Iceland Complete Highlands and Lowlands 20 days

Iceland Complete Highlands and Lowlands 20 days

Iceland Complete is our longest self drive tour and covers the most interesting highland and lowland sights in the country.

BP32 Map

BP32 Map

AVAILABLE:
July 5 to September 10

DURATION:
20 days / 19 nights

CAR RENTAL DAYS:
18 Days

DEPARTURES:
Daily

TOUR ID:
BP32

Included

Not Included

Itinerary

Day 1. Arrival - Reykjavik


Meet and Greet at Keflavik airport by a our representative. He will take you (about 45 minutes drive) to your hotel in Reykjavik for the first night’s stay.

Highlights of the day:
Reykjavík

Overnight:
Reykjavík

Optional activity:
Reykjavik City Card

Day 2. Hvalfjörður and Borgarfjörður


Pick up the car in the morning and leave Reykjavík to head to the West and visit Borgarnes. Visit the famous Settlement Centre at Borgarnes. The prime objective of the Icelandic Settlement Centre at Borgarnes 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 firsthand the trepidation and excitement of setting off over the open ocean for lands unknown. Multi-media and theatrical techniques are employed to help the visitor experience firsthand the trepidation and excitement of setting off over the open ocean for lands unknown. Return across the fjord and visit Deildartunguhver, Iceland’s largest hot spring. Take road 518 further inland to the historic Reykholt, home of 13th century chieftain, writer, poet and a scholar Snorri Sturluson. Continue to Hraunfossar and Barnafossar, some of Iceland’s most scenic waterfalls. Return to Borgarnes.

Driving distance
200 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Borgarnes town
Deildartunguhver
Hraunfossar
Reykholt town

Overnight:
Borgarfjörður area

Recommended optional activity:
Krauma Baths

Day 3. Snæfellsnes peninsula


Continue to Snæfellsnes to explore the countless natural wonders of the Snæfellsnes peninsula that divides the west coast of Iceland into two large bays. Cross the plains of Mýrar, drive to the south coast of Snæfellsnes and head towards the tip of the peninsula. In the northern part of Mýrar, you will be passing a number of volcanic craters on both sides of the road, Eldborg being the largest and most beautiful shape. Continue to Arnarstapi and Hellnar to view the beautiful and spectacular coast with it´s interesting birdlife. Continue 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”. 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 east along the north coast of the peninsula to the charming village of Stykkishólmur.

Driving distance
180 kilometers

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

Overnight:
Snæfellsnes area

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

Day 4. Breiðafjörður and Látrabjarg Cliff


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
180 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Breiðaförður Bay
Látrabjarg Cliff

Overnight:
Látrabjarg area

Day 5. Ísafjörður town


Drive to the north towards Ísafjörður town. The drive to Ísafjörður, the largest town in the West fjords is characterized by stunning steep-sided mountain scenery and deep and narrow fjords. A stop at the waterfall Dynjandi after crossing the Dynjandisheiði pass is advised. Take the tunnel from Flateyri to Ísafjörður, the largest town in the Westfjords. Explore the town of Ísafjörður and its surroundings, the neighboring towns of Bolungarvík and Suðureyri. In summer a Kayak tour on the Ísafjörður fjord is available and the Natural History Museum of Bolungarvík is also an interesting place to visit.

Driving distance
220 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Dynjandi Waterfall
Ísafjörður Town

Overnight:
Ísafjörður area

Day 6. Strandir


In summer an interesting boat tour to the picturesque Vigur island is available from Ísafjörður, - a great experience. Drive along the shores of the numerous and some uninhabited, fjords of Ísafjarðardjúp with beautiful coastlines, teeming with seals and bird life and towards Hólmavík. Enroute is Reykjanes where there is a possibility to take a swim in a geothermal pool. We suggest that you see the Witchcraft museum at Hólmavík. At Drangsnes, a small fishing village across the Steigrímsfjörður fjord is a hot outdoor pool with natural hot water, - popular for bathing, where you can take a dip and relax after a day of driving through the west fjords.

