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Self Drive - Iceland Odissey (Iceland Grand Circle)

General information

DurationDestinationDeparture
12 days and 11 nights
Iceland (Hveragerdi, Fludir, Selfoss, Kirkjubaejarkaustur, Hofn, Egilsstadir, Myvatn, Akureyri, Stykkisholmur, Borgarfjörður, Reykjavik)
Iceland (Keflavik)

Description

This classic circular route gives travellers both flexibility and time to spend at each of Iceland's most popular attractions.

Apart from experiencing all the natural treasures accessed via the Ring Road such as Geysir, Seljalandsfoss, and Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, this tour dedicates two whole days to the wonders of South West Iceland, including the Borgarfjordur fjord and the mystic Snaefellsnes Glacier: made famous by author Jules Verne as the entrance to the centre of the Earth.

Category

 
test (Scheduled Tour)
All Inclusive 5 Stars Deluxe
it
 
Compact 2 WD, Toyota Auris or similar (Private Tour)
Bed & Breakfast
it
More info
 
Intermediate 2 WD, Toyota Avensis Sedan or similar (Private Tour)
Bed & Breakfast
it
More info
 
Intermediate 4WD Station, Skoda Octavia or similar (Private Tour)
Bed & Breakfast
it
More info
 
Medium 4 WD, Toyota RAV4, 4 WD or similar (Private Tour)
Bed & Breakfast
it
More info
 
Medium Station, Volkswagen Sharan or similar (Private Tour)
Bed & Breakfast
it
More info
 
Full Size 4wd Passanger Van, VW Caravelle 4WD 9 seater or similar (Private Tour)
Bed & Breakfast
it
More info
 

Program

Day 1: Arrival
Geothermal Lagoon – Flower village – Geothermal Greenhouses
Approximate mileage: ca. 100 km / 62 miles

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

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: Thingvellir - Gullfoss - Fludir/Selfoss
National Park with Geological Wonders (UNESCO) - Exploding Geysers - Massive Waterfall
Approximate mileage: ca. 170 km / 106 miles

Drive to Thingvellir National Park, site of the ancient Icelandic parliament and a jewel of nature. Continue to the famous Geysir hot-spring area and don't miss the mighty Gullfoss waterfall.

Day 3: Thjorsardalur - Hella - Vik - Kirkjubaejarklaustur
Hekla Volcano - Thundering Waterfalls - Puffin Colony - Black Sand Beaches - Lava Fields
Approximate mileage: ca. 300 km / 186 miles

Drive along the spectacular south coast and view highlights along the way such as Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, Myrdalsjokull glacier, Dyrholaey* and the black sand beaches of Vik. Continue towards Kirkjubaejarklaustur, a picturesque village known for fabulous trout fishing and is the former site of a 12th-century Catholic convent.
*Please note that Dyrholaey is closed during nesting season in spring, from ca. middle May until June 23rd

Day 4: Skaftafell - Jokulsarlon - Hofn
Europe's Largest National Park - Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs - Europe's Largest Glacier
Approximate mileage: ca. 200 km / 124 miles

Visit the beautiful Skaftafell National Park nestled between glaciers with various hiking possibilities. Continue to the shimmering icebergs of Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon.

Day 5: Djupivogur - Reydarfjordur - Egilsstadir
Narrow Fjords - Steep Mountains - Picturesque Coastline - Mineral Collection
Approximate mileage: ca. 300 km / 186 miles

Drive through the spectacular East Fjords with towering mountains and charming fishing villages to the fertile Egilsstaðir area. You have the possibility to take a boat tour to Papey Island where thousands of puffins nest in the summer or visit the famous stone collection of Petra at Stodvarfjordur.

