Explore Iceland - Ring Road Self-Drive (Tour code: 14444)

Upon arrival, pick up your rental vehicle at Keflavík Airport – a Land Rover “Discovery” automatic for your stay in Iceland, including GPS, windscreen protection, unlimited mileage, CDW insurance, and an additional driver. (This vehicle is permitted in the highlands.)

Drive to Reykjavík, park the car, and drop off luggage at Sand Hotel.

Meet the English-speaking guide in the lobby of your hotel for a 3-hour Private Fun Walking/Food Tour.

Private Walking Tour in Reykjavík
The tour takes you on foot around the heart of Reykjavík with an English-speaking Icelander. It focuses on the general history of Iceland and the evolution of Reykjavík as a town. You will also learn about elves, Vikings, food, nightlife, music, economic aspects, and political affairs. Additionally, the tour includes quirky facts about Iceland and must-see spots in Reykjavík. The tour is presented in an informative and humorous way, with time for personal questions. This 3-hour private tour includes small stops for light food sampling:

• Pastry, fish pan, famous hot dog, lamb soup, lobster soup, controversial samples, tapas of lamb/char.

Overnight stay in Reykjavik at Sand Hotel.

Reykjavik

Drive north, stopping in the charming town of Borgarnes before continuing to Húsafell.

Explore the scenic Borgarfjörður region, home to Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful geothermal spring, renowned for its impressive flow and steaming landscapes. Nearby, marvel at the stunning Hraunfossar, a series of waterfalls that emerge directly from a lava field, and the striking Barnafoss, a dramatic waterfall flowing through a narrow canyon, each offering unique and breathtaking natural beauty.

Once in Reykholt, continue driving toward Klaki Base Camp**, marked by a Langjökull sign and the Into the Glacier logo. After a short 10-minute drive, you’ll arrive at Klaki Base Camp.

Your Into the Glacier Adventure offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Explore Iceland’s second-largest glacier, Langjökull, from the inside. These ice tunnels reveal the beautiful blue ice at the glacier’s core. You’ll travel in a specially modified glacier vehicle, take in breathtaking views, and venture into the heart of the glacier. This unforgettable experience is included in your itinerary.

After your glacier visit, drive back to Reykholt, passing through Borgarnes. This town serves as the area’s centre for communications, trade, and services. In the old part of town, you’ll find beautifully restored houses by the harbour. The surrounding landscape features forests, rocky bluffs rising from wetlands, moss-covered lava fields, and vast stretches of Betula bushes, the largest of their kind in Iceland. Borgarfjörður’s peaceful highlands also feature Langjökull Glacier, Kaldárdalur, and Arnarvatnsheiði, a hidden treasure with lakes full of trout.

Just north of Bifröst, in Norðurárdalur Valley, you’ll find two small craters, Grábrók and Grábrókarfell. Lava from these craters covers much of the valley. Take a walk on wooden stairs to explore a volcanic crater from the inside – a truly unique experience.

After your adventure, drive to your country hotel nearby.

Overnight stay in Stórarjóður at Hotel Husafell.

**Important: Please check in at Klaki Base Camp at least 20 minutes before your tour. Driving time from Reykjavik is about 2 hours, but plan ahead to allow for stops along the way.

Langjokull Ice Tunnel

Drive to Siglufjörður, with many interesting stops along the way.

In the late afternoon, arrive at Sigló Fjord.This area boasts spectacular natural beauty, where the mountains and fjords create an awe-inspiring landscape.

Overnight stay in Sigló Fjord at Siglo Hotel in a superior double room.

Siglo Hotel

After breakfast, drive to Lake Mývatn, with recommended stops at Akureyri and Húsavík.

In Akureyri, explore the charming town, then visit the Whale Museum and Transportation Museum in Húsavík. Continue to your hotel by the beautiful Lake Mývatn.

Overnight stay in Mývatn at Hotel Laxá in a superior double room with lake view.

Husavik

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning can be spent exploring the Lake Myvatn area, seeing sites such as Dimmuborgir lava formations, Krafla caldera, Namaskard hot spring area and Mt. Hverfell. This area is also the home of over 2.000 birds in May, which you can learn more about at Sigurgeir’s bird museum. There has been a lot of volcanic activity by Myvatn and there's a lot of geothermal heat in the ground. In the afternoon it's perfect to go for a relaxing soak in the Myvatn Baths.

Continue your journey through the scenic Egilsstaðir area, approximately a 40-minute drive. Arrive at Hotel Breiðdalsvík for a relaxing 1-night stay.

Overnight stay in Breiðdalsvík at Hotel Breiddalvík in a superior double room.

Dimmuborgir

After breakfast, drive further east to Vatnajökull National Park, where you'll explore two stunning glacier lagoons—Fjallsárlón and the famous Jökulsárlón, known for its icy beach.Glide past glaciers, black sand beaches, and icebergs for a close-up view of these magnificent natural wonders. Please note, this is part of a small group tour.

In the afternoon, enjoy the Fjallsárlón Iceberg Zodiac boat tour. Afterwards, visit Diamond Beach before continuing your drive to a nearby hotel for a well-deserved rest.

Overnight stay in Öræfi at Flosshotel Glacier Lagoon.

Fjallsarlon

Drive down the east coast towards Vík, stopping first at Svartifoss in Skaftafell, a small but stunning waterfall surrounded by black basalt columns. Continue to Svínafellsjökull glacier, where scenes from Game of Thrones and a Batman movie were filmed.

