Iceland Circle including Landmannalaugar and Snæfellsnes 10 days

AVAILABLE:
July 6 to September 10

DURATION:
10 days / 9 nights

CAR RENTAL DAYS:
8 Days

DEPARTURES:
Daily

TOUR ID:
BP30

• 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 & Reykjavik

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
Perlan
Hallgrímskirkja Church
Laugavegur Shopping Streat
Gamla Höfnin (The Old Harbour)
Harpa Concert Hall

Overnight:
Reykjavík

Optional activity:
Reykjavik City Card
Reykjavik Food Tour

Day 2. The Beautiful South Coast

Pick up the car in the morning and leave Reykjavik. Cross the plateau Hellisheiði, with a lot of geothermal activity and plumes of steam rising from the ground. Stop at the waterfall Seljalandsfoss where it is possible to walk behind the waterfall in summer, a quite a unique experience. The impressive waterfall Skógafoss is a little further east and don’t miss the Folk Museum at Skógar, close to the waterfall. Drive to Reynisdrangar with spectacular coast and beautiful rock formations. The promontory at Dyrhólaey is a massive natural arch carved by the relentless pounding of the winds and surf with rich birdlife in summer.

Driving distance
280 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Hveragerði Town
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Skógafoss Waterfall
Dyrhólaey Nature Reserve
Vík Town
Reynisfjara beach

Overnight:
Hvolsvöllur area

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

Day 3. Landmannalaugar & Fjallabak route

The Fjallabak route is one of the most scenic trails in the interior highlands of Iceland. Take the mountain track known as Landmannaleið, a track that passes through a wide variety of canyons, valleys, over rock ridges and black lava, weird plain of lava rocks surrounded by captivating mountains. On your way into Landmannalaugar you will pass Lake Frostastaðavatn, surrounded by colourful mountains and craters and can visit Landmannahellir, a cave that runs some distance into a hillside. Continue to Landmannalaugar, nesting under the high edge of an obsidian lava flow. Here is a warden station, mountain hut and a camping site. Near the hut is a warm water pool created by the confluence of natural hot water and cold-water springs. There you can find many interesting hiking trails. Take the Fjallabak route out of Landmannalaugar, one of the most scenic trails in the interior highlands of Iceland. One of the highlights of the route is Eldgjá, one of the most interesting sights in this part of the country. There you can see the Ófærufoss Waterfall.

Driving distance
230 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Landmannalaugar
Eldgjá Canyon
Lake Frostastaðavatn

Overnight:
Kirkjubæjarklaustur area

Day 4. Skaftafell National Park & The Awe-Inspiring Glacier Lagoon

Continue along the South Coast to Vatnajökull National Park. On your way you will pass Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon and Kirkjubæjarklaustur Village. As you reach the Vatnajökull area, you won’t miss Skaftafell National Park with its great views. There you can also find many hiking trails, for example to the beautiful Svartifoss Waterfall. Continue to the famous Glacier Lagoon, where huge icebergs, true sculptures of nature, broken off Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, float and grind together in the blue waters of the lagoon. You can also go down to the Diamond Beach before driving to the Höfn area for an overnight stay.

Driving distance
210 kilometers

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

Overnight:
Höfn area

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

Day 5. The Tranquil East Fjords & The Amazing Landscape of Lake Mývatn

Drive from Höfn past the colourful Lónsöræfi District, a mountainous wilderness ringed by extinct volcanoes and traversed by glacial rivers. Drive past towering mountains, and to the magnificent East Fjords, some now deserted. Today you drive to the great Lake Mývatn area. On your way we recommend a detour to Dettifoss, the largest waterfall in Europe. Just before reaching Mývatn we recommend a stop at Námaskarð Pass where boiling mud pools and flashing colors of the pass merge with ash and lava from nearby volcanoes. Explore the phenomenal natural beauty of the Lake Mývatn area. The lake area is known worldwide for its exceptionally many breeding duck species and the abundance of other birdlife. The main highlights of the area include Dimmuborgir, Mt. Hverfjall, the pseudo-craters of Skútustaðir and the Krafla volcanic system. The explosion crater Víti is near Krafla and the Mývatn Nature Baths are an outstanding attraction too not to be missed.

Driving distance
430 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Egilsstaðir town
Hallormsstaðaskógur Forest
Lake Mývatn
Skútustaðagígar Pseudo Craters
Hverfell Crater
Námaskarð
Dimmuborgir

Overnight:
Mývatn – Húsavík area

Recommended optional activity:
Nature Baths

Day 6. Húsavik village and The Capital of The North Akureyri

Start the day by going to Húsavík, the Whale Watching Capital of the World. There you can go on a Whale Watching cruise or visit the Whale Museum. After exploring Húsavík you will head to Akureyri city. We recommend a stop at the beautiful waterfall Goðafoss on your way to Akureyri. One of the most extraordinary aspects of Akureyri is its warm climate. Although its sits only 60 miles from 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. The newly opened Forest Lagoon is a great attraction as well. Leave Akureyri and drive to Skagafjörður, renowned for horse breeding.

