The Great Round Tour: Around Iceland in 13 Days

Iceland in 13 days is a speed experiment. This Great Round Tour strings together Iceland’s geology, coasts, and waterfalls into one tight loop, starting and ending back in the Reykjavik area. You’ll travel with a small group of up to 12, and the trip is built around included accommodations, breakfast, and dinner.

Two things I really like about it are the guide-led pacing and the way the stops feel both famous and personal. The tour is led by Jens Olafsson, and his value shows in the details, from clear context at each site to handling the nightly hotel check-in so the day stays focused on seeing, not paperwork. I also like that you get all lodging nights covered, not just some of them.

One possible drawback is the intensity. You do a lot in 13 days, including short walks and a few hikes, and the tour requires moderate physical fitness. Add on the fact that lunch is not included, and you’ll want a simple plan for meals and snacks.

Key things that make this Iceland tour work

• Small-group size (max 12) means fewer bottlenecks at viewpoints and more flexibility for photo stops.
• Most paid admissions are covered for major sights, plus the Folk Museum of Skogar and the Glacier Lagoon boat tour.
• 12 nights of lodging plus breakfast and dinner keeps your budget calmer than most “ring road” add-on trips.
• Jens Olafsson’s driving and scheduling help you hit remote spots without feeling constantly rushed.
• A real Westfjords section (Strandir, Latrabjarg, and more) takes you beyond the usual hit list.
• Light hiking without “hardcore” energy keeps the day active, but doable if you’re prepared.

Day 1 in Reykjavik: get your bearings fast

The tour starts at Hótel Klettur, Mjölnisholt 12-14, 105 Reykjavík. Day 1 is straightforward: you make your way to the hotel, then you’re set up for an early start the next morning. If you arrive in Iceland with time to spare, this is the day to do the quiet stuff, like picking up warm layers and grabbing basics for lunches. Iceland can be windy, and your comfort matters when you’re about to spend 13 days outside.

You should also expect that the tour keeps you moving. There’s no lounging mode built in. Still, the upside is you’ll spend your energy on the views, not on arranging transit and logistics yourself.

Þingvellir, Gullfoss, and Geysir: the “big three” done right

Day 2 hits the heart of the Golden Circle style route, with three high-impact stops that are worth the early effort.

First is Thingvellir National Park. It’s not just scenery. You’re at the site of the old parliament, and you also get hit with Iceland’s dramatic geology. That combination matters because Iceland’s landscapes make more sense when you know what happened there and why.

Next comes Gullfoss Falls, often photographed for a reason. You’ll have time to take it in at a comfortable pace (about 1 hour 30 minutes), and you’ll feel the power without needing fancy equipment.

Then you’re at Site de Geysir, the geothermal zone. You get about an hour here, which is enough to watch the activity, take photos, and let your guide explain what you’re seeing in plain terms.

Tip that helps: Iceland weather changes fast. Dress in layers you can adjust quickly, and keep one outer layer easy to grab. Your schedule is tight enough that you do not want to be stuck searching for a hat.

South Coast: waterfalls, museums, glaciers, and black sand drama

Day 3 is the south coast day, and it’s packed in the best way: big icons plus a few stops that feel more grounded.

You start with Seljalandsfoss (about 20 minutes). Even in a short visit, it’s one of those places that resets your brain. It’s a waterfall that invites you to move around it, and the photo angles are the kind you’ll still remember later.

Then you go to Skogafoss, with a bit more time (about 30 minutes). This is another waterfall that lives up to its reputation. The volume and spray do the talking.

From there, you shift into culture with Skogar Museum. You get around 1 hour 30 minutes, and the admission is included. This is valuable because it adds the human layer, showing how Icelanders lived with this land before modern comfort arrived. It also helps break up the nonstop nature intensity.

Next is Solheimajokull Glacier (about 1 hour). You’ll see the glacier environment up close, and because you’re moving on fairly soon after, it doesn’t turn into a long slog. Still, wear proper footwear. Ice and gravel can be slick.

Then you reach the coast with Dyrholaey (about 45 minutes). After that, you land at Reynisfjara Beach, the black sand beach (about 30 minutes). This is the stop where Iceland’s coastline goes cinematic, with dramatic rocks and the kind of geology that looks almost unreal.

The consideration here is pace. Day 3 is doable, but you’ll want the right shoes, and you’ll want to treat walking as part of sightseeing, not an optional extra.

Skaftafell and Glacier Lagoon: where icebergs become the main event

Day 4 is all about the glacier world.

You begin at Skaftafell National Park (about 2 hours). From here, it’s an easy hop into a more focused hike.