Driving distance
240 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Hólmavík town

Overnight:
Strandir area

Day 7. Hólmavík and Skagafjörður


Continue to the fertile valley of Skagafjörður, renowned for horse breeding. Drive further road 711 around the coast of Vatnsnes peninsula. Stop to take a look at Hvítserkur, a peculiar cliff on the beach with rich birdlife. Large colonies of seals are found around the coast of Vatnsnes. Visit Selasetur Íslands (The Seal Center) at Hvammstangi, an interesting institution for studies and exhibition of seals and other marine life. Pass the service center Blönduós, situated on the banks of the Blanda glacial river. Continue on road one and cross the Vatnsskað pass to the Skagafjörður district. Popular horse riding tours for beginners and experienced riders are available in Skagafjörður. Some of the best White Water Rafting in Iceland is available too. See Glaumbær Folk Museum open during the summer and the old church at Víðimýri. Hólar is 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:
Vatnsdalshólar moundsHvítserkur Cliff
Glaumbær Folk Museum

Overnight:
North-west Iceland

Recommended optional activity:
Horseback Riding

Day 8. Akureyri The Capital of The North


Drive to Akureyri, the largest town in the North. Explore the fascinating town on the shores of the Eyjafjörður Fjord. One of the most extraordinary aspects of the town is its mild climate. Although Akureyri is situated only about 60 miles 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:

Different options:

Explore Tröllaskagi Peninsula. Take road 76 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 Lágheiði Pass to Ólafsfjörður, a fishing town on the shores of Eyjafjörður Fjord. A short (15 min.) ferry ride is available several times daily (every 1-2 hours) during summer from Árskógssandur to the small Island Hrísey. Hrísey has earned a reputation as a birdwatching destination. There are no natural predators on the island, making it an ideal bird sanctuary.

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

Day 9. The Amazing Lake Mývatn area


Leave the Akureyri area and head for Lake Mývatn. Stop at the pretty waterfall Goðafoss, the waterfall of the gods, named after pagan gods. Spend the day exploring the numerous natural wonders of the Lake Mývatn area and its surroundings. The lake area is known worldwide for abundance of birdlife and unusually many duck species breeding in one place. The lake's surroundings show amazing formations of geological interest and great variety in landscapes. Visit the numerous highlights of the area; Dimmuborgir lava formations, Námaskarð geothermal area, Skútustaðagígar craters, the Nature Baths, the volcano Krafla, and numerous other interesting and scenic spots.
Proceed to Húsavík, sometimes called “The Whale Watching Capital of The World”. Húsavík was the first place in the country to offer very successful Whale Watching cruises. The Whale Museum in Húsavík is an educational centre on marine wildlife. Visit the Húsavík Natural and Maritime Museum, one of the best museums of its kind in the country.

Driving distance
150 kilometers

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

Overnight:
Húsavík/Lake Mývatn area

Recommended optional activity:
Nature Baths

Day 10. 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 Dettifoss proceed back to Mývatn

Driving distance
100 kilometers

Highlights:
Húsavík Town
Hljóðaklettar rock formations
Ásbyrgi Canyon

Overnight:
Öxarfjörður area.

Recommended optional activity:
Whale Watching From Húsavík

Day 11. Dettifoss Waterfall - Herðubreiðalindir - Askja - Víti - Egilsstaðir


Leave early in the morning and remember to fill the tank and take along food for the day (Ásbyrgi). Depending on fuel capacity and consumption of your car, it may be advisable to take along some extra fuel in a can. This will be a long day out in the wilderness, far from hotels and restaurants. You will not find a filling station or a restaurant until in the evening, after a long journey. Continue to the south along a rather rough gravel road to Dettifoss waterfall the largest waterfall in Europe. Head to the south through the deserted lava fields and towards the Herðubreiðarlindir springs, situated at the foot of Mt. Herðbreið, sometimes called the Queen of the Icelandic highlands. You will have to ford streams along this route, Graflandaá and Lindá, both usually rather shallow. In rainy weather those streams can grow big and an extra precaution should be taken when crossing. Occasionally the fords become impassable as a result of heavy rain! Herðubreiðarlindir, at an altitude of 484 m is a green oasis in a near desert landscape. Green-clothed with grass, it verges supporting flourishing growth of flowers, the area is laced with springs of crystal clear water, unexpected and gratifying in these surroundings of desolate sands and lava beds. Here is found a mountain hut, warden station and a campground. After a break at the beautiful Herðubreiðarlindir continue to the great Dyngjufjöll mountain range and the magnificent Askja caldera. Leaving Herðubreiðarlindir, the track continues bumping and jolting through the lava, winding around the gravely slopes of Herðubreiðartögl mountain range. To the south, two pyramid shaped peaks of Upptyppingar rising from a level plain are a landmark in this area. On the southern horizon is the edge of the Vatnajökull ice field. Below the track on the left and a short walk from it, the Jökulsá river flows fast between low, sheer rock walls. There are unusual water sculptured rocks along the banks. The track runs now fairly straight and smooth over vast tracts covered by light brown pumice which blankets the ground. The pumice and ash which spread far and wide came mostly from a powerful eruption in Askja in 1875. Up ahead to the west, the volcanic massif Dyngjufjöll, rise abruptly above the highland plateau. The massif covers an area of about 300 sq. km., the largest group of mountains in these parts, rising up to 800 m above the surrounding plateau. In their centre lies the Askja caldera. A thirty-minute hike takes you from the end of the road to the Askja lake, where you find the explosion crater Víti, a lovely spot for a dip in natural geothermal warmth and comfort of the water in the crater lake. Continue from Askja, cross the river Kreppa and drive across the highland desert to the East and towards Egilsstaðir. In the last years, a large hydro electrical power plant has been under construction at Kárahnjúkar and due to the construction work, many new tracks and trails have been made in this area. Some of the trails are not marked. A short distance to the north of the power station, see the beautiful Hafrahvammagljúfur canyon.

