8 days - from $3,055
ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS
- Drive to the sights along the legendary Golden Circle route
- From the lava fields of Eldhraun, to the glacial lagoon Jokulsarlon
- Drive along the rugged coastline of the East Fjords
- Experience Lake Myvatn and Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland
- Drive through the historical region of Skagafjordur renowned for horse breeding
Day 1 Reykjavik
Approximate distance: 100km / 62miles
Velkominn! Pick up the car at the airport and start your Iceland experience.
From Keflavik International Airport, we recommend driving the southern coast of the Reykjanes peninsula where you will see unusual and stunning craters, lava cliffs, fissures and the Mid-Atlantic ridge itself. Along the way is the Viking World Museum, famous for its replica Viking ship. Continue to your first overnight stay in the charming village of Hveragerdi. This village 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 stay in Hveragerdi area
Day 2 Thingvellir - Gullfoss - Geysir - South Shore
Approximate distance: 395km / 245miles
Today visit the must-see sights known as the Golden Circle. This includes the geologically and historically significant Thingvellir National Park, the spectacular Gullfoss waterfall, and the famous Geysir hot spring area. Drive along the south shore, viewing Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, the black sand beaches around Vik, and Myrdalsjokull glacier. From June - to early August, it is possible to see puffins at Dyrholaey.
*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 Kirkjubaejarklaustur - Skaftafell - Jokulsarlon - Hofn
Approximate distance: 285km / 177miles
This morning head through Eldraun, the strange-looking lava field created by one of Iceland’s most devastating volcanic eruptions before reaching the village of Kirkjubaejarklaustur, site of a medieval convent. Explore Skaftafell, a green oasis nestled below the great Vatnajokull glacier. Skaftafell is part of Vatnajokull National Park, the largest of its type in Western Europe. Travel across black sand plains created by glacial activity. Stop at the incredible Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon and Diamond Beach, before continuing to the charming harbour town Hofn, also known as the lobster capital of northern Europe.
Overnight in the Hofn area.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 4 Hofn - Djupivogur - Reydarfjordur - Egilsstadir
Approximate distance: 265km / 165miles
Drive along the rugged coastline of the East Fjords, one of the oldest regions in Iceland, shaped by glaciers during the Ice Age. Although many fjords are uninhabited, each fjord has its own grandeur. The natural harbours in the fjords led to the development of fishing villages that have still hung on to a degree of Old-World charm. On the way visit Djupivogur to see its unique egg sculptures or stop at Stodvarfjordur to visit Petra's famous collection of local stones and minerals. Depending on your arrival time in Egilsstadir, you may wish to visit nearby Vok Baths.
Overnight in Egilsstadir area
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 5 Egilsstadir - Dettifoss - Husavik - Myvatn
Approximate distance: 275km / 171miles
Travel across the Modrudalsoraefi highlands renowned for their stark, untouched beauty towards Dettifoss, Europe's mightiest waterfall. Visit the magnificent horseshoe-shaped canyon Asbyrgi in northern Vatnajokull National Park. Drive onwards to Tjornes peninsula and the friendly fishing port town of Husavik. You can visit the Whale Museum or take a whale watching tour for the chance to see them in real life. Relax at the GeoSea Geothermal Spa which has views towards the Arctic Circle, or continue to Myvatn, your overnight stay, where you can also end your day with a visit to the Nature Baths.
Important: Please note Roads 864, 862 and therefore, Road 85 are usually closed during the fall, winter and spring until the end of May (Road opening dates are dependent on the weather conditions). Until these roads are open, please take the scenic Ring Road 1 to Road 87 and on to Husavik. Also note that Roads 864 and 862 are gravel roads, and you need to pay attention to warning signs in the area if road conditions are not good for driving.
