9-Day Winter Hiking & Sightseeing Ring Road Tour // Women-only!
9-Day Winter Hiking & Sightseeing Ring Road Tour // Women-only!
Iceland’s story began 18 million years ago, when volcanic eruptions and glaciers first started shaping this island’s dramatic landscape. Today, you can see the results up close by traveling the famous Ring Road (Route 1) a 1,322-kilometer (821-mile) loop that connects Iceland’s major cities and top natural sights in one unforgettable journey. The Ring Road mostly follows the coastline, winding through regions filled with waterfalls, black sand beaches, volcanic deserts, glacier lagoons, and colorful geothermal fields.
As you travel, you’ll experience Iceland’s full spectrum of colors: the black sands of Reynisfjara, the fiery reds at Námaskarð Pass, the blue ice caves of Vatnajökull, and the turquoise waters of glacier lagoons like Jökulsárlón. Highlights along the way include iconic stops such as Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, the dramatic landscapes of the Eastfjords, and the striking Grábrók volcanic crater in the west.
After days spent exploring these geologic wonders, winter nights offer the perfect chance to hunt for the Northern Lights. Iceland’s long, dark nights in winter create ideal conditions for seeing this natural light show, making it a top destination for aurora seekers.
Traveling with a group of adventurous women is a great way to experience all of this together – whether you come solo or with friends, you’ll find a welcoming, friendly environment and plenty of opportunities to make lasting connections as you explore one of the world’s most photogenic winter wonderlands.
- An experienced, local hiking guide and driver with extensive knowledge of the area
- 9 days of guided sightseeing and hiking in Iceland
- Transportation during the tour with a minibus (headset)
- Accommodation at hotels with a private bathroom
- Welcome and goodbye dinner
- Breakfasts at hotels
- All special equipment
- Greenhouse visit with lunch, secret lagoon, glacier hike, ice cave visit, whale watching, blue lagoon
- All other mentioned activities from the itinerary
- Drop off at the airport
- WhatsApp group created shortly before the tour starts
Note: Special dietary requirements can be accommodated.
What’s not included:
- Transportation to and from Iceland
- Pick-up from the airport
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities (optional)
- Lunches and dinners not mentioned in the itinerary – Your guide will make stops at charming cafés and restaurants for lunch and will reserve tables for the group each evening at you hotel or at a nearby restaurant. Travellers order and pay for themselves.
- A 100% charge applies if canceled within 59 days of the start time.
- Arrival to Reykjavík
We’ll meet our guide around 5:45 p.m. at a hotel in downtown Reykjavík (location to be confirmed). We’ll go over the itinerary together and enjoy a welcome dinner with the rest of the group. It’s a great chance to get to know each other and get a good night’s rest before the adventure begins!
Meals: Dinner
- The Golden Circle, Greenhouse, and the Secret Lagoon
Every day, we’ll hit the road between 8 and 9 a.m., ready to explore some of Iceland’s most famous sights. We’ll start with the Golden Circle, a classic 190-mile route that covers three of the country’s top natural attractions.
First, we’ll walk through the rift valley at Þingvellir National Park, where you can see the spot where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart. Þingvellir is not only a geological wonder but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Iceland’s parliament, founded in 930 AD!
Next up is the Geysir Geothermal Area. Here, we’ll watch the Strokkur geyser erupt every few minutes, shooting hot water up to 30 meters into the air. This area is where the word “geyser” comes from, and you’ll see bubbling hot springs and steaming vents all around you! We’ll then visit Gullfoss, the “Golden Falls,” a powerful 105-foot (31-meter) waterfall that plunges into a deep canyon. The spray from the falls is impressive, so a raincoat can come in handy.
After these natural wonders, we’ll stop at the Friðheimar greenhouse. Here, we’ll learn how Icelanders use geothermal heat to grow vegetables year-round, and we’ll even get to pick fresh tomatoes right above our table for lunch.
To wrap up the day, we’ll relax in the Secret Lagoon, Iceland’s oldest geothermal pool. The water stays at a comfortable 38–40°C (100°F) all year, and the pool is surrounded by natural hot springs and steam vents. We’ll spend the night in Hella town, rested and ready for more adventures tomorrow.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
- South Coast & Glacier Hike
Today we’ll explore Iceland’s stunning South Coast, starting with Seljalandsfoss, a 60-meter (200-foot) waterfall famous for its unique path that lets us walk behind the curtain of water (weather permitting), it’s a great spot for photos and a different view of the falls. Next, we’ll visit Skógafoss, another of Iceland’s largest waterfalls, with a 25-meter (82-foot) width and a powerful 60-meter drop. If it’s sunny, keep an eye out for rainbows in the spray!
After the waterfalls, we’ll gear up for a glacier hike on Sólheimajökull, an accessible glacier that sits on the edge of the Katla volcano. Guided glacier hikes here are a popular way to experience the ice up close and learn about the area’s geology.
We’ll also walk along Iceland’s famous black sand beaches before heading to Fjaðrárgljúfur, a dramatic canyon about 100 meters deep and 2 km long, carved by the Fjaðrá river over thousands of years. The canyon’s lush green walls and winding river make it a memorable stop.
Tonight, we’ll stay in Kirkjubæjarklaustur or nearby, a perfect base for more adventures in the South of Iceland!
