Self Drive - Arctic Iceland (Colors of Iceland)

Description

You also get a chance to visit the peaceful Snaefellsnes peninsula with the Snaefellsnes Glacier as the crowning jewel. Also explore Melrakkasletta, the Northern most point of the mainland, an isolated lowland prairie, abundant with arctic wild foxes and birdlife.

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 - Skalholt - Tjorsardalur - Hella
National Park with Geological Wonders (UNESCO) - Exploding Geysers - Massive Waterfall -Hekla Volcano
Approximate mileage: 300 km / 186 miles

Today's highlights include Thingvellir National Park a place of great geological and historical interest, the spectacular Gullfoss waterfall and Geysir hot-spring area. Drive along the mighty Thjorsa river to Thjorsardalur valley with Mt. Hekla, Iceland's most famous volcano towering above. Continue to the South Shore area.

Day 3: Hella - Vik - Kirkjubaejarklaustur
Thundering Waterfalls - Puffin Colony - Black Sand Beaches - Lava Fields
Approximate mileage: ca. 160 km / 99 miles

Visit Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls. Continue to Dyrholaey* a rocky headland where thousands of puffins nest in the summer. Travel across the vast lava field of Eldhraun to the picturesque village of Kirkjubaejarklaustur, 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 - Egilsstadir
Europe's Largest National Park - Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs - Europe's Largest Glacier
Approximate mileage: ca. 450 km / 280 miles

Visit Skaftafell National Park, a green oasis nestling below the great Vatnajokull glacier offering various hiking possibilities. Continue to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon where huge icebergs, float and grind together in the still, deep waters of the lagoon (Amphibian tour on the lagoon included). Drive along the rugged and varied coastline of the magnificent East Fjords to Egilsstadir the largest town in the east.

Day 5: Egilsstadir and Surroundings
East Fjords - Legendary Lake Monster - Largest Forest in Iceland
Approximate mileage: varies

Explore Egilsstadir and surrounding area. Visit Hallormsstadur the largest forest plantation in Iceland set along Lake Lagarfljot, which according to legend contains a monster.

Day 6: Vopnafjordur - Langanes
Glacial Rivers - Small Fishing Villages - Northernmost Point in Iceland
Approximate mileage: ca. 140 km / 87 miles

Drive to Vopnafjordur village, with spectacular coast and natural hot springs. Continue to Thorshofn village with 500 inhabitants which is situated on Langanes peninsula.
It is also possible to continue to the Lake Myvatn area or to Husavik for an overnight stay.

Day 7: Asbyrgi - Husavik - Myvatn
Glacier Carved Gorge - Whale Watching - Volcanic Area
Approximate mileage: ca. 240 km / 149 miles

Travel across Oxafjardarheidi plateau. Visit Asbyrgi, a magnificent horseshoe-shaped canyon in Jokulsargljufur National Park. Drive along Tjornes peninsula to the fishing port of Husavik, before continuing to Lake Myvatn.
Overnight stay in Myvatn area

Day 8: Akureyri and Surroundings
Volcanic Area - Lava Formations of Lake Mývatn - Botanical Gardens -
Approximate mileage: variable

Explore Lake Mývatn area, its natural wonders including the fantastic lava formations of Dimmuborgir, Krafla volcanic area, and the pseudo craters at Skutustadir. Stop at Godafoss waterfall on the way to Akureyri then take some time to visit Akureyri, Iceland's Second Largest City and the beautiful Capital of the North. We need more text here.
Overnight stay in Akureyri

Day 9: Akureyri - Stykkisholmur
Fertile Farmlands - Viking Horses - Quaint Fishing Villages
Approximate mileage: ca. 348 km / 217 miles

From Akureyri continue over Oxnadalur pass to the historical region of Skagafjordur renowned for horse breeding. You have an option of visiting the old farmstead at Glaumbaer a great example from the past of Icelandic architecture. Continue the drive to Snaefellsnes peninsula.

Day 10: Snaefellsnes - Borgarnes - Reykjavik
Coastal Villages - Sea Cliffs with Birdlife - Volcanic Crater - Picturesque Fjord
Approximate mileage: 200 km / 130 miles

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

Day 11: 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 10 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 10 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