Whales & Waterfalls

DAY 1: UK-REYKJAVIK

Scheduled  flight to Reykjavik. Transfer on arrival to and overnight at Hotel Leifur Eiriksson or Hotel Metropolitan for 2 nights.

DAY 2: REYKJAVIK

A day to savour south Iceland’s attractions: Geysir geothermal area with its hot springs, fumaroles stained yellow with sulphur and Thhykkuhverir, the viscous hot springs; Gullfoss, whose waters flow down a 3 step staircase before plunging in two stages down a crevice at right angles to the flow of the river and Pingvellir, home to Althing which  is almost a shrine to Icelanders.

DAY 3: REYKJAVIK-GRUNDARFJORDUR

Courtesy transfer to collect your hire car, drive out of Reykjavik via the Whale Bay tunnel to Borgarnes (the newly opened Settlement Centre is good place to catch up on your Sagas), along the southern side of the  Snaefellsnes peninsula and round its very  tip to Grundarfjordur. Overnight at Hotel Framnes for 2 nights.

DAY 4: SNAEFELLSNES

A take your pick day! Bird watch on Breidafjordur (May 15-September 15); take the car round to the vertiginous bird cliffs at Arnarstapi (the hike between  there and Hellnar is beautiful) or snowmobile on Snaefellsjokull glacier.

DAY 5: GRUNDAFJORDUR-BLONDUUS

Drive along the northern side of the Peninsula stopping off at Laugarbakki, a hamlet in the middle of a geothermal area where fumaroles seem to be everywhere. Continue on through the Northwest to Gauksmyri for an introduction to the Icelandic horse. Overnight at Gauksmyri Lodge by Hvammstangi.

DAY 6: BLONDUUS-MYVATN 

Drive through the verdant hills of horse breeding country, along to Oxnadalsheidi pass to Myvatn. Time to explore the extraordinary scenery and wildlife in the area: the wooded headland at Hofoi with its lava pillars; contorted black towers of Dimmuborgir; the pastel coloured Namafjall ridge with its steamy surroundings and smouldering, sulphurous Krafla. Overnight at Vogarfarm by Lake Myvatn for 2 nights.

DAY 7: WHALE WATCHING

Husavik is a colourful fishing village where you can sample the freshest fish on the planet at one of the harbour side restaurants. Mid  morning board a traditional wooden, carvel built  trawler adapted for passengers and whale spotting and head out in the Skalfandi  bay. Your guide keeps you alert for minke, fin, humpback, sei and other species as well as dolphins and porpoise.

DAY 8: MYVATN-UK

Drive to Akureyri, return hire car, domestic flight to Reykjavik, transfer to Keflavik and return scheduled flight to UK.