Wild Iceland Adventure
March 22-28,2025
7 Days
Full Price: $5495
Activity Level — Active
Travelers will walk on glaciers and do gentle hiking on this journey.
*This trip is not wheelchair accessible.
Trip Overview
Are you ready to walk on the wild side?
Embrace your inner Norse goddess as you chase waterfalls, soak in hot springs, and hunt for the hypnotic shimmer of the Aurora Borealis (northern lights) in dark skies.
Fill your days with beauty, adventure, and camaraderie on this 7-day women’s multisport journey to the land of fire and ice.
Iceland may be small - less than 400,000 inhabitants - but the terrain is mighty.
In daylight hours, you’ll take in the raw power of Iceland’s many waterfalls, including Gulfoss and Seljalandsfoss.
You’ll also stop for historical interludes at Thingvellir National Park in the Golden Circle and the Caves of Hella.
If atmospheric conditions are right, the Aurora Borealis will pop into view, shimmering in ethereal greens, golds, and reds in the night sky.
Are you packing your bags yet?
Our expert guides will take care of all the logistics so you can focus on connecting with nature, unwinding in thermal waters, and meeting new friends.
MAIN ATTRACTIONS
Visit Snaefellsjökull National Park in NW Iceland
Explore the mysterious Caves of Hella with a guide
Feel the power of roaring Gullfoss Waterfall on the Golden Circle
Glimpse hot spring eruptions at Geysir geothermal area
Indulge in delicious Icelandic meals
Hike on glaciers during the Blue Ice Experience
Shine your headlamp inside Vatnshellir, an 8000-year-old lava tube
Get to know Viking history and Nordic culture
Discover Iceland’s ancient parliament and walk along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at Þingvellir National Park
Admire the power of Mount Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull
Attend a cooking class featuring Nordic foods in Reykjavik
Learn about geothermal gardening at Fridheimar Greenhouse
Shop small boutiques in downtown Reykjavik
Experience Icelandic wellness culture at Sky Lagoon
Feel the mist off Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls
Meet other bold women who love to travel as much as you do!
Activity Highlights
Cooking class
Connecting with other Bold Spirit women
Historical sites
Hot springs visits
Waterfall hikes
National Park visits
UNESCO site visits
Glacier hikes near Skaftafell
Northern Lights spotting opportunities
DETAILED Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Reykjavik
Note: You may choose to come to Reykjavik a day early to get over jet lag and see more of this welcoming city. Arrive early to spend the day at the Blue Lagoon (requires an extra hotel night).
Welcome to charming Reykjavik, Iceland’s big city (population just over 100k).
Guests will arrive at different times today. There is one group transfer from the airport. See more on this below.
If you are getting into Reykjavík early, consider touring the Harpa Opera House and the Hallgrímskirkja Church. There is plenty to do in downtown Reykjavik including boutique shopping and cozy cafes for your morning coffee or tea.
Once you check into the hotel, take some time to settle in and freshen up before meeting the rest of the Bold Spirit crew in the lobby for orientation.
You must be at the hotel before 4:00PM.
Enjoy a group cooking class and dinner this evening.
Important:
Many guests will arrive early in the morning to Keflavík International Airport. To check into the hotel early you must book an additional night (March 21).
We have a few early-arrival rooms available if you would like to reserve one as an add-on when you register.
Otherwise, you will need to leave your luggage at the hotel and head out to explore until the 3PM check-in time.
There is one group transfer from the Keflavík International Airport between 7AM-8AM. If your flight arrives outside this window, you can set up a transfer with FlyBus at an additional cost. Please see these add-on options when you register.
Meals: Welcome dinner cooking class
Hotel: Downtown Reykavik
Day 2: The Magic of Snaefellsjökull National Park
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel this morning.
Then it’s time to hop in our private van and leave “big city” Reykjavík— and its light pollution— behind. Today we travel northwest via an undersea tunnel through Hvalfjörður (Whale Bay) to the rugged Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
Note that it’s possible to see the Northern Lights during this trip. We cannot guarantee you will see them since it depends on geomagnetic activity and weather, but we will take you to rural areas where spotting these elusive lights is possible and we will also keep an eye on the forecast (and you can, too, here).
Embrace your mystical side as we pay a visit to Snaefellsjökull National Park, named after the peninsula’s magnificent glacier-crowned volcano (last eruption: 250 AD). The mountain is said to be protected by a benevolent spirit. Start to feel connected to nature and begin to unwind as you take in the park’s beauty.
Then, don a helmet and click on your headlamp for a guided tour of Vatnshellir, an 8000-year-old lava tube. Walk within the 656-foot cave to take in the unique subterranean colors and lava formations.
In addition to Snaefellsjökull National Park, you will visit adorable fishing villages and Iceland’s most photographed mountain, Kirkjufell, as well as its surrounding fjord, home to herring and orca whales.
With our guide, you’ll continue along the coastline, stopping to admire columnar basalt formations and the mighty waves of the North Atlantic.