Meals: Breakfast
- Ice Caves, Glacier Lagoon, and Diamond Beach
New day, new natural phenomena! Today, we’ll take an off-road ride in a Super Jeep to reach some amazing ice caves formed inside glaciers. With an expert guide, we’ll explore 700-year-old ice formations and see stunning turquoise crystal caves.
Next, we’ll visit the Glacier Lagoon, where huge icebergs float in the water. Just nearby is Diamond Beach, famous for its black sand covered with sparkling ice chunks that look like huge magnificent diamonds.
After a full day of exploring, we’ll head to our hotel in Höfn, known as Iceland’s lobster capital. Get ready to enjoy a tasty dinner featuring fresh local lobster specialties.
This day is packed with incredible sights and unique experiences you won’t forget!
Meals: Breakfast
- Magnificent East Fjords
Today we’ll focus on exploring the culture and nature of the magnificent East Fjords. We’ll visit old houses along the coast and stop by charming villages like Djúpivogur, known for its peaceful harbor and unique outdoor art installation called “Eggin í Gleðivík” (The Eggs of Merry Bay), which features 34 large stone eggs representing local bird species. After that, we’ll take a 5 km (about 3 miles) hike to the awesome Hengifoss, one of Iceland’s tallest waterfalls at 128 meters (420 feet). The waterfall drops into a deep gorge with striking red layers of clay sandwiched between the basalt columns. It is truly a spectacle!
Later, we’ll head to Egilsstaðir, the largest town in East Iceland. Here, we can get a feel for local life, visit cultural spots like the East Iceland Heritage Museum, and enjoy the town’s relaxed atmosphere. Egilsstaðir is a great base to learn about the region’s history, nature, and traditions.
This day gives us a nice mix of nature, culture, and small-town charm in one of Iceland’s most beautiful regions!
Meals: Breakfast
- The Great North of Iceland
We’ll start our day with a drive to Dettifoss, known as the most powerful waterfall in Europe. Dettifoss is 44 meters high and 100 meters wide, fed by the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river, which carries water all the way from Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier. You can really feel the force of nature here – the ground even vibrates near the falls! On our way, we’ll pass by the highest inhabited point in Iceland before heading to the Námaskarð geothermal area. This spot looks almost like another planet, with no vegetation and colorful mineral streaks running through the earth.
Next, we’ll make our way to Lake Mývatn. This area is famous for its unique volcanic landscapes and lava fields. Walking through places like Dimmuborgir, you might recognize the scenery from Game of Thrones, as the show filmed some scenes here!
Before the day ends, we’ll stop at Goðafoss, the “Waterfall of the Gods.” This waterfall is not just beautiful, it’s also a symbol of Iceland’s conversion from Norse mythology to Christianity.
Finally, we’ll reach the lovely northern capital of Akureyri, where we’ll spend the night. Once we arrive, feel free to stroll around town and try some local Icelandic food!
Meals: Breakfast
- Whale Watching and the Troll Peninsula
Today we’ll start the day by putting on warm flotation suits and boarding a fishing boat in Dalvík. Then, we’ll sail through the fjords for about three hours, keeping an eye out for whales like humpbacks, minkes, and sometimes even blue whales! Dalvík has one of the best whale watching success rates in the world, around 98%!
After the boat ride, we’ll drive through the Troll Peninsula (Tröllaskagi), a scenic area full of mountains, deep valleys, and charming fishing villages. The road offers new views at every turn, making it a great road trip experience.
We’ll end the day at Hotel Bifröst (or a similar hotel), a cozy place located near the old Grábrók volcano. Here, you can relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings after a full day of adventure.
Meals: Breakfast
- The Snæfellsnes Peninsula
We’ll take in the energy of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in West Iceland and get up close to the glacier Snæfellsjökull, a stunning ice-capped volcano that inspired Jules Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth. Next, we’ll see Kirkjufell, the iconic “Arrowhead Mountain” featured in Game of Thrones as the mountain north of the Wall where the Hound had his vision. It’s one of Iceland’s most photographed spots and offers great views alongside the nearby Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall!
We’ll then head to Ytri Tunga beach, one of the best places in Iceland to spot several species of seals. This beach has golden sand and is home to a seal colony that can be seen year-round, with summer offering the best chances to watch them sunbathing on the rocks. After a full day exploring the peninsula, we’ll return to Reykjavík for a goodbye dinner with the group to celebrate the trip and share memories!
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is truly a magical place where nature, culture, and history come together – perfect for our final day of adventure!
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
- The Blue Lagoon and Departure
Make sure you book your departure flight in the later afternoon so you have time to visit the Blue Lagoon, which is just about a 20-minute drive from Keflavík International Airport on the Reykjanes Peninsula. The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa set in a lava field, known for its warm, milky-blue waters rich in minerals like silica, which are great for your skin. It’s a relaxing way to end your trip, soaking in the warm water surrounded by volcanic landscapes.
If you want to spend a bit more time in Iceland after the Blue Lagoon, you can head back to Reykjavík with our guide to explore more! But if you’re ready to head home, transportation will be arranged to take you from the Blue Lagoon or Reykjavík directly to the airport.
Meals: Breakfast
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
- Duration:
- 9 days