Overnight in Myvatn area
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 6 Myvatn - Akureyri/Skagafjordur
Approximate distance: 165km / 103miles
Explore the highlights of the Lake Myvatn area, including the mystical volcanic formations at Dimmuborgir, the pseudo craters at Skutustadir, the colourful sulphurous slopes of Namaskard, and the Hverfjall volcanic crater. If you didn't yesterday, it is also possible to visit to the azure blue Myvatn Nature Baths, where you can enjoy the soothing waters and the natural steam baths and sauna. Drive to Godafoss waterfall en route to Akureyri, the charming “capital” of North Iceland.
Overnight in the Akureyri or Northwest Iceland area
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 7 Akureyri - Reykholt - Borgarnes - Hvalfjordur - Reykjavik
Approximate distance: 490km / 305miles
Drive through the historical region of Skagafjordur renowned for horse breeding. You have an option of visiting the old farmstead at Glaumbaer a great example of old Icelandic architecture. Continue to the bay of Hunafloi where there is a Seal Centre and across Holtavorduheidi plateau to enter Borgarfjordur area. Here, you can visit the beautiful Hraunfossar lava falls and Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot springs. Return to Reykjavik in the evening.
Another option is to travel across the barren wasteland on the Kjolur highland road (4WD needed, track open from mid-June through August), to the geothermal wilderness oasis at Hveravellir before driving to Reykjavik.
Overnight in Reykjavik
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 8 Reykjavik
Approximate distance: 50 km / 30 miles
Depending on your flight time, enjoy your day in Reykjavik or if you haven't already, visit the Blue Lagoon which is on the way to the airport, before driving back to Keflavik International Airport to return the car and take your onward flight.
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)
- 7 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:
- Approximately 1500 star points, points of interest, tours and activities in the area, including 35 points of interest with an audio guide
- Access to your travel documents, create a personalised map links to electronic versions of the Iceland Travel Road Guide in different languages which covers interesting places as well as safety tips; Your hotel bookings with check-in and check-out dates
*The Travel Companion app is designed for easy use with your personal phone, tablet or computer
- 7 Icelandic- style Breakfasts
Driving route enables sightseeing at:
- Reykjanes peninsula and the Viking World Museum
- Hveragerdi village, also known as the flower village
- Gullfoss waterfall
- The hot springs at Geysir
- Thingvellir National Park
- Black sand beaches near Vik
- Myrdalsjokull glacier
- Eldhraun
- Vatnajokull National Park
- Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon
- Rugged coastline of the East Fjords
- Egilsstadir
- Modrudalsoraefi highlands to Dettifoss
- Port of Husavik
- Lake Myvatn with natural baths
- The sulfurous slopes of Namaskard
- Lava formations at Dimmuborgir
- Godafoss waterfalls
- Akureyri
- Historical region of Skagafjordu
- Bay of Hunafloi with Seal Centre
- Borgarfjordur area includes hot springs
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.
Ask about the wonderful sightseeing and experience bundles you can add to your self drive itineraries;
THE WELLNESS SEEKER: Partake in the relaxing past time of Iceland. This bundle gives you entrance to 3 different thermal bath experiences: Hvammsvik Natural Geothermal Hot Spring (including bathing fee and towel rental) - Sky Lagoon in the Reykjavik area (includes bathing fee and towel rental) - Fontana Geothermal Steam Baths in Laugarvatn, South Iceland (includes bathing fee and towel rental).
THE ADVENTURER: Get up close to nature with this bundle that includes: Glacier Wonder walk on Solheimajokull (including 3.5 hours, glacier gear and safety equipment) - Snowmobiling on Langjokull (including guided 1-1.5 hour glacier walk, glacier gear and safety equipment).
THE NAVIGATOR: Combine a bit of boating and a bit of hot spring relaxation with your Iceland experience: Zodiac Tour on the Fjallsarlon Glacier (includes 45 min boat tour on Glacier Lagoon))- Entrance to Fontana Geothermal Steam Baths (includes entrance and towel) - Whale Watching from Husavik or Akureyri.
