Free Whale Watching trip from Reykjavik if you book this Self Drive Tour with arrival between 01 May and 31 August!.
For a
limited time only! Read more about this offer here.
This complete package holiday to Iceland suits those who want to explore all of Iceland’s wonders and travel the whole round. During this 14 day tour around Iceland you will visit the most remote parts of Iceland which are the beautiful West Fjords, Snaefellsnes, Myvatn, Egilsstadir, Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon, Skaftafell, Thingvellir National Park and many more. This intensive trip takes you through lava fields, farmland, moors and mountain passes, with views of volcanos including the famous Eyjafjallajökull, and visits to glaciers, waterfalls and hot springs.
Day 1: Arrival in Keflavik - drive to Reykjavik (Driving distance approx. 50 km)
Arrival at Keflavik Airport. Pick-up of rented vehicle and drive to Reykjavik for your first night’s stay in Iceland.
Depending on your arrival time, we recommend you make a stop at the Blue Lagoon on the way and have a swim in the warm geothermal water.
Day 2: Reykjavik – Borgarfjörður - Snaefellsnes (Driving distance approx. 380 km)
Today you will be discovering an interesting area, rich with cultural and historical heritage. From Reykjavik you have two options for the route to Borgarfjörður. You can either take the tunnel under Hvalfjörður or drive around the fjord.
Hvalfjörður (‘whale fjord’) was an important naval station for the Allies during World War II. In Borgarfjörður you must visit the splendid waterfalls of Hraunfossar, where the water flows out from beneath a lava field into the river below, Reykholt, where the 13th century author Snorri Sturluson lived, and Deildartunguhver, Iceland’s largest hot spring (in terms of water production per second).
Heading to Snaefellsnes peninsula you should visit the beautiful places all around the peninsula; for example Búðir, Arnarstapi and Hellnar on the way to your accommodation in the Snaefellsnes area.
Highlights of this day: Waterfalls Hraunfossar, Reykholt, Deildartunguhver, Snaefellsnes peninsula, Snaefellsjokull National Park, Búðir, Arnastapi, Hellnar.
Day 3: Snaefellsnes - West Fjords (Driving distance approx. 140 km)From Stykkishólmur you will take the car ferry Baldur across the Breidafjörður bay. After approximately 3 hours’ sailing across this scenic bay with its innumerable small islands, you reach Brjánslaekur in the West Fjords.
Today you start your visit of some of the most secluded places in Iceland, where steep mountains and deep fjords are predominant. Visit Látrabjarg, a huge bird cliff but be very careful, as there is no fence or barrier and the grass at the edge of the cliff can be slippery. On the way back you can stop at the folk museum of Hnjótur. Carry on along the fjords passing white sand beaches and bizarre cliffs heading to your accommodation near Patreksfjörður.
Highlights of this day: Breiðafjörður Bay, West Fjords, Látrabjarg cliffs, Patreksfjörður.
Day 4: West Fjords - Isafjordur (Driving distance approx. 200 km)Today you continue up north along the West Fjords, one of the most remote regions of Iceland. The landscape is breathtaking as you cross mountains and heaths and drive along the dramatic fjords at the foot of steep cliffs.
Dynjandi is a beautiful waterfall that lies in the northern arm of the fjord Arnarfjörður. Nearby is Hrafnseyri, birthplace of Jón Sigurðsson who was the leader of the Icelandic independence movement in the 19th century. Here you can also visit a small museum and a chapel. You continue toward the north until you reach the village Flateyri and from there you drive on to reach your accommodation in Isafjordur area.
Highlights of this day: West Fjords, Dynjandi waterfall, Ósvör museum, Isafjordur.