You’ll hike to Svartifoss, the waterfall known for its striking basalt columns. Plan for about 1 hour 30 minutes. This is one of the “moderate physical fitness” moments on the trip. You don’t need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable with walking on uneven ground.

Then you head to Glacier Lagoon for a boat tour around the icebergs (about 2 hours). This boat tour is included, and it’s a big deal because Iceland glaciers are hard to understand from land alone. Seeing icebergs up close changes your sense of scale fast.

If the weather turns, your guide may adjust timing. That’s normal in Iceland. The important part is you still get a glacier experience, not just a quick photo stop.

East Iceland, Dettifoss, and the Myvatn-style volcanic zone

Day 5 and Day 6 give you the “less touristy, more volcanic” side of Iceland, and they do it with excellent flow.

Day 5 includes stops at Hvalnes Lighthouse (about 30 minutes) and Lagarfljot near Egilsstadir (about 30 minutes). The drive time between these is part of the experience. You’re seeing how sparse Iceland can be, and the sky does a lot of the work when there are fewer buildings around.

Then comes the overnight at Moorudalur Farm in Modrudalur valley. The stay is listed as 14 hours included, and it sits at 469 m (1,539 ft) above sea level, described as the highest inhabited place in the country. That’s one of those details that makes the overnight feel like a story, not just a hotel change.

Day 6 begins with Dettifoss, described as Europe’s mightiest waterfall. You get about 45 minutes. This is not a polite waterfall. It’s a force-of-nature stop, and you’ll feel it even if your clothes are dry.

After that you visit Asbyrgi (the Shelter of the Gods), a horseshoe-shaped canyon (about 30 minutes). Then you move into the volcanic learning zone at Krafla Lava Fields (about 1 hour), including the detail that lava is still warm more than 30 years after an eruption. That kind of “alive geology” explanation helps the sites click.

Next is Dimmuborgir, the lava labyrinth (about 30 minutes). You’re walking around a place formed by lava flows, and it can look like nature’s sculpture garden.

You then stop at Namafjall Hverir for boiling mud pots (about 20 minutes). It’s short, but memorable, and it gives you that geothermal texture Iceland is famous for.

Finally, you visit Skutustaoagigar, the pseudo craters (about 5 minutes). It’s quick, but it rounds out the volcanic story nicely before you move on.

A practical note: when you’re visiting geothermal areas, keep your footwear dry and stable. Boardwalks and rocky edges can be slick, and you’ll be happier if you treat surfaces with respect.

Godafoss and Akureyri: the north gets quieter

Day 7 slows just enough to feel like a breather while staying active.

You start at Godafoss (about 20 minutes), the Waterfall of the Gods. It’s a strong opener for the north.

Then you have a longer stop in Akureyri with free time (about 3 hours). This matters because you get a chance to do normal life stuff, like walking around town, using a restroom without rushing, and grabbing snacks or lunch supplies since lunches are not included.

If you’re interested in Iceland’s culture and architecture, the tour passes Akureyrarkirkja, and you’ll also be near downtown during the free time window.

Next is Siglufjörður (about 20 minutes). You’ll also get a quick photo stop at Hvitserkur, the rock (about 30 minutes). This is one of those shapes that makes you stare. From a distance it looks like a creature on the coast, and up close it’s all rock texture and weather.

By day 7, you’re no longer chasing only the famous landmarks. You’re building a sense of Iceland as a working place where towns and nature coexist.

Westfjords day 8 and 9: driftwood coasts and the bird cliffs at Latrabjarg

Day 8 is your remote Iceland section, heading into Strandir after Hrutafjordur. The tour describes coastline parts covered with driftwood, and it also calls out small black sandy beaches along the route. That’s a good clue for what to expect: fewer services, more raw shoreline, and lots of scenery where you do not see crowds.

You continue driving toward Isafjordur, then you overnight in Sudureyri, described as a small fishing village. This kind of overnight is a value win because it positions you for the next day’s coastal highlights without you doing extra driving in the morning.

Day 9 gives you Dynjandi (Fjallfoss) (about 45 minutes) followed by the big one: Latrabjarg bird cliffs at Iceland’s westernmost point. You get about 1 hour here. The cliffs are described as 14 km long, with sheer drops around 400 m from the sea, and you’ll have the chance to see thousands of birds and multiple species.

This stop is special because it’s not only about looks. It’s about scale and movement. Even if you’re not a bird watcher, you’ll still feel how the cliffs function as habitat.

Practical tip: even when it looks calm, the west can be windy. Dress for wind, not just temperature.

Westfjords continue to day 10: Raudasandur’s red sand

On day 10 you keep traveling along the southern side of the Westfjords. A highlight is Raudasandur Beach, where the sand is described as red. You get about 1 hour here.