Driving distance
270 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Húsavík Town
Goðafoss waterfall
Akureyri
Glaumbær Folk Museum

Overnight:
Skagafjörður area

Recommended optional activity:
Whale Watching From Húsavík
Forest Lagoon

Different options for the route Akureyri - Skagafjörður:

Explore Tröllaskagi Peninsula. Take road 82 to the north along the western shore of Eyjafjörður Fjord to Dalvík town. Drive further to the north to Ólafsfjörður town. Take a narrow tunnel to Ólafsfjörður.
An approximately 11 km new tunnel has recently been opened that cuts driving distance between Siglufjörður and Ólafsfjörður by about 47 km. It enables 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
Siglufjörður fishing town, 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. Continue on 76 to the south along the shores of Skagafjörður Fjord to Hofsós town and further to Sauðárkrókur.

Day 7. Skagafjörður & Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Today you will explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. First up is a drive to Stykkishólmur town, the main town of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. As you continue towards the tip of the peninsula you will pass a few small fishing towns. Just outside of Grundarfjörður you will find Kirkjufell Mountain, the most picturesque mountain in Iceland. Much of interesting geological phenomena and historic sites can be found in the Snæfellsjökull National Park, the most recent one in Iceland. On the south coast of the peninsula you will find Arnarstapi and Hellnar with a spectacular coast and interesting birdlife. The hiking trail between the two villages is also very interesting. We also recommend a visit to Búðir, a pretty site located on a natural inlet.

Driving distance
420 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Vatnsdalshólar mounds
Hvítserkur Cliff
Stykkishólmur Town
Djúpalónssandur
Snæfellsjökull Glacier
Lóndrangar rock formation
Arnarstapi
Hellnar hamlet
Kirkjufell

Overnight:
Snæfellsnes area

Recommended optional activity:
Horseback Riding

Day 8. Borgarfjörður & Þingvellir National Park

Head for Borgarfjörður district. Enroute you will be passing a number of volcanic craters on both sides of the road, Eldborg being the largest and most beautiful shape. In Borgarfjörður you will be able to see Deildartunguhver hot spring, the historic site Reykholt and the beautiful Hraunfossar and Barnafossar waterfalls. Make the waterfalls a turnaround point and head back to Borgarnes town where we recommend a visit to the Settlement Centre. Drive along the shores of Hvalfjörður Fjord to the Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the start of the famous Golden Circle. The faults and fissures of the area are evidence of the rifting of the earth's crust. Thingvellir is one of the most historical sites in the country and a place of exceptional beauty.

Driving distance
350 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Borgarnes town
Deildartunguhver
Reykholt town
Hraunfossar
Þingvellir

Overnight:
South west area

Recommended optional activity:
The Settlement Exhibition and The Egil Saga Exhibition
Krauma Baths
Snorkeling in Silfra Fissure

Day 9. The Great Golden Circle, Reykjanes & The Blue Lagoon

Today you will explore the rest of the Golden Circle. Explore the great Geysir hot spring area on foot and see the famous Great Geysir and Strokkur, a geyser that spouts every few minutes. Continue onwards to the majestic Gullfoss waterfall, one of Iceland’s most beautiful waterfalls. Make Gullfoss your turnaround point ahead for the waterfall Faxi. Continue to the volcanic crater Kerið. Proceed to the main circular highway and head for Hveragerði, a small town where hot spring water is harnessed to heat greenhouses for cultivation of decorative flowers. Cross Hellisheiði heath again and close up the circle in Reykjavik. After a short stop in Reykjavík head to the famous Blue Lagoon. There you can end your trip relaxing in the mineral waters of the Blue Lagoon. Return to Reykjavik where you will drop off the rental car.

Driving distance
250 kilometers

Highlights:
Geysir
Gullfoss Waterfall
Faxi waterfall
Kerið
Hveragerði Town
The Blue Lagoon

Overnight:
Reykjavik

Recommended optional activity:
Blue Lagoon Comfort Admission

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 the middle of June and due to road conditions some routes may temporarily not be passable without prior notice.

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.

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 and 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.
Please note that some activities described may only be available during summer.

Information on weather and road conditions are available at http://www.vegagerdin.is/english/road-conditions-and-weather/. 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.