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Iceland: Waterfalls, Hot Springs & Highland Hikes Through Volcanic Landscapes
Iceland
From
This trip supports
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Esential info
- Packing list
Grade:
Entry Level
Type:
Activity
Transfers
Duration:
7 Nights
4 - 12
Group size
Leaders
Tour Highlights
- Hveradalir Geothermal Valley in Kerlingarfjöll
- Hvammsvík Natural Baths
- Kirkjufellsfoss
- Snæfellsnes Peninsula
- Borgarvirki - a natural basalt fortress
- Highland Base in Kerlingarfjöll
- Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Gullfoss (“Golden Falls”)
- Secret Lagoon Hot Springs
- Reykjadalur Valley (the “Steam Valley”)
- Lunch at Friðheimar Greenhouse Farm
Experience the natural beauty of Iceland in this small group adventure holiday
Step beyond the well-trodden tourist trails and into Iceland’s untamed beauty. With guided hikes through remote valleys, serene hot springs, and dramatic volcanic landscapes, this carefully crafted eight-day adventure takes you off the beaten path. From the vibrant streets of Reykjavík to the secluded Snæfellsnes Peninsula and the striking Kerlingarfjöll Highlands, you’ll uncover Iceland’s hidden treasures, blending raw natural beauty, geothermal wonders, and authentic culture for an experience like no other.
Hike through kaleidoscopic rhyolite mountains, where the landscape dazzles with one of the world’s widest spectrums of natural colours. Unwind in geothermal hot springs that glide into the ocean, framed by majestic mountains and black sand beaches. Marvel at iconic landmarks like the thundering Gullfoss waterfall and the bubbling Geysir, then retreat to the tranquil Secret Lagoon, where you can soak in the serene embrace of Iceland’s wilderness.
Beyond the celebrated sights, this journey takes you into Iceland’s quieter corners. Wander through the unique moss-covered lava fields of Berserkjahraun, steeped in Viking lore, and retreat to the welcoming oasis of the Highland Base Hotel with its panoramic views. Experience a hike through Hveravellir, one of the pearls of Iceland and unwind in the soothing waters of a natural hot river in The Steam Valley. Each day reveals new wonders, from glacial vistas to steaming geothermal landscapes, leaving you with memories to treasure forever.
This trip will immerse you in the very essence of Iceland: wild, pure, and unforgettable.
(Available as a small group tour or tailor-made holiday)
Day 1: Arrival and Welcome to Reykjavik
Transfer
3 star hotel
Arrive into Reykjavik, the vibrant capital of Iceland, and be greeted at the airport for your group transfer to your hotel. After checking in and freshening up, you may wish to unwind at the Sky Lagoon, a luxurious geothermal spa offering spectacular views of the ocean.
Optional Activity: Sky Lagoon
Accommodation: 3* Hotel in Reykjavik
Day 2: Thingvellir National Park & The Wonders of Borgarfjörður
Transfer
Breakfast
Dinner
3 star hotel
Meet your guide at the hotel and embark on your adventure. A short drive takes us to Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, we'll hike through the dramatic faults and fissures that vividly illustrate the rifting of the Earth's crust. Along the way, you’ll discover the park’s fascinating geological features and learn about its important role in Iceland’s history. After exploring Þingvellir, we’ll continue to Hvammsvík Natural Baths, where you can unwind in soothing geothermal waters and take a dip in the ocean. From there, we’ll head to the fertile Borgarfjörður valley to witness the beauty of Hraunfossar, a series of mesmerizing waterfalls flowing through a lava field.
Hiking: 1.5-2 hours, 3 km.
Accommodation: Hotel Á or Fosshotel Reykholt
Day 3: Borgarfjörður – Snæfellsnes South National Park
Transfer
Breakfast
Dinner
3 star hotel
Guest house
Today we venture to the enchanting Snæfellsnes Peninsula, where the landscape offers a spectacular variety of Iceland’s natural wonders. Dominated by the mighty Snæfellsjökull Volcano, crowned by a glacier, the area is rich in geological beauty and folklore. Our first stop is at Búðir, where we’ll admire the iconic black church and take a short hike to the serene white beach. We continue to Arnarstapi, a picturesque hamlet with striking basalt columns and cliffs. A coastal hike from the harbour offers stunning views of the ocean and seabird colonies. Along the way, we’ll pass Gatklettur, a natural stone arch, and other fascinating rock formations. Our final stop for the day is Djúpalónssandur, where we’ll hike the black pebble beach and explore Iceland’s geological marvels and maritime history.
