Trip Overview
Worth noting…
On this trip, you’ll get two in one – your Trip Leader is also your Driver. Fact: Iceland is mind-blowing. But it’s also rain, snow and wind-blowing. Occasionally, the itinerary may change due to weather conditions. DW – your Trip Leader always has a back-up plan.
Tales From Topdeckers
Trip itinerary
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Reykjavík – Dalvík – Akureyri
2Bless (read: bye) Reykjavík – we’ll be back for you later. Ngl, we’ve got a bit of drive today – so snag a window seat and soak up all the screensaver-worthy scenery as we head north. Fun fact: the small fishing village of Dalvík has produced four Eurovision Song Contest entrants. Must be something in the (ice-cold) water here. Hum a tune as your expert Trip Leader points out the village highlights. Then: prepare for a whale of a time (we went there) and take to the seas for an UNforgettable whale-watching experience. If we’re lucky, we’ll hear the thunderous crash and see the saltwater spray as these mighty creatures come up for air. Cue: alll the goosebumps. Last but not least, it’s time to make tracks towards Akureyri for the lowdown on the ‘Capital of the North’.
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Included Today
- Orientation walk of Dalvík with Trip Leader
- Whale-watching tour
- Orientation walk of Akureyri with Trip Leader
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Included Today
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Akureyri – The East Fjords
3You want fire, water, earth and air all in one day? Greedy, but luckily Iceland’s got all the elements covered. First, we’ll check out Mother Nature’s mad skills at Goðafoss Waterfall – aka the Waterfall of the Gods. Then we’ll switch to the dark side at Dimmuborgir lava field. This jigsaw of spiky rocks was formed by a volcanic eruption over 2,000 years ago, and it’s said the devil landed here when he was chucked out of heaven. Ouch. Next: hold your nose. Don’t blame your trip mates for that eggy smell – it’s the sulfurous gases rising from Námafjall’s bubbling geothermal pools. This place looks like Mars, and you’ll deffo wish you had a space helmet on. Finally, we’ll treat our peepers to rip-roaring Dettifoss waterfall before rolling into our hotel for the eve. What. A. Day.
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Included Today
- See Goðafoss and Dettifoss waterfalls
- Visit Dimmuborgir lava field
- Visit Námafjall geothermal area
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Included Today
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The East Fjords – Vatnajökull Glacier – Jökulsárlón Region
4Ready to see Iceland live up to its name? We’ll ooohh and aaahhh our way through the mystical East Fjords for a slice of real Icelandic life. Think snow-capped mountains, charming AF villages, and maybe even a puffin or two. Next up: Vatnajökull glacier. This jaw-dropping, GINORMOUS ice cap covers approx 8% of the country in a blanket of kryptonite-style blue ice and thick layers of volcanic ash. Watch out for White Walkers – Game of Thrones’ ‘North of The Wall’ was filmed here. Tonight, dinner's on us when we settle into the b-e-a-u-t Jökulsárlón region this evening.
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Included Today
- Drive through the East Fjords
- View of Vatnajökull glacier
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
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Included Today
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Jökulsárlón Region – South Coast Region
5Another day, another mind-blowing frozen landscape. Keen to delve deeper (literally)? Channel all the Indiana Jones vibes and explore Vatnajökull’s eye-popping ice caves. It’s like being dropped into a snow globe. Or opt for a boat trip around Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon to gawp at some enormous icebergs (not in a Titanic way) and maybe spot a resident seal. Next? We’ll seek out the immense Svínafellsjökull glacier before rounding off the day in a sweet spot along the South Coast. All the icy adventuring got you yawning so loud it rivals an orca? Grab a bite to eat and get to bed. We’ve got another jam-packed day tomorrow!
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Included Today
- See Svínafellsjökull glacier
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Optional extras
- Crystal ice cave tour in Vatnajökull glacier: from 20500 ISK
- Public amphibian boat tour of Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon: from 6300 ISK
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Included Today
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South Coast Region – The Golden Circle – Reykjavík
6If beaches went goth, they’d look like this. This morning we’ll sink our toes into the black sand of Reynisfjara. The dramatic basalt columns here are actually trolls that got turned into stone (allegedly). Next, we’ll lay eyes on super-scenic Seljalandsfoss waterfall before exploring the legendary Golden Circle. 300 kilometres of phenomenal Icelandic landscapes. Natural wonders don’t get any better than this. Trust us. We’ll check out the roaring Gullfoss Falls. ‘Holy sh*t’ our way around the Great Geysir. And soak up all the amazingness at UNESCO World Heritage–listed Thingvellir National Park. SD cards full and tummies rumbling, it’s time to hunt down some street food – traditional sheep soup and fish stew are a must. Then? Locate a local bar and hit the d-floor with your trip mates.
