Iceland’s small size belies its richness of unique experiences. In just a few days, a traveler can come face to face with waterfalls of all shapes and sizes; creatures not found anywhere else in the world; glaciers, ice caps, volcanoes, and lava fields; beaches of black sand and of perfectly smooth pebbles; and everything in between. 

Read on for our pick of five unique travel highlights you can learn about, see, and experience on our Exploring Iceland small group tour.

1. Landscapes Shaped by Fire and Ice

The charming town of Vik, sitting about 12 miles from the notorious volcano Katla and the huge Mýrdalsjökull ice cap, the fourth largest in the country.

Sky-blue icebergs, boiling mud pots, steaming hot springs, spouting geysers, thundering glacier-fed waterfalls, and endless moss-covered lava fields – these are just some features that have earned Iceland the nickname “The Land of Fire and Ice.”

Despite its name, Iceland was – and continues to be – formed by fire. About 18 million years ago, the island emerged from the ocean’s surface, formed by volcanic activity within a hotspot between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. This hotspot is still active beneath Iceland to this day, fueling over 130 volcanoes that continually shape the landscape of this 40,000-square-mile island (about the size of Virginia).

At the same time, about 10% of Iceland’s area is covered in ice – including the largest ice cap in Europe, Vatnajökull. This ice feeds many of the rivers, streams, and over 10,000 waterfalls throughout the country, aiding in the constant evolution of Iceland’s scenery.

2. Diverse Natural Beauty at Every Turn

Forested Dimmuborgir lava field (top), Mars-like Namaskard geothermal area (middle), and this sky-blue lake (bottom) are all just a ten minute’s drive apart.

While on our Exploring Iceland small group tour, you can see all manner of diverse environments over the course of just a few days:

• Days 2-4 – Southern Iceland: Mossy caves, misty cascades, black-sand beaches, basalt columns, endless green farmlands, powerful volcanoes, and charming seaside villages
• Days 4-7 – Northern Iceland: Moon-like craters, sheer cliffsides, emerald-green waters, twisting towers of lava rocks, bubbling mud pots and hot springs, and thundering waterfalls
• Days 7-9 – Western Iceland: Shores of perfectly smooth pebbles, fields of flowers, coasts lined with fantastic rock formations, rolling green hills, ridges of distant mountains, and moss-covered lava fields

3. Plate Tectonics on Full Display

The view of the rift valley between the diverging North American and Eurasian tectonic plates in Thingvellir National Park, Iceland. This photo is taken from the North America side; the edge of the Eurasian plate can be seen as the dark line on the far mountainside.

On Day 9, we enter one of Iceland’s three national parks, where a true natural wonder resides: the rift valley between the diverging North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Iceland is one of very few places on earth where this rift, called the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, is visible above sea level – and the best place in the world to clearly see and walk between two tectonic plates.

4. Native Animal Life and Nesting Birds

The Icelandic horse is among the most isolated breeds in the world, boasting over a millennia of complete genetic isolation.

Iceland is the sole home to a very special animal: the Icelandic horse. Originally brought to the island by Vikings over 1,000 years ago, this hardy breed is meant mainly for riding and is especially well-equipped to cover Iceland’s rough terrain via its five distinct gaits. While most horses have just three innate gaits (the walk, trot, and canter/gallop), Icelandic horses are born with two additional ones:

• Tölt: A perfectly smooth version of the walk where one foot is always touching the ground, making it bounce-free for the rider
• Flying Pace (Skeið): A very fast pace where the legs move in unison to create a two-beat type of gallop that can reach up to 25 mph

On Exploring Iceland, we visit a horse farm where we are given a demonstration of the gaits of the Icelandic horse.

In terms of wildlife, only one native land mammal inhabited the island prior to human settlement: the Arctic fox. Otherwise, the only other wild land mammals are reindeer, mink, rabbits, and mice. 

Additionally, some 388 bird species migrate to Iceland, making it an excellent destination for birdwatchers, especially due to the density of the flocks during breeding season. Of the most beloved and sought-after species is the Atlantic puffin, and some 60% of the entire world’s population nest in Iceland. On spring through mid-August departures of Exploring Iceland, we see thousands of seabirds – including puffins – on their nesting islands while cruising Iceland’s longest fjord, Eyjafjörður.

5. Society

The Rainbow Street in Reykjavik, Iceland

Due perhaps in part to its remote location and small population (approximately 396,500 people as of 2026), Iceland fosters a uniquely peaceful and tight-knit society. It also acts as a world leader in literacy, safety, sustainability, and gender equality:

• Literacy: Boasting a vaunted education system and a sky-high literacy rate, the country produces more writers and publishers and reads more books per capita than anywhere else on Earth.
• Safety: Iceland has ranked as number one in the Global Peace Index for 18 consecutive years. It does not have a military, police do not carry firearms while patrolling, and the most common crimes are traffic violations (making up over 60% of all crimes) and petty theft.
• Sustainability: Geothermal power and hydropower generate much of the island’s  electricity supply, and geothermal energy heats nearly 90% of all its buildings and homes, making Iceland the ninth most sustainable country on earth, according to the 2026 Sustainable Development Report.
• Gender Equality: Iceland ranks first on the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report due to progressive policies and practices. One such policy: government-mandated equal pay between people doing the same job, regardless of gender. In addition, six-month parental leave for both mothers and fathers is standard. Perhaps most interestingly, Iceland’s family name system is based on an ancient tradition, where children’s last names are the first name of a parent (either father, mother, or sometimes both) combined with “-son” for sons (i.e., Jonsson for the son of Jon), “-dóttir” for daughters (i.e., Jonsdóttir for the daughter of Jon), and “-bur” for children outside of the gender binary (i.e., Jonsbur for the child of Jon). 

Iceland’s many unique aspects makes it an extremely special destination for travelers who wish to experience a land unlike any other. Join us on our Exploring Iceland tour to see and learn about all of the wonders of Iceland listed above for yourself; just give us a call or submit an online reservation request to save your spot today.