West and South 8 days

Self Drive Tour

West and South 8 days

Self Drive Tour

This tour covers all the major sights in the south and the west, including the numerous sights of the Snæfellsnes peninsula & The Glacier lagoon.

BP45 Map

BP45 Map

AVAILABLE:
All year

DURATION:
8 days / 7 nights

CAR RENTAL DAYS:
6 Days

DEPARTURES:
Daily

TOUR ID:
BP45

Included

Not Included

Itinerary

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. 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:
Borgarnes 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. Return to Borgarnes for an overnight stay.

Driving distance
330 kilometers

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

Overnight:
Snæfellsnes area

Day 4. The Golden Circle


Head towards Reykjavik and continue to Thingvellir. Research has shown that Thingvellir is a natural wonder on an international scale and was accepted as a UNESCO world heritage site in 2004. The faults and fissures of the area show clear evidence of continental drift. Thingvellir is also the most historical place in the country and a place of exceptional beauty. See the main sights at Thingvellir on the North West side of the lake. From Thingvellir, continue to the Great Geysir hot spring area with numerous hot springs and erupting geysers. The most active one, Strokkur erupts every few minutes. Continue to Gullfoss one of Icelands largest and most impressive waterfall. Continue to the south and stop to see the waterfall Faxi. Further down the road see the volcanic crater Kerið.

Driving distance
270 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Þingvellir
Geysir
Gullfoss Waterfall
Kerið

Overnight:
Selfoss / Hveragerði area

Recommended optional activity:
Snorkeling in Silfra Fissure

Day 5. The Beautiful South Coast


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 unique experience. The glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull are capping the mountains above.
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.
Hidden underneath the icecap of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier is Katla, one of Icelands most dangerous volcano. Make a detour to the glacial tongue of Sólheimajökull, a part of the Mýrdalsjökull Icefield (usually only passable during summer) before continuing to Dyrhólaey natural reserve and a nesting colony of numerous seabirds in summer. 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 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
170 kilometers

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

Overnight:
Kirkjubæjarklaustur area

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

Day 6. Skaftafell National Park and Glacier Lagoon


Continue east from Klaustur 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 favorable weather conditions and the interaction of ice and fire. 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. 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. Continue to the great Jökulsarlón, the Glacial Lagoon where huge icebergs, sculptures of nature, 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 back to Kirkjubæjarklaustur for overnight stay in the area.

Driving distance
250 kilometers

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

Overnight:
Kirkjubæjarklaustur - Síða area

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

Day 7. Return to Reykjavik


Return back to Reykjavik visiting the sights you might have missed along the way or make a detour to the Blue Lagoon before you drop off the car and an the tour at your hotel in Reykjavik

Driving distance
260 - 400 kilometers

Overnight:
Reykjavík

Day 8. Departure


Private transfer from the hotel to Keflavik International Airport.



ACCOMMODATION

Budget

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

Comfort

Rooms in tourist class hotels combined with quality guesthouses. Rooms have private bathroom facilities. Breakfast is included.

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Comfort PLUS

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

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

Quality PLUS

Superior or Deluxe rooms in 4 star hotels. Rooms have private bathroom facilities. Breakfast is included

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CARS

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

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

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

02.D - Hyundai I10 or similar - Automatic -

02.D - Hyundai I10 or similar - Automatic -

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

03.N - VW Polo or similar - Manual -

03.N - VW Polo or similar - Manual -

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

04.O - VW Polo or similar - Automatic -

04.O - VW Polo or similar - Automatic -

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

05.B - VW Golf or similar - Manual -

05.B - VW Golf or similar - Manual -

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

06.L - VW Golf or similar - Automatic -

06.L - VW Golf or similar - Automatic -

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

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

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

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

08.C - Hyundai I30 station or similar - Automatic -

08.C - Hyundai I30 station or similar - Automatic -

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

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

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 -

10.P - Suzuki Vitara 4WD or similar - Manual -

Transmission: Manual
Seats: 5
Suitcases: 3
Doors: 5

11.H - Kia Sportage 4WD or similar - Automatic -

11.H - Kia Sportage 4WD or similar - Automatic -

Transmission: Automatic
Seats: 5
Suitcases: 3
Doors: 5

12.J - Kia Sorento 4WD or similar - Automatic -

12.J - Kia Sorento 4WD or similar - Automatic -

Transmission: Automatic
Seats: 5
Suitcases: 3
Doors: 5

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

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 -

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 -

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

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

18.XG - VW Transporter 4WD or similar - Manual - Limited Availability

Transmission: Manual
Seats: 9
Suitcases: 4
Doors: 3

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

Comfort Admission at the Blue Lagoon

Comfort Admission at the Blue Lagoon

Season: All year

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Price: 14990 ISK

Cancellation Insurance
 

Cancellation Insurance<br/> 

Season: All year

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Price: 6000 ISK

Amphibian boat Tour on Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Amphibian boat Tour on Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Season: May 1 to October 31

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Price: 6700 ISK

Glacier Walk - About 3 hours
 

Glacier Walk - About 3 hours<br/> 

Season: All year

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Price: 16999 ISK

Snowmobiling on Mýrdalsjökull Glacier

Snowmobiling on Mýrdalsjökull Glacier

Season: All year

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Price: 35499 ISK

Prepaid Sim Card for mobile phones

Prepaid Sim Card for mobile phones

Season: All year

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Price: 1897 ISK

Snorkeling in Silfra Fissure at Þingvellir National Park

Snorkeling in Silfra Fissure at Þingvellir National Park

Season: All year

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Price: 22990 ISK

Into the Glacier on Langjökull glacier

Into the Glacier on Langjökull glacier

Season: All year

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Price: 24899 ISK

Zodiac Boat Tour on the Glacier Lagoon

Zodiac Boat Tour on the Glacier Lagoon

Season: May 1 to October 31

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Price: 14900 ISK

The Lava Tunnel - 1 Hour
 

The Lava Tunnel - 1 Hour<br/> 

Season: All year

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Price: 8401 ISK

LAVA Exhibition and Cinema
 

LAVA Exhibition and Cinema<br/> 

Season: All year

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Price: 4390 ISK

Krauma Baths
 

Krauma Baths<br/> 

Season: All year

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Price: 6800 ISK

Reykjavik City Card
 

Reykjavik City Card<br/> 

Season: All year

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Price: 4651 ISK

Katla Ice Cave
 

Katla Ice Cave<br/> 

Season: All year

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Price: 27900 ISK

Glacier Lagoon Kayaking
 

Glacier Lagoon Kayaking<br/> 

Season: May 15 to September 20

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Price: 12900 ISK

ATV Black Beach Safari and the Plane Wreck

ATV Black Beach Safari and the Plane Wreck

Season: All year

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Price: 24999 ISK

Whale Watching from Reykjavik Harbor

Whale Watching from Reykjavik Harbor

Season: All year

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Price: 13990 ISK

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


    • Pick up of rental car is the morning of day 2

    Drop off is in Reykjavík the day prior to your departure – day 7. 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 June and due to road conditions some routes may temporarily not be passable without prior notice.

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

    During winter, road conditions can quickly change. Information on weather and road conditions are available at http://www.vegagerdin.is/english/road-conditions-and-weather/

    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.

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