Day 1 Keflavík - Reykjavík
You will be met upon arrival at Keflavik airport by a TOURIS representative who will take you to your hotel in Reykjavik for the first night’s stay. The rest of the day at leisure. After checking in at the hotel, we recommend exploring the old city centre by foot and visit one of Reykjavík’s excellent restaurants for dinner. Day 2. Reykjavík - Stykkishólmur
Pick up a car in the morning and leave Reykjavík to head to the West. Exit Reykjavik at the eastern outskirts and take road number 1 in the direction to Borgarnes. After leaving the city, drive through the Mosfellsbær town and head towards the Hvalfjörður fjord, the Whale Fjord. There is a tunnel under Hvalfjörður, (toll) but the drive around the fjord 47 is very scenic and we recommend this instead of taking the tunnel. Continue to Borgarnes, a small service center for the surrounding farming community. Visit the famous Settlement Centre. The prime objective of the Icelandic Settlement Centre at Borgarnes is to dramatically recreate the fascinating sagas surrounding the birth of this island nation. It is not a museum but rather an instalation. Multi-media and theatrical techniques are employed to help the visitor experience first hand the trepidation and excitement of setting off over the open ocean for lands unknown. From Borgarnes head for the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Shortly after leaving Borgarnes, turn off road 1 and take road 54 towards Stykkishólmur to explore the countless natural wonders of the Snæfellsnes peninsula that divides the west coast of Iceland into two large bays. Cross the plains of Mýrar, drive to the south coast of Snæfellsnes and head towards the tip of the peninsula. In the northern part of Mýrar, you will be passing a number of volcanic craters on both sides of the road, Eldborg being the largest and most beautiful shape. At the south coast of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, at the farm Ytri Tunga, only a few hundred meters drive from the main road, seals can often to be seen on land or in the water. Visit Búðir, a pretty site located on a natural inlet. Continue 574 to Arnarstapi and Hellnar to view beautiful and spectacular coast and interesting birdlife. There is an interesting museum at Hellnar. Continue around the tip of the peninsula at the foot of Snæfellsjökull, a glaciated volcano, the backdrop for the famous novel “The Journey to the Centre of the Earth” written by the famous French author, Jules Verne. Much of interesting geological phenomena and historic sites can be found in the Snæfellsjökull National Park, the most recent one in Iceland. Among many places of interest are Dritvík, Djúpalónssandur and Öndverðarnes a former fishing station. Make a short detour to Djúpalónssandur and take a short walk along a marked path to the beach. During mid summer, Whale Watching tours are available from Ólafsvík town on the north coast of Snæfellsnes. Drive east along the north coast of the peninsula, passing the small fishing towns Hellissandur, Rif, Ólafsvík and Grundarfjörður and to the charming village of Stykkishólmur. Overnight stay in the Snæfellsnes area. Day 3. Stykkishólmur – Látrabjarg
In the morning we suggest a very special cruise from Stykkishólmur, among the numerous islands of the Breiðafjorður bay with its unique birdlife. Puffins Guillemots, Kittiwakes, Eiders and many other bird species nest here in great numbers. The White Tailed Eagles nest here too and are frequently seen. This is an unforgettable experience and takes a little more than two hours. In the afternoon, cruise with the ferry Baldur across the Breiðafjörður Bay with its countless islands to Brjánslækur port on the south coast of the Westfjords. Enroute to Brjánslækur, the ferry will make a short stop at the Flatey Island to drop off and pick up passengers. Drive from Brjánslækur on road 62 and later 612, a rather rough gravel road to Látrabjarg, one of the most crowded bird cliffs in the world. In summer the 444 m high sea cliffs are occupied by millions of Puffins, Gannets, Guillemots and Razorbills. Enroute, stop at the interesting folk museum at Hnjótur. Day 4. Látrabjarg - Ísafjörður
