Born of Fire: In Pursuit of Iceland’s Volcanic Secrets

Iceland is a land where the earth feels alive, where volcanoes breathe steam into the sky and lava fields stretch like ancient scars. This itinerary was born from a deep fascination with the raw, elemental power of our planet and the sense of wonder that volcanic landscapes ignite. I designed this experience for curious travelers who crave not just beauty, but the stories written in stone and steam. From magma chambers to hidden valleys, it is a journey through Iceland’s living geology, elevated by comfort, insight, and awe.

Hallgrímskirkja, a landmark church in Reykjavík, was designed to mirror Iceland’s basalt lava flows as a tribute to the volcanic forces that shaped the land.

Welcome to Iceland, a country born of fire and shaped by tectonic forces and eruptive energy. After arriving at Keflavík Airport, a private transfer brings you to Reykjavík, where you will check in to the Reykjavik EDITION, a sleek harborside hotel that blends modern luxury with natural textures and geothermal inspiration.

Spend your afternoon exploring Reykjavík's lava-stone foundations on foot. Follow the coastal Sculpture and Shore Walk path for views of Mount Esja, a volcanic range across the bay, and the striking Harpa Concert Hall, which mirrors the island’s shifting skies. Skip the standard museum circuit. Reykjavík itself tells Iceland’s volcanic story through its geography, architecture, and street-level energy. For a relaxing stop, visit Ida Zimsen, a quiet café set inside a historic lava-stone building.

For dinner, I recommend Sumac Grill and Drinks, where the open-fire cooking and smoky spices reflect Iceland’s elemental character. The grilled lamb with harissa and smoked yogurt is a standout that connects the culinary experience to the heat and earth of the landscape. If you have energy after dinner, take a walk up to Hallgrímskirkja Church, whose iconic design was inspired by basalt lava columns.

This first day is about settling in, taking in your surroundings, and beginning to tune into the volcanic rhythm beneath your feet.

Notes:

• Request early check-in or a spa treatment at The EDITION to refresh after your flight.

• Look closely—many older buildings are made from local lava stone.

• Head to the Sun Voyager sculpture around golden hour for stunning views of Mount Esja.

Day 2: Into the volcano

Today is about stepping into the heart of Iceland’s volcanic power. After breakfast, set out for Þríhnúkagígur, a dormant volcano just outside Reykjavík. You can reach the site with a guided hike across a lava field, or opt for a helicopter transfer that offers stunning aerial views of Iceland’s volcanic terrain. Once at the crater, you’ll descend 120 meters into the vast, silent magma chamber—one of the only places on earth where visitors can safely enter the interior of a volcano. The walls are stained with iron and copper-rich minerals, and the cavern's size and stillness feel almost otherworldly.

After your return hike or flight, enjoy a geothermal soak at the Sky Lagoon, where mineral-rich waters meet the North Atlantic. The spa’s seven-step ritual and oceanside infinity edge offer a serene counterpoint to the intensity of the day’s descent into the earth.

For dinner, book a table at Matur og Drykkur, a warm and stylish restaurant that revives traditional Icelandic recipes using ingredients like volcanic salt, dried fish, and locally foraged herbs. It’s an experience that tells the story of Iceland’s past and present—right down to the landscape on your plate.

Notes:

• Dress in layers and bring a warm hat or jacket—the magma chamber remains around four degrees Celsius (39 degrees Fahrenheit) year-round.

• The volcano tour is weather-dependent. If canceled, ask your guide about visiting Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel as an alternate experience.

• Sky Lagoon is quieter in the late afternoon and early evening—ideal after a big excursion.

Day 3: Across Iceland’s youngest volcanic zone

Molten lava spills across fresh earth at Fagradalsfjall, where Iceland’s newest volcano reminds us this island is still being formed beneath our feet.

Today, you step into one of Iceland’s most active and awe-inspiring landscapes. The Reykjanes Peninsula is a raw seam of the earth, where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge pulls continents apart and new land is born from fire. This is where Iceland breathes: hot, restless, and alive.

Begin at the Bridge Between Continents, where you can stand between tectonic plates and feel the slow drift of geological time beneath your feet. Continue to the sulfur-rich steam fields of Seltún, where bubbling mud pots and colorful mineral deposits paint a vivid portrait of the earth’s volatile surface.

