Pure Iceland - Self Drive

Pure Iceland - Self Drive - 9 nights / 10 days

Discover the magnificent scenery of Iceland’s national parks, including the Vatnajokull area. This magnificent glacier is the largest in Europe. Moon-like volcanoes and brooding grey deserts contrast with shimmering icecaps, vibrant green valleys, peaceful fjords and sleepy fishing villages. Naturally there are countless waterfalls in all shapes and sizes! This classic self-drive tour includes comfortable accommodation in a variety of hotels, farms and country hotels along Ring Road No.1.

Day 1: ARRIVAL - BLUE LAGOON –REYKJAVIK/SOUTH ICELAND

Fly to Iceland and collect your rental car on arrival at Keflavik International Airport. Dive into the geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon before heading south to your first accommodation. A visit to the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa could be a good start on your stay in Iceland. Guests renew their relationship with nature, soak up the scenic beauty and enjoy breathing the clean, fresh air while relaxing in the warm geothermal seawater. Please note that admission to the Blue Lagoon needs to be booked ahead, and entrance is not included in this offer. On the roundtrip in Iceland, you will also find other geothermal pools to visit. First night either in Reykjavik or nearby in south of Iceland.

Day 2: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE

Drive to the World Heritage Site of Thingvellir National Park. This is the location of Iceland‘s original parliament. Enjoy views across the clear waters of Lake Thingvallavatn. Visit the thundering Gullfoss waterfall and famous Geysir geothermal area, where the geyser of Strokkur regularly erupts and numerous other hot springs bubble and steam. Nearby Geysir area, we can recommend stop at the farm Efstidalur who has a nice restaurant and ice-cream shop. Not far from Geysir area you will find the natural geothermal pool Secret Lagoon. This pool has been used by the locals for swimming for more than 100 years. Here you can enjoy a nice dinner or just have a taste of homemade ice-cream. Accommodation in the area.

Day 3: FROM GEYSIR TO VIK

From the foot of Hekla volcano, it is well worth taking a trip to the valley of the Thjorsa River. The earliest settlers in Iceland chose this valley. There you can visit the Viking farm Stoeng, which is a reconstruction of the farm as it was 1000 years ago. The original farm was destroyed by a major volcanic eruption in the year 1104. Many scenes from the TV series Games of Thrones were taken in Thjorsardalur valley. On the route to Vik, the southernmost town in Iceland make sure you stop at Seljalandsfoss and Skogarfoss. These are two of Iceland's loveliest waterfalls. You can walk to the back of Seljalandsfoss. On the way, you to Vik you will pass Eyjafjallajokull glacier and the area evacuated in the large volcano eruption in 2010. At Vik, you will find Reynisfjara, Reynisdrangar and Dyrholaey. Reynisfjara is a black lava beach that has amazing basalt rock formations. Outside the sea, you can see the basalt-shaped pillars Reynisdrangar. The area has a rich bird life and you will be able to see puffins here. Dyrholaey is a small peninsula at Reynisdrangar. Here you should take pictures of the view. Accommodation near Vik I Myrdal.

Day 4: SKAFTAFELL- JOKULSARLON-HOFN

Right next to the Ring Road is the Skaftafell National Park. The mountains are reminiscent of the Alps, and have been formed by volcanoes, glaciers and water. Skaftafell is an area you can spend a whole day. Go up to the glacier or just for a short trip to Svartifoss waterfall, one of the most popular attractions in the park. Svartifoss is a unique natural gem framed in black lava columns. Nearby is Europe‘s biggest glacier, Vatnajokull, and the extraordinary Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon. Without doubt, these are the highlights of the day. You can join a tour by boat on the lagoon or maybe a kayak tour. Make sure to visit the Diamond beach, just by the Glacier Lagoon. Here you will find icebergs from the lagoon who have drifted ashore and created the most magical setting. White melting icebergs on a black beach. If time allows you, can also take a tour to the coast outside Hofn, and enjoy the views of the most photographed mountain in Iceland, Vestrahorn on the Stokksnes peninsula. Accommodation in Hofn/Jokulsarlon area.

