Join Our Iceland Group Girls' Trip for 2023

UPDATE (MARCH 1, 2023): Unfortunately, this group trip has been canceled as we did not get enough sign-ups to reach the minimum number of participants this year. If you are interested in learning about future group trips, please sign up for the newsletter! Discussions are in the works for Morocco or Portugal in 2024 and I’d love your input!

Have you dreamed about visiting Iceland? Maybe you have wanted to plan a trip but didn’t know where to start? Or maybe your friends and family don’t want to go to Iceland?

Now is your chance to finally make your dream of visiting the Land of Ice and Fire a reality!

Join us in September 2023 for an 8-day, 7-night, women-only trip to Iceland’s South Coast. Make new friends, learn from a professional private guide, and enjoy the camaraderie of other women as we hike on glaciers, walk along Black Sand beaches and behind waterfalls, ride adorable Icelandic horses, soak in the waters of the Blue Lagoon, and experience the magic of Iceland. We may even get lucky enough to experience the Northern Lights.

Isn’t it time you did something for yourself? Join us for a trip with like-minded women that is about adventure, empowerment, appreciation of nature, and the joy of travel. You don’t need to plan a thing, just sign up and get ready to have the time of your life.

This trip is hosted by Tamara Gruber, Editor and Publisher of Your Time to Fly, a travel and lifestyle website for Gen X women, and We3Travel, a family travel blog, in partnership with Hidden Iceland.

Iceland Group Trip for Women: Overview

September 2 | Arrival Day & Reykjavík Sightseeing
September 3 | South Coast Highlights: Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Black Sand Beach
September 4 | Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach and Glacier Hike
September 5 | South Coast Easy Day with Horse riding
September 6 | Westman Islands, Heimaey, Stórhöfði with RIB Boat Tour
September 7 | Golden Circle, Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse
September 8 | Lava Tunnel, Volcanic Eruption Site Viewpoint & Blue Lagoon
September 9 | Departure day

Want to know more? Read on for a day-by-day breakdown of this amazing trip.

What to Expect

The price for this tour is 689,000 ISK (approx. $ 4,900 USD at the current exchange rate). This price is per person, based on double room occupancy, and is inclusive of tax.

*Sign up by the 15th of January 9am ET and receive a New Year sign up offer of 15,000 ISK off the tour price (a savings of approximately $100!)

Have questions? Don’t hesitate to drop me a line to learn more before you decide.

Why Travel with Us?

Can you travel to Iceland on your own or join a large bus tour for less? Yes. But if you are wondering if this trip is worth it, let me tell you a few of the advantages of traveling with our group.

My goal for this trip is to create an atmosphere of women supporting women. This is Your Time to Fly. It is about female empowerment and community. You won’t just be traveling with other tourists, you will be traveling with future friends.
This itinerary hits the highlights of Icelandic experiences, with opportunities to participate in quintessential Iceland activities. We have built in some downtime too for relaxing in hot tubs or soaking up the scenery. But we will be partaking in the best activities Iceland has to offer.
We are sharing the cost of a private guide and driver for the duration of the trip. You don’t need to navigate, drive, or organize a thing. Instead, we have the benefit of learning local stories, geological facts, and Icelandic history from our professional guide from Hidden Iceland.
You don’t need to plan a thing. Let me say that again — you don’t have to spend hours researching, booking, reserving, and documenting. Everything is done for you. Just show up and go with the flow. Your time is valuable. Spend it on enjoying the trip, not managing the details.
Pictures of you with epic backdrops. I will be documenting this trip and uploading photos to a shared Dropbox folder and make sure to get a mix of candid and posed shots for each participant. So you can finally be in the picture in an Instagram-worthy shot!
Free gift — all guests will receive a free gift that you can wear on the trip (hint, hint)!

Why September?

There is never an easy time to get a group of women together with free schedules. I understand that early September can be hard for those with young kids going back to school. However, peak summer dates are both sold out and even more expensive. If we wait much longer, we run into holidays and then the days start getting shorter and shorter. Since many of those going on this trip will be visiting Iceland for the first time, I want everyone to have the best experience. This means less chance of weather impacting our drive or plans and longer days of sunlight to explore Iceland.

