The Icelandic loop

Head to the Geysir geothermal area, where Strokkur erupts every five to ten minutes, projecting a column of boiling water nearly twenty meters high.

Next stop: Hella for an immersion in Icelandic daily life: the municipal swimming pool! A true institution, this is where Icelanders come to swim, relax, and chat in the hot baths. A moment of relaxation... and local culture.

We continue southeast to reach Vík and its black sand beaches. At the foot of the Reynisfjara cliffs rise strange basalt spires, the remains of a ship petrified by trolls, according to legend. Between cliffs, basalt columns, and the raging ocean, our guide will help us choose the most beautiful hike.

Installation at accommodation between Vík and Skaftafell.

An early departure towards the vastness of Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe, whose glacial tongues descend almost to the road. Hvannadalshnjúkur, the island's highest point (2,109 m), dominates the landscape.

Next stop is the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, where Breiðamerkurjökull calves icebergs that drift out to sea. At high tide, seals come to hunt among the ice floes. At low tide, the icebergs break apart and turn over, revealing their bluish reflections with a chorus of cracking sounds.

On Diamond Beach, the black sand sparkles under the glare of translucent icebergs washed ashore: a breathtaking sight.

This morning, a long day of driving awaits us, through the wild and little-known landscapes of East Iceland. Between fjords, headlands and coves, the seascapes unfold one after another.

Stop at Fáskrúðsfjörður, a surprising village with bilingual French-Icelandic signs. From the 19th century onwards, fishermen from Dunkirk, Gravelines, and Paimpol landed here for cod fishing. A French hospital was even founded here in 1903, now transformed into a museum (included in the tour).

We continue to Borgarfjörður, a charming fjord surrounded by mountains, where a hot bath and sauna await us for a relaxing evening.

A hike in the remote Borgarfjörður Eystri region, dominated by the jagged Dyrfjöll mountains (1,136 m). After about two hours of walking, the trail opens onto Stórurð, a magical landscape of moss-covered rocks, turquoise pools, and verdant meadows. One of the highlights of the trip!

The region is also a prime location for seabird watching. In summer, puffins gather there by the hundreds, alongside guillemots, razorbills and northern fulmars, a fascinating sight.

Dinner at leisure in one of the local restaurants, then return to accommodation for the night.

Heading north! On the way, stop at Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe: 44 meters drop, 100 meters wide, and nearly 500 m³ of water per second, a hypnotic roar.

At the end of the day, arrival in the Mývatn region, known for its volcanic lake and rich birdlife.

Accommodation for two nights.

At the end of the day, you can optionally relax in the Mývatn Nature Baths: a warm, milky open-air bath with views of the volcanic mountains. A moment of pure bliss after a day immersed in the Icelandic heat.

A day of volcanic exploration: Hverfjall explosion crater, Grjótagjá hot cave, Namafjall-Hverir fumaroles and mud pools, Skútustaðagígar pseudo-craters...

Hiking on the recent Krafla lava flows, frozen during the "Krafla fires" of 1984. Black rocks, sulphurous vapors and mineral silence: Iceland in all its raw power.

This morning, we set our sights on the majestic Goðafoss, the "Waterfall of the Gods", one of the most impressive waterfalls in Iceland. Its powerful cascades plunge in an arc amidst a backdrop of basalt columns.

We then continue on to Akureyri, the charming capital of the North.

Next, we head to the mysterious Tröllaskagi Peninsula, a land of steep mountains, deep valleys, and tranquil fjords. In the mid-afternoon, we embark on a short ferry crossing (10 minutes) to the small island of Hrísey, nestled in the heart of Eyjafjörður Fjord. This peaceful island, long a fishing village, charms visitors with its authentic atmosphere and trails that wind between the sea and meadows. Weather permitting, we may hike to the northern tip, where the view of the ocean and the lighthouse is breathtaking.

At the end of the day, we'll settle into our accommodation in Dalvík, then have dinner at a local café to savor one of the country's iconic dishes: Fiskisúpa (fish soup) or Kjötsúpa (lamb soup). A warm evening in a typically Icelandic setting.

This morning, the road winds between fjords and tunnels to Siglufjörður, at the northern tip of the Tröllaskagi peninsula. This charming village, nestled in the heart of a fjord, was once the herring capital and the beating heart of a flourishing industry.

We visit the Herring Museum (included), a fascinating stop retracing this maritime epic through period objects, stories, and photographs. There, we discover the history of these fishermen who shaped the identity of an entire region, between a life punctuated by fishing campaigns and the effervescence of prosperous years.

After this cultural interlude, head south for a wellness break at Reykjafoss waterfall and its natural hot spring, Fosslaug. Nestled on the riverbank, this natural pool at 39°C offers a unique moment of relaxation, accompanied by the roar of the waterfall.

Today, we are heading west towards the Snæfellsnes peninsula, often nicknamed "Iceland in miniature" for the diversity of its landscapes concentrated in a small area.

At the heart of the peninsula stands Snæfellsjökull, a 1,446 m stratovolcano immortalized by Jules Verne in Journey to the Center of the Earth. Its glaciers, lava fields and volcanic cones create an impressive landscape where time seems to stand still.

Throughout the day, we hike through cliffs, beaches, basalt columns, and lava fields, all while watching seabirds soaring above the cliffs and coastline. The diverse landscapes offer a complete immersion in Icelandic geology and nature.

Today, between Hellnar and Arnarstapi, our path follows cliffs sculpted by the ocean, adorned with basalt columns where numerous kittiwakes nest. The natural arch of Gatklettur is a jewel for photography, while the crashing waves offer a constantly shifting spectacle.

We visit the black church of Búðir, isolated in the middle of a lava field, an emblem of the peninsula. Further on, a golden sandy beach punctuated by black rocks contrasts magnificently with the landscape. It's also a day to slow down: take the time to read facing the ocean, have a nap, or simply contemplate the wind and the sea. Overnight in the same accommodation as the previous night.

We set off south to discover the recent lava flows of Fagradalsfjall, formed during the March 2021 eruption and reshaped by seven subsequent eruptions. Depending on the activity and trail conditions, we will explore the site up close. Here, the lava is still young, the earth radiates heat and the smell of sulfur: a truly fascinating geological spectacle.

At the end of the day, arrival in Reykjavik. Free time to stroll through the lively streets, explore the famous Laugavegur shopping street, do some shopping, or relax in a cozy café. Why not take home a locally knitted Icelandic wool sweater as a souvenir of this unique trip?

Last moments in Iceland before the transfer to Keflavík International Airport.

Flight back to France, heart and mind filled with landscapes of lava, ice, and light. Iceland leaves a lasting impression, that of a country where the Earth seems still being born and where every panorama tells a story.