Iceland Itinerary Sharing (10Day, March 2017)

Iceland is my spiritual home. Always happy to give tips for anyone planning to visit the country anytime soon. Here is recent 10 days trip itinerary that might be useful for you all. But pretty photos first!

Day 1 KUL – LHR (MH002 23:30 – 05:35)

Day 2 LHR – KEF (FI451 12:40 – 15:40) Free and easy at Reykjavik Accommodation: Maríubær Apartment, Hafnarfjördur

Day 3 Þingvellir National Park - birthplace of one the world’s oldest parliamentary assembly, it is also where the American and Eurasian tectonic plates pulling apart (park at P1, pay ISK500, observation deck; then drive to P4, walk to Silfra and Logberg; then drive to P2, walk to Öxarárfoss waterfall, then walk along Almannagjá canyon trail southwards) Kerið – scenic lake occupies a volcanic crater (ISK400) Bruarfoss – the mysterious blue color waterfall (take route 37, after crossing 355, turn left into summerhouse. At T junction, turn left and drive to the end, walk and cross the bridge) Geysir – hot spring; eruptions of Geysir itself are unpredictable, but the hot spring Strokkur erupts every 5 to 10 minutes. Blesi a turquoise color hot spring Gullfoss (Golden Waterfall) – water falls into a gorge, which is 70 m deep; waterfall itself is 32 m high and 250 m wide, falling in two cascades Skálholt – former most important religious and educational center; interesting church Keldur – oldest turf house in Iceland (route 264)(ISK1000 during summer) Accommodation: Borg Apartment, Hvolsvöllur

Day 4 Seljalandsfoss (Rainbow waterfall) (route 249) – very beautiful waterfall in the river Seljalandsá, 40 m high, narrow but powerful waterfall; sensational walk on a foot path behind the waterfall Gljúfrabúi waterfall Dyrhólaey – small peninsula with 120 high cliff and offshore stacks with a good selection of breeding sea birds, including puffins, gulls and fulmars; cliffs rising over a long expanse of black sand Reynisfjara – very impressive black sand and pebbles beach at the foot of the mountain Reynisfjall; cliffs and caves with interesting basalt column formations; nesting site of puffins and other seabirds Vik - small village in the picturesque landscape; brief stop at Vik Church for a gorgeous 360 degree view of the town Eldhraun – largest lava field in the world, 565 km², caused by eruptions in 1783-84, Kirkjubæjarklaustur – small village in a beautiful landscape; beautiful church Kirkjugólf – formation of basalt columns that looks like the floor of a mediaeval church Accommodation: Hamrafoss, Foss a Sidu

Day 5 Skaftafell National Park (route 998) – Glacier walk, meet at visitor center – short hike towards Svartifoss, the waterfall surrounded by lava columns (drive beyond visitor center to a higher parking area to reduce walking time) Svínafellsjökull Glacier Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon Accommodation: Milk Factory, Hofn

Day 6 Stokknes (ISK800) Jokulsarlon (glacier lagoon) – filled with chunks of translucent ice crumbled from nearby glacier; boat ride between the icebergs Hofskirkja – most beautiful church Núpsstaður – UNESCO, turf buildings with grass roofs, small interesting chapel Fjaðrárgljúfur – massive canyon flanked by moss-covered cliffs (route 206) Accommodation: Like Vik Guesthouse, Vik

Day 7 Solheimasandur – wandering into the endless black sand beach in search for the infamous eerie wreckage of a crashed U.S. Navy aircraft Sólheimajökull glacier tongue (route 221) Skogarfoss (Forest Waterfall) – majestic love shaped waterfall, 60m high Skogar Museum Seljavallalaug – have a relaxing dip at Iceland oldest outdoor hot bath pool Accommodation: Downtown Reykjavik Apartments, Reykjavik

Day 8 Gerðuberg – a beautiful big wall of basalt columns Hótel Búðir – located in a beautiful area and you don't have to be a guest to enjoy it; the little black Búðir church is a popular stop and the area offers beautiful opportunities for photos of Snæfellsjökull Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge – a deep ravine that cuts into the east side of Botnsfjall Mountain (406 m) and can easily be seen from the road. Hiking to the gorge takes about 30 minutes, and once you are there you can walk into the gorge. There's a river inside of it and a waterfall. Stapafell – pyramid mountain Arnarstapi – beautiful and striking coast line, interesting rock formations, basalt columns, gorges, caves, sea bird colonies; stone monument to the hero Barður Snæfellsás Hellnar – a natural sea port, which was one of the largest ones on the peninsula in past centuries. Beautiful little harbor area. Lóndrangar – peculiar rock formations (Svalthúfa-Malarrif 2 km) Vatnshellir Cave – a lava cave (ISK3250) Djúpalónssandur Black Sand Beach - four well-known lifting stones which fishermen would try their strength at, they had to be able to lift at least the smaller ones (Djúpalónssandur–Dritvík 1 km) Skarðsvík Beach – yellow sand beach Saxholl crater Accommodation: Við Hafið Guesthouse, Olafsvik

Day 9 Kirkjufell mountain & Kirkjufellsfoss – most iconic and photographed landscape in Iceland Grundarfjörður – a great place to go whale watching but the last few winters they often see Orcas (Killer Whales) close to the shore Kolgrafarfjördur – is known for very diverse bird life in particular but you can also see killer whales, seals and dolphins here in winter Berserkjahraun – beautiful lava field is on both sides of the road and offers great opportunities for photos Stykkishólmur – beautiful town, modern space age looking church, concert hall, art museum on water “Vatnasafnið” Viewpoint on road 56 Hraunfossar (Lava Waterfalls) – a collection of countless creeks and cascades small and big streaming out of the lava over a distance of about 900 metres Barnafoss (Children Waterfalls) - takes its name from two children who fell into the waterfall Grabrokargigar – 2 beautiful circular eruption craters Accommodation: Valhalla Apartments, Reykjavik

Day 10 Blue Lagoon Spa – enjoy a pampered time soaking in the milky blue thermal water, surrounded by black volcanic rocks. The water temperature hovers between 37°C and 40°C, rich in minerals, silica, and algae, claimed to have many benefits for health and skin care Reyjkavik – Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa Concert & Conference Center, City Hall, Solfar Sun Voyager, The Pearl, Day 11 KEF – LHR (FI450 07:40 – 11:45) LHR – KUL (MH001 21:35 – 17:50)