Discover the best of Iceland, Norway, and Finland with our 15-day Scandinavian Itinerary.
Starting with Iceland’s fiery volcanoes, glacial lagoons, and geothermal wonders, before soaring into Norway’s dramatic fjords, alpine roads, and Viking heritage, then into the Arctic Circle for Finnish Lapland,husky-sled adventures, Sámi cultural encounters, and your first Northern Lights vigil.
Each day is carefully paced with private driver-guided experiences—zodiac cruises, waterfall treks, funicular summits, wildlife safaris, and snowbound excursions, ensuring you witness the very best of these three Arctic kingdoms.
Destinations on Our 15-Day Iceland, Norway, & Finland Tour
Days 1–3: Reykjavík & South Coast, Iceland
Days 4–5: Glacial Frontiers & Eastfjords, Iceland
Days 6–7: Northern Marvels, Iceland
Day 8: Reykjavík → Bergen, Norway
Days 9–10: Norwegian Fjord Kingdoms
Day 11: Oslo’s Urban Heritage, Norway
Day 1: Arrival in Reykjavík, Iceland
Ease into your Icelandic adventure with a gentle introduction to Reykjavík’s vibrant culture and waterfront charm.
City Orientation & Hallgrímskirkja Visit
Meet your private guide at Keflavík Airport and enjoy a scenic transfer into Reykjavík’s colorful streets.
As you stroll past pastel-hued houses and modern street art, your guide will share stories of Viking settlers and the city’s transformation into a creative capital.
Old Harbour Walk & Welcome Dinner
As daylight softens, head to the Old Harbour to admire contemporary sculptures and bobbing fishing boats against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks.
Wander along the boardwalk, stopping to sample fresh catch at street food stalls before settling in at a waterfront restaurant. Over a gourmet seafood feast—perhaps Arctic char or langoustine risotto—toast the start of your journey while taking in sweeping views of Faxaflói Bay and the promise of adventures ahead.
Day 2: Golden Circle Highlights
Venture into Iceland’s geological heart to witness the shifting continents, geothermal power, and cascading waterfalls.
Þingvellir Rift Valley Trek
Depart Reykjavík for Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO site where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates part before your eyes.
Walk along the Silfra fissure’s crystal waters and stand at the ancient Alþingi parliamentary site, where Vikings first codified laws in an open-air assembly. Your guide will illuminate how seismic forces and medieval democracy intertwined to shape both the landscape and Iceland’s cultural identity.
Geysir Eruption & Gullfoss Waterfall
Continue to the bubbling cauldron of Haukadalur Valley, where Strokkur erupts in rhythmic bursts of scalding water.
Feel the heat on your face and learn about Iceland’s pioneering use of geothermal energy. Then, at Gullfoss, stand before the “Golden Falls,” photographing its two-tiered cascade plunging into a narrow canyon.
Day 3: South Coast Waterfalls
Explore the South Shore’s most iconic cascades, combining immersive behind-the-fall paths with panoramic summit views.
Seljalandsfoss Behind-the-Falls
Arrive at Seljalandsfoss and follow the unique trail that leads you behind its luminous curtain of water. Guided to hidden vantage points, your guide will point out basalt formations and mossy alcoves, revealing how retreating glaciers sculpted this cliff over centuries.
Skógafoss Summit & Saga Legends
A short drive brings you to Skógafoss, where a 60-meter torrent crashes into a misty pool. Climb the winding staircase beside the falls to reach an elevated viewpoint, where you’ll take in sweeping panoramas of the waterfall and the black-sand plains beyond.
As you descend, your guide will share the Viking saga of buried treasure said to lie behind the cascade, weaving folklore into the roar of the water.
Day 4: Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach
Today, you’ll venture to Iceland’s glacial frontier, where floating ice sculptures meet ebony sands—an otherworldly contrast of fire, ice, and volcanic shorelines.
Jökulsárlón Zodiac Safari
Board a nimble zodiac and glide between towering icebergs calved from Breiðamerkurjökull glacier.
As you weave through crystal-blue and milky-white monoliths, your guide will explain how warming temperatures influence calving rates, reshaping the lagoon’s drifting icescapes. Keep an eye out for curious seals popping their heads above the water’s surface, and learn how each iceberg’s unique sculpted form tells a tale of pressure, melt, and movement carved over centuries.
Diamond Beach Ice-Gem Walk
Cross the road to Diamond Beach, where glacier fragments glisten like gemstones on stark black sand.
Wander along the shoreline, pausing to photograph translucent ice chunks as surf laps at their bases. Your guide will illuminate each piece’s journey—from its birth at the glacier snout to its ocean voyage and final wash-up on the shore—highlighting the delicate interplay between ice, sea, and volcanic sands that makes this stretch uniquely mesmerizing.
Day 5: Eastfjords Art & Coast
Explore the serene, artistry-infused hamlets of Iceland’s eastern fjords, where pastel-clad villages and coastal sculpture trails blend culture with raw nature.
