Discover the South and West by car, between glaciers and volcanoes

DAY 1 : REYKJAVĺK

Welcome to Iceland. Pick up your pre-booked rental car at Keflavik International Airport.

If time allows, explore the rugged Reykjanes peninsula on your way to Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital. Highlights of the day include Reykjanestá bird cliff, Gunnuhver hot spring – named after an angry ghost, Brimketill rock pool by the ocean, the famous Blue Lagoon and colourful Krýsuvík hot spring area.

Overnight in Reykjavik.

Optional activity: The Blue Lagoon.

DAY 2 : THE SOUTH COAST

Today you will drive along the beautiful South Coast to the Vik area. Take a walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall and visit Skógafoss waterfall too. Cape Dyrhólaey is a great viewpoint. On a clear day you can see two glaciers on one hand and the majestic Atlantic Ocean on the other. Make sure you stop there before getting to the nearby Black Beach where basalt columns meet the notorious sneaker waves.

Stay two nights in Klaustur area.

Optional activity: Sólheimajökull Glacier Discovery AG101.

DAY 3 : SKAFTAFELL & GLACIER LAGOON

Before reaching Skaftafell National Park you will drive through the black sands of Skeidararsandur. The sands serve as a gateway for the ever-changing glacier rivers. At Skaftafell National Park you can take a short hike to the picturesque waterfall Svartifoss, surrounded by basalt columns. For the more enthusiastic, Skaftafell offers plenty of hiking trails. Consider joining a guided Glacier Walk or an Ice Cave Tour before heading further past the south side of Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajokull, including Iceland’s highest peak, Hvannadalshnjukur 2.110 m / 6.923 ft. Nested between the glacier and the ocean, one of Iceland’s most popular attraction, Joklulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, with its floating icebergs, is situated. Make sure you also visit the Diamond Beach by the lagoon where the icebergs which fill the lagoon wash up on shore.

Return to the Klaustur area for an overnight.

Optional activity: Amphibian Boat Tour – Jökulsárlón.

DAY 4 : THJÓRSÁRDALUR, GULLFOSS AND GEYSIR

Head back along the South Coast. Once approaching the village Flúðir make an optional detour to Þjórsárdalur valley, named after Iceland’s longest river, Þjórsá. In the valley, dominated by the presence of Hekla volcano, you can visit Hjálparfoss waterfall, Stöng Viking farm and fairy tale like gorge Gjáin. Back at Flúdir, consider taking a bath in Iceland’s oldest swimming pool, now branded as the Secret Lagoon. Continue your journey to the majestic Gullfoss waterfall. A few miles down the road you will encounter Geysir hot spring area where Strokkur erupts every 10 minutes.

Stay overnight in the Golden Circle Area.

Optional activity: Secret Lagoon – Admission.

DAY 5 : THINGVELLIR & BORGARFJÖRÐUR

Thingvellir National Park, Iceland’s most sacred historical site and home to the parliament of the Vikings, awaits you. The area is also very interesting from a geological view point since this is the spot where one can see the North American and the Eurasian tectonic plates slowly – very, very slowly – drift apart (2cm / 0,8 in per year). Move on to the Borgarfjörður area and visit Reykholt medieval site, Deildartunguhver hot spring and Hraunfossar waterfall. Once in Borgarfjörður area consider dipping in to recently opened Krauma baths, situated just by Deildartunguhver hot spring, or taking a monster truck tour from Húsafell Into the Glacier, a man made 600 m / 2000 ft tunnel into Langjökull glacier. Head onwards to Snaefellsnes peninsula for your accommodation.

Stay two nights in Borgarfjörður area.

Optional activity: Cave Explorer Tour – Víðgemlir cave.

DAY 6 : SNAEFELLSNES PENINSULA

Today you will drive around the Snaefellsnes peninsula, often referred to as Iceland in a nutshell. Why? Because on the relatively small peninsula you get to see a sample of diverse natural attractions such as colourful mountains, mossy lava fields, fishing villages, rugged beaches, a national park, and an active volcano with a glacier on top. This mountain is called Snæfellsjokull glacier and served as an entry to the centre of the earth in Jules Verne 1864 science fiction novel, Journey to the Center of the Earth. While in the area consider visiting Bjarnarhofn shark farm or going whale watching from Olafsvik or Grundarfjordur.

Stay a second overnight in Borgarfjörður area.

Optional activity: Shark Exhibition Admisson.

DAY 7 – REYKJAVĺK

Drive to Reykjavik for an afternoon of leisure. Get better familiar with the globe’s northernmost capital. Check out some of the cultural sites such as Harpa concert hall, the National Gallery and the National Museum. Do some shopping or just relax at the local public swimming pool.

Overnight in Reykjavik.

Optional activity: FlyOver Iceland – Admission.

DAY 8 – REYKJAVĺK

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Keflavík International Airport, return your rental car, and prepare for your onward flight.

End of your self-drive tour in Iceland, full of breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable memories.