Iceland Trip – 11 Apr 2024

Gathering at Cairo Airport and boarding Austrian Airlines flight at 3:45 PM. Transit at Vienna Airport. Arrival in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, at 11:20 PM. Retrieval of luggage and transfer to the hotel for check-in and room allocation.

We will start our day by visiting the most important landmarks in downtown Reykjavik: Hallgrimskirkja, Harpa concert hall, Laugavegur, and the harborfront. Afterward, we will head to the famous Icelandic wonder, the Blue Lagoon, where we will go for a hike around it. However, swimming in the Blue Lagoon is an optional activity at an approximate cost of 90 euros per person.

One of the most famous tours outside the capital Reykjavik is the Golden Circle tour, which includes visiting:
1. Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s largest waterfalls.
2. Geysir, the hot spring that erupts from underground.
3. Kerid Crater, a volcanic crater that has turned into a lake.
4. Thingvellir National Park, known for its rocky gorge and waterfalls.

We will embark on a journey to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland to explore its breathtaking landscapes and natural wonders. Our itinerary will include:
1. Kirkjufell Mountain: We’ll visit the iconic Kirkjufell Mountain, one of Iceland’s most photographed landmarks, known for its distinctive shape and stunning surroundings.
2. Waterfalls: We’ll have the opportunity to admire several magnificent waterfalls in the area, including those cascading down from the rugged cliffs of the peninsula.
3. Scenic Landscapes: Throughout our exploration of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, we’ll encounter diverse and dramatic landscapes, from towering cliffs to pristine coastlines, offering endless opportunities for awe-inspiring vistas and photography.
Prepare to be captivated by the beauty and grandeur of Snæfellsnes Peninsula as we immerse ourselves in its natural splendor.

We will leave the capital city of Reykjavik and head to the westernmost part of Iceland to stay in the town of Höfn. Along the way, we will stop to visit some of Iceland’s most iconic wonders.
1. Vatnajökull Glacier: We’ll explore the Vatnajökull Glacier, massive ice formations that have been present for thousands of years, creating a glacier lagoon called Jökulsárlón.
2. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: We’ll witness the stunning sight of floating icebergs in the glacier lagoon, a mesmerizing natural phenomenon.
3. Diamond Beach: Adjacent to the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, we’ll visit Diamond Beach, known for its black sand beach adorned with scattered ice chunks from the glacier lagoon. The glistening ice fragments resemble diamonds, hence the name.
After exploring these incredible attractions, we will arrive at our accommodation in the town of Höfn and check in, concluding our day’s tour.

we will start by visiting Vestrahorn Mountain, where we’ll capture stunning reflections in the shallow waters in front of it. Then, we’ll head to visit one of Iceland’s most remarkable waterfalls called Svartifoss Waterfalls. It will be a 45-minute hike to witness this incredibly beautiful waterfall, formed by hexagonal basalt columns. The area is vast, allowing us to explore multiple hikes to see mountains and rivers in the park. We’ll return to our accommodation once again in the town of Höfn.

We will head back west to visit the black sand beaches in southern Iceland and its famous village, Vik. Along the way, we’ll stop to see what I consider the most beautiful canyon in the world, Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon. We’ll also visit the renowned Reynisfjara Beach, the Dyrhólaey Cliff Lighthouse, and enjoy panoramic views of the ocean and its beaches from the highest point. Afterward, we’ll embark on a two-hour hike to visit the famous wreckage of the military airplane, Sólheimasandur. We’ll arrive at our accommodation in the town of Vik and check-in for the night’s rest.

We will check out in the morning and begin our day by visiting Glacier Snæfellsjökull to get closer to the ice masses mixed with black volcanic ash. An optional alternative activity is visiting the Ice Cave, which costs 200 euros. Afterwards, we will visit the most famous and beautiful waterfalls in the south, Seljalandsfoss Waterfall and Skógafoss Waterfall. Then, we will head to the capital airport to board our return flight.

We will board our return flight, departing at 00:10 after midnight, to Vienna (with a 5-hour layover). Arrival in Cairo will be at 14:45 in the afternoon.