Self Drive - Majestic Fjords (Iceland Discovery)

Description

Allow yourself to be captivated by newly-formed volcanic hot spots, such as Krafla, and ancient landscapes found in the far west, where roads lead to remote fishing villages, weave around coast lines and through narrow fjords.

Season: 01 May - 30 September

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 of 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. The park itself is situated in a stunning volcanic landscape of mountains and lava flows, on the border of Iceland's largest lake. Continue to the famous Geysir hot spring area and the mighty waterfall Gullfoss.

Optional (at an extra cost):
Tree planting in Haukadalur
River rafting in the Geysir area
Ferry transfer to the Westman Islands

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, viewing highlights such as Skogafoss waterfall, Myrdalsjokull glacier, Dyrholaey* and the black sand beaches of Vik. Continue across Eldhraun lava field to the village of Kirkjubaejarklaustur known for its fabulous trout fishing.
Another option is to drive the beautiful mountain track Fjallabaksleid through Landmannalaugar nature reserve (4WD needed, track open from mid-June).
*Please note that Dyrholaey is closed during nesting season in spring, from ca. middle May til 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 amazing Skaftafell National Park nestled between glaciers offering many hiking possibilities. Continue to the shimmering icebergs of Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon and the harbor town of Hofn known as the lobster capital of northern Europe.

Optional (at an extra cost):
Boat tour on Jokulsarlon Glacieal 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. On the way it is possible to take a boat tour to Papey Island where thousands of puffins nest in the summer or visit Petra's famous local stone and mineral collection at Stodvarfjordur.

Optional (at an extra cost):
Boat tour to Papey
Visit to Petra's stone collection

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 renowned for their stark beauty to the mighty Dettifoss waterfall. Explore the many wonders of Jokulsargljufur National Park such as the strange formations of Hljodaklettar (Echo Rocks) and the impressive horseshoe-shaped Asbyrgi canyon. Continue along Tjornes peninsula to the fishing village of Husavik.

Optional (at an extra cost):
Whale watching tour from Husavik
Entrance to Myvatn Nature Baths
Bird Museum in Myvatn

Day 7: Lake Myvatn - Akureyri - Siglufjordur
Bizarre Lava Formations – Geothermal Activity – Rich Birdlife – Iceland's Second Largest City
Approximate mileage: ca. 180 km / 112 miles

Spend the day exploring the natural wonders of Lake Myvatn and the surrounding area. Visit highlights such as the lava shapes at Dimmuborgir, the pseudo craters at Skutustadir, the colorful sulfurous slopes of Namaskard and Krafla volcano area. Drive to Siglufjordur along one of Iceland´s most beautiful coastlines enjoying a unique view towards the North Atlantic

Day 8: Siglufjordur - Varmahlid/Laugarbakki
Fertile Farmlands – Folk Museum – Viking Horses
Approximate mileage: ca. 200 km / 124 miles

Explore the fascinating area of Skagafjordur, renowned for horse breeding before driving to Hrutafjordur. A recommended stop along the way is Vatnsdalsholar, a cluster of hills found in Vatnsdalur valley. These hills are considered to be one of the three innumberable things in Iceland, along with the lakes in Arnarvatnsheidi and the islands on Breidarfjord in the west.
Overnight stay in Varmahlid/Laugarbakki area

Day 9: Holmavik - Isafjordur
Scenic Coastline - Striking Fjords - Steep Mountains - Seal and Birdlife
Approximate mileage: ca. 360 Km / 224 miles

Drive to Holmavik, across Steingrimsfjardarheidi to the spectacular region of the West Fjords, the oldest part of Iceland. Drive the numerous uninhabited fjords of Isafjardardjup with a beautiful coastline alive with seals and birds. Continue to Isafjordur, the largest town in the area.

Day 10: Isafjordur and Surroundings
West Fjords - Local Museums - Hiking in Hornstrandir Natural Reserve
Approximate mileage: variable
Spend time in Isafjordur and surrounding area including the neighboring towns of Bolungarvik and Sudureyri.

Day 11: Thingeyri - Bildudalur - Latrabjarg - Flokalundur
Small Picturesque Villages - Striking Waterfall - Red Sand Beaches - Sea Cliffs with Birdlife
Approximate mileage: ca. 330 km / 205 miles

Drive from Isafjordur through the beautiful West Fjords. A stop at the stunning Dynjandi waterfall is recommended as well as driving to Latrabjarg cliffs. In the summer these high sea cliffs are teeming with millions of puffins, gannets, guillemots and razorbills. Onwards to the Flokalundur area.

Day 12: Ferry Baldur - Breidafjordur - Stykkisholmur
Ferry Across the Bay - Picturesque Islands with Birdlife
Approximate mileage: Ferry

Sail with the ferry Baldur across Breiðafjordur bay with countless islands and rich birdlife to the charming village of Stykkisholmur for an overnight stay.

Day 13: Snaefellsnes Peninsula - Borgarfjordur - Reykjavik
Quaint Fishing Villages - Picturesque Waterfalls - Europe's Most Powerful Hot Spring - Scenic Fjord
Approximate mileage: ca. 360 km / 20 miles

Continue around the Snaefellsnes peninsula passing the small fishing villages Hellissandur and Grundarfjordur. Make a stop at the magnificent columnar basalt rock formations at Arnarstapi as well as the rocky beach of Djupalonssandur. Explore Borgarfjordur area and visit the beautiful Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, Reykholt and the hot spring Deildartunguhver. Continue via Hvalfjordur fjord to Reykjavik

Day 14: 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 13 days with CDW, unlimited mileage, VAT, GPS system, theft protection, and two authorized drivers. Types of Car recommended: 2.0 or higher.
Accommodation for 13 nights including breakfast
Car pick up and drop off at Keflavik International airport
Ferry across the Breidafjordur bay
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