Iceland Ring Route 8 Days: Golden Circle & Snæfellsnes
Eight Days Around Iceland: Waterfalls, Glaciers & Black Sand Beaches
You travel eight days around Iceland's Ring Route in a small group, staying in 3-star hotels with breakfast each morning. The itinerary covers the Golden Circle, South Coast waterfalls and an ice cave, a glacier hike with equipment, the Eastfjords, Lake Mývatn's lava formations, and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula with Kirkjufell mountain. Pickup and drop-off from Reykjavik bus stops are included, along with the Katla ice cave and glacier hike. Optional activities like whale watching and Vók Bath can be added along the way.
Step-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Explore the Golden Circle
- Visit Thingvellir National Park
- Visit Geysir Geothermal Area
- Visit Gullfoss Waterfall
Day 2: Discover South Coast and Ice Cave
- Visit Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
- Visit Skogafoss Waterfall
- Visit Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
- Enter ice cave
- Visit Dyrholaey island
Day 3: South-East Glacier and Lagoon
- Glacier hike at Skaftafell National Park
- Boat ride at Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
- Visit Diamond Beach
Day 4: Explore the Eastfjords
- Visit lake in the east
- Drive through eastern forest
- See Eggs outdoor artwork
- Optional horse riding at Egilstadir
- Optional Vok Bath hot spring
Day 5: North-East Iceland Highlights
- Visit most powerful waterfall
- Visit Námaskarð Geothermal Area
- Visit Myvatn area
- Visit Dimmuborgir Lava Formations
- Visit Godafoss Waterfalls
Day 6: Akureyri and Optional Whale Watching
- Explore Akureyri town
- Optional whale watching tour
Day 7: Snæfellsnes Peninsula Tour
- Visit Djupalonssandur beach
- Visit Ytri-Tunga beach for seals
- Visit Black Church at Búðir
- Visit Arnarstapi village
- See Lóndrangar cliffs
- Visit Kirkjufell Mountain
- Visit Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall
Day 8: West Iceland Geothermal and Waterfalls
- Visit Deildartunguhver Thermal Spring
- See waterfalls in lava landscape
- Visit small waterfall
- Optional Vidgelmir Lava Cave tour
What’s included
Your eight days include hotel pickup and drop-off from Reykjavik bus stops, seven nights in 3-star hotels with private bathrooms and breakfast daily, entry to Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss, Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara Beach, the Katla ice cave, a glacier hike on Skaftafellsjökull with safety equipment, Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, Dimmuborgir lava formations, Godafoss waterfall, and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula sites including Kirkjufell mountain and Kirkjufellsfoss. Optional activities such as whale watching, Vók Bath hot spring, horseback riding, and the Vidgelmir Lava Cave tour can be added separately.
Times
Next departure: 2 May 2027
9 departing soon ›Before you book
Operated by Troll Expeditions
Prices and times updated 6 days ago
Need assistance?Message us on WhatsApp or by emailTraveler reviews
The experience
You'll meet your group at a bus stop in Reykjavik on day one, and from there the route unfolds in a loop that takes you through nearly every landscape Iceland has. The Golden Circle comes first: Thingvellir National Park, Geysir's steaming vents, and Gullfoss waterfall, where the water drops so hard you feel it in your chest. You stay overnight in a 3-star hotel with breakfast included, which matters because the days are long and the light never really leaves in summer.
The South Coast is where things get dramatic. You'll walk behind Seljalandsfoss, stand at the base of Skógafoss, and then step into Reynisfjara's black sand beach with those basalt columns rising up like they're still deciding whether to be rock or water. The ice cave comes next (Katla, inside a glacier), and the cold air hits different when you're inside it. Day three takes you to Skaftafell for a glacier hike with safety equipment provided. The guide shows you the crevasses and you walk on actual ice that's thousands of years old. After that, Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and the Diamond Beach, where icebergs wash up on dark sand like they're being returned to shore.
The Eastfjords feel quieter. You pass through forests, see Sigurdur Gudmundsson's art installation, the Eggs in Gledivik, and have the option to add a soak at Vók Bath or horseback riding near Egilsstadir if you want to break up the driving. Then north: Godafoss waterfall, the Námaskarð geothermal area where the earth smells like sulfur, Lake Mývatn, and Dimmuborgir's lava pillars, which look like a city built by something that wasn't human. You overnight in Akureyri, the north's main town, and can book a whale watching tour if the timing works.
The final stretch is Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the part people photograph most. Kirkjufell mountain appears in almost every shot you'll take. It's the cone-shaped peak that shows up on postcards. You'll see Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall with the mountain framed behind it, seal colonies at Ytri-Tunga beach, the black church at Búðir, and the sea cliffs at Lóndrangar. The last day loops back through West Iceland's geothermal areas and lava landscape before returning to Reykjavik. Pickup and drop-off are from designated bus stops, and every night includes a private bathroom and breakfast, so you're not figuring out logistics on top of the driving.
Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Iceland's main landscapes (waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches, lava fields) without arranging transport, hotels, or timing between sites yourself. Eight days is long enough to move at a pace that doesn't feel rushed, and the fixed itinerary means you hit each region in sequence rather than backtracking.
Compare the 12 alternatives
Top questions
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
How long is the Iceland Ring Route tour?
Eight days and seven nights, departing from and returning to Reykjavik.
What's included in the price?
Pickup and drop-off from designated bus stops in Reykjavik, accommodation in 3-star hotels with private bathrooms, daily breakfast, the Katla ice cave, a glacier hike with safety equipment, and entry to major sites on the route.
Do I need to be fit for this tour?
The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The glacier hike is the most active component, but guides adjust the pace and distance based on the group.
Can I add activities like whale watching or hot spring bathing?
Yes. Whale watching near Akureyri and Vók Bath in the Eastfjords can be booked as optional extras during the tour.
What's the lava cave option?
A visit to Vidgelmir Lava Cave in West Iceland is available as an optional add-on. The ticket is not included in the tour price.
Are meals included?
Breakfast is included daily at your hotel. Lunch and dinner are not included, but you'll have time to eat at towns along the route.
What's the group size?
The tour operates with small groups. Exact size varies by departure date.
When is the best time to book this tour?
Summer (June to August) offers the longest daylight and most stable weather. Book in advance during peak season.
Iceland Ring Route 8 Days: Golden Circle & Snæfellsnes
8d · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 3,126 per person
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.