Lake Myvatn Stopover Tour

Day 1: Keflavik - Reykjanes Peninsula - Blue Lagoon - Reykjavik

After an overnight flight we make an early morning start from Keflavik (if you are already in Iceland we'll pick you up at your hotel).

We will start this day the same way we start many of our tours that assume people come to Iceland via overnight flight by travelling around and observing the Reykjanes Peninsula. Reykjanes Peninsula is an exciting area on the margin of the Eurasian and North American plates, directly located on the Mid-Atlantic ridge. It’s a mysterious and breathtaking area of volcanic rock, lava, fissures and gorges and along the shore the ocean waves sweep unhindered onto the coast. We will have a look at a few wetlands on the Reykjanes peninsula which should yield the first Red-necked Phalaropes of the trip. Other migrants, such as the Ringed Plover, European Golden Plover and drumming Common Snipe, will be conspicuous while the shorelines will hold some visiting Red Knots and Sanderlings. Dunlins and Purple Sandpipers will also be around and of course all will be in splendid summer plumage. Other species such as Harlequin Ducks, Great Northern Divers, Northern Gannets, Great Cormorants, Kittiwakes, Arctic Terns, Razorbills, Redwings, Meadow Pipits and many more should also be seen in the spectacular moonlike landscape during the day. We will end our tour around Reykjanes Peninsula by going for a swim and relaxation at the Blue Lagoon.

The Blue Lagoon is a unique geothermal spa where guests relax in warm geothermal water. It is comprised of a sandy bottom, lovely milky-blue-green water and silica mud. The silica mud contains natural active ingredients such as various salts, silica and blue algae which gently cleanse and revitialize your skin. A visit to the Blue Lagoon is known as an invigorating and exciting experience and at the same time a way to relief stress and strain of daily life.

In the early afternoon we make our way to Reykjavik where we stay for the night.

Day 2. Reykjavik – Akureyri - Lake Myvatn

We will start day two with a quick flight to the north part of Iceland to the town of Akureyri. Akureyri is one of the most beautiful towns in Iceland known as the “Capital of the north”. From Akureyri we make our way towards our destination the Lake Myvatn and surroundings.

For a nature enthusiast to describe The Lake Myvatn Area with words is virtually impossible. The whole area is a natural wonder on it’s own in a world that has nothing else like it. Even people with no interest in nature and wildlife are blown away by the variety and magnitude of both the birdlife as well as all the different natural phenomenon that surround you in the area. The lake it self is approx. 23 square miles (37 square km) making it Iceland’s fourth largest lake.

It has been described as a strange meeting place of two worlds where you are able to find flora and fauna from both the temperate and the arctic zones. The area is also highly active volcanic area situated on the west edge of the meeting point of the Eurasian- and North American plates.

By the end of the day we have be traveling by and visiting among other things a range of pseudo-craters, volcanoes of different sizes, hot springs and new lavafields with lava pillars. We will have seen variety of bird species in thousands including species such as Great Northern Diver (Common Loon), Horned Grebe (Slavonian Grebe), Barrow’s Goldeneye, Harlequin duck, Eurasian Wigeon, Great Scaup, Tufted Duck. Species such as Red-necked Phalaropes, Redwings, Common Snipes and Redshanks will also be abundant all around us during the day. Lake Myvatn area is the only place in Europe where the Barrow’s Goldeneye breeds and Iceland is also the only country in Europe where Harlequin Duck and Great Northern Divers breed.

Day 3. Lake Myvatn – Husavik Whalewatching – Akureyri – Reykjavik

We will spend the morning observing the birdlife in the Lake Myvatn area and visit Dimmuborgir. Dimmuborgir has been described as both stunningly beautiful but at the same time very eerie lava landscape filled with lava pillars up to 65 feet high (20m).

After having lunch in the area we’ll make our way north to the small town Husavik where we take a whalewatching trip on the Skjalfandi floi bay. Skjalfandi floi bay is arguably the best area in Iceland to watch whales. Astonishing number of cetacean species have been recorded in the bay or 12 species in total.

Species we might see during the trip include Minke Whales which are the most common species in the bay, White-beaked Dolphins, Humpback Whales and Porpoises. Species such as Orcas (Killerwhales) and the largest animal believed to have ever breath on earth the magnificent Blue Whale have also been seen regularly in the area in recent years.

From Husavik we’ll make our way back to Akureyri from where we make our quick return flight back to Reykjavik where we stay for the night.

Day 4: Reykjavik – Keflavik Airport

Today we will make sure everyone gets to the airport in time. Depending on when your departure is you might have some free time in the morning to look around in the capital before heading to the airport. We will make a tour leaving from the hotel shortly after lunchtime and visit some interesting areas depending on what time we have before reaching the Keflavik airport at around 14:00pm.