Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip

Off The Beaten Track in Iceland Wild Fjords, Whale Encounters & Geothermal Wonders

Iceland – Siglufjordur – Lake Myvatn – Seydisfjordur – Reykjavik

Starting from between £3850 to £5000 per person for 8 days depending on the season of travel, advance booking time and the accommodation and activities chosen

Itinerary Highlights

  • Dial up the adventure on an eight-day Icelandic road trip, packed with fjords, lava fields and geothermal wonders
  • Set sail through Eyjafjordur in search of humpback whales, dolphins and other majestic marine life
  • Unwind in the geothermal hot springs of Lake Myvatn
  • Soak up the charm of Seydisfjordur, a sleepy village of indie cafés, galleries and fjord views
  • Benefit from our Original Services: expert guides, local Concierges, 100% carbon absorption and more
Iceland has a habit of stealing the hearts of road trippers. On this eight-day journey, you’ll discover exactly why, following an off-the-beaten-track route through some of the country’s most enchanting landscapes.

Your adventure kicks off in Akureyri, where you’ll pick up the keys to your hire car and hit the road for Siglufjordur. It won’t take long before Iceland begins to work its magic, with views of glassy fjords, mist-shrouded mountains and charming fishing villages unfurling along the way. Then it’s all aboard for a whale-watching cruise, keeping your eyes peeled (and fingers crossed) for humpback whales, harbour porpoises and surf-loving dolphins.

Relaxation mode ramps up in Lake Myvatn with a visit to Earth Lagoon baths. Here, mineral-rich waters and volcanic scenery go hand in hand, so spend a few hours soaking in Iceland’s centuries-old spa culture.

Next, set your sights on Seydisfjordur, where you'll spend a few days embracing the Icelandic way of life in one of the country’s sleepiest villages. Dig into hearty local cuisine, admire the characterful wooden architecture and settle into its wonderfully cosy pace of life.

And for the grand finale? Before boarding your flight to Reykjavik, make a beeline for the Vok Baths, where geothermal pools on the edge of the lake provide the perfect setting for one last dose of pampering. Then, spend one final evening in the capital, doing as the Icelanders do: strolling the city streets, ducking into cosy local pubs for some Brennivin (Icelandic schnapps) and toasting to a trip well spent.
Iceland © Gantas Vaiciulénas / Unsplash.com
Iceland © Gantas Vaiciulénas / Unsplash.com
Iceland © gtn / Unsplash.com
Iceland © gtn / Unsplash.com
Wooden house - Iceland © Anastasiya Zolotnitskaya/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Wooden house - Iceland © Anastasiya Zolotnitskaya/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Hot springs - Iceland © Droits réservés
Hot springs - Iceland © Droits réservés
Northern Lights - Iceland © Droits réservés
Northern Lights - Iceland © Droits réservés
Iceland © JurgaR/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Iceland © JurgaR/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Hot springs - Iceland © Sky Lagoon & Pursuit
Hot springs - Iceland © Sky Lagoon & Pursuit
Reykjavik - Iceland © David Parsons/Getty Images
Reykjavik - Iceland © David Parsons/Getty Images
Northern Lights - Iceland © francescadani/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Northern Lights - Iceland © francescadani/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Hot springs - Iceland © Zoé Fidji
Hot springs - Iceland © Zoé Fidji
Road trip - Iceland © Zoé Fidji
Road trip - Iceland © Zoé Fidji
Reykjavik - Iceland © Zoé Fidji
Reykjavik - Iceland © Zoé Fidji
Iceland © Vincent van den Hoogen/HH-REA
Iceland © Vincent van den Hoogen/HH-REA
Iceland © Wenya Luo / Unsplash.com
Iceland © Wenya Luo / Unsplash.com
Iceland © Cécile Rosenstrauch
Iceland © Cécile Rosenstrauch

Itinerary

100% customisable for you

Passports at the ready: your epic Icelandic adventure starts today. Head to the airport, breeze through security, pick up a good read and settle into your three-hour flight to Reykjavik – just enough time to sit back, relax and brace for the subpolar climate.

When you land, you'll connect onto a 45-minute domestic flight to Akureyri, affectionately known as the ‘Capital of the North’ and the gateway to some of Iceland’s wildest reaches. Touch down, pick up your hire car and hit the road for the one-hour drive north to Siglufjordur, where you’ll check in to your waterfront hotel – home for the next two nights.

It’ll be evening by the time you arrive, so take your pick from the town’s cosy restaurants before retreating to your hotel for an early night. Tomorrow promises plenty more excitement.

Has spotting whales in the wild been lingering on your bucket list? If so, today’s your lucky day.

This morning, set sail from the fishing hamlet of Dalvik into the fjord of Eyjafjordur. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, keep your eyes peeled for humpback whales, who frequent these waters all year round. Depending on the season, you may also spot harbour porpoises and white-beaked dolphins leaping through the surf – and they’re never shy about putting on a show.

