Iceland flies by fast on this tour. The Great Round Tour is a 13-day round-trip from Reykjavik with a small group capped at 12, so the trip feels personal without losing the big-country sweep.

I like how it pairs headline stops with the kind of in-between places that make Iceland feel like Iceland, not just a checklist. You’ll spend time with guide Jens Olafsson, and the included dinners and often farm-style stays give you a real payoff after long driving days.

The only real drawback is the pace. You’ll do light walks and short hikes like Svartifoss and Grabrok, and you won’t have endless lingering time at each stop, so show up ready for movement and weather.

Key things I think you’ll care about

• Max 12 travelers: smaller group, less waiting around, more room for questions.
• Jens Olafsson guiding: clear context at each stop and smooth handling of daily changes.
• 12 nights included: lodging is part of the deal, not an add-on you have to plan.
• Boat tour on the Glacial Lagoon: you get the icebergs experience built in.
• All breakfasts + 11 dinners included: helps a lot when lunch is on your own.
• Westfjords included: Latrabjarg bird cliffs and Raudasandur red sand make it feel more remote.

A 13-day Iceland loop with Jens Olafsson and a max of 12

This tour is built for people who want to see a lot of Iceland without being bounced around by a huge crowd. With a maximum of 12 travelers, you keep a steady group vibe, and you get the kind of scheduling flexibility that matters when the weather shifts fast.

Your base starts at Hótel Klettur, Mjölnisholt 12-14, 105 Reykjavík, Iceland, and you’ll finish the experience back at the meeting point even though the final day runs toward Keflavík. The big idea is simple: you keep moving around the island for 13 days, then you sleep each night in included accommodations.

Language is English, and you’ll receive a mobile ticket. Booking is typically done about 106 days in advance, which tells me this is one of those popular “lock it in early” Iceland trips.

Price and value: why this costs a lot, and what you’re actually buying

At $7,228.71 per person, this isn’t a cheap Iceland vacation. But it also isn’t just transportation and ticket stubs. You’re paying for a full 13-day route with 12 nights of accommodation, breakfast daily, and 11 dinners, plus a guided tour and key paid experiences.

Also, many stops list free admission tickets (based on the tour times you’re given), which means your money isn’t going to parking fees all day. The cost mostly goes into logistics: vehicle + driver time, guiding, and keeping the itinerary working across Iceland’s long distances.

On the other hand, you should know what’s not covered. Lunch is not included, and beverages are not included. Airfare is also on you. So if you’re trying to keep costs down, plan for lunch options in advance—your wallet will notice it.

In short: this price buys convenience, less decision-making, and lodging that’s already handled. If you enjoy planning days yourself, this could feel expensive. If you want the road trip with the heavy lifting done, the value makes sense.

The rhythm of the days: lots of driving, short stops, and smart timing

This is a “see Iceland around the ring road” style trip, which means long drives happen every day. A good part of the fun is that you don’t just repeat the same kind of scenery. You hop from waterfalls to beaches to geothermal areas to glaciers to the Westfjords.

You also need to accept the stop timing. Many stops are 20 to 45 minutes. That can feel quick, but it’s also what makes the whole island loop possible in 13 days. You’ll likely do a lot of short walking, plus a few hikes that are described as light-to-moderate (like the Svartifoss walk and the Grabrok crater walk). The tour notes you should have moderate physical fitness.

The practical upside: because the guide manages the schedule and daily hotel changes, you spend less time figuring out where to be next. And since the itinerary is weather-dependent (the operator can alter it), you’re not left guessing when the forecast turns wild.

Golden Circle energy: Thingvellir, Gullfoss, and Geysir (Day 2)

Day 2 starts with Iceland’s “start here” trio: Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Falls, and the Geysir geothermal area.

Thingvellir is billed as both the site of Iceland’s old parliament and a geological phenomenon. That blend matters because you get more than scenic photos—you get the sense of why this place mattered to people, and why the earth here feels special.

Then you go straight to Gullfoss, the Golden Waterfall. This stop is timed at about 1 hour 30 minutes, which is enough time to soak it in without rushing.

Finally, Geysir gives you geothermal steam and activity for about an hour. Even if you’ve seen photos before, Iceland’s geothermal areas have a way of changing how you see the country: it feels alive, not staged.

What to watch for: tight weather can cut visibility. If fog rolls in, treat it as a reason to slow down and enjoy the sensory stuff—sound, steam, and the feeling of the place—rather than waiting for perfect views.

South Coast hits: Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, and black sand at Reynisfjara (Day 3)

Day 3 is all about the waterfall-and-coast combo. You start with Seljalandsfoss (about 20 minutes), then Skogafoss (about 30 minutes). Short time, big payoff. This is the day you’ll realize Iceland can cram impressive scenes into tiny windows.

