Highlands Lowlands Volcanoes and Fjords 16 days

AVAILABLE:
July 5 to September 10

DURATION:
16 days / 15 nights

CAR RENTAL DAYS:
14 Days

DEPARTURES:
Daily

TOUR ID:
BP33

• Private airport transfer on arrival day
• 15 nights accommodation, in the accommodation category of your choice.
• Breakfast daily
• Rental car of your choice for 14 days including unlimited mileage, CDW and more.
• Two authorized drivers.
• Baldur ferry across Breidafjordur bay
• 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 Wonders of Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Pick up your rental car in the morning and head towards Hvalfjörður Fjord and Borgarnes town. The main road is in a tunnel shortcut under the fjord but the drive around the fjord is scenic and is recommended rather than the tunnel. Continue to Borgarnes, a small town at the north coast of Borgarfjörður fjord. Continue to the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Enroute, pass the magnificent Eldborg crater and a number of other craters before exploring the numerous natural wonders the peninsula has to offer. Head to the west along the south shore of Snæfellsnes towards Arnarstapi, a small fishing hamlet with a spectacular coast and bird cliffs, teeming with birdlife in summer. Continue to Hellnar, another small settlement with varied birdlife. There is an interesting hiking trail along the scenic coast between Arnarstapi and Hellnar, about 30 - 40 minutes easy walk. Continue around the tip of the peninsula at the foot of the magnificent Snæfellsjökull, a cone shaped and ice-capped volcano. Stop at the rocky beaches of Djúpalónssandur and at Dritvík, popular hiking areas. Continue towards the north side of Snæfellsnes, passing the fishing towns Rif and Hellissandur on the way to Ólafsvík. Proceed to Stykkishólmur town.

Driving distance
280 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Borgarnes town
Hellnar hamlet
Arnarstapi
Lóndrangar rock formation
Snæfellsjökull Glacier
Stykkishólmur Town

Overnight:
Snæfellsnes area

Recommended optional activity:
The Settlement Exhibition and The Egil Saga Exhibition

Day 3. Breiðafjörður Bay

In the morning, take a ferry across Breiðafjörður Bay with its countless islands to Brjánslækur, a port on the south coast of the Westfjords. Enroute to Brjánslækur, the ferry will make a short stop at Flatey Island to drop off and pick up passengers. Drive from Brjánslækur to Rauðisandur Beach. Continue 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, Razorbills and other species of seabirds. Enroute, stop at the interesting folk museum at Hnjótur.

Driving distance
100 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Látrabjarg Cliff

Overnight:
Látrabjarg area

Day 4. The Amazing West Fjords

Head to Ísafjörður town and stop enroute at the impressive Waterfall of Dynjandi. Drive along the shores of the Arnarfjörður Fjord and across the Hrafnseyrarheiði Pass to the fishing village Þingeyri. Proceed From Þingeyri across Gemlufallsheiði Pass to Flateyri, a small town and take the tunnel to Ísafjörður, the largest town in the Westfjords. Explore the town of Ísafjörður and its surroundings and the neighboring towns, Bolungarvík and Suðureyri. In summer, Kayak tours are available on Ísafjörður Fjord and the Natural History Museum of Bolungarvík is an interesting place to visit.

Driving distance
220 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Dynjandi Waterfall

Overnight:
Ísafjörður area

Day 5. The Amazing West Fjords

Explore the town of Ísafjörður, its surroundings and the neighbouring towns of Bolungarvík and Suðureyri. In summer, an interesting boat tour to the picturesque Vigur Island is available from Ísafjörður. This is a great adventure for nature lovers. The Natural History Museum of Bolungarvík is also well worth a visit. Drive along the shores of the numerous and mostly uninhabited fjords of Ísafjarðardjúp with beautiful coastlines teeming with seals and bird life. Continue to Strandir area.

Driving distance
240 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Ísafjörður Town

Overnight:
Strandir area

Day 6. North West Iceland

Continue via Hrútafjörður and Miðfjörður fjords to Blönduós. Cross the Vatnsskað Pass to the fertile valley of Skagafjörður, renowned for horse breeding. Popular Horse riding tours for beginners and experienced riders are available in Skagafjörður. In the upper reaches of Skagafjörður you will also be able to join some of the best White Water Rafting in Iceland. See Glaumbær Folk Museum, open during the summer and the old tiny church at Víðimýri is well worth a visit. Hólar is also an interesting historical place to visit and the town Hofsós with its old buildings and the Emigration Center.

Driving distance
300 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Hvítserkur Cliff
Vatnsdalshólar mounds
Glaumbær Folk Museum

Overnight:
Skagafjörður area

Recommended optional activity:
Horseback Riding

Day 7. Akureyri, the Capital of the North

Spend the morning in the Skagafjörður area for some more touring and exploring opportunities. In the afternoon, drive to Akureyri, the largest town in the North of Iceland. Explore this fascinating town on the shores of the Eyjafjörður fjord. One of the most extraordinary aspects of Akureyri is its warm climate. Although it is situated only 60 miles to the 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.