Next, head to Fagradalsfjall, the site of Iceland’s recent eruptions. Hike across still-warm lava fields with a geologist or volcanologist guide, who will explain how this terrain was reshaped during the spectacular events of 2021 and beyond. If you prefer, take to the sky in a helicopter and land near the crater ridge for a thrilling aerial perspective of Iceland’s volcanic activity in action.

In the afternoon, visit the Lava Centre, a beautifully designed interactive museum that explores Iceland’s eruption history through immersive exhibits and live seismic data. Then continue to Hotel Rangá, a countryside retreat with open views of volcanoes and dark skies perfect for stargazing. Unwind in the outdoor hot tubs and enjoy a gourmet dinner that reflects Iceland’s bold, earthy flavors.

Notes:

• The Fagradalsfjall hike can be windy and exposed. Bring a windproof layer and sturdy hiking shoes.

• Helicopter landings depend on weather. Book early and stay flexible with timing.

• Your guide may bring thermal cameras or drone footage to help you visualize what lies beneath the surface.

Day 4: Into the highlands: Landmannalaugar or Hekla

Rhyolite peaks and lava fields collide in Landmannalaugar, where Iceland’s volcanic highlands unfold in waves of color and steam.

Today is your deep dive into Iceland’s volcanic interior, where fire and ice have carved a wilderness of rare color and power. From your base at Hotel Rangá, head inland on a private Super Jeep tour into the highlands, a region accessible only in summer and always with the right vehicle and guide.

Choose between two iconic volcanic routes:

• Landmannalaugar: Known for its kaleidoscope of rhyolite mountains, lava fields, and steaming vents, this area sits on the edge of the Laugahraun lava field and offers some of Iceland’s most unique hiking terrain. You'll walk past obsidian trails, neon green mosses, and bubbling geothermal streams. At the end of the hike, soak in a natural hot spring surrounded by black lava rock.

• Mount Hekla: Once feared as the “Gateway to Hell,” Hekla is one of Iceland’s most active stratovolcanoes. Explore her flanks with your guide, learning how repeated eruptions have reshaped this region again and again. The surrounding lava flows and ash fields offer dramatic views and a stark, lunar beauty.

Return to Hotel Rangá for another quiet evening in the countryside. Watch the sunset light shift across distant peaks or enjoy a stargazing session in the observatory. Iceland's volcanic story doesn’t end at the crater rim—it lingers in the air, the soil, and the sky.

Notes:

• Let your guide assess conditions before choosing between Hekla and Landmannalaugar. Weather and trail access change quickly.

• Bring a towel and bathing suit if heading to Landmannalaugar. The hot spring is natural and open to the sky.

• Ask the hotel to set up the telescope if skies are clear. Hekla is especially striking under moonlight.

Day 5: The south coast: fire, ice & black sand

Deep beneath the glacier, layers of ash and ice reveal Katla’s explosive past—each stratum a chapter in Iceland’s volcanic story.

Today’s drive takes you deeper along Iceland’s south coast, where glaciers cap volcanoes and lava meets the sea. This is the land of Eyjafjallajökull and Katla, where explosive eruptions have shaped black deserts, sculpted waterfalls, and rewritten Iceland’s map.

Begin with a stop at the Eyjafjallajökull Visitor Centre to learn how the 2010 eruption affected the families living beneath the volcano. On a clear day, you’ll see the glacier shimmering above ash-covered slopes. Then visit two of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls—Seljalandsfoss, where you can walk behind the curtain of water, and Skógafoss, where mist and spray rise from cliffs forged by ancient volcanic eruptions and glacial retreat.

In the afternoon, choose your own volcanic adventure.

• Option one: A Super Jeep ride across Mýrdalssandur to reach a blue-and-black ice cave beneath Mýrdalsjökull glacier. Here, your guide will lead you beneath the ice cap of Katla, one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes, into a world shaped by fire and ice.

• Option two: A glacier hike across the ash-streaked surface of Sólheimajökull, where your guide will point out crevasses, moulins, and layers of volcanic ash embedded in the ice itself.

Arrive at UMI Hotel in the early evening, a quiet retreat nestled between sea and mountain. Take a walk on the nearby black sand beach, formed entirely from eroded lava rock, and listen to the waves crashing over volcanic fragments ground fine by centuries of wind and water. Enjoy a seasonal dinner inspired by the land, ideally timed for sunset over Eyjafjallajökull.

Notes:

• Tours into the Katla ice cave or onto the glacier depend on weather—confirm the day before.

• Bring waterproof outerwear, gloves, and boots for either excursion.

