Categories Self Drive Tours

Want the “must-see” attractions of our compact yet complete “Volcanoes and Glaciers” escorted tour but with the freedom and flexibility of a Road Trip itinerary? Visit the best glacial and volcanic “hot spots” in South Iceland, including the amazing Westman Islands!

Combine our popular fire and ice “Volcanoes & Glaciers” escorted tour itinerary with the freedom and flexibility of a road trip! Explore South Iceland’s famous wonders, including the infamous Eyjafjallajokull volcano, the Glacier Lagoon, and the Golden Circle. A highlight is the amazing volcanic Westman Islands, where you’ll have a close-up view of how volcanoes shape Iceland and some of Iceland’s best bird-watching vistas.

Recommended Car Type: May – September: Category 1 (Toyota Yaris 2WD or similar) and higher • October – April: Category 1.3 (Suzuki Swift 4WD or similar) or higher

Itinerary

Once you have landed at Keflavik Airport, please pick up your luggage and head through customs. Collect your rental car at the airport and proceed to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time in Iceland, we suggest that you take some time to explore the Reykjanes Peninsula (a UNESCO GeoPark site) before you head to Reykjavik.

Reykanes is a great introduction to Iceland’s unique geology and volcanoes. You’ll see unusual and stunning features around the peninsula, including craters, lava cliffs, fissures, and the Mid-Atlantic ridge itself. You can even walk on a bridge that divides Europe and North America. We also recommend a stroll in the surreal Gunnuhver area where you can view quirky colorful mud pools and steam vents bubbling away. If you are a Viking history buff, we recommend the Viking World museum, famous for the Islendingur, a Viking ship replica that sailed between Iceland and North America in 2000.

Reykjanes is home to the renowned Blue Lagoon, and you might enjoy the chance to relax in the soothing azure waters. Important: admission to the Blue Lagoon needs to be booked in advance. We can help you with that!

Travel to your hotel in Reykjavík and check-in. Please note check-in for most hotels begins at 14:00 – 16:00 (2:00pm-4:00pm)

October – April: Drive to your hotel in Reykjavik, the colorful capital of Iceland. Overnight in Reykjavik. (Approximate distance: 50 km / 30 miles, with Reykjanes Peninsula 95 km / 55 miles)

May – September: Drive along the southern coast of the Reykjanes Peninsula to the charming village of Hveragerdi for your overnight. This 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. Overnight in Hveragerdi. (Approximate distance: 100 km / 62 miles, with Reykjanes Peninsula 130 km / 81 miles)

Optionals:

Blue Lagoon Entrance

Panorama ATV/Quad tour in Reykjanes

Approximate Distance:

180 km / 112 miles

Amazing Waterfall – Lava Fields – Volcanic Aftermath – Magnificent lava fields

We suggest a visit this morning to the LAVA Centre, an interactive, high-tech exhibition about volcanic activity, earthquakes and the creation of Iceland over millions of years. It will give you a great overview of some of the volcanic features you will see on your tour.

Head on to Seljalandsfoss waterfall. If the trail conditions are safe, you can take a path leading behind the waterfall.

Travel along the farmlands of the south coast to Landeyjahofn harbor. Take a 30-minute ferry ride to the Westman Islands, enjoying the view of islands and seabirds. If you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of marine life such as dolphins or seals.

Your destination is Heimaey Island, the largest of the Westman Islands and the only inhabited one. Drive your vehicle around the island, enjoying the volcanic scenery. Visit windy Storhofdi Point with its fantastic views over the area. (During mid-May through the beginning of August it is also possible to see puffins here.) Take a walk up to the crater of a volcano that erupted only three decades ago.

Interested in history? Check out Virkid (The Fortress), a natural earth works constructed in the 16th century to protect the islanders from pirate invasions. Nearby is the beautiful replica of a Medieval Norwegian stave church that once stood here.

We also suggest a visit to Eldheimar Museum, where you can learn about the famous 1973 eruption that covered many homes on Heimaey in lava. You’ll also see where vegetation has grown in among the old lava flows.

Enjoy an evening in these peaceful islands that have their own special charm and character.

Overnight in the Westman Islands.

Note: Today’s itinerary involves a ferry trip to the Westman Islands, which

must be added to the tour price. See price list for details.

Approximate Distance:

120 km / 75 miles

Powerful Volcanoes – Amazing Waterfall – Black sand beaches

Take the ferry back from the Westman Islands and continue your exploration of the south coast. Pass numerous glacial rivers en route to Skogafoss waterfall. This waterfall is one of the most photographed images in the country. Take a few minutes here to enjoy the view and the sound of thundering water. A series of steps near the waterfall leads up to an amazing view of the area.

Continue onto the black sands of Reynisfjara beach. Here you can witness powerful waves and amazing basalt column features carved by the power of the sea. Far out to sea you can glimpse dark rock columns that local lore says were once trolls.

Overnight in stay in the Vik area for the next 2 nights.

Optionals:

Solheimajokull Glacier Walking Tour (from Basecamp)

Black Sand Beach ATV Tour

Kayaking by Solheimajokull Glacier

Zipline Adventure in Vik

Snowmobiling on Myrdalsjokull Glacier (from Basecamp)

Approximate Distance:

390 km / 242 miles

Skaftafell and Glacial beauty – Europe’s largest Glacier – Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs

Today you’ll be in the area of Vatnajokull National Park, named after Europe’s largest glacier. Cross Eldhraun, the largest mass of lava ever to flow on the face of the Earth before reaching the small town Kirkjubaejarklaustur, the former site of a 12th-century Catholic convent.

Head onwards to Skaftafell, a beautiful glacier-ringed valley in Vatnajokull National Park. A series of trails leads to great views of glaciers and natural features, including the basalt lined “black falls” of Svartifoss (possible to visit during the summer months).

Continue to the stunning Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon to see floating icebergs and maybe a curious seal or two. Enjoy the beauty of ice and water even more with a boat trip here or in the more tranquil Fjallsarlon Iceberg Lagoon. (The boat tour is available during the summer months, and we’re happy to book one for you!)

Visit the popular Diamond Beach, a black sand coastline glittering with shards of ice, before you head back to your accommodation.

Overnight in the Vik area.

Optionals:

Amphibian Boat Tour on Glacial Lagoon (from the lagoon)

Zodiac Boat Tour on Fjallsarlon Ice Lagoon

Glacier Wonders – Glacier Hike in Skaftafell

Crystal Ice Cave Tour from the Glacier Lagoon

Approximate Distance:

330 km / 205 miles

Lively Geysers and Golden Falls – National Park with Geological Wonders (UNESCO World Heritage Site

Start off by heading for the Geysir hot spring area to see the famous Strokkur, a hot spring that spouts every few minutes. Travel onwards to Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s most impressive waterfalls. The next stop is Thingvellir National Park, where the Viking-age parliament met for centuries on the shores of Iceland’s largest lake. This is also where you can see the meeting point for the European and North American tectonic plates. We definitely recommend taking some extra time to walk on the paths taking you by locations of interesting events through Iceland’s history.

After your visit here, head on to Reykjavik, Iceland’s culturally vibrant capital city. Enjoy exploring the city’s many dining options.

Overnight stay in Reykjavik.

Approximate Distance:

50 km / 30 miles

Return to Keflavik International Airport**

Breakfast at your hotel. 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 earlier 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 2-2,5 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.

**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 charged unless you choose to return the car in Reykjavik when the 5-day rental is up and use our airport transfer.

Optionals:

lBlue Lagoon Entrance

Sky Lagoon Pass

Panorama ATV/Quad tour in Reykjanes

Reykjavik Summit in Helicopter

Notes