The Great Round Tour: Around Iceland in 13 Days

Iceland reveals its full personality on this 13-day countrywide route. You move from parliament grounds and geysers to glaciers, black beaches, remote fishing villages, bird cliffs, lava fields, and quiet farm valleys. Jens Olafsson leads the trip, adding local history and folk tales while handling the daily driving and hotel check-ins.

I like the small group of no more than 12 and the fact that dinners, breakfasts, lodging, and the Glacier Lagoon boat ride are built into the price. I also like the route’s reach: most tours circle the Ring Road, but this one pushes into the Westfjords and other less-visited corners. The tradeoff is a brisk pace, long drives, and a new hotel almost every night.

Key points to know before booking

• 13 days, 12 nights, and a full circuit of Iceland: You see the famous stops plus the Eastfjords, North Iceland, and Westfjords.
• A maximum of 12 people: The small vehicle and group size allow for a more personal trip than a large coach tour.
• Jens Olafsson leads the journey: Expect historical background, Icelandic folk stories, and practical help with daily logistics.
• Meals and lodging are included: The package covers 12 breakfasts, 11 dinners, and accommodation, but not lunches, drinks, or airfare.
• Two major paid inclusions: You get entry to the Folk Museum of Skogar and a boat trip among the icebergs at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.
• Moderate fitness is needed: Expect walks to waterfalls, a crater, coastal viewpoints, lava formations, and bird cliffs.

What the $7,228.71 price really covers

At first glance, this is an expensive Iceland trip. The price is $7,228.71 per person, before airfare, lunches, and beverages. But the number includes 12 nights of lodging, 12 breakfasts, 11 dinners, guided transportation for nearly two weeks, the Skogar Museum, and the Glacier Lagoon boat trip.

That changes the calculation. Iceland is costly on its own, and buying hotels, meals, a vehicle, fuel, and a guide separately would take time as well as money. You also avoid the work of changing hotels, navigating remote roads, and deciding how long to stay at each viewpoint.

Past guests rated the accommodation from good to very good, with many stays in small farmhouses or family-run properties. Dinner quality was often praised, while lunch is your responsibility. One useful tip is to bring or buy picnic supplies if you want to control costs. Jens has helped find suitable places for picnic lunches, but food and drinks outside the included meals can add up quickly.

This is not sold as a luxury tour. A previous participant specifically compared it with pricier trips using a luxury Mercedes Sprinter and was happy with the standard Ford vehicle used on that journey. The vehicle and lodging may not deliver polished luxury, but the package aims to give you more Iceland for your money.

Days 1 to 4: From Reykjavík to icebergs

Day 1 is simple. You make your own way to Hotel Klettur in Reykjavík. Since the circuit begins the next day, arriving early or staying extra nights in the capital is sensible if you want time to see Reykjavík without squeezing it into the tour.

Day 2 covers Iceland’s classic Golden Circle. At Thingvellir National Park, you stand at the old meeting place of Iceland’s parliament and see a site shaped by the movement of the earth’s crust. The stop lasts about an hour and combines national history with geology.

Next comes Gullfoss, the Golden Waterfall. Allow about 90 minutes here. The water drops through a broad, powerful gorge, and the scale is best appreciated from more than one viewpoint. The Geysir geothermal area follows, with about an hour to see steaming ground and the famous hot spring region that gave English the word geyser.

Day 3 moves south and packs in several memorable stops. Seljalandsfoss gets about 20 minutes, enough for a close look at the tall waterfall. Skogafoss receives 30 minutes, though you may wish you had longer to take in its broad wall of falling water.

The Skogar Museum gives the day a useful cultural pause. You have about 90 minutes and admission is included. Its folk collection helps connect the scenery to everyday Icelandic life, rather than treating the country as one long series of waterfalls.

At Solheimajokull Glacier, you get an hour near the ice. This is a viewing stop, not a glacier hike, based on the supplied itinerary. Dyrholaey offers 45 minutes of sea cliffs and coastal views, followed by 30 minutes at Reynisfjara, Iceland’s famous black sand beach. Keep your attention on the sea here, since the beach is exposed and powerful waves are part of its character.

