Escorted Tours of Iceland
Icecaps. Volcanoes. Gushing Geysers. Picturebook lakes. Spectacular waterfalls. An abundance of birds and sea life. Award-winning art and literature. Sumptuous cuisine. The list goes on, and it’s no wonder Iceland's the top of so many bucket lists, and home to so much creative talent.
It’s a country you simply have to visit. If not for its pictorial landscape and natural beauty, then it’s the wonderfully individual spirit and culture of the country, not to mention the warmth and generosity of its people.
It’s a place with an extreme climate and challenging terrain, which can be very difficult to navigate by yourself. For the smoothest experience, and to ensure you see everything Iceland has to offer, we suggest booking an escorted tour with a reputable, well-respected group tours operator.
Best Places to Stay
Things to do
Search for the Northern Lights
What can we say? The aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, is a once-in-a-lifetime sight and Iceland is the perfect place to see it, due to its long nights and location on the Southern Edge of the Arctic Circle.
Peak season is between September and March when the solstice darkness can extend to around 19 hours. If the skies are clear and the aurora active, then you can see a glow in the sky almost anywhere north of Reykjavik. For the best view however, we recommend heading to Öskjuhlið, a hill in the city-centre, or Grótta, about 10 minutes outside of the city.
Take a tour of the Golden Circle
A tour of the Golden Circle is an all-in-one adventure for you to admire Iceland’s awe-inspiring geology, geography, scenery and raw natural energy. Visit Thingvellir National Park to see where the great American and Eurasian tectonic plates tear apart - you can literally touch both continents simultaneously.
If water floats your boat, you’ll love a glimpse of the Gullfoss Falls at Hvita or Pingvallavatn - Iceland’s largest freshwater lake. And don’t forget a trip to Haukadalur, for a sight you’ll never have seen before. Watch the Strokkur geyser - a pool of bubbling, steaming water - simmer away before it erupts with a jet steam 20 metres into the air.
A day trip to the Golden Circle is an experience like no other, it’s a trip in a time machine millions of years ago, where nature dominates and the planet is young.
Relax in the Blue Lagoon
A staple of any Iceland escorted tour must include a dip in the iconic Blue Lagoon, a mineral-laden geothermal outdoor spa that’ll leave you feeling divine.
Set in the landscape of a volcanic lava field, the Reykjanes Peninsula Blue Lagoon is an experience of relaxation like no other, and the lagoon we recommend. It comes with fantastic facilities - with changing rooms, restaurants, steam rooms and a piping-hot waterfall that will give you the massage of a lifetime!
Go whale watching & puffin spotting
With 23 different species beneath Icelandic territorial waters, a whale watching trip cannot go amiss! During the summer months, a great abundance of these graceful creatures can be found - look out for humpbacks, killer whales, minke whales and dolphins.
A trip to the offshore islands and coastal cliffs can also give you the chance to see Iceland’s unofficial national bird. Take a trip to the black sandy beach of Reynisfjara where puffins breed and congregate in large colonies.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Sun activity rises and falls over the Solar Cycle, a period of approximately 11 years that can rise to 14 or 15 years.
The Solar Maximum is when sun spots reach their maximum - the Space Systems Research Corporation believe this will next occur between 2023 and 2026.
To see the Northern Lights at its most striking will be when this occurs, however you can still see them if you visit during the peak period each year - between September and March.
Around 350,000, with roughly two thirds living in the greater Reykjavik area. As the terrain mostly consists of mountain peaks, icefields and fertile lowlands, around 80% of the country is un-inhabited - the highest of any European country.
Iceland’s most visited geyser erupts between every 5 and 10 minutes. So you don’t have to wait long!
There are three UNESCO world heritage sites in Iceland - areas selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation for having cultural, scientific or historical significance and are legally protected by international treaties.
These are Vatnajökull National Park, Europe’s largest national park, known for its glaciers; Golden Circle centre-piece Thingvellir National Park and Surtsey Island, a volcanic island around 32 KM from the South Coast of Iceland.