Driving distance
130 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Akureyri

Overnight:
Eyjafjörður area

Recommended optional activity:
Forest Lagoon

Different options:

Explore Tröllaskagi Peninsula. Drive 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 tunnel to Ólafsfjörður, a fishing town on the shores of Eyjafjörður Fjord. Take a tunnel further and drive to Dalvík town. Continue further to Akureyri.

Day 8. Lake Mývatn´s Stunning Surroundings

Leave Eyjafjörður in the morning and head for Lake Mývatn. Stop to take a look at Goðafoss, a spectacular waterfall. Continue on to Lake Mývatn. Spend the day exploring the many natural wonders of Lake Mývatn and it's surroundings. The lake area is known 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 its numerous highlights; Dimmuborgir lava formations, volcano Krafla, Námaskarð geothermal area, Skútustaðagígar Craters, the Nature Baths, and numerous other interesting and scenic spots. The geothermal power station at Krafla, Kröfluvirkjun is open to visitors during summer (free admission) where you can see how natural hot water from underground and steam under high pressure has been harnessed for generating electricity.
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 area
Dimmuborgir
Húsavík Town

Overnight:
Húsavík/Mývatn area

Recommended optional activity:
Nature Baths
Whale Watching From Húsavík

Day 9. Jökulsárgljúfur National Park & Egilsstaðir

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 Dettifoss proceed From here drive to the east across the highland plateau and across the Möðrudalsöræfi highlands renowned for their stark beauty to the Egilsstaðir and Hérað area.

Driving distance
250 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Hljóðaklettar rock formations
Ásbyrgi Canyon
Dettifoss Waterfall
Egilsstaðir town
Hallormsstaðaskógur Forest

Overnight:
Hérað area

Day 10. The Tranquil East Fjords

Drive to the magnificent East Fjords, some now deserted, each a world of its own. The Stone Collection of Petra at Stöðvarfjörður is well worth a visit. 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 Hornafjordur, a blooming community in the realm of the greatest glacier in Europe, Vatnajokull. Snowmobiling tours on Vatnajökull is available here.

Driving distance
250 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Höfn

Overnight:
Höfn area

Day 11. The Great Glacier Lagoon and Skaftafell National Park

Continue to the west and head for Jökulsárlón, the Glacial Lagoon, one of the most popular tourist attractions 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 during summer to sail among the floating icebergs on the lagoon. Seals are a common sight in the lagoon. Continue along the south coast and head for the Skaftafell National Park nestling between glaciers and with many hiking possibilities. Its natural beauty is a result of favourable weather conditions and the interaction of fire and ice. An interesting hiking trail takes you to Svartifoss, one of Icelands most picturesque waterfall, famous for basalt columns which surround it and the hiking trail to Skaftafellsjökull glacier is accessible even to wheelchair. A video of a volcanic eruption in the area in 1996 can also be viewed at the Visitors Center. Beneath the Vatnajökull ice cap, towering above Skaftafell is Grímsvötn, one of Iceland’s most active volcano. 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 to Kirkjubæjarklaustur.

Driving distance
200 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon
Skaftafell National Park
Svartifoss waterfall
Kirkjubæjarklaustur town
Kirkjugólf Basalt Columns

Overnight:
Kirkjubæjarklaustur area

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

Day 12. Lakagígar Craters

Continue to Lakagígar. Total length of this rough route is about 80 km.
A rewarding, although a bumpy drive the scenery at the end of the trail makes it worth the effort as there are few wild and rugged natural wonders that equal the beauty of the Laki Craters area.
The road into the mountains begins on the main highway 1, a short side road leads north to the Holt farm. From this point the trail enters the mountains. The going is rough and rocky in spots, deep-rutted wet and marshy in others. For the most part the route follows the serpentine up and down course. Two considerable rivers, Stjórn and Geitlandsá have to be forded. The drive is over rough grazing land and over wet marshy tracts. Small Hellisá River is forded before coming to the end of the trail near Mt. Galti.
At the end of the trail is well worth to hike in this strange but fascinating area, which must be exploited on foot.
This area has been the locality of intermittent volcanic activity in centuries past. Everywhere are vary-coloured volcanic ejecta with its scorched and multi-coloured volcanic crags, blistered with countless cone like craters, little and great colourful dunes of volcanic ash.
Lakagígar craters, named for Mt. Laki, which the 25km long eruption fissure runs through. The craters are on a roughly south-west to a north-east trending line, the general line of fissure eruptions in Iceland. About two thirds of the more than hundred craters are west of Mt. Laki, while the remainder lies south of it. The craters were created in an eruption of five months duration and from them issued the greatest volume of lava in a single eruption within the historical times of mankind.
By now, most of the enormous surrounding lava flows are covered with a thick carpet of green moss. The whole area, scarred with colourful craters and volcanic debris has a character of grim beauty. The crater pitted surroundings show nature at its most rugged overpowering best and here is one of the most spectacular volcanic areas in the world.
Besides the enormous lavas that issued from the craters, estimated about 500 million tons of gases and ash was ejected. This created clouds laden with ash and pumice and a haze that hung over the entire country during the eruption. These ash clouds spread with winds high up in the stratosphere to encircle the globe and cause colourful sunsets in the northern hemisphere for the next year. From the craters issued mind-boggling masses of molten lava, flowing down to lower ground, in two broad streams, filling and levelling hollows, small valleys and the deep canyon of the river Skaftá on their way down to lowlands, where the broad lava streams spread out to destroy numerous farms. The volume of lava was estimated in excess of thirty billion tons and the area of land covered is about 565 sq km. The aftermath of the eruption caused the death of 1/5 of Iceland's population and most of the livestock. Take the same road back to the main highway.

