Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls (Self-drive)

Arrival in the Land of Fire and Ice
Approximate Distance: 100 km / 62 miles

Once you have landed at Keflavík Airport, please pick up your luggage and head through customs. Collect your rental car at the airport and proceed to your hotel.

Car Details:
Car B2
VW Golf or similar
5 door
Trunk: Hatchback
Luggage Capacity: 3
5 Seats
Automatic
Compact 2wd

Drive along the mystical lava landscapes of the South Coast to the charming village of Hveragerði for your overnight. The road takes you past rocky beaches with thundering waves. Hveragerði is perfect for getting to know typical small-town Icelandic culture, but with a unique twist. Hveragerði 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.”

Overnight in the Hveragerði area.

Please note check-in for most hotels begins at 14:00 – 16:00 (2:00pm-4:00pm)

Gullfoss – Geysir – South Coast
Approximate Distance: 290 km / 180 miles

Bubbling geysers – Golden waterfall – Black sandy beaches

Today you’ll be exploring the amazing sites of Gullfoss waterfall and the Geysir hot spring area. Gullfoss (the Golden Falls) is considered by many visitors to be Iceland’s most beautiful waterfall. Geysir is an active geothermal field with many bubbling steam vents and spouting hot springs, including the famous Strokkur geyser that shoots like clockwork. Drive along the scenic South Shore and the area near the infamous Eyjafjallajökull volcano. This is the volcano whose massive 2010 eruption caused air traffic around the world to be cancelled. We recommend a stop at the interactive LAVA Centre where you’ll learn about the powerful volcanic and tectonic forces that shaped both Iceland and Earth. The centre has interesting exhibits for all age groups.

Your journey takes you by the beautiful Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls (each a photo worthy visit) and Mýrdalsjökull glacier. You can opt for a fun snowmobiling trip on the glacier and (if the weather is clear) a splendid view over southern Iceland.

Stop by the seafront village of Vík to explore Reynisfjara, a dramatic stretch of coastline poised between glaciertopped mountains, rugged sea cliffs and black- sand beaches.

Dyrhólaey* is a rocky headland famous in photos for its black lava arch. During the summer, thousands of sea birds and puffins nest here (puffins are generally in Iceland between mid-May and early August)

Overnight in the Vík area.

*Important: Please note that Dyrhólaey is closed during nesting season, from about the middle of May until late June.

Vatnajökull National Park – Glacial Lagoon – Vík
Approximate Distance: 400 km / 249 miles

Glacial national park – Iceberg lagoon – Europe’s largest glacier

Today you’ll be in Vatnajökull National Park, named after Europe’s largest glacier. Visit the awe-inspiring Skaftafell area of the park, a green oasis set between glaciers.

There are several excellent hiking trails including one to the basalt lined Svartifoss Falls. If you want to experience a glacier adventure, we recommend taking a guided hike on one of the park’s glaciers.

Continue to the shimmering icebergs of Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon and enjoy the amazing view. If you’re lucky, you might glimpse a few sunbathing seals. Many people enjoy taking an amphibian or Zodiac boat trip on the Glacier Lagoon itself. Nearby the Glacier Lagoon is the Diamond Beach, an area where glittering pieces of glaciers perch on the volcanic black sand coastline. Return to the charming village of Vík in the late afternoon

Overnight in the Vík area.

Þingvellir National Park – Borgarfjörður
Approximate Distance: 325 km / 202 miles

National park of geological wonders – Saga sites – Lava Falls

Visit one of the places most beloved to us Icelanders: Þingvellir National Park. This area is the site of the ancient Icelandic Viking parliament and a jewel of nature. Here you can see (and even walk between) the meeting point between the North American and Europe continents. Several walking trails and hiking trails take visitors to historical points of interest.

Next, you can travel via either Hvalfjörður fjord or the Kaldidalur wilderness track. (Kaldidalur is open JuneAugust; a 4WD vehicle is needed. We recommend Category F or higher.) Your destination is the beautiful Borgarfjörður region and Reykholt, home of the colourful 13th-century chieftain and Saga author Snorri Sturluson. While in the area you might stop by the Visiting Horse Farm, where you can meet friendly Icelandic horses and
try home-made baked treats in the farm’s café.

Visit Hraunfossar Falls, were glacial water rushes beautifully through lava formations. Next, you can see how powerful hot springs can be at Deildartunguhver, where boiling water rushes by at 180 litres (48 gallons) per second. You cannot bathe here, but the nearby Krauma Geothermal Natural Spa is a wonderful place to relax in a nice blend of water from Deildartunguhver and cool mountain springs

Overnight in the Borgarfjörður area.

Snæfellsnes Peninsula & Snæfellsjökull National Park
Approximate Distance: 330 km / 205 miles

Sea cliffs with birdlife – Glacier-crowned mountain – Rock formations

Today you are for a treat: A whole day to explore the countless natural wonders of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, home of Snæfellsjökull National Park. Snæfellsnes is known as “Iceland in a Nutshell” since you can see samples of most Icelandic landscapes in one area. Visit Arnarstapi sea cliffs where many types of seabirds live. If you enjoy hiking, there is a great nature trail you can hike between Arnarstapi and Hellnar villages. (About 4.3
km/2.7 miles). Crowning the area is the glacier topped Snæfellsjökull volcano, legendary home to a guardian spirit. Driving through the park gives you a chance to view the mountain from many different angles.

Visit Djúpalónssandur with its mysteriously shaped rocks and black pebbled beach. Then head along the north coast through lively fishing villages. Keep an eye out for Kirkjufell, the photogenic Church Mountain. Ólafsvík town is a great place for whale watching tours.

Overnight in the Borgarfjörður area.

Reykjanes Peninsula – Blue Lagoon
Approximate Distance: 215 km / 134 miles

Volcanic landscapes – Bubbling mud pools – Geothermal Spa

Today, you’ll explore a different side of Iceland with a visit to Reykjanes peninsula. Designated a UNESCO Geopark in 2015, Reykjanes lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. It has over 50 geosites related to geothermal and tectonic plate activity. It’s a paradise for geologists and photographers alike! It is also the site of Iceland’s 2021-2024 eruptions.

Visit the moon-like surroundings of Lake Kleifarvatn and the Krýsuvík geothermal area with its multicoloured bubbling mud pools. You can also cross the Mid-Atlantic ridge on the Bridge between Continents.

Reykjanes is also home to the famous Blue Lagoon where you can relax in the soothing mineral waters. Note: The Blue Lagoon must be booked in advance. We can help with that!

If you enjoy adventure, you can enjoy guided ATV tours, hiking, snorkelling, and golfing. Or indulge your inner explorer at the Víkingaheimur museum where you can learn about Viking discoveries between Iceland and the New World.

Afterwards, head to Reykjavík for your overnight. Enjoy the food scene and lively culture of Iceland’s capital.

Overnight in Reykjavík.

Breakfast included.

Return to Keflavík International Airport - 7 Days Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls (Self-drive)
Approximate Distance: 50 km / 30 miles

Drive back to Keflavík International Airport. We recommend departing from your hotel in Reykjavík no later than at least 3 hours before your flight. It takes approximately 1 hour to drive to the airport, and check-in will start 2 hours before your departure.

Breakfast included.