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Dates: Upon request for all family sizes
Price: Depending on your family size. Please contact us for prices. [email protected] Included:
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This tour is an exciting one week family adventure to explore Iceland´s fantastic nature, geology and Viking history. Not to forget the dancing Northern Lights, the Aurora borealis! We will visit and bath in hot springs, climb and ride snow scooters on glaciers, ride the sturdy Icelandic horse, learn everything that is to know about whales and visit the places the Vikings called their home. To travel in Iceland is just like a fun lesson – nowhere in the world but in Iceland you can „touch“ history and geology in such an exciting but safe way. Travel with dedicated guides specializing in family tours. Choice of accommodation in friendly family guesthouses, hotels or self catering summer houses.
This itinerary below is a sample of what could be arranged for your family adventure tour. Any additions or changes can be made to suit your family´s needs and likes! |
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Day by day itinerary - Example
Day 1: Hveragerði Geothermal Park – Geysir – Gullfoss – Secret Lagoon
Meet & Greet with your guide. Every tour member receives an Exploring Iceland water bottle to use during the days. Natural Icelandic spring water is considered to be the best and healthiest in the world. By bus we leave the city and drive over the lava covered highland plateau Hellisheiði towards Hveragerði town. A place situated right on top of the Mid Atlantic ridge and due to the location prone to frequent earthquakes. Experience an earthquake in the earthquake simulator and feel your blood pressure rise as sounds and shock waves take you right into an earthquake of an magnitude of over 6 on the Richter scale. We continue to the Geysir geothermal field, where Strokkur erupts about every 6-10 minutes with a 20-30 m hot water fountain. Close by is Gullfoss waterfall, one of Iceland´s most beautiful and famous waterfalls. Enjoy breathtaking views from different levels. Optional snow scooter tour on Langjökull glacier. After such an exciting first day it seems only appropriate to end the day with some relaxation in the Secret Lagoon, a natural hot spring. The pool´s steam rising into the air gives the place a magical feeling. The warm water keeps a temperature of 38-40° Celsius all year round. Close by there is even a little Geysir which erupts every 5 minutes, showing off for the guests relaxing in the hot spring. Changing rooms with showers are on site.
Day 2: Waterfalls – Volcanoes – Glaciers and black beaches
After breakfast we head towards the South Shore with its magnificent waterfalls and glacier views. At Seljalandsfoss we can even walk behind the mighty waterfall! We visit the Eyjafjallajökull Visitor Center which is dedicated to the huge volcanic eruption in 2010 that practically grounded all Atlantic air traffic for several weeks before heading towards the beautiful village of Skógar with its majestic 60 m Skógafoss waterfall. We visit the lovely open air museum which takes us centuries back in time. At Sólheimajökull a guide awaits us for a walk with crampons and ice axes on top of the glacier! On our way back we take a walk along the black beach of Reynisfjara with its spectacular basalt column formations. Back to the guesthouse and perhaps a visit to the local geothermal pool after dinner?
Day 3: Icelandic Farm Animals – Horse Riding – Whales – Coast Guard – Wave pool – ICE SAR
The first part of today is dedicated to Icelandic Farm animals. We visit the farm animal zoo in Reykjavík with many cuddly farm animals and the funny seals and go for a ride on the sturdy Icelandic Horse (optional tour – depending on weather). Icelandic Horses are known for their friendly character and special soft gait, the tölt. On we go to the Whale exhibition in Reykjavík harbor , the largest of its kind in Europe. Here we can learn everything there is to know about whales and wonder about life size whale models. An audio guide in many languages takes us through the exhibition. Since you can download the app – you can always refresh your knowledge at home. At Víkin – the Maritime Museum we take a step back in time when walk through the displays that show how the cod was salted in the old days – a wonderful little museum that shows all the aspects of living off the sea. A highlight is the visit to Óðinn – a retired coast guard ship that was involved in the famous cod wars. After so much information we need to refuel and the best way to do so might be with a big scoop of the lovely home made ice-cream at Valdís Ice parlour by the harbor. Now it is time for some activity and we drive to the beautiful peninsula of Álftanes where the Icelandic president resides. In the local open air pool with a wave basin and a huge slide we surely are all going to get some action! The last exciting stop today brings us to an ICE SAR Station (Icelandic Search and Rescue) where members of the group meet up with us and tell us about their education and life saving missions.