Tonight you will stay in the countryside near Borgarfjörður, a scenic historical area of West Iceland. Enjoy dinner at the hotel with the group.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Overnight in Borgarfjordur fjord area.
Approximate Driving Distance: 370 km (229 miles)
Day 3: Golden Circle’s Greatest Hits
Note: Don’t forget to bring your swimsuit and a towel today for the hot spring.
Grab coffee and breakfast at the hotel and get ready for a day of mispronouncing Icelandic words as you explore canyons, waterfalls, and very hot water.
Today you will focus on Iceland’s beloved trio of natural attractions within the Golden Circle route.
We will kick it off with a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Þingvellir National Park, where Viking settlers established what is now the oldest ongoing parliament.
But wait, there is more! Þingvellir is also a geological masterpiece and marks the visible area where the North American and Eurasian plates are moving away from each other along the Mid Atlantic Ridge. How cool is that?
Today you can walk a path within the canyon that marks the Mid Atlantic Ridge. Stroll and ponder the fact that the North American and Eurasian plates are still moving apart, meaning that the Atlantic is growing along the ridge at a rate of about 2.5cm per year in an east-west direction. Truly, the mind boggles.
Enjoy lunch today at Fridheimar Greenhouse and warm up with their renowned tomato soup while learning all about geothermal tomato farming. Yes, they also serve Bloody Marys.
Later, we’ll zip through scenic farmland to the rushing shores of Gullfoss Waterfall, heralded by many locals as Iceland’s most stunning cascade.
If you like your water hotter, then you will swoon at the Geysir hot spring area, a landscape alive with boiling mud pits, steam vents, and exploding geysers. Get your camera ready for Strokkur, a dramatic geyser that erupts every ten minutes.
Ready for a dip? Relax into deep vacay mode at The Secret Lagoon. Locally known as Gamla Laugin, this is the oldest swimming pool in Iceland. Make sure to bring your swimsuit and a towel.
Group dinner at the hotel this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch at Fridheimar Greenhouse, Dinner
Hotel: Overnight in the Golden Circle area.
Approximate Driving Distance: 235 km (146 miles)
Day 4: Chasing Waterfalls & Mystery
Have breakfast at the hotel before zipping up your fleece and heading out to chase waterfalls.
Today you’ll discover two spectacular cascades: Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss (say that three times fast!).
Depending on the trail conditions, you can hike behind Seljalandsfoss. The other falls, Skógafoss, is one of most photographed in all of Iceland and is said to be the hiding place for ancient treasure.
Next, immerse yourself in the mystery of the Caves of Hella. What were they used for? Who lived here? You will learn about the ancient people of Iceland on a guided visit to caves. The historical site is the country’s oldest standing archaeological remains. Some believe that they date back to before the settlement of the Nordic Vikings.
We will make our way along the iconic South Shore today, an area dotted with typical Icelandic farms and adorable Icelandic horses grazing in the fields. (Just don’t call them ponies!)
Your hotel for this evening has a Northern Lights Viewing Roof. If the conditions are right, you may glimpse the Aurora Borealis from the hotel. See the Aurora Borealis forecast here.
Later in the evening, enjoy dinner together at our hotel restaurant. It’s been a full day—let’s toast to that!
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Overnight stay in the Kirkjubæjarklaustur area.
Approximate Driving Distance: 315 km (196 miles)
Day 5: Glacial Lagoon & Ice Hike
Enjoy breakfast with the group at the hotel.
Today your crew of bold women will explore Vatnajökull National Park, named after Europe’s largest glacier. The park covers almost 14% of Iceland’s landmass and is considered the largest national park in Western Europe.
Question: Have you ever seen an iceberg? If not, today is the day, friend.
Snap pics of massive icebergs in Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon’s deep glacial waters. Keep an eye out for sunbathing seals and other marine mammals as you take in the awesome beauty of this place.
You’re not far now from Diamond Beach, where the crystal clear remains of icebergs linger on the black sand before disappearing into the ocean.
Don crampons and a harness and don't forget your ice ax as you traverse an ice field with a certified guide. Walk through a wonderland of glacial ice sculptures, ice ridges, and deep crevasses on a glacier in the Skaftafell area.
In the afternoon we head west to Vík, Iceland’s southernmost village. Visit Reynisfjara beach and walk the black sands, admiring the extraordinary rock formations and thundering waves of the Atlantic Ocean.
Dinner together at the hotel tonight.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Hotel: Overnight stay in the Vik countryside area.
Approximate Driving Distance: 230 km (142 miles)
Day 6: Healing, Heritage, Hot Springs
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
You will head back to the big city of Reykjavik today, but we have a few stops along the way with our guide.
First up: Reykjanes, a UNESCO Geopark with many geothermal and volcanic features.
Then there will be a stop at Strandarkirkja, a darling wooden church tucked into the coastline offering expansive views across the ocean, volcanic rocks, and a black sand shoreline. Keep an eye out for a set of painted “elf houses” nestled in the church grounds.
