The Iceland Grand Circle and the Westman Islands 12 days

AVAILABLE:
June 15 to September 20

DURATION:
12 days / 11 nights

CAR RENTAL DAYS:
10 Days

DEPARTURES:
Daily

TOUR ID:
BP27

• Private airport transfer on arrival day
• 11 nights accommodation, in the accommodation category of your choice.
• Breakfast daily
• Rental car of your choice for 10 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, 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

Day 2. The Great Golden Circle

Pick up your car in the morning and take the highway to 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 Lyngdalsheiði Heath 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. From here, drive to the majestic waterfall Gullfoss one of Icelands most beautiful waterfall. Turn around at Gullfoss and head for Hella, don´t miss the pretty waterfall Faxi, enroute hidden. Continue to the volcanic crater Kerið.

Driving distance
210 kilometers

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

Overnight:
Hella area

Recommended optional activity:
Snorkeling in Silfra Fissure

Day 3. The Westman Islands

Drive to the ferry port Bakki and take the ferry to the Westman Islands. The ferry ride takes about 30 minutes and you can take your car with you at an additional cost of ISK 1000,- per person each way and ISK 1600,- for a small car(subject to change. The ferry schedule varies slightly from one day to another but there are usually 4 round trips available daily. For further information and booking, please contact Herjólfur's office in the Westman Islands at (+354) 481 2800.

The area is very volcanically active, like the rest of Iceland. There were two major eruptions in the 20th century: the Eldfell eruption of January 1973 which created a 700-foot-high mountain and forced the island's 5000 inhabitants of Heimaey, the largest and only inhabited island to be temporarily evacuated to the mainland, and an eruption in 1963 created the new island Surtsey, the youngest land on the planet. The Islands are rich in birdlife and are the site of the largest puffin colony in the world. Many species of Whales are also frequently seen around the islands.
Spend the day on Heimaey and explore the many wonders of Heimaey, either on foot, by using your car or join an organized guided bus tour around the island. Boat trips are available too. Return to the mainland in the afternoon or evening.

Driving distance
100 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Vestmannaeyjar

Overnight:
Hella area

Day 4. The Beautiful South Coast & Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Continue to the east heading for the Eyjafjöll district and stop at the waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. In summer, it is possible to walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall, - this is a quite an interesting experience. The glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull are capping the mountains.
Hidden underneath the icecap of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier is Katla, one of Icelands most dangerous volcano. 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 before continuing to the Dyrhólaey natural reserve and a nesting colony of numerous seabirds (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. Continue to Vík, a small village on the black beach. Drive across the Mýrdalssandur floodplains and Eldhraun, the largest lava field 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, only a few minutes’ walk from the road.

Driving distance
170 kilometers

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

Overnight:
Kirkjubæjarklaustur area

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

Day 5. Skaftafell National Park & The Amazing Glacier Lagoon

Continue from Kirkjubæjarklaustur to 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 the amazing Jökulsarlón, the Glacial Lagoon where huge icebergs, sculptures of nature, broken off the 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. From here, drive to Höfn area. The Glacier Exhibition at Höfn is a very interesting place to visit. From Höfn, continue through the Almannaskard tunnel to Lónsöræfi, a mountainous wilderness ringed by extinct volcanoes and traversed by glacial rivers. Drive past towering mountains with bare rock faces that plunge almost vertically into the sea. Proceed to Djúpivogur area. An interesting option is taking a boat tour to Papey Island near Djúpivogur where thousands of puffins and other seabirds nest in summer.

Driving distance
300 kilometers

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

Overnight:
Djúpivogur area

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

Day 6. The Tranquil Eastjfjords & The Wonders of The North East

Continue to Egilsstaðir. Egilsstaðir is a small town on the banks of the river Lagarfljót. Continue from Egilsstaðir along Jökuldalur Valley and across the highland desert of Möðrudalsöræfi , - heading towards Akureyri. Continue on to the north to visit the powerfull Dettifoss waterfall, the largest waterfall in Europe. From Dettifoss proceed further to the north and drive to Ásbyrgi Canyon, a strange and spectacular horseshoe shaped canyon not to be missed. Make a detour 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. After exploring Hljóðaklettar and Vesturdalur, 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. Whale watching cruises are available daily from early morning until late at night during summer season.

