Iceland Circle, Snæfellsnes Peninsula and Northern Lights 10 days
Self Drive Tour
Visit all the major sights along the circular road, including Snæfellsnes Peninsula. In evenings, head out for a hunt of the magical northern lights.
BP40 Map
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Upon your arrival at Keflavík Airport, a meet and greet service is provided by a TOURIS represetative who will take you to your Reykjavík accommodation.
Highlights of the day:
Reykjavík
Overnight:
Reykjavík
Optional activity:
Reykjavik City Card
Pick up the car in the morning and leave Reykjavík. Cross the plateau Hellisheiði, known for its geothermal activity. Numerous boreholes have been drilled on Hellisheiði in last years to provide the nearest area with electricity and hot water. Continue along the South shore and stop at the stunning Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where it´s possible to walk behind the waterfall. That is truly a unique experience but be careful there it can get slippery. Another impressive waterfall – Skógafoss is little further east and we strongly recommend a visit to Skógar Folk museum, next to the waterfall. On the way you´ll pass the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers. 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. If the road is passable make a short detour to the glacier Sólheimajökull, from there it is possible to go on a guided glacier walk (pre-booking needed). Continue to Dyrhólaey, a natural reserve and a nesting colony of numerous seabirds in summer. The promontory at Dyrhólaey is a massive natural arch carved by the relentless pounding of the winds and surf. Drive to Reynisdrangar with spectacular black beaches and beautiful rock formations.
For the next 7 nights you will stay overnight in the country side. This provides you with perfect conditions to hunt the northern lights. Check the northern lights forecast before heading out or ask the hotel reception.
Driving distance
200 kilometers
Highlights of the day:
Hveragerði Town
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Skógafoss Waterfall
Reynisfjara beach
Dyrhólaey Nature Reserve
Vík Town
Overnight:
Vík area
Recommended optional activity:
Glacier Walk
Snowmobiling on Solheimajokull Glacier
LAVA Centre
Today you will across the Mýrdalssandur floodplains and Eldhraun, the largest lava field ever to flow on Earth in historical time and to the small village Kirkjubæjarklaustur. At Kirkjubæjarklaustur, see Kirkjugólfið (the Church Floor). Kirkjugólfið is columnar basalt, eroded and shaped by wind and water. Drive across Skeiðarársandur, vast tracts of black sandy desert washed down by torrential glacial rivers to Skaftafell. Its natural beauty is a result of favourable weather conditions and the interaction of fire and ice. Stop at Skaftafell to see the interesting Visitors Center and for a walk. Skaftafell is a part of Vatnajökull National Park and in the area are many interesting hiking trails but in winter you should ask for the conditions of the trails in the Visitors center before hand. 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. 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. Continue to the amazing Jökulsárlón, the Glacial Lagoon where huge icebergs, broken off the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, float and grind together in the deep waters of the lagoon and seals are frequently seen. From here, continue east towards the Höfn area for an overnight stay.
Driving distance
280 kilometers
Highlights of the day:
Kirkjubæjarklaustur town
Skaftafell National Park
Svartifoss waterfall
Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon
Höfn
Overnight:
Höfn area
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. Enroute stop at some of the charming small fishing towns. On the east coast of Iceland you might get the chance to see herds of wild Reindeer that mostly live at higher altitude in summer seek the lowlands in winter. Reindeer were introduced to many parts of Iceland from Norway in the 18th century now only live in the eastern part of Iceland from Höfn area to Vopnafjörður in the north east.
Driving distance
260 kilometers
Highlights of the day:
Egilsstaðir town
Hallormsstaðaskógur Forest
Overnight:
Egilsstaðir/Hérað area
Continue across the highland plateau towards Lake Mývatn. Make a detour to Dettifoss, the largest waterfall in Europe but please note that in high winter the road and hiking trail leading to the waterfall often get impassible. 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. Visit its highlights Dimmuborgir, Mt. Hverfjall, the pseudocraters of Skútustaðir and Krafla volcanic system where the most recent eruptions were 1975 - 1984. The explosion crater Víti is near Krafla and the Mývatn Nature Baths offer a nice place to relax in warm waters after a long day of sightseeing and not to be missed.
