Iceland 4 x 4 Highlands Lowlands and Fjords 9 days

AVAILABLE:
July 1 to September 15

DURATION:
9 days / 8 nights

CAR RENTAL DAYS:
7 Days

DEPARTURES:
Daily

TOUR ID:
BP10

• Meet & Greet at Keflavik airport (KEF) and transfer to Reykjavik.
• 8 nights accommodation, in the accommodation category of your choice Cat. 1, 2 or 3.
• Breakfast daily
• Rental car of your choice for 7 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 a meet and greet service is provided by a TOURIS representative who will take you to your accommodation in Reykjavik, about 45 minutes drive. You may want to join an optional daytour from Reykjavík if you arrive early.

Highlights of the day:
Reykjavík

Overnight:
Reykjavík

Optional activity:
Reykjavik City Card

Day 2. The Great Golden Circle

Pick up a car and head to Þingvellir 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. Þingvellir were excepted as a UNESCO world heritage site in 2004. From Thingvellir drive across the Gjábakki pass to the Great Geysir hot-spring area with numerous hot springs and erupting geysers. 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. The most active one, Strokkur erupts every few minutes. Continue to Gullfoss one of Icelands most majestic waterfall. Rafting on the Hvítá River is available from Drumboddsstaðir during summer.

Driving distance
140 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Þingvellir
Gullfoss Waterfall and Geysir Hot Springs

Overnight:
Geysir area

Day 3. Kjölur highland trail

The route leads over the interior highland track Kjölur, "The Keel", a broad rocky lava covered pass between the giant ice fields, 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 second largest town in Iceland. 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 and head for Lake Mývatn. Stop to take a look at the impressive waterfall Goðafoss, the waterfall of the gods, named after pagan gods, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the country. Spend the day exploring the natural wonders of Lake Mývatn and its surroundings. The Mývatn area is known worldwide for its exceptionally many breeding duck species and the abundance of other birdlife. Visit its numerous highlights; Dimmuborgir lava formations, volcano Krafla, Námaskarð geothermal area, Skútustaðagígar Craters, the Nature Baths, and numerous other interesting and scenic spots. During summer, visitors can have a guided tour (free of charge) through the Kröfluvirkjun geothermal power station at Krafla, where natural steam pressure, directly from underground is used for generating electricity, some of the cleanest energy available anywhere.
Drive to “The Whale Watching Capital of The World”, Húsavík. Húsavík was the first place in the country to offer Whale watching cruises and many tourists’ sole purpose for visiting the town is to join a Whale watching cruise. The Whale Museum in Húsavík is an interesting 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:
Húsavík area

Recommended optional activity:
Nature Baths
Whale Watching From Húsavík

Day 5. The Diamond Circle & 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 here drive to the east across the highland desert and across the Möðrudalsöræfi highlands renowned for their stark beauty towards Egilsstaðir town. There is a short and scenic drive from Egilsstaðir across Fjarðarheiði Heath to Seyðisfjörður town.

Driving distance
260 kilometers

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

Overnight:
Egilsstaðir / Hérað area

Day 6. The Tranquil East Fjords

Drive from Egilsstaðir to the magnificent East Fjords, some now deserted, each a world of its own. The stone collection of Petra at Stöðvarfjörður is interesting to visit. Continue to the south and past Lónsöræfi district and drive to top of Almannaskarð 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
260 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Hallormsstaðaskógur Forest
Höfn

Overnight:
Höfn area

Day 7. The Glacier Lagoon & Skaftafell National Park

Continue to the west and head for Jökulsárlón, the Glacial Lagoon, where huge icebergs, true sculptures of nature are floating on the deep 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. Continue along the South Coast and head for Skaftafell National 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 basalt columns which surround it and the walking trail to Skaftafellsjökull glacier is accessible even to wheelchair. 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 to Kirkjubæjarklaustur. At Kirkjubæjarklaustur see Kirkjugólfið (the Church Floor), a natural monument just. Kirkjugólfið is columnar basalt, eroded and shaped by wind and water.

Driving distance
200 kilometers

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

Overnight:
Kirkjubæjarklaustur area

Recommended optional activity:
Amphibian boat Tour on Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Day 8. The Beautiful South Coast

Drive west to Fjaðrárgljúfur, a narrow and beautiful canyon for a hike along the canyon. Continue across Eldhraun, the most extensive lava field ever to flow on the planet from the Laki eruption in 1783 and the black sandy floodplains of Mýrdalssandur to the village Vík. Drive to Reynishverfi with spectacular coast and rock formations and thousands of nesting seabirds. Make a short detour to the glacier Sólheimajökull. Stop at the beautiful waterfalls Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss 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 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).
Continue past the villages Hvolsvöllur, Hella and Selfoss towards Reykjavík. 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. Continue to Reykjavík and drop off the car.

Driving distance
280 kilometers

A different option is to drive the beautiful and uninhabited mountain track Fjallabaksleið, route through Landmannalaugar nature reserve (4WD needed), the track is usually open to 4x4 traffic from mid-June until end of September.

Highlights of the day:
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
Vík Town
Reynisfjara beach
Skógafoss Waterfall
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Hveragerði Town

Overnight:
Reykjavík

Recommended optional activity:
Glacier Walk
Horse Riding Tour South
LAVA Centre

Day 9. Departure

Private transfer from the hotel to Keflavik International Airport

Cat 1

Rooms in guesthouses with shared facilities but sometimes with washbasins in the rooms. Breakfast is included.

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Cat 2

Rooms in Hotels or quality guesthouses with private shower or bath and WC. Breakfast is included.

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Cat 3

Standard rooms in 4 star hotels combined with deluxe or superior rooms at well appointed 3 star hotels. Breakfast is included.

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10.P - Suzuki Vitara 4WD or similar - Manual -

Transmission: Manual
Seats: 5
Suitcases: 3
Doors: 5

11.H - Kia Sportage 4WD or similar - Automatic -

Transmission: Automatic
Seats: 5
Suitcases: 3
Doors: 5

12.J - Kia Sorento 4WD or similar - Automatic -

Transmission: Automatic
Seats: 5
Suitcases: 3
Doors: 5

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

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

14.C - Land Rover Discovery 4WD - Automatic - Limited Availability -

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

15.I - Land Rover Defender 4WD - Automatic - Limited Availability -

Transmission: Automatic
Seats: 5
Suitcases: 3
Doors: 5

18.XG - VW Transporter 4WD or similar - Manual - Limited Availability

Transmission: Manual
Seats: 9
Suitcases: 4
Doors: 3

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 8.

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 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 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.