Hiking: 6-8 km
Accommodation: Guesthouse Lýsuhóll or Fosshotel Hellnar or similar
Day 4: Snæfellsnes Peninsula (North)
Transfer
Breakfast
Dinner
3 star hotel
Guest house
We continue our exploration of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, starting with a short hike up to the volcanic crater Saxhóll (500m), offering panoramic views of Snæfellsjökull and the surrounding lava fields. Our next stop is the iconic Kirkjufell (“Church Mountain”) and nearby Kirkjufellsfoss, one of Iceland's most photographed landmarks. We’ll then venture into the less-visited Berserkjahraun, a surreal lava field tied to Viking legends. The hike here takes us through moss- covered lava, small caves, and offers sweeping views of nearby fjords.
Hiking: 8-10 km
Accommodation: Guesthouse Lýsuhóll or Fosshotel Hellnar or similar
Day 5: Vatnsnes and Kerlingarfjöll Highlands
Transfer
Breakfast
Dinner
4 star hotel
Today is filled with sightseeing and short hikes. We’ll drive towards the Vatnsnes Peninsula in northern Iceland, stopping to explore Borgarvirki, a natural basalt fortress believed to have been a Viking defensive stronghold. Its location offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Nearby, we’ll visit Hvítserkur, an iconic rock formation nicknamed the "Drinking Dragon," rising 15 meters (50 feet) out of the sea.
In the afternoon, we drive along the Kjölur Route, through one of Iceland’s most barren yet otherworldly landscapes. Vast lava fields, desert-like plains, snow-capped mountains, and geothermal springs create a surreal experience. We’ll make a stop at Hveravellir, a geothermal oasis with walking trails through hot springs and vibrant landscapes. We’ll end the day at the Highland Base in Kerlingarfjöll, where you can relax in the beautiful geothermal lagoon.
Hiking: Short Hikes at Borgarvirki, Hvítserkur, and Hveravellir.
Accommodation: Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll
Day 6: Kerlingarfjöll – Laugarvatn
Transfer
Breakfast
Dinner
3 star hotel
In the morning, we explore the stunning Hveradalir Geothermal Valley in Kerlingarfjöll, known for its colourful rhyolite peaks, steaming vents, and vibrant mineral deposits. The hike here reveals a kaleidoscope of colours, showcasing Iceland’s geothermal wonders. In the afternoon, we continue across the Kjölur Route before arriving at two of Iceland’s iconic natural landmarks. We’ll explore Gullfoss (“Golden Falls”), one of the most breathtaking waterfalls in Iceland, and the Geysir Geothermal Area, home to Strokkur, Iceland’s most active geyser. After exploring these natural wonders, we’ll drive to Laugarvatn area for dinner and accommodation.
Hiking: 5 km at Hveravellir, 1-2 km at Gullfoss and Geysir.
Accommodation: Hótel Laugarvatn or similar
Day 7: Secret Lagoon and Reykjadalur Hot Springs
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
3 star hotel
We begin the day with a relaxing bath at the Secret Lagoon, one of Iceland’s oldest and most charming natural hot springs, set in a tranquil landscape.
Next, we visit Friðheimar Greenhouse Farm, where you’ll enjoy a light lunch made from fresh produce grown on-site, including tomato soup, sandwiches, and unique tomato-based drinks. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the geothermal village Hveragerði and embark on a hike to Reykjadalur Valley (the “Steam Valley”). Along the way, you’ll be treated to stunning views of geothermal landscapes, and if you’re brave enough, you can take a dip in the warm waters of a natural hot spring river.
We’ll return to Reykjavík for a farewell dinner and overnight stay.
Hiking: 7 km round trip
Accommodation: 3* Hotel in Reykjavik
Day 8: Departure
Transfer
Breakfast
After breakfast, enjoy a group transfer to the airport for your return flight, filled with memories of Iceland’s stunning landscapes, rich history, and unique geothermal wonders.
