Deep canyons draped in lime-green moss. Mighty waterfalls that plummet over basalt cliffs. Ancient volcanoes capped with glaciers, and hot springs simmering with steam. Ice fields spawning meltwater rivers. Puffins nesting in cliffside colonies above the frigid ocean where whales and seals swim. Few places on Earth can match Iceland for its vast array of natural wonders in such a compact country. And no itinerary we know of reveals so much in this compact time frame. On a rare adventure into the rugged highlands and around the Snaefellsnes Peninsula—often called “Iceland in miniature”—experience an impressive sampler of all the features that make Iceland so captivating. And since we get you well away from the most crowded routes, you’ll have a more magical encounter with the fabled land of fire and ice.
Trip Highlights
Discover Highlights & Hidden Corners in Just 8 Days
Elude crowds on a compact journey to the west of Iceland, including an overland foray deep into the rugged highlands—a rare inclusion on most Iceland itineraries
A Focused Itinerary That's Big on Nature's Best
Explore the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, a microcosm of Iceland with dramatic waterfalls, a glacier-covered volcano, pristine beaches, seals, whales and puffins
Varied Activities Offer Diverse Adventures
From hiking and horseback riding to glacier snowcat and lava cave adventures and a private puffin cruise, enjoy exhilarating encounters with Iceland's wild landscapes
The Essence of Iceland in Just Eight Days
If you're looking for an Iceland immersion that's tight on time but full of the diverse natural wonders the country is famous for, this is your trip. Here's what makes it ideal for that quest:
Explore Two Less-Traveled Areas in Depth
The west of Iceland sees far fewer visitors than other popular regions. Yet it's just as impressive and easily reachable. Just two hours' drive from Reykjavik lies the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, nicknamed "Iceland in Miniature" for the diversity of features it contains within a compact area. Witness powerful waterfalls, ride Icelandic horses on a wild beach, and climb to the top of a glacier-capped volcano in a special snow vehicle...then head inland to the very lightly visited Central Highlands to hike in austere multicolored mountains—so many contrasts!See Icelandic Wildlife on an Itinerary Where It's Highlighted
Visit one of Iceland's largest harbor seal colonies, take a private boat trip to watch hundreds of nesting Atlantic puffins, cruise the sea in search of whales and dolphins, and look for Arctic foxes.Go Farther Afield by High-End 4x4 Van
We've chartered the best possible vehicles for this itinerary: comfortable, spacious, well-appointed 4x4 vans that allow us to drive remote secondary roads deep into the Highlands, giving you a genuine encounter with Iceland's wilderness. And we never fill our vehicles to capacity: everyone gets a window seat.Soak in Geothermal Hot Springs on a Private Canyon Baths Tour
Make an easy hike from a remote lodge to two secluded steaming pools in a stunning wild setting, and enjoy the rejuvenation of the mineral-laden waters just as the locals do.Travel with a Small Group for an Intimate Experience
Conventional Iceland tours utilize large buses for groups of 30-40 or more, but we limit our group to just 11 guests, ensuring a quieter experience, plus the ability to get into remote places big motorcoaches can't, and allowing us to choose smaller hotels in more far-flung locations.Two Guides Offer a Richer Interpretive Experience
Our trip is led by a Nat Hab Expedition Leader, plus a local Iceland guide who adds essential insider perspective. This arrangement also allows us to divide up on occasion into two smaller groups for excursions at different physical ability levels. And it means you'll get the utmost in personalized attention!Our Quality-Value Guarantee Ensures Your Outstanding Iceland Adventure
When you travel with Natural Habitat, you receive our exclusive guarantee, clearly stating that we will meet the lofty expectations we set in our promotional materials. To our knowledge, this is the most ambitious guarantee made by any adventure travel company. Read our important promise.Feel Good About Your Carbon-Neutral Journey
We care deeply about our planet, as we know you do. When you travel with us, the carbon emissions from your trip are 100% offset—including your round-trip flights from home. Natural Habitat Adventures has been the world's first carbon-neutral travel company since 2007.Natural Habitat Adventures is WWF's Travel Partner
Because of our commitment to environmentally friendly travel, as well as the exceptional quality of our worldwide adventures, we have been chosen by World Wildlife Fund—the world's leading environmental conservation organization—as its worldwide travel partner, a designation that makes us exceedingly proud.
