The Great Round Tour: Around Iceland in 13 Days

Iceland hits different when you go around it. This Great Round Tour of Iceland is built for a real sweep of the country in 13 days, with a small group capped at 12 and guided stops that actually explain what you are seeing. My favorite part is the smaller size, because it feels easier to ask questions and get context as the scenery changes fast.

I also like how the itinerary blends big icons with places that feel less stamped out. You cover the Golden Circle, the south coast waterfall run, the Glacier Lagoon boat tour, and then push into the Westfjords, where driftwood beaches and huge bird cliffs give Iceland a wilder edge.

One thing to keep in mind is the pace, plus some light hikes. You will walk at spots like the Svartifoss hike and the Grabrok crater walk, and Iceland is full of weather curveballs, so you will want to show up ready for long days and cold, wet conditions.

Quick Take: What Makes This Tour Stand Out

• Small-group cap of 12 keeps it personal and calm on busy days
• Jens Olafsson guidance adds clear context and smooth logistics between hotels
• Westfjords included, not just the usual Ring Road icons
• Boat tour on the Glacier Lagoon is built in, not optional
• 12 nights of lodging with breakfast and dinner lowers daily planning stress

Small-Group Iceland With Jens Olafsson and a 12-Person Cap

A round-the-island trip sounds simple on paper. In real life, it is nonstop decisions: where to stop, what to skip, which roads are safe today, and what you are actually looking at. That is why I like a guide-led small group, especially with Jens Olafsson at the wheel.

On this tour, the group size is maximum 12, so the day does not feel like a cattle line. Conversations happen naturally, and you can get quick answers when something surprises you, like how fast geothermal fields can change from pretty steam to active boiling ground. One of the more underrated touches is that your guide handles the practical stuff when you switch locations, so you spend less time wrangling check-ins and more time watching the scenery.

This setup also helps if you are solo. The group format means you are not stuck doing everything in silence, and you still get the feeling of a small team moving through Iceland. It is a good match if you want classic sights but hate the stress of planning every turn yourself.

What You Pay for: 12 Nights, Meals, and Access to the Hard-to-Do Parts

Price on Iceland tours can feel wild, and this one lists $7,228.71 per person. Here is how I think about it: you are paying for time and friction reduction.

You get accommodation for 12 nights, breakfast 12 times, and dinner 11 times included. Lunch is not included, and drinks are not included either, so you should budget for that daily. But removing two meals from your daily logistics is a real gift when you are driving the full country.

You also get key activities that are often the expensive add-ons on self-planned trips. The Folk Museum of Skogar admission is included, and the Glacier Lagoon boat tour is included too. Add in a guided tour aligned to the itinerary, and suddenly you are not just paying for transportation. You are paying to compress an enormous amount of driving and decision-making into one organized package.

Finally, the biggest value is the “why bother” coverage. The route is built to include the Westfjords, plus remote stretches along the Strandir area and onward to spots like Latrabjarg. Those are not hard on the map. They are hard on time and energy. This tour solves that with one plan.

Getting Your Bearings: How the Route Moves From Reykjavik to Keflavik

The tour starts at Hótel Klettur in Reykjavík and ends back at the meeting point, with your final day sending you to Keflavík airport. The overall arc goes like this: Reykjavík basics, Golden Circle day, south coast waterfall day, glacier country and lagoon day, then Eastfjords, North Iceland, and finally the Westfjords and West Iceland.

A helpful way to think about it is that you are changing Iceland’s “mood” almost daily. One day it is rift valleys and falls. Next day it is black sand beaches and glacier edges. After that, you get lava landscapes, geothermal weirdness, and then remote coastlines with bird cliffs. It is not one long photo shoot. It is Iceland’s geology, explained through motion.

One practical note: the tour mentions a moderate physical fitness level. The good news is that it is not pitched as hardcore trekking. The walking is short, but it exists in spots, and Iceland wind and slick ground can make even a quick walk feel like a mini adventure.

Day 1 in Reykjavík: Set Up for 13 Days of Driving

Day 1 is essentially a landing day: make your way to the hotel in Reykjavík. Use this time to do the things that make the rest of the trip easier. I recommend checking your layers, confirming your footwear grip, and taking a quick look at weather for the next day. Even with a tight itinerary, Iceland can change plans quickly, and you want to be ready.

This start also gives you a clean reset. After a flight, you do not want your first “Iceland day” to start with sprinting between stops. Reykjavík night one keeps the trip humane.

Day 2 Golden Circle: Thingvellir, Gullfoss, and Geysir

If you want a fast, meaningful launch into Iceland, this is it. Day 2 focuses on three classic stops that explain the country’s core idea: land that is actively being reshaped.

At Thingvellir National Park, you stand in a place tied to old parliament and you also see the geological feature that makes it famous. The time is about an hour, so treat it like a “watch and absorb” stop, not a long hike.

Next comes Gullfoss Falls. Expect a solid hour and a half at the waterfall. Gullfoss is dramatic in any weather, but it especially rewards you if you approach it patiently, letting the mist settle and your eyes adjust to the scale.

