Around Iceland

DAY 1 Reykjavik / Hveragerdi
Winter: Driving distance: approx. 50 km/30 miles
Summer: Driving distance: approx. 100 km/62 miles
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“. 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 Hveragerdi. You'll see unusual and stunning craters, lava cliffs, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and charming fishing villages and lighthouses along the peninsula. If time permits, you might enjoy the opportunity to relax in thermal waters of the renowned Blue Lagoon (important: admission to the Blue Lagoon needs to be booked in advance).

Winter: Overnight in Reykjavik
Summer: Overnight in Hveragerdi
Meals included: -

DAY 2 Hvergardi / Reykjavik - Golden Circle - Borgarfjordur
Driving distance: approx. 240 km/150 miles
Enjoy the day exploring the natural wonders of the Golden Circle region. First up is a scenic drive to the legendary waterfall Gullfoss and the bubbling steam vents and spouting 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.

We recommend taking advantage of geothermal activity in this area with a relaxing soak in the Fontana Steam Baths in Laugarvatn or the Secret Lagoon in Fludir, the oldest natural pool in Iceland.

Overnight: Borgarfjordur area
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 3 Borgarfjordur – Skagafjordur - Akureyri/Northwest Iceland
Summer: Driving distance: approx. 299 km/186 miles
We recommend spending part of your day exploring the local area in Borgarfjordur. This area is well-known for finding authentic handicrafts and tasty local treats including steamed baked bread straight from the hot spring. You also have the opportunity for adventure with a visit to the multi-coloured Vidgelmir cave or take a guided trip up Langjokull glacier to the fascinating "Into the Glacier" ice cave. Drive north to the shores of Hunafloi Bay, a great location for seal-watching. The scenery changes as you approach the towering mountains and horse breeding valley of Skagafjordur. Some of Iceland’s best preserved historical buildings are also in this area. Perhaps visit one such as Glaumbaer (Skagafjordur Heritage Museum), where there is a turf manor farm dating back to the 18th century and two charming 19th century timber houses.

Overnight: in Northwest Iceland

DAY 4 Akureyri/Northwest Iceland – Lake Myvatn
Summer: Driving distance: approx. 189 km/117 miles
Spend the morning exploring the town of Akureyri, Iceland's second largest city at just 20,000 residents. This charming city is home to numerous museums, art galleries and friendly cafes great for a delicious, locally sourced lunch. Also, the botanical garden is open year-round if you feel like exploring the variety of plants. In the afternoon, continue your journey towards Myvatn, but first you’ll stop to view the beautiful Godafoss waterfalls, which has a unique connection to Iceland’s Viking Age.

Overnight: Lake Myvatn area
Meals included: Breakfast

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 otherworldly setting and colourful sulphurous slopes of Namaskard Pass, it’s almost as though you are walking on the surface of Mars. Enjoy the views of the pseudo craters and the strange lava columns rising out of the lake at Skutustadir - an area used in the filming of the HBO series Game of Thrones. After a day of exploration, we recommend a relaxing soak in the spectacular Myvatn Nature Baths.

Overnight: Lake Myvatn area
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 6 Lake Myvatn - Husavik - Egilsstadir
Driving distance: approx. 310 km/193 miles
This morning drive north to the charming fishing port of Husavik, where you might stop to enjoy a whale watching boat tour. Then head around the fossil rich Tjornes peninsula on the edge of the Arctic Circle to the northern entrance of Vatnajokull National Park where you can check out Asbyrgi, a magnificent horseshoe shaped canyon. Trails lead through peaceful forested areas to a hidden canyon lake. If travelling between May and September you can reach the mighty Dettifoss waterfall, the most powerful one in Europe. Then head across the vast highland plateau to Egilsstadir in the east.

Overnight: East Fjords area
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 7 Egilsstadir - Hofn
Driving distance: approx. 300 km/186 miles
Today continue your drive south through the spectacular East Fjords, where towering mountains plunge vertically into the ocean. Leave plenty of 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: Hofn area
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 8 Hofn - Kirkjubaejarklaustur
Driving distance: approx. 210km/131 miles
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. If you wish to see the icebergs up close and personal take a boat tour in the lagoon - it is suggested to book in advance, so you do not miss out. Some of the icebergs from Vatnajokull glacier drift down onto the black sands at the nearby Diamond Beach, this is a fantastic area for photographs.

Continue to the Skaftafell area of the park, a beautiful green oasis surrounded by glaciers. There are many great hiking trails to explore in this area. Afterwards, head towards the picturesque village of Kirkjubaejarklaustur, once a medieval convent.

Overnight: Kirkjubaejarklaustur area
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 9 Kirkjubaejarklaustur - Vik - Reykjavik
Driving distance: approx. 290 km/180 miles
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. Drive alongside Eldhraun, a massive and eerily beautiful lava flow covered in moss. It is the largest recorded single flow of lava in world history. Stop to admire the black sand beaches and cliffs at Dyrholaey. There are vast bird colonies here, including puffins (mid-May - 25 June, Dyrholaey is closed for the bird nesting season). Also, visit the beautiful waterfalls of Skogarfoss and Seljalandsfoss, each with its own character. You will also see the mighty Eyjafjallajokull volcano, famous for its 2010 eruption. Drive to Reykjavík in the late afternoon and discover the beauty of this unique and colourful city.

Overnight: Reykjavik
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 10 Reykjavik
Driving distance: approx. 50km/30 miles
Your tour concludes with the return of your rental car to the Reykjavik Keflavik International Airport depot.

Meals included: Breakfast

Key:
Winter: October - April (No departures November to March, due to winter road and weather conditions)
Summer: May-September