Iceland in 13 days feels intense, on purpose. This small-group loop covers the big sights and the offbeat angles you’d otherwise skip, with expert handling of the day-to-day details. I like that you get guided stops across waterfalls, glaciers, lava country, and the far Westfjords, without spending your trip budgeting every ticket and drive.

What really works for me is the mix of included experiences and built-in time to enjoy them. You’ll get the Glacial Lagoon boat ride and admission to the Folk Museum of Skógar, plus breakfast and dinner each day they’re listed (breakfast 12 times, dinner 11 times). One thing to consider: this is a road trip with a moderate pace of walking and early days, so you’ll want sturdy shoes and a realistic attitude about long drives.

Key highlights you’ll feel from day one

• Max 12 travelers keeps the group flexible and the stops less chaotic.
• All lodging plus breakfast and dinner included means fewer meals to plan and more money for lunches and drinks.
• Skógar Museum + Glacier Lagoon boat tour give you grounded culture and a true ice-themed excursion.
• The full loop includes the Westfjords instead of stopping at the usual Ring Road checklist.
• Light hiking moments show up in places like Svartifoss and Grabrok crater.
• Jens Olafsson runs the details and manages things like hotel registrations so you don’t lose time to paperwork.

The big draw: a small-group ring road with Westfjords included

If you’re trying to “see Iceland” in a single trip, this route is built for results. It starts in Reykjavik and runs for about 13 days, using 12 nights of accommodation so you wake up in a new place without having to book each stop yourself.

The standout advantage is the Westfjords. Many tours hit the usual South Coast and Golden Circle and then cut the island visit short. Here, you still make time for remote stretches around Hrutafjörður and the long coastal viewpoints that lead you toward Isafjörður, with overnight time in Sudureyri.

This is also the kind of tour where the guide’s job is more than pointing. Jens Olafsson sets context at each stop so the geology and history make sense when you’re standing there. You’ll still do your own looking and photos, but you won’t feel like you’re just ticking off names on a map.

Price and what is actually included for your money

The price listed is $7,228.71 per person. That number looks big until you map what you’re getting: accommodations for 12 nights, breakfast 12 times, dinner 11 times, plus a guided tour through the whole itinerary.

On top of that, two key “pay-for-it-yourself later” items are included: admission to the Folk Museum of Skógar and a boat tour on the Glacial Lagoon (icebergs on the water). Even though several sights list tickets as free, the value is still in the transport and timing—getting you to the right place, with enough time to actually enjoy the stop.

What you should plan for outside the price: lunch is not included, and beverages aren’t included either. Iceland can be pricey for food and drinks, so I treat lunch as a flexible budget line. You can bring your own lunch some days if you prefer, but you’ll want to stay flexible if the day’s timing changes.

Also note: the tour is booked on average 106 days in advance. That’s a clue that dates fill up, especially for the smaller group size.

How the 12 nights and meals work day to day

One of the most practical parts of a multi-day loop is not the sightseeing. It’s the “what happens when we arrive at the hotel?” moment. This tour is set up so each night’s accommodation is handled within the itinerary, and registration is taken care of by the guide as you move through different towns.

For food, you’re covered on the meals listed as included: breakfast (12) and dinner (11). That means you’re not searching for a restaurant after a long drive every evening. Breakfast is especially valuable because you start earlier with less friction. Dinner being included also helps you avoid the classic Iceland trap of spending a lot on average meals when you’re tired.

Lunch is the one piece you’ll self-manage. The itinerary gives you enough stop time for quick meals on the road or breaks at suitable places, but you should assume you’ll pay out of pocket for lunch most days. And since the operator can adjust the route due to weather, keep a little wiggle room in your daily plan.

Days 1–2: Thingvellir, Gullfoss, and Geysir

Day 1 is simple: make your way to the hotel in Reykjavik near the start point (Hotel Klettur). Day 2 ramps up fast with two major Iceland categories right away—geology shaped by tectonics and waterfalls powered by melting snow.

First, Thingvellir National Park. It’s famous as the site of Iceland’s old parliament and also for its geological phenomenon. This is one of those stops where the ground tells a story, so give yourself time to look around rather than only taking the quick photo.

