The Great Round Tour: Around Iceland in 13 Days

Iceland rarely rewards a quick visit, and this 13-day circuit gives you time to see far more than the usual Golden Circle and South Coast. With guide Jens Olafsson at the wheel, you travel from Reykjavik around the Ring Road, into the remote Westfjords, and back toward the capital through a striking mix of waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes, beaches, and fishing villages.

I like the maximum group size of 12, which keeps the trip personal and makes long drives easier. I also like the mix of famous sights and quieter stops, from Gullfoss and Glacier Lagoon to Modrudalur farm and the red sands of Raudisandur. The main drawback is the pace: you change hotels often, cover thousands of kilometers, and need moderate fitness for walks and hikes.

Key points to know before booking

• 4200 kilometers of scenery: The route reaches nearly every corner of Iceland, including the hard-to-reach Westfjords.
• Small group with Jens Olafsson: A group capped at 12 allows more room for questions, flexible lunch stops, and personal guidance.
• Farmhouse stays and included meals: You spend nights in country lodgings, with 12 breakfasts and 11 dinners included.
• Two major paid inclusions: The Skogar Folk Museum and Glacier Lagoon boat ride are covered in the price.
• Light hiking, not an adventure expedition: Expect walks to waterfalls, craters, cliffs, and beaches, but no technical climbing.
• A high price with broad coverage: At $7,228.71 per person, the value rests on the long route, meals, lodging, guide, and small group.

Why this tour covers Iceland so well

The smart part of this trip is its reach. Many Iceland itineraries circle the Ring Road and skip the Westfjords, one of the country’s least populated and most rugged regions. This route includes both, along with the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and several places that large buses generally cannot fit into a standard schedule.

You begin in Reykjavik and finish with transport toward Keflavik airport. Day 1 is simply arrival at the hotel, while Day 13 is the departure transfer, so the sightseeing portion gives you 11 full days on the road.

Jens Olafsson handles the driving, hotel check-ins, timing, and commentary. That matters in Iceland, where weather can change plans and roads can take longer than a map suggests. He also adds historical background and Icelandic folk stories, giving the scenery a human and cultural frame.

You should expect a practical vehicle rather than a luxury coach. One price comparison from the tour experience placed this option well below a luxury van alternative. The tradeoff is simple: you save money and travel in a smaller, more companionable group, but you should not book this expecting a high-end vehicle or resort-style service.

Days 2 and 3: the Golden Circle and South Coast

Your first sightseeing day visits Iceland’s famous Golden Circle. At Thingvellir National Park, you see the old parliament site and a major geological setting. The stop lasts about an hour, enough to walk, take photographs, and hear why this place matters to Iceland’s national story.

Gullfoss follows, with roughly 90 minutes at the waterfall. Water rushes through a broad rocky gorge here, and the scale is best appreciated from several viewpoints. The route then reaches the Geysir geothermal area for an hour. Boiling ground, steaming vents, and erupting hot water make this a useful introduction to Iceland’s volcanic character.

Day 3 brings a string of South Coast highlights. Seljalandsfoss gets about 20 minutes, while Skogafoss receives 30. The first is famous for the walking path behind the falling water, though conditions can make that route wet and slippery. Skogafoss is broader and more forceful, with a staircase leading to a higher viewpoint.

At the Skogar Folk Museum, you have 90 minutes and admission is included. This is one of the trip’s most useful cultural stops because Iceland can otherwise become a parade of scenery. The museum helps connect farms, tools, transport, and daily life with the country you are seeing from the road.

You then stop at Solheimajokull Glacier for about an hour, followed by the sea arch and cliffs of Dyrholaey. The day ends at Reynisfjara, Iceland’s famous black-sand beach. The basalt columns and offshore rock formations are striking, but keep a safe distance from the sea. The visit is short, only about 30 minutes, and the shore can feel exposed and rough.

Days 4 and 5: glaciers, icebergs, and remote farm country

Day 4 turns to Skaftafell National Park, where you spend about two hours. This is a good place for walking because the area combines glacier views, mountain terrain, and marked paths. The hike to Svartifoss takes about 90 minutes and leads to a waterfall framed by dark basalt columns.