Next comes Skógar Museum, timed at 1 hour 30 minutes and listed as included. Museums in Iceland don’t just sit there as indoor time—they often help you understand what you’re looking at outside, like how people lived and worked in tough conditions.

Then you head to Solheimajökull glacier for about an hour. After the bright water and green stretches, the glacier stop shifts the mood fast. It’s a reminder that Iceland’s power comes in many forms.

The afternoon leans coastal and dramatic:

• Dyrholaey (about 45 minutes)
• Reynisfjara black sand beach (about 30 minutes)

What’s the drawback? Day 3 can feel like visual overload. If you’re a slow traveler who needs time to sit still, build in your own micro-moments—one quick snack break, one longer photo stop, and one short walk even if you only get 10 minutes. It keeps the day from turning into a blur.

Skaftafell and the Glacier Lagoon boat ride (Day 4)

Day 4 has a calmer structure with one major event: the Glacier Lagoon boat tour. But you earn it first.

You spend about 2 hours at Skaftafell National Park, then do a hike to Svartifoss Waterfall (about 1 hour 30 minutes). That hike time is your chance to stretch legs and get closer to the waterfall rather than just viewing it from the roadside.

Then comes the big built-in highlight: the boat tour around the icebergs at the Glacier Lagoon. This is listed as included and timed at about 2 hours.

Two things to keep in mind:

1. Boat tours are weather-sensitive. Plan to be flexible in timing and feel.
2. Even when the visibility isn’t perfect, the icebergs still do what icebergs do—you remember them.

East Iceland and a Modrudalur valley stay above 400 meters (Day 5)

Day 5 starts with Hvalnes Lighthouse (about 30 minutes). It’s short, but lighthouse stops often give you that “this coastline goes on forever” feeling.

Then you have a stop at Lagarfljót / Egilsstaðir area (about 30 minutes). This keeps the day from being all nature-only.

The real emotional center of Day 5 is the overnight change: you’ll stay in Möðrudalur valley, described as the highest inhabited place in the country at 469 m (1,539 ft), timed at about 14 hours with ticket included. This is one of those setups that makes the itinerary feel more real. Instead of bouncing from one hotel chain to another, you settle somewhere remote enough that Iceland feels quieter and more personal.

If you like farmhouse-style evenings—long dinners, fewer distractions, and skies that show up in the evening light—this part is worth the effort.

Dettifoss, Krafla, and the steam-breathers of North Iceland (Day 6)

Day 6 is pure geology. Starting with Dettifoss Waterfall (about 45 minutes), you’re reminded that Iceland’s drama isn’t just scenic. It’s physical.

Then you move into the volcanic and geothermal zone:

• Asbyrgi (horseshoe-shaped canyon, about 30 minutes)
• Krafla Lava Fields (lava still warm more than 30 years after the eruption, about 1 hour)
• Dimmuborgir (lava labyrinth, about 30 minutes)
• Namafjall Hverir (boiling mud pots, about 20 minutes)
• Skútustaðagígar (pseudo craters, about 5 minutes)

This is the day that makes the trip feel different from a basic ring-road tour. It’s also the day where you might start to feel “I’ve seen a lot of rock today,” in a good way. Iceland is one of the only places where rock can look like a living system.

Practical consideration: bring a good jacket. Even when it’s sunny, geothermal areas can feel colder and wetter.

Akureyri, Godafoss, Siglufjörður, and Hvitserkur (Day 7)

Day 7 shifts north with a mix of famous waterfall and small-town stops.

You start with Godafoss (about 20 minutes). It’s short, but Godafoss is a “stop no matter what” kind of waterfall.

Then you get free time in Akureyri (about 3 hours) at Akureyrarkirkja. This is your chance to slow down, grab lunch on your own, and make the town feel less like a drive-by.

After that:

• Siglufjörður (about 20 minutes)
• Hvitserkur rock (about 30 minutes)

This day is balanced. You don’t have only hikes or only oceans. You have a town, a waterfall, and a dramatic rock formation that’s the kind of scene Iceland loves to throw at you without warning.

Strandir’s remote coast: driftwood and Sudureyri to Isafjörður (Day 8)

Day 8 is the “more remote, less postcard” day. The route goes from Hrútafjörður toward Strandir, including the idea that parts of the coastline are covered with driftwood, especially near black sandy beaches. Then you continue driving to Isafjörður and head to Sudureyri for the overnight stay.

This is a good day for people who want Iceland to feel less crowded. Strandir-type coast time often becomes your favorite kind of day—not because there’s a single famous stop, but because the whole coastline gives you a mood.

