Highlands and Lowlands

Day 1 Arrival in Keflavík – Hveragerði 100km

Geothermal Lagoon – Flower Village – Geothermal Greenhouses
Pick up the car at the airport and start your Iceland experience. From Keflavík International Airport we recommend driving the southern coast of the Reykjanes peninsula towards your first overnight stay in the charming village of Hveragerði. 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 in Hveragerði.

Day 2 Þingvellir – Gullfoss – Geysir 165km

National Park with Geological Wonders (UNESCO) – Exploding Geysers – Massive Waterfall
Visit the Golden Circle natural wonders. From Hveragerði to Þingvellir National park, site of the ancient Icelandic parliament and a jewel of nature. The park offers a stunning volcanic landscape of mountains and lava flows. Visit the geothermal area of Geysir and Gullfoss waterfall. Overnight in the Golden Circle area.

Day 3 Kjölur – Hveravellir – Skagafjörður 230km

Uninhabited Interior - Geothermal Area – Natural Bathing Pool – Viking Horses – Glacial Rivers
Today's route leads over the highland track Kjölur (4WD needed, track open from mid-June), driving through the colourful thermal area Hveravellir between the glaciers Langjökull and Hofsjökull. Travel to the horse-breeding valley of Skagafjörður fjord. Overnight in North Iceland.

Day 4 Akureyri – Lake Mývatn 225km

Iceland's 2nd City – Waterfall "Of the Gods" – Lava Formations & Geothermal Activity - Rich Birdlife
Drive to Akureyri, the second largest town in Iceland outside the capital area. Stop at Goðafoss waterfall before driving to the beautiful Lake Mývatn area. The natural wonders of Lake Mývatn area include the unique lava formations of Dimmuborgir, Krafla volcanic area, and the pseudo craters at Skútustaðir. Overnight in Lake Mývatn area.

Day 5 Húsavík – Dettifoss – Egilsstaðir 339km

Whale Watching – Glacier Carved Gorge – Europe's Most Powerful Waterfall
Today you will be visiting the northern part of Vatnajokull National Park. From Lake Mývatn you drive around Tjörnes peninsula. Travel through the fishing village of Húsavík to Jökulsárgljúfur National Park, including the impressive horseshoe-shaped Ásbyrgi canyon and the mighty Dettifoss Waterfall. Continue east to Egilsstaðir. Overnight in East Iceland.

Day 6 East Fjords – Höfn 229km

Narrow Fjords – Steep Mountains – Picturesque Coastline
Drive south through the spectacular coast line of the East Fjords with charming fishing villages and towering mountains that plunge vertically into the sea. Stop at Almannaskarð Pass which offers a striking view of Vatnajökull Glacier and the coastal area. Overnight in Höfn area.

Day 7 Jökulsárlón – Skaftafell – Kirkjubæjarklaustur 209km

Europe's Largest Glacier – Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs – Europe's Largest National Park
Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon by Vatnajökull Glacier offers a beautiful view of the glacier and the floating icebergs will leave a deep impression on you. Diamond Beach is nearby. Onwards to Skaftafell National Park, a green oasis with various hiking possibilities. Continue along the south coast for an overnight stay in the South Iceland area.

Day 8 Landmannalaugar – Reykjavík 240km

Multicoloured Mountains of the Highlands – Lava Fields – Hot Springs with Bathing – Hekla Volcano
Travel along the Fjallabaksleið highland interior track to Landmannalaugar, a magnificent area surrounded by colourful rhyolite mountains, with the option of bathing in a natural warm pool (do not forget to bring your swimsuit!). Spot the towering Hekla, the legendary Icelandic volcano, after exploring Thjórsárdalur Valley, before heading back to Reykjavík. If you prefer, instead of heading to Landmannalaugar, you can continue along the south shore exploring black sand beaches, bird colonies, towering waterfalls and crossing fertile farmlands towards Reykjavík for overnight.

Day 9 Reykjavík Departure 52km

Arrangements end with the return of your rental car to Keflavik International Airport today.

2021 departures:  late June - mid September

The first night of your tour is spent in the Hveragerði area, a small town about 45km from Reykjavík, to enable you to then head off into the countryside the next day without having to go through Reykjavik.

Additional nights can be added in Reykjavík at the end.

Choose from three different levels of accommodation:
Budget: standard rooms with shared facilities in budget hotels, farm houses and guesthouses
Comfort: standard rooms with private facilities in standard hotels and guesthouses. Last night at 3 star hotel.
Quality: standard rooms with private facilities in quality hotels and guesthouses or superior rooms in standard hotels and guesthouses. Last night in 4 star hotel.

The names for individual accommodations are not available prior to booking, as the tour package is based on specific hotel/price categories and not on specific hotels/accommodations. The exact location of the countryside hotels will vary according to availability- the itinerary indicates the region for each overnight stay (with the exception of the last night which is always in Reykjavík itself).

For other car types and accommodation prices please enquire.