Day 5: HÖFN - EASTFJORDS

From the fishing village Hofn you head off through the long valleys of the Eastern Fjords. Geologically this is the oldest parts of Iceland. An area of fjords, steep mountains, majestic mountain peaks, rich bird life and ancient memories. In Djupavogur you will find "Eggene i Gledivik", a stone sculpture consisting of 34 large stone eggs set up by the seaside. There is the possibility of a boat trip from Djupavogur to the island of Papey, which has a rich birdlife. The boat trip is about 4 hours and runs around 13:00 hours. You can stop at the stone museum of Petra in Stodvarfjordur, which is a private collection of Icelandic minerals. Continue on the road to Egilsstadir. If there is time, then take the road towards Eskifjordur, which some consider being the most beautiful fjord in Iceland, with old red wooden houses situated on the seafront? Potential evening hiking tour could be up to the waterfall Hengifoss by Hallormsstadur. Accommodation in the area of Egilsstadir.

Day 6: EGILSSTADIR – MÝVATN/AKUREYRI

From Egilsstadir you drive through the uninhabited and desert-like areas of the Modrudalsoraefi to visit the attractions in the northeast. Explore the area around Lake Myvatn. This is an active volcanic zone with pseudo-craters, sulfuric springs and bizarre lava formations, as well as lush green, fertile plains. This region is also home to a wonderful variety of birdlife. Couple of highlights by Myvatn are the lava “town” of Dimmuborgir and geothermal area Namaskard. End your day with a bath in the Blue Lagoon of the north, Mývatn Nature Baths.  Accommodation by Myvatn or Akureyri area for 2 nights.

Day 7: DETTIFOSS WATERFALL - HUSAVIK - AKUREYRI

Drive the Diamond Circle route to pass through the truly impressive landscape of the north. Continue your journey around the dramatic Tjornes Peninsula to Husavik, Asbyrgi, and Jokulsa Canyon and on to Europe’s most powerful waterfall Dettifoss. With a width of 100 meters and a drop of 45 meters, it is a spectacular sight and you can feel the earth shake when you stand by the fall. Asbyrgi is a horseshoe shaped valley with nice hiking opportunities, as well as a beautiful little lake in the middle of the valley. Take a trip to the fishing village of Husavik, where you can join a whale-watching excursion. Husavik is known for being Europe's whale capital, and there is a great chance to see whales if you participate in whale watching. The trip out with the beautiful wooden boats gives you a wonderful experience at the sea overlooking the majestic north coast of Iceland. Visit Godafoss, the impressive “Waterfall of the Gods” is on the route to Akureyri, the largest town in the north.

Day 8: AKUREYRI – SKAGAFJORD

Drive the ring road toward west. The Skagafjordur area features a number of intriguing sights. This region is particularly famous for breeding the world-renowned Icelandic horses. Nearby is Saudakrokur and the fascinating folk museum at Glaumbaer. 

There are possibilities for horseback riding on Iceland horse, hiking tours and if you want more excitement, there is river rafting. In Vididalur near Hvammstangi, you will find the beautiful Kolugljufur canyon with its stunning waterfall Kolufossar. In this area, you will also find the amazing cliff Hvitserkur. Continue west to the Borgarfjordur district, where you spend the night.

Day 9: BORGAFJORD – REYKJAVÍK

Start your day driving to Reykholt. The place of Snorri Sturluson, Icelandic author and poet who lived in Reykholt in the 1200's. He is most famous as a writer of Heimskringla, Norse Kings Sagas. Nearby Reykholt, you will find Husafell. Here you have the opportunity to join a tour to Langjokull glacier and into a man-made cave on the glacier. Just by Husafell, you will also find the beautiful waterfalls Barnafossar and Hraunfossar. On the way to Borgarnes, it is possible to stop at Deildartunguhver, Europe's largest geometric hot water source. It produces 150 liters of boiling water per second! The steaming water testifies to the inner forces of the earth. You will find Krauma Spa by Deildartunguhver. In the afternoon, you arrive in Reykjavik, where the journey ends. Get to know the most northern Capital in Europe in the afternoon. You will find many shops, cafes and museums in the city. The best way to enjoy the city is to take easy stroll through the city center, with the small houses and nice atmosphere. From Hallgrimskirkja church in the city center, you can take panorama views of the city from the tower. Accommodation in Reykjavik.

Day 10: REYKJAVIK - DEPARTURE

Spend the day as you wish, depending on your return flight. Drop off your rental car at Keflavik Airport. 

* Please note there are a variety of self-drive trips of varying lengths and routes. Please inquire so we can set you up with the adventure you are looking for. Drive trips are offered May-Sep. Please inquire for rates and bookings. (Iceland TP)