South Iceland and the Westman Islands at leisure 7 days

AVAILABLE:
May 1 to September 30

DURATION:
7 days / 6 nights

CAR RENTAL DAYS:
5 Days

DEPARTURES:
Daily

TOUR ID:
BP28

• Meet & Greet at Keflavik airport (KEF) and transfer to Reykjavik.
• 6 nights accommodation, in the accommodation category of your choice Cat. 1, 2 or 3.
• Breakfast daily
• Rental car of your choice for 5 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.

• Herjólfur Ferry to Vestmannaeyjar islands
• 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 Reykjavik hotel.

Highlights of the day:
Reykjavík

Overnight:
Reykjavík

Optional activity:
Reykjavik City Card

Day 2. Reykjanes Peninsula – The Blue Lagoon

A leisurely day exploring the Reykjanes Peninsula with its rocky coastline, myriad of lighthouses, geothermal and volcanic features and of course, the famous Blue Lagoon. Enjoy a relaxing bath at the Blue Lagoon in an otherworldly setting where lava and thermal water complement each other. Filled with mineral-rich waters, the Blue Lagoon has become famous for providing soothing relief for sufferers of skin disorders, as well as for others simply looking for a sensational bathing experience. 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 where you will have the rest of the day at leisure. Visit the capital, Reykjavik, with its landmark church Hallgrimskirkja and the hilltop Perlan revolving restaurant, one of the many outdoor geothermal swimming pools and numerous other places of interest.

Driving distance
150 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
The Blue Lagoon
Reykjavík

Overnight:
Reykjavík

Day 3. The Golden Circle

Head for the beautiful Thingvellir (Þingvellir) National Park, a unique place from a geological point of view and a place of great beauty. Research has shown that Thingvellir is a natural wonder on an international scale. The faults and fissures of the area are clear evidence of the rifting of the earth's crust. Thingvellir is also the most historical place in the country and a place of exceptional beauty. After exploring the area, drive across the Gjábakki pass, road 365 to the school center Laugarvatn and further inland to the Great Geysir area. Explore the numerous hot springs and see the famous Great Geysir and Strokkur, a very active geyser that spouts every few minutes. The Geysir Service Center offers a hotel, restaurant, a swimming pool, snack bar, souvenir shop, gas station, a geo-center multimedia show, horse rental, quad bike tours, and a camping area. From here, drive to the majestic waterfall Gullfoss one of Icelands most beautiful waterfall. Turn around at Gullfoss and head back on the same road as before a little further than Geysir. Take road number 35 and don´t miss the pretty waterfall Faxi. Rafting on the Hvítá River is available during summer from Drumboddsstaðir. Visit historic Skálholt church. Continue to the impressive volcanic crater Kerið.

Driving distance
200 kilometers

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

Overnight:
Hveragerði / Selfoss

Day 4. The Westman Islands

Enjoy an excursion to the offshore volcanic Westman Islands. Drive to the harbour at Landeyjahofn, past Hvolsvollur village and take the ferry service across to Heimaey, the main Island – approx. 30 mins each way (payable locally; several departures each day – weather and conditions permitting). You can take your car along. Discover the volcanoes and recent lava fields, bird cliffs and the busy fishing harbour. It is also possible to take boat trips around the islands, and to the volcanic island of Surtsey (subject to a minimum number of participants, seasonal operation).

Driving distance
170 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Vestmannaeyjar
The Westman Islands

Overnight:
Hveragerði / Selfoss

Day 5. Þjórsárdalur - Thjorsá Valley

Explore the enchanting Thjorsa Valley with its views of Hekla, stunning waterfalls and historic sites. Explore the Thjórsardalur Valley at the foot of Mt. Hekla, Icelands most active volcano. Drive to the medeval reconstructed Viking Chiftain‘s farm at Stöng that was buried under thick layers of volcanic ash by the 1104 eruption of Mt. Hekla. From the time of settlement of Iceland in the ninth century, until Mt. Hekla erupted in 1104, a flourishing farming community blossomed in the Thjórsárdalur valley. The whole valley was buried in ash after the eruption but the farm Stöng has been excavated. A short hike from Stöng takes you to the beautiful Gjáin ravine, where lush vegetation contrasts with stark rock formations and picturesque small waterfalls. Stop to take a look at the pretty Hjálparfoss waterfall and Þjóðveldisbærinn, a replica of the Stöng farm, both situated close to Búrfell Hydro Electrical Power Station.

Driving distance
150 kilometers

An alternate option from mid June until end of September: If using a 4x4, suitable for highland driving, Landmannalaugar can be visited.

Highlights of the day:
Mt. Hekla
Gjáin
Hjálparfoss

Overnight:
Hveragerði / Selfoss

Recommended optional activity:
Horse Riding Tour South

Day 6. The Beautiful South Shore

Explore the South Coast, including the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls and at Skógar you will find the interesting and unique Skógasafn Folk Museum. The glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull are towering above the area and nearby snowmobiling on Mýrdalsjökull is an option. 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. Drive to Dyrhólaey headland ( passable only in summer) and Reynisdrangar with spectacular coast and beautiful rock formations and thousands of nesting seabirds which nest in almost every crevice in summer. Seals can sometimes be seen here. Return towards Reykjavík on road 1. 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
320 kilometers

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

Overnight:
Reykjavik

Recommended optional activity:
Glacier Walk
Snowmobiling on Solheimajokull Glacier
LAVA Centre

Day 7. 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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01.A - Hyundai I10 or similar - Manual - manual

Transmission: Manual
Seats: 4
Suitcases: 1
Doors: 5

02.D - Hyundai I10 or similar - Automatic -

Transmission: Automatic
Seats: 4
Suitcases: 1
Doors: 5

03.N - VW Polo or similar - Manual -

Transmission: Manual
Seats: 5
Suitcases: 2
Doors: 5

04.O - VW Polo or similar - Automatic -

Transmission: Automatic
Seats: 5
Suitcases: 2
Doors: 5

05.B - VW Golf or similar - Manual -

Transmission: Manual
Seats: 5
Suitcases: 2
Doors: 5

06.L - VW Golf or similar - Automatic -

Transmission: Automatic
Seats: 5
Suitcases: 2
Doors: 5

07.E - Hyundai I30 station or similar - Manual -

Transmission: Manual
Seats: 5
Suitcases: 4
Doors: 5

09.M - Skoda Octavia Station AWD or similar - Automatic -

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

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

17.XE - VW Transporter 2WD or similar - Manual - Limited Availability

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

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 6.

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.

Types of car recommended: Any.

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.