Day 4 brings two hours at Skaftafell National Park and a 90-minute walk to Svartifoss. The route requires some effort, but the reward is a waterfall framed by dark basalt columns. You then spend about two hours at the Glacier Lagoon, including the boat ride among floating icebergs. This is one of the tour’s strongest inclusions because the boat experience is covered rather than left as an optional extra.

Days 5 and 6: East Iceland, Dettifoss, and hot ground

Day 5 slows the sightseeing count but not the sense of remoteness. You stop at Hvalnes Lighthouse for 30 minutes, then spend a short time near Lagarfljot and the town of Egilsstadir. The main event is the stay in the Modrudalur valley, described as the highest inhabited place in Iceland at 469 meters above sea level.

The listed time there is 14 hours, which effectively means an overnight in a remote farm setting. This is the kind of stop that gives the route its local flavor. You are not simply passing through a town and checking into a chain hotel. You are spending the night in a high, quiet part of the country, with dinner and breakfast included.

Day 6 is packed with dramatic geology. Dettifoss, reached from Modrudalur, is presented as Europe’s mightiest waterfall. You have about 45 minutes, enough for the roar and the spray, though weather can affect how comfortable the viewpoint feels.

Asbyrgi is a horseshoe-shaped canyon with a very different mood. Krafla’s lava fields show the volcanic force beneath Iceland, while Dimmuborgir offers twisted lava formations and paths through a dark, maze-like setting. The Namafjall Hverir area adds boiling mud pots and strong geothermal activity. Finish near Skutustaoagigar, a group of pseudo-craters, with only about five minutes listed. That is a quick photo stop rather than a proper walk.

Days 7 and 8: North Iceland and the road to the Westfjords

Godafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods, gets 20 minutes on Day 7. It is a short stop, but the falls are well placed for a route that continues toward Akureyri.

You have three hours of free time in Akureyri. That is a welcome break after several days of outdoor stops and long drives. Use it for a meal, a walk, or a look around the town at your own pace. Lunch is not included, so this is one of the natural points to budget for it.

The route then passes through Siglufjordur, a former fishing town, before reaching Hvitserkur, the sea stack often compared to an animal drinking from the water. The stop at Siglufjordur is only about 20 minutes, and Hvitserkur gets 30, so expect quick impressions rather than extended town visits.

Day 8 heads into the remote Strandir area. The coast is marked by driftwood and small black sand beaches, and the road continues toward Isafjordur before ending in the fishing village of Sudureyri. This day has no formal list of timed attractions, which is useful to understand. The point is the road, the coastline, and the feeling of reaching a part of Iceland that is not built around major sights.

You should be comfortable with long stretches in the vehicle. The route covers a great deal of ground, and the reward is access to places that are awkward to reach independently in a short trip.

Days 9 and 10: Dynjandi, bird cliffs, and red sand

Day 9 brings one of Iceland’s most impressive waterfalls, Dynjandi. The 45-minute stop lets you see its broad, fan-shaped form and the smaller falls below it. The walk and terrain require reasonable balance and stamina, especially in wet weather.

Latrabjarg is the westernmost point of Iceland and one of the tour’s most striking wildlife stops. The cliffs run for about 14 kilometers and rise as high as 400 meters above the sea. You have an hour there, with the chance to see seabirds along the cliff edge. Stay well back from unstable edges and follow the guide’s directions.

Day 10 continues along the southern Westfjords to Raudisandur, the Red Sands. The unusual color makes this beach a sharp contrast with the black beaches farther south. You have an hour to take in the coast, and the sparse settlement around the Westfjords adds to the sense of distance.

These two days are a major reason to choose this trip instead of a basic Ring Road circuit. The Westfjords demand extra driving and more planning, but they add quieter roads, unusual beaches, sea cliffs, and a stronger sense of Iceland away from its busiest sights.

Days 11 and 12: Snæfellsnes and the final waterfalls

Day 11 features Kirkjufellsfoss, a short 20-minute stop at one of Iceland’s most photographed waterfall and mountain combinations. The visit is brief, so you should be ready to get out, take in the view, and move on.

At Djupalonssandur, you spend about 45 minutes on a basalt pebble beach shaped by the sea. A short coastal-cliff walk adds birdlife and open views. The day continues to show Iceland’s variety without relying only on famous names.

