A real 4 x 4 Highland and Lowland Adventure 10 days

AVAILABLE:
July 5 to September 10

DURATION:
10 days / 9 nights

CAR RENTAL DAYS:
8 Days

DEPARTURES:
Daily

TOUR ID:
BP11

• Private airport transfer on arrival day
• 9 nights accommodation, in the accommodation category of your choice.
• Breakfast daily
• Rental car of your choice for 8 days including unlimited mileage, CDW and more.
• Two authorized drivers.
• Unlimited WiFi with the rental car
• Detailed itinerary and road map of Iceland with the route and accommodations marked in.
• Private airport transfer on departure day
• 24 hour Emergency telephone service.
• Taxes and service fees.

• Fuel expense and parking fees.
• Personal travel insurance.
• Flights to and from Iceland
• Anything not specifically stated in Included.

Day 1. Arrival

Upon your arrival at Keflavik airport, you will be met by your private driver who will take you to your accommodation in Reykjavik. You will be free for the rest of the day to explore Reykjavik, visit museums, landmarks etc. Downtown Reykjavík offers excellent restaurants, cafés, bars and clubs. You might want to join an optional tour if you arrive early. You can visit one of the many Reykjavík’s excellent restaurants for dinner.

Highlights of the day:
Reykjavík

Overnight:
Reykjavík

Optional activity:
Reykjavik City Card
Reykjavik Food Tour

Day 2. The Great Golden Circle

Pick up a car and head to Thingvellir National Park, a unique place from a geological point of view. Research has shown that Thingvellir is a natural wonder on an international scale. The faults and fissures of the area make evident the rifting of the earth's crust. Thingvellir is also the most historical place in Iceland and a place of exceptional beauty. Thingvellir were accepted as a UNESCO world heritage site in 2004. Drive from Thingvellir along the eastern lakeshore and continue to see the volcanic crater Kerið with its crater lake and the waterfall Faxi is a little further up the road. Continue to the Great Geysir hot-spring area with numerous hot springs and erupting geysers. The most active one, Strokkur spouts every few minutes. From here drive to Gullfoss one of Icelands largest waterfalls. Rafting on the Hvítá river is available from Drumboddsstaðir.

Driving distance
140 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Þingvellir
Geysir
Gullfoss Waterfall
Kerið

Overnight:
Geysir area

Recommended optional activity:
Snorkeling in Silfra Fissure

Day 3. Kjölur highland trail & The Capital of the North

The route leads over the interior highland track Kjölur, "The Keel", a broad rocky lava covered pass between the giant icefields, Hofsjökull and Langjökull. On a fine day, - Kjalvegur is an unforgettable drive of breathtaking beauty. 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 towards Kerlingarfjöll a colourful range of rhyloite mountains. This is a true mountain wilderness of spectacular peaks, canyons and hidden here are strange and colorful thermal areas. Further north you will be coming to the colorful geothermal area Hveravellir between the glaciers Langjökull and Hofsjökull a picturesque hot-spring area in a shallow valley-like depression. The springs are surrounded by sinter terraces and display different colors and a variety of forms.
At Hveravellir there is a small pool ideal for a dip in the thermal water.
Drive around the west and north shore of Blöndulón Lake and arrive on 751 in the valleys of Skagafjordur, renowned for horse breeding. Popular horse riding tours for beginners and experienced riders are available here. In Skagafjörður you will also be able to join some of the best White water rafting in Iceland. Here we recommend a visit to the old turf and stone farm / museum at Glaumbaer and the old tiny church at Viðimýri. Continue to Akureyri, the largest town in the north. One of the most extraordinary aspects of Akureyri 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 and some of the many museums and art galleries.

Driving distance
300 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Langjökull Glacier
Hveravellir Geothermal Area
Akureyri

Overnight:
Akureyri area

Day 4. The Wonders of Lake Mývatn

Leave Akureyri area in the morning and head for Lake Mývatn. Drive to the north along the Eyjafjörður Fjord and then across Víkurskarð Pass. Stop to take a look at the waterfall Goðafoss, one of the more spectacular waterfalls in Iceland. Spend the day exploring the many natural wonders of Lake Mývatn and it's surroundings. The lake area is known world wide for its exceptionally many breeding duck species and the abundance of other birdlife. The lake's surroundings show great variety in landscapes and amazing geological formations. Visit Dimmuborgir lava formations, volcano Krafla, Námaskarð geothermal area, Skútustaðagígar Craters, the Nature Baths, and numerous other interesting and scenic spots.
Drive to Húsavík, sometimes called “The Whale Watching Capital of The World”. Húsavík was the first place in Iceland to offer whale watching cruises and many tourists’ sole purpose for visiting the town is to participate. The Whale Museum in Húsavík is an educational information centre on marine wildlife. Visit the Húsavík Natural and Maritime Museum, one of the best in the country.