Then you head to Geysir, the geothermal area. The goal here is simple: see hot ground and active steam, and learn to recognize how geothermal activity looks in real life. The time is about an hour. If you are the type who wants to read every sign, you will love this stop.

Day 3 South Coast: Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, and Reynisfjara Black Sand

Day 3 is where the tour turns into a waterfall day. It is also a day where weather and walking matter more than on day 2.

Seljalandsfoss is first. The stop is short, around 20 minutes, but it is the kind of place where being there at the right angle matters. You will likely want to take the path that gives you a different perspective than the main view, but keep in mind the ground can be slick.

Then Skogafoss follows with about 30 minutes. Skogafoss is one of those waterfalls that looks good from multiple distances. You do not need to rush. Slow down and catch the view lines as they change.

The Skogar Museum is included, with about 1.5 hours. This is a good balance break. Iceland is not only rocks and water. This museum stop adds texture, showing how Icelanders historically lived and worked with the land.

After that, you move into glacier territory at Solheimajokull Glacier for about an hour. The exact glacier experience depends on conditions, but expect a cold, striking encounter with ice and the surrounding volcanic terrain.

From there it is down to Dyrholaey and then Reynisfjara Beach, the black sand beach. Dyrholaey takes about 45 minutes, and Reynisfjara about 30 minutes. This part is iconic for a reason, and it is also a spot where you should be careful. Coastal areas can be windy and slick, so stick to safe paths.

Day 4 Skaftafell and the Glacier Lagoon Boat Tour

Day 4 is built around the glacier and the water that feeds it. You start at Skaftafell National Park for around two hours, then do a hike to Svartifoss that takes about 1.5 hours.

The Svartifoss hike is the day’s physical moment. It is not long, but it is long enough that sturdy shoes matter. This is a stop where the “walk” is part of the reward. You are moving through the kind of terrain that makes Iceland feel otherworldly, and then you arrive at the waterfall framed by striking rock shapes.

After that, you get the big included payoff: a boat tour on the Glacier Lagoon for about two hours. This is one of the best “Iceland in motion” experiences because you see icebergs drifting and the lagoon’s color shift under different light. Boat tours also mean you should dress for wind. Even when it is not freezing, the water air can bite.

Day 5 Eastfjords and an Overnight Base in Modrudalur Valley

Day 5 begins with Hvalnes Lighthouse (about 30 minutes) and moves into the East with Lagarfljot and the town area of Egilsstadir (about 30 minutes). Even when time is short, lighthouse and fjord stops help break up the waterfall rhythm and remind you that Iceland is also a place of coastlines and small communities.

The highlight day-wise is your overnight base in the Modrudalur valley, described as the highest inhabited place in the country at 469 meters above sea level. This stay is included and lasts about 14 hours, which gives you a fuller night’s rhythm compared to the fast hotel changes some tours do.

In the evenings, this is the kind of stop where farmhouse-style lodging can feel relaxing. The tour keeps dinner and breakfast included, so you can focus on being warm and comfortable rather than hunting for a meal after a long drive.

Day 6 North Iceland Power Day: Dettifoss, Lava Fields, and Hverir

If Day 4 is glacier-focused, Day 6 is pure raw Iceland energy. You start with Dettifoss, from Modrudalur, and you get about 45 minutes. Dettifoss is famous for a reason. Even with a time limit, the roar and spray do most of the work for you.

Next is Asbyrgi, the horseshoe-shaped canyon, about 30 minutes. This is one of the stops where you feel the land’s scale more than the details. Let your eyes widen out to take in the curve.

Then you hit Krafla Lava Fields (about an hour), where you see lava features that were still warm more than 30 years after eruption. It is a stark reminder that Iceland’s geology is not finished.

After that, Dimmuborgir (the lava labyrinth) comes in for about 30 minutes. This is the kind of place where you start seeing shapes in the rock, and your imagination quietly takes over.

You also visit geothermal areas at Namafjall Hverir for about 20 minutes, then Skutustaoagigar pseudo craters for about 5 minutes. These are short stops, but they matter. Geothermal ground is not just pretty steam. It is living activity, and it looks different in every corner.

Day 7 Godafoss, Akureyri Time, and the Iconic Hvitserkur Rock

Day 7 mixes a major waterfall with human-scale breaks.

Godafoss takes about 20 minutes. It is called the Waterfall of the Gods, and the name fits the drama, but what I appreciate is the quick hit. It fits the day without swallowing the schedule.

Then you get free time in Akureyri for about three hours. This is your chance to reset. Use it for a walk, a coffee, or simply letting your brain cool off after geology overload.

After that, Siglufjörður appears for about 20 minutes, and then Hvitserkur for about 30 minutes. Hvitserkur is that lonely rock on the coast that feels like it belongs in a movie set. This stop is perfect for ending the day because it is visually memorable even when you do not do anything but look.

Days 8 to 10 Westfjords: Strandir Driftwood, Dynjandi, Latrabjarg, and Red Sand

This is where the tour gets special for me, because Westfjords are not the “default” for most quick Iceland trips.