Visiting the winter is a totally different experience and there are fewer activities that you can squeeze into the 4-5 hours of daylight. In early September, there is also a slim chance that we could see the Northern Lights. I lucked out when I visited at this exact same time a few years ago. If it doesn’t work for you but you really wish you could go, please send me an email and let me know what time of year works best for you. If we can’t get the minimum required for this trip departure, I may consider winter dates or late spring 2024.

Your Time to Fly Iceland Trip Itinerary

Take a look at the day-by-day itinerary and get ready for a fun adventure in Iceland.

September 2 | Arrival Day & Reykjavík Sightseeing

A private driver will wait for you in the arrivals hall at KEF Airport* and take you to Reykjavík (ca. 45 mins driving) where you will be dropped off at your accommodation. Your rooms will be available from 3 pm onwards so for now you can leave your luggage at the hotel and head out to explore Reykjavík. Have a relaxing day in Reykjavík to explore our favorite little city before you escape the city buzz for your countryside adventure. Albeit a small city, there are a lot of interesting things to see and do, as well as some incredible restaurants to try.

Have one of Brauð & Co’s famous cinnamon buns and visit the top of Hallgrímskirkja church for views over the city. Wander along the pedestrian-friendly main strip of Laugavegur in the compact downtown area. A fun option is FlyOver Iceland, a new and exciting activity in the Grandi area. For a sensory adventure, visit Fishersund. A unique perfumery concept store with an art and olfactory exhibition. For more inspiration, have a read through our Reykjavík City Guide where we’ve outlined some of our favorite places, covering everything from transportation in the city to sights, activities, and restaurants.
We’ll have dinner together tonight, to get to know each other a bit better before spending the next week together on the road.

*One airport transfer for the group is included for arrivals between 06:00 and 08:00 am. Should your flight be scheduled to arrive outside of this time frame, we can arrange an airport transfer for you at an additional cost.

Included activities: Private group airport transfer from KEF airport to your Reykjavík hotel
Included meals: Happy Hour hosted by Your Time to Fly (location TBD)
Accommodation: Reykjavík Exeter hotel in their superior rooms, spa on site

September 3 | South Coast Highlights, Northern Lights?

Our Hidden Iceland guide will pick us up from our Reykjavík accommodation to embark on our adventure to explore the entire south coast of Iceland. We’ll visit Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls before taking a walk on Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach.

We continue our drive further east where we’ll soon start to see the spectacular glaciers and Iceland’s highest mountains. We hike along the ridges of the gorge with the impossible name, Fjaðrárgljúfur, before coming into our accommodation for the night at Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon. The hotel is perfectly situated for Northern Lights viewing and even has a wake-up service for if you haven’t spotted them before bed.

Included meals: Breakfast at the hotel
Accommodation: Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon in their ocean view rooms, spa on site

September 4 | Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach and Glacier Hike, Northern Lights?

Today, we’ll explore Vatnajökull National Park. We first make our way west to do the glacier hike on the Falljökull glacier. We are heading onto the glacier to hike all the way up to the astonishing ice fall of the glacier exploring the glacier textures, features and walk on the bottom of its crevasses. It’s truly a unique experience.

The glacier hike is about 2,5 hours in total with 1-1,5 hour on the ice*. For more information, read our Glacier Hike Guide. Once we come back we will travel to the nearby Jökulsárlón where we take time to explore the enormous glacier lagoon and the icebergs which float around here. Seals can often be spotted swimming amongst the icebergs.

We make our way over to Diamond Beach, where the icebergs from the lagoon flow with the tide out to the ocean and wash up on the shores of the black sand beach. We’ll rest easy again at the Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon after a day exploring the icy landscape.

* For the glacier hike full ankle and knee mobility is necessary. The hike itself is easy with a short, relatively steep bit to get onto the glacier. If you have any concerns about being able to partake in this activity, please contact us.

Included meals: Breakfast at the hotel
Included activities: Private glacier hike with all glacier gear provided
Accommodation: Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon in their ocean view rooms, spa on site

September 5 | South Coast Easy Day with Horse riding, Northern Lights?

After two big days of travel and adventure, it’s time to slow the pace a little on this more relaxed day. We will take our time traveling back along the south coast stopping off along the way at your guide’s favorite spots.

We will arrive in the picturesque town of Vík in time for lunch. Here we will have ample time to do a spot of shopping for souvenirs, try the ‘best coffee in the south of Iceland’ at the Skool Beans converted school bus café, and get some great views along the way.

