You need to dress warmly for the cave tour, since the temperature is just above freezing throughout the year. Hiking shoes/boots are recommended but sneakers are acceptable

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Budir/Standard Room

26 Oct: Full Day Tour of The Golden Circle with Transfer to Vik

The Golden Circle is the most visited attraction of Iceland: it’s during this excursion that you see the Geysir geothermal area, the Gullfoss waterfall and the Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park.

Gullfoss waterfall
Gullfoss is one of Icelands most majestic waterfalls. The waterfall originates in the Langjökull glacier and gets it’s name from the gold hue it gives off as it tumbles downward into the canyon. The waterfall drops down into a crevice of 32 meters (105 ft) in two steps being 11 meters and 21 meters each. On many occasions rainbows can be observed dancing across the top of this magnificent sight. Gullfoss has an interesting history that involves investors trying to harness its awesome power. The waterfall can viewed from a few different locations. The upper deck next to the visitor center gives a great view from above. By walking down the staircase the waterfall can be viewed from the lower deck. From there the waterfall seems to vanish into the earth. From the lower deck you can walk a path that leads towards the first plunge of the waterfall. This will give you a great view into the crevice and a feeling of the true power of the waterfall. This path can be closed if the path is icy and conditions are not good.

Geysir Geothermal Area
The Geysir area boosts with steam vents, bubbling pits, hot ponds, magnificent colours and the highlight of the site, Strokkur Geyser. Strokkur performs natural and powerful eruptions, spouting water and steam some 20 m up in the air every 10 minutes. Walking paths take you between interesting geothermal features so you don’t miss out on any wonder or smell! The Geysir area offers large visitor centre with souvenirs, local products and many possibilities for purchasing lunch.

Þingvellir National Park
The National Park and UNESCO World Heritage site called Þingvellir (Thingvellir). Þingvellir is Icelands most important site when it comes to history and geology. This is where the worlds first parliament was established by the vikings in 930 AD, making it the oldest parliament, still active, in the world. The park sits in a rift valley caused by the separation of 2 tectonic plates, the Eurasion and the North American one. Starting from the bottom of the Rift Valley you walk in the footsteps of the Vikings, along impressive Almannagjá all the way to Hakið. Hakið is an ideal viewing point giving you a great overview of the whole area. You can almost witness the continental drift as you take a walk between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates. As you walk up to the North American plate via Almannagjá you can read interesting tidbits about our history, viking era and how the laws of the land were established. Þingvellir is also a natural treasure with it’s vast lava fields and rivers leading into Icelands largest lake. The Þingvellir valley has been an inspiration for numerous painters and photographers alike.

Greenhouse visit – Fridheimar 
Visitors gain an insight into the processes of greenhouse horticulture, with a short and informative talk on the subject – and in fact it is quite remarkable that it should be possible to grow vegetables in this cold climate, by creating warm Mediterranean conditions, all year round, through the long dark winter. The Atrium also includes an exhibition about the use of geothermal heating in Icelandic horticulture.

After the tour, you be transferred to Vik.

During this day you will see some of the most iconic attractions of Iceland: the Black Sand Beach, Skaftafell National Park, Jökulsálarlón Glacier Lagoon, the Diamond Beach and the lava field of Eldhraun.

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
The legendary black volcanic beach with basalt columns, lava rock formations, towering sea stacks, and basalt column caves is totally breathtaking. In fact, Reynisfjara has been ranked as one of the ten most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world by the American journal! The Reynisdrangar basalt rock sea stacks rise over the sea just off the shore. As local folklore goes, these odd pillars were trolls who turned into stone by the touch of the rising sun when they came back too late from a fishing trip. These cliffs and sea stacks here are home to a number of nesting seabird species during the summertime. Iceland’s iconic, funny-looking seabird, the Atlantic Puffin can be found here between early May and late August. In the distance, you the Dyrhólaey rock arches are visible, making the view even more unforgettable.

Skaftafell National Park
Make a stop at Skeiðará Bridge offering a great viewing point over the Skaftafell National Park, here you will see also the Vatnajökull Glacier, with Iceland’s highest peak, Hvannadalshnjúkur towering above the landscape. Skaftafell appears in several famous movies such as Batman Begins, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and the James Bond movie A View to A Kill. Game of Thrones and Interstellar were both shot around Svínafellsjökull glacier, which is now often called ‘the Hollywood Glacier’!

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach
This epic lagoon is the biggest star of the South Coast. The dream-like glacier lake – the deepest lake in the country – is situated at the southern end of the Vatnajökull ice cap. As the glacier retreats, icebergs of all sizes and shapes break off its tip floating across the lagoon, drifting slowly from the tip of the glacier towards the ocean. This thrilling environment is constantly changing as the massive glacier tongue retreats more and more. A short walk away, you can find the Diamond Beach (or Crystal Beach), a nearby black sand beach where the big icebergs are washed ashore and break into millions of ice crystals, decorating the sand as glittering diamonds.

Eldhraun Lava Field
The vast Eldhraun lava field was created in one of the greatest eruptions in recorded history and is of the largest of its kind in the world. The Lakagigar craters were also created during this eruption. This eruption lasted from 1783 to 1784 and is known as the Skaftáreldar (The Skaftá River Fires). This was a cataclysmic event for Iceland and beyond. In Iceland, it lead to disease, crop failure and disasters. The eruption affected Europe as well. In Great Britain, that summer is known as the Sand-Summer in Great Britain due to the fallout of ash and it is believed that the airborne haze and blocking of sunlight may have contributed to the French Revolution. Despite the abysmal effect the eruption had, this lava field of 565 km2 is today one of the most stunningly attractive ones in Iceland. 

Premium Entrance – Blue Lagoon
Blue Lagoon was formed in 1976 during operation at the nearby geothermal power plant. In the years that followed, people began to bathe in the unique water and apply the silica mud to their skin. On its way to the surface, the water picks up silica and minerals, before emerging at a soothing 38°C (100°F). Perfect for a relaxing and re-energising bath.

• Premium Entrance includes:
• Premium access to the Blue Lagoon
• Use of a bathrobe
• Silica Mud Mask at the Mask Bar
• Two additional face masks of your choice at the Mask Bar
• Complimentary drink at the In-Water Bar
• Use of a towel
• Glass of sparkling wine if you dine at Lava Restaurant

After the tour, transfer to your hotel in Reykjavik.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Sandhotel/Standard Room

29 Oct: Departure from Iceland / Optional Extra Day
For those departing today, meet your driver after breakfast for private road transfer to the airport. 

For those staying another day, today will be spent at your leisure. Optional Excursions to consider at an additional cost (transfers included) :