Drive Through Iceland in Your Own Private Car

Categories Summer Tours Iceland Self Drive Vacations Iceland on Sale! Self Drive Tours Independent Tours

Iceland's historic capital of Reykjavik is where you will begin and end this spectacular circle tour through the most magnificent natural sights that Iceland has to offer. At your hotel you will receive a private rental car, which you will drive across picturesque villages, past waterfalls, hot springs, geysers, and ancient Icelandic sights. See the shores of Honafldi Bay, the towering mountains and horse-breeding valleys of Skagafjordur, and the natural wonders of Lake Myvatn, including fantastic lava formations. Explore the spectacular Eastern Fjords, where mountains plunge vertically into the ocean and then drive to shimmering icebergs and lagoons. You will be awed by the spectacular southern coast, a sweeping landscape of sandy desert, rocky shores and rolling farmland sandwiched between snow-capped glaciers, mountains and the ocean.

Price is based on Group 2 car.

Itinerary

Arrive Keflavik and transfer to your hotel in Reykjavik on your own.

National Park with Geological Wonders (UNESCO) - Exploding Geysers - Massive Waterfall

Approximate mileage: ca. 170 km / 106 miles

Drive to Þingvellir National Park, site of the ancient Icelandic parliament and a jewel of nature. Continue to the famous Geysir hot-spring area and don't miss the mighty Gullfoss waterfall.

Optional: Whitewater rafting in the Geysir area; ATV-quad biking in Haukadalur; boat tour to Westman Islands.

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

Approximate mileage: ca. 300 km / 186 miles

Drive along the spectacular south coast and view highlights along the way such as Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, Mýrdalsjökull glacier, Dyrhólaey* and the black sand beaches of Vík. Continue towards Kirkjubæjarklaustur, a picturesque village known for fabulous trout fishing and is the former site of a 12th-century Catholic convent.

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

Optional: Boat tour from Dyrhólar on a special made boat with wheels; Skógar folk museum.

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

Approximate mileage: ca. 200 km / 124 miles

Visit the beautiful Skaftafell National Park nestled between glaciers with various hiking possibilities. Continue to the shimmering icebergs of Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon.

Optional: Boat tour on Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon; glacier hike in Skaftafell area.

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. You have the possibility to take a boat tour to Papey Island where thousands of puffins nest in the summer or visit the famous stone collection of Petra at Stöðvarfjörður.

Optional: Boat tour to Papey Island; Petra's stone collection..

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

Approximate mileage: ca. 310 km / 193 miles

Travel across Möðrudalsöræfi highlands to the mighty Dettifoss waterfall. Explore the impressive horse-shoe-shaped Ásbyrgi canyon in Jökulsárgljúfur National Park before continuing to the fishing port of Húsavík.

Optional: Whale watching from Húsavík.

Bizarre Lava Formations - Geothermal Activity - Rich Birdlife

Approximate mileage: ca. 100 km / 62 miles

Explore the highlights of Lake Mývatn and surrounding area with unique attractions such as Dimmuborgir, the pseudo craters at Skútustaðir, the colorful sulfurous slopes of Námaskarð and Krafla volcanic area. Make a stop to admire Goðafoss "Of the Gods" waterfall before continuing to the town of Akureyri.

Optional: bird museum in Mývatn.

Iceland's Second Largest City - Botanical Gardens - Local Museums - Arctic Circle

Approximate mileage: variable

Spend the day exploring Akureyri the capital of the North and its surrounding area.

Optional: Visit to Hrísey island; Flight tour to Grimsey Island which is the only place in Iceland touching the Arctic Circle (not available on Saturdays); Sea Angling from Akureyri.

Akureyri - Laugarbakki

Fertile Farmlands - Folk Museum - Viking Horses

Approximate mileage: ca. 193 / 120 miles

Travel to the horse-breeding valley of Skagafjörður fjord, continue to the shores of Húnaflói bay, an area rich in Icelandic history.

Optional: Whitewater river rafting in Skagafjörður; horse riding in Skagafjörður; seal watching tour from Hvammstangi.

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Birthplace of Leif Eiriksson - Sea Cliffs with Birdlife - Volcanic Crater

Approximate mileage: ca. 344 km / 213 miles

Explore Dalir, the region of Eric the Red and birthplace of Leif Eiriksson at a living replica museum, before driving to Snæfellsnes peninsula with countless wonders such as the rocky beach of Djúpalónssandur and Arnarstapi sea cliffs. Continue to the Borgarfjörður area.

Picturesque Waterfalls - Europe's Most Powerful Hot Spring - Blue Lagoon

Approximate mileage: ca. 220 km / 137 miles

In Borgarfjörður visit the beautiful Hraunfoss and Barnafoss waterfalls, Reykholt and the enormous Deildartunguhver hot spring. Continue via Hvalfjörður fjord to Reykjavík. You may opt to visit the famous Blue Lagoon before heading back to Reykjavik.

Optional: Bathing in the Blue Lagoon.

Arrangements end after breakfast.

Notes