Our hotel for the night is just a short drive from here where you can spend some time relaxing and revisiting all the pictures taken for the past couple of days. However, before we get there, we will make a stop for a fun 1-hour horse riding tour on the famous Icelandic horse with its smooth 5th gait.

These docile animals are as friendly as they are fast. This is a great way to see Iceland’s hidden landscape off the beaten path. No previous riding experience is necessary for this activity, though the maximum weight to partake is 110 kg*. We’ll spend the night at the cozy country hotel Vos with its outdoor hot tub.

* If you can’t or don’t want to join the horse riding tour, you can opt for a stable visit, or we can look into a workshop to bake traditional Icelandic kleinur pastry.

Included meals: Breakfast at the hotel
Included activities: 1-hour private horse-riding tour (no riding experience necessary)
Accommodation: Hotel Vos in their superior rooms, outdoor hot tub on site

September 6 | Westman Islands, Heimaey, Stórhöfði with RIB Boat Tour, Northern Lights?

We start the day by taking a short ferry ride to reach the volcanic chain of islands known as the Westman Islands. We start exploring the islands by joining a 1 hour RIB boat ride to explore the islands, it is a fantastic and fun way to do it.

The scenic boat tour takes you deep inside the sea caves, and around the small islands scattered off Heimaey that are otherwise inaccessible. If you are lucky you may even get close to the array of wildlife around the islands, like whales and hopefully, you will still see some of the last puffins (they generally leave Iceland from mid-August).

It is amazing to see the islands from this angle. In summer the Westman Islands is one of the best places in Iceland to view puffins, with millions calling these islands home for the summer. We will eat lunch at one of our favorite restaurants in Iceland. The food at Næs is inspired by what is available locally, giving a modern twist to many of Iceland’s favorite dishes.

After lunch, we have more time to explore the islands. The main island, Heimaey, was almost destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1973 resulting in a full town evacuation. If you are feeling up to the challenge we will hike to the top of the still-warm Eldfell volcano with great 360-degree views of the island and coast of Iceland. It is often referred to as the “Pompei of the North”.

From here you can see the cooled lava and a new section of the island that was created in 1973, with the island increasing in size by over 20% from all the new lava. We’ll visit the Eldheimar museum, dedicated to this explosive time on the island before taking the ferry back to the mainland. We come back to our south coast accommodation in time for dinner.

Included meals: Breakfast at the hotel
Included activities: 1-hour RIB Boat tour (open departure, not private), entry to Eldheimar museum
Accommodation: Hotel Vos in their superior rooms, outdoor hot tub on site

September 7 | Golden Circle and the Secret Lagoon

Once we’ve checked out of our accommodation this morning we make our way to see the famous sights within the Golden Circle. The mighty Gullfoss waterfall, the erupting geysers and the geothermal area of Geysir.

Afterward, we make our way to the nearby Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse where we have a delicious lunch right amongst all the plants in the tomato greenhouse. It’s a truly unique experience! We end the day at one of the most historic and stunning sights in Iceland, Þingvellir National Park, where the tectonic plates are pulling apart, is also the site of the first parliament here in Iceland just after settlement.

From here it’s only a short drive to Reykjavík, for dinner on your own or with new friends you have made on the trip. Check out our Best Restaurants in Reykjavík Guide for inspiration.

Included meals: Breakfast at the hotel, lunch at Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse (all-inclusive, except for alcoholic beverages)
Included activities: –
Accommodation: Reykjavík Exeter hotel in their superior rooms, spa on site

September 8 | Lava Tunnel, Volcanic Eruption Site Viewpoint & Blue Lagoon, Northern Lights?

Today marks our final day of traveling together where we’ll spend the day exploring the UNESCO Global Geopark of Reykjanes Peninsula, which is home to some incredible sights. We start with a visit to Raufarhólshellir, more widely known as the Lava Tunnel.

This is one of the longest lava tubes in Iceland and a must-see Iceland spot. Here we will explore the depths of this colorful lava tunnel. You will witness the inner workings of a volcanic eruption from 5200 years ago. Afterward, we will take part in a moderate hike to the newest lava field on the planet at the dormant volcano, Geldingadalur. We will walk around the lava field learning all about the 2021 eruption in the area.

From here it’s only a short drive to the famous Blue Lagoon where you can unwind and relax from all the adventures from the last few days. Enjoy the warm, milky blue, mineral-rich waters of the lagoon. After your relaxing soak, your driver will take you to the lovely boutique hotel Berg where we’ll say goodbye to our wonderful guide and spend one last night in Iceland. Fingers crossed for another chance at the Northern Lights.