Driving distance
320 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Dettifoss Waterfall
Herðubreiðarlindir
Askja
Egilsstaðir town
Hallormsstaðaskógur Forest

Overnight:
Hérað area

Day 12. The Tranquil East Fjords


Spend the day exploring the northern part of the Eastfjords. Drive to Bakkagerði, a small fishing settlement. Enroute, drive Njarðvíkurskriður, a very steep scree between the Njarðvík bay and Borgarfjörður. Borgarfjordur Eystri is the northernmost of the Eastfjords. Large and very colourful rhyolite intrusions decorate parts of the beautiful mountainous landscape, which is rich in half precious and semi precious stones. Fishing, fish processing and tourism are the bases of livelihood. Birdwatchers should use the birdwatching shelter down by the old harbour, and drive to the new harbour on the opposite side of the bay to visit the colonies of puffins, fulmars and kittiwakes. Many marked hiking trails of one of the most popular hiking areas of Iceland lead between the mountains and coves in the nearby area. Return the same route to Egilsstaðir town. Drive across Fjarðarheiði Pass and drive to Seyðisfjörður Fjord, a small fishing town and a ferry port. This is a very scenic drive. Seyðisfjörður is surrounded by mountains on all sides with most prominent Mt. Bjólfur to the West (1085m) and Strandartindur (1010m) to the East. The fjord itself is accessible on each side from the town, by following the main road that leads through the town. Further out the fjord is fairly remote but rich with natural interests including puffin colonies. The town of Seyðisfjörður is well-known for its old wooden buildings and has remnants of urban street configurations within its urban fabric. There are several waterfalls in the town. A popular hiking path starts at the town center, following the East bank of the Fjarðará, the river that flows through the center of town. Further up the river there are 25 waterfalls. After a visit to Seyðisfjörður, return to Egilsstaðir area.

Driving distance
220 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Seyðisfjörður town

Overnight:
Hérað area

Day 13. Egilsstaðir - Höfn


Drive from Egilsstaðir to the magnificent East Fjords, some now deserted, 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 (road 939), a steep and spectacular route. Please see map. The stone collection of Petra at Stöðvarfjörður is 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. We recommend a visit to the Glacier Exhibition at Höfn.

Driving distance
260 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Höfn

Overnight:
Höfn area

Day 14. The Awe-Inspiring Glacier Lagoon & 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 huge icebergs on the lagoon. Seals are often to be seen in the lagoon. Continue west along the south coast and head for Skaftafell National Park, nestling between glaciers with many hiking trails. Its natural beauty and rich vegetation is a result interaction of fire and ice and good weather conditions. 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. 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 major volcanic eruption in the area in 1996 can be viewed at the Visitor Center. From Skaftafell, drive across the Skeiðarársandur floodplains. On to Kirkjubæjarklaustur, often called just "Klaustur" and see Kirkjugólfið, the Church Floor, a protected natural monument just east of the town. Kirkjugólfið is columnar basalt, eroded and shaped by wind and water, only a few minutes walk from the road. Fjaðrárgljúfur is a narrow and beautiful canyon a few km to the west from Kirkjubæjarklaustur, worth taking a look at.

