8D7N GLACIAL EXPLORATION AND AURORAS - SELF DRIVE
Highlights:
Explore the hidden treasures of beautiful Borgarfjordur in West Iceland, including views of Langjokull Glacier
Choose the option to drive along Snaefellsnes Peninsula, famous for its ever-changing landscapes and its glacier-crowned volcano
Visit world-famous areas such as the Golden Circle, the South Shore, the Vatnajokull National Park/the Glacier Lagoon
Enjoy an itinerary that gives you more opportunities to enjoy the beauty of Iceland’s glaciers.
Day 1: Arrival
Approximate distance: ca50km / 30miles
Arrival in Iceland – The world’s northernmost capital city
Once you have landed at Keflavik Airport in Iceland, please pick up your luggage and head through customs. Collect your rental car at the airport and drive along lava landscapes to your hotel in Reykjavik. The rest of the day is yours to rest and use at your own leisure.
Please note: check-in for most hotels begins at 14:00 – 16:00 (2:00pm - 4:00pm)
Overnight in Reykjavik.
Day 2:Reykajvik to Borgarfjordur
Approximate distance: ca195km / 121miles
Whale Fjord – Europe's Most Powerful Hot Spring – Magical waterfalls
Breakfast at your hotel. Today head to the scenic Borgarfjordur region via the Hvalfjordur tunnel(If you don’t want to take the tunnel, you can take the scenic coastal road instead (adds additional 17 km / 10 miles to trip). Borgarfjordur is a popular area among locals from Reykjavik, who enjoy coming here for holidays. It’s also been gaining popularity with international visitors for its exotic landscapes and Viking history. We suggest a stop in Borgarnes town where you can learn about the first Viking settlers in the area at the popular Settlement Museum. Visit Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot springs, the beautiful Hraunfossar (the Lava Falls), where melted water from a glacier flows through interesting lava formations. Nearby is Barnafoss (the Children’s Falls) and its brilliantly blue waters. Near Deildartunguhver you can indulge in hot spring relaxation at the Krauma natural geothermal baths. Krauma is known for its “fire and ice” experience since it combines Deildartunguhver’s hot spring waters with cool spring water that originates from the mountains.
Tonight you are well situated to catch a glimpse of the famous northern lights, if Mother Nature decides to cooperate.
Overnight in the Borgarfjordur area (2 nights).
Day 3: Borgarfjordur – Langjokull Glacier
Distance is variable
Langjokull Glacier and Icelandic Sagas OR Snaefellsnes and Snaefellsjokull National Park
Breakfast at your hotel. Today you can choose to continue to explore the marvelous Borgarfjordur region or you can visit the scenic Snaefellnes Peninsula. Each area has something to offer.
Borgarfjordur: Here’s a hidden gem filled with enchanting volcanic scenery, glacial views and Viking age history. Langjokull Glacier offers exciting adventures such as exploring an ice cave and tunnel built into the icy-blue heart of the glacier. Start with an adventurous ride up the glacier in a monstrous 18-wheeled vehicle. Once at the tunnel, you’ll view a glacier from the inside and learn how these icy wonders are formed.
Another interesting area activity is a guided visit to the colorful Vidgelmir lava cave. If you’re interested in culture, visit Reykholt, home of a medieval chieftain who penned some of Iceland‘s greatest Sagas. Nearby is the Sturlureykir Visting Horse farm, where you can enjoy a guided tour around the farm and learn about Iceland’s unique horse breed. The farm has a café where you can try home-made rye bread baked in a nearby hot spring. Another great place to visit is the scenic Husafell nature area, where you can enjoy beautiful landscapes, winter hiking, and good dining options. An exotic experience here is a guided winter hike taking you to the Husafell Canyon Baths, stone-lined hot pools in the secluded highlands.
Snaefellsnes: This peninsula is known as “Iceland in a Nutshell” because it contains so many different types of Icelandic landscape in one location. The peninsula is home to Snaefellsjokull National Park. Give yourself an early start since there is so much you can see in this beautiful area. We recommend you stop at the wind tangled Arnarstapi sea cliffs and the rocky beach of Djupalonssandur. The beautiful Snaefellsjokull glacier-volcano is the crown jewel of the peninsula. Legends say that the mountain is home to a benevolent half-troll guardian. Drive along the north coast through bustling fishing villages, stopping to take a look at Kirkjufell, the most photographed mountain in the country.