Included meals: Breakfast at the hotel
Included activities: Guided hike to Volcanic Eruption Site (if safe), 1 hour Lava Tunnel tour (general departure, not private), Premium entry to Blue Lagoon
Accommodation: Hotel Berg in their superior rooms

September 9 | Departure day

Today marks the last day of your Iceland adventure! The hotel provides complimentary transfers to KEF Airport for your outbound flight, the airport is only a short drive away. Very convenient to accommodate different departure times. Those who depart later can spend the morning in Keflavík, visiting the Viking World museum (by taxi), or the fun and quaint Icelandic Museum of Rock ‘n Roll (reachable on foot), or just relax at the hotel and enjoy their lovely rooftop pool.

Then it is time to head to the airport and have a safe flight home. And as Icelanders say: Þar til næst… until next time!

Included meals: Breakfast at the hotel
Included activities: Airport transfers provided by the hotel

Tour Summary and Pricing

The price for this tour is 679,000 ISK (approx. $ 4,920 USD at the current exchange rate)

*Sign up by the 15th of January 9am ET and receive a New Year sign up offer of 15,000 ISK off the tour price (a savings of approximately $100!)

This price, per person, is based on double room occupancy and is inclusive of tax.

Traveling solo?
Welcome! If you’d like we can pair you up with another solo traveler. We’ll check with you in advance about this.
If you’d rather have your own room, the supplement for single occupancy is 149,000 ISK per person (approx. $ 1,075 USD at the current exchange rate)

Prices and payments will be in Icelandic Krona to minimize price changes due to currency fluctuations.

This tour price includes:

Accommodation for a total of seven nights with breakfast all mornings
Private airport transfer as a group from KEF airport to the hotel in Reykjavík
Private transportation in our luxurious vehicle with wifi, led by one of our wonderful guides for six days of touring
Private glacier hike with all glacier gear provided
Private 1-hour horse riding tour
Ferry to and from the Westman Islands for you and the vehicle
1-hour RIB boat tour at the Westman Islands (small group departure, not private)
Lunch at Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse (all-inclusive lunch aside from alcoholic beverages)
Guided tour in the Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel
Premium entrance to the Blue Lagoon
Private airport transfer from Reykjavík to KEF airport
Carbon offsetting for the fuel emissions of your trip in Iceland
All taxes and fees

This tour price excludes:

Flights to and from Iceland
Reykjavík activities and transportation in Reykjavík unless otherwise stated
Meals unless otherwise stated
Travel Insurance — all guests are kindly requested to purchase travel insurance

Group size:
The maximum number of travelers in this group is 12.
Departure for this tour is guaranteed when we have 8 travelers.

Participants:
The minimum age to join this tour is 21 years.
This is a women-only trip.

No derogatory or hate speech will be tolerated. If guests behave in a manner that is offensive to the group, they will be asked to leave without a refund.

Booking and payment:
After you sign up for this tour – see below – we’ll send you a confirmation that you’re booked on this trip, including payment information.
The following payment plan is in effect for this trip:
20% upon booking – to secure your spot on this tour a deposit payment of 20% of the total trip price is required within 7 days
This deposit will be refunded to you, should we not reach the minimum numbers to guarantee departure.
30% by March 1st
50% by June 1st

Cancellation terms:
Cancellations with more than 12 weeks’ notice will receive a 90% refund of the full tour price.
If we receive a cancellation request with less than 12 weeks, but more than 4 weeks’ notice, you will be refunded 50% of the full tour price.
If we receive a cancellation request with less than 4 weeks, but with more than 7 days’ notice ahead of travel, you will be refunded 25% of the full tour price. Cancellations with less than 1 week’s notice are not refundable.
Should you however be able to find someone else to fill your spot on the tour, we’ll refund you 90% of the full tour price.

10% of the total tour cost is always nonrefundable if you cancel. This covers our transactional and administrative costs as a result of booking and cancellation.
If you have only paid a deposit when the cancellation request is received please note that the cancellation fee is based on the full tour price and not a percentage of the deposit amount.

These terms and conditions are in accordance with Icelandic law. They are reviewed and updated regularly. Therefore, the cancellation policy that is outlined on our website is the cancellation policy that applies to your booking.