Iceland 4x4 Self-Drive Adventure

Day 1: Arrive Reykjavik

Welcome to Iceland! Upon arrival you will be welcomed and transferred from Keflavik international airport to Reykjavik. Check in at your hotel in Reykjavik and enjoy dinner at a centrally located restaurant. (Dinner)

O/N at the Hotel Exeter or similar. (Dinner)

Day 2: The Golden Circle

After breakfast, our guide will meet us and once we have collected our vehicles, our adventure will begin! Now, you are at the wheel, and it is the start of your extraordinary self-drive experience to explore Iceland’s most famous sights!

Our tour begins with a departure from Reykjavík city, heading towards Nesjavellir. Our first photo stop offers a stunning view of Þingvallavatn Lake. Next, we visit Þingvellir National Park, registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is renowned for its breathtaking beauty and rich history. This is where the Vikings founded their parliament in 930 AD, and where the rift valley is formed by the drifting North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

We then continue our journey across the Haukadalsheiði plateau, passing south of the Langjökull glacier. In the late afternoon, we arrive the magnificent Gullfoss waterfall, originating in the Langjökull glacier, cascading down in Hvítá River.

Our day ends in the nearby Haukadalur valley, home of The Great Geysir hot spring, the one that all the Geysers in the world are named after. The reliable Strokkur geyser erupts every few minutes. You wouldn’t want to miss out seeing the incredible hot spring spout boiling water to a height of 35 meters.

In the early evening, we will arrive at our accommodation where we will also enjoy dinner.

O/N at the Hotel Geysir or similar. (Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner.)

Day 4: Skagafjordur – Tröllaskagi - Myvatn

Today we embark on a scenic drive through the stunning landscapes of Skagafjörður and around the Tröllaskagi, a dramatic peninsula in north Iceland offering breathtaking views of rugged mountains and serene coastal vistas.

As we journey towards Lake Mývatn, we will pass through some picturesque fishing villages, dramatic fjords, and lush valleys. The route showcases Iceland's natural beauty, culminating at the geothermal wonderland of Lake Mývatn, renowned for its unique volcanic landscapes and abundant birdlife.

O/N at the Fosshotel Myvatn or similar. (Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner.)

Day 3: Crossing from South to North

After breakfast and checkout, we venture into the interior of Iceland via the Kjölur mountain route, pausing for scenic stops along the way.

Kjölur is a mountain pass on the highland road of Kjalvegur, which is one of two roads that connect the north and south of the country. It has an elevation of approximately 700 metres. It has been mentioned as a passable Highland route since Iceland's was first settled in some of its earliest literature. In spite of this, knowledge of it disappeared for years until the end of the 19th Century, when it was rediscovered.

The unpaved route leads to the Langjökull glacier, the second largest glacier in Iceland. Continuing north to the hot springs of Hveravellir, which provide a warm oasis. These springs can be bathed in, and are usually visited alongside Kerlingarfjöll, a volcanic mountain range north-east of the Kjölur road. Notable mountains here are called Hrutfell and Kjalfell. They are renowned for being composed of rhyolite, which boasts an unusual spectrum of vivid colour.

Our journey today concludes in the area of Blönduós, a village set on the on the north coast of Iceland.

O/N at the Hotel Blönduós or similar. (Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner.)

Day 5: Lake Mývatn – Dettifoss – Ásbyrgi

After breakfast, we set out to explore the many highlights of North Iceland.

We begin with a visit to Dettifoss, one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe, located in the northeast region of Iceland within the magnificent Jökulsárgljúfur canyon. Fed by the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river, which originates from the Dyngjujökull and Brúarárjökull glaciers, Dettifoss spans 100 meters across the upper edge of the cliff and drops 45 meters. With an average water flow of 400 m³/s during the summer, it presents a stunning and powerful sight, accompanied a mysterious, thunderous sound. It's no surprise that Dettifoss frequently appears on lists of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world.

From here we head to Ásbyrgi, a horseshoe-shaped canyon known for its towering cliffs and lush vegetation. According to legend, the canyon was formed by the hoofprint of Sleipnir, the eight-legged horse of the Norse god Odin. This serene and picturesque site is part of Vatnajökull National Park. We then continue to Húsavík, a remote fishing village perfect for a late lunch.