Then come Gullfoss Falls and Geysir. Gullfoss is short and focused—about 1 hour 30 minutes listed—so it’s a good breather after Thingvellir. After that, the geothermal area at Geysir gives you that steaming Iceland feeling in a more concentrated package (about 1 hour listed).

A practical tip for days like this: wear layers even if the forecast looks fine. Iceland weather can shift quickly, and you’ll be outside at each stop even if the visits are short.

Days 3–4: Seljalandsfoss, Skógar, Solheimajokull, and the Glacier Lagoon boat ride

Day 3 is where the South Coast starts stacking waterfalls and classic scenery back to back. You begin with Seljalandsfoss (short stop, about 20 minutes). It’s the kind of waterfall where people want one specific perspective—plan to move carefully on wet ground and don’t rush the view.

Next is Skogafoss, followed by Skogar Museum, where admission is included (about 1 hour 30 minutes). This museum stop is valuable because it breaks the day’s pure nature focus with human-scale Iceland—something different from the geology-driven stops.

After Skógar, you head to Solheimajokull Glacier. This isn’t an all-day glacier expedition; it’s a shorter window (about 1 hour listed), which is exactly what works on a tour like this. You’ll get access to the idea of Iceland’s ice without burning the whole day just on one attraction.

Then you pivot to coast: Dyrhólaey (about 45 minutes) and Reynisfjara Beach for black sand (about 30 minutes). Be prepared for wind and uneven footing. Coast stops are short, but they’re not “sit and relax” stops.

Day 4 pushes into glacier-country and hiking. You’ll visit Skaftafell National Park (about 2 hours) and hike to Svartifoss (about 1 hour 30 minutes listed). This is one of the more active stops, so good shoes matter.

Finally, the big included payoff on this stretch: the Glacier Lagoon boat tour. The itinerary lists a 2-hour boat ride around icebergs. If you’ve been thinking about Iceland as an ice-and-water place, this is where it becomes real, because you’re on the water instead of just above it.

Days 5–7: Hvalnes Lighthouse, Egilsstaðir, Dettifoss, and Mývatn’s geothermal chaos

Day 5 shifts east, giving you a lighthouse and lake-town pacing before settling into your overnight stay. You stop at Hvalnes Lighthouse (about 30 minutes), then Lagarfljót and the town of Egilsstaðir (about 30 minutes listed). The goal here is variety, and it works: you’re not only chasing waterfalls.

Then comes Moorudalur Farm in Modrudalur valley, described as the highest inhabited place in the country at 469 m (1,539 ft). The itinerary shows a long stay—14 hours—and admission is included. This is the type of night that makes the tour feel like more than a checklist. Farm stays also tend to deliver the best sense of everyday Iceland life, since you’re not just passing through a town and leaving again in an hour.

Day 6 is big and intense in a good way. Dettifoss is the star: Europe’s mightiest waterfall, with about 45 minutes listed. Next is Asbyrgi (the Shelter of the Gods) for a horseshoe-shaped canyon (about 30 minutes).

Then you move into the geothermal and volcanic world around Krafla Lava Fields (lava still warm more than 30 years after the eruption). You’ll also see Dimmuborgir—described as a lava labyrinth—and then Namafjall Hverir with boiling mud pots. The stop list also includes Skútustaðagígar (pseudo craters). This is a day where you’ll feel like you’re traveling through different types of volcanic art.

Day 7 breaks up the volcano focus with waterfalls and towns. You start with Godafoss (about 20 minutes), then you get free time in Akureyri (about 3 hours) including a stop at Akureyrarkirkja. After that: Siglufjörður (about 20 minutes) and Hvitserkur, the rock (about 30 minutes). It’s a lighter rhythm day compared to Day 6, but still packed with contrast.

Days 8–10: Hrutafjörður, Strandir driftwood, Latrabjarg, and Westfjords beaches

Day 8 is a long, remote-feeling day. Starting from Hrutafjörður, the tour heads into the Strandir area, where parts of the coastline are covered with driftwood—especially around small black sandy beaches. You’ll then continue toward Isafjordur before ending overnight in Sudureyri.

This is the “slow your brain down” day. Even though you’re driving, the setting is different. Instead of constant landmark stops, you’re getting stretches of coastline that make Iceland feel wilder and quieter.