Our group will visit Kleifarvatn, a lake within a moonlike landscape where powerful steam jets escape from deep below the earth’s crust and numerous geothermal vents. Look for hot springs, brightly-colored mud pots, and boiling pools.
You’ve seen quite a few springs at this point in your trip, most too hot to touch. This afternoon, it’s time to take a dip in one of the country’s most renowned hot spring spas.
The Sky Lagoon is the best place to experience Icelandic bathing culture at a healing geothermal lagoon. This wellness oasis is a vast series of pools that include swim-up bars and vistas over the bay. Let relaxation wash over you as you take to the waters, the sauna, a cold plunge, and then experience the spa’s signature Seven Step Ritual. This is a truly wonderful way to end your time in Iceland.
Farewell dinner tonight with the group in Reykjavik.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Hotel: Overnight stay in Reykjavik
Approximate Driving Distance: 300 km (186 miles)
Day 7: Until Next Time
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. (Please note that this might be a light breakfast if you have a very early flight.)
Depending on your departure time today, you may be able to explore Reykjavik a bit more or even visit the iconic Blue Lagoon on your own.
Depart from the hotel in the one group transfer, or opt for the FlyBus. See below.
Important:
There is one group transfer for guests today for those departing from the Keflavík International Airport between 4:30PM - 5:00PM.
If your flight departs outside this window, you can set up a transfer with FlyBus or a private taxi at an additional cost. Please see these add-on options when you register.
Some guests may choose to add additional days in Reykjavík to see more of Iceland. We recommend you stay at the same Reykjavík hotel so that you do not need to move your luggage.
With extra days in Reykjavík, you may choose to see a show at the Harpa Opera House or visit the Blue Lagoon Hot Springs.
Meals: Breakfast
What’s Included:
Six nights at beautiful hotels in dreamy locations (based on double occupancy: you will have a roommate unless you choose the private room upgrade)
An English-speaking Bold Spirit facilitator accompanying you every step of the way
All meals as indicated in the detailed itinerary
Private land transfers for the Bold Spirit group throughout the entire adventure
A small group experience—no more than 15 Bold Spirit women travelers on each trip
Local expert bilingual guides in each destination
All equipment needed for activities
One group airport transfer at the start and end of the trip
A pre-trip private Zoom call to meet other guests
A planning/packing guide to get you ready for this Bold Spirit adventure
What’s Not Included:
Round-trip airfare
Cost for additional activities such as the Blue Lagoon
Meals not outlined in the detailed itinerary
Alcoholic beverages
Personal expenses, such as souvenirs
Travel insurance
Optional private room upgrade (no roommate)
Extras at the spas and hot springs, only entrance fee included
Early hotel check-in
Telephone charges
Room service/minibar
FlyBus or taxis to and from the airport for those not on the group transfer
Laundry
What to Bring on This Adventure:
Sturdy hiking shoes
Warm clothing and rain gear
Bathing suit and cover-up for hot springs
Day pack
Reusable water bottle
You will receive a detailed packing list upon registering
Staying in Touch with New Bold Spirit Friends
For each Bold Spirit group, we will set up a community WhatsApp group so you can stay in touch with the inspiring women you meet on your trip.
Travel Insurance
Purchase travel insurance for your Bold Spirit trip.
Obtain adequate coverage for cancellation, curtailment, and loss of luggage and personal effects. Your deposit and final trip balance can then be recovered via a claim to your insurance provider in the event that you must cancel your adventure due to unforeseen circumstances. No refunds are issued 90 days or fewer from departure.
Check out insurance options at Tinleg, Squaremouth, GlobeHopper Senior, Patriot, and WorldTrips.
Other Considerations
Our itinerary is subject to change based on availability and unforeseen conditions.
Payment dates:
Deposit: $600 upon registering
2 subsequent payments
The trip price is based on a shared double room with two beds. Some private room upgrades are available for each trip for an additional fee.
Meals:
Many of your meals on this trip are included. For lunches and other meals that are on your own, please plan to spend $25 and up. Food and especially alcohol in Iceland are expensive. None of our group meals include alcohol, but you can always purchase alcohol if you’d like.
Private Rooms:
A note about the private room upgrade: We know that some women need their own space. We pay the same amount for the room whether there are 2 people in it or just 1. When you get the private upgrade, you are paying for the other 1/2 of that room. This is why it costs more.
We are happy to pair guests with a roommate, which allows you to save money and make a friend. We have limited private rooms so please select that option when you register. Thanks for understanding.
The minimum group number for this trip to run is six participants.
Your deposit for this trip is non-refundable. We use your deposit to secure the guides and reserve your hotel room.
Refund amounts are determined as follows:
120+ days before trip: Full refund minus non-refundable deposit
120–90 days before trip: 50% of balance minus non-refundable deposit
90 days or fewer before trip: No refund (get trip insurance and cover your costs)
Email us with questions about this.
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