Travelers will visit Godafoss—also known as the "waterfall of the gods"—during O.A.T.’s Untamed Iceland adventure.
Iceland—"the land of fire and ice"—offers travelers a chance to see some of Earth's most dramatic landscapes. From thundering waterfalls and erupting geysers to ancient glaciers and tectonic rifts, this Nordic Island nation promises experiences that simply can't be found anywhere else.
If you're thinking about embarking on our Untamed Iceland adventure, Unnur Karlsdottir—O.A.T.’s Country Manager for Iceland—is here to help. We asked her about Iceland's must-see highlights, how we navigate popular attractions, and the unique off-the-beaten-path experiences that make our adventures so special.
Untamed Iceland with Unnur Karlsdottir, Country Manager, Iceland
What are the famous must-see highlights on the itinerary?
Iceland's waterfalls are quite famous, but there are so many that they are countless! Many think Gullfoss—the golden waterfall—is the most beautiful one. Others say that Godafoss—the "waterfall of the gods"—tops the list. On our Untamed Iceland adventure we, of course, see both. Many mention that Seljalandsfoss is the most memorable one—maybe because that is the one you can walk behind. That is a truly unforgettable experience, and there are not that many places in the world where you can do that.
There is also another place we visit where you will experience something that is only possible in a very few places on earth, and that is to see a geyser erupt! (It is not Geysir, which other geysers are named after, but its neighbor Strokkur that we see erupt.)
A big part of Icelandic culture is to go to the geothermal swimming pools (heated outdoor swimming pools that also include hot tubs) or a spa—and that is where you will get a good chance to talk to the locals. This is possible all year round, even in the darkest and coldest winters, as an abundance of hot water comes from the ground and is available all around the country. Iceland's most famous spa is without a doubt the Blue Lagoon, which is on our Untamed Iceland itinerary, but there is a chance to visit other spas on the tour when you have time on your own.
Iceland’s most famous spa is the Blue Lagoon—which travelers will visit on Untamed Iceland—but, according to Unnur, "There is a chance to visit other spas on the tour when you have time on your own."
Iceland does not only have an abundance of hot water; it also has huge glaciers—actually the biggest glacier in Europe: Vatnajökull. We get a chance to get close to one of Iceland's glaciers—Katla glacier—as well as taste it, providing the weather gods allow it.
Another must-see is Thingvellir National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site), which is a remarkable geological site where you can see the separation of the tectonic plates: Eurasian and North American. It is one of the few places on Earth where this movement can be seen on land. Thingvellir has for centuries been the focal point of Icelandic culture and history since the Icelandic parliament was established there in 930.
Is there anything we do at popular places to minimize crowds/wait times?
Whenever possible, we aim at being at the most visited places ahead of or after a big crowd is expected to be there, especially when there are many cruise ships in harbor. We might start the day program a bit earlier, or turn the program around, so we can avoid being at the place at the same time as a big crowd. This is especially relevant for the Golden Circle (Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir geothermal area), Seljalandsfoss waterfall (where we might walk behind the waterfall if conditions allow), and Lake Myvatn area.
What are the truly unique, off-the-beaten-path places we visit or stay overnight?
For our Day in the Life experience in 2025, we stay at Daeli farm lodge in northwest Iceland. This place is truly unique—and we are the only travelers staying there! It is family run, and now by the third generation of the family: a young couple with two children of 9 and 2 years old.
A member of the family will tell us a bit about their daily lives and their history. Besides running the lodge, they breed Icelandic horses, which are thoroughbreds. The wife is also a horse trainer and teaches horse training at the Farming University of Iceland. So, besides staying at this truly tranquil place in the countryside, we get to watch and know these very special horses and get as close and personal to them as we might want.
Last but not least is the food we will be served. It so happens that part of the family is a professional chef who oversees the menu, so we are in for a treat where the food is concerned.
Another off-the-beaten-track place that we visit on our program is Hespa wool studio, where the host Gudrun shows us her methods for dyeing wool with plants. We also get the opportunity to try our hands at knitting by adding to the O.A.T. scarf. You can say that agriculture, Icelandic sheep (their wool), dye plants and plant identification, handicraft, and old traditions all come together in Gudrun's dye pots.
How are these unique places discovered?
Besides always being on the lookout for something new and special, word of mouth or some personal knowledge is always of value, and that is how many of the places we visit have been chosen. Our team is spread out all over the country and is always on the lookout for opportunities. Some of us live part-time in Iceland and therefore also bring a different perspective.