Seyðisfjörður Artisan Village
Stroll the rainbow-painted streets of Seyðisfjörður, pausing in tiny studios where local painters and potters craft works inspired by fjord-framed peaks.
Sample house-made pastries by the riverside—sweet rye buns studded with wild berries—and learn how this remote settlement’s artistic spirit flourished despite its rugged isolation. Your guide will introduce you to gallery owners who revived old warehouses into creative hubs, illustrating how community and creativity intertwine in this hidden gem.
Djúpivogur Sculpture Trail & Birdwatching
Continue to Djúpivogur’s lively harbor to admire Eggin í Gleðivík, a row of 34 giant granite eggs representing regional seabirds. Then, journey to nearby Hellnar cliffs, where kittiwakes and fulmars wheel overhead against a backdrop of crashing waves.
Day 6: North Iceland’s Wildlife & Geothermal Heart
Return to the northern realms to discover lush botanical havens and the marine giants of Skjálfandi Bay.
Akureyri Botanical & Boutique Walk
Begin in Akureyri’s celebrated botanical garden, where Arctic poppies and lupines burst into bloom against fjord-framed mountains.
Your guide will point out rare subarctic species thriving in this sheltered microclimate before leading you into town, where boutiques showcase designer woolens and handcrafted jewelry—a testament to Iceland’s fusion of nature and contemporary design.
Húsavík Whale Museum & Bay Cruise
Venture to Húsavík, the cradle of Icelandic whale watching, for an immersive museum tour featuring life-sized whale skeletons and interactive exhibits on baleen and toothed whales.
Then, board a private vessel for a Skjálfandi Bay cruise, scanning the horizon for humpbacks and minkes. Your guide will teach you to identify each species’ distinctive blow and tail-fluke patterns, ensuring an unforgettable encounter with these majestic marine mammals in their natural playground.
Day 7: Lake Mývatn’s Hot Springs
Unwind amid otherworldly geothermal scenery, from boiling mud pots to steamy blue baths.
Hverir Geothermal Fields Excursion
Venture onto raised boardwalks through Hverir’s steaming expanse, where bubbling mud pots churn in hues of ochre and rust.
Your guide will explain how superheated groundwater rises through subterranean fissures, creating dramatic steam vents that punctuate the alien landscape. Pause at the largest fumaroles to feel the earth’s pulse—vibrations beneath your feet—and photograph mineral deposits that paint the soil in striking patterns.
Mývatn Nature Baths Retreat
After Hverir’s heat, relax in the Mývatn Nature Baths’ milky-blue waters, perched on a lava plateau overlooking vast fields of hardened flows.
Slip into the warm, silica-rich pools and let the tension melt away as steam rises in gentle columns around you.
Day 8: Reykjavík to Bergen, Norway
Trade Iceland’s stark landscapes for Norway’s charming fjord city, combining scenic flight with a stroll through historic wharves.
Flight to Bryggen
Board a short flight from Reykjavík to Bergen, where the aircraft hugs Norway’s rugged coastline before descending into a city of colorful timber façades.
Your private transfer will deposit you at Bryggen’s UNESCO-listed waterfront, where 18th-century wharf houses now host boutique shops and cafés.
Fløibanen Sunset Summit
As afternoon light wanes, experience Bergen’s signature funicular ride up Mount Fløyen.
Climbing steeply through pine forests, the Fløibanen delivers you to panoramic platforms where fjords, islands, and red-roofed city blocks stretch beneath a glowing sunset.
Your guide will point out the distant glaciers and the patchwork of orchards along Hardangerfjord and then recommend the best vantage point for capturing the golden hour. Soak in the view with a warm drink from the mountaintop café before descending to the city lights below.
Day 9: Hardangerfjord & Vøringsfossen
Delve into Norway’s “fruit garden” fjord and stand before its most famous fall, where water and rock conspire spectacularly.
Hardangerfjord Sightseeing Boat
Board a private boat in Bergen for a scenic cruise into Hardangerfjord’s lush, orchard-lined arms.
As you glide past cascading waterfalls and quaint farmsteads, your guide will explain how glacial carving created these deep waterways and how fruit growers leverage the maritime microclimate. Stop at a floating wharf to taste freshly picked apples and pears, then drift past pastel villages where wooden boathouses perch at the water’s edge.
Vøringsfossen Canyon Overlook
Reboard your coach for a drive to Vøringsfossen, Norway’s most iconic waterfall.
Standing on the cliff-edge viewing platform, watch the Måbødalen river plummet 182 meters into a narrow gorge below. Capture dramatic shots of sheer cliffs and roaring water before returning to Bergen under the soft glow of evening skies.
Day 10: Trollstigen & Geirangerfjord, Norway
Leave Bergen’s fjords behind for a day of alpine thrills and high-speed marine adventure.
Trollstigen Alpine Pass Drive
Climb aboard your private vehicle for the legendary Trollstigen route, navigating nine hairpin bends carved into sheer mountainsides.
