Golden Circle Self-Drive
- Highlights |
- Itinerary + Map |
- Pricing |
- Gallery |
This popular road trip (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, Thingvellir National Park, and stunning black beaches. Plus there are a few more great stops along the way. Between mid-September and mid-April, you’ll be able to search for the unforgettable northern lights, best seen on cold and clear nights.
5 days - from $1,000
ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit the must-see attractions of the Golden Circle
- See impressive waterfalls and gleaming glaciers
- Feel the power of the thundering waterfall Gullfoss
- Photograph jagged basalt columns and sweeping black sand beaches
Itinerary + Map
Day 1 Reykjavik Airport - Hveragerdi
Approximate distance: 100 kilometres
Pick up your car at the airport and start your Iceland experience! From Keflavik International Airport, we recommend driving the southern coast of the Reykjanes peninsula towards your first overnight stay in the charming village of 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, it may be ideal to stop and visit the renowned Blue Lagoon where you can relax in the geothermal waters. (Important: admission to the Blue Lagoon needs to be booked in advance.)
Stay at Hotel Ork - superior room (3 star) or similar
Day 2 Hveragerdi - Vik
Approximate distance: 190 kilometres
Visit the majestic Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, the infamous Eyjafjallajokull glacier and the surrounding area affected by the volcanic eruption of 2010. Dyrholaey is a rocky headland characterized by a black lava arch. Every year thousands of sea birds and puffins nest here during the summer (mid-May and early August). B
(Note: Please note that Dyrholaey is closed during nesting season, from about the middle of May until late June.)
Stay at Icelandair Hotel Vík (3 star) or similar
Day 3 Vik - Thjorsardalur Valley - Golden Circle
Approximate distance: 300 kilometres
Explore Thjorsardalur valley and its contrasting landscapes of birch woods, sandy lava fields, rivers and waterfalls. The impressive Hekla volcano towers over the region. This valley is also where you can visit the excavated site of a Viking age farm that had been destroyed by one of Hekla‘s eruptions. Continue to the amazing sites of Gullfoss waterfall and the Geysir hot spring area. B
Stay at Icelandair Hotel Flúdir (3 star) or similar
Day 4 Golden Circle - Thingvellir - Borgarfjordur - Reykjavik
Approximate distance: 300 kilometres
Visit Thingvellir National Park, site of the ancient Icelandic parliament and a jewel of nature. Here you can see the rift between the continents. Then via either Hvalfjordur fjord or the Kaldidalur highland track (Open June-August, 4WD needed) your journey continues to the beautiful Borgarfjordur region and Reykholt, home of the 13th-century scholar Saga author Snorri Sturluson. Return to Reykjavik in the afternoon. B
Stay at Hotel Reykjavík Natura (4 star) or similar
Day 5 Reykjavik
Approximate distance: 52 kilometres
Drive back to Keflavik International Airport and even stop at Blue Lagoon as it is on your way to the airport, if you did not have time to do it on you arrival day. B
- 3 star hotel accommodation in Reykjavik
- Comfort hotels, guesthouse and farmhouse accommodation outside Reykjavik
- 4 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.
- 4 Breakfasts
Pricing
| 27 Feb 2021 - 30 Apr 2021 |
| 01 May 2021 - 31 May 2021 |
| 01 Jun 2021 - 24 Jun 2021 |
| 25 Jun 2021 - 26 Aug 2021 |
| 27 Aug 2021 - 30 Sep 2021 |
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Comfort Class Hotels View View View View View -
Comfort Class Hotels Compact 2wd (manual) Compact 2wd (automatic) Intermediate 2wd (automatic) Intermediate 4wd (automatic) Double/Twin Single Double/Twin Single Double/Twin Single Double/Twin Single Prices per adult in Australian Dollars (AUD) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A $1,055 $1,830 $1,000 $1,700 $1,045 $1,770 $1,075 $1,820 $1,090 $1,860 $1,200 $2,060 $1,245 $2,170 $1,275 $2,220 $1,305 $2,260 $1,320 $2,320 $1,380 $2,430 $1,430 $2,530 $1,465 $2,600 $1,200 $2,060 $1,245 $2,170 $1,275 $2,220 $1,305 $2,260
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Quality Class Hotels View View View View View -
Quality Class Hotels Compact 2wd (manual) Compact 2wd (automatic) Intermediate 2wd (automatic) Intermediate 4wd (automatic) Double/Twin Single Double/Twin Single Double/Twin Single Double/Twin Single Prices per adult in Australian Dollars (AUD) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A $1,055 $1,830 $1,090 $1,860 $1,150 $1,960 $1,170 $2,000 $1,190 $2,040 $1,350 $2,430 $1,400 $2,530 $1,430 $2,590 $1,450 $2,640 $1,475 $2,690 $1,535 $2,810 $1,580 $2,890 $1,610 $2,960 $1,350 $2,430 $1,400 $2,530 $1,430 $2,590 $1,450 $2,640
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.
Gallery