Driving distance
390 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Egilsstaðir town
Hallormsstaðaskógur Forrest
Dettifoss Waterfall
Ásbyrgi Canyon
Hljóðaklettar rock formations
Húsavík Town

Overnight:
Húsavík/Reykjadalur area

Recommended optional activity:
Whale Watching From Húsavík

Day 7. The Lunar Landscape of Lake Mývatn

Head towards Lake Mývatn. The Lake Mývatn area is known worldwide for the abundance of birdlife and its exceptionally many breeding duck species. The lake's surroundings show great variety in stunning landscapes and amazing geological formations. Explore the natural beauty of the Lake Mývatn area, the wonderland of strange rock formations. Stop at Dimmuborgir, the "Dark Castles" and see the pseudocraters near Skútustaðir and many other scenic spots in the area surrounding the lake. See Krafla volcanic system where the most recent eruptions took place in 1975 - 1984. In summer visitors can have a guided tour through the Kröfluvirkjun Geothermal Power Station where steam pressure is harnessed for generating electricity (admission is free of charge). The explosion crater Viti is near Krafla and the Mývatn Nature Baths are an outstanding attraction too. Stop at Námaskarð Pass where boiling mud pools and flashing colors of the pass merge with lava and ash from the Krafla volcanic system.

Driving distance
120 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Lake Mývatn
Nature Baths
Dimmuborgir

Overnight:
Lake Mývatn / Reykjadalur area

Recommended optional activity:
Nature Baths

Day 8. Akureyri “The Capital of The North“

Head towards Akureyri, the capital of the north. Stop enroute at the beautiful waterfall Goðafoss. One of the most extraordinary aspects of the town is its unusually warm climate. Although it is situated only 40 km south of the Arctic Circle, it has some of the best weather in the country. See the famous Botanical Gardens of Akureyri and some of the many museums and art galleries. If time allows we suggest a circle trip through the Eyjafjörður valleys.
Drive through the majestic mountains surrounding Öxnadalur valley and across the Öxnadalsheiði pass which leads to the Skagafjordur district. Popular horse riding tours for beginners and experienced riders are available here. In Skagafjörður you will also be able to join some of the best white water rafting in Iceland. Here we recommend a visit to the old turf and stone farm / museum at Glaumbær and the old tini church at Víðimýri.

Driving distance
230 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Goðafoss waterfall
Akureyri
Glaumbær Folk Museum

Overnight:
Skagafjörður area

Recommended optional activity:
Forest Lagoon

Day 9. The Sensational Snæfellsnes Peninsula

After driving through the fertile farmlands of Húnavatnssýsla County and along the shores of Hrútafjörður Fjord continue to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and towards 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. During midsummer, Whale Watching tours are available from Ólafsvík town. 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”. Þúfubjarg is a spectacular cliff and a nesting colony of numerous seabirds, only a few minutes’ walk from the road, shortly after passing Lóndrangar. Continue to Arnarstapi and Hellnar to view beautiful and spectacular coast and interesting birdlife. There is an interesting museum at Hellnar. Visit Búðir, a pretty site located on a natural inlet. From Búðir continue 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
Hvítserkur Cliff
Djúpalónssandur
Snæfellsjökull Glacier
Lóndrangar rock formation
Arnarstapi
Hellnar hamlet
Stykkishólmur Town

Overnight:
Stykkishólmur area

Recommended optional activity:
Horseback Riding

Day 10. Borgarfjörður

In the morning we recommend a very special cruise from Stykkishólmur, among the numerous islands of the Breiðafjörður bay with its unique birdlife. Puffins Guillemots, Kittiwakes, Eiders and many other bird species nest here in great numbers during summer. 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. The White Tailed Eagles nest here too and are frequently seen. Head to the Borgarfjörður district and to Borgarnes. From Borgarnes continue towards Reykholt. Stop at 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. Drive further inland to the beautiful Hraunfossar and Barnafossar Waterfalls. Make the waterfalls a turnaround point and head back towards Borgarnes.

Driving distance
220 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Borgarnes town
Deildartunguhver
Reykholt town
Hraunfossar

Overnight:
Borgarnes area

Recommended optional activity:
Unique Adventure Cruise on Breiðafjörður bay
Krauma Baths

Day 11. A Relaxing Bath at The Blue Lagoon

Head towards Reykjavik. Make a detour along the shores of Hvalfjörður Fjord to Reykjavik. From Reykjavik, head out to the Reykjanes Peninsula and to Bláa Lónið, - the Blue Lagoon. 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. Soak in the refreshing waters of the lagoon and have a wonderful last unforgettable taste of Iceland that ensures you will be fully relaxed when you leave the country. 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
210 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
The Blue Lagoon

Overnihgt:
Reykjavík

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

Blue Lagoon Comfort Admission

Day 12. 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 11

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 in 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.