Adventure Optional Extras
Plant an additional 15 trees for your adventure
Carbon Compensation is not the perfect solution, and it is important to first reduce our carbon emissions as much as we can, yet trees remain an excellent natural technology to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to slow global warming.
For every client and guide who attends a YellowWood Adventure, we donate £30 to our partner charity WeForest to plant 15 trees to (over) compensate for the carbon footprint of the tour.
We also invite our clients to match this with an optional additional £30 for another 15 trees to be planted to help compensate for the carbon footprint of their international flights.
WeForest run many tree planting and tree maintenance projects such as this seedling nursery in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil and many other projects in other countries including Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania & India.
Click Here to find out more about their amazing projects around the world.
Not Included
- International Flights
- Insurance (compulsory)
- Dinner in Reykjavik on Day 1
- Lunches (except for Day 7)
- Drinks
- Optional excursions and visits
- Transfers outside our group transfer timings
Contents
Accommodation
We fully believe in, and practice, Responsible Tourism, using hotels run by locals. We put time and effort into building our relationship with them to ensure you have a a great trip.
We choose hotels based on cleanliness, comfort, safety, proximity to our route (to avoid unnecessary extra travel), and a warm client welcome, as well as reliability in their service to us. Some hotels will be basic, and in modern buildings and or in towns. Wherever we can, we will choose smaller more characterful, individual hotels, but in areas where tourism is still developing, this may not be available.
An aspect of our adventures is to escape the ‘trappings’ of modern Western lifestyles and to experience new things which is exciting and memorable, and reflects the countries we are visiting.
This is adventure travel and on occasion the advertised services at a hotel , guest house or camp (eg wifi, or hot showers!) may not be functional on our arrival.
This tends to occur in the smaller, more remote hotels. Very rarely a hotel lets us down and we are required to find alternative suitable accommodation that might not be our first choice.
Unless you have booked a single room (where they are available) and paid the single room supplement for those nights, you will be sharing a twin room with another client (of the same gender).
Travel & Arrival
Your YellowWood adventure starts at Reykjavik airport.
Finding flights
Flights are not included in the cost of your holiday, and whilst we are happy to help advise you, responsibility for booking the correct flights rests with you. We recommend that you use a comparison tool such as www.momondo.co.uk or www.skyscanner.net when searching for flights. We will send you a Flight Information Sheet with further pointers on which flights to book.
Foreign Travel Advice
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. We also receive notifications direct from the FCDO so we are always aware of the ‘status’ in our destination countries.
Insurance
Holiday insurance is essential for all Yellow Wood Adventures. Unfortunately, anyone without insurance is not able to take part in the holiday, so please make sure you arrange cover. We recommend arranging your insurance cover when you book so that if you have problems during the run up to your holiday, and need to cancel, you are covered.
YellowWood partners with battleface as a travel insurance provider. Click here for a quote.
battleface insurance is provided in the UK by battleface Insurance Services Limited, a UK insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Details provided on this webpage are for information only. Terms, conditions, exclusions, and limitations apply. Always read the description of cover contained within your policy to ensure it is suitable for your needs.
Prior to the holiday, we will ask you to send us details of your insurer, policy number, 24 hour emergency assistance contact details and the name, address, and telephone numbers of your NOK or persons to be notified in the event of an emergency.
You must ensure the travel insurance you purchase provides you with suitable cover for the entirety of your trip. Your travel insurance must include cover in the event that you have to cancel for a reason outside your control prior to departure, for any medical expenses you may incur whilst away (including repatriation in the case of medical need) and for the activities which you may participate in during your trip.
General Information
For information on Iceland, such as climate, weather, language, social norms, food & drink etc, please have a read of our Country specific information.
Receive a 15% discount off Water-to-Go filtration water-bottles to help reduce plastic waste.