Driving distance
120 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Laki Craters

Overnight:
Kirkjubæjarklaustur area

Day 13. The Colorful Landmannalaugar

From Kirkjubæjarklaustur drive to the Fjallabak route. The route is one of the most scenic trails in the interior highlands of Iceland, perhaps the most colourful and diversified of the many interesting mountain tracks, rugged colourful landscape of unsurpassed beauty. One of the highlights of the route is Eldgjá, one of the most interesting sights in this part of the country. Here nature has created a unique spectacle splitting mountains and valleys in its course creating a gigantic 30 km long gash into the earth, in some places is up to 600m wide and up to 200m deep. The volcanic fissure is considered to be the greatest of its kind on earth. Only a small part of Eldgjá can be visited by car. Ófærufoss, used to be one of the country´s most beautiful waterfall, framed by a natural bridge, arching over the rivers gorge that collapsed years ago. From Eldgjá, drive along twisting route west along and over a winding rough trail skirting the base of mountains and sometimes through narrow defiles where snow remains long into summer. There is marvellous scenery along the route.
Continue to Landmannalaugar, nesting under the high edge of an obsidian lava flow. Here is a wardens station, mountain hut and a camping site. Near the hut is a warm water pool created by the confluence of natural hot water and a coldwater springs which issue within a short distance of one another from underneath the high edge of the obsidian lava above.
The scenic interest in the area is tremendous. The mountains here are perhaps the most varied and colourful in Iceland.
A hike to nearby Bláhnjúkur, where the visitor has unobstructed view of the surrounding countryside is highly recommended, also to Jökulgil, a long rugged defile with several side canyons and tributary gullies. High up on the slopes above the lava under which the hut nestles is a colourful thermal area, springs emitting sulphurous odours. Leave Landmannalaugar and pass lake Frostastaðavatn, surrounded by colourful mountains and craters. Continue on a trail that proceeds cutting across some relatively recent lava streams and through the Dómadalur valley. Come to Landmannahellir, a cave that runs some distance into a hillside. The track passes through a wide variety of canyons, valleys, over rock ridges and black lava, weird plain of lava rocks surrounded by captivating mountains. The mountain track over Landmannaleið offers some of the finest scenic views available throughout this fascinating region. Off the track there are various trails leading to the volcano Hekla, which is in view on and off to the south of the trail. At the end of the route continue to Hella.

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.

Driving distance
220 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Eldgjá Canyon
Landmannalaugar

Overnight:
Hella area

Day 14. The Golden Circle

Start the day by visiting the volcanic crater Kerið and then to the waterfall Faxi. Continue to the famous Great Geysir area to see the famous Great Geysir and Strokkur, an active geyser that spouts every few minutes as well as numerous other hot springs. The Geysir Service Center offers a restaurant, hotel, swimming pool, souvenir shop, snack bar, gas station, horse rental, quad bike tours, and a camping area. Continue to the majestic waterfall Gullfoss one of Icelands largest and most beautiful waterfall. From here head to the National Park Thingvellir, 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 show clear evidence of rifting of the earth's crust, - continental drift. There are few places in the world, -if any, where evidence of continental drift is as obvious as it is here. Thingvellir is also the most historical place in Iceland and a place of exceptional beauty. Continue to Reykjavík.

Driving distance
210 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Selfoss
Kerið
Faxi waterfall
Geysir
Gullfoss Waterfall
Þingvellir

Overnight:
Reykjavík

Recommended optional activity:
Snorkeling in Silfra Fissure

Day 15. A Relaxing Bath at The Blue Lagoon

Drive to the Blue Lagoon and enjoy a relaxing bath in an otherworldly setting where lava and thermal water complement each other to prepare you for your journey home. Filled with mineral-rich waters. 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.

Driving distance
100 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
The Blue Lagoon

Overnight:
Reykjavík

Recommended optional activity:
Blue Lagoon Comfort Admission

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

Please note that the tour can not start on Thursdays after 28. August

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

Drop off is in Reykjavík the day prior to your departure – day 15.

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: 4x4 car with high road clearance is required 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.

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.

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.