Day 8 travels from Hrutafjordur toward the remote Strandir area. Along the way, the coastline can be covered with driftwood, especially near small black sandy beaches. Then you drive toward Isafjordur, and you overnight in Sudureyri, a small fishing village. The point of staying here is to feel the remoteness without giving up comfort.

Day 9 includes Dynjandi (also called Fjallfoss) for about 45 minutes. Then you travel to Latrabjarg, Iceland’s westernmost point, for about an hour. Latrabjarg matters because it is famous for bird cliffs, with a sheer drop of about 400 meters and a long coastline of cliffs. If you like wildlife that is doing its own thing, this is a top stop.

Day 10 continues along the south side of the Westfjords, with Raudasandur (Red Sands) for about an hour. Even if you only have a limited time window, red sand against northern seas hits hard visually. It also helps you appreciate how many different textures Iceland offers, from black sand to red sand to basalt pebbles later in the route.

Days 11 to 12 West Iceland: Kirkjufell, Djupalonssandur, Grabrok, and Hraunfossar

Day 11 focuses on the lookers. Kirkjufellsfoss is first, with about 20 minutes, then Djupalonssandur Beach with about 45 minutes. Djupalonssandur is known for basaltic pebbles, and it is the kind of beach where you can walk a bit and find angles that look different as the light shifts.

From there, you do a short coastal cliff stroll with access to rich birdlife and other natural features. The key here is patience. Even a “short stroll” can turn into an hour if the wind is interesting and the birds refuse to leave.

Day 12 begins with a walk to the top of Grabrok Crater for about 30 minutes. Then you head to Hraunfossar and Barnafoss for about 30 minutes. Lava waterfalls are a perfect capstone for Iceland’s theme on this tour: ice, fire, and water, all in the same day’s memory.

Lodging and Food: What the Included Breakfasts and Dinners Really Do

This is not a cheap tour, and the best way to judge it is to look at how much it reduces daily stress. You get accommodation for 12 nights, with breakfasts and dinners included, which means you usually start the day fed and end it with a warm meal already sorted.

In the real world, that matters because Iceland meals can be pricey. You will still pay for lunch, and drinks are extra, but you are not facing full-on meal planning every day. One practical approach is packing your own picnic lunch when you can. In this tour style, your guide can also help find suitable places to stop for lunch so you are not stuck eating on the move.

Your lodging quality is a common highlight. The itinerary includes nights that can be hotels, guesthouses, and rural stays. You should expect comfortable rooms and good breakfasts, and on the longer drives, having dinner included can feel like a sigh of relief.

Pacing, Fitness, and What to Pack

This tour asks for moderate physical fitness. That usually translates to: short walks, some uneven ground, and hikes like Svartifoss and a walk to Grabrok crater. It is not a mountaineering trip, but you should not show up with flimsy shoes.

In practical terms, bring:

• Waterproof jacket and rain layers, even if the forecast looks okay
• Sturdy footwear with good grip for wet rocks
• A warm hat and gloves for windy days
• Walking sticks if you use them, since some Iceland paths and viewpoints can be slippery

Also plan for itinerary changes due to weather. The operator notes that weather and outside conditions can affect routing. That is Iceland reality. A well-run tour does not eliminate it, but it handles it without turning your day into chaos.

Final Call: Should You Book This Great Round Tour of Iceland?

I think you should book if you want a small-group way to cover Iceland’s full range, including the Westfjords and the more remote corners of the island. If you are the type who hates spending vacation time on logistics, the included breakfasts, dinners, and key activities like the Glacier Lagoon boat tour make this an easier choice.

You should think twice if you dislike long driving days or if you want a very slow pace with minimal walking. This tour moves, and it mixes in short hikes that add up.

If you do want the full round without the planning headache, this tour is a strong match. With Jens Olafsson handling the guiding and the practical side, you get the feeling of seeing major Iceland icons while also getting to the places that make the trip feel like it went further than the usual version.

FAQ

How many travelers are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers, which keeps it small-group style.

What meals are included?

Breakfast is included for 12 days, and dinner is included for 11 days. Lunch and beverages are not included.

Is the Glacier Lagoon boat tour included?

Yes. The tour includes a boat tour on the Glacier Lagoon.

Are any museum or attraction tickets included?

Yes. Admission to the Folk Museum of Skogar is included. The boat tour on the Glacier Lagoon is also included.

What is the meeting point, and where does the tour end?

The start meeting point is Hótel KletturMjölnisholt 12-14, 105, Reykjavík, Iceland. The tour ends back at the meeting point, with Day 13 guiding you to Keflavik airport.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Is the tour active or does it involve hiking?

It requires a moderate physical fitness level. Some days include walking or hikes, such as the Svartifoss hike and the Grabrok crater walk.

Do I need to include airfare?

Airfare to and from Iceland is not included.

What if I need to cancel?

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If the minimum number of travelers is not met, you would be offered a different date or a full refund.