Hamilton & Chase Tours
Essence of Iceland — Private Package 8-day Scandinavia tour: Reykjavík, the Golden Circle, the South Coast, Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, and Snæfellsnes.

8-Day Private Package Journey

Essence of Iceland

Reykjavík, the Golden Circle, the South Coast, Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, and Snæfellsnes.

Available as Private Semi-Private Self-Guided
From €3,990 per person 8 days / 7 nights
View Itinerary

Tour Overview

8 days across Scandinavia.

Iceland is the youngest country in Europe geologically — a volcanic island on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge that is still being formed, whose landscape of geysers, lava fields, glaciers, and waterfalls is unlike anything on the European continent. The Golden Circle is the essential Icelandic day trip: Þingvellir (the UNESCO World Heritage site where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are visibly separating and where the world's oldest parliament met from 930 AD), Geysir (the original geyser that gave the word to every language), and Gullfoss (the two-tiered glacial waterfall whose volume and crash are the most powerful waterfall experience in Iceland). The South Coast between Reykjavík and the glacier lagoon is where Iceland's dramatic scenery is most concentrated: Seljalandsfoss (whose path goes behind the waterfall), Skógafoss (60 metres wide and 25 metres high), Reynisfjara (the black sand beach of hexagonal basalt columns and Atlantic breakers where Instagram photoshoots and near-drownings occur in approximately equal measure), and the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon where icebergs calve from the Vatnajökull glacier and drift to the Diamond Beach. Snæfellsnes Peninsula on Iceland's west coast is the setting for Jules Verne's Journey to the Centre of the Earth — the Snæfellsjökull glacier at the tip of the peninsula is the entry point. The Blue Lagoon is the most visited attraction in Iceland: the geothermal spa in the lava field outside Reykjavík where the turquoise water is 38°C year-round.

Detailed Itinerary

Your journey, day by day.

Every day is designed with breathing room. Sleep in, take a detour, linger at lunch — the itinerary flexes around you, not the other way around.

Day 1 — Arrival in Reykjavík
Day 1
1

Day 1

Arrival in Reykjavík

The world's most northerly capital.

Reykjavík is the world's most northerly capital — 64°N, on the south coast of Iceland, home to 200,000 people (two thirds of Iceland's total population). The city runs entirely on geothermal energy: the hot water that heats every building comes from the volcanic systems beneath the city, and the characteristic smell of sulfur in the tap water is the signature of a city that sits on a hot spring. Your private driver meets you at Keflavík International Airport, 45 kilometres southwest of the capital. Hallgrímskirkja in the afternoon: the Lutheran church designed by Guðjón Samúelsson in 1937 and completed in 1986, whose 73-metre spire is the tallest structure in Iceland and whose concrete basalt-column facade references the landscape of the entire island. Harpa Concert Hall on the harbour: the 2011 Henning Larsen building of geometric glass panels that has become Iceland's most celebrated contemporary building. Welcome dinner in the city centre.

  • Private airport transfer to Reykjavík
  • Hallgrímskirkja — the 73-metre basalt-column church tower
  • Harpa Concert Hall — the geometric glass harbour building
  • Laugavegur street and the Reykjavík food scene
4–5★ hotel, Reykjavík city centre
Day 2 — Reykjavík in Depth
Day 2
2

Day 2

Reykjavík in Depth

The National Museum, the whale museum, and the city that runs on volcanoes.

The National Museum of Iceland on Suðurgata: the complete story of Iceland from the settlement of 874 AD (the oldest dated human artefact in Iceland is a Viking-age cow stall preserved in Reykjavik's suburbs) to the 20th century — the Sagas, the medieval manuscripts, the fishing industry that drove the economy for a thousand years, and the explosive economic development that preceded the 2008 financial crash that Iceland navigated differently from anywhere else. The Whale Museum (Whales of Iceland) at Grandi Harbour: the life-size scale models of the 23 whale species found in Icelandic waters — including the blue whale at 23 metres — suspended from the ceiling of a renovated warehouse. The Settlement Exhibition beneath the Reykjavík hotel Centrum: the excavated remains of a Viking longhouse from approximately 871 AD, displayed in situ under a glass floor with the archaeology explained at the level of the individuals who lived in it. Dinner in the Grandi Harbour district — the converted fishing warehouse neighbourhood whose restaurants represent the best of the Reykjavík food scene.

