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Viking Lands & Legends

Iceland Self Drive

6 Days / 9 locations in Iceland

With focus on West Iceland, this 6 day tour boasts beautiful landscape, lush valleys, panoramic bays, snow capped glaciers and two of Iceland’s national parks.

The route winds through thriving farming regions along with circling the legendary Snæfellsjökull glacier, where you will experience incredible coastal scenery.

Itinerary

 
Day 1     Keflavik
Accommodation: Ork Hotel

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.

 
Day 2     Borgarnes - Thingvellir - Hvalfjordur
Meals: Breakfast

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

Approximate mileage: ca. 290 km / 180 miles

The celebrated natural wonders along the ‘Golden Circle’ route are an absolute must for nature and history lovers alike. Thingvellir National Park (UNESCO) provides a visually stunning lesson in plate tectonics and is a historical treasure as the site of the world’s oldest parliament. Nearby is the newly opened Fontana Nature Spa where you have the option to relax in the peaceful Lake Laugarvatn environment.

A drive along scenic Hvalfjörður (Whale) Fjord reveals Bjarteyjarsandur, a working horse and sheep farm where you may choose to stop for a friendly visit or even participate in fun farm activities. Driving further into West Iceland brings you to Borgarnes known for Iceland’s beloved Sagas where you can go on a voyage of discovery at the Settlement Center which uses the Sagas to explore the history of Iceland’s early settlement by Nordic Vikings.

Optional: Tree planting at Kvistar Garden Center, the Fontana Steam Baths, visit to the Settlement Centre, visit to Bjarteyjarsandur farm

 
Day 3     Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Meals: Breakfast

Sea Cliffs with Birdlife – Rock Formations – Quaint Fishing Villages

Approximate mileage: ca. 230 km / 140 miles

Explore the countless natural phenomena of Snæfellsnes National Park from pebbled beaches to wonderful hiking at Arnarstapi sea cliffs with incredible birdlife. The beach near the farm of Ytri Tunga is famous for colonies of curious seals known to climb up on the rocks and well worth a visit.

Many visitors to this area like to visit the Shark Museum at Bjarnarhöfn for a courageous taste of ‘rotten’ shark meat, a local delicacy, and a fascinating lesson on shark fishing.

Optional: Horse rental at Lýsuhóll or Snorrastaðir, Bjarnarhöfn museum, guided tour of Vatnshellir caves

 
Day 4     Stykkisholmur
Meals: Breakfast

Coastal Route - Viking Heritage – Birthplace of Leif Eiriksson - Icelandic Farm Life

Approximate mileage: ca. 110 km / 70 miles

Begin the day by exploring Stykkishólmur with its beautifully preserved town center, before driving the scenic route towards Budardalur village. At the nearby Erpsstaðir dairy farm you can stop for an introduction to Icelandic farm life, pet the bunnies and taste their freshly made ice cream.

If you continue to Eiríksstaðir, you’ll see the Viking Age home and turf-covered replica longhouse of Erik the Red and birthplace of his son Leif Eiriksson, two of the most celebrated Vikings in the world.

In this area there is also the option to take a lovely ferry ride across Breiðarfjörður Bay and discover the incredible birdlife, jaw-dropping seascapes and playful seals among the 3,000 tiny islands dotting the glistening waters.

Optional: Boat tour from Stykkishólmur, visit to Erpsstaðir farm, visit to Eiríksstaðir Museum

 
Day 5     Reykholt - Borgarfjordur
Meals: Breakfast

Picturesque Waterfalls – Europe's Most Powerful Hot Spring

Approximate mileage: ca. 290 km / 180 miles

A drive through Borgarfjörður revealsa region proud of its legacy, serving as the setting for most of the Icelandic Sagas with the landscape, nature and culture reflecting this heritage and bringing history to life. While in Reykholt you’ll be walking in the footsteps of Snorri Sturluson, famed Saga poet and author.

A drive further reveals two adjacent waterfalls, each with very different characters. At Hraunfoss (Lava Falls) the water seems to magically appear from the moss covered lava rocks and shiver down into the rushing turquoise blue waters below, while Barnafoss (Children’s Falls) resembles a pale blue milkshake of short, fierce rapids that cut through a narrow canyon.

Nearby is Europe’s most powerful hot spring, Deildatunguhver, where visitors can by organic tomatoes grown using geothermal heat in the nearby greenhouses.

Drive to Reykjavik for overnight

 
Day 6     Reykjavik
Meals: Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel.

 

Notes

Grp 1.0 Economy 2wd Toyota Yaris or similar

Grp 1.1 Economy 2wd Automatic Toyota Yaris Automatic or similar

Grp 2.0 Compact 2wd Toyota Auris or similar

Grp 3.0 Intermediate 2wd Toyota Avensis Sedan or similar

Grp 3.1 Intermediate 2wd Automatic Toyota Avensis Sedan Automatic or similar

Grp 4.0 Intermediate 4wd Station Skoda Octavia 4wd Station or similar

Grp 4.1 Intermediate 4wd Station Automatic Skoda Octavia 4wd Station Automatic or similar

Grp 5.0 Medium 4wd Toyota RAV4 4wd or similar

Grp 5.1 Medium 4wd Automatic Toyota RAV4 4wd AUTOMATIC or similar

Grp 6.0 Medium Station Volkswagen Sharan 7 seater or similar

Grp 7.1 Large 4wd Automatic Toyota Land Cruiser GX 4WD Automatic or similar

LATE ARRIVAL SUPPLEMENT OF $88/ROOM FOR PASSENGERS ARRIVING LATE EVENING/NIGHT. YOU STAY THE FIRST NIGHT AT AIRPORT HOTEL SMARI AT KEFLAVIK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT INSTEAD OF HOTEL IN HVERAGERDI.

Please note that the package price is based on 5 x 24-hour rental days starting at the time of rental. If your flight arrives early on day 1 and departs late on day 6 an additional supplement will be neccessary unless you choose to return the car in Reykjavik when the 5 day rental is up and use our flybus departure transfer.

Price Includes
Hotel Accommodations 4 Nights
Daily Breakfast
Rental Car With Unlimited Mileage
Cdw Theft Protection
Gps
Taxes
Airport Service Charge
Detailed Road Map
Price Does Not Include
 Optional Excursions
 Transatlantic Air
IT$-1269
1.28.15.WP26