The wait is finally over, it is time to Grasp the land of endless waterfalls, magnificent glaciers, breathtaking volcanoes and of course, the Northern Lights!
Our itinerary will take you around Iceland's Ring Road to all the famous sights such as Skogafoss, Black Sand Beach, Glacier Lagoon, and also includes specialized tours like glacier caving, whale watching and dog sledding. You can't possibly visit Iceland and not end the trip with a relaxing visit to the Blue Lagoon so we made sure to include that too.
This trip is perfect for those who want to enjoy an outdoor adventure without any intense hiking. The itinerary includes a few day-hikes but none are challenging and we'll always end the night with the comfort of a warm bed and hotel.
WHY VISIT ICELAND WITH GRASP THE ADVENTURE:
We've got countless reasons but here are some.
At Grasp The Adventure, our number 1 goal is to promote the spirit of adventure and the love of nature while forming bonds as powerful as the mountains we hike on. We sincerely view all the graspers that joined our previous trips as friends and family, this is why we do our best to keep them safe and happy at all times. So besides going on awesome adventures to jaw-dropping sights, you’ll also be making new, like-minded friends.
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This trip is about more than just hiking. Each day will be more impressive than the one before as we visit roaring waterfalls, magnificent glaciers and magical beaches. We've all seen the countless Instagram posts regarding Iceland, but our team actually visited the country twice in the past in order to build you the perfect one week program. We also believe in giving you a unique experience, which is why we always choose the more adventurous option. Instead of regular whale watching, you'll get to witness the same Regal humpbacks and eerily beautiful Minkes but with a little surprise. We will not only hike on Europe's largest glacier but also enter one of it's blue icy caves. These are just two examples of the amazing, specialized tours we have planned for you.
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Iceland is a beautifully unique country that found it's way into every traveler's bucket list, and for good reason. Abundant with waterfalls, volcanoes and enormous glaciers, this place is an adventurer's wonderland. Vatnajokull is known to be the largest glacier in the world covering a total area of 7,900 km2... that's more than 10 times the size of New York City! During this trip, we will not only hike on this glacier but also visit some of it's cave networks while drinking the most refreshing, volcanic, glacier water straight out of it's stream. Basically, we did all the research and planning so that all you need to do is show up, turn up and have a blast.
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We understand that Iceland is not a cheap destination, which is why we take advantage of being a group to offer you the most affordable prices. Transportation alone across the entire ring road can be extremely pricey and break most budgets, not even accounting for accommodation and park fees. Worry not though, as we took everything into account and planned this 'almost' all inclusive trip for you (flights and some meals are not included, scroll further down for a complete list of inclusions and exclusions).
IS THIS TRIP TOO INTENSE FOR YOU... THE ANSWER IS NO!
Remain calm and read on!
Unlike some of our more challenging trips such as Kilimanjaro and Elbrus, this is a diverse adventure that offers maximum rewards for almost minimal effort. The beautiful thing about Iceland is that you can actually visit most of it's most spectacular sights by car without having to hike.
That being said, we would not be Grasp The Adventure if we didn't push you out of your comfort zone, even if it's just a little bit. That's why we included some day-hikes to waterfalls and around volcano craters, we will also be hiking on the glacier to visit the ice caves. None of the hikes are technical though and we'll always end the night with the comfort of a warm bed and hotel.
Finally, the best thing about a Grasp trip is that you're almost never alone (unless you really really want to be of course). You'll find endless support with the Grasp team and your fellow Graspers so if you're ever tired, worried or just need a little motivation, it won't take you long to find it.
PRICE INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
We hate unplanned spending that breaks budgets! That is why we include all the essentials in our package; that way, all you need to do is show up and let us worry about the rest.
INCLUSIONS
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Accommodation from April 6 to April 13
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Transportation from and to the airport
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Transportation around Iceland's ring road as per the itinerary
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Welcome Dinner on April 6
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Farewell Dinner on April 12
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Breakfast from April 7 to 13
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Park fees for the all destinations included in the itinerary
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All the activities mentioned in the itinerary
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Ice Cave Tour
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Whale Watching Tour
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Blue Lagoon Access
EXCLUSIONS
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International Flights
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Schengen Visa if required
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Lunch & Dinner meals
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Travel/Emergency Insurance- Recommended
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Personal Expenses (souvenirs, snacks)
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Clothing (check packing list for details)
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Optional activities that are not mentioned in itinerary
ICELAND RECOMMENDED PACKING LIST
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Original Passport
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4 wicking t-shirts
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7 sets of undergarments
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7 sets of socks (4 preferable merino wool, or warm socks)
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1 fleece Jacket
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1 down jacket
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1 rain jacket
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Waterproof, warm gloves
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2-4 Thermal tops (preferably merino wool)
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2 Thermal bottoms (preferably merino wool)
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2-4 Trousers
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Hiking Boots
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Swimwear
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Power bank
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Warm, winter hat
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Sun glasses
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Scarf or balaclava
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Sandals or slippers
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Sneakers
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Toiletries kit (soap, shampoo, conditioner, nail clippers, toothbrush, toothpaste, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, Fresh Buzz, toilet paper, hairbrush, feminine products)
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Personal First-Aid (Vitamins, hydration tablets, sleeping pills)
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Lip balm
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Moisturizing cream
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Nose drops
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Sunscreen
ITINERARY
Day 1, Saturday: Arrival in Reykjavik, Iceland
Your goal today is to get to Reykjavik at your own time; however, the earlier you are the better because the city does have some interesting things to offer. If you arrive early enough, we recommend checking out the Aurora Museum, the Saga & Maritime Museum for some interesting Viking history, visit the most famous church in town, Hallgrimskirkja, try the local cuisine at Cafe Loki, and satisfy your sweet cravings with a chocolate cake from Stofan cafe. Make sure you let us know when you're arriving and we'll pick you up from the airport. At 7 PM, we will head to one of our favorite restaurants in Reykjavik for our welcome dinner which is included in the package.