The day’s major paid attraction is the Glacier Lagoon boat trip, scheduled for about two hours. Icebergs drift across the lagoon before moving toward the sea, where pieces often rest on the black beach. This is one of the most memorable parts of the route, and having the boat ride included makes the tour price easier to assess.

Day 5 is quieter. You pause at Hvalnes Lighthouse, pass through the Egilsstadir area, and spend the night in Modrudalur valley. At 469 meters above sea level, Modrudalur is described as the highest inhabited place in Iceland. The long stop, listed at about 14 hours, means you get a rare night in a remote rural setting rather than another town hotel.

The farmhouse stays are a real part of the trip’s character. They offer country scenery, local food, and a slower evening after long drives. Dinner is included, as it is on 11 nights overall, but drinks are not. Lunch is also your responsibility, so budget carefully: Icelandic food and beverages can be expensive.

Days 6 and 7: volcanic North Iceland

From Modrudalur, the route reaches Dettifoss, often described as Europe’s mightiest waterfall. You have about 45 minutes there. The stop is brief, but the roar and volume of the falls make it worthwhile.

Next comes Asbyrgi, a horseshoe-shaped canyon linked in local tradition with the gods. The visit lasts about 30 minutes. At Krafla, you see lava fields and ground shaped by recent volcanic activity. The itinerary notes that some lava remained warm more than 30 years after an eruption, a reminder that Iceland’s geology is not only ancient scenery.

Dimmuborgir gives you a short walk among twisted lava formations, while Namafjall Hverir brings boiling mud pots and geothermal colors. The day ends around Lake Myvatn with a brief stop at Skutustaoagigar, a group of pseudo-craters. It is a packed day, and the short visits mean you will often be photographing and moving on rather than wandering at leisure.

Day 7 begins at Godafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods, with about 20 minutes to look around. You then get three hours in Akureyri, Iceland’s northern urban center. This is valuable free time for a meal, a walk, or a few supplies.

The route continues to Siglufjordur, a fishing town, and then to Hvitserkur, the distinctive offshore rock. These shorter stops add variety, but the schedule again favors breadth over long exploration. If you like seeing many different places in one trip, this works well. If you want slow mornings and long hikes, it may feel rushed.

Days 8 through 10: the hard-to-reach Westfjords

The Westfjords are the reason to choose this tour over a standard Ring Road package. From Hrutafjordur, you head into the remote Strandir area, with long stretches of coast, driftwood, and small black-sand beaches. The scenery here feels less polished and less crowded than Iceland’s headline attractions.

You continue toward Isafjordur before reaching the fishing village of Sudureyri for the night. This is a long travel day, and you should be comfortable spending substantial time in the vehicle. The reward is access to a part of Iceland that is difficult to fit into a short self-drive holiday.

Day 9 brings Dynjandi, a broad, tiered waterfall often considered one of the Westfjords’ signature sights. The stop lasts about 45 minutes. You then reach Latrabjarg, Iceland’s westernmost point, where sheer cliffs run for about 14 kilometers and rise as high as 400 meters above the sea.

The bird cliffs are especially rewarding in the right season, with large numbers of seabirds using the rock ledges. Still, conditions matter. Wind, fog, and weather can affect what you see, and the hour-long stop does not leave much room for a long cliff walk.

Day 10 follows the southern Westfjords to Raudisandur, known for red sand rather than Iceland’s more familiar black beaches. You spend about an hour there. The area is sparsely populated, so the appeal is quiet scenery and open coast rather than a list of facilities.

This section is best for people who want remote Iceland, not just famous photo stops. It is also where weather or road conditions could most easily alter the plan. The operator can change the route when conditions outside its control make that necessary.

Days 11 and 12: Snæfellsnes and western Iceland

Day 11 reaches Kirkjufellsfoss, a short stop at one of Iceland’s most photographed waterfalls and mountain settings. You then visit Djupalonssandur, a basalt pebble beach, for about 45 minutes. The coast here has a tougher feel, with dark stone, surf, and cliffs.