This is a good day to slow down mentally. Red sand plus rough coast equals strong contrast, and the Westfjords give you that “Iceland that feels far away” sensation. You’re also seeing how Iceland’s population is spread thin in these regions.

Day 11: Kirkjufellsfoss and Djúpalónsandsur, plus coastal cliffs

Day 11 starts with Kirkjufellsfoss (about 20 minutes). This is a classic Iceland photo spot, but it’s also a quick way to reset after the Westfjords. The short stop works because it lets you enjoy it without dragging the day out.

Then comes Djupalonssandur Beach (about 45 minutes). The tour describes it as a basaltic pebble beach. This texture matters. Basalt pebbles make the ground feel different, and you’ll likely spend time looking rather than just walking.

There’s also a short stroll along coastal cliffs for birdlife and other natural wonders. You do not need a long hike to get the payoff here. Just slow your pace and keep your eyes up.

Day 12: Grabrok crater and the lava waterfalls near the finish

Day 12 is a strong final day for geology.

You start at Grabrok Crater, walking to the top (about 30 minutes). It’s not long, but it gives you a different view angle than water and beach stops.

Next are Hraunfossar Lava Waterfall and Barnafoss, also about 30 minutes. Lava waterfalls can be confusing from a distance because it’s not always obvious how water and lava interact. A brief, guided context helps it make sense.

This pairing works well as a closing act because it ties back to the volcano theme you started learning about days earlier.

Price and value: what $7,228.71 includes, and why it might be worth it

The price is $7,228.71 per person for the 13-day loop. That’s not small money, so I look for two things: what’s truly included, and how the included parts reduce your stress.

Here’s what you do get included: 12 nights of accommodation, breakfast (12) and dinner (11), plus guided touring. You also get key inclusions like the Folk Museum of Skogar, and the boat tour on Glacier Lagoon. The tour notes most admissions for stops are free, with those two named paid items included.

That meal and lodging coverage is the real budget anchor. Iceland is known for expensive food and drinks, and since lunch is not included and beverages are not included, you’ll still spend money each day. But you won’t be paying for every meal from scratch, and you’re not constantly chasing restaurant options near remote hotels.

If you want a tour that keeps you from driving and planning, and you’re happy with an active pace, this can feel like solid value for what you’re covering. If you’re looking for long days of relaxing with no walking, you might prefer a slower itinerary or a more hotel-based approach.

Pacing, walking, and what to pack for these Iceland days

This tour includes plenty of “short but real” movement: quick walks at beaches and viewpoints, a hike to Svartifoss, and a climb to the top at Grabrok Crater. The tour also includes walking time in multiple coastal areas, and the guide’s schedule tends to keep you outside for meaningful chunks of the day.

So pack like you expect wind, rain, and cold snaps. Practical items that help on days like these are waterproof outerwear, warm layers, gloves, a hat, and sturdy traction shoes. If you use trekking poles or walking sticks, bringing them can help on uneven ground, especially around waterfalls and craters.

Also plan your lunch strategy. Since lunch is not included, you can either buy lunch or bring your own. One smart approach is to treat lunch as your flexible budget choice, because dinner and breakfast are taken care of.

Lastly, keep in mind that the operator may alter the itinerary due to weather or other conditions outside their control. That’s Iceland reality. The good news is the tour is built around a region-to-region flow, so changes tend to be about timing and specific stops, not about losing the entire experience.

Should you book the Great Round Tour around Iceland in 13 days?

Book this if you want an organized, small-group way to see big Iceland without turning your vacation into a car rental project. You’ll like it especially if you value geological context, enjoy a mix of iconic stops and more remote places like Strandir and Latrabjarg, and you’re comfortable with day-to-day walking.

Skip it or rethink your expectations if you want a slow, relaxed pace, or if you dislike having to plan for lunch on your own. The trip is intense by design, and the “moderate fitness” moments are part of the deal.

If your goal is a full Iceland experience in a single shot, this tour is built for that. And if you care about value, the included lodging and meals do a lot of the heavy lifting, letting your money go toward the parts you actually want to add on, like extra drinks and flexible lunch stops.

FAQ

How long is The Great Round Tour around Iceland?

It’s listed as 13 days (approximately).

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.

What is included in the price?

The included items are guided touring, accommodation for 12 nights, breakfast (12), dinner (11), the Folk Museum of Skogar admission, and the Glacial Lagoon boat tour. It also includes certain site admissions noted as free.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

Where does the tour start and where does it end?

It starts at Hótel Klettur, Mjölnisholt 12-14, 105 Reykjavík, Iceland. It ends back at the meeting point, with day 13 leading you to Keflavik airport.

Is the tour refundable if I cancel?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel, the amount paid will not be refunded.