Iceland Geography - Fire, Ice & Changing Landscapes

Arrival and straight into action!

On arrival at Keflavík International Airport, you will be welcomed by your guide and board your private coach. Your Icelandic adventure begins in the dramatic Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates slowly move apart along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Explore a landscape shaped by powerful geological forces, with rugged lava fields, volcanic craters, geothermal areas and steaming vents providing a remarkable first introduction to Iceland. Afterwards, continue to your accommodation for check-in, dinner and a briefing on the exciting journey ahead.

After breakfast at your hotel, travel along Iceland’s magnificent south coast, a region where towering waterfalls, black volcanic landscapes and ice-covered mountains create some of the country’s most memorable scenery. Your main visit is Seljalandsfoss, an elegant waterfall fed by meltwater from the Eyjafjallajökull glacier-volcano. The water plunges approximately 60 metres from a former sea cliff, offering an impressive reminder of how Iceland’s coastline has changed over thousands of years.

When weather and pathway conditions allow, you can follow the trail behind the waterfall and experience the cascade from a completely different perspective. During the journey, your guide will explain the geological features of the region and the impact of the famous 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption. Look out for traditional farms, distant glaciers and the dramatic cliffs that once marked Iceland’s shoreline.

Waterfalls, Volcanoes & the South Coast

Following breakfast, set out on a remarkable journey through the volcanic landscapes of southern Iceland. Visit the Laki lava fields, created by the enormous Lakagígar eruption of 1783–84. This eight-month event released vast quantities of lava and volcanic gases, causing devastating effects in Iceland and influencing weather conditions much farther afield. The moss-covered lava fields seen today demonstrate how nature gradually begins to reclaim land after a major eruption.

Continue towards Lómagnúpur, an imposing mountain rising almost vertically from the surrounding coastal plain. Its dark cliffs and unusual shape have made it an important landmark for travellers throughout Icelandic history. After enjoying a packed lunch, travel onwards to Jökulsárlón, the magnificent glacial lagoon beside Vatnajökull National Park. Watch icebergs of different shapes, sizes and colours drift slowly through the lagoon after breaking away from Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. Your guide will explain how the lagoon has expanded as the glacier retreats, providing a striking example of Iceland’s changing environment.

Landmannalaugar’s Colourful Highlands

Today, journey into Iceland’s remote interior for a full-day exploration of Landmannalaugar, one of the most extraordinary areas within the Fjallabak Nature Reserve. The route reveals an increasingly wild landscape of mountains, lava fields, rivers and open valleys, offering a wonderful contrast to the coastal scenery experienced earlier in the programme.

Landmannalaugar is particularly famous for its rhyolite mountains, which display shades of red, gold, green, pink and grey. These remarkable colours are created by volcanic rock and minerals altered by geothermal heat. Explore the area with your guide and look for steaming vents, natural hot springs and evidence of past eruptions. You will also see the dark Laugahraun lava field, formed during an eruption in the 15th century. The day provides an unforgettable opportunity to examine volcanism, geothermal activity and the formation of Iceland’s rugged Highland environment.

After breakfast, travel to the harbour and board the ferry for the scenic crossing to Vestmannaeyjar, also known as the Westman Islands. This volcanic archipelago off Iceland’s south coast consists of a collection of islands, sea stacks and rocky skerries created by repeated eruptions beneath the Atlantic Ocean. During the crossing, enjoy views of the steep cliffs and rugged coastline surrounding Heimaey.

On arrival, join a guided coach tour of Heimaey, the largest and only permanently inhabited island in the archipelago. Discover how the sudden Eldfell eruption began without warning in January 1973, forcing almost the entire population to evacuate by fishing boat. Lava threatened to block the harbour, but local people sprayed seawater onto the flow in an extraordinary effort to slow its progress. See the volcanic landscape created by the eruption and learn how residents returned to rebuild their homes and community. You will also hear about Surtsey, the protected island that emerged from the sea during an eruption beginning in 1963 and has since become an important location for scientific research.

Water, Geysers & Tectonic Plates of The Golden Circle

Following breakfast, begin your exploration of the Golden Circle, a route combining some of Iceland’s most spectacular natural scenery with its fascinating cultural history. Your first major highlight is Gullfoss, where the powerful Hvítá River plunges over two levels into a deep and rugged canyon. The water originates from the Langjökull glacier, and on bright days the spray rising above the falls can produce beautiful rainbows.

Continue to the Geysir geothermal area, where the ground bubbles and steams as superheated water rises from deep beneath the Earth. Although the original Great Geysir is now less active, nearby Strokkur erupts regularly, sending a dramatic column of boiling water into the air. Your guide will explain how underground heat, water and pressure combine to create this natural phenomenon.

At Þingvellir National Park, discover where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart, leaving visible cracks and cliffs across the landscape. Þingvellir is also the historic meeting place of the Alþing, established in AD 930 and considered one of the world’s earliest parliamentary institutions. Complete the day with a visit to Efstidalur dairy farm, where you can learn more about rural Icelandic life, before continuing to Hotel Örk for dinner and your overnight stay.

Glaciers, Northern Lights & Reykjavik

After enjoying breakfast, travel to Perlan, an exciting interactive attraction dedicated to Iceland’s natural wonders. Step inside a recreated ice cave maintained at sub-zero temperatures and experience the colours, textures and atmosphere of a glacier from within. Exhibitions explain how glaciers are formed, how they move across the landscape and why their retreat is closely monitored by scientists.

Continue through displays exploring Iceland’s volcanoes, earthquakes, geothermal energy, oceans and wildlife. In the planetarium, enjoy an immersive presentation revealing the science, stories and colours behind the Northern Lights. Perlan makes Iceland’s complex natural processes accessible and engaging, bringing together many of the geological and environmental themes encountered during your journey.

Later, join your guide for a walking tour through central Reykjavik. See the striking Hallgrímskirkja church, whose design was inspired by Iceland’s basalt lava formations, and explore the city’s colourful streets, distinctive architecture and lively waterfront area. There will also be some free time for last-minute shopping, allowing you to find Icelandic gifts and souvenirs before your final evening.

After your final breakfast at the hotel, check out and board your private coach for the transfer to Keflavík International Airport. The journey takes you back across the Reykjanes Peninsula, with another opportunity to admire its extensive lava fields and rugged volcanic landscape.

As you travel, reflect on an unforgettable Icelandic adventure that has taken you from glaciers and geothermal areas to powerful waterfalls, volcanic islands and the colourful Highlands. You will have experienced how fire, ice, water and shifting tectonic plates have combined to create one of the world’s most fascinating natural environments. On arrival at the airport, complete the check-in formalities and board your return flight home.