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Keflavik
This is the complete Iceland Summer Holidays self-drive tour including all the popular must-see spots as well as many of the island’s best kept secrets. Among these “out of the way” spots are the peninsulas of the fjords of the north-west and the Snaefellsnes peninsula that will delight both sea and bird lovers with their refreshing ocean air and breath-taking vistas!
The length of your Iceland Summer Holidays self-drive will give you the time to really appreciate the diversity of Iceland’s landscapes: Oceanic, volcanic, glacial or desert, you’ll be amazed to discover that such a small country is home to so many natural marvels.
Regions visited during this trip to Iceland : Westfjords | Snaefellsnes | Highlands & The North | South Coast | East
N.B.: This trip to Iceland is an individual tailor-made tour, to be personalized with our Iceland specialist advisors.
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The famous Golden Circle
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Your unique Iceland Summer Holidays self-drive tour!
You begin your Iceland Summer Holidays journey by arriving at Keflavik international airport. Rental car pick up. The first evening spent at your leisure in the northernmost capital of the world.
Option: If you have an early morning arrival, there is the possibility to go whale watching in Reykjavik, or to visit the Reykjanes peninsula and the Blue Lagoon (not included).
Distance travelled: 50km – 1h
Staying overnight in Reykjavík.
Today, depart for the Reykjanes peninsula. Savage coasts and lunar landscapes formed by numerous volcanic eruptions. Iceland’s Geothermal activity manifests itself here in many forms: the bubbling cauldrons of mud and steam at Krýsuvík as well as the thermal turquoise waters of the Blue Lagoon.
Next, the Golden Circle: discover the oceanic rift at Thingvellir, the geyser Strokkur at Geysir and the Gullfoss waterfall where the HvÍta river has created an impressive canyon. There is also the day/half day hike at Reykjadalur up to the geothermal spring for a nice relaxing soak or the beautiful Thjórsadalur valley with it´s walkways to explore.
Distance travelled: approx. 200 km
Staying overnight in Flúðir area.
Discover the marvels lying at the feet of the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers. Black sand beaches and bird cliffs on the ocean-side of the road. On the other side, innumerable waterfalls crash from cliff tops and glacier tongues drift down from the mountains higher up.
Stop at the Seljalandsfoss and Skogarfoss waterfalls. Visit Skogar’s rustic museum. You’ll arrive in Vik in the afternoon to meet the puffin colonies that reside there. If you are in a 4X4 vehicle, drive down to the black sand beaches of Dyrholaey.
4X4 option: Add a day to your Iceland Summer Holidays tour to explore the natural reserve of Fjallabak which houses some of Iceland most spectacular and wildest sites, the Hekla volcano, the volcanic rift of Eldgjá, and of course, the hot water river of Landmanalaugar, nestled in the mountains that geothermal activity has stained many colours over the years!
Distance travelled: approx. 230 km
Staying overnight in Vik.
Going eastward until Skaftafell National Park. Numerous hikes are possible in the park, one of which leads you to Svartifoss waterfall and its beautiful basaltic columns, over-looking gigantic glaciers and endless plains. Further east, discover Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon and its Greenland-like landscapes with floating icebergs.
4X4 alternative: Take an extra day on your Iceland Summer Holidays tour to discover Laki and its amazing lunar landscapes sculpted during the biggest eruption since Iceland was populated occurred leaving behind surreal and lunar-like landscapes.
Distance travelled: approx. 260 km
Staying overnight in Höfn area.
From one fjord to the next, discover the wild landscapes shaped sculpted by the glaciers of the last ice-age, the seals of Lónsvík, the swans of Álftafjördur (depending on the season), Petra’s rocks and minerals museum at Stödvarfjördur, or Djúpivogur charming harbour.
Distance travelled: approx. 260 km
Staying overnight in Egilsstadir area.
After crossing the desert-like plains of the north-east, you will reach Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall. It marks the entrance of the Jökulsárglúfur region which extends north until the canyon of Ásbyrgi. You will then drive around Tjörnes peninsula where it is possible to see flying puffins, (until the middle of August) before you arrive in Húsavík’s charming harbour where a whale watching cruise is possible. Then it’s off to Myvatn.
