Welcome to Iceland, a land of stunning contrasts and extraordinary natural beauty. Here, fire and ice coexist, creating a landscape that is as diverse as it is breathtaking. From the vibrant city life of Reykjavik to the serene, untouched wilderness, Iceland offers a unique blend of adventure, culture, and tranquility.
Winter 2024-2025 booking now! Plan your winter getaway today!
Capture the essence of Iceland's winter magic on this exhilarating 5-day tour, designed to showcase breathtaking landscapes and once-in-a-lifetime experiences beneath the Arctic skies. From Northern Lights chases to thrilling snowmobile tours and exploring stunning ice caves, this tour offers a perfect snapshot of winter in Iceland.
Winter 2024-2025 booking now! Plan your winter getaway today!
Embrace the magic of Icelandic winter on this thrilling five-day adventure, designed to immerse you in the stark beauty and unique phenomena of the season. From chasing the Northern Lights to relaxing in steaming hot springs, this journey will fill your days with wonder and awe, all while experiencing the rugged terrain in the comfort of a Super Jeep.
You can book these example journeys as they are, personalize them to suit your preferences, or let us design a custom trip just for you. Click the button below to request a quote and start planning your perfect adventure!
For years, we’ve been the behind-the-scenes magic makers for businesses, specializing in incentive and luxury travel. Our expertise in crafting seamless, high-end travel experiences has made us a trusted partner in the B2B world.
But now, we want to share the wonders of Iceland with everyone.
Our deep-rooted passion for Iceland, combined with our extensive local knowledge, means we can offer you an adventure like no other. Whether it's the ethereal dance of the Northern Lights, the raw power of cascading waterfalls, or the serene beauty of our glacial landscapes, we know all the hidden gems and iconic sights that make Iceland a must-visit destination.
We believe that travel should be more than just visiting a place; it should be about truly experiencing it. With our expert guides and personalized itineraries, you'll dive deep into Iceland's culture, nature, and unique spirit, all while enjoying the high standards and special touches that have defined our business for years.
Our below example journeys are crafted based on the trips our clients have raved about in the past. We offer private, professional guides who are not only knowledgeable but also passionate about making your journey exceptional. Flexibility is at the heart of our tours. Even if an itinerary lists certain stops, there are always hidden spots to be discovered, and our guides are adept at re-routing to fit in special interests or spontaneous stops along the way.
As our guides get to know you, they tailor the experience even further, making sure that your journey is everything you've dreamed of and more. Together, you'll uncover the magic of Iceland in a way that feels uniquely yours, making all your wishes come true.
So, whether you're a solo explorer, a couple seeking romance, or a family in search of adventure, let our seasoned team take you on a journey you'll cherish forever. At Essence of Iceland, we’re excited to bring our wealth of experience to your travel plans, ensuring that your Icelandic adventure is nothing short of extraordinary.
Join us and discover Iceland through the eyes of those who know it best. Your adventure begins here.
Witness the magic of the Northern Lights, a breathtaking natural phenomenon that paints the Arctic sky with vibrant hues of green, purple, and pink. Iceland is one of the best places on Earth to experience this awe-inspiring spectacle.
Imagine standing under a clear, star-studded sky as shimmering waves of light dance above you, creating an unforgettable moment. Our expert guides will take you to the best viewing spots, away from city lights, ensuring you have the best chance to see the Northern Lights in all their glory.
Immerse yourself in the serene beauty of Iceland's diverse landscapes. Picture yourself exploring majestic waterfalls, vast glaciers, and tranquil glacier lagoons. Marvel at the northern lights dancing in the night sky or the unique midnight sun casting a golden glow. Each moment is a breathtaking encounter with nature's artistry, promising peace and adventure in equal measure. This is just a glimpse of the extraordinary experiences awaiting you in Iceland.
At Essence of Iceland, we arrange private tours that cater to your every need. From the moment you arrive, we take care of all the details, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience. Our expert guides and dedicated team handle everything, so you can simply show up and enjoy the journey.
Join us to discover landscapes that not only inspire but transform. Your adventure into the wild heart of Iceland begins here. Let us craft your perfect Icelandic getaway, where every moment is tailored to create unforgettable memories.
Don't just take our word for it—hear from some of those who have experienced the magic of Iceland with us. Their experiences highlight our exceptional service and unique tours. Let their stories inspire your own journey to Iceland.
"We had a small 5-person group of friends on our 14-day off-the-beaten path private tour of Iceland’s magical nature organized by Essence of Iceland.
