The Highlights of the West and the South 11 days

AVAILABLE:
June 1 to September 30

DURATION:
11 days / 10 nights

CAR RENTAL DAYS:
9 Days

DEPARTURES:
Daily

TOUR ID:
BP21

• Private airport transfer on arrival day
• 10 nights accommodation, in the accommodation category of your choice.
• Breakfast daily
• Rental car of your choice for 9 days including unlimited mileage, CDW and more.
• Two authorized drivers.
• Baldur ferry across Breidafjordur bay
• 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

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

Day 2. The Charming Hvalfjörður Fjord & The Wonders of Snæfellsnes peninsula

Pick up a car in the morning and leave Reykjavik at the eastern outskirts. Drive towards the charming Hvalfjörður fjord and Borgarnes. Continue to Borgarnes, a small town at the Borgarfjörður fjord where 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 where 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. From Borgarnes, continue to the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Enroute, pass the magnificent Eldborg crater as well as a number of other cone shapes craters, before exploring the numerous natural wonders the peninsula has to offer. Head along the south shore of the peninsula towards Arnarstapi, a small fishing hamlet with spectacular coast and sea cliffs with rich birdlife in the summer. Continue a short distance to Hellnar with more sea cliffs and varied birdlife. Drive around the tip of the peninsula at the foot of the magnificent Snæfellsjökull icecap and stop at the rocky beaches of Djúpalónssandur and Dritvík. This is a popular hiking area. Continue to the north side of the peninsula, passing the fishing towns Rif and Hellissandur and to Ólafsvík. Popular whale watching tours are available at Ólafsvík during summer. From Ólafsvík, continue to the scenic Stykkishólmur fishing town.

Driving distance
280 kilometers

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

Overnight:
Stykkishólmur area

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

Day 3. The Countless Islands of Breiðafjördur bay & Látrabjarg Cliff

In the morning (at 11:00) we recommend a very interesting boat trip for a little more than 2 hours among the numerous islands on the bay with rich birdlife. The cruise is available daily at 11:00 from 14. May – 15. October and at 11:00 on Tuesdays from 15. January - 03. December. Please call 433 2254 for details. Sail in the afternoon with the ferry Baldur from Stykkishólmur across the beautiful Breiðafjörður bay with its countless islands and rich bird life to Brjánslækur. Enroute to Brjánslækur, the ferry will be making a short service stop at the Flatey Island. Drive from Brjánslækur 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 and razorbills. Enroute, stop at the interesting folk museum at Hnjótur.

Driving distance
100 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Látrabjarg Cliff

Overnight:
Látrabjarg area

Recommended optional activity:
Unique Adventure Cruise on Breiðafjörður bay

Day 4. The Fascinating West Fjords

Drive to the north towards Ísafjörður town. Drive across the Dynjandisheiði pass and stop at the impressive waterfall Dynjandi after crossing the pass. Drive along the shore of the Arnarfjörður Fjord and across the Hrafnseyrarheiði Pass to the fishing village Þingeyri. From Þingeyri across Gemlufallsheiði Pass to Flateyri and then take the tunnel to Ísafjörður, the largest town in the Westfjords. Explore the town of Ísafjörður and its surroundings, the neighbouring towns of Bolungarvík and Suðureyri. In summer Kayak tours are available on Ísafjörður Fjord and the Natural History Museum of Bolungarvík is an interesting place to visit.

Driving distance
220 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Dynjandi Waterfall
Ísafjörður Town

Overnight:
Ísafjörður town

Day 5. The North West

Explore the town of Ísafjörður and its surroundings such as the neighbouring towns of Bolungarvík and Suðureyri. In summer an interesting boat tour to the picturesque Vigur Island is available from Ísafjörður. This is a great experience. Drive along the shores of the numerous uninhabited fjords of Ísafjarðardjúp with beautiful coastlines teeming with seals and bird life and towards Hólmavík. Enroute there is an interesting detour to Reykjanes where there is a possibility to take a swim in a geothermal pool. Cross the plateau Steingrímsfjarðarheiði and as you come down to the Steingrímsfjörður Fjord, drive to the village Hólmavík where the Witchcraft museum is worth taking a look at.

Driving distance
240 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Hólmavík town

Overnight:
Strandir area

Day 6. Borgarfjörður district

Continue to the Hrútafjörður Fjord and cross the plateau Holtavörðuheiði to Borgarfjörður district. drive to Deildartunguhver hot spring, the largest hot spring in Europe. Continue a short distance further to the historic site Reykholt. Visit the interesting historical museum at Reykholt and see the hot pool Snorralaug. After Reykholt, drive further inland to Barnafossar and Hraunfossar waterfalls. Make the waterfalls a turnaround point and head back towards Borgarnes town.
(In summer it is possible to take the Kaldidalur highland road to Thingvellir from Borgarfjörður, a little further inland than Hraunfossar, if you are driving a 4x4, but this road is impassable due to snow and closed for all traffic during the winter).

