The Great Round Tour: Around Iceland in 13 Days

Iceland in 13 days feels like a front-row show. I love how this small-group tour keeps things personal, max 12 people, while still hitting the big sights and a pile of less-expected stops.

I also like that it includes 12 nights of accommodation plus breakfast and dinner, so you spend less time planning and more time outside.

You get a proper guide in the driver seat, Jens Olafsson, and his Iceland context makes even a quick stop feel meaningful. The itinerary ranges from classic waterfalls to geothermal areas, glaciers, and the remote Westfjords, so you are not just repeating the same scenery.

One possible drawback is the pace. You are driving a lot in a short time, and the tour is rated for moderate physical fitness, with plenty of walking at viewpoints and natural sites, plus weather can shift timing.

Key things you should know before you go

• Small group (max 12) keeps conversations going and makes photo stops smoother.
• Jens Olafsson runs the show with clear context, smart timing, and well-managed logistics.
• Meals are mostly handled with breakfast and dinner included, but lunch and drinks are on you.
• Westfjords coverage is real, including bird cliffs at Latrabjarg and long stretches of rugged coast.
• Light hiking and walking stops add up, so bring footwear that works on uneven ground.

Why this Iceland trip feels different from a typical Ring Road

Most Ring Road tours hit the famous places, then move on. This one aims for balance: the icons, yes, but also the texture of Iceland, the geology, and the everyday rural side of the country.

The small-group size matters more than you might expect. With fewer people, you get more breathing room at lookouts, less chaos around bathrooms and parking areas, and a better chance to ask questions without shouting over a van full of strangers. It also helps when roads get busy or weather changes plans, because the group stays flexible.

Then there is the guide. Jens Olafsson is the thread that ties it together. Instead of just naming a waterfall, he gives you the why, where the landscape came from, and how the place fits into Iceland’s story. In plain terms, you are not just collecting stamps. You are learning what you are looking at.

Price and what you actually get for your money

The tour price is $7,228.71 per person for about 13 days. That number looks steep at first glance, but here is the practical breakdown of why it can still feel like good value.

You are not paying extra for every add-on. The tour includes:

• accommodation for 12 nights
• breakfast for 12 mornings
• dinner for 11 evenings
• admission to the Folk Museum of Skógar
• the Glacier Lagoon boat tour
• a guided tour across the route, with services handled by the operator

Lunch is not included, and drinks are not included, so you will still budget for midday food. But you avoid a lot of day-to-day decisions. When Iceland prices hit you at restaurants, cutting down how many meals you buy can add up fast.

Also, you are paying for convenience and risk reduction. Iceland weather and road conditions can change fast. A guided plan with local know-how helps you keep moving without turning the trip into constant problem-solving.

Bottom line: if you want to cover a huge distance while also keeping meal and lodging planning simple, the price starts to make sense.

The group, the vehicle, and how the days are paced

This is a max-12 small group with a guide driving the route. A review experience also described the vehicle as a Ford, which fits the reality of Iceland road trips: practical, built for long days, and designed to get you from stop to stop efficiently.

Expect a day that feels full. Many of the stops are shorter, like 20 to 45 minutes for viewpoints. But when you stack them across multiple days, your time outside still adds up. You will also have times of free time, like in Akureyri, plus longer stretches where you drive and then reach a major highlight.

If you like your travel structured, this works. If you want spontaneous wandering with zero schedule, this is not that style.

Day 1: Getting oriented in Reykjavik

Day 1 is simple: make your way to the hotel in Reykjavík. The meeting point is Hótel Klettur, Mjölnisholt 12-14, 105 Reykjavík, and the tour ends back at the meeting point.

This start matters because you get a base in the capital, with a chance to sort gear, charge cameras, and check weather. Iceland days can change quickly, and being ready before you head out saves stress.

Day 2 Golden Circle: þingvellir, geysers, and Gullfoss

Day 2 is built around the Golden Circle classics, with stops that hit both history and raw geology.

Þingvellir National Park

Þingvellir is where old political history meets plate tectonics. You are at a place shaped by the Earth itself, where Iceland’s continents are pulling apart. The stop time is about 1 hour, and admission is free, so you can focus on what matters without ticket stress.

Practical tip: wear shoes with good grip. Paths can be rocky, and you are walking around real terrain, not polished sidewalks.

Gullfoss Falls

Gullfoss is the thunder-you-can-hear waterfall. You get about 1 hour 30 minutes. Admission is free here too, which is nice. Even so, waterfalls draw crowds, so arrive ready for brisk walking between viewpoints.

Geysir geothermal area

Then you shift from falling water to steaming ground at Geysir. You get about 1 hour. This is where Iceland’s heat shows up as boiling drama and constant change.

Day 3: South Coast icons, black sand, and a glacier viewpoint

Day 3 is a classic South Coast day packed with different kinds of beauty, from waterfalls to beaches to glacier country.

Seljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss is famous for the way you can walk around it. You have about 20 minutes. It is a quick stop, so focus on getting to one or two of the best angles instead of rushing everywhere.

Skógar Museum

Skógar Museum gives you cultural depth, not just scenery. Admission is included, with about 1 hour 30 minutes here. This is a nice reset from the nonstop outdoors vibe.

Skógafoss

Skógafoss is another big waterfall stop, about 30 minutes. If you have to choose, prioritize the main viewing areas, because wind and spray can make side routes feel harder than they look from a distance.

Sólheimajökull Glacier

Sólheimajökull gets you a glacier view for about 1 hour. Admission is free, which is helpful. You are not doing a long hike here, but you will feel the scale of the ice.

Dyrhólaey and Reynisfjara Beach

Then you move to Dyrhólaey and Reynisfjara, the black sand beach. Dyrhólaey is about 45 minutes, Reynisfjara about 30 minutes.

Reynisfjara is gorgeous, but it is also a place where nature can be serious. Stick to safe paths and stay aware of wind and waves.

Day 4: Skaftafell and the Glacier Lagoon boat tour

Day 4 is the kind of day you remember for years because it mixes hiking style viewpoints with that surreal glacial water you just do not see anywhere else.

Skaftafell National Park and Svartifoss

You spend about 2 hours at Skaftafell National Park, then hike about 1 hour 30 minutes to Svartifoss. Svartifoss is one of those waterfalls that looks dramatic even in bad weather, and it rewards you for taking your time.

Bring layers. If you get wind at the base of a waterfall area, you will feel it.

Glacier Lagoon boat tour

The Glacier Lagoon boat tour is about 2 hours and is included. Admission is listed as free in the plan, and the boat tour is specifically included, so you are not scrambling for tickets.

This is one of the trip’s signature moments. Even short boat tours in Iceland can turn into a moving gallery of icebergs and changing light.

Day 5: East Iceland, moorland, and a farmhouse-style overnight

Day 5 shifts you into East Iceland, with a set of stops that feel more remote and less postcard-perfect than the big-day highlights.

Hvalnes Lighthouse

About 30 minutes at Hvalnes Lighthouse. Admission is free. This is more about coastal atmosphere than a timed attraction.

Lagarfljót and Egilsstaðir area

Then you stop at Lagarfljót near Egilsstaðir, around 30 minutes. Again, it is a nature stop that breaks up the driving rhythm.

Miðrudalur Valley stay

You arrive at the Modrudalur Valley, described as the highest inhabited place in the country at 469 m above sea level, and the plan lists this stop as a long 14 hours with accommodation included.

This is one of the reasons people book a tour like this. You get countryside lodging, not just hotel boxes. The rhythm changes: less time chasing sights, more time settling in and letting the landscape sink in.

Day 6: Dettifoss to the Krafla geothermal zone

Day 6 goes hard on geology, starting with a top-tier waterfall and then turning into a geothermal science class you get to walk through.

Dettifoss

Dettifoss is Europe’s mightiest waterfall, about 45 minutes here. Admission is free. It is loud, powerful, and built for photos, but do not underestimate walking and standing time in spray.

Asbyrgi

Next, the horseshoe-shaped canyon of Asbyrgi. About 30 minutes.

Krafla lava fields

Then Krafla lava fields, around 1 hour. The interesting detail here is that lava fields can still show heat long after eruptions. You get a sense of Iceland as a living system, not a dead relic.

Dimmuborgir and Namafjall

Dimmuborgir lava formations are about 30 minutes, and Namafjall Hverir is about 20 minutes. Namafjall is known for boiling mud pots, the kind of scene that makes you look away and then look back again because it looks impossible.

Skútustaðagígar pseudo craters

You finish with Skútustaðagígar pseudo craters for about 5 minutes. Short stop, but it helps connect the dots of volcanic landforms.

Day 7: Godafoss, Akureyri free time, and a striking rock

Day 7 blends a major waterfall with a real town break, plus a few stops that keep your eyes sharp.

Goðafoss

Goðafoss is called the Waterfall of the Gods. You get about 20 minutes. It is one of those spots where you can feel the power even if your stop time is short.

Akureyri free time

Then you get free time in Akureyri for about 3 hours. This is a great window to eat lunch (not included), walk around town, and reset before the Westfjords push.

Siglufjörður and Hvitserkur

Siglufjörður is about 20 minutes, and Hvitserkur rock is about 30 minutes. Hvitserkur looks like something you would see in a creature story, and that makes it a fun end to a day.

Day 8: Strandir remoteness, driftwood coasts, and Isafjordur area

Day 8 is all about getting farther away from the crowds. The route goes from Hrutafjordur into the remote Strandir area, where parts of the coastline are covered with driftwood, especially around small black sandy beaches.

Along the way you drive toward the village of Ísafjörður and then head to Sudureyri for the overnight stay. This day does not scream for a checklist item, it feels like slow scenery that you remember because it is different.

When you get to the remote coast, the pace often shifts. You tend to stand longer at viewpoints because there is just more emptiness and sky.

Day 9: Dynjandi and Latrabjarg bird cliffs

Day 9 is a big nature day with two very different flavors.

Dynjandi (Fjallfoss)

Dynjandi is about 45 minutes. It is a waterfall stop that feels theatrical in motion.

Latrabjarg bird cliffs

Then Latrabjarg, Iceland’s westernmost point. You get about 1 hour here. The cliffs stretch about 14 km and rise roughly 400 m from the sea. The main experience is looking down the sheer faces at large numbers of birds.

This is also the day where your timing matters. Go slow, keep an eye on footing, and look for where birds move. Even with limited time, you can get a real sense of the place if you are patient.

Day 10: Rauðasandur, red sand, and wide Westfjords stretches

Day 10 continues along the southern side of the Westfjords, a sparsely populated area. Your highlighted stop is Rauðasandur Beach, the red sands.

You get about 1 hour. It is the kind of color-driven stop that makes your photos look better even without trying. Expect wind, and plan to keep your camera strap secure.

Day 11: Kirkjufellsfoss, Djúpalónssandur, and coastal cliffs

Day 11 starts with Kirkjufellsfoss, about 20 minutes. Then you go to Djúpalónssandur Beach for about 45 minutes, a basaltic pebble beach.

After that, you take a short stroll along the coastal cliffs for birdlife and other natural wonders. This is a good day if you like the in-between moments, short walks that do not feel like work.

Day 12: Grabrok crater walk and lava waterfalls

Day 12 keeps the focus on volcano and heat, but with easier walking compared to some of the earlier geothermal terrain.

Grabrok crater

You walk to the top of Grabrok crater for about 30 minutes. It is a short hike with big views if the weather cooperates.

Hraunfossar and Barnafoss

Then Hraunfossar, the lava waterfalls, and Barnafoss, the children’s waterfalls, for about 30 minutes. These are formed by lava channels feeding into falls, so you are looking at landscape shaped by volcanic movement, not just rainfall-driven water.

This is a strong final “nature hits” day before you head back toward Reykjavík.

Day 13: Ending back at the meeting point and heading to Keflavík

Day 13 is a departure day. The plan notes making your way to Keflavík airport, and it also states the tour ends back at the meeting point.

For your own travel plan, treat this day as a tight one. Iceland time can change quickly, and you want buffer time for parking, weather, and airport security.

Meals, lunches, and budgeting without surprises

Breakfast is included for 12 days, and dinner is included for 11 evenings. That is a big deal in Iceland, where eating out can get expensive fast.

Lunch is not included, so you should plan for it. One practical approach from the experience is bringing your own lunch for picnics and then using the guide’s help to find a good place to eat. That keeps you comfortable and saves money, especially when you are outdoors most of the day.

Drinks are not included either, so if you like wine or sodas with dinner, budget for it.

What kind of traveler this tour suits best

This trip is best if you want:

• a small-group feel with max 12 people
• a full Iceland tour that actually reaches the Westfjords
• guided context so you understand what you are seeing
• included lodging plus most meals, so you do less trip math

It is also a good fit for people who like short walks, viewpoints, and occasional hiking that is manageable, rather than hardcore trekking all day.

If you hate early wakeups, hate driving days, or want total freedom with no schedule, you might find the pace stressful.

Should you book this Great Round Tour?

I would book it if your priority is seeing a lot of Iceland across many regions in 13 days, while keeping the logistics handled. The mix of famous icons like Gullfoss and Skógafoss, big geology stops like Dettifoss and Namafjall Hverir, and the remote Westfjords coverage, including Latrabjarg, is exactly the kind of balance that makes this feel like more than a checklist trip.

I would think twice if your budget is extremely tight, because lunch and drinks add up, or if you prefer lighter walking. Also, the weather factor is real in Iceland, and the operator can alter the itinerary. A flexible mindset helps you enjoy the days even when conditions change.

FAQ

How many days is the Great Round Tour?

The tour lasts about 13 days.

What group size is this tour?

It is a small-group tour with a maximum of 12 travelers.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What meals are included?

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

Are any attractions or tours included?

Admission to the Folk Museum of Skógar is included, and there is an included boat tour on the Glacial Lagoon.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Hótel Klettur, Mjölnisholt 12-14, 105 Reykjavík, Iceland.

Does the price include airfare?

No. Airfare to and from Iceland is not included.

What fitness level do you need?

The tour calls for travelers with a moderate physical fitness level.

Is the itinerary subject to change?

Yes. The operator can alter the itinerary due to weather or other conditions outside their control.

Is the experience refundable if I cancel?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.