4X4 option (tracks opening around the 17th of June, early July at the latest): Discover Snæfell, Kverkfjöll and Askja regions. You are at the heart of volcanic regions and deserts, under Vatnajökull glacier.
Distance travelled: approx. 300 km
Staying overnight in Mývatn area.
Explore Lake Mývatn region, which includes amongst some of the most astonishing geological and geothermal manifestations in the country: Pseudo-craters and explosive craters, recent lava flows which may still be steaming, bubbling mud pools, a vast variety of birdlife, many walking paths and the possibility to relax in the geothermal spa.
Distance travelled: approx. 60 km
Staying overnight in the Lake Mývatn area.
Head west toward the Godafoss waterfall and Akureyri, the capital of the north, before reaching the Skagafjördur fjord. It is possible to visit the Glaumbær museum, a renovated farm dating from the 19th century.
4X4 option (track opens around the 6th of June, early April at the latest): Spend your Iceland Summer Holidays tour day discovering the Aldeyjarfoss waterfall and Laugafell’s hot springs. Enter the highlands in the Sprengisandur region north of Hofsjökull glacier.
Distance travelled: approx. 220 km
Staying overnight in Skagafjördur area.
Transition day to reach the west fjords peninsula, land of sorcery and completely untouched by tourists. On the way, a detour is possible by Vatnsnes peninsula to discover wild coasts inhabited by a few colonies of seals.
Distance travelled: approx. 300 km
Staying overnight in Hólmavík area.
From fjord to fjord, the road winds between jagged coasts and little beaches where seals come to be admired under the gaze of mountains and valleys created by glaciers millions of years ago. Stop at the Arctic fox center at Súðarvík to see these wonderful and resilient animals up close. Next, your arrival in Ísafjörður, the region’s biggest town and a prosperous fishing port.
During the summer, tours to the island Vigur are possible: By boat, cross the Ísafjardarðjúp fjord to get to this little island and its puffin and eider colonies.
Distance travelled: approx. 250 km
Staying overnight in Ísafjörður region.
From one fjord to the other, you follow the coast. Stop at the spectacular Dynjandi waterfalls and at Látrabjarg cliffs, Europe’s highest!
Distance travelled: approx. 230 km
Staying overnight in Ísafjörður region.
Walk along Raudisandur red beach, to observe a colony of seals before taking the ferry across Breidarfjördur fjord.
Distance travelled: approx. 120 km
Spend a charming night on Flatey island in the middle of the fjord or in the quiet fishing town of Stykkyshólmur.
If you spend the night on Flatey: Enjoy a relaxing morning on the island. Take the opportunity to stroll around the island, observing the many birds that nest there like the kittiwake, puffins (until mid-August) and guillemots. Most of the island is a protected nature reserve and its location in the middle of the bay offers wonderful views of the mainland on the horizon. In summertime, witness the vibrancy (Relatively speaking!) of this small fishing village. Departure from the island by ferry early afternoon before docking in Stykkisholmur and exploring the Snaefellsnes peninsula.
If you spend the night in Stykkisholmur: Discover the wild coasts of this peninsula under the ever-present Snæfellsjökull volcano, where Jules Verne imagined the beginning of his Journey to the center of the earth. Rocky seashores and colonies of seagulls and guillemots on the cliffs of Arnarstapi and Hellnar.
4WD option: Drive up to the edge of Snæfellsjökull glacier and gaze over the sandy shores of Snæfellsnes peninsula.
Distance travelled: approx. 230 km
Staying overnight in South Snæfellsnes/Borgarnes area.
Back to Reykjavik through the Reykholt valley where you will find the Deildartunguhver’s hot springs. Discover the Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, and then continue to the capital via the impressive Hvalfjördur, “Whale fjord”. Here, you have the possibily to hike to the top of the highest waterfall of the country, Glymur (200m).
4WD option: Take Kaldidalur road along Langjökull glacier on your way to Thingvellir National Park.
Distance travelled: approx. 220 km
Staying overnight in Reykjavik.
Your Iceland Summer Holidays ends here. Rental car drop off in Keflavík International airport in time for your flight home.
Option: If your departure is in the afternoon or the evening, there is a possibility to visit Reykjanes peninsula and the Blue Lagoon (not included).
Distance travelled: approx. 50 km
