Self Drive Tour
See all the main attractions in south Iceland and hunt the mysterious Aurora Borealis.
South Iceland and Northern Lights 5 days
Self Drive Tour
See all the main attractions in south Iceland and hunt the mysterious Aurora Borealis.
BP42 Map
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
Whale Watching from Reykjavik Harbor
You will be picked up from your accommodation between 08:00 - 08:30 by a car rental agent and taken to the car rental office where you will sign all necessary paperwork and receive the rental car. After you have received the car head for the eastern outskirts of the city. 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. After crossing the plateau, come to the small town Hveragerði, where hot spring water is used for heating greenhouses for cultivation of decorative flowers and vegetables. Drive further east, to the scenic South shore. Continue across the lowland plains towards Eyjafjöll district. Stop at the waterfall Seljalandsfoss it is possible to walk behind the falls this is a quite an interesting experience but be careful it can get slippery. A little further east, stop at Skógafoss, another beautiful waterfall and don’t miss the interesting folk museum at Skógar, close to the waterfall. The glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull are towering above the area. 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. Then continue to Vík, the southernmost town in Iceland. Make Vík a turnaround point and return to Selfoss - Hveragerði area. In the evening, if the weather forecast looks good, head out for search of the northern lights.
Driving distance
320 kilometers
Highlights of the day:
Hveragerði Town
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Skógafoss Waterfall
Vík Town
Dyrhólaey Nature Reserve
Reynisfjara beach
Overnight:
Selfoss/Hveragerði area
Recommended optional activity:
Glacier Walk
LAVA Centre
ATV Black Sand Beach and Plane Wreck
Katla Ice Cave
Head inland and take a look at the volcanic crater Kerið. Drive further to the Great Geysir area with numerous hot springs and erupting geysers. The most active one, Strokkur erupts every few minutes. From here, drive to Gullfoss, one of Icelands most majestic and largest waterfalls. Make Gullfoss a turnaround point. Continue to Lake Þingvallavatn, the largest natural lake in the country and to Þingvellir National Park, situated at the lakeshore. Þingvellir is a unique place from a geological point of view, rich in history and a place of exceptional beauty and was accepted as a UNESCO world heritage site in 2004. Þingvellir is a natural wonder and the faults and fissures of the area show clear evidence of continental drift. After exploring the numerous places of interest in the area, drive across the plateau Mosfellsheiði to Reykjavik.
Driving distance
200 kilometers
Highlights of the day:
Geysir
Gullfoss Waterfall
Kerið
Þingvellir
Overnight:
Reykjavík
Recommended optional activity:
Snorkeling in Silfra Fissure
Spend the day exploring Reykjavík, if you did not have time to do so on your first day. In the late afternoon leave Reykjavík and drive to the amazing Blue Lagoon. Going to Blue Lagoon in evening gives you unique opportunity in spending the time in the Blue Lagoon with northern lights dancing above you, if you are lucky. Enjoy a relaxing bath at the lagoon in an otherworldly setting. In this unique area, lava and thermal water complement each other to prepare you for your journey home. Filled with mineral-rich waters, the Blue Lagoon has become well known worldwide for providing relief for those who suffer from skin disorders, as well as for others just looking for a sensational bathing experience. It´s a wonderful last experience of Iceland, that ensures that you will be 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
Reykjavík
Overnight:
Reykjavík
Recommended optional activity:
Blue Lagoon Comfort Admission
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