Around Iceland Self-Drive
A well-paced Ring Road itinerary that lets you really enjoy the best of Iceland’s natural wonders. Enjoy visiting national parks, beautiful waterfalls, striking glaciers, magnificent volcanoes of Lake Mývatn and the northern Vatnajökull National Park.
10 days - from $2,920
ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS
- Drive to the legendary waterfall Gullfoss and the hot springs at Geysir.
- From Hvalfjordur fjord to the historic and scenic Borgarfjordur region
- Travel north through Borgarfjordur to the shores of Hunafloi bay
- Continue to Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland
- Experience the unique Lake Myvatn area.
Itinerary + Map
Day 1 Reykjavik - Hveragerdi
Driving distance: approx. 100 km’s
Your tour commences with the collection of your rental car from the airport depot and make your way to your hotel in Hveragerdi. 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“.
Day 2 Hveragerdi - Borgarfjordur
Driving distance: approx. 310 km’s
After breakfast drive to the legendary waterfall Gullfoss and the hot springs at Geysir. Visit Thingvellir National Park, site of the ancient Icelandic parliament, before driving through Hvalfjordur fjord to the historic and scenic Borgarfjordur region. If you have a 4WD vehicle, you can also take the scenic highland wilderness Kaldidalur track alongside Langjokull glacier to Borgarfjordur. The road generally is open between mid-June and mid-September. Overnight in Borgarfjordur area. B
Day 3 Borgarfjordur – Akureyri
Driving distance: approx. 280 km’s
Drive north through Borgarfjordur to the shores of Hunafloi bay and the towering mountains and horse breeding valley of Skagafjordur. Continue to Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland. Overnight in North Iceland B
Day 4 Akureyri – Lake Myvatn
Driving distance: approx. 100 km’s
Spend the morning exploring the town of Akureyri. Continue your journey to the unique Lake Myvatn area. Stop en route to Myvatn to view the beautiful Godafoss waterfalls, which have a unique connection to Iceland‘s Viking Age. Overnight in North Iceland. B
Day 5 Lake Myvatn
Driving distance: variable
After breakfast explore the natural wonders of Lake Myvatn and thesurrounding area. Stroll along the mystical lava formations at Dimmuborgir. Visit the volcanic area of Krafla along with the colourful sulfurous slopes of Namaskard pass. Enjoy the views of the pseudo craters at Skutustadir. Overnight in North Iceland. B
Day 6 Lake Myvatn - Husavik - Egilsstadir
Driving distance: approx. 310 km’s
This morning drive north to the fishing port of Husavik, where you might stop to enjoy a whale watching boat tour. Then head around Tjornes peninsula on the edge of the Arctic Circle. Visit Asbyrgi, a magnificent horseshoe-shaped canyon, and Jokulsargljufur National Park. Proceed to the mighty Dettifoss waterfall, the most powerful ones in Europe. Then head across the vast highland plateau to Egilsstadir in the east. Overnight in East Iceland. B
Day 7 Egilsstadir - Hofn
Driving distance: approx. 300 km’s
Today drive south through the spectacular East Fjords, where towering mountains plunge vertically into the ocean. Leave plenty time to yourself, both for safe driving and for amazing views of the coast and Vatnajokull glacier. The journey continues to the town of Hofn in Hornafjordur, also known as the lobster capital of northern Europe. Overnight in Southeast Iceland. B
Day 8 Hofn - Kirkjubaejarklaustur
Driving distance: approx. 200 km’s
Today you will be in the vicinity of Vatnajokull National Park, named after Europe‘s largest glacier. Visit the shimmering icebergs and the still, milky waters of Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon before continuing to the Skaftafell area of the park, a beautiful green oasis surrounded by glaciers. There are many great hiking trails here. Afterwards, head towards the picturesque village of Kirkjubaejarklaustur. B
Day 9 Kirkjubaejarklaustur - Reykjavik
Driving distance: approx. 260 km’s
Drive along the spectacular south coast, a sweeping landscape of sandy deserts, rocky shores and rolling farmlands sandwiched between snow-capped glaciers, mountains and the ocean. Stop to admire the black sand beaches and cliffs at Dyrholaey. There are vast bird colonies here, including puffins (generally seen mid May to early August). Also, visit the beautiful waterfalls of Skogar and Seljalands, each with its own character. You will also see the mighty Eyjafjallajokull volcano, famous for its 2010 eruption. Return to Reykjavík late afternoon. B
Day 10 Reykjavik
Your tour concludes with the return of your rental car to the airport depot.
- 3 star hotel accommodation in Reykjavik, guesthouses and farmhouse accommodation
- 9 day car hire
- Unlimited kilometers, Collision Damage Waiver and Theft Protection
- GPS system
- Emergency phone line open 24 hours
- Customer care service during office hours; services of local representatives
- Tablet with the Travel Companion App. The app includes:
- Your hotel bookings with check-in and check-out dates
- A map view of your entire trip
- Thousands of points of interest with descriptions clearly displayed on your map. The points of interest can be customised to suit your interests and individual route
- Road Guide in several different languages, safety guidelines and the apps of the Icelandic Meteorological Office and The Icelandic Road Administration, emergency numbers and more
- 9 Breakfasts
Pricing
Comfort Class Hotels View View Comfort Class Hotels Compact 2wd (auto) Double/Twin Single Double/Twin Single Prices per adult in Australian Dollars (AUD) $3,240 $5,710 N/A $2,920 $5,070 N/A
Quality Class Hotels View View Quality Class Hotels Compact 2wd (auto) Intermediate 2wd (auto) Medium 4wd (auto) Double/Twin Single Double/Twin Single Double/Twin Single Prices per adult in Australian Dollars (AUD) $3,600 $6,580 $3,700 $6,790 $4,260 $7,895 $3,280 $5,940 $3,340 $6,070 $3,740 $6,855
Car Hire: The driver must present a valid international driver's licence held for a minimum of one year at the time of rental. An International Driving Permit (IDP) / International Driving License (IDL).
Quality Class: Our quality self-drive holidays allow you to spend your days exploring rural Iceland, knowing your nights will be spent in the most comfortable accommodation each area has to offer. Throughout the tour you‘ll stay in quality guesthouses and hotels where all rooms have a private facilities. Your first and final night will be in a 4 star hotel in Reykjavik.
Comfort Class: Our comfort self-drives offer you the chance to travel around Iceland in a carefree spirit, staying in accommodation with private facilities without stretching your budget. During your stay you‘ll be located in a combination of standard hotels, farmhouses and guesthouses. Your first and final night will be in a 3 star hotel in Reykjavik.
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