South Coast - Golden Circle and The Northern Lights 6 days


This is a 6 day tour visiting all the major sights in south Iceland as well as the famous Golden Circle rout with geysers, the golden waterfall and Thingvellir National Park. If you have 6 days in Iceland including day of arrival and departure during winter this is the one for you.

Overview

Map for South Coast - Golden Circle and The Northern Lights  6 days tour
  • Duration:6 days / 5 nights
  • By Car km/mi:1025
  • Season:September 10 to April 5
  • Operates:Daily
  • Price From:102562 ISK/Per Person
  • Tour ID:RT12

Not Included

Itinerary

Day 1. Arrival – Reykajvik City – Northern Lights Hunt



Following your arrival at the airport, you will take a comfortable bus ride, with Wi-Fi Internet connection on board, to your accommodation in Reykjavik or to a nearby drop off point.

You have the option of upgrading to a private door-to-door airport transfer. You can also receive and return the rental car at the airport if you prefer that.

Enjoy the rest of the day in Reykjavik, which offers a great variety of things to do. Included is a visit to the Northern Lights Center in Reykjavik where you can learn about the Northern lights and how to take good photographs of them, which might come in handy if you get to see them on your tour. See iconic buildings including the Perlan (the Pearl), the Alþingishúsið (where the Icelandic parliament is housed), and Hallgrímskirkja Church. If you don't have time to shop on Laugarvegur Street, don't worry; you can do that when you return from your adventure.

Included:
Admission to the Northern lights Center

Highlights:
Gamla Höfnin (The Old Harbour)
Harpa Concert Hall
Perlan
Hallgrímskirkja Church
Laugavegur Shoppping Streat

Overnight:
Reykjavik city

Optional Extras:
Private Airport Transfers
Reykjavik City Card


Day 2. Stunning Waterfalls – Black Beaches – Glaciers and Volcanoes



Pick up the car in the morning and visit Hveragerði, a small town with many steaming vents and where hot spring water is used for heating greenhouses. Continue to the South Coast and pass the infamous Eyjafjallajökull Glacier and a volcano that last erupted in 2010.
Stop at the inspiring waterfall Seljalandsfoss where in the summer one can take a scenic walk behind the falls. A little further east, stop at Skógafoss, another impressive waterfall with two majestic glaciers towering above it.
Visit the spectacular black beach at the Reynisdrangar Pinnacles on your way to the charming town of Vik, the southernmost town in the country.
The town of Kirkjubæjarklaustur waits across the Mýrdalssandur floodplains and Eldhraun, the most extensive lava field ever to flow on Earth in historical time. Stop by Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon located just west from Kirkjubæjarklaustur and the Kirkjugólfið (the Church Floor), a protected natural monument just east of Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Kirkjugólfið's basalt columns have been eroded and shaped by wind and water, but they look man-made. After dinner, if weather conditions are right, go out on a hunt for the inspiring northern lights.

Highlights:
Hveragerði Town
Selfoss Town
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Skógafoss Waterfall
Eyjafjallajökull Glacier
Vík Town
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
Kirkjubæjarklaustur Town

Optional Extra:
Glacier Walk
Snowmobiling on Mýrdalsjökull Glacier
LAVA Centre

Driving Distance:
270 kilometers

Overnight:
Kirkjubæjarklaustur area


Day 3. Skaftafell National Park and the Glacial Lagoon



Continue across Skeidarársandur, a black sand desert, washed down by the numerous glacial rivers that originate at the nearby Vatnajökull Glacier, the largest in Europe, and the place where a sub-glacial eruption took place in the Grímsvötn Volcano, beneath Vatnajökull Icecap, in 2011. The powerful eruption quickly broke the ice cover of the glacier and began spewing ash into the air in a magnificent display.
Continue to Skaftafell National Park, an oasis at the foot of the glacier that is famous for its tranquil, but rugged natural beauty. We recommend an easy hike to Svartifoss, one of Iceland’s most picturesque waterfalls.
Continue to Jökulsarlón Glacial Lagoon, considered by many to be the greatest natural sight in the country and where huge icebergs float in the crystal clear lagoon. Head back to Hella town to rest up for Day 4's adventure. In the evening you can head out again to try your luck to see the northern lights.

Highlights:
Vatnajökull Glacier
Skaftafell
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Driving Distance:
410 kilometers

Overnight:
Hella area


Day 4. Volcanic Crater – Geysers – the Golden Waterfall – Þingvellir National Park



Head inland and stop at the impressive Kerið Volcanic Crater, then further inland to Faxi Waterfall. Continue on to see the famous Geysir and Strokkur Geysers. Strokkur is an active geyser that spouts boiling hot water 15 to 20 meters up every few minutes.
Continue a short distance to the majestic Gullfoss Waterfall, one of Iceland’s largest and most beautiful waterfalls.
Then continue to Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the place where the Icelandic Parliament was established in 930. It is located on the spot where two continental plates meet creating a fascinating rift valley. Þingvellir is hauntingly beautiful despite its rugged lunar-like landscapes. Then, drive across Mosfellsheiði Heath to Reykjavík.

Highlights:
Kerið Crater
Faxi Waterfall
Geysir Geothermal Area
Gullfoss Waterfall
Þingvellir National Park

Driving Distance:
210 kilometers

Overnight:
Reykjavík city


Day 5. The Blue Lagoon and a Northern Lights Search



Journey to the lunar-like landscapes of the Reykjanes Peninsula to visit the Blue Lagoon for a relaxing bath. If road conditions allow you might want do visit some of the sites at Reykjanes peninsula like Lake Kleifarvatn and Krísuvík geothermal area. Head back to Reykjavik and enjoy the rest of the day in the city. If weather conditions are rights you can head out for the last time to look for the illusive northern lights before heading back home.

Highlights:
The Blue Lagoon


Driving Distance:
100 km

Overnight:
Reykjavík city


Day 6. Departure



You’ll be transferred from your accommodation to the airport by a comfortable Wi-Fi connected bus.


Rental Cars

10.P - Suzuki Vitara 4WD or similar - Manual -

10.P - Suzuki Vitara 4WD or similar - Manual -

  • Passengers:5
  • Suitcases:3
  • Doors:5
  • Operation:Manual
11.H - Kia Sportage 4WD or similar - Automatic -

11.H - Kia Sportage 4WD or similar - Automatic -

  • Passengers:5
  • Suitcases:3
  • Doors:5
  • Operation:Automatic
12.J - Kia Sorento 4WD or similar - Automatic -

12.J - Kia Sorento 4WD or similar - Automatic -

  • Passengers:5
  • Suitcases:3
  • Doors:5
  • Operation:Automatic
13.K - Toyota Landcruiser 4WD or similar - Automatic -

13.K - Toyota Landcruiser 4WD or similar - Automatic -

  • Passengers:5
  • Suitcases:4
  • Doors:5
  • Operation:Automatic
15.XG - VW Transporter 4WD or similar - Manual -

15.XG - VW Transporter 4WD or similar - Manual -

  • Passengers:9
  • Suitcases:4
  • Doors:4
  • Operation:Manual
16.I - Land Rover Defender 4WD - Automatic - Limited Availability -

16.I - Land Rover Defender 4WD - Automatic - Limited Availability -

  • Passengers:5
  • Suitcases:3
  • Doors:5
  • Operation:Automatic
17.C - Land Rover Discovery 5 4WD - Automatic - Limited Availability -

17.C - Land Rover Discovery 5 4WD - Automatic - Limited Availability -

  • Passengers:5
  • Suitcases:4
  • Doors:5
  • Operation:Automatic

Other Information

This tour can be customized to your specifications and needs, so if you have any special requests, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We will be more than happy to help you arrange the perfect Icelandic vacation.

This tour is also available as a private guided tour: PT09 - Golden Circle, South Coast and Northern Lights - 6 days

*FAQ*

We are arriving very early. What is the check in time?
Check in time is usually between 14:00 - 16:00 for accommodation in Iceland. The only way to secure an early check in is to book the night before as well. However if a room is ready you should be able to check in early.

When is the best time to see the Northern Lights? The Northern Lights are clearly visible between September – March/April all around Iceland. The northern lights are only visible during winter due to the darkness and sightings are very weather dependent and clear skies are essential to see them. The prime conditions to see them are clear skies and away from the city lights.

Where to eat during the tour?
In the small towns around Iceland you will find restaurants, bakeries and cafes where you can get something to eat.

Are there any hidden charges?
There are no hidden charges or fees you should be aware of. Note that fuel and meals other than breakfast are not included.

What type of car is recommended?
In winter between mid September – mid April we recommend a 4x4 vehicle as there is a chance of some snow or ice on the road. The cars are equipped with good winter tires during winter.

Do I need an international driver’s license?
No you do not need an international drivers license but you need a valid driver’s licence, which you will have held for at least two years. Travelers from overseas will need a licence issued in their country of residence along with an English translation (where appropriate). Some form of picture Identity is required, e.g. Passport, ID card etc. A valid credit card is also required.

How far is it between gas stations?
Gas stations can be found in almost all towns around Iceland so running out of gas is not a likely scenario. However before going to the highland areas we recommend filling up the tank as there are no gas stations in the highlands.

Do hotels and guesthouses offer Wi-Fi internet connection?
Most hotels and guesthouses in Iceland do provide free access to Wi-Fi internet. Some hotels and guesthouses do charge a small fee for access to the internet.

How do I book and what is the process?
We offer a selection of various exciting Self Drive Tours and Private Guided Tours. There are several factors that determine the tour price:
• Time of the year you plan on visiting
• Number of people travelling together
• Type of car Car Info (Only applicable with self drive trips)
• Accommodation type (we offer 2 categories of accommodation or you can choose mixture of both)
• Optional Activities (Various optional activities are available with each trip)

There is a special Price Calculator button with every self-drive tours and private guided tours where you can enter your choice of type of accommodation, car, number of people and your arrival date. The Price Calculator will calculate and display the price according to your specifications. This way you can see how different choices in car and accommodation types affect the price of the package.

Once you are confident about your trip selection proceed to press the book now tab. Here you will fill in the required information and proceed through the booking process.

For self drive trips and private trips we require a 15% deposit at the time of booking. Full payment is due 5 weeks prior to arrival.

Once a booking is made an automatic e-mail is sent informing you that the order has been placed and is currently being processed by the IcelandRoadtrip.com team. You will then be contacted with by one of our trusted travel agents with further details.

For more practical information please visit our Travel Guide
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Photos

Jokulsarlon3-Icelandroadtrip.jpg
Jokulsarlon-glacial-lagoon2-Icelandroadtrip.jpg
Lava-beach-SouthEast-Iceland-Icelandroadtrip.jpg
Svartifoss-waterfall4-Icelandroadtrip.jpg
waterfall-at-Skaftafell-Icelandroadtrip.jpg
Black-sand-lava-beach-Icelandroadtrip.jpg
Gullfoss-winter-Icelandroadtrip.jpg
Kerid-crater-in-winter-Icelandroadtrip.jpg
Skogafoss-in-winter-Icelandroadtrip.jpg
Strokkur-in-winter-Icelandroadtrip.jpg
Thingvellir-in-winter-Icelandroadtrip.jpg
Aurora-Borealis-in-Iceland-Icelandroadtrip.jpg

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