West and South Iceland 7 days

West and South Iceland 7 days

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

BP08 Map

BP08 Map

AVAILABLE:
All year

DURATION:
7 days / 6 nights

CAR RENTAL DAYS:
5 Days

DEPARTURES:
Daily

TOUR ID:
BP08

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
a class="place-link" href="#" data-toggle="modal" data-target="#mediumModal" onclick='getPlaceInfo("whale-watching-reykjavik")' title="Whale Watching from Reykjavik Harbor">Whale Watching from Reykjavik Harbor

Day 2. Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Pick up a car in the morning and leave Reykjavík to head to the West. Continue towards Snæfellsnes Peninsula to explore the countless natural wonders of the area Snæfellsnes peninsula divides the west coast of Iceland into two large bays, Faxaflói and Breiðafjörður. Cross the lowland plains of Mýrar, drive to the south coast of Snæfellsnes and head towards the tip of the peninsula. In the northern part of Mýrar, pass 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 rich 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 many 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. Continue to the east along the north coast of the peninsula to the charming village of Stykkishólmur.

Driving distance
280 kilometers

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

Overnight:
Stykkishólmur area

Day 3. Borgarfjörður


Head for Borgarnes. Enroute you will be passing a number of volcanic craters on both sides of the road, Eldborg being the largest and most beautiful shape. Shortly before reaching Borgarnes town, head towards Reykholt on 1 and later 50. Stop at Deildartunguhver hot spring, the largest hot spring in Europe. Continue a short distance further to the historic site Reykholt. Visit the interesting 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 to Borgarnes. At Borgarnes town 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. 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.

Driving distance
220 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Borgarnes town
Deildartunguhver
Reykholt town
Hraunfossar

Overnight:
Borgarfjörður area

Recommended optional activity:
The Settlement Exhibition and The Egil Saga Exhibition
Krauma Baths
Into the Glacier - Langjökull Ice Tunnel

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 Shore


Drive to the east along the South Shore and stop by the beautiful waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. During the summer you can walk behind Seljalandsfoss which is quite a unique experiance. At the hamlet Skógar you will also find the interesting Skógar Folk Museum. The glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull are towering above tha 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. Snowmobiling is available on Mýrdalsjökull Glacier. Make a short detour to the glacier Sólheimajökull, where guided Glacier Walks are available, before continuing to Dyrhólaey nature reserve. Dyrhólaey is a nesting colony of numerous seabirds in summer. Continue to Reynishverfi, with a black volcanic beach, spectacular rock formations and thousands of nesting seabirds in summer. Make Vík a turnaround point and return to Selfoss. 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.

Driving distance
320 kilometers

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

Overnight:
Reykjavík

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

Day 6. Reykjanes Peninsula & The Amazing Blue Lagoon


Drive from Reykjavik to the fishing town Hafnarfjörður, famous for its Viking Village by the fishing harbour. Head out to the Reykjanes peninsula and to Lake Kleifarvatn in a moon like setting. From here there is a short drive to the Krýsuvík high temperature geothermal area with numerous hot springs and solfataras and boiling mud pools. From here, head towards the fishing village Grindavik and drive through interesting and rugged lava fields. The Blue lagoon is close to Grindavík town where a stop is a must. We strongly recommend a relaxing bath in the unique waters of the Blue Lagoon before heading back to Reykjavík to drop off car. 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

Driving distance
150 kilometers

Highlights of the day:
Kleifarvatn
Krýsuvík
The Blue Lagoon

Overnight:
Reykjavík

Recommended optional activity:
Blue Lagoon Comfort Admission
The Lava Tunnel

Day 7. Departure


Private transfer from the hotel to Keflavik International Airport

ACCOMMODATION

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

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.

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 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 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.

     
    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.

    Please note that some activities described may only be available during summer.


    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.

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