Compulsory
- Passport & insurance documents
- Credit / debit card for ATM use
- Prescription medication & antibiotics such as Azithromycin to stop serious traveller's diarrhoea
- First aid kit: paracetamol, antihistamine cream, ibuprofen cream, thermometer & blister kit (eg plasters & zinc oxide tape)
- Washbag & usual contents
- Travel adaptor model C
Rain Jacket
- Packable Down Jacket or Vest
- Hat or Headband
- Buff
- Gloves
- Hiking Boots
- Thermal Base
- Flip Flops or a pair of slip-on shoes
- Swimwear
- Quick-dry towel
- Some dry bags or waterproof cases to keep your phone and any electronic gear dry
- 20-30L daypack for hiking / sightseeing, preferably with waist and ideally, chest strap
- Water-to-Go filtration water-bottle & additional storage water-bottle - ideally 2 litres per person
- Sunglasses and high factor suncream
- Insect Repellent
Optional
- Mini crampons that fit your walking boots - available from stores such as Blacks, Decathlon etc
- A good face moisturizer
- A moisturizing lip balm
This trip supports
Need a little help?
All adventures can be tailored as private bespoke trips.
Please contact us for more information:
+44 207 846 0197
Related Adventures
Booking Process
Select dates: Choose the dates for your adventure and consider adding any extra adventures or add-ons to enhance your experience.
Check the box to agree to our Terms & Conditions.
Make Booking: Click on "Make Booking." If you're booking more than 56 days before your adventure, you'll be redirected to secure WorldPay to make your deposit. If it's 56 days or less before your adventure, you'll need to make full payment. Rest assured, your money is held securely by the Travel Trust Association.
Your booking will show as 'pending' in your YellowWood online account.
Confirmation: We'll be in touch as soon as possible to confirm your booking or discuss any availability limitations. Please refrain from booking transport or flights until we've emailed you to confirm your booking. (Note: Receipt of your booking form is not confirmation.)
Making payment: Once your booking is confirmed, we'll change the status of your final invoice from 'Pending Approval' to 'Outstanding,' indicating that it's ready for payment online.
You will receive a reminder email for your final payment 56 days before the departure date.
Feel free to contact us with any questions about your adventure or booking, we're here to help!
Grading
To help you choose the right adventure for you, we have given each itinerary a grading that relates to the level of Walking / Trekking you will experience during the trip. This grading can be found on the Yellow map on the adventure page of the website.
All of our trips involve a level of general activity so are designed for people who are in good health, enjoy the outdoors, and have a taste for adventure and some level of fitness. As will be clear from our destinations, the climate (and altitude) may be different to that which you are used to, so please take this into consideration when choosing the most suitable holiday.
Please read our Adventure Itinerary & Essential Information for more information and don't hesitate to contact us if you would like to chat through whether you have found a suitable adventure for you.
Grade 1-3: Entry Level
You need to be in good physical health to enjoy your active holiday, but you don’t need to be an experienced hiker. These itineraries offer a mix of sightseeing and easier walking for around 2-4hrs a day, with the emphasis on sights and cultural experiences.
Walks will be well marked or on defined pathways, and often around sites of interest. The expected amount of descent/ascent will depend on the landscapes of the destination, but will not exceed 400m/day, and will often be much less. Walks are at low altitude (below 3000m).
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack with water and essentials. Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have a pair of comfortable and worn in walking shoes/boots.
Grades 4-6: Intermediate
You need to have a good level of fitness and be a regular walker for these adventures, with ideally some trekking experience. You can expect to be walking for 3-6 hours per day, not including rest stops, normally on good trail paths but with some uneven surfaces at times.
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack. You may be walking in more challenging temperatures. You will generally be walking at low altitude (below 3000m) but may walk at altitudes up to 4000m. The amount of ascent could be up to 800m in a day but will frequently be less. You may walk on consecutive days.
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable clothing for this adventure.
Grades 7-9: Challenging
You need to have a good level of fitness with previous experience of trekking. Extra training before your trip will ensure that you get the most out of your adventure. Areas will be remote and terrain uneven.
Expect to walk for 5 – 8 hours a day, not including breaks, with some very steep ascents and descents. You will be walking at altitude (over 3000m but not higher than 5000m).
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable equipment/clothing for this adventure (see the packing list for your adventure).
Please check individual itineraries for details of what you will need to be carrying with you.
Get in touch
CLICK HERE to schedule a call online with YellowWood Founder Sam McManus.
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