Start with visits to the fairytale like Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where you can experience walking right behind the misty cascade, and the gorgeous 60-metre high Skogafoss waterfall just a short drive down the road. Further ahead at Vik, you can make a stop at the black volcanic beach south of the village, from where you can view the rock formations Dyrholaey and Reynisdrangar. The last stop of the day is to the stunning Fjaorarglujufur canyon. You also have a chance today to join an exciting guided excursion by foot or snowmobile on a glacier!
Enjoy Skaftafell, part of the immense Vatnajökull National Park and a place of great natural beauty with many interesting hiking trails, including a short path to the beautiful Svartifoss waterfall. This area is also full of opportunities for more adventurous pursuits, such as guided glacier-walking or ice-climbing excursions. Then, head to the amazing Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon where you can join a boat ride among the maze of floating icebergs (optional).
Spend the night in the Hofn or Djúpivogur area.
Day 5: The Enchanting East Fjords & The Quiet Wilderness
Your drive along East Iceland takes you along tranquil fishing villages, spectacular fjords and sweeping landscapes. If you enjoy offbeat attractions, make a stop to visit Petra’s Mineral Collection in Stöðvarfjörður. It is a small museum of found natural objects and mineral rocks started as a personal hobby by a local resident.
You’ll end the day in Eglisstaoir. Here you could go for a wander along the “monster habitat” of Lagarfljót lake or the Hallormsstaðaskógur forest, the largest wooded area in Iceland. Another highlight is the Wilderness Center Óbyggðasetrið, an old farm turned into a guesthouse, café and exhibition venue.
Spend the night in the Egilsstaðir or Seyðisfjörður area.
Day 6: Magical Lake Myvatn: Dimmuborgir & Geothermal Waters
On today’s drive you head to the otherworldly Lake Mývatn, where you have an abundance of unusual natural wonders to explore. This includes the Krafla volcano, the curiously coloured Namaskaro pass, the massive crater of Hverjfall and the lunar-like pseudo-craters at Skútustaðir. On the way to Lake Mývatn you’ll also have the option of stopping at Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe.
Spend the night in the Lake Mývatn area.
Day 7: Explore North Iceland
Spend the first half of the day around Lake Myvatn before heading to Húsavík. You have the optional to go whale watching from this seaside town, often referred to as the “whale-watching capital of Iceland”.
Next up drive to Gooafas (“The Waterfall of the Gods”) on your way to the charming town of Akureyri, where you will find interesting shops and museums as well as the world’s most northerly botanical garden. Later, continue to Skagafjorour, an area known for its abundance of purebred Icelandic horses.
Spend the night in northwest Iceland.
Day 8: Journey to Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Head to Snæfellsnes Peninsula today. On the way you’ll see the countless mounds of Vatnsdalsholar and the beautiful Pingeyrakirkja church. You may also wish to make stops to the living museum at Eirksstaoir home of famous Viking Erik the Red, and the hot geothermal pool of Guorunarlaug Or pay a visit to Stykkishólmur, a picture-perfect fishing village overlooking Breiðafjörður Bay. Here, you can take a walk up to the small hill overlooking the harbour, Súgandisey, for a wonderful panoramic view over the town, sea and surrounding mountains.
Spend the night on Snæfellsnes Peninsula / Borgarfjörður area.
Day 9: Snaefellsjokull Natioanl Park and Snaefellsjokull Glacier
Experience the unique Snaefellsjokull National Park with amazing birdlife, lush valleys and lava fields. It is ideal to drive around the peninsula, exploring Dritivik Cove, Londrangar Cliffs as well as Hellnar and Arnarstapi Cliffs with its bursting bird-life and the small villages on the coast. You might also wish to test your strength at the stones of the black volcanic beach of Djupalonssandur like the seamen in past times.
Spend the night in Reykjavík.
Day 10: Departure
On your day of departure, a shuttle bus will collect you from your hotel in Reykjavik and deliver you back to Keflavík International Airport ahead of your scheduled flight.
If your flight is in the afternoon, you can fit in a relaxing visit to the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa or even take a short guided tour of the volcanic Reykjanes Peninsula (optional; not included)