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Included Today
- Visit Reynisfjara black-sand beach
- Visit Seljalandsfoss waterfall
- Golden Circle expedition (including Thingvellir National Park)
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Included Today
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Reykjavík
7This is your day to delve deeper into Iceland’s quirky capital. Need some suggestions? Get the blues in the BEST way possible soaking in the magical geothermal pools of the Blue Lagoon (psst: we recommend you book on the official Blue Lagoon website before you jet off – it sells out during busy times). Check out the Saga Museum, National Museum of Iceland or Phallological Museum (for something a bit... different). Or sink your ‘Jaws’ into a traditional local delicacy – fermented shark. Tonight: we’ll give this incredible Icelandic adventure the send-off it deserves at our final group feed.
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
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Optional extras
- Visit the Blue Lagoon (including transport): from 18980 ISK (booking in advance recommended)
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Meals
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Reykjavík
8You tried the food. You met the locals. You said yes to culture. Yes to history. Yes to the new and the unique. You embraced it all. And now, it’s over (no crying). Head down to breakfast and swap those socials – you’re gonna need them for that meet-up on mainland Europe. Where to next?
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Meals
What's included
Included experiences
- - Icelandic beer tasting experience
- - Orientation walk of Dalvík with Trip Leader
- - Whale-watching tour in Dalvík
- - Orientation walk of Akureyri with Trip Leader
- - See Goðafoss and Dettifoss waterfalls
- - Visit Dimmuborgir lava field
- - Visit Námafjall geothermal area
- - Drive through the East Fjords
- - View of Vatnajökull glacier
- - See Svínafellsjökull glacier
- - Visit Reynisfjara black-sand beach
- - Visit Seljalandsfoss waterfall
- - Golden Circle expedition (including Thingvellir National Park)
Accommodation
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-7 nights in hotel-style accommodation (twin or double)
Transport
Optional activities
- FYI: these are optional activities available locally. Things might change – prices are here to give you a rough idea.
- Crystal ice cave tour in Vatnajökull glacier: from 20500 ISK
- Public amphibian boat tour of Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon: from 6300 ISK
- Visit the Blue Lagoon (including transport): from 18980 ISK (booking in advance recommended)
Views & Reviews
Latest Reviews
Average rating based on 4 reviews
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Dylan Tu November 2023
Just WOW!!! Such an amazing trip, couldn’t recommend it more. Our Guide ‘Henry’ was very knowledgeable, kind and debatably funny, just great. Had so much fun with the group doing the plethora of amazing activities and sites around Iceland. Though I will say there were a couple slow days of driving and little sites but even those days were great just because of Iceland being such a beautiful country. Honestly was the perfect way to experience Iceland, and although was very pricey it was completely worth it!!! :)
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Emma Ho July 2023
Amazing trip and a lovely group. Got to see everything I wanted to and more with a local guide who was clearly passionate about the country!
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Anonymous March 2023
The tour achieved what it was meant to. A quick 8 days around Iceland. The tour guide Thor improvised well as the schedule was changed due to weather conditions. This worked out well, the whale watching company cancelled on us but we went instead to Forest Lagoon which was better than Sky and Blue Lagoons in Reykjavik.
Everyday of the tour was a travel day as there was little time and so much to see. I feel the tour would have benefited from a 2nd night in the place we visit before Vik as there are so many adventure activities to do like the ice caving, glacier hikes, ice climbing etc that I day could have been filled doing that. Then one less day in Reykjavik.
What this Top Deck tour lacked was music. We didn't have a top deck song. I have been on other top deck tours such as through Morocco and on long drive days the guides have played games or had everyone select 5 songs and have turns at connecting tot he speaker and playing them. Stuff like that to keep people engaged. I feel bus life could have more engaging. I know there is nice scenery outside but so to on my other tours. Since there is so much back to back busing, this fun Top Deck is known for wasn't there. Thor was a really good guide. He told us stories about the elves and trolls in the areas we went through as well as the history of the local areas. He was funny as well. But the tour lacked a sort of youthfulness that top deck tours are known for.
We also didn't do the daunting group introduction which I quite like because it puts everyone out of their comfort zone and the group bonds more quickly together. We can't do it while the bus travels though due to the road laws and dangerous conditions.
Bus was always clean and the driver Brun was nice.
I quite enjoyed the tour. I am glad we went all the way around the Island in winter where may other tour companies would not due to the unpredictability of road closures due to storms. But it didn't feel 'Top Deck'.
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