Driving distance
200 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Goðafoss waterfall
Lake Mývatn
Dimmuborgir
Húsavík Town

Overnight:
Mývatn/Húsavík area

Recommended optional activity:
Nature Baths
Whale Watching From Húsavík
Forest Lagoon

Day 5. Jökulsárgljúfur National Park

Leave Húsavík and drive to the north towards the Öxarfjörður Bay to Ásbyrgi canyon is a strange and spectacular horseshoe shaped canyon by the main road, - not to be missed. Head back 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. Continue to the south to Dettifoss waterfall, the largest waterfall in Europe. From here continue to Mývatn.

Driving distance
240 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Hljóðaklettar rock formations
Ásbyrgi Canyon
Dettifoss Waterfall
Lake Mývatn area

Overnight:
Mývatn area

Recommended optional activity:
Nature Baths

Day 6. Ódáðahraun lava field with stunning scenery & Egilsstaðir

Leave Lake Myvatn early in the morning. Drive through barren and deserted lava fields and towards the Herðubreiðarlindir springs, situated at the foot of the majestic Mt. Herðubreið. 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, warden’s 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. 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 head east and to Egilsstaðir town.

Driving distance
320 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Herðubreiðarlindir
Askja
Víti Crater
Egilsstaðir town
Hallormsstaðaskógur Forrest

Overnight:
Egilsstaðir area

Day 7. The Tranquil East Fjords

Drive from Egilsstaðir to the magnificent East Fjords, some now deserted and each 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 a steep and spectacular route. The Stone Collection of Petra at Stöðvarfjörður is an interesting place to visit. Stop at Djúpivogur, a small fishing town and the stone collection of Petra at Stöðvarfjörður is also interesting to visit. Continue to the south and past Lónsöræfi and to top of Almannaskarð pass for a great view. Continue to Höfn in Hornafjordur, a blooming community in the realm of the greatest glacier in Europe, Vatnajokull. The village Höfn is located at the base of Vatnajökull, and the scenery is breathtaking.

Driving distance
250 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Höfn

Overnight:
Höfn area

Day 8. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon & Skaftafell National Park

Continue to the west and head for Jökulsárlón, the Glacial Lagoon, one the most popular tourist attraction in Iceland. Huge icebergs, true sculptures of nature are floating on the blue glacial waters of the lagoon at the foot of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. An extremely popular boat trip is available from here to sail among the floating icebergs on the lagoon where seals are often to be seen. Continue west along the south coast and head for the Skaftafell National Park Park nestling between glaciers and with many hiking possibilities. An interesting hiking trail takes you to Svartifoss, one of Icelands most picturesque waterfall, famous for the beautiful basalt columns which surround it and the hiking trail to Skaftafellsjökull glacier is even accessible to wheelchair. A video of a volcanic eruption in the area in 1996 can also be viewed at the visitors center. Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe is to the north from here. In the afternoon of 21. May 2011, a sub-glacial eruption started in the Grímsvötn volcanic system underneath Vatnajökull Glacier. Later the same day, the eruption broke the ice cover of the glacier and started spewing volcanic ash into the air. The amount of ash fall was the greatest close to the village Kirkjubæjarklaustur. The eruption went on for about a week. It ceased on 28. May 2011. From Skaftafell drive across the Skeiðarársandur floodplains and to Fjaðrárgljúfur a narrow and beautiful canyon and after a stop and a hike continue across Eldhraun, the most extensive lava field on the planet from the Laki eruption in 1783 Cross the black sandy floodplains of Mýrdalssandur to the village Vík.