Day 5: Isafjordur - Hrútafjörður (Driving distance approx. 350 km)From Isafjordur you continue your journey of the West fjords. You drive along the numerous small fjords of Ísafjarðardjúp passing the Vigur Island on the way. After Steingrímsfjarðarheiði heath you reach the Northwest region. You arrive in the village of Hólmavík where you can visit an interesting museum dedicated to the ancient Icelandic magic. Continue along the Hrútafjörður fjord until you arrive at your accommodation in the region.
Highlights of this day: West Fjords, Vigur Island, Hólmavík, Hrútafjörður.
Day 6: Hrútafjörður - Akureyri (Driving distance approx. 230 km)
Driving on the main road (the Ring Road, National Highway No. 1) heading to Akureyri be sure to make a stop in the Skagafjörður region. This area is known for horse breeding and many Icelandic horses can be seen grazing in the fields of the Skagafjörður valley.
Just before arriving at the village of Varmahlíð you can make a stop at Víðimýri church, a small traditional turf church. Then, you can make your way just north of Varmahlíð to visit the Glaumbær museum, which is one of the best preserved turf farmhouses in Iceland.
Heading towards Eyjafjörður fjord, the road takes you through the deep valleys of Northern Iceland before you arrive in Akureyri town for your night’s stay.
Highlights of this day: Skagafjörður, Víðimýri church, Varmahlíð Glaumbær museum, Eyjafjörður Fjord, Akureyri town.
Day 7: Akureyri - Myvatn (Driving distance approx. 120 km)
In the morning you can spend some time in Akureyri, for example enjoy a stroll in the botanical garden, go for a swim or do some shopping. On the way to Myvatn you must make a stop at the waterfall Godafoss “The fall of the gods”.
Then the Lake Myvatn area awaits you. It is undoubtedly one of Iceland’s most renowned areas, due to its volcanic activity and its amazing bird life.On the way to Myvatn, you will have the opportunity to take a look at the picturesque Godafoss waterfall. At Myvatn there are various exciting places of interest that you can visit at your leisure. You can for example start by going south of the Lake to the Skútustaðir pseudo-craters and then take a stroll in the mysterious lava formations of Dimmuborgir to complete your day. Two nights in or near the Myvatn area.
Highlights of this day: Akureyri town, Lake Myvatn, Godafoss waterfall, Skútustaðir, lava formations of Dimmuborgir.
Day 8: Myvatn (Driving distance approx. 50 km)
The whole day is dedicated to the marvels of Lake Myvatn Nature Reserve. One of its main attractions is the Námaskarð geothermal area where you will find bubbling mud pools and hissing steam vents.
You must not miss the Krafla area situated north of the Krafla power station with the crater Víti and the Leirhnjúkur area. The walk towards Leirhnjúkur area is worth while since it leads you to a small geothermal area and then to a line of craters surrounded by chaotic black lava fields, resulting from a series of volcanic eruptions that took place in 1975 – 1984.
Later on you can venture a walk up to the top of Hverfjall crater or dip into the geothermal water of the natural baths located east of the Lake. Second night in or near the Myvatn area.
Highlights of this day: Lake Myvatn Nature Reserve, Krafla, Leirhnjúkur, Black lava fields, Hverfjall crater, Myvatn natural baths.
Day 9: Myvatn - Husavik - Dettifoss - Egilsstadir (Driving distance approx. 320 km)
You start your day by driving to the charming fishing village of Husavik. Then you drive along the coastline of the Tjörnes peninsula and if the weather conditions are good you can make a small stop at the extremity of the peninsula to enjoy the view and spot some seabirds.
Ásbyrgi is your next stop. This horse shoe shaped gorge with its impressive rock walls and abundant vegetation is the ideal place to take a walk or have a picnic. Heading south from Ásbyrgi the road leads you to the mighty waterfall Dettifoss where you will feel the earth tremble beneath the force of the glacial water, but be careful not to get to close: the edges of the chasm are not fenced and the ground may be slippery. The road continues across the lunar landscape of Möðrudalur highlands until you reach the fertile valley of Hérað where the village of Egilsstadir lies.