Day 9 moves into dramatic Westfjords viewing. Dynjandi (Fjallfoss) is first (about 45 minutes). Then the highlight for birds and sheer cliff scenery: Latrabjarg bird cliffs, about 1 hour listed. The itinerary notes this is Iceland’s westernmost point, with cliffs up to 400 m high and a 14 km-long stretch. Expect lots of bird life if conditions cooperate.

Day 10 continues along the southern side of the Westfjords, with Rauðasandur Beach (The Red Sands) listed for about 1 hour. The route keeps going with coastal cliff strolling for birdlife and nature (the itinerary describes a short stroll with rich birdlife). This is a good day for a slower photo pace—weather and light matter a lot on cliffs.

Days 11–13: Kirkjufell, Djúpalónssandur, Grabrok crater, Hraunfossar, and Keflavík

Day 11 brings you back toward iconic photo country on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula area. Kirkjufellsfoss is short (about 20 minutes). Then you visit Djúpálónssandur Beach, described as a basaltic pebble beach (about 45 minutes). After that, you get time for a stroll along the coastal cliffs for birdlife and nature.

Day 12 shifts again into volcanic shapes and waterfalls. You climb to the top of Grabrok Crater (about 30 minutes). Then you go to Hraunfossar and Barnafoss—listed together for about 30 minutes. This is the kind of waterfall stop that rewards patience: lava and water meet in a way that feels both strange and beautiful, even when the walk time is short.

Day 13 ends the loop back near the meeting point in Reykjavik, and the itinerary notes that you make your way to Keflavík airport. In plain terms: this tour is designed to finish by getting you out of town so you can catch your flight without needing to rent anything.

Ready for the pace? Packing, comfort, and weather reality

This tour says travelers should have moderate physical fitness. That matters because not every stop is a flat stroll. You’ll hike to Svartifoss, walk up to Grabrok Crater, and you’ll do plenty of time on wet rock and uneven ground. If you use hiking poles, they can help on slick surfaces.

Packing should focus on Iceland basics: a windproof layer, waterproof outerwear, warm mid-layers, and shoes with solid grip. Even on days with short stops, the coast and waterfall areas can feel cold fast.

One more reality check: the operator reserves the right to alter the itinerary due to weather or conditions outside its control. That’s not a guarantee of schedule changes, but it is a reminder that Iceland runs on nature, not on your calendar.

Also keep expectations realistic about included meals and drinks: breakfast and dinner are covered, but lunch and beverages are not. Budget for that, and you’ll feel less stressed.

Should you book The Great Round Tour with Fun Travel Iceland?

I’d book this if you want a single, guided trip that covers Iceland from Reykjavik all the way around, including the Westfjords, and you’d rather pay once than plan daily. The value sits in the package: lodging for 12 nights, guide time, included meals, and key experiences like the Glacier Lagoon boat tour and Skógar Museum.

I’d think twice if you hate long drives or if you want a slower, hotel-to-hotel experience with lots of free time. This is built for motion, and you’ll be outside for many stops, with some hikes mixed in.

One final decision tool: compare the cost of doing similar things yourself. When you add hotels, a car, fuel, and the specific paid experiences, the tour’s price can start to look more reasonable. And since this booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed, plan carefully before you commit—then you can focus on Iceland instead of logistics.

FAQ

How many travelers are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers, which keeps it small-group sized.

Where does the tour start in Reykjavik?

The start point is Hótel Klettur, Mjölnisholt 12-14, 105 Reykjavík, Iceland.

How long is the Great Round Tour?

It’s about 13 days, with accommodation listed for 12 nights.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What is included in the tour price?

Included items are a guided tour according to the itinerary, accommodation for 12 nights, breakfast (12) and dinner (11), admission to the Folk Museum of Skógar, and the boat tour on the Glacial Lagoon.

What is not included?

Airfare to and from Iceland is not included. Lunch and beverages are also not included, along with any other services not listed as included.

Are there any hikes or walking involved?

The itinerary includes hiking stops such as the hike to Svartifoss and a walk to the top of Grabrok Crater. The tour recommends a moderate physical fitness level.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The operator reserves the right to alter the itinerary due to weather and/or other conditions outside its control.

When does the tour end, and where do I go after?

The activity ends back at the meeting point, and on Day 13 you make your way to Keflavík airport.