Day 12 begins at Grabrok Crater. You walk to the top of the old volcano, with about 30 minutes listed for the stop. It is a modest hike, but you should still expect uneven ground and changing weather.

The final major stop is Hraunfossar, where water flows through lava rock before reaching the river. Nearby Barnafoss, or Children’s Waterfall, gives you a second waterfall with a different character. The stop lasts about 30 minutes, making it another compact finish to a trip that has already delivered a large dose of Iceland.

Day 13 is the departure day, with instructions to make your way to Keflavik Airport. The meeting information also says the activity ends back at the starting meeting point, so confirm the exact final transfer arrangement before booking flights. Do not schedule a tight airport connection without checking this detail.

The pace, vehicle, and physical effort

This is a sightseeing tour, not a hard-core adventure trip, but it is not restful. You change hotels frequently, sit through long drives, and walk on uneven paths near waterfalls, cliffs, beaches, lava fields, and a crater.

The stated requirement is moderate physical fitness. You should be comfortable walking for up to 90 minutes at stops such as Svartifoss, standing outdoors in shifting weather, and managing a day that may include several short walks. Walking sticks could be useful on some paths.

A maximum of 12 people makes the experience more personal than a large coach trip. It also means the vehicle is smaller, with less room to spread out. The benefit is easier conversation and a guide who can handle the group’s daily needs directly. Jens has been praised for managing hotel registration, driving the route, and adjusting picnic stops to suit the group.

Weather can change the plan. The operator can alter the route because of weather or other conditions outside its control. That is not a minor footnote in Iceland, where roads, coastal stops, and outdoor walks depend on conditions.

Who should book this Iceland tour?

I would choose this trip if you want to see nearly every major type of Icelandic scenery in one organized journey and do not want to drive yourself. It suits you if you value local explanation, included dinners, small farm stays, and access to the Westfjords more than free time in each town.

It is especially useful for solo visitors who want built-in company without joining a large bus group. The small group also gives the trip a more social feel, while Jens provides the historical background and folk stories that help the places make sense.

I would hesitate if you want a slow holiday, several nights in one hotel, or plenty of unplanned time. You should also compare the cost carefully if you are comfortable renting a car and arranging every hotel and meal yourself. The tour’s value is strongest when you count the guide, long-distance transport, included dinners, remote lodging, and planning work.

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking. Since it is also subject to a minimum group size, read those conditions carefully before paying.

Should you book the Great Round Tour?

Book it if you want a well-planned Iceland circuit with the Westfjords included, a small group, and the comfort of having someone else manage the roads and hotels. The mix of famous sights and remote stops is the tour’s best feature, and the included dinners and breakfasts make the high price easier to justify.

Skip it if you need a relaxed schedule or insist on luxury transport. For most people seeking depth, variety, and low-stress logistics in 13 days, this is a strong choice. Arrive a day or two early, consider staying longer in Reykjavík, budget carefully for lunches and drinks, and pack for real walking in changeable weather.

FAQ

How long is the Great Round Tour?

The tour lasts approximately 13 days and includes 12 nights of accommodation.

Where does the tour begin?

The listed starting point is Hotel Klettur at Mjolnisholt 12-14 in Reykjavík.

Where does the tour end?

The itinerary says to make your way to Keflavik Airport on Day 13. The meeting details also state that the activity ends back at the meeting point, so confirm the final arrangement with Fun Travel Iceland before booking your flight.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 12 travelers.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. Accommodation for 12 nights is included.

Are meals included?

The price includes 12 breakfasts and 11 dinners. Lunches, beverages, and services not listed are not included.

Is the Glacier Lagoon boat tour included?

Yes. The boat tour around the icebergs at the Glacier Lagoon is included.

Is admission to the Folk Museum of Skogar included?

Yes. Admission to the Folk Museum of Skogar is included.

How physically demanding is the tour?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended. The itinerary includes walks to waterfalls, a crater, coastal areas, lava formations, and bird cliffs.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The operator may alter the itinerary because of weather or other conditions outside its control.

Is the tour refundable?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If the minimum number of travelers is not reached and the operator cancels, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.