In the afternoon we will head back to Mývatn where we will take a relaxing bath at the nature baths. Mývatn sits in an incredibly active geothermal area, giving it unique and beautiful geology. The water, drawn from a borehole that goes 2,500 meters into the ground, contains a large amount of minerals and many of the trace elements in the water are considered to have positive effects on the skin. After the relaxing bath we will head back to our accommodation.

O/N at the Fosshotel Myvatn or similar. (Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner.)

Day 6: Spengisandur Highland Road

In the morning, we will head again to the highlands. This time for the “other” highland trek across Iceland.

The Sprengisandur highland plateau stretches between the glaciers of Hofsjokull and Vatnajokull, Europe’s largest glacier, and was the main route between the north and south of the island in ancient times. This remote and rugged road stretches approximately 200 km through some of the country's most untouched and desolate landscapes, reaching a height of around 750-800 meters. The highland pass is mostly barren, with scant vegetation and is only passable during summer, and even then, the weather can be unpredictable. We'll make scenic stops along the way, including a visit to Aldeyjarfoss, a stunning waterfall surrounded by unique basalt columns.
We arrive at our hotel late afternoon, concluding our journey for the day. Dinner at the hotel.

O/N at the Landhotel or similar. (Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner.)

Day 7: Landmannalaugar – Fjallabak Road

Today yet another exciting mountain road awaits! This route is stunning with waterfalls, mountains, and scenery so rough and rugged; you can only be in Iceland!

Fresh after a good night sleep, we begin the day driving to Landmannalaugar, a highland paradise where the extraordinary colours of the area leave nobody untouched. Landmannalaugar is a truly rare area, both geologically and aesthetically. The dramatic region can be found nestled beside the black Laugahraun lava field, a sweeping expanse of dried magma that originally formed in an eruption in 1477. Landmannalaugar itself is made up of windswept rhyolite mountains, a rock type that creates a full spectrum of dazzling colors. Shades of red, pink, green, blue, and golden yellow make for an ethereal location. Landmannalaugar was historically best known for its natural geothermal baths, hence its name the People's Pools. Ideal for light hiking and for those that want to take a morning dip into a warm spring, this is your chance. Be sure to pack your swimsuit!

From there, we continue our journey through the highlands towards the southeast coast, making several scenic stops along the way. We arrive at our accommodation in the late afternoon. Dinner at the hotel.

O/N at the Fosshotel Núpar or similar. (Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner.)

Day 8: Vatnajökull Glacier Lagoon – Diamond Beach

Today is dedicated to exploring Vatnajökull Glacier. Our journey takes us to the Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach, two of Iceland’s most popular attractions. The large glacial lake is one of the few places on Earth where you can get close to a glacier and icebergs without traveling long distances. The lagoon is typically filled with icebergs that constantly break away from the edge of Breiðmerkurjökull, an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull. At the lagoon, we embark on a thrilling Zodiac boat tour, navigating among sculpture-like icebergs and approaching the secluded glacier wall of Jökulsárlón. Here, you may witness the serene stillness of the glacier or the dramatic sight of calving, where chunks of ice break off into the water. This extraordinary place offers a rare glimpse of nature's raw beauty.

After the tour, we drive west towards our accommodation, making scenic stops along the way, including a visit to Svinafellsjökull, also known as the Batman Glacier, on our return journey.

O/N at the Fosshotel Núpar or similar. (Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner.)

Day 10: Departure

Sadly, today marks the end of our incredible journey. After breakfast, spend the morning at leisure, perhaps exploring the Reykjavik downtown area. Later, we will transfer to the airport for our onward departure flight, stopping for a relaxing bath in the famous Blue Lagoon, before our departure.

Meals: Breakfast.

END OF TOUR

Day 9: South Coast – Reykjavik

Today, we explore a stunning part of the highlands, driving through the area just north of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. We'll follow the scenic Mælifellssandur route, a uniquely beautiful path. Witness the breathtaking Markárfljótsgljúfur canyon, one of Iceland's largest. We'll also pass by the magnificent Mælifell mountain.

Back in the south, sadly, we cannot avoid taking the tarred road back to Reykjavik. Upon arrival we will drop off our vehicles and transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

O/N at the Hotel Exeter or similar. (Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner.)