Drive to the north towards Ísafjörður town. The drive to Ísafjörður, the largest town in the Westfjords is caracterized by stunning steep-sided mountain scenery and deep and narrow fjords. Take 63 to Patreksfjörður fishing town. Stay on 63 to Tálknafjörður and Bíldudalur. Take road 60 and stop at the waterfall Dynjandi after crossing the Dynjandisheiði pass. Drive along the shore of the Arnarfjörður fjord and then across the Hrafnseyrarheiði pass to the small fishing village Þingeyri. Drive From Þingeyri across Gemlufallsheiði Pass to Flateyri. Take the tunnel from Flateyri to Ísafjörður, the largest town in the Westfjords. Explore the town of Ísafjörður and its surroundings, the neighbouring towns of Bolungarvík and Suðureyri. In summer a Kayak tour on the Ísafjörður fjord is available and the Natural History Museum of Bolungarvík is interesting to visit. Day 5. Ísafjörður - Hólmavík
In summer an interesting boat tour to the picturesque Vigur island is available from Ísafjörður, - a great experience. Drive 61 along the shores of the numerous and some uninhabited, fjords of Ísafjarðardjúp with beautiful coastlines, teeming with seals and bird life and towards Hólmavík. Enroute is Reykjanes where there is a possibility to take a swim in a geothermal pool. We suggest that you see the Witchcraft museum at Hólmavík. At Drangsnes, a small fishing village across the Steigrímsfjörður fjord is a hot outdoor pool with natural hot water, - popular for bathing, where you can take a dip and relax. Overnight in Strandir area. Day 6. Hólmavík - Skagafjörður
Continue on 61 to Hrútafjörður. Take road 1 at Brú to Miðfjörður Fjord and along Víðidalur Valley towards the fertile valley of Skagafjörður, renowned for horse breeding. Enroute pass the service center Blönduós, situated on the banks of the Blanda glacial river. Continue on road one and cross the Vatnsskað pass to the Skagafjörður district. Popular horse riding tours for beginners and experienced riders are available in Skagafjörður. Some of the best White Water Rafting in Iceland is available too. See the Glaumbær museum open during the summer and the old church at Víðimýri. An interesting boat trip is available From Sauðárkrókur, the largest town in the area to the spectacular Drangey Island on the Skagafjörður Fjord, certainly a great experience. Hólar is an interesting historical place to visit and the town Hofsós with its old buildings and the Emigration Center. Overnight in the North West Iceland area. Day 7. Skagafjörður - Akureyri
Take road 1 across the Öxnadalsheiði Pass to Akureyri, the largest town in the North. Explore the fascinating town on the shores of the Eyjafjörður Fjord. One of the most extraordinary aspects of the town is its mild climate. Although Akureyri is situated only about 60 miles south of the Arctic Circle, it has some of the best weather in the country. See the Botanical Gardens and some of the many museums and art galleries. If time allows we suggest a circle trip through the Eyjafjörður valleys, roads 829 and 821. Overnight in the Eyjafjörður area.
Different options:
Explore Tröllaskagi Peninsula. Take road 76 along the eastern shore of Skagafjörður Fjord to Hofsós and further to the north to Fljót District. Continue to Siglufjörður, a remotely located fishing town that during the herring boom in early 20th century used to be the most prosperous fishing town in Iceland. Visit the award-winning Siglufjörður Herring Era Museum. It charts the rise and decline of the former "Herring Capital of the World" and the great Herring Adventure that lasted until 1968. Take the Lágheiði Pass to Ólafsfjörður, a fishing town on the shores of Eyjafjörður Fjord. A short (15 min.) ferry ride is available several times daily (every 1-2 hours) during summer from Árskógssandur to the small Island Hrísey. Hrísey has earned a reputation as a birdwatching destination. There are no natural predators on the island, making it an ideal bird sanctuary.
In late summer 2010, a new option will become available for touring this region:
Approximately 11 km tunnel has been under construction in the last years that will cut driving distance between Siglufjörður and Ólafsfjörður by about 47 km. It will also enable easy access to the isolated and pretty Héðinsfjörður valley that in the past used to be the most remote settlement in North Iceland. Due to the remoteness, the valley was abandoned in the middle of the 20th century. This is a great hiking area.
The tunnel is in two sections: Siglufjörður to Héðinsfjörður: 3,7 km and from Héðinfjörður to Ólafsfjörður 6,9 km
Exact opening date has not been announced so far but it is estimated to be open in late summer 2010.
