Touris - Tour details

Day 1. Keflavík – Reykjavík
Meet and Greet at Keflavik airport by a TOURIS representative who will take you (about 45 minutes drive) to your hotel in Reykjavik for the first night’s stay. Rest of the day at leisure in the city.

Day 2. Reykjavík – Thingvellir - Geysir – Gullfoss
Pick up a car and take highway number 1 to the north and west from Reykjavik. After driving past Mosfellsbær, a small town in the outskirts of Reykjavík, take road number 36 to the Þingvellir National Park. Þingvellir is unique from a geological point of view and research has shown that it is a natural wonder on an international scale. The fissures and faults at Þingvellir show clear evidence of drift of the earth's crust. Additionally Þingvellir is the most historical site in Iceland and a place of exceptional beauty. From Þingvellir drive along the eastern lakeshore to road 35 and turn left. A few km from the junction, see the volcanic crater Kerið with its crater lake and the picturesque waterfall Faxi is a little further, hidden a few steps from the road on the right. Continue to the Great Geysir area with numerous hot springs and erupting geysers. The most active geyser, Strokkur spouts every few minutes. The Geysir Service Center offers a restaurant, hotel, swimming pool, souvenir shop, snack bar, gas station, a geo-center multimedia show, horse rental, quad bike tours, and a camping area. From Geysir, drive to the waterfall Gullfoss in the glacial river Hvítá. Rafting on the Hvítá river is available during the summer months from Drumboddsstaðir. Overnight in the area.

Day 3. Kjölur highland trail – Akureyri
The route leads over the interior highland track Kjölur, "The Keel", a broad rocky lava covered pass between the giant glaciers Hofsjökull and Langjökull, A 4WD is needed for this route, the track is usually open only from mid-June until end of September. Kjölur or Kjalvegur as it is also called is one of two major interior tracks leading across the center of the country. Fill up the tank before you go and take along some food , - there is no filling station or restaurant along this route. On a fine day, this is an unforgettable drive of breathtaking magnificence and beauty. The track strikes inland, roughly following the upward course of the Hvítá river that takes its source in the Langjökull icefield. The route travelled is an ancient north and south horse trail artery. Along the uninhabited highland route there are extensive views of mountains of all sizes and shapes, the two ice fields Langjökull and Hofsjökull, a black desert and to Kerlingarfjöll a colourful range of rhyloite mountains. Kjölur is a true mountain wilderness of spectacular mountain peaks, canyons and colourful geothermal areas. Further north you will be coming to the colorful geothermal area at Hveravellir between the glaciers Langjökull and Hofsjökull, a picturesque hot-spring area on the northern fringe of the Kjalhraun lavafield. There is a mountain hut and a warden station at Hveravellir open during the summer.
Next to the mountain hut there is a small swimming pool ideal for a dip in the thermal water.
Proceed to the valleys of Skagafjordur, renowned for horse breeding. Popular horse riding tours, both for beginners and experienced riders are available here. In the upper reaches of the Skagafjörður valleys, you can also join some of the best white water rafting in the country. Further information is available at Varmahlíð. In Skagafjörður we recommend a visit to the old turf and stone farm and museum at Glaumbaer and the old tini church at Viðimýri. Cross the Öxnadalsheidi Pass to Akureyri for an overnight stay in the area. Akureyri is the largest town of the north and one of the most extraordinary aspects of the town is its warm climate. Although it is situated only about 40 km south of the Arctic Circle, it enjoys some of the best weather in the country. See the Botanical Gardens of Akureyri and some of the many museums and art galleries. If time permits, we suggest a circle trip through the Eyjafjörður valleys, (roads 829 and 821).

Day 4. Akureyri – Lake Mývatn – Húsavík
Leave Akureyri area and head for Lake Mývatn. Drive to the north along the eastern shores of the Eyjafjörður fjord and then drive across Víkurskarð pass. Take a look at the waterfall Goðafoss, one of the more spectacular waterfalls in Iceland, situated close to the road junction to Húsavík. Proceed on 1 to Mývatn. Spend the day exploring the many natural wonders of Lake Mývatn and it's surroundings. The Mývatn area is known world wide for its many breeding duck species and the abundance of other birdlife. The lake's surroundings show great variety in spectacular landscapes and amazing geological formations. Visit the highlights; Dimmuborgir lava formations, volcano Krafla, Námaskarð geothermal area, Skútustaðagígar craters, the Nature Baths, and numerous other interesting and scenic spots in the area.
Drive to Húsavík town on road 845 and later 85. Húsavík is sometimes called The Whale Watching Capital of The World but it was the first place in Iceland to offer Whale Watching cruises. The Whale Museum in Húsavík is an educational information centre on marine wildlife. Visit the Húsavík Natural and Maritime Museum, one of the best of its kind in the country. Overnight at or near Húsavík.

Day 5. Húsavík – Hljóðaklettar – Ásbyrgi – Dettifoss – Mývatn.
Leave Húsavík and drive on 85 to the north to the Öxarfjörður bay. Make a detour on a dusty gravel road F862 to Hljóðaklettar, Echo rocks, an extremely beautiful canyon, carved by the glacial river Jökulsá á Fjöllum. This area offers many interesting hiking trails to explore the many wonders of the Jökulsárgljúfur National Park. Visit Ásbyrgi canyon. Continue to the south along a rather rough gravel road 864 to Dettifoss waterfall the mightiest waterfall in Europe in the river Jökulsá á Fjöllum. From Dettifoss, drive further south to the junction of road 1. Turn right and drive towards the Mývatn area for an overnight stay.

