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Arrive
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Day 1 Reykjavik
After arriving in Iceland's lively coastal capital, take a private transfer to the Sandhotel for a calm night's rest. This unique boutique bolthole showcases Nordic manners at their finest, spread across three art deco townhouses with a humble yet fascinating history. Chic, pared-back and with something of an art deco feel, its rooms are supremely comforting. A small restaurant serves relaxed menus that honour local ingredients, while its on-site bakery has been run by the same family since 1920 - and you won't want to miss their outstanding fresh breads and cakes.
Overnight: Sandhotel, Reykjavik
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Day 2 Inside the Thrihnukagigur volcano
Dormant for 4,000 years, the Thrihnukagigur volcano is a natural phenomenon unlike any other. Layered in protective gear, venture forth in an open cable lift to its magma chamber – a volcano’s heart, where liquid rock usually waits to explode, and which closes up after an eruption, filling with hardened lava. Thanks to an inexplicable occurrence whereby Thrihnukagigur’s magma appears to have vanished instead of solidifying, it is the only volcano in the world where it is possible to descend more than 200 metres to its core. It takes about 45 minutes to reach on foot, but add on a helicopter transfer to the top offers something even more special.
Overnight: Sandhotel, Reykjavik
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Day 3 Iceland's South Shore
Today’s private tour will take you along a route that tracks some of Iceland’s most impressive coastal sights. The Skógafoss waterfall thunders down into a small canyon where you can walk up to meet the impact, while dauntless travellers will be keen to pop behind the veil of the Seljalandsfoss waterfall’s current, which flows down from the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic glacier. A few beaches here are covered in black sand, like Reynisfjara, a stretch that delivers the setting for an otherworldly stroll. Sculptural columns of basalt form the cliff edge, mighty Atlantic waves break on the beach, and the jagged Reynisdrangar stacks sit just out at sea. Legend has it that a couple of industrious trolls saw a ship on the horizon one night, tried to drag it to shore, but got caught out by the sunlight – at dawn they turned to stone and remain there as a warning. Your private tour will end at Skálakot – as much boutique hotel as a seventh-generation family-run horse breeding farm. Its 14 bedrooms are in fact an extension of the farmhouse the family lives in, with its rooms and suites blending a homely welcome with 20th-century design. Besides incredible ocean and mountain views, its fine dining restaurant focuses on fresh local ingredients.
Overnight: Skálakot
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Day 4 Landmannalaugar Superjeep Tour
Breathe deep lungfuls of fresh Icelandic air at the remote stops afforded by your private Superjeep tour of Landmannalaugar, the windswept siren of the southern highlands. The summer sun illuminates rivers, craters, mountains and solidified lava fields just so – and combined with the unexpected thrills of off-roading, you might find yourself unwilling to leave. Admire the vast Hekla volcano, which last erupted in 2000 and was coined the “gateway to hell” by settlers in the Middle Ages. And, if the mood strikes, take a dip in one of Landmannalaugar’s many natural hot springs.
Overnight: Skálakot
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Day 5 Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
The summer months allow boats to cross the breathtaking Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon: Iceland’s deepest lake, on the island’s south-eastern shore. Scattered with icebergs and brimming with birdlife such as Arctic terns, this is an experience that glitters with otherworldly magic on such bright days. Your private Zodiac tour will allow you to get right up close, and presents sensational opportunities for photography enthusiasts. This part of Iceland is a beacon for nature lovers – and with a single glance out of any window at the Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon, the reason is quite apparent. Mossy and often snow-capped hills rise in one direction, while atmospherically misty grass plains extend in the other. Behind the hotel’s dark, sloping wood-panelled exterior are brightly lit rooms with a pared-back modern touch.
Overnight: Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon
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Day 6 Skaftafell National Park
Awe-inspiringly open, full of dazzling mountains and glaciers, Skaftafell National Park is a realm calling for wild outdoor adventure. Spend the day spotting wildlife and Iceland’s highest peak, Hvannadalshnjúkur, while taking some of Iceland’s most rewarding walks. It’s a 2-hour walk to the Svartifoss waterfall, surrounded by a wall of dramatic black basalt and sitting in a verdant gorge; the Svínafellsjökull glacier is packed with jagged ridges that glimmer in a vivid shade of blue, defying nature itself. The highlight here is the short hike to the tongue of the glacier that feeds from the largest ice cap in Europe – the mighty Vatnajökull.
Overnight: Skálakot
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Day 7 Westman Islands
Fifteen islands make up the Westman archipelago, and today you will discover their delights from both land and sea. Only the largest, Heimaey, is inhabited by humans - along with millions of puffins that nest here in the summer - and has a fascinating history that spans fishing, slavery, pirate raids and more recently, a completely unexpected volcanic eruption in 1973 that devastated the island. After learning about its history, you will explore the surrounding cave-strewn islets by private RIB, with seabirds and perhaps a few seals or a whale for company. Climbing the Westmanns' highest peak, Heimaklettur, is an invigorating encounter that will leave a lasting impression of these marvellous cliffs. Back on the mainland, the Retreat Hotel is the only one to provide unrestricted access to the Blue Lagoon's 40°C turquoise waters. Its 62 suites are built into the surrounding rock, along with a divine subterranean spa. Floor-to-ceiling windows afford arresting panoramas from rooms full of natural wood panels, slate coloured walls and a contemporary, minimalist air.
Overnight: Retreat Hotel, Blue Lagoon
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Day 8 Depart with private transfer
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Depart
