Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in the Land of Fire and Ice
Once you have landed at Keflavik Airport, please pick up your luggage and head through customs. Collect your rental car at the airport and proceed to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time in Iceland, we suggest that you take some time to explore the Reykjanes Peninsula (a UNESCO GeoPark site) before you head to Reykjavik.
Reykjanes is a great introduction to Iceland’s unique geology and volcanoes. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge dividing the European and North American tectonic plates cuts through the area. You’ll see unusual and stunning craters, lava cliffs, fissures, and the Mid-Atlantic ridge itself. You can even walk on a bridge that divides Europe and North America. We also recommend a stroll in the surreal Gunnuhver area where you can view quirky colorful mud pools and steam vents bubbling away. If you are a Viking history buff, we recommend the Viking World museum, famous for the Íslendingur, a Viking ship replica that sailed between Iceland and North America in 2000
Several charming fishing villages and lighthouses dot the peninsula, and the area has a reputation for tasty seafood fresh from the ocean. Reykjanes is home to the renowned Blue Lagoon, and you might enjoy the chance to relax in the soothing azure waters. Travel to your hotel and check-in. Please note check-in for most hotels begins at 14:00 – 16:00 (2:00pm-4:00pm)
October – April: Drive to your hotel in Reykjavik, the colorful capital of Iceland. (Approx distance: 50km/30 mile. Overnight in Reykjavik.
May – September: Drive along the southern coast of the Reykjanes Peninsula to the charming village of Hveragerdi for your overnight. This village is one of the few sites in the world located directly on top of a geothermal area and, because of its many greenhouses heated by hot water from nearby springs, it is often called the “flower village.” There are plenty of outdoor and wellness activities to enjoy here, and several restaurants with a uniquely local focus. (Approx distance: 100km / 62miles)
Overnight in the Hveragerdi area
Optional: Blue Lagoon Visit package
Day 2: The South Coast (Approx distance: 215km / 134miles)
Thundering Waterfalls – Cliffs & Stone Arches – Black Sand Beaches of the South Shore
Breakfast at your hotel. Drive along the scenic South Shore and the area near the infamous Eyjafjallajokull volcano. This is the volcano whose massive 2010 eruption caused air traffic around the world to be canceled. We recommend a stop at the interactive LAVA Centre where you’ll learn about the powerful volcanic and tectonic forces that shaped both Iceland and Earth.
Your journey takes you by the beautiful Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls (each one worth visiting) and Myrdalsjokull glacier. You can opt for a fun snowmobiling trip on the glacier and (if the weather is clear) a splendid view over southern Iceland. Stop by the seafront village of Vik to explore a dramatic stretch of coastline poised between glacier-topped mountains, rugged sea cliffs, and black- sand beaches. Dyrholaey* is a rocky headland famous in photos for its black lava arch. During the summer, thousands of sea birds and puffins nest here (puffins are generally in Iceland between mid-May and early August)
*Important: Please note that Dyrholaey is closed during nesting season, from about the middle of May until late June.
Overnight in the Vik area.
Optional: Snowmobiling on Myrdalsjokull Glacier (from Basecamp) |Kayaking by Solheimajokull Glacier |Solheimajokull Glacier Walking Tour (from Basecamp)
Day 3: Thjorsardalur Valley – Gullfoss – Geysir (Approx distance: 289km / 180miles)
Colorful Valley – Hekla Volcano –The Famous Golden Falls – Exploding Geysers
Breakfast at your hotel. Explore Thjorsardalur valley and its ever-changing landscapes of birch woods, sandy lava fields, rivers, and waterfalls. You’ll also see the impressive and beautiful Mt. Hekla volcano towering over the region. During the summer you can visit the excavated site of a Viking age farm that was covered by lava from one of Hekla’s eruptions. A replica shows you how the longhouse looked (admission not included). The area was a filming location for the popular HBO series Game of Thrones.
Continue to the amazing sites of Gullfoss waterfall and the Geysir hot spring area. Gullfoss is considered by many visitors to be Iceland’s most beautiful waterfalls. Geysir is an active geothermal field with many bubbling steam vents and spouting hot springs, including the famous Strokkur geyser. If you enjoy history, we suggest you visit Laugarvatnshellir, a cave cleverly converted into a home for two Icelandic families in the early 20th century. The cave has been restored to show how it looked in those days.
A great way to relax after an exciting day is to visit either the Fontana Steam Baths in Laugarvatn or the Secret Lagoon in Fludir. Both places are a part of the area’s history and popular with both Icelanders and visitors.
Overnight in the Golden Circle area.
Optional: Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths - Entrance fee
Day 4: Thingvellir – Borgarfjordur Area (Approx distance: 325km / 202miles)
National Park with Geological Wonders (UNESCO) – Picturesque Fjords – Waterfalls
Breakfast at your hotel. Visit Thingvellir National Park, site of the ancient Icelandic Viking parliament and a jewel of nature. Here you’ll see first-hand the meeting point between the North American and European continents. Many important historical events happened here. Several walking trails and hiking trails will bring you to historical points of interest.
Then travel to West Iceland via either the scenic Hvalfjordur fjord or the vast Kaldidalur wilderness track, (Kaldidalur is open June-August, a 4WD is needed). Your West Iceland journey starts with the beautiful Borgarfjordur region and Reykholt, home of the colorful 13th-century chieftain and Saga author Snorri Sturluson. While in the area you might enjoy a visit to Sturlureykir Visiting Horse Farm where you can take a guided tour around the farm, meet friendly Icelandic horses and try home-made baked treats on the farm’s café.
Within Borgardfjordur are also two scenic, impressive waterfalls. Hraunfossar, the Lava Falls, appear as glacial water rushing through black lava formations. The nearby Barnafoss falls has brilliantly blue waters. Visit Deildartunguhver, the most powerful and fastest hot springs in Europe. You can’t bathe in these springs, but the nearby Krauma natural geothermal baths use water from Deildartunguhver combined with cool mountain springs to create the ideal temperature for relaxation. Head to Reykjavik in the afternoon.
Overnight in Reykjavik.
Optional: Into the Glacier - Classic Tour (from Husafell Center or Klaki Base Camp) |Krauma Nature Baths
Day 5: Departure from Iceland (Approx distance: 50km / 30miles)
Return to Keflavik International Airport (recommended departing your hotel in Reykjavik no later than at least 3 hours before your flight departure)
Breakfast at your hotel. Drive back to Keflavik International Airport. If you did not visit the Blue Lagoon on your way to the city on your first day but have some free time today, you might want to use the opportunity en route to the airport.
Notes:
- Please note that the package price is based on 4 x 24-hour rental days starting at the time of rental.
- If your flight arrives early on day 1 and departs late on day 5, an additional supplement will be charged unless you choose to return the car in Reykjavik when the 4-day rental is up and use Shuttle Airport Direct Transfer.
