RT22 - Westfjords in details and Kaldidalur 12 days
Self Drive Tour

Day 1. Arrival

Following your arrival at the airport, you will transfer to your accommodation in Reykjavík in a comfortable, Wi-Fi connected bus. Spend the rest of the day exploring the capital of Iceland. Reykjavík offer great variety of things to do and see – sightseeing, shopping, museums and more.


Highlights:
Reykjavik city

Overnight:
Reykjavik city

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Day 2. Snæfellsnes Peninsula

In the morning pick up your car and start your Iceland adventure by driving towards town of Borgarnes. At Borgarnes you will find the Icelandic Settlement Centre where you can learn all about the fascinating sagas from the settlements times as well as a unique exhibition of the famous Viking poet – Egill Skallagrímsson. Continue to Snæfellsnes Peninsula where you will find numerous natural wonders. Cross the plains of Mýrar and head to the South Coast of the peninsula. In northern part of Mýrar you will pass quite a few spectacular craters. Continue to the charming hamlets of Arnarstapi and Hellnar, where you will find an easy access to bird cliffs and stunning lava fields. Continue around the tip of the peninsula at the foot of the mysterious Snæfellsjökull glacier and volcano. Snæfellsjökull is a popular destination for hikers, snowmobilers and skiers. For those not familiar with the glacier, a guide is recommended.

Highlights:
Borgarnes-Town
Hvalfjörður Fjord
Lóndrangar Rock Formations
Arnarstapi Village
Snæfellsjökull Glacier

Driving Distance:
225 kilometers

Overnight:
Snæfellsnes area

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Day 3. Breiðafjörður Bay

Drive east along the north coast of the peninsula to the charming village of Stykkishólmur. In the morning we suggest a very special cruise from Stykkishólmur, among the numerous islands of the Breiðafjörður Bay with its unique birdlife. Puffins Guillemots, Kittiwakes, Eiders and many other bird species nest here in great numbers. The White Tailed Eagles nest here too and are frequently seen. This is an unforgettable experience and takes a little more than two hours. In the afternoon, take the ferry Baldur across the Breiðafjörður Bay with its countless islands to Brjánslækur port on the south coast of the West fjords. Enroute to Brjánslækur, the ferry will make a short stop at the Flatey Island to drop off and pick up passengers. Drive from Brjánslækur to Patreksfjörður town. The town was named after Saint Patrick, who was the spiritual guide of Örlygur Hrappsson – the original settler of the area. At Patreksfjörður you will find a geothermal pool where you can relax in a hot tub in the evening.

Highlights:
Stykkishólmur Town
Breiðafjörður Bay
Patreksfjörður Fjord


Driving Distance:
165 kilometers

Overnight:
Patreksfjörður area

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Day 4. Rauðisandur Beach and Látrabjarg Bird Cliff

Today you will explore the area around Patreksfjörður. Start by heading to most famous beach of Iceland – Rauðisandur. The unique sand and shell mix gives the beach spectacular yellow-read colour. This is a wonderful place to enjoy an amazing bird- and wildlife. During the summer time you may spot seals relaxing at the beach. Next continue to Látrabjarg, one of the most crowded bird cliffs in the world. In summer the 444 m high sea cliffs are occupied by millions of Puffins, Gannets, Guillemots and Razorbills. Enroute, stop at the interesting folk museum at Hnjótur. Continue to explore Kollsvík, which is surrounded by magnificent scenery.

Highlights:
Látrabjarg Cliff
Rauðasandur

Driving Distance:
180 kilometers

Overnight:
Patreksfjörður area

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Day 5. Dynjandi Waterfall - Ísafjörður

Drive to the north towards Ísafjörður town. The drive to Ísafjörður, the largest town in the West fjords is characterized by stunning steep-sided mountain scenery and deep and narrow fjords. As you cross the Dynjandisheiði pass, visit the picturesque Dynjandi waterfall. It is the largest waterfall in Westfjords. Continue to Ísafjörður.

Highlights:
Dynjandi Waterfall
Ísafjörður Town

Driving Distance:
230 kilometers

Overnight:
Ísafjörður area

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Day 6. Extra Day at Ísafjörður

Today you have plenty of time to explore the town of Ísafjörður and its surroundings, the neighboring towns of Bolungarvík and Suðureyri. Various day tours are available from Ísafjörður – sea kayaking, horse riding, boat trips and even hiking trips to Hornstrandir area. Hornstrandir is a nature reserve that was established in 1975. The nature reserve is accessible only by boat and foot; there are no roads for the cars.

