Iceland's volcanic landscape offers a dramatic mix: snow-covered glaciers and thundering waterfalls or barren lava fields and steaming geysers.
See everything in this 7-day trip, shaped for us in partnership with Explore, the adventure travel specialists.
As you move around the island, try your hand at traditional Icelandic crafts, visit a Viking heritage centre, go caving and even take a zip-wire over a waterfall. Find time to unwind in the thermal waters of the Blue Lagoon and then explore the bustling capital, Reykjavik.
Tour Highlights
Seljalandsfoss and Thorsmork Nature Reserve
Reykjafoss Waterfall - zip-wire over a waterfall
Reykjavik - join a whale-watching excursion
The Blue Lagoon - relax in the famed thermal waters
Snaefellsnes Peninsula - see the Snaefellsjokull Glacier
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Iceland and join the tour at Keflavik airport.
On arrival we transfer to Grindavik, where you might want to try the geothermally heated pool.
Day 2: Swim in the Blue Lagoon and try out a zip-wire. Its creation was accidental (after a geothermal power plant was built) but the Blue Lagoon now attracts people from around the world.
From there, move to Hveragerdi, and experience a powerful simulated earthquake. Now for a real treat: zip-wire over the Reykjafoss Waterfall, one of Iceland's major natural highlights (all equipment and instruction included, but please note this event is weather dependent.)
Continue on to Vatnsholt for the night with the opportunity to swim in a geothermally heated pool with accompanying hot tubs.
Day 3: Walk behind a waterfall and visit the Eyjafjallajokull Volcano centre.
The day starts with a drive to the stunning Seljalandsfoss waterfall and the chance to walk behind the falls for an altogether different perspective.
Shift from water to rock as you visit the Eyjafjallajokull Volcano centre, in the shadow of the volcano that made headlines after its 2010 eruption.
The black beach at Vik I Myrdal with its basalt cliffs and windswept vistas gives more photo opportunities. Then comes the walk across a glacier with an experienced guide and a landscape of ice sculptures, ridges and deep crevasses. End the day with a visit to the Secret Lagoon natural hot springs near Fludir.
Day 4: Gulfoss waterfall, Geysir and Viking Heritage Centre.
As its name implies, the 'Golden Waterfall' is special. It cascades into a deep gorge with tremendous force, its spray forming colourful rainbows in the afternoon sun.
En route, visit the Geysir Geothermal Area which houses Strokkur, meaning 'The Butter Churn', which spouts up to a height of 30 metres.
From there, make for Thingvellir, the site of Iceland's first National Assembly in 930 AD. The day ends with a visit to the Viking Heritage settlement at Borgarnes, before arriving at your guesthouse accommodation in Stadarsveit.
Day 5: Snaefellsnes Peninsula and cave exploration. Drive part of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, a 1,000km monster made famous by Jules Verne's book, Journey to the Centre of the Earth. An optional snowmobile trip is possible, weather allowing. Stop at Arnastapi, a tiny coastal village to spot the birds that nest and feed along this coast including kittiwakes and arctic terns.
The next highlight is Djuparlonssandur and the bizarre rock formations sculpted over several millennia. The afternoon is spent on a cave tour 35 metres below the surface - see amazing colours and lava formations in the 8,000 years old cave.
Day 6: Morning boat trip; drive to Reykjavik.
The penultimate day opens with a boat trip around the islands of Breithafjordur (the wide fjord), once home to Eric the Red, the ruthless Viking who discovered Greenland. The boat's crew will cast their nets overboard in the hope of catching fresh seafood.
Once back on land, the destination is Iceland's capital, Reykjavik, and a hotel near the city centre.
Day 7: Free morning.
Optional whale watching. You may choose a self-guided walk around the streets of Reykjavik, the world's most northerly capital city. The old harbour is a place to witness wildlife and hard work, but the city has numerous options for children to enjoy, including the Volcano Show and Saga Museum.
Or you may opt to go whale watching (optional) Few experiences can top the sight of one of these mighty leviathans in their natural habitat. What better way to finish the tour, prior to the airport and your flight home.
Prices
Prices start from £2,089 per adult and £1,929 per child for departures between May and August 2017.