The Express Circle of Iceland 7 days

• Flybus Transfer upon arrival to your accommodation in Reykjavík
• Accommodation
• Breakfast
• Rental car including VAT, unlimited milage and CDW
• Two authorized drivers
• WiFi included with the rental car
• Detailed Itinerary
• Road map with the route and accommodation marked in
• 24/7 Emergency Services
• Flybus transfer to Keflavik international airport
• How to drive in Iceland Booklet
• Taxes, Service fee and VAT

• Optional Activities
• Fuel

Day 1. Arrival – Reykjavik City

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. 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 Icelandic Circle adventure.

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
Reykjavik Food Tour

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Day 2. Waterfalls and Black Beaches (The South Coast)

Pick up your car in the morning and head out for a road trip adventure towards Iceland´s sceenic South Coast. First up is a visit to the greenhouse comunnity at Hveragerði town. Steaming vents and warm natural bathing pools are scattered around the vicinity and provide the geothermal energy to heat up the greenhouses.
Continue along the South Coast past Selfoss town to the beautiful waterfall Seljalandfoss where a walk behind the waterfall is an unique option. From Seljaladsfoss Waterfall continue to the majestic Skogafoss Waterfall where legend has it that the cave behind the waterfall contains a hidden treasure from long ago by one of Iceland's first inhabitants.
From Skogar, you can hike to the site of a volcanic eruption in 2010 where the earth is still warm.
Continue to Dyrholaey Nature Reserve, the southernmost part of Iceland. Here thousands of birds nest over the summer time and an absolute paradise for the birdwatcher.
After a visit to the nature reserve, visit the black beach of Reynisfjara where strangely formed basalt columns, cliffs, and caves are to be found. Local folklore says that the formations were once trolls attempting to reach shore in the cover of night, but when the sun came out, they were turned to stone. Continue to the chaming town of Vík for an overnight stay.

Highlights:
Hveragerði Town
Selfoss Town
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Skógafoss Waterfall
Dyrhólaey Nature Reserve
Reynisfjara Beach
Vík Town

Optional Extra:
Glacier Walk
Snowmobiling on Mýrdalsjökull Glacier
LAVA Centre
Katla Ice Cave
ATV Black Sand Beach and Plane Wreck

Driving Distance:
200 kilometers

Overnight:
Vík area

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Day 3. Skaftafell and The Glacier Lagoon

From Vík head over the floodplains of Mýrdalssandur to the quiet town of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, explore local folklore, and decide for yourself who the founders were—Irish monks or Norsemen. Proceed to Skaftafell National Park at the base of Vatnajökull Glacier, the largest glacier in Europe. Skaftafell National Park is a nature lover's paradise and has exceptional hiking trails to spectacular views. A walk up to the scenic Svatifoss Waterfall is highly recommended.
From the national park, head to the amazing Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon where huge ice blocks, broken off from the towering glacier, float and tumble toward the sea in a magnificent display. You might even spot some seals swimming in the cold lagoon.
Drive to Höfn town, which is famous for its lobster and seafood, before continueing to the East Fjords for an overnight stay.

Highlights:
Kirkjubæjarklaustur Town
Skaftafell
Vatnajökull Glacier
Svartifoss Waterfall
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Höfn Town

Optional Extra:
The Glacier Lagoon - Amphibian Boat Tour
Glacier Kayak Adventure
The Glacier Lagoon - Zodiac Boat Tour

Driving Distance:
370 kilometers

Overnight:
South East Iceland

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Day 4. Fjord Scenery, Lake Mývatn and Akureyri City the Capital of the North

On your way to Egilstaðir, the largest town in East Iceland, you will enjoy the incredible scenery of the East Fjords. From Egilstaðir town, continue to the stunning Lake Mývatn area with its diverse geological formations and lush vegetation. Spend some time in the area as there are loads of things to see including mud pools, volcanoes, and mysterious lava formations. Head for the second largest City in Iceland, Akureyri. En route stop by the gracious Goðafoss Waterfall, the Waterfall of the Gods, for some photos and a taste of local folklore. The story goes that a so-called law speaker named Þorkell disposed of the pagan gods by throwing them into the waterfall—thus the name, Goðafoss, which means the "waterfall of the gods".
Next up is the vibrant city of Akureyri, Iceland´s second largest city and the host to many annual cultural events. Enjoy swimming, ice skating, or golfing at the 18-hole golf course. Local café are wonderful, and there are many different types of tours available.

