Project Description
West Iceland Explorer with Moonwalker
Embark on an extraordinary 2-day journey through the diverse wonders of West Iceland with Moonwalker. This tour is designed to immerse you in the breathtaking landscapes of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula – often called “Iceland in Miniature” – and the historical and geothermal marvels of the Borgarfjörður region. Get ready for two days packed with stunning sights, fascinating stories, and unforgettable experiences.
Day 1: Snæfellsnes Peninsula – Iceland in Miniature
Our adventure begins as we head west from Reykjavik, passing through the charming town of Borgarnes on the shores of Borgarfjörður Bay before venturing onto the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. This region truly lives up to its nickname, offering a spectacle of Iceland’s geological diversity condensed into one area.
Today is dedicated to exploring the highlights of “Miniature Iceland.” We’ll visit the impressive hexagonal basalt columns of Gerðuberg, a striking geological introduction to the peninsula. We’ll discover the iconic black church at Búðir, standing solitary and picturesque against the dramatic backdrop. We explore the rugged coastline at the charming villages of Arnarstapi and Hellnar, known for their dramatic cliffs, stone arches, and coastal walks.
Further along the coast, we’ll marvel at the powerful sea stacks of Lóndrangar, rising like ancient castles from the ocean. We visit the unique Djúpalónssandur beach, famous for its smooth black pebbles, the remains of a shipwreck, and the historic lifting stones. Finally, we make our way to the north side to capture the classic view of Iceland’s most photographed mountain, Kirkjufell, often framed by its nearby waterfall. Throughout the day, enjoy views of the magnificent Snæfellsjökull glacier-capped volcano, made famous by Jules Verne.
After a day of incredible sightseeing, we settle into comfortable accommodation located on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
Day 2: Borgarfjörður’s Wonders & Scenic Return
On our second day, we explore the natural and historical wonders of the Borgarfjörður area. We start at Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring, witnessing the immense geothermal energy firsthand. Nearby, we visit the beautiful Hraunfossar waterfalls, unique cascades that flow gracefully from beneath a lava field, and the adjacent Barnafossar waterfall, known for its powerful rush through a narrow gorge and its intriguing legend.
We’ll make a stop in Reykholt, a site of historical importance as the home of Snorri Sturluson, a famous Icelandic chieftain and writer. Depending on the tour’s route, we may also include a meetup with the Icelandic horse at a local farm, getting a chance to interact with these unique and friendly animals.
Our return journey to Reykjavik offers scenic beauty. We will either take the main paved route or, conditions permitting (usually summer only due to snow and road conditions), embark on a more adventurous drive through the rugged Kaldidalur Valley. This route offers breathtaking views over the Icelandic highlands and glaciers, providing a sense of Iceland’s vast interior. If taking the standard route, we will pass by or make a brief stop at Þingvellir National Park, reflecting on its historical and geological significance before arriving back in Reykjavik.
Experience West Iceland with Moonwalker
This 2-day Snæfellsnes and Borgarfjörður tour with Moonwalker is led by expert local guides who are passionate about sharing the stories, geology, and hidden gems of these regions. Travel in comfortable transportation, enjoying a well-paced journey that balances sightseeing with immersive experiences. We offer flexibility to enhance your tour with exciting optional activities.
Bookable Extra Activities (Optional Add-ons):
Enhance your 2-day adventure with these optional activities (subject to availability, season, and extra cost). Discuss adding these when booking your tour:
- Horseback Riding: Enjoy a longer riding experience on the Icelandic horse in a picturesque setting (typically available in Borgarfjörður).
- Into The Lava Caves (Viðgelmir): Explore the impressive Viðgelmir lava tube cave in Borgarfjörður.
- Geothermal Pool: Relax and soak in a natural geothermal pool in the Hvalfjörður Hvammsvík.
(These activities require additional time and cost and must be booked as add-ons.)
Tour Highlights:
- Snæfellsnes Peninsula: Gerðuberg Basalt Columns, Búðir Black Church, Arnarstapi, Hellnar, Lóndrangar, Djúpalónssandur, Kirkjufell, Snæfellsjökull views.
- Borgarfjörður Area: Deildartunguhver Hot Springs, Hraunfossar Waterfalls, Barnafossar Waterfalls, Reykholt, Meetup with the Icelandic horse.
- Return Route: Option for Kaldidalur Valley drive (seasonal) with views over the Icelandic highlands and glaciers, or standard route passing Þingvellir National Park.