Day 4: Þingvellir Nationalpark – Hraunfossar – Deildartunguhver - Háafell Goat farm
Today will be the most fun geology and history lesson you ever had! Your guide takes you right upon the Mid Atlantic ridge where Europe and America are drifting apart by about 2 cm a year, forming a lake filled valley in between the continents. Clearly we can see the outlines of the dividing plates as we drive and walk through Þingvellir Nationalpark. But this area is also one of the most important historical sites in Iceland. This is the place where the Icelandic Parliament was founded by Viking settlers in 930 AD and we can still see some of the sites such as the „drowning pool“ and the „lawspeaker´s hill“. For fans of the Games of Thrones films this area should look familiar since many scenes of this famous show were shot here at Þingvellir. We continue to West Iceland to see the beautiful Hraunfossar, sometimes also called „Lava Falls“. They are a very unusual natural phenomena. Cold subterranean spring water seeps through the lava and runs as hundreds of tiny waterfalls and rapids into the Hvítá River. We also visit Deildartunguhver, Europe´s most productive hot spring. Of course we need to take some time as well for the cuddly goats at Háafell farm that are always just waiting for some companions to run and play.
Day 5: Eiríksstaðir Home of Erik the Red – Erpsstaðir Dairy Farm – Games night at Hraunsnef
We head off to Eiríksstaðir, the home of the famous and ferocious Viking Erik the Red who settled in Greenland and founded a Viking Settlement on the huge icy island. His son, Leif the Lucky, sailed to and later settled in Vínland, the modern Newfoundland. At Eiríksstaðir we get a fascinating insight into the daily life of the Viking families. For everybody with a „sweet tooth“ there will be another stop for some homemade ice-cream at the dairy farm Erpsstaðir. Back to Hraunsnef Country Hotel for games night at the hotel.
Day 6: All about the Vikings! Settlement Exhibition - Viking Crafts – Reykjavík Saga museum
Our first stop it at Borgarnes, where we visit the Settlement Exhibition. It provides a fascinating insight into the settlement of Iceland based on early written sources. It tells how the land was discovered, how the Viking sailors conquered the open ocean and why they left their homelands in Norway. It tells of the first men to set foot on the island and how the land was settled up to the establishment of the first parliament in the world, the Althing, at Thingvellir in 930AD. At Akranes we become Vikings ourselves when we produce our own Viking necklaces before visiting the Saga Museum in Reykjavík, where life-like replicas of historical Icelandic figures have been created, based on descriptions found in the Viking sagas and chronicles. Clothing, weapons and everyday objects were constructed using traditional methods passed down through the ages. The weapons were specially crafted and the wool and linen articles dyed by hand. Arrival at your hotel in Reykjavík in the evening.
Exploring Iceland reserves the right to alter routes, itineraries or timetables should the necessity arise.
Meet & Greet with your guide. Every tour member receives an Exploring Iceland water bottle to use during the days. Natural Icelandic spring water is considered to be the best and healthiest in the world. By bus we leave the city and drive over the lava covered highland plateau Hellisheiði towards Hveragerði town. A place situated right on top of the Mid Atlantic ridge and due to the location prone to frequent earthquakes. Experience an earthquake in the earthquake simulator and feel your blood pressure rise as sounds and shock waves take you right into an earthquake of an magnitude of over 6 on the Richter scale. We continue to the Geysir geothermal field, where Strokkur erupts about every 6-10 minutes with a 20-30 m hot water fountain. Close by is Gullfoss waterfall, one of Iceland´s most beautiful and famous waterfalls. Enjoy breathtaking views from different levels. Optional snow scooter tour on Langjökull glacier. After such an exciting first day it seems only appropriate to end the day with some relaxation in the Secret Lagoon, a natural hot spring. The pool´s steam rising into the air gives the place a magical feeling. The warm water keeps a temperature of 38-40° Celsius all year round. Close by there is even a little Geysir which erupts every 5 minutes, showing off for the guests relaxing in the hot spring. Changing rooms with showers are on site.
Day 2: Waterfalls – Volcanoes – Glaciers and black beaches
After breakfast we head towards the South Shore with its magnificent waterfalls and glacier views. At Seljalandsfoss we can even walk behind the mighty waterfall! We visit the Eyjafjallajökull Visitor Center which is dedicated to the huge volcanic eruption in 2010 that practically grounded all Atlantic air traffic for several weeks before heading towards the beautiful village of Skógar with its majestic 60 m Skógafoss waterfall. We visit the lovely open air museum which takes us centuries back in time. At Sólheimajökull a guide awaits us for a walk with crampons and ice axes on top of the glacier! On our way back we take a walk along the black beach of Reynisfjara with its spectacular basalt column formations. Back to the guesthouse and perhaps a visit to the local geothermal pool after dinner?