Accommodation: Hotel rooms or Villa, double basis, breakfast included
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Day 2, Sunday: The Golden Circle & South Coast
Located only a short drive from Reykjavik, the Golden Circle is the perfect introduction to what to expect in Iceland. First, we visit Þingvellir National Park, an incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site with immense geological, historical, and cultural significance. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates continue to move apart, runs right through Þingvellir. You will see the rugged plate edge of the gorge. If time permits, you can opt to snorkel or even scuba dive between the two continents! This needs to be booked in advance and at an extra cost so make sure to let us know if you are interested and we'll arrange it. Our next stop is at the Geysir geothermally active area, home to Great Geysir. This famous spouting hot spring gave us the English word 'geyser.' You will witness Strokkur, the most active hot spring in recent times, blasting powerful torrents of superheated water every 5 to 10 minutes. Steaming fumaroles and hot springs can also be seen around the area. The next attraction is the thundering Gullfoss waterfall or the "Golden Falls." You will see golden-toned mists rising around the waterfall as the mighty Hvítá river crashes through two drops of 11 m and 21 m. Hvítá means 'White River.' This raging glacial torrent originates at Langjökull, the second biggest glacier in Iceland. Our final attraction on the Golden Circle is the Kerid Crater, an eerily beautiful volcanic crater that is now a picturesque lake amid stark black and deep red slopes.
On the way to our hotel in Vic, we will stop to enjoy two legendary and stunning waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Both are around 60 m high, but otherwise, they are very different. Skógafoss waterfall cascades gracefully from the former sea cliffs. Seljalandsfoss is sometimes referred to as "the unusual waterfall" as there's a pathway that leads behind the curtain of falling water, offering you a unique experience and spectacular views. We will also stop at Reynisfjara black sand beach. A short walk along the beach will bring you to the awe-inspiring and unusual basalt-column cave. You will also see the troll-like and atmospheric Reynisdrangar peaks rising just off-shore. Finally, we will watch one of the most beautiful sunsets you'll ever witness. After checking in, we will head to one of the many restaurants in Vic for dinner and if the conditions are right, we'll go hunting for the Northern Lights afterwards.
Accommodation: Hotel rooms, double basis, breakfast included
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Day 3, Monday: The South Coast & It's Glaciers
Our first stop of the day is at the Fjadrarglijufer Canyon. A steep, 100 meter deep canyon running 2 km long with the Fjaora river winding through it. Next, we travel through some extraordinary landscapes and other-worldly scenery to Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park. We will see views of the stunning Mýrdalsjökull glacier, home to one of the most feared volcanoes of all, the notorious Katla. We will also see another great fire maestro, Eyjafjalljökull. Our journey will take us over the Eldhraun lava field to Skaftafell, a lush green oasis amid black volcanic sand areas. Skaftafell is quite sheltered with flourishing vegetation and birch forests. After hiking back to the cars, you can grab a quick bite at the entrance of the national park before we make a brief stop at the Svinafellsjokull Glacier viewpoint. We continue with the theme of ice, onwards to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Feast your eyes on the jaw-droppingly beautiful iceberg-filled lagoon and visit the fabulous Diamond Beach. This coal-black beach glitters with shimmering blue/white icebergs washed ashore by the tide. You will feel as though you have stepped through a magic doorway into a mystical ice realm with magic landscapes. Finally, we head to Hofn to check in and grab dinner in the town, if the conditions are right, we'll go hunting for the Northern Lights afterwards.