Driving distance
300 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Deildartunguhver
Reykholt town
Hraunfossar

Overnight:
Borgarnes area

Recommended optional activity:
Krauma Baths

Day 7. The Great Golden Circle

Drive towards Lake Þingvallavatn, the largest natural lake in the country and to the 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. Research has shown that Thingvellir is a natural wonder and the faults and fissures of the area show evidence of the rifting of the earth's crust. After exploring the numerous places of interest in the area, head back to 35 and take this road to the Great Geysir area with numerous hot springs and erupting geysers. The most active one, Strokkur erupts every 5 - 10 minutes. From here drive to the majestic Gullfoss, one of Icelands largest waterfalls in the glacial river Hvítá that takes its source in the Langjökull Ice field in the center of the country, the second largest one in Iceland. Make Gullfoss a turnaround point. Continue towards Selfoss and stop to see the waterfall Faxi on the left hand side of the road. Further down the road, stop to take a look at the volcanic crater Kerið.

Driving distance
230 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Þingvellir
Geysir
Gullfoss Waterfall
Faxi waterfall
Kerið

Overnight:
Selfoss area

Recommended optional activity:
Snorkeling in Silfra Fissure

Day 8. The Amazing South Coast

Drive further east to the scenic South shore. See the Saga Centre at Hvolsvöllur. Continue across the lowland plains towards the Eyjafjöll District. Stop at the waterfall Seljalandsfoss where in summer it is possible to walk behind the falls. This is a quite a unique experience. A little further east stop at Skógafoss, another pretty waterfall and don’t miss the folk museum at Skógar, close to the waterfall. The glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull are towering above the area. Make a short detour to the tip of the Sólheimajökull glacier tongue. Proceed further east to the headland Dyrhólaey, a natural reserve and a nesting colony of numerous seabirds. Go to Reynishverfi, with spectacular coast and beautiful rock formations and thousands of nesting seabirds in summer. Then continue to Vik the southernmost town in Iceland. Drive across the Mýrdalssandur floodplains and Eldhraun, the largest lavafield ever to flow on Earth in historical time, and to the small village Kirkjubaejarklaustur. Fjaðrárgljúfur is a narrow and beautiful canyon a few km to the west from Kirkjubæjarklaustur, worth taking a look at. At Kirkjubæjarklaustur, see Kirkjugólfið (the Church Floor), a protected natural monument just east of the village. Kirkjugólfið is columnar basalt, shaped and eroded by water and wind.

Driving distance
200 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Skógafoss Waterfall
Vík Town
Dyrhólaey Nature Reserve
Reynisfjara beach
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
Kirkjubæjarklaustur town

Overnight:
Kirkjubæjarklaustur area


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

Day 9. Skaftafell National Park & The Amazing Glacier Lagoon

Continue from Kirkjubæjarlaustur over Skeidarársandur, vast tracts of black sandy desert washed down by numerous torrential glacial rivers. Stop at Skaftafell National Park, an oasis wedged between glacier and sand. Its natural beauty is a result of unusually favourable weather conditions and the interaction of ice and fire. 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. See the interesting Visitors Center where you can learn the history of fire and ice in the region and a video of the volcanic eruption and the catastrophic flood in the area in 1996 can also be viewed. An interesting hiking trail takes you to Svartifoss, one of Icelands most picturesque waterfall, framed in by beautiful basalt columns that surround it. In the Skaftafell area are many other interesting hiking trails. Continue to Jökulsarlón, the Glacial Lagoon where huge icebergs, sculptures of nature, broken off the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier float and grind together in the deep blue waters of the lagoon. An interesting cruise among the icebergs on the Lagoon is available in summer.

Driving distance
320 kilometers

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

Overnight:
Vík area

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

Day 10. A Relaxing Bath at The Blue Lagoon

Return on road 1 to the village Hveragerði where hot spring water is used for heating greenhouses for cultivation of decorative flowers and vegetables. 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. Head to the Reykjanes peninsula and drive to the Blue Lagoon in a beautiful moon like setting. Enjoy a relaxing bath in an otherworldly setting. In this unique area, lava and thermal water complement each other to prepare you for your journey home. Soak in the refreshing waters of the Blue Lagoon, and have a wonderful last unforgettable taste of Iceland, that ensures that 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
260 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Hveragerði Town
The Blue Lagoon

Overnight:
Reykjavík

Recommended optional activity:
Glacier Walk

Blue Lagoon Comfort Admission

Day 11. 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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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 10.

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 early in June and due to road conditions some routes may temporarily not be passable without prior notice.

Types of car recommended: Any. During September, snow and ice can be expected. Although the route of this tour is usually passable by any car type, we strongly recommend 4x4 during September.


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 but 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.
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.

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.