SELF DRIVE HOLIDAY
The highlights of the Ring road
This is a classic Iceland ring road tour will take you to the most popular tourist attractions in our country, where you can explore Iceland at your own leisure pace!
Season: May - September. Duration: 8 days/7 nights
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Day 1: Arrival - drive to the South
Approximate driving distance: ca. 84 km / 52 miles Pick up your rental car at Keflavik airport. If your flight arrives early in the day we recommend you begin your Iceland experience by exploring the Reykjanes peninsula, where you'll find the GeoPark (Gardur, Grindavik, Reykjanesbaer, Sandgerdi and Vogar), Reykjanes continental bridge, Kleifarvatn and hot spring Gunnuhver. Drive through lava field to the unique Blue lagoon where you can relax in the warm waters for 2-3 hours. Transfer to your hotel in Reykjavik. The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa found on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland. It is the most popular attraction in Iceland, drawing people from all across the world. Day 2: The Golden Circle & The South Shore Approximate driving distance: ca. 190 km / 118 miles Your first stop is at Thingvellir National Park. Thingvellir is an amazing site, steeped in history and folklore, and surrounded by incredible geology. Thingvellir is the only place on earth which tectonic plates can be seen above ground. Next stop is Geysir Geothermal Area which is dotted with many hot pools, clay pots, and the hills and soil are colored vividly by the minerals of the earth. It would be a fascinating enough site even without the two geysers that make it famous. Your Third stop is Gullfoss waterfall which is located in a plunging, ancient valley, this powerful falls tumbles down two drops, from an overall height of 105 ft. At its heaviest flow during summer, an average of 459 cubic feet of water pours down it every second. After exploring the Golden Circle, it's ideal to stop at beautiful Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss Waterfalls where you can walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall, and climb the stairs to get an even greater view of Skogafoss Waterfall. At Reynisfjara beach, a black sand beach and seabird colonies (puffins, fulmars and guillemots), you'll see Reynisdrangar, pillars of rock rising majestically out of the ocean. Day 3: Skaftafell - Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon – Höfn
Approximate driving distance: ca. 255 km / 158 miles After breakfast at your hotel, drive along the south coast. Make a stop on the way at Skaftafell, a beautiful glacier ringed green oasis within Vatnajokull National Park. There are many great hiking trails here, including a short hike to Svartifoss waterfall surrounded by beautiful columnar basalt. If you have children 10 years and older, you can try hiking on a glacier. This is an amazing experience, and your family will also learn lots of interesting facts about glaciers. After exploring Skaftafell, continue your drive to the shimmering icebergs and still, milky waters of Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon. This is a fantastic area to capture memories with photographs and enjoy the surreal atmosphere. Between May and September, you can also take a boat tour between the drifting icebergs in the lagoon. An interesting stop in the area is the Thorbergssetur Center, dedicated to a beloved Icelandic author. The building resembles a bookshelf with works by the author. The center itself has a nice cafe and good food prepared with local ingredients. Continue eastward, following the magnificent lines of Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe. Your family of explorers might enjoy stopping at Glacier World near Hoffell Glacier. Here your family can take an exciting ATV ride amid glacial scenery and relax afterwards in geothermal hot tubs (Note: children 5 years and under are not allowed on ATVs, a driver‘s license is required to drive an ATV). Another activity families can enjoy during the summer is horseback riding at Arnanes Family Farm (offered between May and September).
Optional activities: Glacier hike on Skaftafell, boath tour on Glacier lagoon Day 4: East Iceland
Approximate driving distance: ca. 265 km / 165 miles Drive along the rugged coastline of the East Fjords with their charming fishing villages and towering mountains. On the way, it's possible to stop at Djupivogur or take a boat tour to the Island Papey where you may see puffins! If you're interested, you can also stop at Petra's stone house which is a famous collection of local stones and minerals. Day 5: Egilsstadir - Dettifoss - Husavik - Myvatn
Approximate driving distance: ca. 305 km / 190 miles Over the Möðruvallar heath. proceed to the mighty Dettifoss waterfall, the most powerful waterfall in Europe. Drive north to the fishing port of Husavik, where you might stop to enjoy a whale watching boat tour. End your day at Myvatn where you'll spend the night at Fosshótel or similar Optional activities: Whale watching, Geothermal baths, Mývatn baths Day 6: Myvatn - Akureyri Approximate driving distance: ca. 125 km / 78 miles Explore the natural wonders of Lake Myvatn and the surrounding area. Stroll along the mystical lava formations at Dimmuborgir. Visit the volcanic area of Krafla along with the colorful sulfurous slopes of Namaskard pass. Enjoy the views of the pseudo craters at Skutustadir. After exploring the Myvatn vicinity, drive to Akureyri where you'll spend the night. Day 7: Akureyri - Borgarfjordur - Hvalfjordur - Reykjavik
Approximate driving distance: ca. 480 km / 298 miles Spend the morning exploring the town of Akureyri. Continue your journey to Borgarfjordur area. On your way, you have the option of visiting the old farmstead at Glaumbaer Museum a great example of old Icelandic architecture. On your way, it's also possible to stop at Barnafoss and Hraunfossar Waterfalls before driving to Reykjavik, where you'll spend your last night. Day 8: Departure
Approximate driving distance: ca. 50 km / 31 miles Depart with plenty of memories and an adventure that will certainly impress, and entertain your friends and family for years to come. We recommend you depart your hotel no later than three hours before your flight. Car rental return is located at Keflavík International Airport. Optional: If you are departing on an afternoon flight, a wonderful way to say goodbye to Iceland is with a relaxing dip in the soothing waters of the Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa, located just 15 minutes from Keflavík International Airport. Facilities also include a gift shop, cafeteria, and an excellent restaurant with lagoon views. Included in package:
Possible to upgrade the accommodation upon request. Please note that the package price is based on pick up at airport in the morning on day 1 and drop of at the airport in the afternoon on day 8. If your flight arrives in the afternoon on day 1 and departs in the morning on day 8 price is less. Airport transfer with shuttle bus can also be arranged and car picked up and dropped off in Reykjavík. Prices may change without prior notice. If an incorrect price has been listed, we reserve the right to refuse, cancel or limit any order placed at the incorrect price. *Subject to availability - price is confirmed when payment has been made. Book in advance to get the best price!
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PACKAGE DETAILS
HIGHLIGHTS
Included in package:
Car Rental
Our self drive packages include basic insurance (CDW), unlimited mileage, VAT and airport service. Accommodation Quality is important to us. When organising our tours we choose accommodation with regards to quality, value for money, location and service provided. |
