Embarking on an Unforgettable Journey Curated by Activity Iceland
When one imagines luxury travel, one conjures not only the finest accommodations and impeccable service, but immersive experiences that elevate the soul, stir the senses and leave an indelible imprint on the memory. In Iceland, luxury is less about opulence and more about perfection in the extraordinary. It is about unhurried exploration of raw nature, curated with precision, framed by comfort and guided by local expertise.
With that in mind, Activity Iceland stands as your premier curator of tailored, luxurious travel in Iceland: designing journeys that are seamless, exclusive and aligned with the natural rhythms of the seasons.
Both summer and winter in Iceland offer distinct high-end travel possibilities. Here is how luxury travellers should approach each season and how Activity Iceland’s thoughtfully designed itineraries allow you to experience the very best of both worlds, precisely how you want it.
There’s No Bad Season To Experience Iceland
Iceland is a place of dramatic contrasts: from the near-infinite daylight of midsummer to the velvety darkness of winter nights; from lush moss-clad lava fields to glacial ice-scapes; from puffin-filled cliffs and majestic whale sightings, to ice caves, Northern Lights and the snow-sculpted wilderness. To travel luxuriously in Iceland is to immerse oneself in those contrasts. Behind-the-scenes access, private moments, curated inns and lodges, and bespoke guiding only serve to elevate the spectacular nature accessible to all into something truly sublime.
Activity Iceland specialises in exactly that: combining private or small-group departures, premium accommodation and fluency with local conditions to deliver truly immersive, exclusive experiences — each framed to maximise comfort, authenticity and tailored service.
Let’s explore the possibilities each season presents to luxury travellers like yourself.
Summer in Iceland: Midnight Sun, Wild Landscapes & Unforgettable Days
During the summer months in Iceland the hour-glass melts and daylight flows unabated. From late May through August, the country bathes in the glow of the midnight sun. The long evenings allow for extended adventures, making the island’s more remote corners accessible. Meanwhile, puffins and other wildlife abound, and the land pulses with life. For the luxury traveller this means high-end stays in remote lodges, private guiding on glacier hikes or super-jeep excursions, bespoke experiences such as heli-rides or fine-dining in extraordinary settings — with near unlimited daylight to savour every moment.
Why choose summer in Iceland?
- Extended daylight: With up to 24 hours of daylight by June’s summer solstice, your luxury journey expands. No rush, no shortage of time — just lingering light, perfect for relaxed breakfasts with sweeping views or a twilight dip in a private geothermal pool.
- Access to remote landscapes: The interior highlands, such as the wild region of Landmannalaugar, open to four-wheel drive vehicles during the summer. The country roads are more forgiving. Walks, hikes, sea kayaks, whale-watching, immensely scenic vistas all become reachable.
- Wildlife and nature at their peak: Puffins and other migratory sea birds nest on Iceland’s rocky shorelines and cliffs, while the country comes alive in all conceivable shades of green. The land teems with life and colour.
- A gentle palette for luxury: The soft evenings, the milder weather, the playful light are seasonal luxuries meant to be savoured. A spa in the middle of nowhere; a private chef in a wilderness lodge; a late-night walk under lingering light — all are possible in Icelandic summer.
What luxury experiences to seek out in summer
- A heli-flight over glacial rivers and volcanic fissures, landing in a remote highland valley where your private picnic is set by a hidden waterfall.
- Hiking in the highlands (Landmannalaugar, Þórsmörk) with a top guide, then unwinding in a secluded geothermal pool as the sun begins its late descent.
- A luxury yacht or private charter around the coastline: kayaking among sea-stacks, visiting puffin nests, returning overnight to a five-star coastal lodge.
- Private super-jeep expeditions to the lesser-known corners of the South Coast or Westfjords, coming back to exquisite accommodation, fine food and premium wine.
- Late-night glacier-lake walks: with daylight stretching on, you might sip champagne on the shore of an ice-lagoon after dinner, under the glow of the lingering sun.