  • National Museum of Iceland — the 874 AD settlement to the present
  • Whales of Iceland — 23 life-size whale models including the blue whale
  • Settlement Exhibition — the Viking longhouse below the city
  • Grandi Harbour district dinner
Meals: Breakfast 4–5★ hotel, Reykjavík
Day 3 — The Golden Circle
Day 3
3

Day 3

The Golden Circle

Þingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss — the three sites that define Iceland.

Þingvellir National Park: the UNESCO World Heritage site where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are separating at 2 centimetres per year — the rift valley they are creating is visible as a cliff on the eastern shore of Lake Þingvallavatn. The Alþing — the Icelandic parliament — met here from 930 to 1798, making it the site of the world's oldest continuous parliament. The Lögberg (Law Rock) where the Lawspeaker recited the law from memory each summer. Geysir: the geothermal field in the Haukadalur valley whose Strokkur geyser erupts every 4–8 minutes to a height of 15–40 metres — the reliable performer; the Great Geysir itself is dormant. The word 'geyser' comes from the Icelandic geysir (gusher) and derives from this specific location. Gullfoss: the two-tiered glacial waterfall on the Hvítá River whose total drop of 32 metres and volume of 140 cubic metres per second create a roar audible from the road and a spray that forms a permanent rainbow on sunny days.

  • Þingvellir — the tectonic rift and the world's oldest parliament
  • Geysir — the original geyser, erupting every 4–8 minutes
  • Gullfoss — the glacial waterfall of 140 cubic metres per second
  • Golden Circle landscape — the Icelandic interior between the mountains
Meals: Breakfast 4★ hotel, South Iceland
Day 4 — South Coast — Waterfalls and Black Sand
Day 4
4

Day 4

South Coast — Waterfalls and Black Sand

Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, and the warning signs at Reynisfjara.

The South Coast between Selfoss and Vík is where Iceland's iconic landscapes are most concentrated. Seljalandsfoss: the 60-metre waterfall that falls free from the glacial escarpment, behind whose curtain a path runs — one of the few waterfalls in the world that can be walked behind, soaking those who do. Skógafoss: the 25-metre-wide, 60-metre-tall waterfall at the foot of the same escarpment — the most powerful single-drop waterfall on the South Coast, whose rainbow (produced by the spray in the afternoon light) is the most photographed scene in Iceland after the Northern Lights. Reynisfjara: the black sand beach of hexagonal basalt columns and sea stacks at the foot of the Reynisfjall cliffs. The sneaker waves that break unpredictably on this beach have killed visitors who ignored the safety signs; the guide explains the danger and the safe viewing line. Vík: the southernmost village in Iceland, whose church on the black sand hill is the community assembly point in the event of an eruption of the nearby Katla volcano (which last erupted in 1918 and is overdue).

  • Seljalandsfoss — walk behind the waterfall
  • Skógafoss — the 25-metre wide glacial falls with its rainbow
  • Reynisfjara — the black sand beach, basalt columns, and safety briefing
  • Vík — the southernmost village and the Katla shadow
Meals: Breakfast 4★ hotel, Vík or South Coast
Day 5 — Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Day 5
5

Day 5

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

The icebergs that calve from Europe's largest glacier.

Jökulsárlón is the glacial lagoon at the edge of the Vatnajökull glacier — Europe's largest glacier by volume, whose 8,100 square kilometres cover 8% of Iceland's total land area. Icebergs calve from the glacier's Breiðamerkurjökull outlet and float in the lagoon — some the size of houses, blue and white and transparent, drifting on the tidal current toward the sea. The boat tour on the lagoon: the amphibious vessel that navigates between the icebergs, whose guide explains the glacier system, the calving process, and the rate at which the lagoon is expanding as the glacier retreats. Diamond Beach: the black sand beach immediately east of the lagoon mouth, where the icebergs that drift to the sea are washed back onto the sand as translucent ice blocks — ice on black sand in the horizontal Icelandic light is the most photographed scene on the South Coast. The drive back west across the volcanic plain with the Vatnajökull glacier visible to the north.

  • Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon — icebergs calving from Vatnajökull
  • Amphibious boat tour between the icebergs
  • Diamond Beach — ice blocks on black sand
  • Vatnajökull — Europe's largest glacier
Meals: Breakfast 4★ hotel, South Coast or Reykjavík area
Day 6 — Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Day 6
6

Day 6

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Jules Verne's entry to the centre of the earth.

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula extends 90 kilometres west from the Borgarfjörður into the Atlantic — a landscape of volcanic peaks, glaciers, fishing villages, lava fields, and sea cliffs that Jules Verne used as the entry point for his 1864 novel Journey to the Centre of the Earth, sending his characters into the Snæfellsjökull glacier to begin their descent. The Snæfellsjökull National Park at the peninsula's tip: the glacier and the volcanic system beneath it, accessible on foot with crampons or by snowmobile in winter. The Arnarstapi sea cliffs: the basalt columns and natural arches at the foot of the Snæfellsjökull, where fulmars and Arctic terns nest in the summer. Djúpalónssandur: the black sand beach of the peninsula's south coast, where the four lifting stones — the weights (100kg to 23kg) used by Viking fishermen to test their crew before a voyage — still lie where the longboats were hauled up. Búðir: the 19th-century black church in the lava field that has become Iceland's most photographed small building.

  • Snæfellsjökull glacier — Jules Verne's entry to the centre of the earth
  • Arnarstapi sea cliffs — basalt arches and the Arctic tern colonies
  • Djúpalónssandur — the Viking lifting stones on black sand
  • Búðir black church — the 19th-century building in the lava field
Meals: Breakfast 4–5★ hotel, Reykjavík
Day 7 — Northern Lights and the Blue Lagoon
Day 7
7

Day 7

Northern Lights and the Blue Lagoon

The aurora over the lava field and the geothermal spa.

The Blue Lagoon: the geothermal spa in the Reykjanes lava field 50 kilometres from Reykjavík, where the turquoise water is heated to 38°C by the volcanic system beneath and whose silica mud is the most famous skin treatment in Scandinavia. The Blue Lagoon is the most visited attraction in Iceland — Hamilton & Chase pre-books the entry to avoid the queues. The water's colour comes from the silica suspended in the geothermal fluid, which scatters blue light. In winter the contrast between the warm water and the cold air creates a mist above the lagoon that makes the experience more atmospheric. Northern Lights in the evening: a guide-led aurora chase from Reykjavík into the dark Reykjanes peninsula landscape, monitoring the Icelandic Meteorological Office forecast. Iceland's location in the auroral oval makes it one of the most reliable Northern Lights destinations in the world from September to March.

  • Blue Lagoon — the 38°C geothermal spa in the lava field
  • Silica mud treatment and the turquoise geothermal water
  • Northern Lights chase from Reykjavík (September–March)
  • Reykjanes peninsula volcanic landscape
Meals: Breakfast 4–5★ hotel, Reykjavík
Day 8 — Departure from Reykjavík
Day 8
8

Day 8

Departure from Reykjavík

One last Icelandic morning.

Reykjavík in the morning: the Kolaportið flea market on the harbour (open weekends), the Laugavegur shopping street for the Icelandic wool sweaters (lopapeysa) and Icelandic craft spirits, and a final skyr with wild Icelandic blueberries — the yoghurt-like dairy product that Icelanders have been eating since the Viking Age. Keflavík International Airport is 45 minutes from central Reykjavík. Your private driver transfers you at the agreed time. Iceland departures to North America and Europe operate primarily in the morning and early afternoon.

  • Laugavegur final morning — lopapeysa wool sweaters and Icelandic spirits
  • Kolaportið harbour flea market (weekends)
  • Private transfer to Keflavík International Airport
Meals: Breakfast

Where You'll Stay

Hand-picked hotels, every night.

We choose properties for character, location, and the kind of service that makes you feel looked after — not just checked in. Every hotel can be swapped for an alternative if you prefer.

4–5★ hotel, Reykjavík

Reykjavík

2 nights

4–5★ hotel

City centre

Two nights for the city programme before heading to the South Coast

4★ hotel, South Iceland

South Iceland

2 nights

4★ hotel

Selfoss, Hvolsvöllur, or Vík

South Coast accommodation puts you in the landscape — the Golden Circle and waterfall sites are easily reached from anywhere along this stretch

4–5★ hotel, Reykjavík area

Reykjavík area

3 nights

4–5★ hotel

Reykjavík or peninsula

Return to Reykjavík for the Snæfellsnes day, Northern Lights chase, and Blue Lagoon

Hotels shown are indicative of the standard we book. Upon request, we will provide a detailed itinerary with specific hotel options tailored to your preferences and budget.

