Natural wonders await on this beautiful 7-day Itinerary of south and west Iceland. Starting in the Geothermal centre of Hveragerdi, explore from here to the awesome power of Strokkur Geyser, Gullfoss waterfall, and Eyjafjallajokull volcano! Follow further to the jaw dropping scenery of Vatnajokull, the shimmering icebergs of Jokulsarlon, and then back to the Thingvellir, home of the Viking parliament. Your journey will take you to the ever-changing beauty of the Sanefellsnes Peninsula, abundant in wildlife and picture-perfect landscapes, before finishing on the Reykjanes Peninsula, with its world-famous Blue Lagoon. All of this and more is waiting for you in the land of ice and fire.
7 Days - from $2,865
ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit the lively city of Reykjavik, the capital city of Iceland
- Take boat tour on the Jokusarlon Lagoon and get up close to the icebergs
- Stay in the town of Vik, nestled between glacier topped mountains and black sand beaches
- Be spoilt for choice on geothermal bath to relax in
- See majestic whales of the coast of the gorgeous Snaefellsnes Peninsula
DAY 1 Reykjavik - Hveragerdi
Driving distance: approx. 100 km / 62 miles
Your tour commences with the collection of your rental car from the airport depot and make your way to your hotel in Hveragerdi. The road takes you past rocky beaches with thundering waves. Hveragerdi is perfect for getting to know typical small-town Icelandic culture, but with a unique twist, it is one of the few sites in the world located directly on top of a geothermal area and, because of its many greenhouses heated by hot water from nearby springs, it is often called the “flower village.”
Overnight in the Hveragerdi area.
Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 2 Hveragerdi - Gullfoss - South Coast
Driving distance: approx. 290 km / 180 miles
Head within the golden circle today to the mighty Gullfoss Waterfall, considered to be the most beautiful in Iceland. Not far is the Geyser hot spring area, which contains many steam vents, including the famous Strokkur geyser. Drive along the south shore, passing the Eyjafjallajokull volcano, where you can learn about the 2010 eruption at the interactive LAVA Centre. Journey on to see the Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, along with the Myrdalsjokull glacier, where you may want to join in a snowmobiling trip! Maybe visit the Dyrholaey headland, famous in photos for its black lava arch. During the summer, thousands of sea birds and puffins nest here. Finish up in the village of Vik on the Reynisfjara coastline for the night.
Please note that Dyrholaey is closed during nesting season, from about the middle of May until late June.
Overnight in the Vik area.
Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 3 Vatnajokull National park - Glacial Lagoon - Vik
Driving distance: approx. 400 km / 249 miles
Today as you travel the southern area of Vatnajokull National Park, you will have Europe‘s largest glacier, the magnificent Vatnajokull, in view as you follow the route. You can visit the park’s amazing Skaftafell area, a green oasis nestled between glaciers that offer many hiking possibilities.
A highlight today is to see the shimmering icebergs floating in Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon and you may even glimpse a few seals. Nearby is the aptly named Diamond Beach, where parts of the broken icebergs come to rest on the black sand beach, creating a magical contrast between the white ice scattered across the black sands.
Overnight in the Vik area.
Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 4 Vik - Thingvellir National park - Borgarfjordur
Driving distance: approx. 325 km / 202 miles
Thingvellir National park awaits today, home of the ancient Icelandic parliament. A UNESCO world heritage site, you can walk between the American and European continents on many of the walking trails, and soak in the historical importance of the area. Then travel via either Hvalfjordur fjord or the Kaldidalur wilderness track on to Borgarfjordur and Reykholt. Whilst here visit the horse farm with its Icelandic horses, or travel to the Hraunfossar falls. Relax at the end of the day at Krauma Geothermal Natural Spa, with the powerful hot springs of Deildartunguhver nearby.
Kaldidalur is open June-August; a 4WD vehicle is needed. We recommend Category 5.0 or higher
Overnight in the Borgarfjordur area.
Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 5 Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Driving distance: approx. 330 km / 205 miles
Spend the entire day in the ever-changing beauty of Snaefellsnes peninsula and the Snaefellsjokull National Park. See small fishing villages and keep an eye out for Kirkjufell, Iceland’s most photographed mountain and the iconic Snaefellsjokull, a glacier-topped volcano said to be the home of a benevolent troll spirit. Perhaps stop at the rocky beach of Djupalonssandur, or the magnificent columnar basalt rock formations at Arnarstapi. Then head along the north coast through lively fishing villages. Keep an eye out for Kirkjufell, the photogenic Church Mountain. Olafsvik town is a great place for whale watching tours.
Overnight in the Borgarfjordur area.
Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 6 Borgarfjordur - Reykjanes Peninsula - Reykjavik
Driving distance: approx. 215 km / 134 miles
Designated a UNESCO Geopark in 2015, Reykjanes lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. It has over 50 geosites related to geothermal and tectonic plate activity. Visit the moon-like surroundings of Lake Kleifarvatn and the Krýsuvík geothermal area with its multicoloured bubbling mud pools. You can also cross the Mid-Atlantic ridge on the Bridge between Continents. For the adventurous, you can join an ATV tour, go hiking or snorkeling. Alternatively you can visit the world famous Blue Lagoon and it's beautiful waters.
You will finish the day in the lively capital of Reykjavik, and enjoy the culture and gastronomic delights.
Overnight in Reykjavik.
Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 7 Reykjavik
Approximate distance: 50km / 30miles
Return the car to Keflavik International Airport today before taking your onward flight. Depending on your flight time, enjoy your day exploring Reykjavik, or visit the famous Blue Lagoon which is on the way to the airport.
Meals included: Breakfast
- 1 night in 3 star (comfort class) or 4 star (quality class) accommodation in Reykjavik
- 6 nights in standard hotels, guesthouses and farmhouse accommodation (comfort class) and standard hotels and guesthouses accommodation (quality class)
- 6 day car hire
- Unlimited kilometres, Collision Damage Waiver and Theft Protection
- Additional authorised driver
- Airport Service Charge for car pick up and drop off at Keflavik International Airport
- Complimentary unlimited in-car wi-fi
- Emergency phone line open 24 hours
- Customer care service during office hours; services of local representatives
- Access to Travel Companion App*. The app includes:
- Over 1500 star points that include a selection of tours and activities, including 35 with an audio guide
- Versions of the Iceland Travel Road Guide in different languages which covers interesting places as well as safety tips
- Access to your travel documents and features to save places to a personalised map
- 6 Icelandic- style Breakfasts
Driving route enables sightseeing at:
- Hveragerdi village, also known as the flower village
- Gullfoss waterfall
- The hot springs at Geysir
- Thermal baths Fontana or Secret Lagoon in the Golden Circle
- Black sand beaches near Vik
- Seabird cliff of Dyrholaey
- Vatnajokull National Park
- Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon
- Thingvellir National Park
- Borgarfjordur area includes hot springs
- Snaefellsnes peninsula
- See Arnastarpi and Kirkjufell
- Whale watching tours from Olafsvik
- Reykjanes peninsula – Blue Lagoon, Bridge between continents and Viking World Museum
- Reykjavik
Car Hire: The driver must present a valid driving license held for a minimum of one year at the time of rental. A valid automobile driver’s license from the US, Canada or the European Economic Area is required to drive in Iceland. A license from other countries can be used if it: a) has a valid license number, b) has the license holder’s photograph, c) is printed in Latin alphabet characters and d) is valid at the time of travel. Otherwise, an international driver’s license is required.
Quality Class: Our quality self-drive holidays allow you to spend your days exploring rural Iceland, knowing your nights will be spent in the most comfortable accommodation each area has to offer. Throughout the tour you‘ll stay in quality guesthouses and hotels where all rooms have a private facilities. Your final night will be in a 4 star hotel in Reykjavik.
Comfort Class: Our comfort self-drives offer you the chance to travel around Iceland in a carefree spirit, staying in accommodation with private facilities without stretching your budget. During your stay you‘ll be located in a combination of standard hotels, farmhouses and guesthouses. Your final night will be in a 3 star hotel in Reykjavik.
* Does not include device. Designed for easy use with your personal phone, tablet or computer.