Day 8. Akureyri - Húsavík
Leave the Akureyri area and head for Lake Mývatn. Take road 1 to the north along the Eyjafjörður fjord and then drive across Víkurskarð Pass. Stop at the pretty waterfall Goðafoss, the waterfall of the gods, named after pagan gods. Spend the day exploring the numerous natural wonders of the Lake Mývatn area and it's surroundings. The lake area is known world wide for abundance of birdlife and unusually many duck species breeding in one place. The lake's surroundings show amazing formations of geological interest and great variety in landscapes. Visit the numerous highlights of the area; Dimmuborgir lava formations, Námaskarð geothermal area, Skútustaðagígar craters, the Nature Baths, the volcano Krafla, and numerous other interesting and scenic spots.
Proceed to Húsavík, sometimes called “The Whale Watching Capital of The World”. Húsavík was the first place in the country to offer very successful Whale Watching cruises. The Whale Museum in Húsavík is an educational centre on marine wildlife. Visit the Húsavík Natural and Maritime Museum, one of the best museums of its kind in the country. Overnight in the Húsavík - Mývatn area. Day 9. Húsavík - Egilsstaðir
Leave Húsavík and drive road 85 to the north towards the Öxarfjörður Bay. If you are driving a 4x4, make a detour on F862 to Vesturdalur and Hljóðaklettar, the Echo rocks, an extremely beautiful canyon carved by the river Jökulsá á Fjöllum. This area offers many interesting hiking trails to explore the many wonders of the Jökulsárgljúfur National Park. Ásbyrgi canyon is a strange and spectacular horseshoe shaped canyon not to be missed. Continue to the south along a rather rough but scenic route to Dettifoss waterfall, the largest waterfall in Europe. From Dettifoss proceed further to the south as far as the junction of the main highway, road number 1. Take road 1 and drive to the east across the highland plateau and across the Möðrudalsöræfi highlands renowned for their stark beauty to the Hérað District. Egilsstaðir is the largest town in the area. Near Egilsstaðir is Hallormsstaðarskógur, the largest forest in the country and the legendary Lagarfljót River. A short and scenic drive across the Fjarðarheiði Pass is Seyðisfjörður, a small nad picturesque fishing town and a ferry port. Overnight stay in the Egilsstaðir - Seyðisfjörður area. Day 10. Egilsstaðir – Höfn
Drive to the amazing East Fjords, some of the fjords are now deserted, - each of them a world of its own. A short cut is possible here, - instead of driving along the coast it is now possible to take the Öxi Pass (road 939), a steep and spectacular route. Please see map. The stone collection of Petra at Stöðvarfjörður is interesting to visit to see beautiful stones collected in this area. An interesting option is taking a boat tour to Papey Island near Djúpivogur where thousands of puffins and other seabirds nest in summer. Stop at Djúpivogur, a small fishing town. Continue to the south and past Lónsöræfi and to top of Almannaskarð pass for a great view. Continue to Höfn in Hornafjördur, a blooming fishing community in the realm of the greatest glacier in Europe, Vatnajokull. The village Höfn, famous for its lobster is located at the base of Vatnajökull, and the scenery is breathtaking. Don´t miss the interesting Glacier Exhibition at Höfn. Overnight in the Djúpivogur - Höfn area. Day 11. Höfn - Vík
Continue to the west and head for Jökulsárlón, the Glacial Lagoon, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. Huge icebergs, true sculptures of nature are floating and some stranded on the blue glacial waters of the lagoon at the foot of the Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier. An extremely popular boat trip is available from here during summer to sail among the icebergs in the lagoon. Continue along the south coast and head for the Skaftafell National Park, nestling at the foot of the glacier with many hiking possibilities. The natural beauty of Skaftafell is a result of very favourable weather conditions and the interaction of fire and ice. Beneath the Vatnajökull ice cap, towering above Skaftafell is one of Icelands most active volcano, Öræfajökull. An interesting hiking trail takes you to Svartifoss, one of Icelands most picturesque waterfall, famous for the pretty basalt columns which surround it and the hiking trail to Skaftafellsjökull Glacier is an easy walk, it is accessible even to wheelchair. A video of a volcanic eruption in the area in 1996 can also be viewed at the Visitors Center. From Skaftafell, drive across the Skeiðarársandur floodplains and to Kirkjubæjarklaustur, often abbreviated as "Klaustur", see Kirkjugólfið (the Church Floor), a protected natural monument just east of Klaustur. Kirkjugólfið is columnar basalt, eroded and shaped by wind and water, only a few minutes walk from the road. Fjaðrárgljúfur is a narrow and beautiful canyon a few km to the west from Kirkjubæjarklaustur (road 206). Then across the black sandy floodplains of Mýrdalssandur to the village Vík for an overnight stay in the area. Day 12. Vík – Geysir – Gullfoss – Thingvellir - Reykjavík
Drive to Reynishverfi, road 215 with a spectacular coast and beautiful rock formations. Thousands of seabirds nest in almost every crevice in summer. Take a rough road, 218 to the promontory Dyrhólaey. Back to road 1 and continue west. Stop at the 60 metre waterfall Skógafoss and don’t miss the Folk Museum at Skógar.
