Reykjavik Extension:
Natural Wonders and City Adventures
Extension Summary
A land of waterfalls, fire, ice and steam. Iceland delivers geological drama at every turn. Over three extraordinary days, experience one of the most dynamic landscapes on Earth. Begin in the famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, then discover Reykjavik’s design culture, art and Norse heritage. Visit Hveragerði, Iceland’s geothermal garden town where steam rises from the ground. Then come the waterfalls, from Seljalandsfoss, where a path passes behind the falling water, to the powerful 60-meter plunge of Skógafoss, and the thundering cascade of Gullfoss, alongside Reynisfjara’s black volcanic beach and the Golden Circle’s erupting geysers.
Local hosts: Founded in 1936, Iceland Travel is one of the country’s largest and most established tour operators, with nearly 90 years of experience—and unrivalled local knowledge.
Extension Details
Availability: Pre- and post-expedition on all Reykjavik gateway voyages.
Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights
Gateway: Reykjavik
Cost: £2,845 GBP per person (double occupancy) | £3,983 GBP per person (solo supplement)
Capacity: 12-14 Guests
Tour Inclusions: Two breakfasts (Days 2 and 3), three lunches, two dinners, and two nights’ hotel accommodation.
Getting Around: Guests will travel in a premium, high-roof, climate controlled Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van with spacious, comfortable seating.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 | Arrive in Iceland: Blue Lagoon and Reykjavik
Meet your local guide at the airport, then ease into the journey with one of Iceland’s most iconic experiences: the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa—where you can unwind, relax, and leave your worries behind. Set within a black lava field on the Reykjanes Peninsula, the milky‑blue waters are naturally heated to 37–39°C and rich in silica and minerals, creating a deeply restorative introduction to Iceland’s geothermal landscape.
Continue to Reykjavik for lunch and guided walking tour of the compact capital. Despite its small size, the city is rich in art, design, music, and culinary culture. Highlights include Hallgrímskirkja, the old harbor, and the colorful corrugated‑iron architecture that gives Reykjavik its distinctive character.
Today’s Highlights
- Blue Lagoon geothermal spa experience
- Introduction to Iceland’s geothermal landscape
- Guided city walk through Reykjavik
- Hallgrímskirkja and historic harbor district
- Lunch and dinner in Reykjavik city center
Day 2 | South Coast: Waterfalls and Volcanic Shores
Travel east along Iceland’s dramatic south coast, passing through Hveragerði, a town built atop active geothermal fields where steam vents and volcanic heat shape daily life. Stop at Seljalandsfoss, where a narrow path allows you to walk behind a curtain of falling water, then continue to Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, where basalt columns, volcanic sand, and crashing North Atlantic waves form one of Iceland’s most striking photo opportunities.
The day concludes at the village of Skógar, where we’ll visit Skógafoss, a powerful 60‑meter waterfall often crowned by rainbows in the mist. A staircase beside the falls offers wide views across the coastal plains to the sea.
Today’s Highlights
- Drive through geothermal Hveragerði
- Seljalandsfoss waterfall
- Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
- Skógafoss waterfall and panoramic viewpoints
Day 3 | Golden Circle: Tectonics, Geysers and Falls
Depart with your luggage for Iceland’s Golden Circle, beginning at Þingvellir National Park. Here, the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates visibly separate within a dramatic rift valley, while the Alþing—founded in 930 AD—marks the birthplace of the world’s oldest parliament.
Continue to the Geysir Geothermal Area, where Strokkur erupts every few minutes amid steaming vents and bubbling earth. Enjoy lunch near Gullfoss before visiting Iceland’s most iconic waterfall, where the Hvítá River plunges in two tiers into a deep glacial canyon.
Return to Reykjavik with a brief stop en route, arriving at your pre-expedition group night hotel in time for the Quark Expeditions welcome desk.
For post-expedition extensions, you will proceed with your onward travel plans.
Today’s Highlights
- Þingvellir National Park and rift valley
- Site of the world’s oldest parliament
- Geysir Geothermal Area and Strokkur eruptions
- Gullfoss waterfall with included lunch