Highlights:
Egilsstaðir Town
Lake Mývatn
Goðafoss Waterfall
Akureyri Town

Optional Extra:
The Nature Baths
Forest Lagoon

Driving Distance:
370 kilometers

Overnight:
Akureyri/Eyjafjörður area

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Day 5. North West Iceland

Explore Northwest Iceland before visiting the Deildartunguhver Hot Springs, Europe’s highest flowing hot spring with 180 litres emerging to the surface each second. From Deildartunguhver head towards Langjökull Glacier to the breathtaking Hraunfossar and Barnafossar Waterfalls emerging from the lava field. Make this a turnaround point and head back to Borgarnes town and further to Þingvellir National Park, a place accepted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Þingvellir National Park is an historic site as the Icelandic Parliament was established here in 930. Þingvellir is also hauntingly beautiful despite its rugged lunar-like landscapes on the spot where two continental plates meet creating a fascinating rift valley.

Highlights:
Glaumbær Folk Museum
Deildartunguhver Hot Sprig
Hraunfossar Waterfalls
Borgarnes-Town

Optional Extra:
Whale Watching from Akureyri
Horse Riding
Krauma Baths
Ice caves and tunnels on Langjökull glacier

Driving Distance:
390 kilometers

Overnight:
Borgarfjörður area

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Day 6. A National Park, Geysers and the Golden Waterfall

Head to Þingvellir National Park, a place accepted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Þingvellir National Park is an historic site as the Icelandic Parliament was established here in 930. Þingvellir is also hauntingly beautiful despite its rugged lunar-like landscapes on the spot where two continental plates meet creating a fascinating rift valley. From Þingvellir National Park, continue on to the geyser hot spring area with its numerous hot springs. Visit Strokkur, the most powerful geyser in Iceland, and witness a magnificent show as boiling hot water spews 15 to 20 meters into the air every few minutes.
After a stroll through the area, continue to Gullfoss , the Golden Waterfall. It is considered one of Iceland’s most majestic waterfalls as the Hvítá River plunges down in two stages into a 32 meter deep crevice below. From Gullfoss, continue back through greenhouse community of Hveragerði town and close up the circle in Reykjavik where you will drop off the car.

Optional detour for those who plan on taking a bath at the Blue lagoon: From Hveragerði drive the South coast of the Reykjanes peninsula to Blue Lagoon before ending the day in Reykjavik. Another option is to drive into Reykjavik check in to you hotel and visit the Blue Lagoon in the evening

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

Optional Extra:
Snorkeling

Driving Distance:
290 kilometers

Overnight:
Reykjavik city

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Day 7. Departure

You will transfer from your accommodation to the airport on a comfortable Wi-Fi connected bus, but if you have an afternoon or evening flight to allow time to visit the other-worldly setting of the Blue Lagoon, a bathing area in the middle of a vast lava field that came into existence in 1976 as a result of operations in a geothermal power plant nearby. Today, this is one of Iceland´s most visited sites. You can go for a relaxing bath in the surreal surroundings, get a massage, or apply some of the silica mud to rejuvenate and soften skin before your flight. Enjoy dinner at the Lava Restaurant or the Blue Lagoon Café before heading back to Reykjavik.

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.

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Like the title of this tour indicates, this is an "EXPRESS" tour. Therefore it is limited how many optional extras can be added.

Please note the below before booking:
Amphibian tour fits in on day 3rd.-late afternoon. Can be done between 09:00 – 19:00 in summer but in shoulder season it is available 10:00 - 17:00 in May, September and October. If you add a Snowmobiling tour and a Glacier Walk, it would not be possible to make it to the Glacial Lagoon in time for the boat trip

A Glacier Walk fits in on day 3. Departure available that will fit this tour schedule is checking in at 09:30

Snowmobiling fits in on day 3. Departure available that fits this tour schedule is at 09:30, 12:00 or at 14:30
Opening hours: Myvatn Nature baths fit in on day 4. Summertime Opening hours (1. June - 31. August): 09:00 – 24:00 Entry no later than 23:30. Wintertime (1. September - 31. May): 12:00 – 22:00 Entry no later than 21:30. 24. December: 13:00 - 16:00 25. December: Closed 31. December: 13:00 - 16:00 1. January: Closed

Whale Watching fits in day 5 At 11:00, 15. – 31. March At . 08:30, 01. April through 31. August. At 10:00, 01. – 30 September
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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: PT02 - Express Circle of Iceland - 7 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 morning check in is to book the night before as well.

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. If you are going to the highlands we recommend purchasing something to take with you as there are very limited options for meals in the remote highland areas.

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?
During summer (May - September) any type of vehicle is sufficient for this tour. 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. Travellers 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?
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.

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