Your adventure with UTOvacation begins with an international flight from the US to Iceland’s Keflavík International Airport (KEF) in Reykjavik.

*Based on the flight arrangement/itinerary, you may leave on the second day instead.

Arrive in Reykjavik and proceed to your hotel to check in, remainder of the day will be at leisure to rest (check-in is available from 3pm).

Transportation to the hotel is not included; optional private airport pickup service is available for US$80/person with a minimum of 2 passengers.

Spend today discovering Reykjavik, the vibrant capital of Iceland. Wander the colorful streets, filled with charming cafes and quirky shops and delve into the city’s Viking history at one of its museums. Reykjavik is fairly small and easy to navigate on foot or by public transportation, if you choose to go it alone.

Optional tour: Hot Springs at the Blue Lagoon: U$179/person 

Experience Iceland’s most famous hot spring, the Blue Lagoon. With average temperatures of 98-102°F, the geothermal spa is rich in minerals that are believed to have skin-healing properties. Locals even refer to the hot spring as a "natural beauty salon."

*Tour information: Roundtrip transportation, a towel, one beverage, and a face mask are included. Tour time is approximately 2 hours. Recommended soaking time is about 60 minutes, but each person should adjust their soak time based on their preference and health status. If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, please shorten your soaking time to avoid discomfort. Don’t forget to bring your swimsuit!

After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to the Golden Circle where you’ll explore some of Iceland’s top natural attractions, including Thingvellir National Park, geysers, waterfalls, a popular volcanic crater, and traditional farms. The Geysir area features several colorful hot springs and two main geysers. One of these, named "Geysir," is the namesake for geysers around the world. Geysir is no longer as active as it once was and erupts irregularly; the second geyser, Strokkur, erupts every 5-10 minutes, spouting boiling water up to 100 feet in the air.

We’ll then visit the spectacular Gullfoss Waterfall, formed by the melting water from Iceland"s second-largest glacier, Langjökull, cascading into a canyon. On sunny days, you can spot the glacier in the distance and a rainbow in the waterfall’s mist.

Next, we’ll explore Thingvellir National Park. Its location at the junction of two slowly drifting tectonic plates creates unique geological features, including deep fissures, rocky cliffs and lake-dotted plains. Thingvallavatn, Iceland"s largest natural lake, is located here, providing a habitat to many birds and fish. Aside from its natural wonders, the national park holds historical significance for Icelanders; in 930 AD, they founded a parliament here and held meetings every summer. "Thingvellir" means "Parliament Plains" in English.

Finally, we’ll return to the hotel to rest and prepare for the next day’s adventure.

Our first stop today will be to Seljalandsfoss waterfall. If conditions permit, you can walk behind the waterfall for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Don’t forget to bring a raincoat to avoid getting wet.

Continuing our journey, we’ll head east along the coast and arrive at the picturesque Skógafoss waterfall. The waterfall is formed by the Skógá River rushing down from a 195 ft cliff and flowing into the Atlantic Ocean. For a bird’s eye view of the waterfall, take the stairs located alongside.

From here, you’ll have the opportunity to join an optional tour with a professional glacier guide to hike on one of Iceland’s iconic glaciers.

Optional Program: Glacier Hiking  (Sólheimajökull or Skaftafell Glacier): U$169/person

Our well-trained glacier guide will provide instruction and equip us with all necessary safety gear (including helmets, harnesses, ice claws, and ice axes) before stepping foot on the glacier. You’ll see and learn about the different landscapes formed by the glacier’s movement, and if you visit during winter and weather conditions permit, you may explore small ice caves. All safety equipment needed for glacier hiking will be provided.

Today promises to be a beautiful day filled with natural wonders. It begins at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, a 650-foot-deep glacial lake filled with icebergs. Some of the lagoon’s icebergs flow toward the Atlantic Ocean, while others are washed back to shore by the waves, creating a dazzling display of diamond-like ice blocks, earning the beach the name “Diamond Beach.”

Optional Program: Blue Ice Cave: U$249/person
Hop in the specially-equipped van to explore the Blue Ice Cave. Its blue-colored ice walls are formed by melting glacier water that carves a network of tunnels and caves into the ice. For your safety, we recommend that you wear waterproof, hard-soled, ankle-supporting shoes for this tour.

Our final destination of the day is the famous Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. Here you will witness the waves of the Atlantic Ocean crashing over basalt columns, creating a breathtaking sight.

Please be cautious while visiting as this is considered the most dangerous beach in Iceland. It’s important to pay attention to your safety to not turn your back on the waves. If visiting in winter, avoid venturing into the caves behind the basalt columns.

Afterward, we will return to Reykjavik by car.

After breakfast, we’ll set out for a city tour of Reykjavik. The tour begins with the iconic landmark of the city, Hallgrimskirkja Church. The church’s design is said to evoke the basalt columns we saw yesterday. One of its most notable features is the massive 5000-pipe organ, a sight to behold.

Optional Program: Hallgrimskirkja Church U$59/person
You can take an elevator to the top of the church’s tower (244 ft) for a panoramic view of Reykjavik and the surrounding area.

Our next destination is the Perlan Building, located at the highest point in Reykjavik. From its observation deck, you’ll be able to enjoy stunning views of the city (and use telescopes for an even better look). We will then visit several other landmarks, including Harpa Concert Hall, Hofda House, Reykjavik City Hall, and Tjornin Lake. You will have some free time to explore Reykjavik’s city center, shop for souvenirs and grab dinner from one of the many lauded restaurants here.

Then, we’ll head to our hotel where, if the weather is clear and the forecast is good, you may be able to see the Northern Lights.

If you don’t catch the lights tonight, or if you simply want a better view, you can sign up for a small group tour to the Arctic departing from Reykjavik.

Today is free for you to explore or relax until it’s time to depart for the airport. Make your own way to Keflavík International Airport (KEF), or book the optional private airport drop-off service (US$80/person with a minimum of 2 people).