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
Day 2. The Scenic South Coast - Waterfalls, Glaciers and Volcanoes
Pick up your car in the morning and your Icelandic adventure can start. Today you will visit the scenic South Coast of Iceland. Your first stop is Hveragerði town with its natural steaming vents and greenhouses that are heated with water form hot springs. Continue east passing the infamous Eyjafjallajökull glacier and volcano, that erupted last in 2010 and left air traffic in Europe and America paralyzed. Stop at the beautiful Seljalandsfoss waterfall. It is possible to walk behind the falls. Just a little further you will find the impressive Skógafoss waterfall – the legend has it that in the cave, behind the waterfall, a hidden treasure can be found, which was put there by one of Iceland´s first inhabitants. Visit Dyrhólaey Nature reserve, where thousands of birds nest in summer time. You will find the colourful puffins there as well. Next continue to Reynisdrangar lava beach and see the bizarre basalt columns. Head to the charming town of Vík for an overnight stay.
Highlights:
Hveragerði Town
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Skógafoss Waterfall
Reynisfjara Beach
Vík Town
Dyrhólaey Nature Reserve
Eyjafjallajökull Glacier
Optional Extra
Glacier Walk
Snowmobiling on Mýrdalsjökull Glacier
LAVA Centre
ATV Black Sand Beach and Plane Wreck
Katla Ice Cave
Driving Distance:
200 kilometers
Overnight:
Vík area
Day 3. Eldgjá Canyon - Landmannalaugar - Volcano Crater
Today you will head to Landmannalaugar via the Fjallabak route, which is believed to be one of the most scenic highland trails in Iceland. Visit the largest volcano canyon in the world – Eldgjá. Continue to Landmannalaugar – a highland oasis surrounded by the colourful rhyolite mountains and lava fields. The area offer countless shorter and longer hiking trails. One of Iceland´s most famous natural pool is located at Landmannalaugar, perfect for relaxing bath after hiking and exploring this highland paradise. Next continue to see the impressive Ljótipollur – a water-filled crater.
Highlights:
Landmannalaugar
Eldgjá Canyon
Driving Distance:
155 kilometers
Overnight:
Hrauneyjar area
Day 4. Sprengisandur Highland Track
Fill up the tank, as there will not be any gas stations for more than 200 kilometers. Continue inland on Sprengisandur track along Þórisvatn, which is the second largest lake in Iceland. Enjoy the raw, yet stunning scenery being surrounded by two glaciers – Hofsjökull and Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe. The route roughly follows an ancient horse trail that linked southern and northern Iceland. It affords a good cross section of views of the interior highlands. Much of the landscape along it consists of a desert sand, gravel and wind eroded lava beds. In total it has grandeur of its own, a haunting quality of size and emptiness, above all, the sense of space and freedom, tranquillity and grim beauty. The Sprengisandur route was first crossed by a motor vehicle in 1933. You will pass the Fjórðungsvatn lake, this is the highest elevation of the route – 826 meters above sea level. This is also the water divide – north of here all the rivers and streams drain to the Arctic Ocean. Depending on time, make a detour to Laugafell and enjoy a pleasant bath in an outdoor pool with natural warm water.
Highlights:
Sprengisandur
Þórsvatn Lake
Laugafell
Hofsjökull Glacier
Driving Distance:
280 kilometers
Overnight:
Mývatn area
Day 5. Lake Mývatn Area - Ásbyrgi Canyon - National Park - Húsavík Town
Start the day by driving to town of Húsavík, which is known also as the Whale Watching Capital of the World. You might want to join a whale watching tour. Next continue to the massive, horseshoe-shaped Ásbyrgi Canyon, from there head to see the strange Hljóðaklettar rock formations. Continue to the Jökulsárgljúfur National park, where you will witness the raw force of the Europe´s most powerful waterfall – Dettifoss. Standing near the waterfall you can´t help but feel humbled by the devastating power of nature. Next head to explore the surrounding area of Mývatn – hot springs and mud pools at Námaskarð, the impressive volcano Krafla and its crater Víti as well as mysterious lava formations at Dimmuborgir. After a day of sightseeing we recommend you to visit Mývatn Nature Baths and relax in the mineral rich waters.
Highlights:
Dettifoss Waterfall
Ásbyrgi Canyon
Hljóðaklettar Rock Formations
Húsavík Town
Hverfell Krater
Mývatn Nature Baths
Dimmuborgir
Námaskarð Pass
Skútustaðagígar Craters
Optional Extra:
Mývatn Nature Baths
Whale Watching from Húsavík
Driving Distance:
230 kilometers
Overnight:
Mývatn area
Day 6. Akureyri Town - Skagafjörður Fjord
Today you will head to the Capital of the North – Akureyri. On the way make sure to stop at the inspiring Goðafoss waterfall (The Waterfall of Gods). There is a special story about the falls – in year 1000, when Icelanders converted to Christianity, a law speaker, named Þorkell, threw pagans gods in the waterfall. As you arrive at Akureyri, consult the visitor´s centre for things to do and see. Akureyri is a vibrant city, always full of life, and everyone should find something that suits their interests. From Akureyri head to Skagafjörður, an area famous for its horse breeding and horsemanship. If you ever wanted to meet the friendly Icelandic horse and go on horse riding tour, this is the perfect place. Various horse riding tours for beginners and experienced riders are available.
Highlights:
Goðafoss Waterfall
Akureyri Town
Glaumbær Folk Museum
Optional Extra:
Horse Riding
Forest Lagoon
Driving Distance:
220 kilometers
Overnight:
Skagafjörður area
Day 7. Kjölur Highland Road - The Golden waterfalls and Geysers
Before heading inland to the highland track Kjölur, remember to fill up the tank, since there are no gas stations in highlands. Continue on the highland road surrounded by Hofsjökull and Langjökull glaciers. Stop at Hveravellir geothermal area, where you will find natural hot springs and can enjoy a relaxing bath in this highland environment. Enjoy the magnificent mountain views in the area and make sure to stop at Kerlingafjöll mountains – an area that offers beautiful scenery and various hiking trails. After the drive on Kjölur highland road, you will arrive at Gullfoss – the Golden waterfalls - one of the most impressive waterfalls in Iceland. A little further you will find the Geysir geothermal area with various hot springs and geyser Strokkur. Strokkur erupts every 8 minutes or so with such a force that the boiling water jets up to 20 meters in the air.
Highlights:
Hveravellir
Kerlingarfjöll Mountains
Gullfoss Waterfall
Geysir Geothermal Area
Driving Distance:
270 kilometers
Overnight:
Laugarvatn area
Day 8. Þingvellir National Park - Reykjanes Peninsula and the Blue Lagoon area
The first stop of today will be Þingvellir national park, an UNESCO World heritage site. Þingvellir is a place of great importance from a geological as well as historical perspective. The Icelandic parliament was established here in 930. Head south and visit towns of Stokkseyri and Eyrarbakki, both known for delicious lobster and seafood. Continue along coast line to Reykjanes peninsula, which will amaze you by its lunar landscapes. Make a detour and visit the geothermal area of Krýsuvík, filled with hot springs and mud pools. Drive along the mysterious, yet stunning Kleifarvatn Lake. Next continue to the world famous Blue Lagoon and relax in the blue water after a breathtaking trip in Iceland. Head back to Reykjavík and drop off your rental car.
Highlights:
Þingvellir National Park
Krýsuvík Geothermal Area
Lake Kleifarvatn
Optional Extra:
Snorkeling
The Blue Lagoon Spa
Driving Distance:
280 kilometers
Overnight:
Reykjavík
Day 9. Departure
Transfer from your accommodation to the international airport in a comfortable bus with Wi-Fi connection on board.
Price from: 333712 ISK/Per Person