On March 20th 2010, a volcanic eruption started on Fimmvörðuháls, a mountain ridge between the glaciers, Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. The eruption on Fimmvörðuháls is over now but a new eruption started a couple of weeks later underneath the nearby icecap of Eyjafjallajökull. A cloud of ash has been carried far with wind has disturbed air traffic. Due to melting ice, rivers in the area grew tremendously especially at the beginning of the eruption and caused some road damage. These floodings are now over and the roads have (late April) been fixed temporaily and are considered safe to drive. This eruption came to an end on 23. May and there is currently no activity.
It is possible to walk behind the pretty waterfall Seljalandsfoss in summer, an interesting experience. Continue to villages Hvolsvöllur where you will find the Icelandic Saga Centre and Hella. The surrounding area is the scene of Njáls Saga, one of the most famous Saga. Continue to the town Selfoss. Selfoss town suffered a lot of property damage during the earthquakes that shook Iceland in the end of May, 2008. From Selfoss head inland on road 35 and stop at the volcanic crater Kerið on you right hand side immediately by the side of the road. Drive further inland and to the waterfall Faxi, hidden a short distance from 35, not visible from the road. Look for the small Faxi sign on your right. Continue to the Geyser area to see the famous Great Geysir and Strokkur, a very active geyser that spouts every few minutes, as well as numerous other hot springs. From Geysir, continue a short distance to the waterfall Gullfoss one of Icelands largest and most beautiful waterfall. Make Gullfoss a turnaround point and drive back on the same road as before, a little further than Geysir. Then take 37 and later 365, a dusty gravel road across the Gjábakkavegur Pass and head to the National Park Thingvellir, (Þingvellir) a unique place from a geological point of view. Research has shown that Thingvellir is a natural wonder on an international scale where evidence of continental drift and the rifting of the earth's crust can clearly be seen. Thingvellir is also the most historical place in the country and a place of exceptional beauty. From the National Park, take road 36 across the plateu Mosfellsheiði to Reykjavík. Day 13. Blue Lagoon
Drive road 41 and later 43 to the Blue Lagoon before you end the tour at your hotel in Reykjavík. Enjoy a relaxing bath at the Blue Lagoon in an otherworldly setting where lava and thermal water complement each other to prepare you for your journey home. Filled with mineral-rich waters, the Blue Lagoon has become famous for providing soothing relief for sufferers of skin disorders, as well as for others simply looking for a sensational bathing experience. Soak in the refreshing waters of the lagoon and have a wonderful last unforgettable taste of Iceland, that ensures you will be fully relaxed when you leave the country. Drive back to Reykjavík.
Drop off the car in Reykjavik and overnight. Day 14. Reykjavik - Keflavík airport
Transfer from your hotel to the Keflavík airport by FLY BUS. |
The Full Circle Express.
Grand tour around Iceland including the Westfjords.
A real 4x4 highland adventure.
South Iceland at leisure.
Super Jeep Day tours.
Whale Watching.
Longer Bus Tours.
Longer Super Jeep Tours.
Gullfoss Geyser.
Northern Lights Mystery.
Blue Lagoon.
Reykjavik City Sightseen.
The South Coast and the Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon.