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3-Day Iceland's Highlands & Volcano Tour

3 days, 2 nightsGroup: Small group, up to 19 guests per guideEasy, optional hikesMinibus, pick-up in ReykjavíkAge 8+June to September
Coloured rhyolite mountains at LandmannalaugarPuffins on a grassy cliff in the Westman IslandsMoss-covered craters of LakagígarÓfærufoss waterfall in Eldgjá
Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon

Three days of volcanoes. You take the ferry to the Westman Islands to see where the 1973 eruption buried half a town, drive into the highlands to Laki, whose eruption in 1783 changed the climate of the northern hemisphere, and return through Eldgjá and Landmannalaugar.

  • Westman Islands and Eldheimar
  • Puffins at Stórhöfði
  • Laki and the Lakagígar craters
  • Eldgjá and Ófærufoss
  • Landmannalaugar

Day by day

Click a day for photos and details.
1Puffins on a grassy cliff in the Westman IslandsDay 1: Westman Islands and the south coastPick-up in Reykjavík at 7:30.
Puffins on a grassy cliff in the Westman IslandsHeimaey from the slopes of Eldfell

Pick-up in Reykjavík at 7:30. You drive to Landeyjahöfn for the 30-minute ferry to Heimaey. On the island you see the puffins at Stórhöfði and visit Eldheimar, the museum built around a house dug out of the ash of the 1973 eruption (entry included). There is time to climb Eldfell or walk round the town before the ferry back. On the mainland you stop at Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and Vík, then drive across the Eldhraun lava field to Hotel Geirland or similar.

2Fjaðrárgljúfur canyonDay 2: Fjaðrárgljúfur and LakiA walk along Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon in the morning, then a drive on highland roads to Laki.
Fjaðrárgljúfur canyonMoss-covered craters of Lakagígar

A walk along Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon in the morning, then a drive on highland roads to Laki. If you like, you hike to the top for the view over Lakagígar, a line of about 130 craters that erupted for eight months in 1783 and 1784. The rest of the afternoon is free in Kirkjubæjarklaustur, where you can see Systrafoss waterfall and the stone floor of Kirkjugólf. Second night at Hotel Geirland or similar.

3Coloured rhyolite mountains at LandmannalaugarDay 3: Eldgjá, Ófærufoss and LandmannalaugarYou drive the mountain road Fjallabaksleið nyrðri to Eldgjá, a volcanic canyon about 40 km long, and walk to Ófærufoss waterfall.
Coloured rhyolite mountains at LandmannalaugarÓfærufoss waterfall in EldgjáHjálparfoss waterfall

You drive the mountain road Fjallabaksleið nyrðri to Eldgjá, a volcanic canyon about 40 km long, and walk to Ófærufoss waterfall. The next stop, for about two hours, is Landmannalaugar: walk into the Laugahraun lava field, hike up Brennisteinsalda if you want, or soak in the natural hot spring. On the way back you stop at Hjálparfoss in Þjórsárdalur. Back in Reykjavík around 20:00.

About the 3-day Highlands and Volcano tour

This tour is about the volcanic history of South Iceland. Each day visits the results of a different eruption: Eldfell on Heimaey in 1973, the Laki fissure in 1783, and the much older Eldgjá eruption in the 10th century, one of the largest lava flows on Earth in historical times.

The hikes are short and optional. On Laki and in Landmannalaugar you can choose to climb or stay lower, so the tour suits most people in fair condition.

You stay two nights at Hotel Geirland or a similar countryside hotel with private bathrooms. Breakfast is included; lunch and dinner are not.

Make it your own

Optional extras, at extra cost
  • Hiking boots
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Waterproof trousers
  • Hiking poles
  • Single room
  • Luggage storage in Reykjavík

Included

  • Pick-up and drop-off in Reykjavík
  • Minibus transport with an English-speaking guide
  • Return ferry to the Westman Islands
  • Entry to Eldheimar museum
  • Landmannalaugar facility fee
  • 2 nights in a hotel with private bathroom
  • Breakfast on days 2 and 3

Not included

  • Lunch, dinner and drinks
  • Single room (optional)
  • Hiking boots, poles and waterproof clothing (available to rent)

What to bring

  • Warm layers and thermal underwear
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers
  • Good hiking shoes
  • Hat, scarf and gloves
  • Swimsuit and towel for the hot spring

Good to know

  • Pick-up at 7:30 on day 1; back in Reykjavík around 20:00 on day 3
  • Rooms are twin as standard, with a private bathroom. A double or triple room can be requested at no extra cost.
  • A single room is available for an extra fee but is not required. Solo travellers who do not book one share a room with another traveller of the same gender.
  • Minimum age 8. Children 8 to 15 pay the child price
  • Luggage: one small backpack plus one bag of up to 20 kg (44 lb); each bag no more than 158 cm (62 in) in length, width and height combined. Extra luggage can be stored in Reykjavík for a fee
  • About 300 km and 4 to 5 hours in the minibus on most days
  • The route, stops and hotels can change because of weather or road conditions
  • Book the tour to start at least one day after you land in Iceland, in case your flight is late
  • You can skip an activity if you find it too hard; the guide drops you at a nearby place with services
  • Pick-up from your hotel or a nearby bus stop in Reykjavík

Questions people ask

How hard are the hikes?

They are optional. The Laki summit walk and Brennisteinsalda are short climbs; you can stay at the bottom and still see a lot.

Will we see puffins?

Puffins nest on Heimaey from about May to August, so in June, July and early August you have a good chance at Stórhöfði.

Can we bathe at Landmannalaugar?

Yes, the natural hot spring is open, and the facility fee is included. Bring a swimsuit and towel.

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From134,990 ISKPer person

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