Day 6. Mývatn – Herðubreiðarlindir – Askja – Víti - Egilsstaðir
Leave Lake Myvatn early in the morning and remember to fill the tank and take along food for the day. You will not find a restaurant or a filling station until in the evening after a long day on rough roads. Drive to the east again the same route as the previous day one road number 1 and at the junction of F88 head to the south through barren and deserted lava fields and towards the Herðubreiðarlindir springs, situated at the foot of the majestic Mt. Herðubreið. You will have to ford several small streams along this route, Graflandaá and Lindá are the largest, both usually rather shallow. In rainy weather those streams can grow big in volume and an extra precaution should be taken when crossing. Occasionally the fords become impassable as a result of heavy rain! Herðubreiðarlindir, at an altitude of 484 m is a green oasis in a desert-like landscape. Green-clothed with grass, the area is laced with springs of crystal clear water, unexpected and gratifying in these surroundings of desolate sands and lava beds. At Herðubreiðarlindir is a mountain hut, wardens station and a campground. After a break at the beautiful Herðubreiðarlindir, proceed to the great Dyngjufjöll mountain range with the magnificent Askja caldera. Leaving Herðubreiðarlindir the track continues bumping and jolting through the uneven lava, winding around the slopes of Herðubreiðartögl mountain range. To the south, two pyramid shape peaks of Upptyppingar rising from a level plain are landmarks in this area. On the southern horizon is the edge of the Vatnajökull ice field, the most extensive one in Europe. Below the track on the left and a short walk from it, the Jökulsá river flows fast between low, sheer rock walls. There are unusual water sculptured rocks along the banks. The track runs now fairly straight and smooth over vast tracts covered by light brown pumice. The pumice and ash which spread far came mostly from a powerful eruption in Askja in 1875. Up ahead to the west, the volcanic massif Dyngjufjöll, rise above the highland plateau. The massif covers an area of about 300 sq. km. the largest group of mountains in these parts. In their centre lies the Askja Caldera. A thirty-minute hike takes you to the Askja Lake, where you find the explosion crater Víti, a lovely spot for a dip in natural geothermal water in the crater lake. From Askja take road F910, cross the river Kreppa driving across the highland desert to the East and to Egilsstaðir for an overnight stay. In the last years, a large hydro electrical power plant has been under construction at Kárahnjúkar and due to the construction work, many new tracks and trails have been made in this area. Some of the trails are not marked. A short distance to the north of the power station, see the beautiful Hafrahvammagljúfur canyon. Drop off the car.

Day 7. A flight back to Reykjavík..
A flight back to Reykjavík From Egilsstaðir airport.

Note:
If you want to extend this tour then tour BP11 has the same itinerary but gives you the opportunity to drive from Egislstadir to Reykjavik.
Click here to view tour B11

- Meet and Greet at Keflavík international airport by a TOURIS representative, followed by a transfer (about 45 minutes drive) to your hotel in Reykjavík.
- 6 nights accommodation, farmhouses, guesthouses or hotels, according to your choice, cat. 1, 2 or 3.
- Breakfast buffet daily.
- 5 days rental car.
- Unlimited mileage, CDW, VAT and one authorized driver.
- Iceland Road Atlas in English or German, a complete road and reference guide including the highlands and all mountain roads. Iceland´s Saga and scenery with 400 colour photographs.
- Detailed itinerary and road map of Iceland with marked accommodations and information about interesting sights along the route.
- 24 hour Emergency telephone service.
- Flight Egilsstaðir – Reykjavik.
- Transfer from your hotel in Reykjavik to Keflavík international airport by Flybus shuttle.

Not Included:
- Fuel expenses.
- Personal insurance.

Please Note:
Pick up of rental car is the morning of day 2.
Drop off is in Egislstadir the day prior to your departure to Reykjavik – day 6.
An extra day will be charged if the car is delivered later.
Due to road conditions routes may have to be altered without prior notice.
The highland tracks of Iceland are usually not expected to be open until early in June and due to road conditions some routes may temporarily not be passable without prior notice.
Types of car recommended: A 4 wheel drive car is needed for this tour.
 
Accommodation is of your choice at farmhouses, guesthouses or hotels, with breakfast.
A credit card imprint will be taken at the start of all rentals for security reasons, even when a voucher covers the cost of the rental. Cash and debit card deposits will not be accepted. This credit card imprint may be used to pay all extra charges, including extra driven kilometres if applicable, extra insurance, parking fines, damages or any costs due to the car rental company as a result of the hirer's use of the car.
Self Drive tours can often be modified according to the client’s wishes. If you want to change or extend the tour, add days etc, please contact our office.
Map displayed is only for quick reference and is not to scale.

Optional extras:
GPS navigation system: Available and payable directly to car rental. Cost: 15,- Euros per day.
Additional driver´s registration: 28,- Euros pr. rental, - payable directly to car rental.
Baby / infant seat: Available and payable directly to car rental. Cost: 8,- Euros per day. Max 50,- Euros