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Arrive at the Keflavik International Airport early this morning. Most inbound Icelandair flights from the U.S. arrive at roughly the same time. Once everyone has gathered, we meet our guide and transfer to our hotel in Reykjavik. The rooms won't be ready this early, so we'll drop the luggage and start our exploration of this beautiful city.
Today's full day excursion focuses on the scenic natural wonders for which Iceland is justly renowned. The National Park of Thingvellir was for centuries the open-air Viking parliament. We will walk through the natural beautiful and historic site, where the continents of North America and Europe separate. Afterwards we visit the original Geysir, Iceland's "Old Faithful" and discover Gullfoss, considered by many to be Iceland's finest waterfall. Finally we stop at secret lagoon natural hot spring for a refreshing dip before we reach our hotel for the next three nights. Overnight in South Iceland. 
Landmannalaugar is a unique part of the highlands and one of Iceland's most awe-inspiring places. Among its main characteristics are the colorful rhyolite mountains with their varying textures, shapes and sizes, and the wonderful natural hot springs, perfect for soaking in after a day of hiking. Driving through Þjórsárdalur valley, with its stunningly diverse and colorful landscapes, offers a fine view of Mt. Hekla, Iceland's best-known volcano. Enjoy the tranquil silence, peace and scenery of these spectacular and magical surroundings. Have swimwear and towel ready. A box lunch is provided today. On the way back to the hotel we stop at a beautiful waterfall surrounded by extraordinary basalt rock formations. Overnight in South Iceland. 
We start the day at the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall and continue to Thorsmörk, a wide valley named after Thor, the Viking God of Thunder. This beautiful valley is surrounded on three sides by steep mountains and glaciers. Fording raging glacial rivers and gentle streams is a big part of the great adventure. The landscape is dramatic with Eyjafjallajökull volcano towering on one side and the massive glacial river Markarfljót flowing on the other. We walk to explore the aftermath of the immense fast-flowing flood caused by the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in April 2010. 
We travel along the south coast of Iceland towards Kirkjubæjarklaustur and into the highlands. The craters in Laki, called Lakagígar, were formed in one of the world's largest mixed eruptions in recorded history. This continuous series of eruptions emitted a vast quantity of lava and substantial amounts of volcanic ash from a fissure stretching 25 km across the area west of the Vatnajökull ice cap. The craters are regarded as a globally unique phenomenon and are a protected natural monument. Laki is a very remote location and one of the most unique places within the Vatnajökull National Park. It is however a very fragile area so visitors are asked to treat the nature with utmost respect. There are numbers of hiking trails and we explore this volcanic wonderland during a 1.5-2 hour hike. We also visit Fagrifoss which means "beautiful waterfall" in Icelandic. An easy climb leads to the view of the impressive waterfall and you can only hear the roar of the water. We stay for 2 nights at a simple but well-located hotel next to Europe's largest glacier and beneath Iceland's highest mountain. 
This is a day packed with fun activities and breathtaking scenery. We start with a moderate 3.5 hour glacier hike in the majestic surroundings of Svínafellsjökull. The glacier is hemmed in by some of Iceland's most spectacular peaks. We climb the Svínafellsjökull glacier tongue up to the deep glacier valley between the summits of Hvannadalshnjúkur and Hrútsfjall. An experienced glacier guide leads you safely through the glacial wonderland of strangely shaped ridges, deep crevasses, huge water cauldrons and different ice formations. In the afternoon we head over to the famous glacier lagoon for a boat cruise, sailing between icebergs of all shapes and sizes, which float in the clear blue water. After the boat tour we visit a black sand beach to take a closer look at icebergs that have floated all the way from the glacier lagoon into the Atlantic Ocean. 
Skaftafell is today a part of the Vatnajökull National Park, the largest national park in Europe. The area nestles under the slopes of Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier and is dominated by Iceland's highest peak Mount Hvannadalshnjúkur (2,110 meters). This area used to be one of the most isolated communities in Iceland because of the ice cap on its north, the harbourless sandy beach of the Atlantic Ocean to the south and the wild glacial rivers in the barren sands to the east and the west. The landscape has been formed through thousands of years by different influences of fire, ice and water and the mild climate is characteristic for Skaftafell compared to the rest of southern Iceland. We hike up to the waterfall Svartifoss (Black Fall), which is surrounded by black basalt columns, and from there to Sjónsker (View Cliff) where we have a magnificent view of Mount Hvannadalshnjúkur and the area that was flooded during an eruption under the ice cap in the year 1996. Now it is time to return towards Reykjavík. We cross the sandy desert of the south coast, overlooked by mountainous cliffs, glaciers and waterfalls. We stroll along the black lava beach and bird cliffs near the village of Vík and stop at Skógafoss waterfall before arriving back at Iceland's capital. Tonight we celebrate the conclusion of our hiking adventures and the start of Gay Pride festivities with a celebratory dinner. 
Your two day extension includes two nights at our centrally located Reykjavik hotel and breakfast each morning. Since there are so many parties and venues, we keep the days and nights free for your own personal choices. We will provide information about the various Pride festivities prior to departure and will facilitate your entry to those of your choosing. 
On Saturday, the annual pride parade begins at 2 pm, and this is an unforgettable event attended by almost one third of the country's population! Live concerts in the park where the parade ends continue into the night, and the party goes on from there. You will probably get back to your room in time to check out! 
Traditional Icelandic dishes and an extensive wine list are offered at Fjalaköttur, Reykjavik Centrum's award-winning restaurant. Uppsalir is the hotel's own café bar.
The stylish, minimalist accommodation at Stracta Hotel Hella includes a TV. Guests can choose from self-catering apartments and rooms with either private or shared bathroom facilities. Some options feature a private hot tub.
À la carte dishes, as well as a buffet breakfast, are available in the hotel restaurant. The hotel has a fully licensed bar on the 2nd floor with magnificent glacier views. 