Driving distance
190 kilometers
Highlights of the day:
Lake Mývatn
Nature Baths
Dimmuborgir
Overnight:
Mývatn area
Recommended optional activity:
Nature Baths
Head towards Akureyri, the capital of the North and stop at the beautiful waterfall Goðafoss. Akureyri town, situated at the Eyjafjörður Fjord is the northern centre of education, culture, trade and industry. 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 some of the many museums and art galleries and if time allows we suggest a circle trip through the Eyjafjörður valleys. Drive through the majestic mountains and narrow passes of Öxnadalur Valley and Öxnadalsheiði Pass, which leads to the district of Skagafjordur, renowned for horse breeding. Popular horse riding tours for beginners and experienced riders are available here. The tiny old church at Víðimýri, is worth a visit. Hólar is an interesting historical place to visit. At Hofsós town, see the interesting Emigration Center and museum.
Driving distance
200 kilometers
Highlights of the day:
Goðafoss waterfall
Akureyri
Hvítserkur Cliff
Overnight:
Northwest area
Recommended optional activity:
Start the day by driving to the charming village of Stykkishólmur. Spend the day to explore the countless natural wonders of the Snæfellsnes peninsula that divides the west coast of Iceland into two large bays. Head to the west towards the tip of the peninsula, passing the small fishing towns Grundarfjörður, Ólafsvík, Rif and Hellissandur. 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. Drive 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. Continue to the micro villages of Arnarstapi and Hellnar to view beautiful and spectacular coast. Visit Búðir, a pretty site located on a natural inlet. From Búðir continue east along the south coast of the peninsula. Seals can often be seen on land or in the water at the farm Ytri Tunga, only a few hundred meters drive from the main road.
Driving distance
420 kilometers
Highlights of the day:
Vatnsdalshólar mounds
Stykkishólmur Town
Djúpalónssandur
Snæfellsjökull Glacier
Lóndrangar rock formation
Arnarstapi
Hellnar hamlet
Overnight:
Snæfellsnes area
Head for Borgarnes. Enroute you will be passing a number of volcanic craters on both sides of the road, Eldborg being the largest and most beautiful shape. At Borgarnes town we recommend a visit to the Settlement Centre. The prime objective of the Icelandic Settlement Centre is to dramatically recreate the fascinating sagas surrounding the birth of this island nation. 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. Drive along the shores of Hvalfjörður Fjord. Continue to Þingvellir National Park, a unique place from a geological point of view. Thingvellir is a natural wonder and was accepted as a UNESCO world heritage site in 2004. 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
280 kilometers
Highlights of the day:
Borgarnes town
Þingvellir
Overnight:
South west area
Recommended optional activity:
The Settlement Exhibition and The Egil Saga Exhibition
Krauma Baths
Drive to the Great Geysir area. Explore the great Geysir hot spring area on foot and see the famous Great Geysir and Strokkur, a geyser that spouts every few minutes. The Geysir Service Center offers a restaurant, hotel, swimming pool, souvenir shop, snack bar, gas station, horse riding tours, quad bike tours, and more. From Geysir, about 10 minute drive takes you to the majestic waterfall Gullfoss one of Icelands 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. During the major earthquake in late May 2008, there was considerable property damage in Hveragerði and several new hot springs were created. Cross the plateau Hellisheiði where numerous boreholes have been drilled for hot water and steam, currently used for generating electricity. Close up the circle to Reykjavík. After a short stop in Reykjavík head to the famous Blue Lagoon, situated in the geothermal area Svartsengi, next to a geothermal power station. Filled with mineral-rich waters, Stop for a refreshing bath before ending the tour at your hotel in Reykjavík. 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 Reykjavik and drop off the car.
Driving distance
250 kilometers
Highlights of the day:
Gullfoss Waterfall and Geysir Hot Springs
Faxi waterfall
Kerið
Hveragerði Town
The Blue Lagoon
Overnight:
Reykjavík
Recommended optional activity:
The Lava Tunnel - 1 Hour
Private transfer from the hotel to Keflavik International Airport.
Transmission: Manual
Seats: 5
Suitcases: 3
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
Seats: 5
Suitcases: 3
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
Seats: 5
Suitcases: 3
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
Seats: 5
Suitcases: 4
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
Seats: 5
Suitcases: 4
Doors: 5
Transmission: Automatic
Seats: 5
Suitcases: 3
Doors: 5
Transmission: Manual
Seats: 9
Suitcases: 4
Doors: 3
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