Self Drive - Around Iceland

Description

This self drive holiday favourite explores Iceland's rich natural treasures, including all of the well-known sites in the South, East and North of Iceland. These include Reykjavik city, Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, and Thingvellir and Vatnajokull National parks. You will have ample time to cover all the hot spots that Iceland has to offer on the Ring Road.

Comfort self-drive

Our comfort self-drive holidays allow you to spend your days exploring rural Iceland, knowing your nights will be spent in the most comfortable accommodation each area has to offer. Throughout the tour you'll stay in quality hotels and guesthouses where all rooms have private facilities. Your final night will be in a 4 star hotel in Reykjavik.

Economy self-drive

Our economy self-drives offer you the chance to travel around Iceland in a worry free spirit, staying in accommodation with private facilities without stretching your budget. Throughout your stay you'll be residing in a combination of standard hotels, farmhouses and guesthouses. Your final night will be in a 3 star hotel in Reykjavik.

Budget self-drive

By selecting a budget self-drive holiday you'll lower your costs considerably as you'll be staying in accommodation with shared facilities.br /> These are a combination of basic hotels, farmhouses and guesthouses. All rooms have made-up beds and some rooms have washbasins. Showers and WC are shared facilities. The first night in all budget self-drives with Iceland Travel include a accommodation with private facilities in the town of Hveragerdi.

Program

Day 1: Arrival
Geothermal Lagoon – Flower village – Geothermal Greenhouses
Pick up the car at the airport and start your Iceland experience.
From Keflavik International Airport we recommend driving the southern coast of the Reykjanes peninsula towards your first overnight stay in the charming village of Hveragerdi. The village is one of the few sites in the world located directly on top of a geothermal area and because of its many greenhouses heated by hot water from nearby springs it is often called the flower village.
Depending on your arrival time in Iceland it is ideal to visit the renowned Blue Lagoon to relax in the geothermal water.
Overnight stay in Hveragerdi
Approximate mileage: ca. 100 km / 62 miles
Optional (at an extra cost):
• Bathing at the Blue Lagoon
• Visit to Fakasel, an Icelandic Horse Theater and barn. An amazing show in a unique environment.

Day 2: Hveragerdi - Geysir - Thingvellir - Borgarfjordur
Greenhouses - Exploding Geysers - National Park with Geological Wonders (UNESCO) - Massive Waterfall
Drive to the waterfall Gullfoss and the hot springs at Geysir. VisitThingvellir National Park, site of the ancient Icelandic parliament, before driving through Hvalfjordur fjord or Kaldidalur highland pass (4WD needed) to Borgarfjordur.
Approximate mileage: ca. 310 km / 193 miles

Day 3: Borgarfjordur - Blonduos - Varmahlid - Akureyri
Fertile Farmlands - Glacial Rivers - Iceland's Second Largest City - Viking Horses
Drive north through Borgarfjordur to the shores of Hunafloi bay and the towering mountains and horse breeding valley of Skagafjordur. Continue to Akureyri, the capital of the north.
Approximate mileage: ca. 280 km / 174 miles

Day 4: Akureyri - Lake Myvatn
Botanical Garden - Museums - Waterfall "Of the Gods"
Spend the morning exploring the town of Akureyri. Continue your journey to the unique Lake Myvatn area.
Approximate mileage: ca. 100 km / 62 miles

Day 5: Lake Myvatn
Bizarre Lava Formations - Geothermal Activity - Rich Birdlife
Explore the natural wonders of Lake Myvatn and surrounding area, including the mystical lava formations at Dimmuborgir. Visit the volcanic area of Krafla along with the colourful sulfurous slopes of Namaskardpass.
Approximate mileage: variable

Day 6: Husavik - Tjornes - Dettifoss - Egilsstadir
Whale Watching - Glacier Carved Gorge - Europe' Most Powerful Waterfall
Drive north to the fishing port of Husavik and around Tjornes peninsula. Visit Asbyrgi, a magnificent horseshoe-shaped canyon andJokulsargljufur National Park. Proceed to the mighty Dettifoss waterfall, before heading across the highland plateau to Egilsstadir in the east.
Approximate mileage: ca. 310 km / 193 miles

Day 7: Reydarfjordur- Stodvarfjordur - Djupivogur - Hofn
Narrow Fjords - Steep Mountains - Picturesque Coastline - Mineral Collection
Drive south through the spectacular East Fjords, where towering mountains plunge vertically into the ocean. The journey continues to the town of Hofn in Hornafjordur, also known as the lobster capital of northern Europe.
Approximate mileage: ca. 300 km / 186 miles

Day 8: Hofn - Skaftafell - Kirkjubaejarklaustur
Europe's Largest Glacier - Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs - Europe's Largest National Park
Drive to the shimmering icebergs and still, milky waters of JokulsarlonGlacial Lagoon before continuing to Skaftafell National Park where a nature hike is recommended. On to the picturesque village of Kirkjubaejarklaustur.
Approximate mileage: ca. 200 km / 124 km

Day 9: Vik - Skogar - Reykjavik
Lava Fields - Black Sand Beaches of the South Shore - Puffin Colony - Thundering Waterfalls
Drive along the spectacular south coast, a sweeping landscape ofsandy deserts, rocky shores and rolling farmland sandwiched between snow-capped glaciers, mountains and the ocean. Return to Reykjavík.
Approximate mileage: ca. 260 km / 162miles

Day 10: Departure
Drive back to Keflavik International Airport and even stop at Blue Lagoon as it is on your way to the airport.*

*Please note that the package price is based on 9 x 24-hour rental days starting at the time of rental. If your flight arrives early on day 1 and departs late on day 10 an additional supplement will be neccessary unless you choose to return the car in Reykjavik when the 9 day rental is up and use our flybus departure transfer.

Price includes

Rental car for 9 days with CDW, unlimited mileage, VAT, GPS system, theft protection, and two authorized drivers. Types of Car recommended: 2.0 or higher.
Car pick-up and drop-off at Keflavik Airport
Accommodation for 9 nights including breakfast
Detailed road map (1:500 000)
Detailed Travel Booklet – 45 page guide on travelling in Iceland
Detailed Travel Booklet – Electronic version
Emergency phone line available 24/7
Service fee and taxes

Itinerary

Accommodations provided in each place