Discovery & Wellness in Iceland

Arrive in Reykjavik and take a taxi to your hotel, SandHotel, located close to the harbor and the famous Harpa music hall. Most flights to Iceland from the US are overnight, so take the day to relax, walk around Reykjavik a bit, and recover from your travels.

In the afternoon, we'll meet our host, Thorey, and the group for an introduction and orientation meeting. After which we will take a stroll around the city’s center on the way to dinner where we will enjoy superb Icelandic cuisine along with a wine pairing. 

After a morning yoga followed by breakfast, we’ll meet our host and start our first day of exploration by visiting the lava fields left by the recent volcanic eruption in Fagradalsfjall. Lava fields are created when flowing lava cools off and forms artistic designs on Iceland’s landscapes. With time, the lava fields are covered in green moss and integrate into Iceland’s landscapes. 

We’ll walk on, around, and along the most recent lava fields while we practice a walking meditation technique that you can use on your own for the rest of the week. 

Afterwards, we’ll drive to a nearby fishing village to indulge in a warm bowl of lobster soup (vegetarian options available). 

After lunch, we’ll continue to what is the most famous thermal pool in the country, perhaps in the world, The Blue Lagoon. It's a geothermal pool of seawater mixed with freshwater that is generally between 37°C and 40°C. The Blue Lagoon contains silica, algae, and minerals, thought to cleanse, heal and rejuvenate, and we’ll do just that thanks to the three face masks included in our Premium Package as well as a 30-minute massage. 

Our package will also include a bathrobe, towels and slippers, and your drink of choice at the swim-up bar. Take a toast to the fabulous experience with a glass of bubbly before rinsing off and getting ready for dinner at Lava Restaurant, right at the Blue Lagoon.

Dinner will start with a glass of sparkling wine followed by a seasonal Icelandic dinner made from the finest local ingredients.

After an invigorating yoga session at the hotel followed by breakfast, we’ll start our road trip. Today we’ll head to the south shore to explore some of the mightiest waterfalls and most striking landscapes. In Iceland, the journey is often just as spectacular as the destination. The landscapes are so majestic that you can spend hours mesmerized by the abruptly changing weather, the otherworldly lava fields, the moss-covered hills, and the volcanic rocks.

Our first stop of the day will be at Seljalandsfoss waterfall, the famous waterfall you can walk behind thanks to the large caverns behind the tall but narrow drop. Dressing in waterproof clothing is key because the force of nature is apparent the moment you approach the waterfalls.

Here we’ll enjoy a refreshing waterfall meditation, practicing mindfulness to soak up the moment.

After Seljalandsfoss we’ll continue towards another waterfall, perhaps the most impressive of them all, Skogafoss. Skogafoss is famous because of the sheer amount of water that pours off the cliff right in front of you. The water spray here is at its strongest and often results in beautiful rainbows - sometimes double or even triple rainbows! You can admire Skogafoss from the bottom or walk up the 400 steps to get to the top.

After exploring the waterfall we'll enjoy a freshly prepared lunch at the Bistro Cafe with a beautiful view of Skógafoss

After lunch, we’ll continue driving to Reynisfjara black beach. We have free time at this mythical black sand beach, flanked by the Reynisdrangar basalt cliffs on one side and the wild ocean waves on the other. Look out for the rock formations in the ocean. The area, and the beach in particular, are steeped in legends about the night trolls caught by the morning sun and turned to stone. 

After exploring the area and trying to capture its raw beauty, we’ll drive back toward Reykjavik where you'll have time to relax and grab dinner on your own or with some of your new friends. Suggestions provided. 

Today we can sleep late and take breakfast at a leisurely pace for a more relaxing day. We’ll leave Reykjavik a bit later than usual to allow for a bit of free time to do last-minute shopping in town, and then we’ll head over to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO-listed site and the heart of Iceland’s birth.

Thingvellir or “Parliament Planes” is the place where the National Parliament was established in 930. The outdoor assembly was held annually in June (convened from the 10th century) to the end of the 18th century. Today, it's a pleasant and very well-maintained park with a network of trails and well-marked paths.

From Thingvellir, we'll continue to the beautiful ION Adventure Hotel. ION is located far away from any nearby urban development and enjoys the peace and quiet that makes Iceland so special. The outdoor pool is a favorite spot, as is the glass observatory lounge from which you can enjoy sprawling views of the area surrounding the hotel and relax with a book. Ask for a hiking trail map. The map allows guests access to various trails on the lava fields around the hotel. 

We’ll head to their restaurant for lunch. We'll have some time in the afternoon to discover the nearby hiking trails or soak in the heated thermal outdoor pool.

We’ll reconvene for a group dinner at the hotel’s premium restaurant. Here, beautiful locally sourced meals are served with a side of the same panoramic views.

After dinner, why not enjoy one last dip in the thermal pool?

We have saved perhaps the most famous day of the trip for the last. Wake up to a wonderful morning meditation session and yoga at ION’s beautiful yoga room then enjoy a leisurely breakfast by the window to start the day on the right foot.

Today is all about finishing the rest of the Golden Circle. We’ll begin our day at the strongest of all the waterfalls, Gulfoss, which you can capture from above. Water drops around 31 meters here and passes through raids and a narrow canyon that reveals the sheer force of nature. You can witness the waterfall from the main drop off point or walk a few steps up to a viewing platform for a wider view.

After Gulfoss, we’ll continue to see the Great Geysir and Strokkur Geysers. On a good day, and depending on the weather, the geyser can explode high into the air surprising all those around it. 

A visit to Iceland could not be complete without learning more about two uniquely Icelandic things: its horses and its greenhouse horticulture. We’ll get a guided tour of  Friðheimar, Iceland’s biggest tomato farm, followed by lunch there made up of their homegrown ingredients. Because of the weather, growing vegetables and fruits in Iceland can be a challenge so the local growers have designed a system of greenhouses that allow them to grow numerous vegetables and fruits with the help of bumblebees.

Lunch will consist of a soup buffet with plenty of creamy butter and bread and a separate a la carte menu you can order from. The tomato beer is an intriguing choice.

After lunch, we’ll be graced with a private Icelandic horse demonstration of this indigenous horse breed not found anywhere else in the world. You can also be able to get up and close with the horses at the stables and pet them. 

We’ll return back to Hotel Ion with some free time before an afternoon meditation and movement session. In the evening we will enjoy our final farewell drink and dinner at the hotel. 

After breakfast, we’ll drive back to Reykjavik around 11am where our lovely time together in Iceland will end. Depending on when your flight back home is, this day can be a final exploration day.