• Ask for a volcano-facing room at UMI and plan your dinner seating to catch the evening light.

Day 6: Beneath the ice: Vatnajökull and the volcanic glacier lagoon

Jökulsárlón, where silent icebergs were shaped by time, tide, and the volcanic heat stirring beneath the glacier.

Today takes you deep into the southeastern edge of Iceland, where glaciers conceal some of the country’s most powerful volcanoes. This region isn’t just beautiful—it’s one of the most geologically dynamic on Earth. Beneath the icy bulk of Vatnajökull, volcanoes like Grímsvötn, Öræfajökull, and Bárðarbunga quietly simmer, shaping both landscape and legend.

In the morning, meet your private guide—a glaciologist or volcanologist—for a hike on one of Vatnajökull’s outlet glaciers. As you trek across ancient ice streaked with volcanic ash, you’ll learn how eruptions beneath the glacier create explosive floods, how climate change is accelerating glacial melt, and how tephra layers preserve a timeline of Iceland’s volcanic past. The views stretch across black sand plains formed by past eruptions, with the mountains rising like frozen waves above.

In the afternoon, make your way to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, where meltwater from Vatnajökull carries centuries-old icebergs out to sea. Board a zodiac boat with a geology-savvy guide and navigate between towering icebergs—some with visible layers of volcanic ash and air bubbles trapped since the time of Shakespeare. You'll float through a living, melting archive of Iceland’s volcanic and glacial history.

If time allows, stop at Diamond Beach, where glacial ice washes up on jet-black volcanic sand. Each piece is a sculptural fragment of the glacier’s retreat, sparkling like quartz against the dark shore.

Tonight, stay in the Hali or Höfn area, surrounded by quiet plains and ocean views. Ask for a room with a view of the glacier if possible. On clear nights, this region has some of the darkest skies in Iceland—perfect for stargazing or catching a flicker of the aurora.

Notes:

• Wear sturdy boots with ankle support for the glacier hike. Your guide will provide crampons and safety gear.

• The zodiac tour is wind-sensitive—earlier departures tend to have calmer conditions.

• The Þórbergssetur Cultural Centre in Hali is worth a visit for a literary and local perspective on living beneath a volcano.

Day 7: Into the rift: Krafla’s living lava & the power beneath

This morning, head north into Iceland’s volatile interior, where the earth stretches and splits beneath your feet. Your destination is the Krafla volcanic system, one of the most active and scientifically significant regions in the country. This is where the land is still forming—hot, raw, and restless.

Begin with a guided hike across the Leirhnjúkur lava fields, where you’ll walk across still-warm flows from eruptions in the 1970s and 1980s. Beneath the jagged black surface, heat still lingers. Your volcanologist guide will share how the ground here split open as tectonic plates pulled apart, creating a rift where magma surged to the surface.

In the afternoon, set out by Super Jeep across the wider Krafla caldera, exploring steaming fissures, eruption sites, and the vivid turquoise waters of the Víti crater, formed in a single violent blast. This landscape is surreal, alien, and alive—a living map of Iceland’s volcanic identity.

As the day winds down, soak in the Mývatn Nature Baths, where warm, mineral-rich waters flow from deep beneath the volcanic crust. The view from the pool stretches across lava plains and geothermal hills. It’s a peaceful contrast to the intensity of the terrain you’ve explored.

Tonight, check in to Fosshotel Mývatn, a beautifully designed, turf-roofed retreat set right into the volcanic landscape. Large windows frame views of the lake and lava fields, and the northern sky puts on a show when the aurora makes an appearance. From late August through mid-April, this region is one of the best places in Iceland to witness the Northern Lights. Sleep surrounded by silence, sky, and stone—close to the earth in every sense.

Notes:

• Don’t rush the Leirhnjúkur hike. Pause and place your hand near the steam vents to feel the lingering heat.

• Fosshotel Mývatn is one of the best spots in the north for Northern Lights photography—just step outside after dark.

• Ask the hotel staff to wake you if the aurora appears during the night—they offer a discreet alert system.

Day 8: Across the north: lava trails & the edge of the Arctic

Tucked deep in a glacial valley shaped by fire and ice, Deplar Farm offers a final exhale—where volcanic peaks, geothermal springs, and stillness converge in quiet luxury. Photo from Deplar Farm.