Overnight:
Ísafjörður area

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Day 7. Kaldalón Fjord - Drangajökull Glacier - Strandir

Continue east towards the Strandir area. From Ísafjörður you will drive through numerous fjords, make sure you have your camera ready, as you will experience spectacular views. Make a detour to Kaldalón. At the end of the Kaldalón you will find a popular hiking route that will lead you to Drangajökull area. Continue to Strandir for an overnight stay.

Highlights:
Drangsnes Town
Kaldalón Fjord and Drangajökull Glacier

Driving Distance:
300 kilometers

Overnight:
Strandir area

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Day 8. Norðurstrandir - The Scenic Fjords

Continue to explore the fjords of Strandir. Begin the day by exploring Bjarnarfjörður fjord, where you will find several farms, some of them no longer used. Visit the natural hot spring named Gvendarlaug and even take a bath. Continue to Reykjarfjörður fjord – this scenic road is usually closed during the winter time due to massive snow. Visit Djúpavík village at the end of the fjord. In the old days Djúpavík was busy fishing town - nowadays, however, the village is quiet as the fishing industry has left from there. Continue to Norðurfjörður fjord where you will find a unique geothermal pool just by the ocean. You can take a hike around this beautiful area, as the road further north ends. As you head back to your lodging, visit Hólmavík and bathe in natural hot springs in the area, relaxing your muscles after some hiking today.

Highlights:
Hólmavík Town

Driving Distance:
160 kilometers

Overnight:
Strandir area

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Day 9. Volcanic Crater - Hot Springs - Hraunfossar Waterfalls

Today you will head south and explore the best that Borgarfjörður area has to offer. Visit the volcanic crater Grábrók. The crater sits at the top of a hill and is easily accessible by foot. As you reach the top fantastic views of surrounding area will await you. Continue to Deildartunguhver Hot Spring, which yields over 180 litres of boiling water every second. Now head inland to see the scenic Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, where the water creeps from underneath the lava fields into the river Hvítá.

Highlights:
Grábrók Crater
Deildartunguhver Hot Spring
Hraunfossar Waterfalls

Optional Extra:
Krauma Baths

Driving Distance:
240 kilometers

Overnight:
Borgarfjörður area

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Day 10. Kaldidalur Mountain Road and Þingvellir National Park

Head inland to Kaldidalur mountain road. The road is only accessible by jeeps and is open only during the summer. Kaldidalur road is the shortest of the highland tracks traversing the Highlands of Iceland. This is somewhat “highland road for beginners” as you get a glimpse of Icelandic highlands. The road lies between glaciers and if the weather is good you will have a chance to catch some unforgettable views. Kaldidalur means “cold valley” in English. As you continue south you will see the impressive Skjaldbreiður shield volcano that formed in a large eruption around 9000 years ago. Head to Þingvellir national park which is an UNESCO heritage site where the first Icelandic parliament was established in 930. Þingvellir is hauntingly beautiful despite its rugged lunar-like landscapes.

Highlights:
Kaldidalur Mountain Road
Þingvellir National Park

Driving Distance:
90 kilometers

Overnight:
Laugarvatn area

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Day 11. Geysir Geothermal Area - The Golden Waterfalls and Blue Lagoon

Continue to the Geysir geothermal area, where you will find numerous hot springs and geysers. One of the geysers – Strokkur – erupts every 8 minutes or so, spouting boiling hot water up to 20 meters in the air. Just a little further you will find the majestic Gullfoss, also known as the Golden Waterfalls. Gullfoss is one of the most impressive waterfalls in Iceland, plunging down 32 meters into the canyon in two stages. On the way back to Reykjavík visit the picturesque Faxi waterfall and Kerið volcano crater. Next head to the world famous Blue Lagoon where you can soak in the mineral rich, blue waters and relax after all driving and sightseeing. Head back to Reykjavík and return your car.

Highlights:
Geysir Geothermal Area
Gullfoss Waterfall
Kerið Crater
Faxi Waterfall
The Blue Lagoon

Driving Distance:
250 kilometers

Overnight:
Reykjavik City

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Day 12. Departure

Transfer from Reykjavík to the international airport in a comfortable, Wi-Fi connected bus.

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- Flybus Transfer upon arrival to your accommodation in Reykjavík
- Accommodation
- Breakfast
- Rental car including VAT, unlimited milage and CDW
- Two authorized drivers
- GPS Navigation System
- 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
- Ferry Baldur from Stykkishólmur to Brjánslækur

Not Included:
- Optional Activities
- Fuel

Please Note:
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.

*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.

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?
For this tour you require a 4x4 vehicle suitable for highland driving. On this tour you will be driving on both paved roads as well as rough highland tracks with river crossings.

