A best-seller! It’s a classic and comprehensive trip around Iceland which includes Snæfellsness Peninsula and is one of the most popular tours. This trip encompasses the whole Iceland by the Ring Road and includes visiting all main sites like Park Skaftafell, Mývatn Lake, Dettifoss waterfall and more. The whole one day of the trip is dedicated to visit the savage landscapes of the Snæfellsness peninsula on the west of Iceland, an area located outside the Ring Road.
Route Length : 1990 km. (Nearly)
Season: All Year Round
Day 1 – Landing at Keflavík Airport – Reykjavik
Car pick up is at the airport. After check-in at the hotel and quick arrangements, it’s recommended to take a walk in the downtown of Reykjavik. Reykjavik City which was recognized the “Green City” for several times, is a pastoral and clean city with a vibrant nightlife. The city has several points of interest such as the Pearl – landmark building which stands on hot water storage tanks, at the top of the building there is a revolving restaurant which offers spectacular panoramic views, the Iceland’s largest cathedral in the city center and the pond Tjörnin with swans and ducks which are perfectly integrated in the city background.
Today’s main sites: Reykjavik – Blue Lagoon
Accommodation: Reykjavik
Day 2 – South coast – Skógafoss Waterfall – Dyrhólaey Cliff
You will leave from Reykjavík and head south to the Selfoss town. On the way you will cross the Hellisheiði hill bursting with geothermal activity along which one can see the plumes of steam rising from the bowels of the earth. You will arrive to the charming village Hveragerði. On the outskirts of the village you can find a site of boiling mud pits gaped by the earthquake that shocked Iceland in 2008. You will ride along the southern coast, stopping at the Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where you can get behind the waterfall in the summer, very unique experience for sure. Eastward from there is located an impressive waterfall Skogafoss, giant glaciers eyjafjallajökull and Myrdalsjokull are towering over it. You will make a short detour off the main road towards the glacier Sólheimajökull (accessible only in the summer months) before you will go to the cliff Dyrhólaey, the most southern point in Iceland and nesting site of many seabirds, including puffins. You will observe the Reynisdrangar basal sea stacks with their spectacular beach and impressive rock formations. You will continue to the town of Vik for the overnight stay. Estimated driving distance: 200 km.
Today’s main sites: Waterfalls Skogarfoss and Seljalandsfoss – Cliff Dyrhólaey
Accommodation: Vik
Day 3 – Skaftafell National Park – Jökulsárlón Ice Lagoon
Heading east, you will pass Mýrdalssandur – huge swept area that was generated by the floods from glacier Myrdals, and Eldhraun – the largest lava field in the world. You will reach the historical village (with the name impossible to pronounce) Kirkjubaejarklaustur, briefly “Klauster”. You will stop in Kirkjugólfið (with hexagonal basalt floor naturally created) which is just few minutes away from the road. We will continue to the black sandy desert incurred by glacial rivers that will bring us to the park Skaftafell. The natural beauty of the park Skaftafell is a result of weather conditions and the interaction of ice and fire. Towering over the Skaftafell you will see the vast Vatnajökull Glacier, the largest glacier in Europe, under the surface of which is located one of the most active volcanoes in Iceland. The park has many beautiful walking routes. One of this routes takes us to the Black Fall (Svartifoss) – one of picturesque waterfalls in Iceland, famous for the basalt columns surrounding it. You will continue to the famous glacial lagoon Jökulsárlón which stared in many movies including James Bond. Huge icebergs, broken pieces of the glacier Breiðamerkurjökull, sparkle in the dark water of the lagoon, this is the place where seals can be seen very often. A special experience is the cruise among the icebergs in the lagoon (available only in summer). From here, you will head eastward towards the town of Höfn where you will spend the night. Estimated driving distance: 280 km.