Accommodation: Hotel rooms, double basis, breakfast included
Day 4, Tuesday: Glacier Caves & The East Fjords
At 9 AM, we will meet our professional Glacier guides for a safety briefing before we transfer into the Super Trucks and head into Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier. Get ready for the most magical 2-3 hours of your life as we not only hike on the glacier but visit its blue glacial ice caves. Next, we make our way to Iceland´s sensational East Fjords. We will travel the narrow roads which thread their way between the mountains and the ocean, passing through the very remote peninsular of Hvalnes. Continuing onwards, we will see the dramatic and contrasting scenery around Lón, the Þvottárskriður landslides, and Álftafjarðar, a stunning fjord. We will stop at the picturesque village of Seydisfjordur, known for its colorful streets by the fjord. Next, we head to the Vok Baths to relax and unwind in the natural thermal waters before checking into our hotel in the nearby city of Egilsstadir and heading out to dinner. If the conditions are right, we'll go hunting for the Northern Lights afterwards.
Accommodation: Hotel rooms, double basis, breakfast included
Day 5, Wednesday: The North Coast & it's Waterfalls
Today we will explore North Iceland. Our journey from Egilsstaðir will take us through the wilderness area, we will start from Stuðlagil Canyon, one of the world’s most enchanting basalt rock formations. On our way to visit the magnificent Dettifoss waterfall, we will show you Möðrudalur, the highest inhabited place in Iceland at 469 m. The farming community that lives here hosts the highest coffee house on the land! Our next destination is the Dettifoss waterfall. These falls have the most powerful flow rate in Europe. Believe us when we say that this roaring torrent is truly remarkable. Our next attraction, the mystical landscapes around Lake Mývatn, have a different character. The scenery will keep getting more surreal! We are heading to the steaming lunar landscapes and bubbling technicolor mud pots at the Námaskarð geothermal area. The steaming fumaroles and sizzling hot springs waft clouds of steam across these other-worldly vistas. There are more extraordinary scenes when we take you to see the unbelievable Dimmuborgir lava formations, known as the Dark Castles. For the Game of Thrones fans, we will also visit the famous cave where John Snow first broke his oath... you know nothin John Snow ;)
We end the day with one of our favorite waterfalls in Iceland, Godafoss, before heading to our hotel in the city of Akureyri, the capital of the North. After dinner, we'll go hunting for the Northern Lights if the conditions are right.
Accommodation: Hotel rooms, double basis, breakfast included
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Day 6, Thursday: Whale Watching & the North Coast
The drive to Dalvik from Akureyri is absolutely stunning, but the highlight of the day is definitely the whale watching tour! We will skim over Eyjafjörður, going in whichever direction is best to see humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, minke whales, and if we're extremely luck... blue whales. Next on the agenda is a drive to Siglufjörður, a beautiful fishing village with an incredible history. This town was overtaken by a Klondike-like gold rush atmosphere in the early 20th century when the tiny and isolated community became known as the herring fishing capital of the Atlantic. We will then make a stop at the magical Hvitserkur, a gigantic Dragongate that stands strong in the middle of the raging sea. Our final stop of the day is at the beautiful Kolugljufur Canyon before ending the day in the town of Laugarbakki. After dinner, we'll go hunting for the Northern Lights if the conditions are right.
Accommodation: Hotel rooms, double basis, breakfast included
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Day 7, Friday: West Iceland
The final day of our Ring Road adventure will be focused on the delights of West Iceland. Lonely Planet voted this area as one of their best destinations in 2016. Our first stop of the day is at Grábrók, a volcano crater surrounded by lunar-like lava. We will lead you on a short hike to view the crater from the top and enjoy the magnificent views over the whole area. We will enjoy the fabulous and extremely diverse sights of Borgarfjörður today. We'll stop at Deildartunguhver hot spring, the most powerful hot spring in Europe. We will also see the incredible Hraunfossar cascade. These wide falls are composed of thousands of tiny rivulets which tumble out of the lava field, a truly astonishing sight! Then there is Barnafoss waterfall. The name means 'the Children's Falls', a rather tragic folklore tale associated with this particular waterfall's naming, no spoilers though, we'll tell you the tale when we're there. Finally, our drive back to Reykjavík will take us around, Hvalfjörður (Whale Fjord), a scenic fjord before we end our adventure at the one and only, Blue Lagoon, one of the 25 wonders of the world. This is the perfect end to relax our bodies while we reminisce over the magical week we just had. Once back in Reykjavik, we will check into our hotel and freshen up before heading to Reykjavik's The Steakhouse for our farewell dinner, here, you can try some very special delights.
Accommodation: Hotel rooms, double basis, breakfast included
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Day 8, Saturday: Departure
It is sadly the end of this trip, but the start of many more yet to come. After breakfast, we make our way to Reykjavik's international airport, Keflavik Airport where we say our farewells and begin to look forward to our next reunion. If your flight is later in the day, you can check out some of the things Reykjavik has to offer, just refer to day 1 of this itinerary to see our recommendations. It may be the end of this adventure, but the start of beautiful friendships and bonds that never break.
