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Active Iceland Self Drive

10 Days / 17 locations in Iceland

Travel around Iceland in ten days, enjoying the natural wonders and majestic landscapes of Iceland by combining the classic sights along the Ring Road with the wilderness interior pearls of Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk. Covering major highlights such as the foggy mountain tops and deep fjords of the East coast, the Lake Mývatn area and the stunning Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, this tour also allows you to experience the solitude of open spaces and the highland wilderness.

Itinerary

 
Day 1     Reykjavik

Pick up your rental car at Keflavík International airport and make your way to Reykjavík.

Overnight in Reykjavík.

 
Day 2     Reykjavik - Thingvellir
Meals: Breakfast

National Park with Geological Wonders – Exploding Geysers – Waterfalls

Start with a visit to Þingvellir National Park, the ancient site of the world’s first parliament and a jewel of nature. Afterwards, head to the nearby geothermal area of the great Geysir and witness several boiling mud pools and hot springs. The most active geyser, Strokkur, shoots water high into the air every few minutes. Onwards to the beautiful Gullfoss or “Golden” waterfall considered by many to be the most impressive in Iceland.

Overnight nearby Mt. Hekla.

 
Day 3     Thorsmork Nature Reserve - Landmannalaugar
Meals: Breakfast

Interior Pearl – Deep Valleys – Volcanic scenery

Follow an interior track to Landmannalaugar, a magnificent area surrounded by colourful rhyolite mountains with the option of bathing in a naturally warm geothermal pool. This pearl of the interior consists of deep valleys and mountains, formed in volcanic eruptions under the icecap during the ice-age, moulding this uniquely colourful landscape.

Overnight nearby Mt. Hekla

 
Day 4     Skogar - Vik
Meals: Breakfast

A Beautiful Nature Reserve – Glacial Rivers – Puffin Colony – Black Sand Beaches of the South Shore

Spend today exploring the Þórsmörk area, a beautiful nature reserve situated between three glaciers. One of them, the towering strata volcano Eyjafjallajökull, is probably the most famous volcano in the world today. In Þórsmörk there are many hiking trails through valleys with birch trees, glacial rivers, streams and wonderful mountain scenery. As you need to cross the glacial river Krossá to get to Þórsmörk, a transfer is provided to Þórsmörk and back. Passing through rough mountain tracks and crossing un-bridged glacial rivers adds to the delight and excitement of this spectacular area. On your way to/from Þórsmörk, stop and admire the two beautiful waterfalls, Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, and later enjoy the great views on Dyrhólaey headland.

Overnight in Vík area.

 
Day 5     Skaftafell National Park - Jokulsarlon - Vatnajokull Glacier - Hofn
Meals: Breakfast

Europe’s Largest National Park and Glacier – Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs

Start the day by visiting Skaftafell National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty, dominated by Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest ice cap. Continue to Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon where huge icebergs float and grind together in the still, deep waters of the lagoon.

Optional at exta cost: Boat tour on Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon

Overnight in Höfn area.

 
Day 6     Hofn - East Fjords - Egilsstadir
Meals: Breakfast

Majestic Steep Mountains – Narrow Fjords – Bird Life – Small Fishing Villages

Drive from Höfn through the towering mountains plunging vertically into the sea that form the magnificent East Fjords. The East part of Iceland offers a little bit of everything; majestic and steep mountains and narrow fjords, forests, wide variety of birdlife, bird cliffs, deserts, and vast expanses. Last but not the least; it has a lot of small fishing villages which hold a special charm, developed because of the natural harbours in the area. In East Iceland, the landscape exhibits an extraordinary variety of colors and it´s truly a magical region of natural phenomena.

Overnight in Egilsstaðir area.

 
Day 7     Egilsstadir - Dettifoss - Husavik
Meals: Breakfast

Highland Desert – Powerful Waterfall – Canyon – National Park – Whale Watching

Travel across Möðrudalsöræfi highland desert renowned for its stark beauty to Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe, located in the majestic Jökulsárgljúfur canyon. Discover the enormous horseshoe-shaped canyon of Ásbyrgi National Park that, according to Norse mythology, is the hoof-print left by Sleipnir, the magical eight-legged horse of the pagan god Óðinn. Then travel around the stunning Tjörnes Peninsula to Húsavík village. Overnight in Húsavík area.

Optional at extra cost: Evening or late afternoon whale watching tour from Húsavík village.

 
Day 8     Lake Myvatn - Akureyri
Meals: Breakfast

Bizarre Lava Formations – Geographical & Volcanic Activity – Rich Birdlife

Explore the natural beauty of the Lake Mývatn area, including the peculiar lava formations at Dimmuborgir, and the pseudo craters at Skútustaðir. A visit to Krafla caldera is highly enjoyable; among it a short walk to Víti (“Hell”), an explosive crater on the slopes of Krafla, and a longer walk to Leirhnjúkur lava field. Visit Námaskarð pass with its boiling mud pools and vibrant colors. Afterwards drive towards Goðafoss waterfall before continuing to Akureyri, the vibrant “Capital of the North” and the second largest urban area in Iceland. Overnight in Akureyri area.

 
Day 9     Akureyri - Borgarfjordur - Reykjavik
Meals: Breakfast

Fertile Farmlands – Unique Viking Horse – Protected Salmon River

Majestic mountains and narrow passes lead to Skagafjörður which is known for the breeding of the unique Icelandic horse. Continue towards the village of Blönduós built on both sides of the river Blanda, with Hrútey Island, a protected nature reserve, located in the middle of this popular salmon-river. Cross the Holtavörðuheiði plateau through the historical Borgarfjörður district to the beautiful town of Borgarnes.

Overnight in Reykjavík.

 
Day 10     Reykjavik
Meals: Breakfast

Drive back to Keflavik International Airport and drop off rental car.

 

Notes

Please note that the package price is based on 10 x 24-hour rental days starting at the time of rental. If your flight arrives early on day 1 and departs late on day 10 an additional supplement will be necessary unless you choose to return the car in Reykjavik when the 10 day rental is up and use our FlyBus departure transfer.

**If you would like to have dinner at your hotel, please contact the hotel directly to book a table.

Price Includes
Accommodation for 9 Nights, Including Breakfast. Accommodation Is a Mix of
Return Coach Transfer to Thorsmork Nature Reserve
2 Lunchboxes (1 Lunchbox for Car Grps 4.1 and Lower; Cars Not Suitable for
Rental Car With Unlimited Mileage, Cdw, Theft Protection
Car Pick Up/Drop off at Keflavík International Airport, Airport Service Cha
Map Book and Detailed Travel Guide in Selected Languages
Sim Card Worth Isk 2000: 50 Minutes of Local Calls + 300 Mb of Data.
Price Does Not Include
 Air
 Optional Excursions
IT$-1269
1.28.15.WP26