Treat Yourself To Iceland This Summer
Each Activity Iceland itinerary is merely a blueprint: private vehicle, premium lodging, tailored guiding, comfortable pacing, and the flexibility to linger at a hidden waterfall or detour to a remote viewpoint. It’s a jumping-off point to make your own. Here are some of our favourite luxury summer itineraries in Iceland to tailor to your own ideals:
- Action- Filled Luxury Summer Adventure: This eight-day, seven-night private summer journey combines high-end comfort with thrilling Icelandic nature. You’ll stay in a luxury lodge, travel in a private vehicle with a driver-guide, and enjoy premium inclusions like glacier snowmobiles, a super-truck and buggy off-road safari, snorkeling in the Silfra fissure, river rafting, ATV on a black-sand beach, a RIB boat safari to the Westman Islands, and a descent into a volcano’s magma chamber. The experience is fully tailor-made for discerning travellers seeking adventure and intimacy in the Icelandic wilderness with luxury at every turn.
- South Coast & Golden Circle Private Vacation: This five-day, four-night bespoke journey offers a privately guided exploration of Iceland’s most iconic landscapes. You’ll travel from Reykjavík with a luxury vehicle and professional driver-guide, staying in hand-picked premium hotels with breakfast each morning. Highlights include glacier hiking at Sólheimajökull, strolling Iceland’s famed black-sand beach at Reynisfjara, cruising a Zodiac among icebergs at Fjallsárlón lagoon, and visiting the historic rift valley of Þingvellir-National-Park, the erupting Geysir field and the mighty Gullfoss waterfall in the Golden Circle. Every element is customizable, combining comfort, authenticity and the very best of Iceland’s south coast.
- Highlights of South Iceland – Private Luxury Adventure: Over seven days and six nights, this privately guided luxury escape leads you through the finest of Iceland’s south coast and Golden Circle in a private vehicle, with premium accommodations and tailored itinerary. You’ll explore Reykjavík, stroll through the tectonic rift of Þingvellir National Park, sip the spray of the majestic Gullfoss waterfall, ride a super-truck over glacier terrain, trek on ancient ice, walk the black-sand beach at Reynisfjara, cruise the iceberg-filled Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, and luxuriate at the legendary Blue Lagoon Retreat Hotel & Spa. Everything is modifiable to your preferences.
Winter in Iceland: Icy Wonderlands & Northern Lights
When winter arrives, Iceland transforms. Snow enrobes the landscape; ice caves glisten in hues of crystal blue; the night sky becomes a stage for the ethereal dance of the Aurora Borealis. A serene quiet falls over the island. For the luxury traveller winter brings dramatic spectacle, atmospheric retreats, exclusive access and an other-worldly lighting that few destinations can match.
Why choose winter in Iceland?
- Spell-binding landscapes: From frozen waterfalls to shimmering ice caves within the glacier of Vatnajökull National Park, winter carves scenes of rare beauty. The entirety of nature becomes still, luminous, quiet.
- Northern lights magic: Dark skies, minimal light-pollution and exclusive vantage-points mean you can chase — and capture — the aurora in comfort and style, away from the crowds.
- Luxury lodges in remote settings: Imagine returning after a snow-truck ride across glacier to a wood-panelled lodge, a fire in the hearth, gourmet cuisine sourced locally, and panoramic views of a star-spangled sky.
- Private winter activities: Snow-mobile rides, ice-caving, snow-shoe hikes, super-jeep excursions — each enhanced for the luxury guest by specialist guides, equipment and off-peak access.
What luxury experiences to seek out this winter
- A private super-jeep ride across the glacier, entering a natural ice cave, then dining beside an icy lagoon under the northern lights.
- Staying in an exclusive lodge, with hot-tub sessions in the crisp open air and aurora-viewing from your private terrace.
- A bespoke photography tour to capture the sunrise over a frozen waterfall, the crisp dawn light reflecting ice-formed landscapes; then snacks in a luxe cabin as the aurora begins.