Day 6: Dettifoss - Asbyrgi - Husavik - Myvatn
Europe's Most Powerful Waterfall - Glacier Carved Gorge - Whale Watching
Approximate mileage: ca. 310 km / 193 miles

Travel across Modrudalsoraefi highlands to the mighty Dettifoss waterfall. Explore the impressive horse-shoe-shaped Asbyrgi canyon in Jokulsargljufur National Park before continuing to the fishing port of Husavik.
Overnight in Myvatn area

Day 7: Lake Myvatn - Akureyri
Bizarre Lava Formations - Geothermal Activity - Rich Birdlife
Approximate mileage: ca. 100 km / 62 miles

Explore the highlights of Lake Myvatn and surrounding area with unique attractions such as Dimmuborgir, the pseudo craters at Skutustadir, the colorful sulfurous slopes of Namaskard and Krafla volcanic area. Make a stop to admire Godafoss "Of the Gods" waterfall before continuing to the town of Akureyri.
Overnight stay in Akureyri

Day 8: Akureyri
Iceland's Second Largest City - Botanical Gardens - Local Museums - Arctic Circle
Approximate mileage: variable

Spend the day exploring Akureyri the capital of the North and its surrounding area.
Overnight stay in Akureyri

Day 9: Akureyri - Laugarbakki - Stykkisholmur
Fertile Farmlands – Folk Museum – Viking Horses
Approximate mileage: ca. 370 km / 230 miles

Travel to the horse-breeding valley of Skagafjordur fjord, continue to the shores of Hunafloi bay, an area rich in Icelandic history. Explore Dalir, the region of Eric the Red and birthplace of Leif Eiriksson at a living replica museum before driving to Snaefellsnes peninsula.
Overnight stay in Stykkishólmur area

Day 10: Stykkisholmur - Arnarstapi - Borgarfjordur
Birthplace of Leif Eiriksson – Sea Cliffs with Birdlife – Volcanic Crater
Approximate mileage: ca. 240 km / 150 miles

Circle around the legendary Snaefellsjokull peninsula passing the small fishing villages of Grundarfjordur and Hellissandur. Make a stop at the rocky beach of Djúpalónssandur. Don't miss the striking columnar basalt rock formations at Arnarstapi. Pass Eldborg crater on route to the agricultural region of Borgarfjordur.
Overnight stay in Borgarfjordur area.

Day 11: Borgarfjordur - Reykholt - Hvalfjordur - Reykjavik
Picturesque Waterfalls - Europe's Most Powerful Hot Spring - Blue Lagoon
Approximate mileage: ca. 220 km / 137 miles

In Borgarfjordur visit the beautiful Hraunfoss and Barnafoss waterfalls, Reykholt and the enormous Deildartunguhver hot spring. Continue via Hvalfjordur fjord to Reykjavik.
Overnight stay in Reykjavik.

Day 12: Departure
Drive back to Keflavik International Airport and even stop at Blue Lagoon as it is on your way to the airport.*

Price includes

Rental car for 11 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 11 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

Day Overnight Itinerary highlights
1 Hotel to be confirmedHveragerdi   Keflavik - Airport
2 Hotel to be confirmedSelfoss   Fludir
3 Hotel to be confirmedKirkjubaejarkaustur
4 Hotel to be confirmedHofn
5 Hotel to be confirmedEgilsstadir
6 Hotel to be confirmedMyvatn
7 Hotel to be confirmedAkureyri
8 Hotel to be confirmedAkureyri
9 Hotel to be confirmedStykkisholmur
10 Hotel to be confirmedBorgarfjörður
11 Hotel to be confirmedReykjavik
12   Keflavik

Accommodations provided in each place

PlaceCompact 2 WD, Toyota Auris or similar
Private Tour
Intermediate 2 WD, Toyota Avensis Sedan or similar
Private Tour
Intermediate 4WD Station, Skoda Octavia or similar
Private Tour
Medium 4 WD, Toyota RAV4, 4 WD or similar
Private Tour
Medium Station, Volkswagen Sharan or similar
Private Tour
Full Size 4wd Passanger Van, VW Caravelle 4WD 9 seater or similar
Private Tour
test
Scheduled Tour
HveragerdiHotel to be confirmed
SelfossHotel to be confirmed
KirkjubaejarkausturHotel to be confirmed
HofnHotel to be confirmed
EgilsstadirHotel to be confirmed
MyvatnHotel to be confirmed
AkureyriHotel to be confirmed
StykkisholmurHotel to be confirmed
BorgarfjörðurHotel to be confirmed
ReykjavikHotel to be confirmed