Iceland Ring Road: 6-Day Small Group Tour with Glacier Hike

Summary

Circle Iceland’s wild landscapes, waterfalls & black beaches in six days

You’ll circle Iceland’s wildest places in six packed days: glacier hiking on Vatnajökull, soaking in Mývatn Nature Baths, spotting whales off Akureyri, chasing waterfalls like Skógafoss and Goðafoss. With local guides handling every detail (and sharing plenty of laughs), you’ll feel both cared for and free to get lost in Iceland’s big skies.

What’s the experience like?

You know that feeling when you step off the bus and the air just hits different? That was Reykjavik for me — crisp, a bit salty, and everyone bundled up like they knew something I didn’t. Our guide, Ása, had this dry sense of humor (she called the rain “liquid sunshine”) and by the time we reached Þingvellir I’d already learned more about tectonic plates than in any science class. The ground felt alive there — you could see the rift stretching out under your boots. Gullfoss was next; all that mist made my glasses useless but I didn’t care. There’s something about standing so close to that much water crashing down — it makes you quiet inside.

The days started to blur into each other after that: black sand sticking to my boots at Reynisfjara, sheep staring us down from impossible hillsides, and the wind at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon that somehow found its way through every layer of clothing. We hiked on Vatnajökull with crampons biting into blue ice — honestly, I was nervous at first but our guide (Baldur, who grew up nearby) kept checking on us and pointed out these tiny pockets where volcanic ash got trapped in the ice. It’s weird what sticks with you. In Mývatn Nature Baths later, my skin felt soft from all those minerals and I remember just floating there as steam curled up into a sky that wouldn’t get dark.

I didn’t expect to laugh so much on a day trip around Iceland from Reykjavik — like when Li tried to pronounce “Eyjafjörður” during whale watching and even the captain cracked a smile. We did spot humpbacks (three!) and someone said they could smell their breath but I was too busy grinning at the spray. Nights were quiet except for one when we caught a flicker of Northern Lights outside Hotel Hof; everyone shuffled out in pajamas, whispering like we’d stumbled onto some secret show.

By the last morning, my phone was full of blurry sheep photos and I’d stopped trying to keep my socks dry. There’s no way to see everything here in six days but this small group tour made it feel possible — every stop had a story or a taste or a strange silence that stuck with me long after we drove back into Reykjavik’s city lights. Sometimes I still catch myself missing that sulfur smell near Deildartunguhver or Baldur’s stories about trolls hiding in the fog. You’ll see what I mean if you go.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Golden Circle and South Coast

• Visit Þingvellir National Park
• See Gullfoss Waterfall
• Watch Great Geysir erupt
• Walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall
• Visit Skógafoss waterfall

Day 2 — South Coast and Glacier Hike

• Explore Reynisfjara black sand beach
• Stop at Vík village
• Pass Mýrdalsjökull glacier
• Enter Skaftafell National Park
• Glacier hike on Vatnajökull
• Visit Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
• Walk at Diamond Beach

Day 3 — East Fjords and Waterfalls

• Visit Djúpivogur fishing village
• Hike to Hengifoss waterfall
• See Litlanesfoss waterfall
• Stay overnight at Wilderness Center

Day 4 — Mývatn Area and Akureyri

• Travel through Mörðudalur valley
• Visit Dettifoss waterfall
• Explore Lake Mývatn landscapes
• Visit Námaskarð geothermal area
• See Hverfjall crater
• Explore Dimmuborgir lava formations
• Relax at Mývatn Nature Baths
• Visit Goðafoss waterfall
• Arrive in Akureyri for overnight

Day 5 — Whale Watching and Fjord Villages

• Start in Akureyri town
• Whale watching in Eyjafjörður Fjord
• Drive to Siglufjörður village
• Tour Tröllaskagi peninsula
• Overnight at Laugarbakki hotel

Day 6 — Borgarfjörður and Return to Reykjavik

• Hike Grábrók volcanic crater
• Visit Hraunfossar waterfall
• See Snorralaug hot spring in Reykholt
• Drive along Hvalfjörður fjord
• Visit Deildartunguhver hot spring

Top questions

Is pickup included for this 6-day Iceland tour?

Yes, pickup is offered from authorized points in Reykjavik.

Does this tour include glacier hiking?

Yes, there is a guided glacier hike on Vatnajökull (or an ice cave tour Nov–Mar).

Are accommodations included each night?

Yes, five nights’ accommodation are included along the route.

Is whale watching part of this itinerary?

Yes, whale watching is included near Akureyri with high chances of sightings.

What should I pack for this multi-day tour?

Bring warm outdoor clothing, waterproof gear, gloves, headgear, and hiking boots.

Can solo travelers join? Will they share rooms?

Solo travelers are paired in twin rooms unless they pay extra for a single room upgrade.

Are entry fees or park fees included?

Yes, national park fees are covered as part of your booking.

Is lunch or food provided during the tour?

No meals are specifically mentioned as included; plan to buy your own meals along the way.

How physically demanding is this tour?

A moderate level of fitness is required due to hikes and outdoor activities.

Can you see Northern Lights on this trip?

If traveling between September and April and weather allows, there are good chances at several overnight stops.

What’s included

Your journey includes Reykjavik pickup and drop-off by comfortable minibus with WiFi onboard; five nights’ accommodation across small hotels or guesthouses; expert local guides leading activities like glacier hiking on Vatnajökull (or ice cave tours in winter) and whale watching near Akureyri; entry fees for national parks; plus time at Mývatn Nature Baths (or Forest Lagoon Jan–Mar 2026). Meals aren’t covered so bring snacks or plan stops along the way before returning to Reykjavik at the end.