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Around Iceland in 9 days

Around Iceland in 9 days

Explore the country for 9 days and 8 nights on a classic road trip of the island. Discover the unique landscape of volcanic sites, lava fields and mystical glaciers. Marvel at the floating icebergs on Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, enjoy spectacular mountains and visit picturesque villages. The self-drive tour is a perfect way for independent travellers to experience the best Iceland has to offer at their leisure. Available 1 May to 30 September.

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Included

  • Accommodation for 8 nights, budget or comfort rooms with breakfast
  • Rental car for 9 days, with unlimited mileage and CDW insurance (pick up & drop off in Reykjavik)
  • Airport shuttle from airport to Reykjavík (one transfer per tour)
  • A tablet travel guide mapping your journey and highlights of surrounding area
  • Suggested itinerary in English
  • 24/7 emergency phone line service
  • Taxes and service fee

Highlights

  • Explore the beautiful and mystical Snæfellsnes peninsula
  • Walk along the beautiful black sands of Djúpalónssandur beach
  • Spot seals basking on the beach at Vatnsnes peninsula 
  • Visit Akureyri town, the capital of the north!
  • Drive through spectacular scenery and visit volcanic sites by lake Mývatn
  • Marvel at the floating icebergs on Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
  • View the tall mountains and friendly fishing villages of the East Fjords
  • Taste delicious lobster at Höfn
  • Discover the beautiful south coast of Iceland 

Optional

  • Enter one of the world's most remarkable lava caves
  • Go on a thrilling glacier tour on Snæfellsjökull glacier
  • Cruise the beautiful Breiðafjörður bay on a boat
  • Take a dip in Mývatn Nature Baths
  • See whales in their natural environment in Húsavík
  • Go on a boat excursion and sail between the icebergs at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
  • Take an unusual hay wagon tour of Cape Ingólfshöfði

This tour is also available as

Itinerary

Arrival day | Reykjavík

You are met upon arrival at Keflavík International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Reykjavík. Enjoy the city that is friendly and small, thus easy to walk and visit museums, shops and restaurants. Two major highlights are Hallgrímskirkja church, which offers a fantastic view of the city from its tower, and Harpa, a cultural and social centre in the heart of the city.

Accommodation in Reykjavík (optional and not included in tour price).

Day 1 | Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Drive Snæfellsnes peninsula known for its stunning nature, glaciers, waterfalls and small villages enriched by history. Take time to take in all the area has to offer with a stop at Eldborg, a beautiful crater rising above surrounding lava, Arnastapi village, Búðir and its lovely old church, the black sands of Djúpalónssandur beach and the majestic Snæfellsjökul glacier, which according to legend is one of earth’s seven energy points.

Accommodation in Snæfellsnes area.

Day 2 | Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Explore the north coast of Snæfellsnes peninsula and Grundarfjörður village that has a spectacular view of Mt. Kirkjufell, Iceland‘s most photographed mountain, and Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall. Visit Stykkishólmur village, with its well-preserved old houses and beautiful mountains view, and Eldfjallasafn Volcano Museum. Sail between the island of Breiðafjörður bay, known for its natural beauty and wildlife (limited in winter).

Accommodation in Húnaflói/Skagafjörður area.

View entire itinerary

Day 3 | The Northwest and Akureyri

Watch seals bask on the shore off Vatnsnes peninsula with a fantastic view of the majestic Hvíserkur cliff, which according to legend is a petrified troll! Explore Skagafjörður area and Tröllaskagi peninsula with its high mountains and green valleys. Stop at Glaumbær farm and Víðimýrarkirkja church, old preserved turf houses and end the day in Akureyri town.

Accommodation in Akureyri area.

Day 4 | Lake Mývatn

A short drive from Akureyri town is one of the island’s most spectacular waterfalls, Goðafoss or the waterfalls of the Gods. Continue to Mývatn lake area that has everything from desolated craters to bubbling mud pools and geothermal caves including Dimmuborgir lava field and Námafjall geothermal area. Enjoy the panoramic view from the warm waters of Mývatn Nature Baths before continuing to Húsavík harbour town, the country’s whale-watching capital, and Öxarfjörður.

Accommodation in Húsavík/Mývatn lake area.

Day 5 | The Northeast

Vatnajökull National Park, one of Iceland’s most stunning attractions, includes Ásbyrgi, a gigantic and wide horseshoe-shaped canyon, Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe, and Hljóðaklettar or Echo Rocks. Continuing towards Egilsstaðir area. See Lagarfljót river, the alleged home of sea monster Lagarfljótsormur. Explore Hengifoss Waterfall, Hallormsstaður National Forest and Skriðuklaustur Centre of Culture and History.

Accommodation in Egilsstaðir area.

Day 6 | The Eastfjords

The drive along the Eastfjords is picturesque with a view of dramatic mountains, fjords and small fishing villages. The area has many interesting places, including villages such as Djúpivogur, Neskaupstaður, Seyðisfjörður and Fáskrúðsfjörður, which has a great view of Skrúður, a hollow cliff island that rises steeply out of the sea, east of the bay. Continue to Höfn town, known for its delicious lobster and dine at one of the local restaurants.

Accommodation in Höfn area.

Day 7 | Vatnajökull National Park

The south-east coast offers spectacular scenery, stop to explore the biggest glacial lagoon of its kind, Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon, its beauty will take your breath away. Enjoy the icebergs up close while sailing on the lagoon (April to October) and watch seals play in the water. Take an unusual tour to Ingólfshöfði cape on a hay wagon (May to August) and stop in Skaftafell, an ideal destination and popular wilderness area that offers hiking trails with stunning views.

Accommodation in Vík/Kirkjubæjarklaustur area.

Day 8 | The South Coast

The south coast holds some of Iceland’s beautiful attractions including Fjaðrárgljúfur, a canyon located not far from Kirkjubæjarklaustur village. Take time to explore the surrounding area of Vík village including Dyrhólaey peninsula, from where you have a breathtaking panoramic view to all directions with an endless black coastline to the west, Reynisdrangar rock formation to the east and Mýrdalsjökull glacier to the north. Continue to Skógafoss, one of the country’s most beautiful waterfalls, and Seljalandsfoss waterfall.

Accommodation in Gullfoss/Geysir area.

Day 9 | The South – Inland

Discover all the sights on the Golden Circle route, an area rich in history and culture and includes the stunning Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir hot spring area and Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the historic Skálholt cathedral and explore Kerið, a 3,000-year-old volcanic crater lake located in Grímsnes area.

Accommodation in Reykjavík (optional and not included in tour price).

Accommodation in Reykjavík

Optional and not included in tour price.

 

TripAdvisor reviews

Great Iceland trip! Hey Iceland gave us very personal help, making our holiday a highly memorable experience. We rarely had a problem doing everything we planned to do, and all the guesthouse owners and staff treated us very well. We had booked in January for a late-June trip, and weren't able to get all the Category guesthouses we wanted, but everything worked out fine.
Murray S

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