Categories Summer Tours Iceland Self Drive Vacations Adventure & Eco Travel Self Drive Tours Independent Tours

Offering the ultimate Iceland experience, this superb self-drive tour covers all the major highlights of the mainland, plus the many wonders of the more secluded Westfjords. These two weeks of travel bring together a sequence of attractions, from the newly-formed volcanic hot spots such as Krafla, to those ancient landscapes found in the far west, where the roads lead to remote fishing villages, weave around coastlines and through narrow fjords. This is the ultimate Iceland experience - including the highlights of the Ring Road, the scenic Westfjords, and the mystical Snaefellsnes peninsula.

* Types of Car recommended: 2.0 or higher.

Itinerary

Geothermal Lagoon – Flower village – Geothermal Greenhouses

Approximate mileage: ca. 100 km / 62 miles

Pick up the car at the airport and start your Iceland experience.

From Keflavík International Airport we recommend driving the southern coast of the Reykjanes peninsula towards your first overnight stay in the charming village of Hveragerði. The 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.

Depending on your arrival time in Iceland it is ideal to visit the renowned Blue Lagoon to relax in the geothermal water.

National Park of Geological Wonders (UNESCO) – Exploding Geysers – Massive Waterfall

Approximate distance: ca170km / 106miles

Drive to Thingvellir National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site), site of the ancient Icelandic parliament and a jewel of nature. Continue to the famous Geysir hot-spring area and the mighty Gullfoss waterfall.

Overnight in the Fludir area.

Optional: Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths - Entrance fee

Hekla Volcano – Thundering Waterfalls – Puffin Colony – Black Sand Beaches – Lava Fields

Approximate mileage: ca. 300 km / 186 miles

Drive along the spectacular south coast, viewing highlights such as Skógafoss waterfall, Mýrdalsjökull glacier, Dyrhólaey* and the black sand beaches of Vík. Continue across Eldhraun lava field to the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur known for its fabulous trout fishing.

Another option is to drive the beautiful mountain track Fjallabaksleið through Landmannalaugar nature reserve (4WD needed, track open from late June).

*Please note that Dyrhólaey is closed during nesting season in spring, from ca. middle May til June 23rd

Optional: Snowmobiling on Myrdalsjokull Glacier (from Basecamp)

Europe's Largest National Park – Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs – Europe's Largest Glacier

Approximate mileage: ca. 200 km / 124 miles

Today you will be in the area of Vatnajokull National Park, named after Europe‘s largest glacier. Visit the park’s amazing Skaftafell area, a green oasis nestled between glaciers that offers many hiking possibilities. Continue to the shimmering icebergs of Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon and the harbour town of Hofn, also known as the lobster capital of northern Europe.

Overnight in Hofn area

Optional: Boat tour on Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon.

Narrow Fjords – Steep Mountains – Picturesque Coastline – Mineral Collection

Approximate mileage: ca. 300 km / 186 miles

Drive through the spectacular East Fjords with towering mountains and charming fishing villages to the fertile Egilsstaðir area. On the way, you might opt to take a boat tour to Papey Island where thousands of puffins nest in the summer (mid-May – early August) or visit Petra's famous local stone and mineral collection at Stodvarfjordur.

You can either drive straight through Fagridalur to Egilsstaðir or head along the East Fjords, one of the oldest regions in Iceland, shaped by glaciers during the Ice Age. Although many 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.

In the Egilsstadir area, you can visit the beautiful Hallormsstadur forest and a river reputed to be the home of a friendly sea monster. Then it´s time to head to edge of the eastern highland wilderness a stunning area of vast green heaths, black mountains and rushing glacial rivers. Visit the new Wilderness Center located at the edge of the hauntingly beautiful eastern highlands. The centre offers two exhibitions on life in the Icelandic wilderness where abandoned farm buildings showcase the hardship and the beauty of this spectacular frontier. The Wilderness Center is also a unique gateway for hiking into the highlands.

Overnight in the Egilsstadir area

Europe's Most Powerful Waterfall – Glacier Carved Gorge – Whale Watching

Approximate mileage: ca. 310 km / 193 miles

Travel across Möðrudalsöræfi highlands renowned for their stark beauty to the mighty Dettifoss waterfall. Explore the many wonders of Jökulsárgljúfur National Park such as the strange formations of Hljóðaklettar (Echo Rocks) and the impressive horseshoe-shaped Ásbyrgi canyon. Continue along Tjörnes peninsula to the fishing village of Húsavík.