At each panoramic turnout, your guide will point out cascading waterfalls and deep ravines sculpted by ancient glaciers. Pause to breathe in the crisp mountain air, photograph the dramatic curves against rugged cliffs, and learn how this “Troll’s Ladder” road was engineered in 1936 through some of Norway’s most unforgiving terrain.
Geirangerfjord RIB Boat Safari
Descend to Geirangerfjord’s emerald waters for an exhilarating RIB boat safari. Feel the spray of the “Seven Sisters” waterfalls as you speed past them, and hear legends of farm families who once lived on narrow mountain ledges, calling across the fjord.
Your guide will steer close to hidden inlets where eagles nest and point out World Heritage-listed sites, blending heart-pounding thrills with serene moments amid Norway’s most iconic seascape.
Day 11: Oslo’s Viking Heritage, Norway
Transition from fjord-fueled excitement to ancient maritime legacies in Norway’s capital.
Viking Ship Museum & Maritime Exhibits
Begin on the peaceful Bygdøy Peninsula at the Viking Ship Museum, where perfectly preserved 9th-century longships—Oseberg, Gokstad, and Tune—rest in light-filled halls.
Your guide will explain Viking shipbuilding techniques, pointed prows, and burial customs, then lead you to neighboring museums showcasing the vessels of polar explorers and Thor Heyerdahl’s Kon-Tiki raft. Each exhibit highlights Norway’s centuries-long connection to the sea.
Opera House & Akershus Fortress Walk
In the afternoon, explore Oslo’s modern architectural icon, the Opera House, and ascend its sloping marble roof for panoramic views of the fjord.
Then, stroll to nearby Akershus Fortress, a medieval stronghold overlooking the harbor. Your guide will recount tales of royal intrigue, sieges, and World War II resistance, weaving together stories of Norway’s defense through the ages against a backdrop of sea and skyline.
Day 12: Fly to Rovaniemi & Arctic Circle Crossing, Finland
Swap Scandinavian capitals for Lapland’s winter wonderland, stepping across the Arctic Circle into Santa’s realm.
Scenic Flight & Arctic Circle Ceremony
Take a short flight from Oslo to Rovaniemi, where your guide will escort you to the symbolic Arctic Circle line.
Participate in a fun crossing ceremony—receiving a certificate of passage—and visit the Santa Claus Village to mail postcards from the Arctic-themed post office. Learn how this unique latitude shapes local culture and folklore in the land of ice and snow.
Northern Lights Welcome Session
As night falls, head to a secluded wilderness lodge for your first Aurora orientation.
Savor hot berry punch and Finnish pastries while your guide demonstrates long-exposure photography techniques. Wrapped in thermal blankets beside a crackling fire, you’ll scan the dark sky for the Northern Lights’ first shimmering curtains—a magical initiation to Finland’s legendary skies.
Day 13: Arctic Wildlife & Snow Adventures, Finland
Experience Lapland’s native creatures and snowbound thrills on a day of wildlife encounters and high-speed rides.
Ranua Wildlife Park Safari
Journey to Ranua Wildlife Park for a guided safari among subarctic species, where you can meet playful otters, observe wolverines at play, and watch polar bears roam in spacious, naturalistic enclosures.
Your guide will explain the adaptations of each species to the icy climate and the park’s role in conserving Finland’s wildlife.
Snowmobile Adventure Through Taiga
Afterward, don insulated gear for a snowmobile tour across pristine taiga forests. Zoom between snow-laden pines, cross frozen rivers and pause at a remote lakeside to toast marshmallows over an open fire.
The exhilaration of speed, the hush of the deep snow, and the crisp winter air combine to create an unforgettable Arctic rush.
Day 14: Husky Expedition & Sámi Culture, Finland
Delve deeper into Laplandic traditions with dog-sledding thrills and indigenous cultural insights.
Husky Dog-Sledding Experience
Mush your team of energetic Siberian huskies across wide-open snowscapes, learning sled maintenance and driving techniques from a seasoned musher. Feel the sled glide effortlessly as the huskies bound forward, forging an instant bond with these friendly, eager canines.
Sámi Reindeer Farm & Cultural Visit
Visit a local Sámi family’s reindeer farm to hear joik—traditional Sámi singing—gathered around a warm kota tent. Sample reindeer stew and cloudberry jam, and try your hand at lassoing a reindeer. Your guide will explain the Sámi’s deep connection to nature, reindeer herding practices, and the region’s spiritual heritage.
Day 15: Departure from Rovaniemi, Finland
Bid farewell to the Arctic with a tranquil morning activity and a seamless trip home.
Snowshoe Trek & Farewell Brunch
Begin your final day with a guided snowshoe walk through a silent winter forest, where you’ll spot animal tracks and breathe in the pristine frost.
Return to the lodge for a hearty Finnish brunch—smoked fish, Karelian pies, and tundra berry compote—while reflecting on your Arctic discoveries.
Private Transfer to Rovaniemi Airport
After brunch, settle into your private vehicle for the short drive to Rovaniemi Airport.