Highlights of this day: Husavik, Tjörnes peninsula, Ásbyrgi, Waterfall Dettifoss, Egilsstadir.
Day 10: Egilsstadir - East Fjords- Höfn (Driving distance approx. 270 km)
Now it is time to discover the East Fjords. Follow the road to the fjord Reydarfjörður; in the village there is a small history museum about World War II. From there you can continue through the new tunnel to Fáskrúðsfjörður or take the more panoramic route, the old road along the coast. In Stöðvarfjörður there is an interesting place you can visit; Petra’s stone collection, a private collection which includes most of the Icelandic minerals.
As you continue you might want to make a stop in the village of Djúpivogur,located in a charming setting. Now you continue along the fjords towards Southeast Iceland; at times the road hangs precariously high on the mountain slopes.
Finally you drive through the tunnel of Almannaskarð to arrive in the Höfn region where you will stay for the night.
Highlights of this day: East Fjords, Petra´s stone collection, Djúpivogur, Almannaskarð, Höfn.
Day 11: Höfn - Vík (Driving distance approx. 280 km)
After passing various outlet glaciers of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest ice cap, you will arrive at the glacial lagoon, Jokulsarlon, an exceptional sight at the foot of Iceland’s highest mountain, Hvannadalshnúkur. You can walk along the banks of the lagoon or take a 30-40 min. boat trip to admire the fantastically-shaped icebergs of different shapes and sizes that are constantly breaking off the icecap and drifting towards the sea nearby.
Skaftafell National Park is another area worthy of your attention. This oasis surrounded by glaciers and black sand plains has many hiking possibilities. For example, you can walk through the birch forest up to the Svartifoss waterfall or approach the Skaftafell glacial tongue.
Then the road takes you across the immense black sand plain of Skeiðarársandur, through Kirkjubaejarklaustur village, the Eldhraun lava field and the Mýrdalssandur plain before you arrive in the Vík area for your night’s accommodation.
Highlights of this day: Vatnajokull glacier, Glacial Lagoon Jokulsarlon, Skaftafell National Park, Svartifoss waterfall, Skaftafell glacial tongue, Kirkjubaejarklaustur, Eldhraun lava field, Vík.
Day 12: Vík - South Coast - Hella (Driving distance approx. 120 km)
Today you can start by taking a look at the Reynisfjara beach; a black sand beach famous for the Reynisdrangar rock stacks that rise from the sea just off the shore and for its basalt columns. Dyrhólaey cape is the southernmost point of Iceland. A small road takes you to the top of this 120 m high sea cliff where you often can see a large number of puffins. From the top of Dyrhólaey you can also see an unusual cliff with an arch-shaped opening.
You now continue westbound and Skógar village is the next place of interest. As you arrive at Skógar you will see the waterfall Skógarfoss, one of the highest in Iceland. After having a look at the waterfall you should visit the Skógar museum; a local folk museum which gives an excellent insight into Iceland’s history.
As you continue towards Hella you can stop at the waterfall Seljalandsfoss, but not only to have a look: this time you can actually walk behind the waterfall. Be careful, though, since the stones are wet and slippery. You then follow the main road to arrive in Hella for your night’s stay.
*Please note that Dyrholaey is closed during nesting season from May 15 til June 23 and from mid- August the puffins will have gone to sea!
Highlights of this day: Reynisfjara black sand beach, Dyrhólaey, Skógar museum, Waterfall Skógarfoss, Waterfall Seljalandsfoss.
Day 13: Golden Circle - Reykjavik (Driving distance approx. 220 km)
Now it is time to visit some of the most interesting and famous areas of Iceland. You can drive through the village of Flúðir to reach the famous geothermal area of Geysir where the Strokkur hot spring ejects its water column high into the air every 5 – 10 minutes and where numerous small springs boil and bubble. After this you only have a short drive to reach Gullfoss, surely the country’s most famous waterfall. Then you drive back through the Geysir area towards Lake Laugarvatn.
