambing season. Summer has the most dependable weather but is also the busiest and most expensive. Fall can be temperamental weather-wise but also can be great for better prices and catching the Northern Lights. And winter will give you the true Nordic experience with very short days!
Terms & Conditions
Please refer to your Registration Packet for complete Terms & Conditions, which can also be obtained by submitting a request to hello@traversejourneys.com
Deposit
A $500 deposit per person per trip is required for each traveler to secure the booking. The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferrable unless otherwise indicated on booking with the exception of our 24-hour No Regrets policy. A booking is not final until you receive a final confirmation from us.
24-hour No Regrets Policy: If, within 24 hours of submitting your deposit, you decide to cancel your booking you may request a refund, which will be granted less transaction fees.
Payment
Payments can be made either by 1) Normal Payment terms of 50% due 30 days after booking and 50% due 90 days prior to departure or 2) Monthly terms of equal installments with a $10 per month fee. Payments options include ACH, wire, credit card or Zelle. Payee is responsible for all transaction or processing fees. Late payments are given a two-week grace period; after that a $10 per month late payment fee will be charged.
Cancellations Policy
Group Trips & Retreats: Cancellations, less the trip deposit, are refundable up to 120 days prior to the trip start date.
Custom and Self-Guided: All payments non-refundable. Requests for transfers may be considered in extenuating circumstances and may incur a change fee.
To cancel a booking, Traveler must submit a request to us in writing by email to hello@traversejourneys.com
Flexible Booking Policy Specific to COVID-19
In the wake of COVID-19, Traverse has implemented a flexible booking policy that allows for deposits and payments to be transferrable to the greatest extent possible to new trip dates should a recurrence of COVID-19 render travel impossible due to border closures and related travel restrictions.
Travel Insurance
The trip price does not include travel insurance. Trip protection-style travel insurance that includes travel medical coverage is required for all trips with Traverse. The coverage must have a minimum $150,000 of medical coverage and include injury, medical, evacuation, and repatriation. See more info at https://traversejourneys.com/insurance
Documents, Personal Identification, Vaccinations
Traveler assumes complete and full responsibility for all required travel documents including passport, visas, entry or exit fees, and vaccinations. Traveler is also solely responsible for any adverse consequences resulting from incomplete or defective documentation. Traverse does not cover the cost or assist in obtaining any of the above, and reserves the right to collect information on all.