Driving distance
200 kilometers

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

Overnight:
Klaustur area

Recommended optional activity:
Amphibian boat Tour on Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Day 15. Lakagígar Craters


Continue to Lakagígar from the road junction 6 km west of Kirkjubæjarklaustur on highway number 1. 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 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:
Klaustur area

Day 16. Fjallabak route & Landmannalaugar


From Kirkjubæjarklaustur, drive to the west on road number 1 and take road 208. The Fjallabak 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. The first few km the drive is over rising and falling land through very hilly terrain but most of the route is a rather rough gravel trail. 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 sometimes 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 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 a coldwater springs which issue within a short distance of one another from underneath the high edge of the obsidian lava above. This is a great place for a relaxing bath after a hike in the area.
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 surroundings 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. From a side road near the western end of the lake, s short drive up to the rim of Ljótipollur a lake-filled crater. At the same junction, take the track 225 to road no. 26 Landvegur. The trail proceeds, cutting across some relatively recent lava streams and through the Dómadalur valley. Come to Landmannahellir, a cave that runs into a hillside. This mountain track known as Landmannaleið is rugged and rocky in sections. 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, come to road number 26, Landvegur. Take this road south to the main circular. Continue to Hvolsvöllur town.

Driving distance
220 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Eldgjá Canyon
Landmannalaugar
Mt. Hekla
Lake Frostastaðavatn

Overnight:
Hvolsvöllur area

Day 17. The Beautiful South Coast


Continue to the east on road 1, heading for the Eyjafjöll district. When reaching Eyjafjöll mountain district at the foot of the infamous Eyjafjallajökull glacier and a volcano, stop at the waterfall Seljalandsfoss. In summer, it is possible to walk behind the waterfall, - this is an interesting experience. The waterfall Skógafoss is a little further east by road 1 and don´t miss Skógasafn museum near the waterfall. The glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull are capping the mountains. 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. During summer, snowmobiling and dog sledding are available on the Mýrdalsjökull Glacier. Make a detour on a rough gravel road, from the main highway to the glacial tongue of Sólheimajökull, a part of the Mýrdalsjökull Icefield (passable only during summer) before continuing to the Dyrhólaey natural reserve and a nesting colony of numerous seabirds during mid summer. In order to protect the birds, Dyrhólaey is closed for all traffic during the nesting period until June 25th Drive to Reynishverfi, with beautiful coast, spectacular rock formations and thousands of nesting seabirds which nest in almost every crevice in summer. Back to the main road and continue to Vík, a small village on the black beach.

Driving distance
90 kilometers

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

Overnight:
Vík area

Recommended optional activity:
Snowmobiling on Solheimajokull Glacier
Horse Riding Tour South

Day 18. The Great Golden Circle


Continue to the west past Hella to the town Selfoss. Selfoss suffered a lot of damage during the major earthquake, 6,3 R, that shook the country in late May, 2008. From Selfoss head inland and stop at the volcanic crater Kerið on your right hand side immediately by the side of the road. Drive further inland and to the waterfall Faxi, hidden a short distance on the left hand side of road 35. Look for the small Faxi sign. Continue to the Geyser 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, and a variety of other services. From here proceed to Gullfoss, one of Icelands largest and most beautiful waterfall. Make Gullfoss a turnaround point and take the same road back a little further than Geysir. Continue across Lyngdalsheiði Heath to Þingvellir National Park, a unique place from a geological point of view. Research has shown that Þingvellir is a natural wonder on an international scale. The faults and fissures of the area are evidence of the rifting of the planets crust. Here, the Eurasian and the American continents meet and separate. There are few places on the planet, - if any, where evidence of continental drift is as clearly visible on the earth surface as it is at Þingvellir. Þingvellir is also the most historical place in Iceland and a place of exceptional beauty. From the National Park continue across the plateau Mosfellsheiði to Reykjavík.

Driving distance
270 kilometers

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

Overnight:
Reykjavik

Recommended optional activity:
Glacier Walk
LAVA Centre

Day 19. The Relaxing Blue Lagoon


Drive to the Blue Lagoon for a refreshing bath before ending your tour in Reykjavík. 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 known worldwide for providing soothing, medicinal relief for sufferers of skin problems, as well as for others, looking for a sensational bathing experience. Soak in the refreshing and healing waters of the Blue Lagoon that ensures 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

Day 20. Departure


Private transfer from the hotel to Keflavik International Airport.

ACCOMMODATION

CARS

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

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

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

Optional Extra: Would you like to do some extra activities? Below activities can be added to this tour.

Useful Information: Here you will find other information for this tour.

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 19.

    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.

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