From there you continue to Thingvellir (Þingvellir) consider one of the geological wonders of the world. At Thingvellir you can see the effects of the tectonic plate movements which have opened various cracks and fissures in the earth’s crust, and it was here that the Icelandic Parliament was founded in the 10th century. Take time to walk around in the unique landscape of Thingvellir. Continue to Reykjavik over the Mosfellsheiði moors. Overnight accommodation in Reykjavik.
Highlights of this day: Golden Circle, Geysir hot spring, Waterfall Gullfoss, Thingvellir National Park.
Day 14: Departure (Driving distance approx. 50 km) 
Drive back to Keflavik airport for your flight back home.
Or book an extra night in Reykjavik, the vibrant capital of Iceland!
Reykjavik is Iceland’s largest city and often called the capital of the north because of its location. With only approximately four hours of daylight in the wintertime, the city has a mysterious yet dynamic atmosphere, while in summer it is bustling and full of energy, with almost 24 hours of daylight!
Reykjavik offers a wide range of sights to visit and lots of activities.
Among the things you can visit in Reykjavik are the old city centre where you can walk by the lake, Tjörnin , visit the Town Hall, and walk through the Austurvöllur square, where the Parliament building stands, and down to the harbour. You can stroll along the main street, Laugavegur to have a look at the shops and the art galleries and find a restaurant or a café to your liking. Do not miss the church Hallgrímskirkja or the dome Perlan, a modern building from where you have a magnificent view over the whole city.
It is also possible to go to the Laugardalur valley for a swim in the outdoor thermal pool or a walk in the botanical gardens. There are several museums worth visiting in Reykjavik, for example the National Museum of Iceland near the University, the National Gallery of Iceland and the Reykjavik Art Gallery (includes 3 different collections).
A whale-watching tour from Reykjavik harbour is a wonderful experience: a trip out to sea to look at whales and dolphins in their natural habitat.
An interesting half-day excursion from Reykjavik could be to the Reykjanes Peninsula, taking you to the geothermal springs in Krýsuvík. If you did not stop at the Blue Lagoon on day 1, the highlight of the tour on your way back would then be a visit of the famous Blue Lagoon for a relaxing swim in the geothermal water. Approx. 120 km round trip.
Type of accommodation
We offer a choice of two types of accommodation: Budget and Comfort. Here is some basic information about each.
Budget
Rooms without private facilities. Budget accommodation may be in country hotels, farmhouses and/ or guesthouses. All rooms have made-up beds; some of these rooms have washbasins with hot and cold water. Showers and WC in shared facilities. Most of the facilities booked by Iceland Tours offer dinner during the summer time. Breakfast included.
Comfort
Rooms with private facilities. Comfort accommodation may be in country hotels, farmhouses or guesthouses. Most of the facilities booked by Iceland Tours offer dinner during the summer time. Breakfast included.
Car Rental details
| Car Group |
Car type example |
Example |
A |
Toyota Yaris or Similar |
|
B |
Toyota Auris or similar
|
|
T |
Toyota Verso Station or similar
|
 |
F |
Suzuki Grand Vitara 4WD or similar
|
|
I |
Toyota Land Cruiser GX 4WD AUTO or similar
|
 |
Included
- Rental car of your choice with unlimited mileage, CDW and VAT for 13 days
- Accommodation (budget/comfort) for 13 nights with Continental breakfast
- Tickets to the ferry Baldur
- Map of Iceland and detailed itinerary
- 24-hour emergency service
- Taxes and service fee
- FREE GPS if you book before March 31st
Not included
- Flights to/from Iceland
- Meals and drinks at restaurants (unless otherwise stated)
- Entrance to museums
- Personal travel insurance
You can reserve this package with only 20% deposit. See
terms & conditions for further information.
Do you have any questions about this tour? Contact us
here.