Nicetravel
TripAdvisor Traveler´s Choice 2021
Rauðisandur Red Beach

5-Day Adventure Tour of The Westfjords and West Iceland

Discover the unique delights of the Silver Circle in West Iceland and explore spectacular sights in the wild Westfjords, home of the Arctic Fox and puffins!

From: kr.189.900,0

SMALL GROUP

maximum 18 guests

FREE PICK UP

within Reykjavík

WIFI & USB

chargers next to every seat

FULLY GUIDED

English commentary

Intro Offer Save 10%

USE INTRO COUPON DURING CHECKOUT

*valid until June 30th

On this fantastic five-day tour, you’ll see the finest sights western Iceland offers, including the wild and remote Westfjords and the “Silver Circle” of West Iceland. 

The first part of the tour takes us to the Silver Circle of West Iceland, featuring Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls and the powerful hot springs at Deildartunguhver. Then we’ll go to the stunning Snæfellsnes peninsula, known as “Iceland in Miniature,” because all its finest features can be seen here in one place. You’ll see glaciers, mountains, black sand beaches, waterfalls, and more! You’ll also have the option of taking a thrilling tour of a lava tunnel or relaxing in an authentic Viking hot pot deep in the mountains.

Next we will turn to the Westfjords – the oldest part of the country, with the fewest people living there. This is where nature reigns supreme! Fabulous fjords cut deep into high mountain ranges, with exciting mountain passes and coastal roads taking you from one stunning scene to another. Sit back and enjoy the view as our experienced drivers guide you through these wild landscapes in safety and comfort.

Get ready to see the incredible bird colonies at Látrabjarg, the red sand beaches at Rauðasandur, and the famous waterfalls of Dynjandi, with overnight stops in Patreksfjörður and Ísafjörður. Look out for Arctic foxes, puffins, and seals as we explore the wilds of the Westfjords!

Day 1 | The Silver Circle of West Iceland

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Borgarfjörður has a special place in Icelandic history, the setting for many of the famous Icelandic sagas. We’ll take you deep into these Viking heartlands on a Silver Circle tour featuring epic waterfalls, powerful hot springs, and historic sites.

Bifröst is famous in Norse mythology as the border between Earth and the realm of the Gods. In Iceland’s version, you’ll find the lovely waterfall Glanni with rugged Grábrók volcanic craters looming in the background.

Then we’ll visit Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring, where you’ll walk amongst billowing clouds of steam vapor. The hot spring is so strong that it provides hot water for the whole area!

Reykholt is a significant historical site in Iceland, home to Snorri Sturluson, a 13th-century chieftain who wrote much of Iceland’s early history. You’ll see a traditional church and a recreation of his private hot pot at Snorralaug (Snorri’s Pool).

Hraunfossar (Lava Falls) is next, an extraordinary waterfall that emerges from the middle of the lava field above the Hvita (White) river, stretching as far as the eye can see! Nearby, you can also see Barnafoss, a powerful waterfall that rages through a narrow canyon. Legend has it that two children drowned trying to cross a stone arch here – Barnafoss means “Children’s Falls.”

Then we’ll visit Húsafell, a woodland oasis packed with Viking history, including turf houses and the famous “lifting stones” used to test your strength!

From Húsafell you will be taken to the Viðgelmir Lava Cave. Explore an astonishing lava cave system deep underground. Filled with fascinating ice formations, stalactites, and stalagmites, this multicolored marvel is one of the most extensive lava tunnels in the world. You’ll see its best features on this thrilling 90-minute tour.

OVERNIGHT STAY AT BORGARNES - The Capital of West Iceland

Day 2 | The Snaefellsnes Peninsula

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The “Snow Mountain Peninsula” offers a fabulous combination of majestic mountains, towering waterfalls, and the glacier-topped volcano that gives its name to this picturesque peninsula. Also known as “Iceland in Miniature,” this place inspired Jules Verne’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” so get ready to see some of the finest views in Iceland!

After leaving Borgarnes, we’ll stop for seal-spotting at Ytri-Tunga, a golden sandy beach on the southern shore. Then we’ll head to Búðakirkja, a beautiful black-timbered church that draws couples worldwide to get married there.

Close by lies Arnarstapi, a lovely little fishing village on the coast, where you can enjoy a breathtaking stroll along the cliffs to see Gatklettur. This beautiful stone arch is a glorious sight, with the black volcanic rock covered in green mosses.

Heading further west, we’ll see Lóndrangar next. These incredible basalt columns soar 70 meters above the sea, its cliffs filled with summer seabirds.

Iceland is famous for its black sand beaches, so you’ll love walking on the sands of Djúpalónssandur. Look out for the famous “lifting stones” that tested the strength of the locals before fishing trips.

Circling around the Snæfellsjökull glacier, we’ll finish our Snæfellsnes tour with a visit to one of the most photographed peaks in Iceland! Kirkjufell (Church Mountain) is a magnificent sight, famous for its unusual triangular shape and its splendid setting all on its own. It’s an iconic image and the perfect place to end your second day spend in the West Iceland!

OVERNIGHT STAY AT BORGARNES - The Capital of West Iceland

Day 3 | Into the Westfjords

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After a good night rest we explore the northern side of the Snæfellsnes peninsula just before we catch the ferry taking us to Westfjords. You’ll see the beautiful basalt columns of the Gerðuberg Cliffs and a pretty red-roofed church at Rauðamelskirkja.