Both KRISTÍN HARÐARDÓTTIR, owner and CEO of EOI, and HINRIK BJARNASON, our tour leader, guide, driver and entertainer-in-chief, went out of their way to make our trip an unforgettable customized experience. They took time to learn our interests and preferences during the itinerary planning phase, and their suggestions to our exploration activities but also hotel and restaurant choices were insightful and helpful. On our rides in a comfortable off-road vehicle between destinations, we listened to Hinrik’s stories about Iceland, learned myths about elves and trolls, and took lessons in Icelandic language. Hinrik is passionate about the diversity and beauty of Iceland’s nature, and he guided us enthusiastically through the nature hikes, fjords, numerous waterfalls, mountains, beaches, glaciers, volcanoes, geysers, and other breathtaking landscapes. His excitement and passion for his home country which he knows like the back of his hand was contagious; he never rushed us, allowing ample time to take in the incredible scenery Iceland has to offer. Hinrik made our trip even more memorable by leading us to unique and private natural wonders and vistas, not to mention the evening entertainment with singing and guitar playing.
In summary, Essence of Iceland organized our trip superbly and reliably, and Hinrik is one of the best guides one can wish for in their Iceland’s adventure – resourceful, knowledgeable, attentive, adventurous and FUN! Suffice it to say we still have our social media private group chat with Hinrik going, well after our trip was over!"
Milena & Andrew Mokhov
New York, U.S.A.
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"Our wonderful time in Iceland was enhanced by Essence of Iceland. They tailored the trip to our interests and needs and provided unique experiences we will never forget. Our guide knew we wanted a knock on the door to rush out for the Northern lights (and he provided a stool for our 92 year old father to enjoy the spectacle) and to drive off-road onto a glacier. He pointed out the arctic fox running along the shoreline, named the many birds flying by, and worked hard for us to see whales (he was successful!). We highly recommend Essence of Iceland, a trusted company with knowledgeable, experienced, and enthusiastic guides to explore the country, especially if you want to go beyond the ordinary to experience more of the hidden gems of Iceland."
Carol Yee and Susan Puska
Arlington, Virginia
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“Phenomenal trip! Memories for a lifetime!”
Anthony Sobczak,
Global InTech Sales Director, Silvent NA, USA
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"We have travelled with Hinrik Bjarnasons twice. First was part of the Northern Lights Tour in winter of 2019 and then in 2021 again as part of Essence of Iceland summer tour. Both trips were spectacular and the entire experience left us truly wanting to visit Iceland again. We travel around the world a great deal and always come back to our memories of Iceland.
Everything from start of planning the journey to the end of our trips was extremely well organized. We were especially lucky to have Hinrik as our guide. He is a very experienced guide, friendly, with a great sense of humor. Hinrik shared with us his deep knowledge of Iceland’s history. The never ending flow of the Icelandic Sagas left us feeling as we are part of this land forever. His crash course on the Northern light photography helped us to capture many unforgettable moments of our trip. During the private tour Hinrik brought us to places that are not frequented by tourists so that we had amazing experiences seeing the beauty of beaches and mountains without anyone else being present.
As a professional musician, Hinrik even played for us classical guitar, international music and songs, bringing a very personal and touching moments to our trip.
Thank you Hinrik for all your time and passion!"
Sam & Polina Chapiro
Los Angeles, California
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"Essence of Iceland has been excellent to work with. We have worked with the agency in the past and have future bookings in the works. The company and staff are trustworthy, reliable, knowledgeable and professional. Our trips have been filled with Iceland scenery, Iceland history, fun places to go and see. We have even gone off the beaten path on hikes that we never would have known about, if it was not for our guide. Essence of Iceland comes highly recommended by us. We would refer the company to anyone looking for an epic adventure or a family vacation. "
Eric & Carrie
Montana, USA
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"My wife and I spent our honeymoon in Iceland. As we had never been, it was suggested by our close friend that we reach out to Essence of Iceland to ensure our trip was a success. This was the best advice we could have gotten.
Multiple options were presented for us to choose from with a base type package to work with. With their help, we designed the perfect week in Iceland.
Every detail was planned and contingencies for weather were accounted for.
The super jeep for our conveyance was kept meticulous and was absolutely unstoppable.
Our guide was extremely knowledgeable of every facet of the environments we were experiencing, the history and lore of Iceland as it pertained to our situation and was well acquainted with hotel staff and establishments we encountered making for an extremely easy and care free experience.
Accommodations which had been recommended were beyond our expectations, with impeccable staff and dining.
Off-roading on glaciers, soaking in thermal baths, exploring the black beach and riding Icelandic horses were absolutely awesome experiences we will never forget.
Essence of Iceland accounted for every detail of our trip, allowing us to have an unparalleled experience full of wonder without the hassle of worrying about where we were going next or how we were going to get there. It was simply all taken care of to provide a seamless experience from airport, across Iceland and back.
We cannot recommend Essence of Iceland enough and look forward to our next experience with them!"
Michael Menghini
Austin, TX