Around Iceland in 14 Days Self-Drive Camping Tour

Arrival at Keflavik Airport. Pick-up your rental vehicle and drive to Reykjavik for your first night’s stay in Iceland.

Today you will be discovering an interesting area, rich with cultural and historical heritage. 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 Snæfellsnes 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 Snæfellsnes area.

From Stykkishólmur you take the car ferry Baldur across the scenic Breiðafjörður bay to 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 and 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.

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. You continue toward the north until you reach the village of Flateyri and from there you drive on to reach your accommodation near the Ísafjörður town.

From Ísafjörður 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.

You continue your journey along Húnaflói and Skagafjörður region which 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 area for your overnight stay.

In the morning you can spend some time in Akureyri before heading to the Lake Mývatn area. It is undoubtedly one of Iceland’s most renowned areas, due to its volcanic activity and its amazing bird life. On the way to Mývatn, you will have the opportunity to take a look at the picturesque Goðafoss waterfall. At Mývatn there are various exciting places of interest that you can visit, such as the Skútustaðir pseudo-craters and the mysterious lava formations of Dimmuborgir. Two nights in or near the Mývatn area.

The whole day is dedicated to the marvels of Lake Mývatn 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 with the crater Víti and the Leirhnjúkur area. This leads you to a small geothermal area and then to a line of craters surrounded by chaotic black lava fields. 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.

You start your day by driving to the charming fishing village of Húsavík. 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. Your next stop is Ásbyrgi, a horse shoe shaped gorge with its impressive rock walls and abundant vegetation. 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. The road continues across the lunar landscape of Möðrudalur highlands until you reach the fertile valley of Hérað where the village of Egilsstaðir lies.

Now it is time to discover the East Fjords: starting towards the fjord Reyðarfjörður where a small history museum about World War II is situated. In Stöðvarfjörður there is 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.

After passing various outlet glaciers of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest ice cap, you will arrive at the Glacial Lagoon, Jökulsárlón. This is 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. Skaftafell National Park is another area worthy of your attention. This oasis surrounded by glaciers and black sand plains has many hiking possibilities. Continue through Kirkjubæjarklaustur village, the Eldhraun lava field and the Mýrdalssandur plain before you arrive in the Vík area for your overnight accommodation.

Today you can start by taking a look at the black sand beach of Reynisfjara, famous for the Reynisdrangar rock stacks that rise from the sea 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. (Please note that Dyrhólaey is closed during nesting season from May 15 til June 23 and that from mid- August the puffins will have gone to sea!) Continuing westbound you arrive at Skógar and pass Skógafoss waterfall, one of the highest in Iceland. As you continue towards Hella you pass Seljalandsfoss, a waterfall behind which you can actually walk!

Now it is time to visit some of the most interesting and famous areas of Iceland. You 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. Close by is Gullfoss, surely the country’s most famous waterfall. Continuing towards Thingvellir (Þingvellir) consider one of the geological wonders of the world where you can see the effects of the tectonic plate movements which have opened various cracks and fissures in the earth’s crust. It was here that the Icelandic Parliament was founded in the 10th century. Continue to Reykjavik for your overnight stay.

Drive back to Keflavik airport for your flight back home, or book an extra night in Reykjavík, the vibrant capital of Iceland!