The only caution: remote areas can mean changing weather and fewer chances to do extra sightseeing beyond what’s planned. So treat this as a day to follow the itinerary and trust the timing.

Westfjords wow-factor: Dynjandi, Latrabjarg bird cliffs, and the scale of the cliffs (Day 9)

Day 9 is a Westfjords highlight day.

First, Dynjandi (Fjallfoss) (about 45 minutes). This is your waterfall warm-up and a good stretch break.

Then you head to Latrabjarg bird cliffs, described as the westernmost point of Iceland. You’re going to see thousands of birds on a 14 km (9 miles) long and sheer cliff reaching 400 m (1,320 feet) from the sea. The stop is about 1 hour.

That detail matters because Latrabjarg isn’t just a scenic viewpoint. It’s a place where the scale is the story. You look out and realize you’re looking at an entire bird city perched on cliff.

What to pack: comfortable shoes. There’s likely some uneven ground and lots of looking around.

Raudasandur red sand: Westfjords pace continues (Day 10)

On Day 10, the tour travels along the southern side of the Westfjords. You stop at Rauðasandur Beach—the red sand—for about 1 hour.

After Latrabjarg’s cliffs, the red sand stop feels like a color reset. It’s also a reminder that the Westfjords don’t just do rugged rock and sea. They do distinct textures too, which is part of why this region is worth including.

Kirkjufellsfoss and Djupalonssandur pebble beach (Day 11)

Day 11 brings two coastal icons.

You start with Kirkjufellsfoss (about 20 minutes). It’s a quick stop, but it’s one of those shapes you’ll recognize in photos before you even know where you are.

Then you go to Djupalonssandur Beach, a basaltic pebble beach, about 45 minutes. This is a different kind of shoreline than black sand. Peppier, rockier, and often a good place for steady walking.

There’s also a short stroll along coastal cliffs for birdlife and other nature wonders. Even if the birds aren’t cooperating, you’ll still get that coast-watching time that makes Iceland feel like a real place with seasons and wildlife—not just backdrops.

Grabrok and Hraunfossar: end with crater walking and lava waterfalls (Day 12)

Day 12 closes the loop with two “walk up and look around” moments.

First is Grabrok Crater, where you take a walk up to the top (about 30 minutes). Then you go to Hraunfossar Lava Waterfall and Barnafoss (Children’s Waterfall) for about 30 minutes.

This pairing works because it shifts from volcanic power (crater) to water working through lava fields (lava waterfalls). Even with short times, these are the kinds of stops you’ll remember because they look like different chapters of the same story: Iceland’s geology in action.

Day 13: wrap-up toward Keflavík airport

On Day 13, the tour heads toward Keflavik airport. The meeting-point rules say the activity ends back at the meeting point, but the practical takeaway is that you should plan for airport timing and keep your travel day organized.

Since lunch isn’t included, treat Day 13 like any other long travel day: plan snacks and water, and don’t count on surprise food options.

Should you book the Great Round Tour? My take on who it fits

This tour fits best if you want to see the big Iceland regions in one trip—and you care about getting out to the Westfjords, not just the usual loop. The boat tour and the mix of waterfalls, beaches, geothermal stops, and the museum stop add variety beyond pure driving.

It also fits solo travelers and couples who like talking to the group but don’t want a huge tour bus crowd. The max of 12 matters here.

Where you might hesitate:

• If you hate a packed schedule, you may find the short stop timings tough.
• If you want long, slow photo sessions at every waterfall and viewpoint, you’ll feel the “time-box” feeling.
• If you dislike planning for lunch, remember lunch isn’t included.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes a strong plan, solid logistics, and a guide who handles the daily grind, this tour is a strong match.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is The Great Round Tour around Iceland?

The tour runs for about 13 days.

What group size is used for this tour?

The group is limited to a maximum of 12 travelers.

What does the price include?

It includes a guided tour, accommodation for 12 nights, breakfast for 12 days, dinner for 11 days, the Folk Museum of Skógar admission, and the Glacier Lagoon boat tour.

Are meals fully included?

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

What are the main activities included besides sightseeing stops?

Two listed inclusions stand out: admission to the Folk Museum of Skógar and a boat tour on the Glacial Lagoon.

Where does the tour start and where does it end?

It starts at Hótel Klettur, Mjölnisholt 12-14, 105 Reykjavík, Iceland. The activity notes that it ends back at the meeting point, and Day 13 heads toward Keflavík airport.

Is airfare included?

No. Airfare to and from Iceland is not included.

Is the tour refundable if I cancel?

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.

What fitness level do I need?

The tour recommends moderate physical fitness. There are light walks and hikes such as Svartifoss and Grabrok.