This private 12-day tour takes you deep into two of the world’s most dramatic landscapes – Greenland’s iceberg-filled fjords and Iceland’s volcano-scarred highlands. You’ll start by exploring the icy beauty and Inuit culture of Ilulissat, then hop over to Iceland to explore black sand beaches and glacier hikes. With private guides, comfortable hotels, and some truly unforgettable experiences along the way, this trip is designed for curious travelers who want to feel the wild side of the North at a relaxed pace.
Our 12-Day Private Tour Itinerary
The 12-day itinerary below is a sample itinerary to give you an idea of what to expect. Our tour designers will then create a personalized itinerary for you, tailored to your individual needs.
Destinations On This 12-Day Greenland & Iceland Private Tour
Day 1: Ilulissat – Arrival in Greenland, Icefjord Lodge Check-In & Afternoon Boat Cruise
Day 2: Ilulissat – Dog Sledding Experience, Inuit Culture Walk & Optional Northern Lights Viewing
Day 3: Ilulissat – Ice Cap Helicopter Flight or Guided Snowshoe Trek & Picnic in the Wild
Day 4: Reykjavík – Return to Iceland, Harpa Concert Hall Walk & Free Evening in the Capital
Day 5: Golden Circle – Þingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area & Gullfoss Waterfall
Day 6: South Coast – Seljalandsfoss & Skógafoss Waterfalls, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
Day 7: Vatnajökull Region – Glacier Hike or Ice Cave Experience & Optional Spa Visit
Day 8: Southeast Iceland – Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach & Scenic Return Drive
Day 9: Hveragerði Region – Lava Fields Walk, Hot Spring Trails & Countryside Hotel Stay
Day 10: Snæfellsnes Peninsula – Kirkjufell Mountain, Arnarstapi Cliffs & Black Sand Coastline
Day 11: Reykjavík – Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon Soak & Final Evening in the City
Day 12: Reykjavík – Leisurely Breakfast, Departure Transfer & Farewell from Iceland
Day 1: Arrive in Ilulissat – Welcome to Greenland
Fly into Ilulissat, a colorful harbor town perched on the edge of a massive ice fjord. Your private guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your cozy lodge overlooking the bay. After you’ve settled in, stretch your legs with a leisurely walk through town and a stop at the local fish market, where you might spot halibut, musk ox, or even seal on offer.
In the afternoon, hop aboard a heated boat for a luxury cruise of the Ilulissat Icefjord. This place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and once you’re gliding past its towering icebergs, it’s easy to see why. Some of the ice chunks are the size of apartment buildings, slowly drifting out to sea. As the sun starts to dip, the low Arctic light turns everything golden—it’s a peaceful, surreal introduction to Greenland.
Day 2: Dog Sledding & Arctic Culture
Today, you’ll experience Greenland in classic style with a dog sled ride across the snowy tundra. Meet your team of eager huskies and your local musher, who’ll show you how to steer the sled and keep the dogs motivated. Once you’re gliding across frozen lakes and through silent valleys, you’ll understand why this has been the primary mode of travel here for centuries.
Later, warm up with a coffee at your lodge before heading to the Ilulissat Museum, where you’ll learn more about local traditions, polar exploration, and the daily rhythms of life in this remote part of the world.
Finish the day by soaking in an outdoor hot tub overlooking the icy bay, the perfect end to the second day of your private tour.
Day 3: Icefjord Hike & Helicopter Flight
If the skies are clear, begin the day with a scenic helicopter flight over the Ice Cap. Expect wide-open snowfields, glacier tongues, and endless views in all directions. It’s one of the best ways to experience the vastness of Greenland.
In the afternoon, head out with your guide on a snowshoe or hiking trail to experience the landscape up close. You’ll walk through peaceful valleys and along frozen ridges, stopping to take in the quiet and maybe spot some wildlife tracks in the snow. It’s a different way to see the terrain—slower, more personal, and just as magical.
Day 4: Return to Iceland – Overnight in Reykjavík
Say goodbye to Greenland this morning as you fly back to Iceland. You’ll land in Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital, and your private driver will take you to your hotel in the heart of the city. After checking in, head out for a casual walk along the harbor, with stops for fresh fish soup or handmade ice cream, depending on your cravings.
In the late afternoon, visit the Harpa Concert Hall and Hallgrímskirkja Church—two of Reykjavík’s most striking landmarks. After a morning of traveling, wind down for the rest of the day, visiting the shops and side streets near Laugavegur.
Day 5: Golden Circle Day Tour
Today, you’ll explore Iceland’s most famous loop with your private guide: the Golden Circle. Along the way, you’ll stop at some of Iceland’s most iconic sites.
First up is Þingvellir National Park, a place where you can actually walk between the tectonic plates of North America and Europe. It’s not just a geological wonder; it’s also where Iceland’s first parliament met over 1,000 years ago. Your guide will walk you through the rift valley, pointing out the cliffs and crystal-clear spring-fed rivers that run through the area.
Next is the Geysir geothermal area, home to bubbling hot springs, steaming vents, and Strokkur, the famous geyser that erupts every few minutes like clockwork. You’ll even be able to feel the heat under your feet as you wander the boardwalks. When Strokkur erupts, it shoots a column of water 20–30 meters into the sky. If you’re quick, you can get some fantastic photographs and videos!
You’ll wrap up the loop at Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s most impressive waterfalls. It crashes down in two tiers into a deep canyon, often sending mist into the air that catches the sunlight just right—hello, rainbows. Your private guide will lead you along the walking paths and feel the power of the water under your feet.
