The route, day by day.
- Days 1–2The Blue LagoonLand at Keflavík and go straight to the Reykjanes peninsula for two nights at the Blue Lagoon, among moss-covered lava, with the lagoon, the spa and the restaurant to recover from the journey.
- Days 3–4Reykjavík and the Golden CircleReykjavík’s harbour, galleries and restaurants, then the Golden Circle with a private guide: Þingvellir, where Iceland’s parliament first met in 930, the geysers and the Gullfoss waterfall.
- Days 5–7The south coastA lodge in the south, away from city lights, for the waterfalls, the black-sand beaches and the glaciers. In winter, the northern lights and an ice cave in Vatnajökull with a glacier guide; in summer, a helicopter over the volcanoes and the highlands.
- Days 8–10The northA private flight to Akureyri and a lodge on the Troll Peninsula. Whales from Húsavík in summer, the lake and lava fields of Mývatn, and, from March to May, heli-skiing from the lodge. Fly home from Akureyri or back through Keflavík.
How long to spend in Iceland.
Seven to ten nights is the usual length of a luxury journey. A week covers the Blue Lagoon, Reykjavík, the Golden Circle and the south coast; ten nights adds the north, by private flight to Akureyri.
In winter, allow more nights in each lodge than you would in summer: the northern lights need clear skies, and a spare night gives the weather a chance.
Getting around in comfort.
Private jets land at Keflavík, which has its own private-aviation terminal, and smaller jets can fly on to Akureyri for the north. From Reykjavík, helicopters reach most of the country quickly, and private super-jeeps with a driver-guide are the way to travel in winter and into the highlands.
Distances are long and weather changes fast, so an advisor plans each day around the forecast and keeps a helicopter or a spare day in reserve, so that a closed road or a cloudy night does not cost the experience it was meant for.
Three other ways to see Iceland.
The route below is one of several. Others an advisor often plans:
- A northern-lights week in winter: the Blue Lagoon, two lodges in the south away from city lights, and an ice cave in Vatnajökull with a glacier guide.
- A summer highland journey: Reykjavík, then a super-jeep or helicopter to Kerlingarfjöll and Landmannalaugar once the mountain roads open in June.
- A spring week in the north: heli-skiing on the Troll Peninsula from a lodge with its own helipads, between March and May.
Families and groups.
Iceland suits families well: whales, puffins, geysers and waterfalls hold every age, and glacier walks and ice caves are possible for older children. For a party, the country’s small lodges can often be reserved in full, and helicopters and super-jeeps are sized to the group and its luggage.
The route, day by day.
This route works in any season, with the experiences changing between summer and winter, and the order can be reversed to end at the lagoon. It is a starting point; your advisor shapes it around you.
Your questions.
How many days do you need in Iceland?
Seven to ten nights. A week covers the Blue Lagoon, Reykjavík, the Golden Circle and the south coast; ten nights adds the north.
Should we drive ourselves in Iceland?
In summer it is possible on the main roads, but winter roads can be icy and windy. A private driver-guide with a super-jeep, and helicopters for longer distances, are the comfortable way to travel.
Can you fly privately to Iceland?
Yes. Keflavík has a private-aviation terminal for jets of all sizes, and smaller jets can fly on to Akureyri for the north.
Is Iceland good for a family trip?
Yes. Whales, puffins, geysers and waterfalls hold every age, and Iceland is one of the safest countries in the world.
Tell us about the journey you have in mind.
Recommendations chosen for you, an itinerary crafted around them, and every booking managed by an independent Ultra Advisor who works with local specialists in Iceland.