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Day 1: Reykjavik
Arrival and optional stop at Blue Lagoon on the way to Reykjavik. Explore Iceland's capital and overnight in Reykjavik.  (O)

Day 2: Borgarfjordur Valley (200km)
There are many interesting sites in the Borgarfjörður valley, also known as the Saga valley of West Iceland. In Borgarnes you find the Saga Settlement Center and nearby is the cultural and historical site of Reykholt. Deildartunguhver is Europe's most powerful hot spring giving off 180 liters per second and the water is about 97°Celsius hot. Hraunfossar is a series of waterfalls pouring beneath a giant lava field  along a one kilometre stretch. Barnafoss waterfall is just a few minutes walk. We also recommend to visit Grábrók volcano crater, North of Borgarnes. Stay two nights in Borgarnes, West Iceland. (B,O)

Day 3: Snaefellsnes Peninsula (200km)
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula (the peninsula of the snowy mountain) juts out from Iceland’s west coast, like a long arm with a clenched fist at its tip, in many ways a microcosm of the whole island. Craters, lava flows, an ice cap, glaciated peaks, fjords, sandy beaches and high cliffs are its landscapes. A rugged mountain chain runs its length, capped by the 1,446m Snæfellsjökull, a mystical cone-shaped strata volcano where according to Jules Verne´s book the entrance to the center of the earth can be found. The south side of the peninsula is farming country yet has conserved much of its extensive marshlands, which are an important habitat for birds. Fringed by golden sand beaches, the wild and windswept coast is pounded by surf as it faces the full onslaught of an unforgiving Atlantic. The north side of Snæfellsnes is more sheltered and has fjords which make a good anchorage for fishing vessels. We highly recommend to visit the charming fishing town of Stykkishólmur.  (B,O)

Day 4: Golden Circle (260km)
Today travel along the scenic shores of Hvalfjörður fjord to Thingvellir National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to Gullfoss waterfall, widely known as the Golden Waterfall in the Hvitá river with a height of 34 meters. The spectacular sight attracts tourists and travellers in summer and winter. Geysir geothermal fields contains a variety of hot springs and bubbling pools including the original geyser and Strokkur that erupts at 5-10 minutes intervals. Stay one night in South Iceland. (B,O)

Day 5: Natural wonders of South Iceland (180km)
You might want to start the day with a visit to the Saga Center Museum in Hvolsvöllur. Seljalandsfoss is a narrow but high waterfall, plunging over the mountainside into a shallow pool. You can walk behind the waterfall, but be prepared to get wet. Skógafoss waterfall is 60 meters high and one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country. Nearby you find one of Iceland's finest folk museums in Iceland with an outstanding collection of old farm implements and household articles in a new exhibition building and turf-built houses. We recommend to make a walk on the black lava beaches near Vik, where even in winter birds nest in the high cliffs. Stay 2 nights in the Vatnajökull National Park. (B,O)

Day 6: Full day at Skaftafell National Park (270km)
Vatnajökull National Park was founded in June 2008 and is the largest National Park in Europe, covering around 12.000 km2. Spend a full day exploring the region of Iceland's highest mountains, alpine environment , Europe's largest glacier and Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon with floating icebergs and seals swimming in the arctic waters. (B,O)

Day 7: South Shore (270km)
An attraction close to Kirkjubæjarklaustur is Kirkjugólf (church floor), a natural pavement of basalt. These are basalt columns in the earth, but only the top can be seen, and, as the name suggests, have the appearance of a paved church floor. This lava formation has similar origins to the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland. We recommend a walk along the Systrafoss waterfall to the Systra Lake. Fjaðrárglúfur is a fabulous 100m-deep gorge formed during the Ice Age two million years ago. It wins high aesthetic marks for its indented cliff sides full of spikes, arches, and scary ledges. Visit also the coastal villages in South Iceland, many of them with old wooden houses and fascinating coastal scenery. Return to Reykjavik and overnight in the capital. (B,O)

Day 8: Departure (49km)
Depart for home. (B)

B=Breakfast; D=Dinner; O=Overnight                                         gitsj014/071