Next, explore the serpent-shaped Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, followed by a drive towards the South Shore.

Visit Seljalandsfoss, where you can walk behind the waterfall, then head to Skógafoss, one of Iceland's most beautiful waterfalls, where you can also walk behind it to feel the spray.

In the afternoon, embark on a small group tour to the Katla Ice Cave, entering through an amazing natural gateway of blue and black ice. Then, continue to your hotel.

Overnight stay in Selfoss at Hotel Grimsborgir.

Katla Ice Cave

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, then meet your knowledgeable English-speaking driver/guide who will pick you up in a customised Super Jeep, equipped with large tires for Iceland's rugged terrain.

Your adventure begins as your guide takes you into Thorsmork Valley, navigating one of the most scenic and challenging mountain tracks, crossing unbridged rivers and tackling thrilling 4x4 trail. Thorsmork is named after Thor, the Nordic god of thunder. The valley is surrounded by glaciers and mountains and provides a beautiful panorama of green valleys and steep mountains whichever way you look. It's one of the country's most popular hiking grounds and there are several options for hiking routes, both for those looking for a casual stroll and serious hikers. Your driver guide will show you the best routes and you'll spend the day exploring the valley which has an unusually mild climate compared to the rest of southern Iceland.

On the way back to the hotel in the late afternoon you'll stop for a walk through a small but magnificent canyon where there's a hidden waterfall at the end.

Overnight stay in Selfoss at Hotel Grimsborgir.

Thorsmork Valley

After breakfast, set off on a self-drive Golden Circle Tour with a bread-making experience along the way.

Stop at Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Bakery (30 min). Make bread using an old recipe, baked in the ground for 24 hours, and taste it hot with Icelandic butter.

Next, head to the Geysir area. See Geysir and Strokkur, where hot water erupts up to 30 metres high every 5 minutes. Continue to Gullfoss Waterfall. Marvel at the stunning two-step waterfall cascading 32 metres down a canyon.

Enjoy a late lunch at Friðheimar Tomato Farm. Savour tomato soup and fresh bread in a geothermal greenhouse, and learn how tomatoes are grown year-round using geothermal energy.

Finally, return to your hotel in the south to relax after your adventure.

Overnight stay in Selfoss at Hotel Grimsborgir.

Geysir

After breakfast, depart and drive to Landeyjahöfn Pier to check in for the ferry.

Board the ferry to Vestmannaeyjar.* The Westman Islands are renowned for their natural beauty, wildlife, and historical significance. These islands are part of an active volcanic system, with most of them formed 10,000 to 20,000 years ago. Surtsey, the youngest island, emerged in 1963. The 1973 eruption on Heimaey, the largest and only inhabited island, created the Eldfell cone, increased the island’s size by 2.3 km², and buried 400 buildings. The eruption's remains are fascinating historical sites. Despite Heimaey’s small size, it offers enough scenery and birdlife to captivate visitors. Tourism began after the eruption, with people coming to see the aftermath. Popular activities include hiking, bird-watching, whale-watching, golf, and fishing. Museums share the history of human and wildlife inhabitants, and there are comfortable accommodations and great restaurants.

Take a Rib Boat Adventure from Heimaey’s historic harbour, where you’ll explore colourful ocean caves, the volcanic island of Surtsey, lava coastlines, and bird cliffs. You may see seabirds and occasionally whales. The tour ends in the Cliff Cave, where you’ll experience its unique acoustics.

Return to Landeyjahöfn Pier and drive to your hotel in the countryside.

Overnight stay in Selfoss at Hotel Grimsborgir.

*Please arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Boarding passes can be shown on your phone, printed at home, or printed at the office.

Vestmannaeyjar

Breakfast at the hotel.

Day at leisure to relax or explore the surroundings in your rental.

Overnight stay in Selfoss at Hotel Grimsborgir.

Selfoss

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to the Blue Lagoon, with an interesting stop along the way.

Visit the famous Lava Tunnel (Raufarhólshellir). The standard tour allows you to explore the tunnel easily, with footbridges and paths over the rough terrain. Impressive lighting highlights the changing colours of the tunnel, showcasing the volcanic activity that formed it.

Continue your journey to the Blue Lagoon. In the afternoon, indulge in the exclusive amenities at the Retreat. The Retreat Spa offers a deluxe experience in a private part of the Blue Lagoon, where the warm waters, rich in minerals like silica and sulphur, offer relaxation and rejuvenation. The lagoon is man-made, fed by the geothermal power plant Svartsengi, and renewed every two days. After being used for power generation, the superheated water is directed into the lagoon for recreational and medicinal purposes.

Built into an 800-year-old lava flow, the spa combines nature, design, and the radiant powers of geothermal seawater. The spa journey takes you through volcanic realms of heat, enchanting geology, and inspiring design. Features include a cold air well, a terrace with stunning views, steam rooms, and a relaxation nest. You’ll also experience the Blue Lagoon Ritual—a cycle of wellbeing using algae, mineral salt, and silica to rejuvenate your skin and mind.

There is an option to make a dinner reservation at Restaurant LAVA (pay directly on-site).

Overnight stay at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon.

Blue Lagoon

Breakfast at the hotel.

Check out of your hotel and return rental car in time for your flight back home. End of service.