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

Optional extras:

Breiðafjörður Cruise

An excellent opportunity to explore the magnificent bird life of Breiðafjörður and also taste fresh scallops from the sea. The boat takes you around some of the many islands of Breiðafjörður fjord, where you will see numerous types of sea birds as well as the while-tailed eagle. The highlight of the tour is when a net plough is cast overboard and sea delicacies, such as scallops and sea urchins are brought on board for you to taste freshly from the sea.The tour is 2 hours and 15 minutes long.

Departures:
January 15.-May 13 - Every Tuesday at 11:00
February 15, March 01, 15 and 22 (Friday) at 11:00

- Season: MAY 15 to SEP 30
  - Item/Adult Price: 7770 ISK
  - Youth age 16-20:3885 ISK
  - Children age 0-15:0 ISK

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Prepaid Sim Card for mobile/cell phones
SIM cards are suitable for those visiting i Iceland. With a prepaid SIM card you can stay connected during your trip, which is perfect for those who travel with their own mobile/cell phone or smartphone, and want to be able to make local calls without having to pay roaming charges and stay connected through Social Media and E-mail.
The sim card includes unlimited calls and text to local numbers and 1 GB of data.
The sim card is compatible with unlocked mobile/cell phones. You will be given a local Icelandic phone number, be able to receive incoming calls for free, and also use your existing phone (if unlocked)

- Season: All year
  - Item/Adult Price: 2000 ISK

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Krauma Baths
Experience nature from its core by bathing in the geothermal baths at Krauma. The hot water originates in Europe’s most powerful hot spring Deildartunguhver, at a temperature of 100°C (212°F). To achieve the perfect bathing temperature we mix the hot water with cold water from Rauðsgil, which originates in the glacier Ok, the smallest glacier in Iceland. Krauma offers five relaxing natural geothermal baths, a cold tub to get your blood circulation going, two calming saunas and a relaxation room where you can rest by the fireplace while listening to soothing music.
- Season: All year
  - Item/Adult Price: 3950 ISK
  - Children age 13-16:2000 ISK
  - Children 12 years and younger:0 ISK

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Accommodation Season:
- High 1 Season: From May 26 through June 30.
- Low 1 Season: From October 01 through December 19.
- Spring Season: From April 28 through May 25.
- Fall Season: From September 01 through September 30.
- High 2 Season: From August 11 through August 31.
- Peak Season: From July 01 through August 10.
- Christmas and New Year Season: From December 20 through January 01.
- Low 2 Season: From January 02 through April 27.

Economy Accommodation Private rooms with shared WC facilities and shower in guesthouses. Breakfast is included. Double rooms at most Icelandic hotels are twin rooms with two single beds. In most cases the two single beds can be put together to make a double bed. However this varies from one hotel / guesthouse to another. Triple rooms are in most cases double rooms with an extra bed and therefore floor space may be limited when an extra bed has been added.
Comfort Accommodation Private rooms with private WC facilities and shower/bath in hotels or well appointed guesthouses. Breakfast is included. Double rooms at most Icelandic hotels are twin rooms with two single beds. In most cases the two single beds can be put together to make a double bed. However this varies from one hotel / guesthouse to another. Triple rooms are in most cases double rooms with an extra bed and therefore floor space may be limited when an extra bed has been added.
Mixed Accommodation Combination of both Economy and Comfort accommodation. With 50/50 distribution of nights you get the best from both categories, economy and comfort. For tours with odd numbers of nights, the additional night is booked in Comfort accommodation. Breakfast is included. Double rooms at most Icelandic hotels are twin rooms with two single beds. In most cases the two single beds can be put together to make a double bed. However this varies from one hotel / guesthouse to another. Triple rooms are in most cases double rooms with an extra bed and therefore floor space may be limited when an extra bed has been added.

Rooms:
1 Person = Single room or as requested
2 Sharing = One twin/double room or as requested
3 Sharing = One triple room or as requested
4 Sharing = Two twin/double rooms or as requested
5 Sharing = One twin/double room and one triple room or as requested
6 Sharing = Two triple rooms or as requested
7 Sharing = Two twin/double rooms and one triple room or as requested
8 Sharing = One twin/double room and two triple rooms or as requested
9 Sharing = Three triple rooms or as requested
10+ Sharing = As requested

Note:
- You can select your own room combination during the booking process.
- Triple rooms are in some cases only a double room with an extra bed.

Children 3-11 years old:
Iceland Road Trip offers families with one child to book up to 3 persons per double room. The room would either have a made up extra bed or a made up mattress in cases the rooms available are too small to accommodate an extra bed.
Two adults and two children need to book two double rooms.

Price from: 175309 ISK/person - Price per person based on 4 adults together sharing 2 double rooms in Economy Accommodation accommodation and 10.P - Dacia Duster 4WD or similar - Manual car type. Please use our Price Calculator or Book Now page to calculate your price.