This morning, you leave Mývatn and follow a road that stretches across Iceland’s quiet north. The landscape shifts from steaming lava fields to high plateaus carved by ancient glaciers and softened by time. Pass through Akureyri for a short break—then continue on, deeper into the untouched wilds of the Troll Peninsula.

The destination is Eleven Deplar Farm, a converted sheep farm tucked between volcanic peaks and fjords in one of Iceland’s most remote regions. Arrival here marks a shift in the journey—from raw exploration to deep restoration. Set amid moss-covered lava fields and steaming geothermal pools, Deplar is your finale, where Iceland’s elemental power meets unmatched comfort and stillness.

Choose how you want to experience this final chapter: heli-hike above forgotten craters, paddle past basalt cliffs, or simply float in the geothermal pool beneath a sky that might flash green with Northern Lights. Indoors, the warmth continues—through sheepskin chairs, basalt walls, and a deeply local tasting menu served fireside.

Deplar Farm is not just where your journey ends—it’s where it settles. You’ve walked through erupting landscapes and beneath glacier-covered volcanoes. Now, let the silence speak. Let the fire rest.

Notes:

• Ask your guide about the ancient shield volcanoes between Skagafjörður and Ólafsfjörður.

• Schedule a massage or float session after arrival—it’s the most grounding way to enter this final phase.

• The lodge's observatory deck is one of the best spots in the country for viewing the aurora—October through April is peak season.

Day 9: Departure from the edge of the earth

Day 9: Departure from the edge of the earth

Wake to the stillness of the valley—mist curling off the mountains, silence stretching for miles. After a slow breakfast and one last soak in the geothermal pool, it’s time to begin the journey home.

Depending on your schedule, you’ll either fly from Akureyri Airport to Reykjavík or connect directly to an international departure. The short drive from Deplar to Akureyri hugs dramatic coastlines and volcanic cliffs—one last reminder of the land’s wildness.

If time allows, stop in Akureyri’s botanical gardens, where Arctic and volcanic flora bloom side by side. Or take a moment at the harbor, watching the sea quietly lap against basalt stone.

You’ve walked inside a volcano, stood on lava younger than you are, and followed Iceland’s volcanic thread from magma chamber to glacier lagoon. Now, with your boots dusted in ash and your senses full, you leave changed.

Notes:

• Akureyri Airport offers several daily flights to Reykjavík Domestic Airport—most connect to international departures from KEF.

• If you’re not ready to go home just yet, consider a detour to Húsavík for whale watching—or ask about extending your stay at Deplar.

• Carry volcanic stones, sand, or memories—but not lava rocks. Icelanders consider them part of the land’s spirit.

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Need to know

Volcanology lovers, take note: Iceland is one of the most active volcanic regions in the world, and many of its most dramatic features—from black sand beaches to geothermal pools—exist because of its location on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. What makes this itinerary unique is that you’re not just seeing Iceland; you’re following the story of how it was formed, from deep magma chambers to freshly cooled lava fields.

Best time to go

Late August through October offers the ideal window for this journey. Daylight hours are still generous, but dark skies return, giving you a good chance to see the Northern Lights. Highland routes are typically still open, and popular sites are quieter after peak season.

Recommended reading

• Island on Fire by Alexandra Witze and Jeff Kanipe: A gripping narrative of the Laki eruption and its global consequences.

• A Brief History of Iceland by Gunnar Karlsson: A clear look at how volcanic activity has shaped Iceland’s national story.

• Names for the Sea by Sarah Moss: A lyrical and reflective account of living amid Iceland’s natural extremes.

• The Little Book of Icelanders in the Old Days by Alda Sigmundsdóttir: A collection of short essays on how Icelanders adapted to their wild, volcanic environment.

• Documentary: Fire & Ice: The Volcanoes of Iceland (PBS Nova or YouTube) – A vivid exploration of Iceland’s geologic evolution, highlighting eruptions and their impact on the environment and society.

• Podcast: "The Naked Scientists – Volcanology Special": Features interviews with geologists and volcanologists who study Iceland’s rift zones, offering approachable insight into the forces that shape the island.

Insider advice

Ask your guides about the "Southward Shift"—recent volcanic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula is offering scientists new insights into Iceland’s future.

Try traditional hverabrauð, or geothermal bread, which is slow-baked underground in hot spring areas.

Bring a notebook or sketchpad—travelers often find these landscapes stir up ideas, questions, and quiet reflection.

Please don’t take lava stones home. Many locals view them as spiritually significant, and it's considered bad luck to remove them.