A short coastal walk adds birdlife and sea views. The wording of the itinerary leaves the exact length open, so be ready for a modest stroll rather than a major hike. Good footwear is useful across the trip, especially at beaches, waterfall paths, and uneven volcanic ground.

On Day 12, you climb Grabrok Crater on foot. The walk to the top takes about 30 minutes and gives you a final look at Iceland’s volcanic terrain. At Hraunfossar, water appears to flow out through lava rock, while nearby Barnafoss has a faster, narrower character. The stop lasts about 30 minutes and makes a fitting final nature visit before returning toward Reykjavik.

What $7,228.71 includes, and what it does not

At $7,228.71 per person, this is a major purchase. I would not compare it only with a cheap bus tour or a rental car. The price covers 12 nights of accommodation, 12 breakfasts, 11 dinners, guided transport, the Skogar Museum, and the Glacier Lagoon boat ride.

It also pays for the route itself. You are not simply circling the Ring Road. You reach the Westfjords, stay in rural areas, and visit small towns and farm locations that require extra driving and planning. A self-drive trip might cost less for some people, but you would take on road planning, hotel bookings, weather decisions, and the challenge of navigating Iceland’s long distances.

Lunches, beverages, and flights are not included. Build those costs into your budget before booking. You may also want to arrive a day or two early, or remain in Reykjavik after the tour, since the scheduled city time is limited.

Comfort, fitness, and the daily rhythm

The accommodation is described as good and often family-run or farmhouse-based. Expect variety rather than a uniform hotel standard. The food receives strong praise, especially the dinners at the country lodgings, but you should be comfortable with frequent hotel changes.

The itinerary requires moderate physical fitness. You will walk to waterfalls, climb a crater, visit cliffs and beaches, and spend time outdoors in uncertain weather. Walking sticks may help on some paths, and sturdy footwear is a sensible choice.

The driving is a central feature, not a minor detail. The route covers thousands of kilometers, and several days combine six or more stops. Jens’ careful timing helps, but you will still need patience, a tolerance for changing scenery from a vehicle window, and a willingness to follow the group schedule.

The small group improves the experience. With no more than 12 people, it is easier to hear the guide, ask questions, stop for a picnic, and handle hotel arrivals without the drag of a large coach. It also means you will spend a lot of time with the same people, so this suits social, flexible visitors best.

Who should book the Great Round Tour?

I would choose this tour if you want to see Iceland in depth without planning every road, meal, and hotel yourself. It is especially good for people who value small groups, local lodging, and a wide route over luxury vehicles or slow resort stays.

It is less suited to anyone seeking a relaxed holiday based in one or two hotels. The tour moves often, includes long drives, and leaves little spare time. Also check the strict cancellation terms before paying, since the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed.

The tour is recommended by all listed participants and carries a 4.9 rating from 25 reviews. Those figures support the main strengths: Jens’ care with logistics, the broad route, the food, and the sense of seeing both iconic and lesser-known Iceland.

If your dream is to see waterfalls, glaciers, icebergs, lava fields, bird cliffs, red and black beaches, and remote farms in one trip, I think the price can be justified. If you prefer control, privacy, or a slower pace, rent a car and build a shorter route instead.

FAQ

How long is the Great Round Tour?

The tour lasts approximately 13 days, including arrival in Reykjavik on Day 1 and departure toward Keflavik airport on Day 13.

What is included in the price?

The price includes guided transportation, 12 nights of accommodation, 12 breakfasts, 11 dinners, admission to the Folk Museum of Skogar, and the Glacier Lagoon boat trip.

Are lunch and drinks included?

No. Lunches and beverages are not included, and airfare to and from Iceland is also separate.

How large is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 12 participants.

What fitness level is required?

A moderate physical fitness level is required. The route includes walks and light hikes to waterfalls, a crater, beaches, cliffs, and other outdoor sites.

Where does the tour start and end?

The listed meeting point is Hotel Klettur in Reykjavik. The activity information says it ends back at the meeting point, while Day 13 describes making your way to Keflavik airport, so confirm the final transfer details before booking.