GULFOSS

Categories Iceland Self Drive Vacations Self Drive Tours Independent Tours

Are you short on time but long on curiosity? Book the Golden Circle Self Drive and you can experience the Iceland’s most famous natural wonders in a few short days! It’s also a perfect itinerary for an Iceland Stopover!

This popular self-drive tour focuses on the many star attractions of beautiful South Iceland. The tour hits all the major hot spots of the region, including the famous attractions of the Golden Circle; Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss waterfall and Thingvellir National Park, and stunning black beaches. Plus there are a few more great stops along the way. During the summer months, there is plenty of daylight to enjoy driving and fun activities into the evening hours. Between mid September and mid April) you’ll be able to search for the unforgettable Northern Lights, best seen on cold and clear nights

Car Categories

Grp 1.0 Economy 2wd Toyota Yaris or similar

Grp 1.1 Economy 2wd Toyota Yaris Automatic or similar

Grp 2.0 Compact 2wd VW Golf or similar

Grp 2.6 Compact 2wd VW Golf Automatic or similar

Grp 3.0 Intermediate 2wd Toyota Corolla Sedan or similar

Grp 3.1 Intermediate 2wd Toyota Corolla Sedan Automatic or similar

Grp 5.0 Medium 4wd KIA Sportage, 4wd or similar

Grp 5.1 Medium 4wd KIA Sportage, 4wd Automatic or similar

Grp 5.2 Medium 4wd Dacia Duster or similar

Grp 5.3 Green Collection Medium 4WD, Hybrid, Automatic, Mitsubichi Outlander or similar

Grp 5.6 Medium 4wd Kia Sorento Automatic or similar

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

Grp 9.4 Full size 4wd passenger van VW Caravelle 9 seater, automatic or similar

Grp 9.8 Full size2wd passenger van, Ford Transit, 9 seater, manual, or similar

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.

There are plenty of outdoor and wellness activities to enjoy here, and several restaurants with a unique local focus.

Please note check-in for most hotels begins at 2:00pm-4:00pm

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

Thundering Waterfalls – Cliffs & Stone Arches – Black Sand Beaches of the South Shore – Puffin Colony

Approximate mileage: ca. 215 km / 134 miles

Thundering Waterfalls – Cliffs & Stone Arches – Black Sand Beaches

Drive along the scenic South Shore and the area near the infamous Eyjafjallajokull volcano. This is the volcano whose massive 2010 eruption caused air traffic around the world to be cancelled We recommend a stop at the interactive LAVA Centre where you’ll learn about the powerful volcanic and tectonic forces that shaped both Iceland and Earth. The center has interesting exhibits for all age groups.

Your journey takes you by the beautiful Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls (each one worth visiting) and Myrdalsjokull glacier. You can opt for a fun snowmobiling trip on the glacier and (if the weather is clear) a splendid view over southern Iceland. Stop by the seafront village of Vik to explore a dramatic stretch of coastline poised between glacier-topped mountains, rugged sea cliffs and black- sand beaches. Dyrholaey* is a rocky headland famous in photos for its black lava arch. During the summer, thousands of sea birds and puffins nest here (puffins are generally in Iceland between mid-May and early August)

*Important: Please note that Dyrholaey is closed during nesting season, from about the middle of May until late June.

Overnight in the Vik area.

Optional Tours

Snowmobiling on Myrdalsjokull Glacier (from Basecamp)

Glacier Discovery (from Solheimajokull Base Camp)

Zipline Adventure in Vik

Black Sand Beach ATV Tour

Kayaking by Solheimajokull Glacier

Hekla Volcano – Golden Falls – Lively Geysers

Explore colorful Thjorsardalur valley and its ever-changing landscapes of birch woods, sandy lava fields, rivers, and waterfalls. You’ll also see the impressive and beautiful Mt. Hekla volcano towering over the region. During the summer you can visit the excavated site of a Viking age farm that was covered by lava from one of Hekla’s eruptions. A replica shows you how the longhouse looked (admission not included).

Continue to the amazing sites of Gullfoss waterfall and the Geysir hot spring area. Gullfoss is considered by many visitors to be Iceland’s most beautiful waterfall. Geysir is an active geothermal field with many bubbling steam vents and spouting hot springs, including the famous Strokkur geyser. If you enjoy adventure, you might try snorkeling in clear waters between two continents or (during the summer) rafting in a river with water from Gulffoss.

A wonderful way to relax after an exciting day is to visit either the Fontana Steam Baths in Laugarvatn or the Secret Lagoon in Fludir. Both places are a part of the area’s history and popular with both Icelanders and visitors.

Overnight in the Golden Circle area.

Optional Tours

Gullfoss Canyon Rafting – From Drumbó Base

Fontana Geothermal Baths

Secret Lagoon

Meet Us at Gullfoss / Basecamp Snowmobiling

Ice Cave & Glacier Expedition (departs from Golden Circle area)

Approximate Distance:

300 km / 187 miles

National Park with Geological Wonders – Picturesque Fjord – Lava Waterfall

Visit Thingvellir National Park, site of the ancient Icelandic Viking parliament and a jewel of nature. Here you can see the meeting point between the North American and Europe continents. Several walking trails take visitors to historical points of interest.

Then travel via either along scenic Hvalfjordur fjord or the vast Kaldidalur wilderness track (Open June-August, 4WD car needed). Your journey continues to the beautiful Borgarfjordur region and Reykholt, home of the colorful 13th-century chieftain and Saga author Snorri Sturluson. While in the area you might visit the colorful Vidgelmir lava cave or take an exciting ride up Langjokull glacier in a special truck to view a unique ice tunnel and ice cave and see a glacier from the inside out.

Within the area are also two scenic, impressive waterfalls. Hraunfossar, the Lava Falls, appears as though glacial water is bursting through lava formations. The nearby Barnafoss falls has brilliantly blue waters. Visit Deildartunguhver, the most powerful and fastest hot springs in Europe. You can’t bathe in these springs, but the nearby Krauma natural geothermal baths uses water from Deildartunguhver combined with cool mountain springs to create the ideal temperature for relaxation.

If you prefer a more nature-influenced hot spring experience, we recommend the new Hvammsvik Nature Area in the Whale Fjord region. You can relax in a series of stone lined seaside pools with beautiful views over the sea and Icelandic nature. Though modern, this hot spring area’s design reflects the rustic charm of hot pools of Iceland’s old fashioned days.

Head to Reykjavik in the afternoon for your last night in Iceland.

Overnight in Reykjavik.

Optional Tours

Krauma Nature Baths

Into the Glacier from Reykjavik (Ice Cave Classic)

Silfra Snorkeling (Meet on Location)

Sky Lagoon Pass

Whale Watching Classic from Reykjavik

Drive back to Keflavik International Airport. We recommend departing your hotel in Reykjavik no later than at least 3 hours before your flight departure. It takes approximately 1 hour to drive to the airport, and check-in will start 2 hours before your departure.

If you did not visit the Blue Lagoon on your way to the city on your first day but have some free time today, you might want to use the opportunity en route to the airport. For this detour, please be sure to allow for at least 2-21/2 hours extra so you’ll have ample time at the lagoon. Your rental car should be returned to the airport service area, which is located only 2 minutes from the airport building. A shuttle will then transport you to the departure hall.

Another hot pool experience you might consider is the Sky Lagoon located just outside Reykjavik. This seaside spa offers a wonderfully relaxing Seven-Step Ritual that combines modern and historical spa experiences.

Notes