Today’s main sites: Park Skaftafell – Jökulsárlón Ice Lagoon
Accommodation: Höfn
Day 4 – The majestic East Fjords – Egilsstaðir
From Höfn you will continue through the Almannaskard road tunnel to the colorful Lónsöræfi area, this mountainous desert surrounded by extinct volcanoes traversed by rivers and glaciers. The village Diofiogor is the gate to the East Fjords. This is the southern village of the east fjords and the area has a breathtaking scenery. The village is situated near the island Papey which is a big summer colony of puffins and other seabirds. You will continue to Egilsstaðir – main city in eastern Iceland. Egilsstaðir is situated on a major crossroad where Route 1 and the east fjords roads meet. From Egilsstaðir you will go towards the passage Fjarðarheiði to the fjord Sidisfiordor. On the edge of the 17 km-long fjord you will find fisherman’s village which is considered by many to be one of the most picturesque villages in East Iceland. Estimated driving distance: 300 km.
Today’s main sites: East Fjords – Egilsstaðir – Puffin colonies.
Accommodation: Egilsstaðir
Day 5 – Dettifoss Waterfall – Mývatn Lake
You will continue on the desert plateau towards Mývatn, on our way you will stop at the waterfall Dettifoss – the most powerful waterfall in Europe, the intensity of the water will leave you open-mouthed. Before the lake Mývatn is Námaskarð pass where you will find pools of boiling mud in different colors blended by ash and lava from the nearby volcanoes. You will walk in the Mývatn area, a genuine pearl of nature. This lake is known all over the world due to the many species of water birds that nest in the area, especially large variety of rare ducks. Youwill visit sites around the lake that should not be missed: Dimmuborgir Reservation, Hverfjall Volcano, simulated craters and Krafla volcano which most recent eruptions were in 1975 and 1984. In the summer visitors can get a guided tour at the geothermal power station Krofluvirkjun. This is the power station where the vapor pressure is harnessed to generate electricity. Other attractions in the area: Viti Crater near Krafla and nature baths in Mývatn. Estimated driving distance: 230 km.
Today’s main sites: Dettifoss Waterfall – Mývatn Lake
Optional activities: Mývatn nature baths
Accommodation: Mývatn \ Husavík
Day 6 – Northern Iceland – Akureyri – Skagafjörður Bay
You will head north to the town of Husavik, known as the world’s capital city of the whale watching. Husavik was the first town in Iceland that offered whale watching cruises. Here the museum of whales is located where a whole skeleton of whale is displayed. It is recommended to join one of the cruises that leave out of Husavík port to watch these gentle and amazing creatures in their natural environment. In the afternoon you will drive towards Akureyri – capital city of the Northern Iceland and second largest city in the country. Before you get to Akureyri you will stop at the impressive Goðafoss Waterfall. Akureyri town, located at the Eyjafjörðurfjord, is the center of trade, services, education, culture, industry and is the most important city in Iceland after Reykjavik. One of the most striking aspects of Akureyri is its warm climate. Although the city is only 60 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle, it has the best weather in the country. You should visit the botanical garden and some of the many museums and art galleries. You will continue in circular tour through the valleys of Eyjafjörður to the district Skagafjörður, which is known for horse breeding. The Icelandic horse is particularly impressive animal, it is not very high, but has a special grace and strength integrated uniquely with the nature all around. Estimated driving distance: 280 km.
Today’s main sites: Husavik – Godafoss Waterfall – Akureyri
Accommodation: Skagafjörður area
Day 7 – Snæfellsjökull Park – Snæfellsness Peninsula
After traveling through the fertile agricultural regions of Skagafjörður, you will drive along the northern coast of the Snæfellsness peninsula to the charming town of Stykkishólmur. You will spend the day discovering the wonders of nature during the trip to the Snæfellsness peninsula, which divides the west coast of Iceland to two large bays. You will continue westward to the edge of the peninsula and will pass small fisherman’s villages. Many interesting geological phenomena and historical sites can be seen in the Snæfellsjökull National Park. You will stop at the black stone beach and will make a short walk along the marked path. You’ll go around the foot of the Snæfellsjökull volcano and see the glow of the iceberg at its head. Snæfellsjökull volcano won worldwide publicity when he served as a gateway of the journey to the center of the Earth in the book “Journey to the Center of the Earth” by the French author, Jules Verne. You will continue to picturesque villages Arnarstapi and Hellnar where lovely beach and unique rock formations are. Often can be observed there colonies of seals in the water or on the beach at the Ytri Tunga farm, just a few hundred meters from the main road. Estimated driving distance: 380 km.