Day 3: Icelandic Farm Animals – Horse Riding – Whales – Coast Guard – Wave pool – ICE SAR
The first part of today is dedicated to Icelandic Farm animals. We visit the farm animal zoo in Reykjavík with many cuddly farm animals and the funny seals and go for a ride on the sturdy Icelandic Horse (optional tour – depending on weather). Icelandic Horses are known for their friendly character and special soft gait, the tölt. On we go to the Whale exhibition in Reykjavík harbor , the largest of its kind in Europe. Here we can learn everything there is to know about whales and wonder about life size whale models. An audio guide in many languages takes us through the exhibition. Since you can download the app – you can always refresh your knowledge at home. At Víkin – the Maritime Museum we take a step back in time when walk through the displays that show how the cod was salted in the old days – a wonderful little museum that shows all the aspects of living off the sea. A highlight is the visit to Óðinn – a retired coast guard ship that was involved in the famous cod wars. After so much information we need to refuel and the best way to do so might be with a big scoop of the lovely home made ice-cream at Valdís Ice parlour by the harbor. Now it is time for some activity and we drive to the beautiful peninsula of Álftanes where the Icelandic president resides. In the local open air pool with a wave basin and a huge slide we surely are all going to get some action! The last exciting stop today brings us to an ICE SAR Station (Icelandic Search and Rescue) where members of the group meet up with us and tell us about their education and life saving missions.
Day 4: Þingvellir Nationalpark – Hraunfossar – Deildartunguhver - Háafell Goat farm
Today will be the most fun geology and history lesson you ever had! Your guide takes you right upon the Mid Atlantic ridge where Europe and America are drifting apart by about 2 cm a year, forming a lake filled valley in between the continents. Clearly we can see the outlines of the dividing plates as we drive and walk through Þingvellir Nationalpark. But this area is also one of the most important historical sites in Iceland. This is the place where the Icelandic Parliament was founded by Viking settlers in 930 AD and we can still see some of the sites such as the „drowning pool“ and the „lawspeaker´s hill“. For fans of the Games of Thrones films this area should look familiar since many scenes of this famous show were shot here at Þingvellir. We continue to West Iceland to see the beautiful Hraunfossar, sometimes also called „Lava Falls“. They are a very unusual natural phenomena. Cold subterranean spring water seeps through the lava and runs as hundreds of tiny waterfalls and rapids into the Hvítá River. We also visit Deildartunguhver, Europe´s most productive hot spring. Of course we need to take some time as well for the cuddly goats at Háafell farm that are always just waiting for some companions to run and play.
Day 5: Eiríksstaðir Home of Erik the Red – Erpsstaðir Dairy Farm – Games night at Hraunsnef
We head off to Eiríksstaðir, the home of the famous and ferocious Viking Erik the Red who settled in Greenland and founded a Viking Settlement on the huge icy island. His son, Leif the Lucky, sailed to and later settled in Vínland, the modern Newfoundland. At Eiríksstaðir we get a fascinating insight into the daily life of the Viking families. For everybody with a „sweet tooth“ there will be another stop for some homemade ice-cream at the dairy farm Erpsstaðir. Back to Hraunsnef Country Hotel for games night at the hotel.
Day 6: All about the Vikings! Settlement Exhibition - Viking Crafts – Reykjavík Saga museum
Our first stop it at Borgarnes, where we visit the Settlement Exhibition. It provides a fascinating insight into the settlement of Iceland based on early written sources. It tells how the land was discovered, how the Viking sailors conquered the open ocean and why they left their homelands in Norway. It tells of the first men to set foot on the island and how the land was settled up to the establishment of the first parliament in the world, the Althing, at Thingvellir in 930AD. At Akranes we become Vikings ourselves when we produce our own Viking necklaces before visiting the Saga Museum in Reykjavík, where life-like replicas of historical Icelandic figures have been created, based on descriptions found in the Viking sagas and chronicles. Clothing, weapons and everyday objects were constructed using traditional methods passed down through the ages. The weapons were specially crafted and the wool and linen articles dyed by hand. Arrival at your hotel in Reykjavík in the evening.
Exploring Iceland reserves the right to alter routes, itineraries or timetables should the necessity arise.
