Explore Iceland: the land of fire and ice, a land where two continents collide to create an extraordinary landscape of volcanoes and thermal hot springs, fjords and glaciers, rugged coastline and puffins! Located just south of the Arctice circle, this European fantasy island’s weather is tempered by the warm coastal Gulf Stream. It’s eminenetly walkable downtown capital, Reykjavik, is a delight to explore and is filled with museums that reveal a complex history. Plan your Iceland holiday with these 7 or 11 day itineraries that allow you to hike and kayak Iceland up close and away from the crowds.
Getting to Reykjavik, Iceland
If you have the time, take adavantage of some airline’s lenient policies on allowing Iceland as a layover stop, so you can have two vacations in one! I booked a trip to Berlin, and changed planes in Iceland – BUT, I got to visit Iceland for a week at no extra charge, before I headed off to Berlin! Sweet!!!
When your plane lands, there is a Flybus (fee) waiting to drive you 45 minutes to downtown Reykjavik, a capital city that is super easy to walk to everything. Alternately, you could take a taxi, Uber or private transport.
When to Visit Iceland
Even though the Gulf Stream moderates the temperatures in Iceland, if you want to hike and kayak or otherwise comfortably explore this magnificent island country, it’s best to visit in the warmer months, from May through September.
Because you are so far north, it remains light even in the wee hours of the night, so your best chance to see the Northern Lights is in the shoulder seasons of May and Sept, if you are planning on combining your adventure travel plans with a chance to see this incredible natural phenomena.
What are the Northern Lights?
The Northern or Polar Lights, scientific name aurora borealis, is a naturally occuring phenomena where solar activity on the sun ejects a cloud of gas with an invisible tail. If this cloud makes it to Earth, it collides with our magnetic field, which makes complex changes to charged particles. These particles collide with oxygen and nitrogen atoms and produce these dassling displays of dancing light.
Your best chance to see them is on a clear night. While not perfect, your tour hosts generally know if it’s a good idea to get up and drive out away from city lights to try to witness this magical atronimical event. Note: if you are in the Southern Hemisphere, they are called aurora australis.
Adventures In Iceland
Adventure travelers will definitely want to explore Iceland by foot and paddle! Iceland is a hikers and kayakers dream destination!
The landscape varies SO DRAMATICALLY due to the islands unique geology and location where the North American and European continents collide – you can even simultaneously stand one foot on each continent!
These collisions, of course, create volcanos and relaxing hot springs. Being so far north, you also encounter glaciers and glacial rivers. At some places, the heated waters from volcanic fissures meet up with the chilled glacial rivers for a truly unique swimming experience: alternate between the two temperatures and everywhere in between to find YOUR perfect temperature.
The itinerary below is from my Active Adventures affiliate (similar name, but different company). Using my links is a no cost way for you to support the podcast and this website – thanks!
Kayak Iceland
Even in the summer, you will want to wear proper gear when you kayak in Iceland. Your quality tour company should provide you with all your safety and waterproof gear needs.
Kayak Around Icebergs
This far north, it’s not hard to find icebergs to explore by kayak! How cool is that???
The crystal blue color comes from the glacial sedimentation suspended in the water that forms the icebergs. You’ll also see this magical hue in glacial lakes. Enchanting!
Active Adventures is a New Zealand based adventure travel tour company that offers epic adventures around the world. They are definitely my ‘go to’ company if they offer a tour where I want to go! I have covered multiple tours of theirs (see further below).
Your 7 or 11 Day Active Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Reykjavik. Take the day to explore the fun and bustling capital harbor city. If time, visit one of the hot springs for a soak. The Blue Lagoon is the largest and busiest, but also consider the “Secret Lagoon” if you want to avoid the crowds. It’s not fancy or the glacial blue coloring, but you can alternate between differing temps and get a similar experience.
Day 2: Head NE to Þingvellir National Park and hike to see the majestic Öxàrarfoss waterfall – hard to believe it’s man-made! Learn about the Laugarvatan cave people and view the original Geysir Nature Reserve and the Gullfoss waterfall
Day 3: Take the ferry to the fishing port to Haeimaey, the only inhabited island in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago. Walk the lava fields to Eldfell peak for a magnificent view of the mainland. Learn about the massive 1973 eruption. Hike the “Three Peaks Hike” and visit Brothers Brewery for the best local beer in Iceland.
Day 4: Hike and explore Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss & Kvernufoss Waterfalls – even walk behind Seljalandsfoss! Hunt for stone trolls along the South Coast and learn about local folklore as you witness the soaring sea cliffs and moss covered lava fields.
Day 5: The darling and clownish puffins arrive in May and depart in September, so the best time to see puffins is during the summer, which luckily is the best time to visit Iceland! The puffin colonies are most active in the evenings, when they come out of their burrows to rest before heading out to sea.
The best time to see the puffins in Iceland is the summer. They arrive sometime in late April/early May and leave in late August/early September. The colony is usually the most active in the early morning/post dawn and early evening/pre-dusk hours. However, during the day, the parents will come multiple times to feed their hatchings, called ‘pufflings’, which will fledge after a month and a half. You can be sure to see these clowns of the sea, by visiting the Beluga Whale and Puffin Sanctuary.
Today, on Active Adventure’s Lundi tour, bring your binoculars for your trek to see puffins! Visit the Svartifoss waterfall for a chance to also check out Europe’s largest outlet glacier, Skeiðarárjökull. Be sure to take advantage of the optional Glacier Ice Hike, where (no experience needed!), you’ll clip on crampons and explore a glacier on foot. Memorable and sure to be a highlight of your adventure!
Day 6: Walk the length of Iceland’s shortest river, then seek seals and calving icebergs in the Jökulsárlón Lagoon. Afterwards, kayak the Heinabergsjökull lagoon for an unforgettable adventure. All safety and warm protective gear supplied.
Day 7-9: Flight back to Reykjavik OR continue on to Active Adventure’s ‘Stelkur’ adventure tour Avid hikers should definitely plan to continue on a few more days to hike down toLodmundarfjordur to experience the Víknaslóðir hiking trail and visit remote sections of Iceland, staying in charming backcountry cabins, and trekking the remote wilderness of Iceland’s valleys and fjords. Breathtaking!!!
Day 10: A scenic drive to the little village of Borgarfjörður Eystri, plus a stop in Hafnarhólmi, one of the best places to observe a massive puffin colony, before taking a short flight back to Reykjavik.
Day 11: Return home
Backpack Iceland
If you are more of a hard core hiker, you may want to consider hiking with my affiliate Wildland Trekking. In addition to inn-based hiking guided tours, they offer backpacking tours as well. It’s an amazing way to explore this incredible country!
Who were Iceland’s Laugarvatan Cave People?
While caves were mostly used by outlaws, in the early 1900’s, a family lived in the caves and you are allowed to visit! Outside their cave home, the wife sold homemade treats. In 1921, the Danish King even stopped by for skyr með rjóma – Icelandic yogurt, a taste so satisfying and rich, that I switched to Icelandic yogurt when I returned home.
Video preview of Active Adventures 7 Day ‘Lundi’ adventure tour of Iceland.