Driving distance
270 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon
Skaftafell National Park
Svartifoss waterfall
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
Kirkjubæjarklaustur town
Vík Town

Overnight:
Vík area

Recommended optional activity:
Amphibian boat Tour on Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Zodiac Boat on Glacier Lagoon
Glacier Lagoon Kayaking

Day 9. The Beautiful South Cost & The Blue Lagoon

Drive to Reynishverfi with a spectacular coast and beautiful rock formations where thousands of seabirds nest in almost every crevice in summer and to the promontory Dyrhólaey, for a great view. Stop at the beautiful waterfalls Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss and don’t miss the Folk Museum at Skógar. During the summer it´s possible to walk behind the waterfall Seljalandsfoss whisch can be a quite unique experiance.
On March 20th 2010, a volcanic eruption started on Fimmvörðuháls, a mountain ridge between the glaciers, Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. The eruption on Fimmvörðuháls lasted a couple of weeks. After this eruption came to an end a new and bigger eruption started underneath the nearby icecap of Eyjafjallajökull Glacier. This eruption came to an end on 23. May 2010.
Make a detour to the glacier Sólheimajökull (passable only during summer) before continuing to Dyrhólaey natural reserve and a nesting colony of numerous seabirds (closed for all traffic during the nesting period until June 25th). Cross the plateau Hellisheiði, with a lot of geothermal activity and plumes of steam rising from the ground. Numerous boreholes have been drilled on Hellisheiði in the last years for hot water and steam, some of the cleanest energy available. Close up the circle to Reykjavík and drive to the Blue Lagoon. 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 internationally known for providing soothing, medicinal relief for sufferers of skin ailments, as well as for others simply looking for a sensational bathing experience. Soak in the refreshing and healing waters of the Blue Lagoon, and have a wonderful last unforgettable taste of Iceland, that ensures that you are fully relaxed when you leave Iceland. If you plan to take a bath at the Blue Lagoon, we strongly recommend that you book your ticket in advance. It can be booked at www.bluelagoon.com Return to Reykjavík and drop off the car. Overnight in Reykjavik.

Driving distance
270 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Reynisfjara beach
Dyrhólaey Nature Reserve
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Skógafoss Waterfall
The Blue Lagoon

Overnight:
Reykjavík

Recommended optional activity:
Glacier Walk
LAVA Centre
ATV Black Sand Beach and Plane Wreck
Katla Ice Cave

Day 10. Departure

Private transfer from the hotel to Keflavik International Airport.

Budget

Standard rooms in guesthouses. Private room but WC facilities and shower are shared with other guests. Rooms sometimes have wash basins in the room. Breakfast is included

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Comfort

Rooms in tourist class hotels combined with quality guesthouses. Rooms have private bathroom facilities. Breakfast is included.

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Comfort PLUS

Standard rooms in superior 3 star hotels combined with superior rooms at standard 3 star hotels. Rooms have private bathroom facilities. Breakfast is included

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Quality

Standard rooms in 4 Star hotels combined with superior and deluxe rooms at quality 3 star hotels. Breakfast is included.

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Quality PLUS

Superior or Deluxe rooms in 4 star hotels. Rooms have private bathroom facilities. Breakfast is included

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13.K - Toyota Landcruiser 4WD or similar - Automatic -

Transmission: Automatic
Seats: 5
Suitcases: 4
Doors: 5

Why book your Self Drive Tour with Tour.is?

Highly competitive prices

We include more

Outstanding response time and customer care

Knowledgeable and motivated team of travel agents

Great reviews from visitors

We offer cancellation insurance

Pick up of rental car is the morning of day 2.

Drop off is in Reykjavík the day prior to your departure – day 9.

An extra day will be charged if the car is returned 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 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 according to your choice in farmhouses, guesthouses or hotels, cat. 1, 2 or 3. including breakfast. Due to limited availability of accommodation in the Icelandic countryside and a great demand for summer, we are only able to confirm specific category but not a specific hotel in each locality until booking has been made and confirmed.


Early morning arrival: Check in time at hotels is usually between 14:00 - 16:00. If you arrive early morning, you may not be able to check in immediately on arrival.
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.
Map displayed is only for quick reference and is not to scale.

Travel Insurance: To avoid dispute in case of cancellation, we strongly recommend that our clients purchase a comprehensive travel insurance in their home country, that covers your cost should you have to cancel your tour. This kind of travel insurance is usually not expensive and it frequently covers other risks too.

Price Calculator: There are several factors that determine the price of self drive packages:

1. Time of the year.

2. Number of people traveling together

3. Type of car (we offer more than 15 different types of cars)

4. Type of accommodation (we offer 3 different categories of accommodation)

There is a special Price Calculator button at our website with every self drive tour package where you can enter your choice of type of accommodation and car, number of people and when you want to begin the tour (arrival date) and the Price Calculator will calculate and display the price of different options.

Note: Day(s) can be added before and / or after if your arrival and departure does not fit the itinerary of this tour. Additional day tours can be added for the additional day/s. If you have any questions please don´t hesitate to contact us by email to tour@tour.is and we will be more than happy to advice.