Then we’ll take you to the fascinating Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum, where you’ll learn all about hakarl, one of Iceland’s most famous delicacies! From there, it’s a short drive to Stykkishólmur, where we’ll catch Baldur, the ferry that crosses Breiðafjörður (2.5 hours), the second-largest fjord in Iceland. Enjoy fabulous views of Flatey and countless other islands on the way with a coffee and a snack in the onboard restaurant!

Docking at Brjánslækur, your first sight of the Westfjords, we’ll go to a viewpoint over beautiful Barðastrandarsandur, a rare example of a white sand beach in Iceland. Then sit back and relax as we drive to Patreksfjörður for our first overnight stop, with astonishing views of the southern peninsulas along the way. We’ll cross a towering mountain range called Kleifaheiði en route to Patreksfjörður. There’s an intriguing sight to see at the top! The engineers who built the mountain road raised a 5-meter-high stone statue called Kleifabúi in their spare time, marking the high point of their work.

“Patró” takes its name from St Patrick, and its bars and restaurants are ideal for unwinding after your journey!

OVERNIGHT STAY ON THE COUNTRYSIDE

You will stay in a cozy country hotel located in the Patreksfjörður village or nearby

Day 4 | Westfjord Highlights

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Another day of your West Iceland Adventure tour takes you first to the towering bird-filled cliffs at Látrabjarg. On the way, we’ll pass the Garðar shipwreck, a stranded fishing boat as old as the Titanic! We’ll follow gravel paths cut into steep mountainsides until we reach the famous bird colonies and Bjargtangar Lighthouse at Iceland’s westernmost point. A perfect place for bird spotting, you’ll have the chance to see puffins, kittiwakes, fulmars, and cormorants on cliff tops more than 440 meters above the surf. But be careful – there are no fences, and it can be very windy!

On our return, we’ll take you to the multicolored sands of the 10-kilometer beach at Rauðisandur. Most Icelandic beaches are made of black volcanic sand, but Rauðisandur appears red and golden. That’s because the Westfjords are not volcanically active now, so there is no black sand!

We’ll then head north, stopping for pictures at Fossfjörður waterfall and the Instagram icon “A-House.” The day’s highlight comes next – Dynjandi, the wedding cake-shaped waterfall! The Thunderer crashes down over 100 meters in a wonderful “waterfall ladder.” You can climb to the top for a closer view, but you’ll need waterproofs!

Then we’ll make our way to our overnight stay in Ísafjörður, stopping for another photo opportunity at Önundarfjörður Pier for outstanding views. Making our way through a 9-kilometer road tunnel, we’ll arrive in Ísafjörður, the capital of the Westfjords!

OVERNIGHT STAY IN ÍSAFJÖRÐUR

We’ll stay in Ísafjörður, the capital of the Westfjords!

Day 5 | Seven Fjords, Wildlife Spotting & Viking Longhouse

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From Ísafjörður, you’ll enjoy unforgettable views wherever you look as the road traces its way up and down seven breathtaking fjords. Looking north, you’ll see the famous wildlife preserve of Hornstrandir and the Arctic Ocean beyond. Arctic foxes roam this area, so keep a close eye out for the only native land mammal in Iceland here! The road hugs the coastline and offers uninterrupted views of fjords, mountains, and glaciers in all directions. As well as that, there are seal colonies, salmon farms, and turf-roofed huts to be seen too!

There are several incredible viewpoints along the way. We’ll stop at the best ones, depending on visibility on the day. Tröð is one of the most impressive, with astonishing views of Álftafjörður and Drangajökull glacier on Hornstrandir. Beyond this spot, we’ll stop at Steinninn í Skötufirði, a unique honeycomb rock formation, one for the kids to explore!

Hvitanes is one of the most accessible places to spot seals in the Westfjords, so we’ll take a look at these charming creatures here. Before we leave the Westfjords, we’ll visit Gervidalsá, a pretty rock canyon with a fast-flowing waterfall close to the road.

Heading south, we’ll break the return journey to Reykjavík (ETA 8-9 pm) at Eiriksstaðir for an exclusive tour of the Viking heritage museum. This beautiful turf-roofed house was once home to Eirik the Red and his son Leif the Lucky, who sailed to America long before Columbus was born!

TOUR DETAILS

DURATION
5 DAYS

MINIMUM AGE
5 YEARS OLD

AVAILABILITY:
JUN-SEP

FREE CANCELLATION:
24 HOURS PRIOR TRAVEL

DIFFICULTY:
RELAXED/MODERATE

Included

Excluded

Know Before You Go

Proper footwear when walking on uneven and slippery surfaces increases your safety and comfort. If you do not own proper footwear (solid shoes reaching above your ankle) you can rent them during booking process

Hiking boots
Each guests can bring one small carry-on and checked-in size luggage. For your convenience, it is recommended that you pack lightly for this tour, in a small suitcase or backpack
luggage

Reviews

This is a new tour starting in 2023 season 🙂 Reviews will soon show up. Until then, you can see below what people think about our services in general

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Free Pick Up Service From Reykjavík

We offer pick up and drop off within the city of Reykjavik. We can pick-up directly from many hotels and guest houses in Reykjavik as well as from the Reykjavik cruise ship terminals.

Parts of Reykjavík City Center are closed for the commercial traffic. Please note, that your pick up might be from one of the dedicated meeting points