Iceland Culture & Wilderness Small Group Tour

Odyssey offers easy, convenient, and relaxed escorted small group tours across Iceland and beyond. We explore Iceland’s world famous natural beauty, its ancient Viking heritage, World Heritage Sites, and charming Nordic towns, all with some truly spectacular scenery along the way. This and more is all waiting to be explored on one of Odyssey’s small group tours of Iceland, designed for the senior traveller, and led by experienced, and enthusiastic like minded people.

Odyssey’s Iceland cultural & wilderness small group tour for senior couples or solo travellers, is a 16-day circumnavigation of this fascinating island, designed for mature-aged or senior travellers. During this small group tour, we experience Iceland’s spectacular landscapes filled with glaciers, geysers, and waterfalls, as we cruise among Arctic icebergs at great destinations such as Vatnajokull National Park, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, and Snaefellsness National Park. Surrounded by natural wonders such as geysir, volcanic craters, and the famous Strokkur Geysir and Gulfoss Waterfall, we will also go whale watching in the fishing village of Husavik. At Illugastadir we will spot seals from the coast. If you are travelling on a September departure to Iceland with Odyssey Traveller, you may even be in luck to see the Northern Lights.

Our fully escorted guided tours offer fresh insights into the history of Iceland, from settlement to the present day as we follow Iceland's Golden circle, with the help of an Odyssey Program Leader and local tour guides.

This tour can be combined with our 4 days in Greenland.

Iceland Small Group Tour Itinerary for seniors.

Iceland’s climate, dramatic geological activity, and unique history provide visitors with amazing landscapes and experiences. Together, we learn about Iceland's flora and fauna, as well as its Viking past   as well as the role in the exploration and settlement of the Atlantic.

Our Iceland small group tour begins in the south coast, in the nation’s historic and charming capital, followed by trips from Reykjavik. We begin by enjoying a morning lecture on contemporary Iceland, followed by a field trip to explore the icons of the city. We stop at Perlan (The Pearl) where we enjoy an excellent panoramic view of the whole city. Afterwards, we visit the National Museum of Iceland. Here, we gain new insights into the history of the Icelandic nation from its settlement to the present day. Later on, we head to the Blue Lagoon, where we experience the naturally warm baths before returning to Reykjavik.

Reyjkavik

Reykjavik is a city full of surprises and contradictions. It is the capital city but not much bigger than a small town. Physically remote from the rest of the world, it has modern technology right at its heart. In winter, the city is scoured by blizzards and experiences never-ending night, but in summer, the streets are washed with 22 hours of daylight. When Iceland came under Danish rule, Reykjavik was designated as the administrative centre in 1786, and seat of parliament in 1843. When Iceland transitioned to self-rule (and later, to an independent republic), the city served as its capital.

As the capital and largest city of Iceland, Reykjavik will most likely be your first port of entry into this fairly isolated island country. Iceland’s nearest neighbour in Europe is Scotland, lying 800 kilometres (500 miles) away. It takes roughly five hours to fly to Reykjavík from New York, and three hours from London. Home to 40 percent of Iceland’s total population, Reykjavik is a colourful capital city not much larger than a small town. Perched on the country’s rugged coastline, the city is proud of its natural setting and striking architecture and thrilling culture.

The city is the location of the Keflavik International Airport, and is Iceland’s commercial, industrial, and cultural centre. Popular among tourists, Reykjavik, in addition to its art galleries and natural wonders, is also renowned for its nightlife, with its numerous restaurants, bars, and clubs. We will visit the Old Harbour area, once a service harbour that is now a cosmopolitan tourist attraction, and experience a walking history tour of Old Reykjavik in the city centre. Its Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre, with its striking honeycomb design, has won the prestigious Mies Van der Roe architectural award. The National Museum contains artefacts that tell the story of Iceland’s history. View the eye-catching Lutheran church, Hallgrímskirkja, a place of worship for most Icelanders, as a huge majority (80%) are members of the Lutheran State Church.

Other Highlights

One of the highlights of our Iceland cultural and wilderness tour is a visit to UNESCO World Heritage listed Thingvellir National Park, part of Iceland's Golden Circle.  We also enjoy a bird-watching cruise among the picturesque Breidafjordur Islands. In addition, we have the opportunity to meet the locals in many towns and hamlets, and savour many Icelandic delicacies.

Our Iceland cultural and wilderness tour is designed for the mature couple or single traveller interested in discovering the many facets of Iceland.  As such, the tour is fully escorted, with local guides providing deep insights into the history, culture, including the Vikings, geomorphology, and wildlife of this remote country. You can start expanding your knowledge by reading our country profile on Iceland or articles about why Iceland is the best place in the world to be a woman, and what can we learn about happiness from Iceland.

As an extension to the Iceland Small Group Tour, Odyssey offers a tour to Greenland, under the name Discover Greenland.

For more details about this tour, click the ‘Top 5’ or ‘Itinerary’ buttons above! If you’re keen to experience this tour, please call or send an email. Or, to book, simply fill in the form on the right hand side of this page.

This tour can be combined with our 4 days in Greenland tour.

• Discovery
• Guaranteed departures
• Level 2 - Moderate