- Private access to geothermal spas in the dark hours: soak under starlit skies, glass of champagne in hand, the steam rising in the cold air.
- Multi-day self-drive in a luxury-equipped 4×4 through snow-clad roads, staying in elegant countryside hotels, seeing Reykjavík one evening then the remote Westfjords the next.
Sample winter itineraries from Activity Iceland
Activity Iceland’s itineraries are well-crafted entry points into winter luxury in Iceland, designed to balance remote wilderness with comfortable access and tailored experience. Here are some of our favourite luxury winter itineraries in Iceland to tailor to your own ideals:
- Northern Lights Explorer: This exclusive five-day, four-night winter escape marries Iceland’s dramatic landscapes with refined comfort and bespoke service. Travelling from Reykjavík in a premium rental SUV, you’ll explore the South Coast’s frozen waterfalls and black-sand beaches, the famed Golden Circle route, and receive a glacier-hike adventure—all while indulging in high-end stays and soothing geothermal baths at the luxurious Blue Lagoon. Evening brings the chance to witness the ethereal northern lights in intimate, uncrowded settings. Every detail is tailored—luxury lodging, curated itinerary, expert support—for travellers who expect exceptional.
- Magical South Iceland: This six-day, five-night self-drive journey blends Iceland’s winter beauty with refined comfort and luxury. Travelling in a premium SUV, you’ll explore the Golden Circle and south coast at your own pace — discovering icy waterfalls, black-sand beaches, and glittering glaciers. Each evening, unwind in carefully selected boutique and countryside hotels, many offering hot tubs beneath the northern lights. Highlights include the Blue Lagoon, the mighty Gullfoss, and the ethereal Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Combining independence with first-class service and 24/7 local support, this exclusive winter itinerary delivers adventure wrapped in elegance and serenity.
- Iceland Winter Explorer: Over eight days and seven nights, this refined winter journey invites you to explore Iceland’s most spectacular ice-scapes—from lava-carved peaks to ethereal glacier lagoons—while embracing premium comfort. With a self-drive luxury SUV (upgradeable to premium 4×4) and expertly curated route covering the Snæfellsnes peninsula, Golden Circle, South Coast and Vatnajökull region, you’ll stay in hand-picked high-standard hotels with breakfast, guided ice-cave exploration and 24-hour support. Every detail is adjustable to your desires, ensuring both wilderness adventure and upscale refinement in perfect balance.
How to Choose Between Summer and Winter (or Combine Both)
If you are deciding when to travel, ask yourself: Are you attracted to high-energy days, late evenings, lush landscapes, wildlife and long daylight? Then summer is your season. If you seek atmospheric stillness, snow-clad vistas, the Northern Lights, dark skies and glacier adventures — then winter calls. A truly discerning traveller might even combine both: perhaps arriving in late August to experience the close of summer and the arrival of autumn, with its dramatic weather and shifting foliage. Or experience summer bliss and return in winter for a different dimension of Icelandic luxury.
In both seasons, the key is not the tour itself but how it is curated: the pace, the lodging, the private access, the comfort of transitions. Activity Iceland excels at this.
Bringing It All Together
When you journey with Activity Iceland, you’re not merely booking a tour. You’re stepping into a world where each day is unhurried, where each setting is exceptional, and where the wildness of Iceland is met with refinement, familiarity and personalised insight. Whether you traverse the midnight sun-lit highlands in summer, or emerge from a glacier cave to peer up at the northern lights in winter, this is luxury crafted for the individual traveller.
Luxury travel in Iceland is not an oxymoron — it is a synergy. It is the wildness of nature married to the precision of premium service. It is the unexpected intimacy of raw landscapes, delivered with first-class comfort. Activity Iceland invites you not simply to see Iceland—but to live it, in the way the truly discerning traveller does.
Whether you are drawn to the golden days of summer or the crystalline nights of winter, your journey awaits. The island of fire and ice has many faces; with the right curator, you will meet them in style.
When you are ready to begin, your tailored luxury Iceland journey awaits.
