Iceland Circle & Solar Eclipse 2026

Welcome to Iceland! Our adventure begins. Once we've transferred from the airport to our hotel via Flybus transfer, the rest of the day is for exploration!

Please note: You will be escorted on this tour by an expert, English-speaking Icelandic tour guide. For this special solar eclipse tour, all of our guides have received dedicated solar eclipse training from award-winning astronomy communicator, science lecturer, author and board member of the Icelandic Astronomical Society, Saevar Helgi Bragason.

Reykjavik - Arnarstapi - Borgarnes. This morning we depart Reykjavik and drive to Arnarstapi, a remote coastal village jutting out of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland, right along the eclipse axis. At around 16:00 we will head out with our guide, finding the perfect spot to witness the total solar eclipse.

A total solar eclipse occurs incredibly rarely, only when the moon aligns perfectly in front of the sun, as the two orbit our Earth. It is a complete cosmic coincidence that this happens at all! The sun is 400 times further away than the moon, but also 400 times larger. This allows them to appear the same size when the alignment is perfect, which is why the moon totally blocks out the sun - known as totality. Just the sun's outer atmosphere, which is called the corona, is visible - a shimmering ring of light in the pitch dark.

We will experience the eclipse from Arnarstapi (population: 60), one of Iceland's most stunning locations. Once a bustling trading port with a significantly larger population, it was an important hub for Danish merchants shipping fish worldwide. The village's natural harbor also served as a base for fishing and whaling expeditions.

Located on Iceland's picturesque southwest coast, Arnarstapi features a rugged coastline with clear views across the Denmark Strait toward Greenland. This unobstructed horizon provides an ideal vantage point to witness the celestial event, with totality lasting an impressive 2 minutes and 2 seconds. At this location, the duration of totality is among the longest anywhere in the world. The area also boasts a scenic coastal walk that ends at a small harbour, with numerous viewpoints along the shoreline to choose from.

Our selected observation point is Lion head View, Staoarbakki, Eyri, Snaefellsbaer at coordinates 64°46'12.1"N 23°37'02.9"W. Solar eclipse glasses will be provided to ensure you can see the eclipse unfold safely - you can remove them during totality to get the best experience.

At precisely 16:45:20, the partial eclipse will commence as the moon begins its slow journey across the sun. By 17:46:09, the total eclipse will take centre stage, plunging the world into complete darkness for an extraordinary experience. During this brief moment of totality, time seems to pause - the temperature drops, the birds fall silent, and an eerie stillness envelops everything. As the total eclipse concludes and sunlight gradually reappears from behind the moon, the celestial show continues for another hour, until 18:46.

Only here in west Iceland, Greenland, northern Spain and northeast Portugal (and a few spots in the ocean) will mankind experience a total eclipse on 12 August, 2026. This is a historic moment, the last total solar eclipse to take place in Iceland was in 1954, and there won't be another until 26 June, 2196. During the totality, depending on the conditions, it may be possible to spot Venus, Jupiter, Mercury and Mars, and the stars of the Big Dipper should also be visible directly overhead.

TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE - ARNARSTAPI
Total solar eclipse - 2m 2s.
Total duration - 2h 1m 1s.

Event
Partial begins - 16:45:20
Totality begins - 17:46:09
Maximum Eclipse - 17:47:10
Totality ends - 17:48:14
Partial ends - 18:46:21

When the eclipse has ended we will drive to the small town of Borgarnes. Arriving at approx 9pm, a light dinner of soup and sandwiches will be served.

Borgarnes - Godafoss - Lake Myvatn. Our first stop today is Godafoss, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland (and there is a lot of competition!). Next, we take in the pseudo-craters of Skutustadir. These non-volcanic vents were created by gas explosions around 2,300 years ago, when hot lava flowed over cool, wet surfaces.

We are staying at a hotel near the shore of Lake Myvatn tonight.

Lake Myvatn - Dimmuborgir - Namaskard - Egilsstadir. In the morning we hike in a lava labyrinth at Dimmuborgir “the dark castles”, hoping to get a glimpse of the trolls who are said to live there. Afterwards we visit the hot spring area of Namaskard with bubbling mud pools and steaming solfataras. Continue through the uninhabited highlands and moonlike surrounding to East Iceland. With some luck we might spot an Arctic fox or see reindeer.

Also today, enjoy included entrance to the Myvatn Nature Baths, a man-made hot spring filled with naturally geothermally heated water, at a temperature of 36 – 40°C. We will also see Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall before arriving at our hotel in the town of Egilsstadir.

Egilsstadir - Djupivogur - Hofn. This morning, we take in one of Iceland's hidden treasures, Studlagil Canyon. This canyon is home to incredible basalt columns and a striking blue-green glacial river - make sure to snap some photos.

Later, we visit the small coastal village of Djupivogur, where we can take in panoramic views of the coast and picturesque fjord. We then complete our journey to the scenic fishing town of Hofn.

Hofn - Jokulsarlon Lagoon - Skogafoss - Seljalandsfoss - Hella. Our first stop today is at Jokulsarlon, a glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs. A boat tour between the bergs is included in the program, and you can also keep your eyes peeled for seals on the floes. Just across the street, you can walk on the so-called Diamond Beach, where icebergs wash up along the shore.

Next, we take in the black sand beaches and dramatic rock formations of Reynisfjara before continuing to some of Iceland's most famous waterfalls. First is Skogafoss, one of Iceland's most impressive waterfalls, reaching over 60 metres high. We also visit the plunging Seljalandsfoss waterfall. As well as admiring the cascade from afar, you can walk along a path that winds its way directly behind Seljalandsfoss in order to feel the spray from the waterfall.

Our day of sightseeing ends with arrival at our hotel in Hella.

Hella - Gullfoss - Geysir - Fridheimar - Thingvellir National Park - Reykjavik. Today we explore Iceland's famed Golden Circle. We begin the day at Gullfoss, “the golden falls“, which is a double waterfall that tumbles 34 metres into the Hvita River. Later on we visit the Geysir geothermal fields to see a variety of hot springs, bubbling pools and the mighty Strokkur, "the Churn", which erupts at 5-10 minute intervals.

At Fridheimar, we can learn about the special qualities and history of the Icelandic horse and visit a geothermal greenhouse, where tomatoes are grown all year round despite the cold, dark conditions. We continue to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, before heading back to Reykjavik for the night.

And just like that, our solar eclipse tour comes to an end. Enjoy your final morning in Iceland, before an included Flybus transfer takes you to the Keflavik International Airport. Make sure to come back soon!