Optional: Whale watching tour from Húsavík;

Bizarre Lava Formations – Geothermal Activity – Rich Birdlife – Iceland's Second Largest City

Approximate distance: ca180km / 112miles

Spend the day exploring the natural wonders of Lake Myvatn and the surrounding area. Visit highlights such as the lava citadels at Dimmuborgir, the pseudo craters at Skutustadir, the colorful sulfurous slopes of Namaskard and the Krafla volcano area. Depart Myvatn and drive westward, visiting beautiful Godafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods. Drive to Siglufjordur along one of Iceland´s most beautiful coastlines, enjoying a unique view towards the North Atlantic. The town of Siglufjordur itself has many beautifully-restored, colourful buildings and excellent options for outdoor recreation, from golf to hiking to whale watching.

Overnight in north Iceland.

Approximate distance: ca200km / 124miles

Fertile Farmlands – Folk Museum – Viking Horses

Explore the fascinating area of Skagafjordur, renowned for horse breeding and Medieval history, before driving to Hrutafjordur Fjord. A recommended stop along the way is Vatnsdalsholar, a cluster of hills found in Vatnsdalur valley. These hills are considered to be one of the three natural sites in Iceland too numerous to easily count, along with the lakes in Arnarvatnsheidi and the islands in Breidafjordur Bay.

Overnight stay in Varmahlid/Laugarbakki area

Optional: Seal and Nature Watching (from Hvammstangi)

Scenic Coastline – Striking Fjords – Steep Mountains – Seal- and Birdlife

Approximate mileage: ca. 360 Km / 224 miles

Drive to Hólmavík, across Steingrímsfjarðarheiði to the spectacular region of the West Fjords, the oldest part of Iceland. Drive the numerous uninhabited fjords of Ísafjarðardjúp with a beautiful coastline alive with seals and birds. Continue to Ísafjörður, the largest town in the area.

West Fjords – Local Museums – Hiking in Hornstrandir Natural Reserve

Approximate mileage: variable

Spend time in Isafjordur and surrounding area including the neighboring towns of Bolungarvik and Sudureyri. In Sudeyri you might opt to take a pleasant walking tour around the town, getting acquainted with the town’s unique sustainable fishing industry. Try samples of gourmet and traditional seafood products along the way. Bolungarvik has a rennovated fishing camp from the 19th century that shows you how people made their living, fishing from wooden row boats. A pleasant activity to try in the area is sea kayaking in the calm, peaceful fjord waters.

Overnight in the Isafjordur area.

Small Picturesque Villages - Striking Waterfall - Red Sand Beaches - Sea Cliffs with Birdlife

Approximate mileage: ca. 330 km / 205 miles

Drive from Ísafjörður through the beautiful West Fjords. A stop at the stunning Dynjandi waterfall is recommended as well as driving to Látrabjarg cliffs. In the summer these high sea cliffs are teeming with millions of puffins, gannets, guillemots and razorbills. Onwards to the Flókalundur area.

Ferry Across the Bay – Picturesque Islands with Birdlife

Approximate mileage: Ferry

Sail with the ferry Baldur across Breiðafjordur bay with its countless islands and rich birdlife to the charming village of Stykkisholmur for an overnight stay. (Please note the ferry cost is not included in the package price.)

Please note: After Sept. 1. the ferry Baldur departs once per day and does not sail on Saturdays.

From Brjanslaekur: 18:00 (6:00pm)*

From Stykkisholmur: 15:00 (3:00pm)*

*This schedule is subject to change

The final destination today is the charming village of Stykkisholmur. This eco-friendly town has beautiful wooden buildings originally brought over from Norway in the 1800s. Stykkisholmur is a lovely place to take an evening walk, and you will surely enjoy the nice selection of cafes and restaurants available.

Overnight in the Stykkisholmur area (Northern Snaefellsnes).

Quaint Fishing Villages - Picturesque Waterfalls - Europe's Most Powerful Hot Spring - Scenic Fjord

Approximate mileage: ca. 360 km / 224 miles

Continue around the Snaefellsnes peninsula, passing the small fishing villages of Hellissandur and Grundarfjordur. Make a stop at the magnificent columnar basalt rock formations at Arnarstapi, as well as the rocky beach of Djupalonssandur. Explore Borgarfjordur area and visit the beautiful Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, Reykholt and the hot spring Deildartunguhver. Continue via Hvalfjordur fjord to Reykjavik.

Arrangements ends after breakfast.

Approximate distance: 52 km / 32 miles

Drive back to Keflavik International Airport and even stop at Blue Lagoon, as it is on your way to the airport, if you did not have time to do it on your arrival day. *

**Please note that the package price is based on 13 x 24-hour rental days starting at the time of rental. If your flight arrives early on day 1 and departs late on day 14, an additional supplement will be necessary unless you choose to return the car in Reykjavik when the 13 day rental is up and use our Flybus departure transfer.

Notes