Essential Information:
- Duration: 2 Days / 1 Night.
- Pick-up: From your accommodation in the Capital Area on Day 1.
- Drop-off: Return to Reykjavik on Day 2.
- Accommodation: Comfortable lodging for 1 night on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is included.
- Meals: Daily breakfast is typically included with accommodation. Lunch and dinner are not included. Your guide will assist with finding suitable stops for meals.
- What to Bring:
- Warm clothing layers.
- Waterproof & windproof jacket and pants (Essential!).
- Sturdy hiking shoes (Recommended for comfort and stability).
- Warm hat and gloves.
- Camera.
- Reusable water bottle.
- Snacks.
- Swimsuit & towel (If adding the optional Geothermal Pool visit).
- Appropriate clothing for horseback riding or lava caving (if adding these options).
- Your sense of adventure!
- Fitness Level: Easy to Moderate. Involves leisurely walks on various terrains. Optional activities may increase difficulty.
- Seasonality: Available year-round, but the Kaldidalur Valley route is typically only open in summer (June-Sept/Oct). Availability of optional activities varies seasonally.
Ready to explore the best of West Iceland over two incredible days? Book your Snæfellsnes & Borgarfjörður Adventure with Moonwalker today!
Photos from this Tour
Book here!
Read reviews about this tour!
Easily the highlight of our trip!
Having been on the Snaefellsnes tour a couple of days previously, we were really excited for the Ultimate Circle Tour and it did not disappoint!
Easily the highlight of the trip – even though the snowmobiling was way out of my comfort zone.
We’ll be talking about this day for many years to come – thank you Bessi for helping us make some wonderful family memories.
Amazing adventure!!!
We had the most wonderful experience with Bessi!!! From the time of booking until the actual tour schedule and even after that, everything was spot on! We took the Ulitimate circle tour on our first day in Iceland and he set the bar really high! I highly recommend Moonwalker for the complete experience. He was very knowledgeable about everything about his country and shared a lot of interesting information. His 4×4 jeep/truck was very handy in the weather conditions in Iceland specially during winter! It was one of the best decisions we made. We saw tourist cars stuck in ice while we just smoothly sailed through the icy weather conditions. I can go on and on sharing all the wonderdul experiences we had with Bessi! HIghly highly recommend Moonwalker!!! Would definitely book with him again on our next visit! Thank you Bessi and the Moonwalker team! Kudos!
The Ultimate Circle Tour
When we told people we were visiting Iceland, we were advised to take a tour with Bessi. It was definitely the best decision we made during our trip. Bessi is incredibly polite, humorous and all around knowledgeable with a great knack for story telling. He’s someone you just want to grab a beer with. The tour was the highlight of our stay in Iceland, and our only regret is that we couldn’t do another one. We ran into a small problem during our tour but Bessi stepped up and handled it with no issue. It seems cliche to say, but if you’re coming to Iceland, make sure you do a tour with Moonwalker I assure you that you won’t regret it!
WOW! Best tour in all of Iceland!
After doing considerable research and reading reviews across multiple sites, we decided upon Moonwalker. It was myself and my 2 sons, ages 12 and 14. We ended up doing 3 days (Ultimate Golden Circle, South Coast, and Snæfellsnes Peninsula) with Bessi (and 2 with Cami his lovable Icelandic sheep dog); I’m not sure who slept more the dog or my teenager. LOL. Bessi was simply amazing, punctual, polite, and knowledgeable. He was one of the nicest people I met in Iceland. What makes this tour unique as opposed to the bigger group tours is how personalized it became. It was like Bessi was just part of our family. He took as to all the big sites, but then showed us places off the beaten path that were his favorites. We learned about the history of the areas that we were visiting as the drives were long and scenic. We went through all kinds of weather and never felt like Bessi was not in control. His Land Rovers climbed over and in and out of piles of snow, lava, rock and cut through sleet and snow without hesitation. The views and sites we got to see were out of this world. I will not only recommend Moonwalker to all my friends and family but will not hesitate to use this company again when we return to Iceland in the future.
AWESOMENESS
Bessi is the Best! My Family and I had a great time during our Ultimate Circle Tour with Bessi. We can’t wait to get back to Iceland and see him again!! We would recommend him to everyone.
Ultimate Circle and South Coast
Bessi was the most enthusiastic guide ever. He is very knowledgeable about Iceland and he took us to the most beautiful places. Several of the places we had all to ourselves. Thanks for making our trip so special.
