Iceland Highlights Self Drive Tour

This is our suggested itinerary for a self-drive Iceland Highlights trip. The itinerary can be changed and customized to suit your needs.

OVERVIEW
ITINERARY
ALL SELF-DRIVE TOURS

Day 1: Reykjavik to Snæfellsnes.Leave Reykjavik and head north to explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. This is one of the most stunning regions of Iceland. You can hike along the coast, hike to waterfalls, and visit small fishing towns with some of the freshest seafood in Iceland. The gorgeous Snæfellsjokull volcano and glacier dominate the peninsula, creating a dramatic backdrop everywhere you go. This is the same volcano that Jules Verne wrote about in Journey to the Center of the Earth! (Approx. 3 hours driving)

Day 2: Snæfellsnes to the Golden Circle.In the morning you can explore more of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, including a visit to a lava tube, an incredible ravine, and a hike up an extinct volcano! You then drive to the Golden Circle (one of the most popular areas in Iceland, and for good reason) where you spend the next two nights at a comfortable farmstay. You can visit the animals, learn about life on a working Icelandic farm, or relax in the hot tub. You can also visit a nearby greenhouse or geothermal lagoon! (Approx. 3 hours driving)

Day 3: Golden Circle.After a delicious farm fresh breakfast, you can go and explore the Golden Circle attractions. Visit the magnificent Gullfoss waterfall, one of the largest in Iceland, as well as Geysir where Iceland’s most active geyser is located (it erupts every 5-10 minutes!). The third attraction on the Golden Circle is Thingvellir National Park, where Iceland’s parliament (and the world’s first) was founded over 1,000 years ago. This is also where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are drifting apart, an incredible phenomena that you can only witness in Iceland! You can also go snorkeling, whitewater rafting, or snowmobiling on a glacier. After experiencing the natural wonders of the Golden Circle, you return to Reykjavik. (Approx. 3.5 hours driving)

 

Day 4: Drive to Glacier Lagoon. Drive along the southern coast of Iceland to Jökulsárlón, Iceland’s famous glacier lagoon. The lagoon is filled with magnificent icebergs that broke off from the glacier in the distance, which is part of Vatnajökull- Europe’s largest glacier. On the drive over, you can stop at several incredible waterfalls (including one that you can walk behind!) and at a breathtaking canyon for a hike. (Approx. 5 hours driving)
Day 5: Glacier Activities & Return to Reykjavik. Today we recommend partaking in an incredible glacier-related activity- either kayaking among icebergs in a glacial lagoon (summer trips) or exploring ice caves inside a glacier (winter trips). These are once in a lifetime experiences that you can only have in a handful of places in the world, and Iceland is one of the best! You then return to Reykjavik, stopping on the way to hike to a hot spring river for one last geothermal soak. You can finish your tour with dinner at an “earth cooking” restaurant where your food is cooked using the steam from the earth- the perfect ending to an incredible trip! (Approx. 5 hours driving)
This is our suggested itinerary; your trip can be customized based on your preferences.