Follow the ring road no.1 with a detour to Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall and around Tjörnes peninsula. Discover also the Snæfellsnes peninsula in the west with numerous secret places worth finding.
4WD will not be necessary for this itinerary if you do not plan to make any detours which would involve driving on highland roads.
Overview
Tour Duration: 15 days / 14 nights
Tour ID: ID73
Highlights:
- The Geyser area
- Dettifoss and numerous other waterfalls
- Dyrhólaey bird sanctuary
- Skaftafell National Park
- Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon
- East fjords
- Ásbyrgi horse-shaped canyon
- Húsavík
- Lake Mývatn
- Akureyri
- Snæfellsnes peninsula
Departures: From May – September
Prices include:
– 15 days car rental with unlimited mileage, CDW, “Theft Waiver” PAI and tax; pick up/drop off at Keflavík airport
– road map
– 14 nights in double or twin rooms including breakfast
– Detailed itinerary
– Reference guide about Iceland
– Service and VAT
Itinerary
Day 1: (ca 50 km)
Upon your arrival at Keflavik International Airport, you will pick up your rental car at the airport and drive to Reykjavik for an overnight stay. If your arrival is late in the night, your accommodation this night can be arranged closer to Keflavik international airport.
Day 2: (ca. 200 km)
On this first day of your drive around Iceland, you will travel the famous “Golden Circle.” This route takes you to Þingvellir national park which is a great lava arena in a rift valley and the site of the oldest parliament, “the Althing” and Lake Þingvallavatn. From there you go to the Geysir geothermal area – have your camera ready for one of the geysers, Strokkur as it spouts a column of hot water. You will also visit the stunning Gullfoss waterfall (the Golden Waterfall) on your drive today.
Day 3: (ca.300 km)
Today you will travel the south coast where you will have views of Mt. Hekla, visit the Seljalandsfoss waterfall and Skógafoss waterfall. If you like you can visit the Skógar folk museum. On today’s journey, you will have views of the Eyjafjallajökull glacier with the infamous volcano of the same name resting beneath it. The Dyrhólaey promontory is a fantastic place to visit. It is a bird paradise and the southernmost point of Iceland. The village of Vík with its long black sand beach is also worth the while. Along the days drive you will travel across the sands of glacial rivers and lava fields. At Skaftafell National Park you have a chance to take hikes, long or short, including one that leads you to the beautiful Svartifoss waterfall.
Day 4: Skaftafell national park
Today you have more time to explore the Skaftafell National Park. This is a good day for hiking, and there are many options for you to choose from. There are many trails for hiking through the park, suitable for different demands of the hikers; you can take a short walk through the park, or spend the whole day hiking. You can even walk to the edge of a glacial tongue or take a guided tour to Hvannadalshnjúkur, the highest mountain in Iceland.
Day 5: (ca. 240 km)
On your journey today you have a chance to take a tractor tour to Ingólfshöfði promontory where among other birds you can see the cute puffins. You will visit Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon where you can join a boat tour amongst the icebergs calving off the glacier. Today’s drive takes you along the foot of the largest European glacier – Vatnajökull and brings you to the charming town of Höfn, famous for good lobster meals.
Day 6: (ca.150-250 km)
Today you will drive along the sheltered East fjords and through small fishing villages. W recommend visiting Petra’s stone museum with a colourful collection of Icelandic minerals in a beautiful garden. Make your way to Norðurfjörður with the picturesque fishing village of Neskaupsstaður before heading to Egilsstaðir, the administration centre of East Iceland. There you can drive around the monster-infested Lake Lagarfljót and visit Hallormsstaður, the largest forest in Iceland. You can also visit the charming town of Seyðisfjörður.
Day 7: (ca. 220 km)
Today you will start by driving through Jökuldalur valley with its numerous waterfalls dropping down from the hilltops above the road. From there you reach the desert plateau of Möðrudalsöræfi where you will find Mörðudalur – an isolated farm at the edge of the highlands. Further into the highlands, you will discover Dettioss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall powering through the gorge of Jökuldárgljúfur. You will visit Ásbyrgi, a horseshoe-shaped canyon with lush vegetation before heading to the delightful fishing town of Húsavík with its famous whale museum and the chance for a whale watching tour.
Day 8: (ca. 70 km)
This is a relaxing day with time for whale watching, exploring Húsavík or a hike up to Mt. Húsavíkurfjall. After exploring Húsavík, you will head to Lake Mývatn with its thousands of nesting birds and various volcanic phenomena. There are lava fields, volcanic craters and mountains, pseudo craters, lava rock formations, solfatara field with boiling mud pits and roaring steam vents. At the end of the day, you can visit the Nature Baths geothermal lagoon where you can have a relaxing bath in pleasantly warm water and great views over the area.
Day 9: Mývatn
This is a day to enjoy the wonderous volcanic world of Lake Myvatn to the fullest. You have the option to explore at your own pace or to join optional tours such as Lofthellir lava ice cave or to take a jeep tour to Askja and Holuhraun.
Day 10: (100 km)
On today’s drive, you will visit Goðafoss waterfall (the Waterfall of Gods) before reaching Eyjafjörður, the longest fjord in Iceland. The town of Akureyri often referred to as the capital of the north – the cultural, educational and administration centre. It is worth taking the time to explore this charming town with its old wooden houses, the northernmost botanical garden, beautiful church and many exciting museums and cosy cafés.
Day 11: (ca. 360 km)
Today you will drive through the glacial valleys of Hörgárdalur and Öxnadalur, Skagafjörður, Blönduós, Hrútafjörður, Laxárdalur, Búðardalur and Breiðafjörður – the fjord of numerous islands. At the end of the day, you will be visiting the town of Stykkihsólmur.
Day 12: Stykkishólmur / Breiðafjörður
Begin the day by exploring Stykkishólmur and the surroundings. You have the option to take a boat tour in Breiðafjörður. This is also a perfect opportunity to make a trip to Flatey Island using the scheduled ferry service across Breiðafjörður. Flatey is a place where it seems like time stopped about 100 years ago. The old houses were mostly built in the 19th and early 20th century and the village preserves the old look and charm. Nowadays there are only 2 farms with permanent residents on the island, but there are numerous seabirds that reside in the island and the surrounding islands.
Day 13: (ca. 150 km)
Today your journey will take you across Snæfellsnes peninsula where you will find tiny waterfalls, mountains, the fishing villages of Grundarfjörður, Ólafsvík, Ríf and Hellissandur. You can visit a fascinating maritime museum or take a guided tour into the Vatnshellir lava cave. There will be views of the Snæfellsjökull glacier/volcano, and you will see the Lóndrangar rock formation, Djúpalónssandur beach and the village Arnarstapi with its fascinating basalt cliff formations and nesting seabirds.
Day 14: (ca. 150 km)
Today you have the time to explore more of Snæfellsnes peninsula and visit Borgarnes, where you can find the interesting Settlement Center of Iceland. On your way back to Reykjavík you can either take the tunnel under Hvalfjörður (the Whale fjord) or drive the gravel road into the beautiful fjord.
Day 15: (ca. 50-70 km)
Drive to Keflavík airport, return the rental car and check-in for the flight back home. If your departure is in the afternoon, then you can drive to the Blue Lagoon for a relaxing bath in the geothermal water before leaving Iceland.
Trip Info
Note:
The itinerary can also be tailor-made according to your preferences and interests. Optional activities we can be added to the programme, e.g. horseback riding, sea-kayaking, river rafting, whale watching, glacial hike, caving, sightseeing flights, etc.
Upon booking and confirming the package detailed itinerary will be provided.