What's in the Price

Included

  • 7 nights in 4–5★ hotels and South Coast lodges
  • Daily breakfast at each property
  • Private airport transfer at Keflavík
  • Private vehicle and driver throughout
  • Reykjavík guided visits — Hallgrímskirkja, National Museum, Settlement Exhibition
  • Whales of Iceland museum entry
  • Þingvellir National Park guided visit
  • Geysir and Gullfoss guided visit
  • South Coast guided circuit — Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara, Vík
  • Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon amphibious boat tour
  • Diamond Beach visit
  • Snæfellsnes Peninsula guided circuit
  • Blue Lagoon entry (pre-booked)
  • Northern Lights evening chase (September–March)
  • All entrance fees for guided visits
  • 24/7 travel specialist support
  • Hamilton & Chase digital travel booklet

Not Included

  • International flights to/from Keflavík
  • Travel insurance (required — we can arrange on request)
  • Meals not listed
  • Personal expenses
  • Gratuities for guides and drivers
  • Accommodation tax

Good to Know

  • Reynisfjara beach: the sneaker waves at this beach have killed visitors. The safety instructions are serious and non-negotiable — Hamilton & Chase guides brief guests before the beach and the safety line must be respected.
  • Iceland weather is highly variable — sunshine, wind, rain, and snow can all occur on the same day at any time of year. Layered waterproofs and sturdy footwear are essential.
  • Blue Lagoon entry must be booked in advance — walk-in is not possible. Hamilton & Chase books premium entry to avoid queuing.
  • Northern Lights occur only in sufficient darkness — this tour operates year-round but Northern Lights chasing is only possible September to mid-April. Summer visitors (May–July) experience the Midnight Sun instead.

Make It Yours

Optional add-ons & upgrades.

Every trip is different. These extras can be woven into your itinerary — just let your travel specialist know what catches your eye.

Glacier hiking on Sólheimajökull

A two-hour guided walk on the Sólheimajökull glacier outlet — crampons and ice axe provided, no experience required. The glacier is retreating at 40–80 metres per year, and the guide explains the visible retreat over the past decade. Can be added to the South Coast day.

From €85 pp

Þórsmörk valley excursion

A super-jeep excursion to the Þórsmörk valley — the birch forest valley between three glaciers, accessible only by 4x4 river crossings. The most dramatic landscape on the South Coast, usually missed on standard tours.

From €125 pp

Whale watching from Reykjavík

A three-hour whale watching boat from the Old Harbour — minke whales, harbour porpoise, and white-beaked dolphins in Faxaflói Bay. Best May–September.

From €75 pp

Sky Lagoon

The newer geothermal spa at Kópavogur, south of Reykjavík, whose infinity pool edge faces the open sea — a quieter, more architecturally considered alternative to the Blue Lagoon. Can replace or supplement the Blue Lagoon visit.

From €65 pp

"Iceland does not overstate itself. The guidebooks say the landscapes are extraordinary and then you stand at Gullfoss and understand that 'extraordinary' is an understatement designed for people who have not yet been there. Reynisfjara with the waves breaking on the black sand and the basalt columns and the puffins on the cliff — this is not something that transfers to a photograph. Hamilton & Chase gave us eight days at exactly the right pace."

Diane & Tom K.

Seattle, USA · Essence of Iceland, July 2024

Common Questions

Questions about this trip.

What is the best time of year to visit Iceland?

June–July for the Midnight Sun, wildflowers, and maximum daylight. September–October for Northern Lights and the first autumn colours. Winter (November–March) for Northern Lights, snow landscapes, and ice caves in the glaciers. There is no bad time — each season gives a completely different Iceland.

Are Iceland's roads safe to drive?

The Ring Road (Route 1) is paved and safe in most conditions. The interior highland roads (F-roads) require a 4x4 and are closed October–May. This tour uses a private driver for all journeys — guests do not need to navigate Icelandic roads.

Private Package Journey

Essence of Iceland

8 days / 7 nights

From €3,990

per person

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