If you can tear your eyes away from the majestic marine life, take in the snow-capped peaks, mirror-like waters and rugged coastlines en route to the tiny island of Hrisey. All that sea air is bound to work up a hefty appetite, so sink your teeth into some freshly caught fish before cruising back to Siglufjordur.

Come evening, ask your Concierge for their favourite local dinner spot, where hearty Icelandic dishes like plokkfiskur (fish stew) and kjotsupa (lamb soup) are likely to feature on the menu.

Buckle in this morning for the two-hour drive to Lake Myvatn. Tune into our destination-specific playlist and let the singalong commence as you venture deeper into Iceland’s wild side, watching as fire-forged landscapes and rugged peaks roll by.

When you arrive, check in to your remote guesthouse and take a moment to admire the shimmering waters stretched out before you.

Lake Myvatn isn’t just a looker – it's also a haven for ducks (and duck enthusiasts), with 15 species calling these waters home. Stroll along the shoreline, seek out the perfect picnic spot and keep score of how many you can spot. Still raring to go? Tackle the hike to the summit of Hverfjall, where sweeping views across the water and surrounding mountains await.

As the day winds down, head out for dinner before returning to your guesthouse, curling up by the fire and soaking up some seriously cosy vibes – perhaps with a glass of jolaglogg (mulled wine) in hand.

Today, some R&R is in order. Head to the Earth Lagoon Myvatn baths, sink into the geothermal waters – heated to a blissful 40°C by volcanic forces more than 7,000ft beneath the surface – and embrace a ritual that has been cherished since the Viking era.

As you float and let Iceland’s centuries-old spa culture work its magic, admire the surrounding lava fields and ancient craters and watch wisps of steam curl from the water. Once you’re suitably relaxed, slather on a silica mud mask and sip on something sparkling – cheers to that.

Tonight, turn your eyes to the skies (and keep your fingers crossed) for a glimpse of the Northern Lights. These swirling ribbons of green are a spectacle well worth staying up for and a memory to treasure forever.

Map at the ready – it's time to hit the road once more, this time to Seydisfjordur. Enjoy the three-hour drive east before checking in to your next hotel, your base for the next two nights.

With no fixed plans and thousands of acres on your doorstep, don your explorer’s hat and just see where each day takes you. If you fancy a little more nature, trace winding trails into the mountains and discover tumbling waterfalls, all with your camera poised – these views are prime holiday album material.

Fancy yourself an art aficionado? Seydisfjordur boasts a thriving creative scene, with quirky galleries and studios dotted throughout the town. And, when you need to refuel, hit up one of the village’s indie cafés for a cinnamon-dusted latte and a fresh-out-the-oven pastry.

As evening rolls around, follow the irresistible aromas into one of the local restaurants for dinner, then find a spot by the fjord to watch the mountains glow gold in the last of the day’s light.

Fuel up with some rugbraud (ryebread) and skyr (Icelandic yoghurt) this morning before gearing up for the 30-minute drive to the Vok Baths.

Suspended on the edge of Lake Urrioavatn, these geothermal pools boast front-row seats to one of East Iceland’s most beautiful landscapes, where glassy waters meet mountain-fringed horizons. Steam rising, cheeks rosy and muscles instantly soothed, it’s the perfect place for one last dose of pampering.

Then it’s time for one final spin behind the wheel. Make the short ten-minute drive to Egilsstadir Airport, where you’ll return your trusty hire car and board your one-hour flight back to Reykjavik.

When you touch down in the capital, check into your hotel in the heart of the city and spend your final evening ambling through Reykjavik’s characterful streets, dipping in and out of boutiques and artisan shops in search of a handcrafted keepsake. Leave dinner plans in the hands of your Concierge – they’ll know just the spot for a celebratory final meal.

Time flies when you’re having fun and, sadly, your Icelandic escape has come to an end. This morning, you’ll be privately transferred 45 minutes to Keflavik Airport, where you’ll board your flight home.

You’ll spend around three hours in the air – plenty of time to flick through your holiday photos, relive the highlights and start dreaming up your next bucket-list adventure.

Why visit Iceland with Original Travel ?

Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.

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A few of the benefits of travelling with us to Iceland

  • Our local Concierges
  • The Original Travel app
  • Destination Dossier
  • 24-hour helpline
  • Expert guides
  • 100% carbon absorption

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Estimated Price

Dependent on the season of travel, advance booking time and the accommodation and activities chosen

The prices shown here are merely a guide, as all of our trips are entirely tailor-made. Tailor-made travel involves multiple moving parts, and prices can vary hugely depending on the season of travel, the lead time before the proposed travel date (last minute deals are pretty much a myth), availability, your choice of accommodation and any additional activities you want to include. That means the only exact price will be the one we quote you, which we can adapt to suit your budget. The estimated starting cost for this trip is between £3,850 and £5,000 per person. The average starting price for this trip is £4,600 per person.

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