An Epic Icelandic Summer Adventure

Set among snow-topped mountains and volcanic surrounds, Reykjavik is the energetic gateway city to a land of rugged adventures. As the planet's most northerly capital, Reykjavik greets you with a crisp, clean Icelandic breeze before charming you with its blend of small village feel and big city passion. Looking out across the sea to glacier views, this little city is split in half by the brilliant waters of Tjornin Lake and brims with highbrow museums, first-class geothermal pools and stylish restaurants.

Amble around these friendly and colourful streets before uncovering Iceland's more remote and isolated pockets that hold all-natural wonders of otherworldly lava fields and bubbling mud pools.

The Blue Lagoon geothermal spa is one of the most visited attractions in Iceland. Temperatures in the bathing and swimming area of the lagoon average 37–39°C (98–102°F) and the waters are rich in minerals like silica. The lagoon is man-made and fed by the water output of the nearby geothermal power plant Svartsengi, where super-heated water is vented from the ground near a lava flow and used to run turbines that generate electricity. After going through the turbines, the steam and hot water pass through a heat exchanger to provide heat for a municipal water heating system. Then the water is fed into the lagoon for recreational and medicinal users to bathe in.

Your Premium Package includes entrance to the lagoon as well as a silica mud mask and two additional masks of your choice, two drinks, and use of a towel, bath robe and slippers so you can enjoy the beautiful Blue Lagoon in comfort and style.

Hike to the dormant Thrihnukagigur volcano before descending into its deep abyss in this completely unique experience. Located within the Bláfjöll ski area, this huge crater last erupted more than 4,000 years ago. It will take approximately 50 minutes of scenic hiking across a moon-like lava field with amazing views of Reykjavik and the Reykjanes peninsula to get to the top of the volcano. Your expert guide will teach you all about the volcano and Iceland's volcanic history along the way. Once you reach the crater, you'll descend 120m (400 feet) inside the dormant Thrihnukagigur volcano. The various coloration of the rock inside the magma chamber and its vast size - the ground space is equivalent to almost three full-sized basketball courts and the height is such that the full sized Statue of Liberty would easily fit inside - give it a beautifully surreal quality.

Start by working up an appetite with a short hike to see lesser known waterfalls, ravines and lava fields. Stop for lunch of local delicacies near Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful hot spring. Next visit a farm and the chance to meet the farmers, hear their story and taste their honest food produce where old traditions meet modern innovation. Icelandic farmers are good storytellers who are proud of their heritage. Taste produces from various farmers in the area such as excellent lamb meat, goat and cow cheese, traditional skyr, vegetables and strawberries from geothermally heated greenhouses – just to name a few.

Enjoy time based in the Golden Triangle exploring some of Iceland's most impressive sights. Three main attractions form the dazzling Golden Circle: Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall and the geothermally active valley of Haukadalur, which contains the geysers Geysir and Strokkur. The region also serves a fantastic base from which to explore other areas in southern Iceland.

Drive to Thingvellir, the site of the oldest democratic parliament in the world, and the point where the slowly separating North American and Eurasian tectonic plates can be clearly seen. During the tour, visit Geysir, the geyser which gave its name to all other erupting hot springs, and one of the most active geysers in the area, Strokkur. Continue on to the breathtaking Gullfoss waterfall, then follow the main rift down to Lake Thingvallavatn.

Today you will be brought to the extraordinary Fridheimar Restaurant and Greenhouse. This remarkable restaurant is located inside its very own greenhouse which harnesses geothermal energy from the surrounding areas to grow tomatoes all year round. After an enjoyable meal, the greenhouse's expert staff will give you a presentation on the growing process and you'll be treated to a tomato and tomato juice tasting.

Spend your time in Iceland discovering a myriad of natural marvels. Explore active volcanoes and dancing geysers on scenic hikes and trek to the thundering Skogafoss Waterfall, black sand beaches, the jaw-dropping Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon and Europe's largest glacier, the immense Vatnajokull. The South is also Iceland's agricultural heartland and is strewn with charming traditional farms.

Aboard a heavily modified 4x4, safari into Thorsmork. This is one of the most beautiful areas of the country, surrounded by rugged and beautiful mountains, glaciers and glacial rivers, decorated with small birch woods and humming brooks. You'll find some 170 plant, moss and lichen species in this lush area, which was a fjord some 12,000 years ago.

Located off the mainland’s south coast, the beautiful Westman Islands are one of Iceland's best kept secrets. This enchanting archipelago was formed following a series of under water eruptions and is composed of 15 islands and about thirty islets. The islands have a captivating history: legend has it that Ingolfur Arnarsson, said to be Iceland's first settler, tracked his brother's assassins here and killed them to avenge his brother's death.

Visit the stunning Seljalandsfoss waterfall. 60 meters high, it features a footpath where you can walk behind it for a totally unique experience. Next, see Skógafoss waterfall, one of the largest waterfalls in the country and famous for its single and double rainbows on sunny days.

Reynisfjara, next to the remote seafront village of Vik, is one of the most scenic beaches in Iceland with a huge cliff of regular basalt columns and spectacularly shaped sea stacks sticking out of black volcanic sands. There's also a large vaulted cavern called Halsanefeshellir waiting to be explored just a little bit further down the beach.

Get to know the hardy, smart and characterful Icelandic horse on a ride across the south's incredible landscape. In Iceland, horses are not ridden for speed or strength, but are judged on how smoothly and gracefully they ride.

Jökulsárlón is the most famous glacier lagoon in Iceland. It is located at the end of Breidamerkujokull, an outlet glacier of the great Vatnajokull glacier. Due to glacial retreat, huge pieces of ice break loose from the glaciers and end up floating in the Jökulsárlón lagoon. Here you will get the chance to see some of Iceland’s most stunning scenery with huge icebergs floating in the vast lagoon.

Take a boat trip out onto the ice filled waters of Jökulsárlón glacial Lagoon, where the Breidamerkur glacier meets the sea in a breathtaking fashion. Due to glacial retreat, huge pieces of ice break loose from the glaciers and end up floating in the Jökulsárlón lagoon. Here you will get the chance to see some of Iceland’s most stunning scenery with huge icebergs floating in the vast lagoon as well as some wildlife.

Visit Skaftafell National Park. The landscape here is almost alpine, but it has been formed in thousands of years by fire - volcanic eruptions - and water - from glaciers and rivers. Svartifoss waterfall is one of Skaftafell's best known attractions, mainly for the stark basalt column walls that flank it. The park is renowned in Iceland for its agreeable climate and the sunny days in summer, unusual for the area, and is home many species of birds and arctic foxes.

Spend the night in your Reykjavik hotel before continuing your journey tomorrow.