Puffins in summer | Iceland
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FROM: £1,136 pp
South Iceland Summer Express - 3 days map

SUMMER TOUR: Pack all of southern Iceland's main sites into three quickfire days, perfect if you're short on time or stopping over in the country on your way to Europe or North America! Take in the highlights of the Westman Islands, see the plunging Seljalandsfoss waterfall and the famous Eyjafjallajokull volcano. Walk on the black lava beach of Reynisfjara, relax in a natural hot spring, and admire the colourful rhyolite mountains of Landmannalaugar.

Inclusions
Itinerary
Prices & Dates
Hotels

Trip Highlights

Westman Islands - Explore the island of Heimaey, which was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1973
Vik - Experience the heat of lava and admire the power of nature at the Vik lava show, the only example of a lava show in the world
Solheimajokull glacier - See one of Iceland's most famous glaciers and opt to join a hike out onto this sheet of ice
Seljalandsfoss - Marvel at the thundering waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, and enjoy a walk behind one of the falls
Landmannalaugar - Hike amongst the colourful rhyolite mountains and take a dip in a natural geothermal stream

Included

1 breakfasts & 1 lunch
Escorted by an English-speaking guide/driver-guide
Return ferry trip to the Westman Islands
Entrance to the Vik lava show
This tour is operated in conjunction with our trusted partner and you will join travellers from different operators, not solely On The Go. The sightseeing group may vary in size from 10 - 30 persons
2 nights 3-star hotel in Hella
Transportation in heated coaches, with free Wi-Fi & return transport in a highland vehicle to Landmannalaugar
Walking tour of the Village of Heimaey
Entrance to the Skogar Folk Museum

Not Included

International flights and Visas
Tips for your guide - this is an entirely personal gesture
Arrival and departure transfers

Itinerary

Day 1

The Westman Islands

Reykjavik - The Westman Islands - Hella. Welcome to Iceland! Departing from Reykjavik at 8am this morning we head southeast to the coast, where we board a ferry to Heimaey, the only inhabited island in the Westman archipelago. In 1973, half of the island's settlements were destroyed by a volcanic eruption, triggering a huge evacuation effort. Amazingly, only one person was killed during the eruption, and residents managed to save the harbour from destruction by continuously pouring cold seawater on the lava to direct it away from this important infrastructure. We'll take a bus and walking tour of the island, including a visit to the "Pompeii of the North", a volcanic excavation project. We'll also have the chance to walk up the volcano crater.

As well as the 4,500 residents who still live on Heimaey, approximately 8 million puffins make the island their summer home, and you'll be able to see these beautiful birds by the hundred. Many other migratory species also visit the Westman Islands in summer to feed and breed, so who knows which species you may spot! You'll have plenty of time to explore Heimaey town and its surrounding areas independently before we return to the mainland and head to our overnight accommodation in Hella.

Please note: If you would like to book pre-tour accommodation in Reykjavik, then we would be happy to arrange this for you on request.
Overnight: Hella

Day 2

Waterfalls, volcanoes & glaciers

Hella - Seljalandsfoss. Today we experience the true forces of nature which make Iceland so special. Our morning starts with the plunging Seljalandsfoss waterfall, there's a path that winds its way directly behind Seljalandsfoss, which we will walk along and feel the spray from the waterfall.

On our way to the village of Vik we attend the famous lava show, when a volcanic eruption is re-enacted on a small scale. You'll see lava flowing along the ice, and feel the immense heat radiating from it. We then travel to the black lava beach of Reynisfjara. Our walk along the beach will allow us to spot yet more of Iceland's birdlife, as well as impressive rock formations and basalt columns.

In the afternoon, we visit Skogar where we'll see the traditional turf houses of the Skogar Folk Museum and be mesmerised by the sightings of the thundering skogafoss waterfall, reaching over 60 meters high, it is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country. Alternatively you can join an optional glacier hike at Sólheimajökull glacier It's an informative and easy walk through a frozen wonderland of different shades of glacier ice. Price per person: ISK 23.000.
Overnight: Hella

Day 3

Landmannalaugar Mountains

Hella - Landmannalaugar - Reykjavik. Leaving our hotel in Hella for the final time, we drive along the unpaved road to Landmannalaugar. These incredible mountains were formed by rhyolite lava, which is of a different sort to many volcanic formations. The effect is a series of "rainbow" mountains, with lots of interspersing colours, including reds, yellows, and browns. Sizzling sulfur springs are still visible and steamy vapour rises from the land. We'll enjoy a picnic lunch in the area and there is free time to explore and take a dip in a natural geothermal stream.

We'll stop to see the beautiful Hjalparfoss waterfall before returning to Reykjavik where our tour comes to an end. A Flybus Shuttle transfer will take you to Keflavik International Airport for your onward flight.
Breakfast, Lunch

Prices & Dates

Departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 4 persons. 'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room.

Read More
Guaranteed Departure
2025
Twin Share
Single Room
14 Jun - 16 Jun 25% off
£1,515
£1,136
£1,825
£1,369
18 Jun - 20 Jun 25% off
£1,515
£1,136
£1,825
£1,369
12 Jul - 14 Jul 25% off
£1,515
£1,136
£1,825
£1,369
26 Jul - 28 Jul 25% off
£1,515
£1,136
£1,825
£1,369
09 Aug - 11 Aug 25% off
£1,515
£1,136
£1,825
£1,369
23 Aug - 25 Aug 25% off
£1,515
£1,136
£1,825
£1,369

Extra Prices

Twin Share
Single Room

Hotels

The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.

Hotel Stracta, Hella

Our Category: Standard   |   Regional Category: 3 Star Hotel

Hotel Stracta in the sleepy village of Hella, offers a serene getaway in South Iceland. This contemporary hotel provides a range of en suite accommodations, from cosy 18m² standard rooms, to spacious 24m² studio rooms, which are equipped with a small kitchenette and a sofa bed. All of the guest rooms are designed in Nordic style and well-equipped, with modern amenities. A delicious and hearty buffet breakfast is served each day at the buffet restaurant Gardur. You can unwind in the sauna or outdoor hot tubs while soaking in views of the Northern Lights and enjoy delectable à la carte meals at Stracta Bistro restaurant, which serves a whole host of Icelandic and international culinary delights. In the winter, Hotel Stracta's dark gardens are perfect for Northern Lights hunting!

At a Glance

Range
Trip Type
Starts
Reykjavik
Ends
Reykjavik
Departs
June - August
Group Size
Min 4 / Max 30
Hotel Rating
3-star hotel
Tour Guide
Yes - escorted by a tour guide/driver
Meals
Breakfast: 1, Lunch: 1
Countries
Minimum Age
12 yrs, accompanied by an adult
Arr. Transfer
No
Dep. Transfer
No
Colourful houses of Reykjavik against a backdrop of snowy mountains
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall in Southern Iceland
Colourful houses of Reykjavik against a backdrop of snowy mountains
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