Overnight in the Borgarfjordur area.
Day 4: The Golden Circle
Approximate distance: ca255km / 158miles
National Park with Geological Wonders – The Golden Falls – Spouting Geysers
Breakfast at your hotel. Today you’ll be visiting some of Iceland’s best-known national wonders! Head for the UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park, where the world's oldest parliament met for centuries on the shores of Iceland’s largest lake. This is also the meeting point of the tectonic plates that divide the North American and European continents, giving you the rare chance to take a walk between two continents. Visit the quirky geothermal fields ofGeysir. Stroll along a footpath around colorful bubbling mud pools and spouting geysers. The most famous of these is Strokkur, which erupts about every ten minutes. Then visit the dramatic, two-tiered Gullfoss waterfall, a spectacular sight in winter when frozen mid-cascade. You can get great views of the waterfall from different angles on a variety of paths.
Afterwards drive along winter country roads to your overnight in South Iceland. If nature co-operates, you might glimpse some northern lights!
Travel idea: The Golden Circle area is full of hot springs, and there are two great local favorite bathing pools. Laugarvatn Fontana is built on top of a hot spring, and its steam baths are good for your skin and joints. The Secret Lagoon is a lovely historical stone-lined natural geothermal pool with its own tiny geyser nearby. Why not take a break and indulge in some hot spring relaxation? We’re happy to book a visit to either (or both!) hot springs for you.
Overnight in the Hvollsvollur area.
Day 5: Waterfalls and Glacial Horizons
Approximate distance: ca375km / 233miles
Thundering Waterfalls – Black sand beaches – Sea Cliffs & Stone Arches
Breakfast at your hotel. Travel along the south coast, one of Iceland’s main farming areas. You’ll see many farms and shaggy haired herds of Icelandic horses as you head along the Ring Road. See the magnificent waterfall Skogafoss, site of hidden treasure. (Make sure you have your camera ready- Skogafoss makes a fantastic backdrop for a selfie). Nearby is Skogar Folk Museum, well known throughout Iceland for being the best of its kind with a collection of mementos from this region’s past housed in beautifully preserved old turf-roofed buildings. Make a stop in pretty Vik village. Nearby you can admire stunning views of a black sand beach and the black basalt columns of Reynisdrangar.
You‘ll also see glaciers from the road, including Myrdalsjokull and Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajokull. The road leads alongside Vatnajokull as you head to your overnight in Southeast Iceland.
Overnight in Hofn area.
Day 6: Glacial Wonders
Approximate distance: ca209km / 130miles
Vatnajokull Glacier – Western Europe’s Largest National Park – Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs
Breakfast at your hotel. Today make a full day of exploring glacial wonders in Vatnajokull National Park, Western Europe's largest national park. Start with a visit to Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon, where blue, white, turquoise and black-streaked icebergs shift and dance. The mystical lagoon is enormous and has been the backdrop for many major feature films and programs, including Game of Thrones. It is a special place for photographers who enjoy the challenge of catching the icebergs in just the right light conditions. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for seals resting amid the glaciers. If you want a different glacial lagoon photography experience, the nearby Fjallsarlon Iceberg Lagoon is also worth visiting and can often be quieter.
The Diamond Beach, an area where icebergs sit on black sands, is an amazing place to stop for photos.
Visit Vatnajokull National Park’s majestic Skaftafell area, which is located between two glaciers and offers several winter hiking possibilities. Depending on your schedule, Skaftafell is an excellent place to try a guided hike on a glacier. There are few better ways to really get close to a glacier and learn about their formation.
Overnight in the Kirkjubaejarklaustur area.
Day 7: South Coast – Reykjavik
Approximate distance: ca265km / 165miles
Amazing Waterfall – Volcanic View – Geothermal Village
Drive along the scenic south coast back to the west. We suggest a stop in Vik for the new Icelandic Lava Show. Here you can safely experience the dramatic impacts that happen when molten lava interacts with glacial ice. This is something that has occurred in Iceland’s recent past, when glacier-capped volcanoes (such as Eyjafjallajokull) erupted. Another suggestion for outdoor adventurers is a SuperJeep tour to visit a natural ice cave in the area.
