Day 1 Arrival into Reykjavik

Individual transfer from Keflavik Airport or Reykjavik domestic airport by scheduled airport bus to your hotel in Reykjavik. Reykjavik is an intimate city with a big personality and some striking landmarks - stroll down to the harbour to visit the Armoury, the new concert hall, the design streets and city hall.

Accommodation

Comfortable tourist class hotel in Reykjavik

Meals Included

none

Day 2 Pick up your car and head South to the Golden Circle

You will be given an individual transfer to the car-rental office in Reykjavik. Pick-up of the rented car. A description with farm guesthouses addresses and a detailed road directions and itinerary will be handed over to you on check-in at your hotel in Reykjavik.

Today is known as driving the Golden Circle: erupting hot springs at Geysir, Gullfoss waterfalls and Þingvellir National Park. The Gullfoss waterfalls are Iceland's most popular and easily accessible from Reykjavik, therefore, rather crowded in the peak season. These two-tiered waterfalls are spectacular and involve a short walk from the car park.

Þingvellir is one of the most frequently visited tourist sites in Iceland where you can become better acquainted with Iceland's history and traditions. You can join guided tours of the site and also find short hiking trails to help you explore Þingvellir National Park.

Accommodation

Guesthouse in the Vik area.

Transportation Times

Approx. 250 kilometres

Meals Included

Breakfasts1

Day 3 Drive the Southeast and East Coast of Iceland

Breakfast at the guesthouse and then hit the road. Drive along the south coast, with black lava fields, waterfalls and glaciers. The southern coast of Iceland regularly comes up as one of the most beautiful coasts in the world so be sure to take your time and enjoy the trip.

Places of interest today include the Skaftafell National Park, the glacial lagoon Jökulsárlón and the Vatnajökull glacier. You can join a glacier tour if you book in advance.

You will reach Skaftafell National Park first this morning. Enjoy stunning views of Iceland's highest mountain, Hvannadalshnjukur. There is rich bird life and flora to see and lava fields, volcanoes and glaciers to explore. The uninhabited highlands at Skaftafell National Park span three glaciers on the southern edge of Vatnajökull. The vast expanses of the centuries-old forest and heath are excellent for hiking and glacier exploring.

Vatnajökull Glacier is the biggest glacier in Europe, covering about 8% of Iceland. Under the ice-cap are still active volcanoes and in Grimsvotn volcano, Iceland's most active since the Middle Ages erupted in 1996, 1998 and 2004. For this reason, this area of Iceland has had scenes from two James Bond movies filmed here. The glacier lagoon Jökulsárlón is only 40 minutes drive from your hotel this evening and large icebergs from the glacier float on the lagoon, so remember to take a boat tour and sail amongst the icebergs or try ice climbing.

You can take guided tours to the bird sanctuary of Cape Ingólfshöfði or the lava fields at Laki to walk in the craters.

Accommodation

Guesthouse in Höfn area.

Transportation Times

Approx. 270 Kilometres

Meals Included

Breakfasts1

Day 4 Explore the East Coast and the fjords.

A dramatic day of driving today in a remote and isolated area. Stop along the way to enjoy views of tall and often uniquely formed mountains on route to the East fjords. Quaint fishing villages and small farms are ideal places to stop for snacks and breaks.

Accommodation

Guesthouse in Egilsstaðir area.

Transportation Times

Approx. 250 kilometres

Meals Included

Breakfasts1

Day 5 Lake Mývatn

After breakfast at the guesthouse, head off to explore the beautiful Lake Myvatn area. The main draw of Lake Myvatn is to simply drive around it, stopping along the way to enjoy a picnic lunch and for plentiful photo opportunities such as the lava formations at Dimmuborgir, Mt. Hverfjall, Krafla volcano and the geothermal area east of Námaskarður. Visit Goðafoss (Waterfall of the Gods).

Accommodation

Guesthouse in Mývatn area.

Transportation Times

Approx. 240 kilometres

Meals Included

Breakfasts1

Day 6 Akureyri and the North of Iceland

Places of interest today are varied - you can opt for Akureyri town, the farmhouse museum in Glaumbær, and the old turf church at Víðimýri. Alternatively, you can visit Vatnsdalshólar, Kolugljúfur canyon and the Skagafjörður district.

Akureyri is a small town with a vibrant main street - relax for coffee, enjoy the wonderful art gallery down by the wharf and be sure to visit the Botanical gardens.

Accommodation

Guesthouse in Hrútafjörður/Skagafjörður area.

Transportation Times

Approx. 210 kilometres

Meals Included

Breakfasts1

Day 7 Explore the North and Southwest, return to Reykjavik

Places of interest: The lovely Borgarfjörður district, Climbing the old crater Grábrók, Borgarnes the site of one of the most popular Icelandic sagas, Egla.

At the end of the day, you will be required to drop-off the rented car at the car-rental office in Reykjavik. You will then receive an individual transfer to hotel in Reykjavik. You will get details about the exact time you need to do this when you pick up the car.

Accommodation

Comfortable tourist class hotel in Reykjavik

Transportation Times

Approx. 200 kilometres

Meals Included

Breakfasts1

Day 8 Tour ends

Departure day. "Flybus" departs from your hotel - please consult with the reception the day before leaving.

Meals Included

Breakfasts1