We’ve broken down the exciting first few days of our tour to Iceland. Whale watching, the blue lagoon, and the entire Snaefellsnes Peninsula to name a few. You can peruse our Day 2 and 3 itinerary here. With Day 4 comes a new Mary Poppins bag of tricks. On Day 4 we explore what is arguably one of the most iconic Iceland excursions possible, the Golden Circle.
Tectonic plates
We will depart Reykjavik in the morning for our first stop at Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the tectonic plates of both Europe and North America. Those who haven’t seen an image of the tectonic plates are in for a surprise. These giant, diverging crevices are actually where Iceland emerged from. Iceland itself is divided by the mid-Atlantic rift—half of Iceland on the North American tectonic plate, and the other half on the Eurasian plate. You can literally walk between the continental divide while exploring this park. We will also visit the breathtaking Þingvallavatn lake whose volcanic origin can be seen in the lake itself.
Lake Thingvallavatn
From there we will explore the scenic lakeside village of Laugarvatn, famous for its lake heated by hot spring allowing bathers year-round. The area has beautiful panoramic views of the lake below and is an ideal spot for hikers and horseback riders.
Laugarvatn
In the afternoon we will make a stop to the famous Strokkur Geysur—the most famous hot spring in Iceland, which spouts water up to 100 feet high into the air every few minutes. The name itself literally translates to “churn”—likely due to its reliable and frequent spurts. Throughout the centuries this geyser has been blocked due to earthquakes. It wasn’t until a few decades ago that the conduits were cleared by local workers allowing Strokkur to erupt so regularly.
Strokkur Geyser
Next comes the beautiful waterfall Faxi. This lesser-known falls is fed by water from the glaciers and has a Salmon ladder adjacent to it.
Faxi Waterfall
From here we will head back into Reykjavik for some hearty Icelandic eats before heading out on our hunt for the elusive Aurora Borealis.
Prime viewing season starts in early September and runs through April, so we will be hitting it right at the start of the season. This natural phenomenon is only visible in a few select parts of the world, making Iceland a prime viewing location for locals and tourists alike. The ribbons of green that dance along the sky are one of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders of the world and I can’t wait to see this with my own eyes. They say the photos don’t do it justice, but I’ll let you be the judge.
Aurora Borealis
From here we will head back into town for a good night’s sleep before hitting the Southern Shore on Day 5.