Local Living Iceland— Bakkagerði
Itinerary
Arrive at the Egilsstaðir airport in the morning and transfer to our local guest house, home for the next 5 nights. Visit the fishing village of Borgarfjörður eystri which offers a glimpse into daily life and enjoy lunch at a local fish soup restaurant. Settle into the accommodations and get to know your fellow travellers at a welcome meeting followed by a delicious farm-to-table dinner prepared by our host. This centre–based trip offers a chance to connect with our local hosts in a family-run guest house. In their words, this is your home away from home and their warmth and hospitality will make it hard to leave.
Here we enjoy our included breakfasts and dinners which offer a true immersion into local cuisine. Our hosts focus on fresh, local ingredients and support their neighbours; small-scale farmers and fishermen, much to the delight of our palate. While difficult to see, the "hidden people" make Borgarfjörður eystri their home and the area is thought (according to folklore) to hold a large population of elves. The elves make their home in the many interesting rock formations and they have no concern with hikers walking by, so long as you respect their homes and nature. On occasion, they are known to help humans, in particular those being bullied, so be kind to each other.
This trip starts at the Egilsstadir airport - domestic flights from Reykjavik and accommodation in Reykjavik are NOT included. Please speak to your GCO or agent to assist in booking these arrangements.
- Borgarfjörður eystri Village Walk: Join your CEO and get acquainted with your new surroundings. Learn about Álfaborg, a rocky hill believed to be the dwelling place of the Elf Queen and her court. This iconic site is central to Icelandic folklore and spiritual tradition, offering a unique insight into the country's mystical heritage.
Set off into Borgarfjörður Valley this morning for a nature walk with your CEO. Wander through the Icelandic wilderness, taking it all in before returning to Borgarfjörður Eystri for lunch. Enjoy a free afternoon with the opportunity to visit the local microbrewery or take time for yourself and wash away the stress of travel with a spa and wellness experience. Cap off a perfect day with a home-cooked dinner of fresh and traditional flavours.
- Free Time: There's plenty to see and do; now is your time to explore. Choose to visit the local microbrewery or relax at an Icelandic spa.
- Borgarfjörður Valley Nature Walk: Join your CEO on a walk around Urðarhólar Lake, a peaceful and relatively untouched area nestled between dramatic rhyolite mountains. The trail offers a mix of lush meadows, serene lake views, and chances to spot local birdlife.
- Bakkagerði Brewery: Visit the local microbrewery to learn about small-scale Icelandic craft brewing, enjoy tastings, and meet the brewers. The atmosphere is cozy, and the flavors are as wild and local as the surrounding landscape.
- Musterid Spa & Wellness: Unwind with a soak, sauna, or massage. The spa offers modern facilities in a peaceful setting, blending wellness with the area’s deep connection to nature. An advanced booking recommended.
Today is about culture and tradition with a hands-on flair. Begin by visiting the Lindarbakki turfhouse, a historic, grass covered cottage, then continue onward to a local fish factory to learn about the industry. Join a cooking class to try your hand at creating some traditional staples, using fresh and local ingredients. Next, visit an eiderdown company to learn about one of Iceland's beloved sea birds before taking a scenic walk for the opportunity to see them in their natural habitat.
- Lindarbakki Turfhouse Visit: Visit a charming red-roofed, grass-covered cottage that’s become a symbol of the area. Learn about traditional ways of life in Borgarfjörður Eystri, and how modern life blends with centuries of resilience and self-sufficiency.
- Local Fish Factory Visit: See the daily catch come in and learn how it's prepared and preserved. Discover local delicacies like Harðfiskur (dried fish) and possibly Hákarl (fermented shark), if available. This is also where the fresh fish for your cooking class is sourced—truly sea-to-table!
- Icelandic Cooking Class: This hands-on class prepares three local staples: a traditional cake, hearty bread, and a regional fish dish. Learn how to prepare and cook fresh local catch using Icelandic techniques and ingredients.
- Eider Duck Company Visit: Learn about the sustainable collection of eiderdown, one of Iceland’s most unique natural exports, and how locals protect bird habitats.
- Bird Viewing: Enjoy a short scenic walk to see the local seabird population flocks at a nesting area along the nearby cliffs.
Stretch your legs on a hike from Stapavík, along the Selfljót river before a scenic drive back to Borgarfjörður Eystri where you'll refuel with a lunch of home-style Icelandic dishes. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to relax or choose to check out a nearby working farm - an opportunity to experience the daily life in the picturesque Icelandic community, before another delicious home-cooked dinner in the evening from our hosts.
- Stapavík Hike: Walk a beautiful trail with views of dramatic coastline and gentle meadows. While the route is mostly flat, it’s rugged and remote, giving you a glimpse into the raw, isolated nature that once made this route too tough for locals to settle long-term.
- Free Time: Decompress however you wish with a free afternoon.
Head out to a local Icelandic horse farm this morning and learn about what makes the horses so unique. Choose to take part in a ride through the countryside or take some free time to explore on foot or relax. Next, stop at the Gufufoss waterfall for incredible photo opportunities before lunch in the charming village of Seyðisfjörður. Finish up the day at Vök Baths, a geothermal spa where you can soak any lingering real life stress away before returning to our guesthouse for the evening.
- Local Horse Farm Visit: Learn about the uniquely gaited Icelandic horse, known for its friendly temperament
- Gufufoss Visit: Gufufoss is one of East Iceland’s most photogenic waterfalls. Nestled in a mossy gorge just before entering Seyðisfjörður.
- Vök Baths Visit: East Iceland’s premier geothermal spa built on a lake. Soak in floating pools with views over Lake Urriðavatn, experience contrast therapy with hot and cold pools, or try herbal teas made from locally foraged ingredients.
Enjoy one last breakfast at the guesthouse before transferring to the Egilsstaðir airport where the tour ends.
When booking departure flights from Egilsstaðir to Reykjavik, we suggest a morning flight from Egilsstaðir airport.
- Departure Transfer: You will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport at the end of your adventure.
Trip Inclusions
- Savour delicious home-cooked meals from fresh local ingredients prepared by our hosts.
- Walk through the village of Borgarfjörður eystri with your CEO and hear stories of Icelandic folklore.
- Try your hand at local cuisine in an Icelandic cooking class.
- Hike along scenic coastlines and peaceful meadows.
- Soak and unwind at the Vök Baths with hot and cold pools floating on a serene lake.
- Your Foodie Moment: Icelandic Cooking Class, Bakkagerdi
- Your Wellness Moment: Vök Baths Visit, Egilsstaðir
- Arrival transfer
- Borgarfjörður eystri Village Walk
- Borgarfjörður Valley Nature Walk
- Visit to the historic Lindarbakki Turfhouse
- Fish factory visit to learn about the industry
- Visit to a traditional eiderdown company
- Scenic birdwatching walk at a nesting cliff
- Hike from Stapavík along the Selfljót river
- Horse farm visit with the chance to ride
- Gufufoss waterfall visit
- Departure transfer
- Transport to/from all included activities and between all destinations
- Private Vehicle, walking
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout
- Guesthouse (5 Nights)
- 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included.
For travellers who want to go beyond the guidebooks, Local Living tours offer a deeper, slower way to explore. You will stay in one place for the week, often with a local host family, giving you the chance to truly settle in and see how life is lived every day. Read more
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Dates & Pricing
The Great Adventurers Club
GJ Loyalty Discount
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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