Day 6: South Coast – Waterfalls, Black Sand & Glaciers
After breakfast, set off along Iceland’s dramatic south coast. Your first stop is Seljalandsfoss, a tall, narrow waterfall that drops straight off a cliff. Your guide will lead you along the walking path that loops right behind the cascading water, where you can stand behind the falls for a different perspective. Just don’t forget your raincoat!
Then it’s on to Skógafoss, one of the country’s biggest and boldest waterfalls. You can walk right up to the base of it or climb the staircase next to it for an amazing view from above.
Keep your camera handy as you drive through lava fields and moss-covered cliffs. You’ll stop for lunch near the village of Vík before exploring Reynisfjara, the famous black sand beach with crashing waves and surreal basalt columns. You’ll stay overnight in a countryside hotel near the foot of a glacier, a convenient base for the following day’s activities.
Day 7: Glacier Walk or Ice Cave Experience
Depending on the time of year, you’ll either gear up for a glacier hike or explore a natural ice cave. If you’re hiking, you’ll strap on crampons and follow your guide across the frozen surface of a glacier, winding past crevasses and deep blue ridges while learning how these massive ice flows shape the landscape. In winter, you’ll venture underground into a crystal-blue ice cave, a frozen cathedral carved by meltwater over centuries.
Your glacier guide will show you how to use the gear, help you find the best spots for photos, and keep an eye out for interesting ice formations you might miss on your own. Whether you’re hiking across the ice or standing inside it, the scale and beauty of these formations are unforgettable.
You’ll have time in the afternoon to relax and take in the peaceful surroundings of Iceland’s quiet southeast. Optional: book a dip in a geothermal spa tucked into the hills to soothe your legs and end the day on a toasty high note.
Day 8: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach
Start the day with a drive east to one of Iceland’s most iconic sights: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Here, massive chunks of ice break off from the nearby Vatnajökull Glacier and drift slowly across the lagoon’s glassy surface. If conditions allow, hop on a zodiac or amphibian boat for a closer look, weaving among the icebergs while your guide shares the story of the lagoon’s formation.
Right across the road is Diamond Beach, where those same icebergs eventually wash up on shore. Walk along the beach and watch as the waves gently crash over the melting ice, a strangely calming scene despite the chilly surroundings. You’ll have time to wander, take photos, or just enjoy the surreal beauty of it all. Afterward, begin the scenic drive back to your accommodation with your guide.
Day 9: Lava Fields & Hveragerði Hot Springs
Today, you’ll make your way back toward Reykjavík, but not without a few off-the-beaten-path stops along the way. The landscape shifts from icy peaks to rolling lava fields and geothermal valleys, and your guide will tailor the route based on your interests.
Stop in the town of Hveragerði for a walk through its steaming hills and bubbling hot springs. Known as the “Hot Springs Capital,” this little town is sitting on a geothermal hotbed. You’ll find natural hot pools, bubbling mud pits, and even a spot where you can boil an egg in the ground. It’s a quirky, charming place that’s very Icelandic in the best way.
After lunch, continue to your hotel for the night, ideally located in a quiet rural area with wide-open skies. If it’s winter and the skies are clear, tonight could be your last chance to catch the Northern Lights.
Day 10: Snæfellsnes Peninsula – Volcanic Coastlines
Today is a full-day road trip around one of Iceland’s most diverse and photogenic regions: the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Often called “Iceland in Miniature,” this stretch of coast packs in lava fields, black beaches, volcanic craters, waterfalls, sea cliffs, and sleepy fishing villages—all under the watchful eye of the Snæfellsjökull glacier-capped volcano.
Your first stop is Kirkjufell, one of the most iconic natural landmarks in Iceland. With the small waterfall nearby, it’s one of the most photographed spots in the country, and once you see it, you’ll get why. From there, continue along the coast, passing little churches with turf roofs, basalt rock formations, and stretches of wild coastline. Your guide will mix in short walks, fun facts, and a few local legends as you go.
Lunch can be something casual from a harbor café or a more sit-down meal in one of the tiny villages along the way—some of them are known for incredibly fresh seafood.
In the afternoon, stop at sea cliffs filled with nesting seabirds (in summer), followed by a trip to an old shark curing hut for a taste of traditional fermented hákarl if you’re feeling brave. It’s a big day with lots of variety, but it never feels rushed.
By evening, you’ll return to Reykjavík or stay nearby, depending on your pacing. Either way, expect a relaxing night after a day packed with sights and sea air.
Day 11: Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon & Reykjavík
Ease into your final full day with a visit to one of Iceland’s famous thermal lagoons—either the iconic Blue Lagoon or the newer, boutique-style Sky Lagoon. The Blue Lagoon boasts a bright turquoise color and a lunar vibe, while Sky Lagoon is nestled into a cliffside with an ocean-facing infinity edge and a chic design. Both offer warm, mineral-rich waters perfect for soaking, floating, and reflecting on your trip so far.
Once you’re towel-dried and fully relaxed, head back to Reykjavík for the afternoon. Spend some time strolling the shops and cafés downtown, or maybe visit a museum or gallery you missed earlier in the trip. If you’re looking for a good final dinner, your guide or hotel can recommend a spot that fits your vibe—whether that’s an upscale tasting menu or a cozy corner with beer and burgers. It’s a good night to celebrate your trip, toast your favorite moments, and enjoy one last night in this colorful little capital.
Day 12: Departure from Iceland
Your private driver will pick you up after breakfast for a smooth transfer to the airport. Whether you’re heading home or continuing to your next adventure, you’ll be leaving with a camera full of photos, plenty of good stories, and a deeper appreciation for the wild beauty of the North Atlantic.