Visit Seljalandsfoss, a waterfall that you can walk behind (subject to the trail conditions). You’ll also be passing through landscape impacted by Eyjafjallajokull volcano, famous for its 2010 eruption. If the skies are clear you might even get a glimpse of the glacier-crowned volcano. You can get more insights about Iceland’s dramatic volcanoes and earthquakes with a visit to the interactive Lava Centre.
The Bobby Fischer Center in Selfoss is dedicated to the world-famous American chess master who defeated Russian Boris Spatsky in the 1972 Match of All Time in Iceland. Bobby Fischer lived his last years in Iceland and is buried in a nearby cemetery. (During the winter, you can call in advance to make an appointment to visit the museum).
The town of Hveragerdi is great to take a break and enjoy the peaceful village atmosphere. Hveragerdi is famous for its geothermal greenhouses where flowers and vegetables are grown year-round. One of our favorite places to grab a bite to eat or enjoy a coffee is the historical Skyrgerdin (Skyr Factory), a café built in a former dairy that made skyr (a delicious, low-fat Icelandic dairy product). The café has restored the original factory and makes skyr the old-fashioned way. They use this skyr as an ingredient in many of their dishes and drinks.
Return to in the late afternoon/early evening.
Overnight in Reykjavík.
Day 8: Departure from Iceland
Approximate distance: ca50km / 30miles
Return to Keflavik International Airport
Breakfast at your hotel. Drive back to Keflavik International Airport**. We recommend departing your hotel in Reykjavik no later than at least 3 hours before your flight departure. It takes approximately 1 hour to drive to the airport, and check-in will start 2 hours before your departure.
If you did not visit the Blue Lagoon earlier but have some free time today, you might want to use the opportunity en route to the airport. For this detour, please be sure to allow for at least 2-2,5 hours extra so you’ll have ample time at the lagoon. Your rental car should be returned to the airport service area, which is located only 2 minutes from the airport building. A shuttle will then transport you to the departure hall.
**Please note that the package price is based on 7 x 24-hour rental days starting at the time of rental. If your flight arrives early on day 1 and departs late on day 8, an additional supplement will be charged unless you choose to return the car in Reykjavik when the 7-day rental is up and use our Airport Direct departure transfer.
included:
Accommodation in a standard room for 7 nights
Breakfast (except arrival day)
Rental car for 7 days with unlimited mileage, CDW, theft protection and VAT**
FREE GPS system and no charges for an additional driver
Car pick up/drop off at Keflavik International Airport
Tablet with the Iceland Travel Companion App. The app includes:
Your hotel bookings with check-in and check-out dates.
A map view of your entire trip.
Thousands of points of interest with descriptions clearly displayed on your map. The points of interest can be customized to suit your interests and individual route.
Book day tours or activities directly into the app
GPS Road Guide in several different languages, safety guidelines and the apps of the Icelandic Meteorological Office and The Icelandic Road Administration, emergency numbers and more.
Detailed Travel Booklet – Electronic version in English, Spanish, Italian, Dutch and French
Customer care service during office hours
24-hour Iceland Travel emergency line assistance while you are in Iceland
Service fee and taxes
**Please note that the package price is based on 7 x 24-hour rental days starting at the time of rental. If your flight arrives early on day 1 and departs late on day 8, an additional supplement will be charged unless you choose to return the car in Reykjavik when the 7-day rental is up and use our Airport Direct departure transfer.
Not Included:
Breakfast on arrival day
International airfare
Personal travel insurance (highly recommended)
Petrol/Gasoline
Tolls (tunnels, roads and other route tolls), unless specified. More information here.
Admissions and activities other than those noted in itinerary
Beverages, snacks, lunches, dinners unless otherwise noted in itinerary
Guaranteed early check-in (check-in time for most hotels in Iceland starts 14:00 (2:00pm) – 16:00 (4:00pm)
Guaranteed late check-out
Any service not specifically listed under "included"