Today’s main sites: Stykkishólmur – Djúpalónssandur black beach – Snæfellsjökull National Park – Villages Arnarstapi and Hellnar
Accommodation: Stykkishólmur
Day 8 – West Iceland – Hraunfossar Waterfall – Thingvellir National Park (UNESCO).
From the Snæfellsness Peninsula you will move south toward the town Borgarnes. On the way you will see a number of volcanic craters on both sides of the road, where Eldborg crater is the largest and most beautiful. You will stop at the hot springs of Deildartunguhver. This is the largest hot springs site in Europe. A short distance away from there is located the historical site, Reykholt. You will visit the interesting museum there and see the geothermal hot spring Snorralaug. You will continue towards the beautiful waterfalls Hraunfossar and Barnafoss. From there you will return back to Route 1. At the town Borgarnes you can visit the Settlement Centre which recreates the fascinating sagas that led to the birth of the Icelandic nation in this Terra Incognita. You will drive on the road along the coast of the gulf of whales, this fjord in the north of Reykjavik. Before entering the Reykjavik city, in the village Mosfellsbær you will take the road to the Thingvellir National Park. It is geologically unique place, real natural wonder. Cracks and fissures in the soil of the area are living testimony to the movement of the earth’s crust. Thingvellir is also one of the most important historical sites in Iceland, it is the establishment site of the world’s first parliament Alþingi. Estimated driving distance: 350 km.
Only during the summer, only with 4×4 vehicles: you can make an interesting shortcut. You can take the Kaldidalur highland road to reach the park Thingvellir.
Today’s main sites: Crater Eldborg – Hot spring Deildartunguhver – Reykholt – Hraunfossar Waterfall – Thingvellir National Park
Accommodation: Laugarvatn area.
Day 9 – Geysir – Gullfoss Waterfall
You will continue to the Geysir Park. You will walk by foot in the area of the famous geyser and watch the steam jet bursting into the sky every few minutes. Remember that the water temperature is close to a boiling point, do not get too close. Geysir Visitor Center offers a restaurant, hotel, pool, gift shop, snack bar, gas station, horse riding, bike tours and more. From the Geysir you will drive about 10 minutes to get to the Gullfoss Waterfall (Golden Waterfall), one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland. At Gullfoss you will turn around and move on. You will stop at the Faxi waterfall, hidden from the road a short distance on the left. You will look for a small sign “Faxi”. During the summer you can go rafting on the river Hvítá from Drumboddsstaðir (near junction Faxi). You will continue to crater Kerið. Then you will head to Route 1 and drive towards Hveragerði, a small town with hot springs that are used to heat greenhouses for growing flowers and vegetables. During a major earthquake in May 2008 were opened in Hveragerði new hot springs and bubbling mud pits and it’s possible to explore the area. You will cross the Hellisheiði hill which has many wells for producing electricity from geothermal energy. You will end the trip there and go back to Reykjavik. But first you will head to the famous Blue Lagoon, located in Svartsengi, near the geothermal power station. The lagoon is full with warm mineral-rich water and besides the unique experience of bath in it, it’s also considered as a source of natural medicine for people suffering from skin diseases. You will have a refreshing stop before the end of the trip and return to our hotel in Reykjavik. Estimated driving distance: 250 km.
Today’s main sites: Geysir – Gullfoss Waterfall – Blue Lagoon
Accommodation: Reykjavik
Day 10 – Reykjavik – Keflavik (flight).
The rest of the day you will dedicate to a walking tour in Reykjavik. The return of the car is at the airport before the flight.
Note: We reserve to ourselves the right to change the order or the direction of the trip.