Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Iceland
You'll land at Keflavik Airport and pick up your rental car right away. From there, drive through Iceland's volcanic landscape heading toward Reykholt, where you'll stay for the next two nights. The drive gives you time to get oriented, and once you arrive, settle in and rest up after traveling.
- Day 2
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Head to the Snæfellsnes peninsula for the day. You'll start by checking out seal colonies at Ytri-Tunga Beach, then move on to Bjarnafoss waterfall and the Black Church of Búðir. After that, hike up Saxhóll crater for glacier views, and finish at Kirkjufell mountain and Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall before heading back.
Included Activities
- Visit Ytri-Tunga Beach to see seals
- Visit Bjarnafoss waterfall
- Visit Black Church of Búðir
- Drive through Raudfeldsgja gorge
- Visit Djúpalónssandur black sand beach
- View Sólheimasandur shipwreck
- Hike Saxhóll crater
- Visit Kirkjufell mountain
- Visit Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall
Landmarks/POIs Ytri-Tunga Beach Bjarnafoss Black Church of Búðir Raudfeldsgja gorge Djúpalónssandur Sólheimasandur plane wreck Saxhóll crater Snæfellsjökull glacier Kirkjufell Kirkjufellsfoss - Day 3
South Coast
Drive to Iceland's south coast using your rental car. Stop at Seljalandsfoss waterfall where you can walk right behind the water, then continue to Skógafoss to see its rainbow spray. Later, drive to the village of Vík near Mýrdalsjökull glacier and walk the black sand beach before settling into your accommodation.
Included Activities
- Visit Seljalandsfoss waterfall and walk behind the water curtain
- Visit Skógafoss waterfall
- Visit village of Vík
- Stroll black sand beach at Vík
Landmarks/POIs Seljalandsfoss Skógafoss Vík í Mýrdal Mýrdalsjökull glacier - Day 4
Reynisfjara and Dyrholaey
Start with Reynisfjara beach, known for its black sand, powerful rock formations and crashing waves. Next, check out Hálsanefshellir Cave with its dramatic basalt columns. Then hike the Dyrholaey peninsula looking for puffins, and trek to the Sólheimasandur plane wreck before the day ends.
Included Activities
- Visit Reynisfjara Beach
- Explore Hálsanefshellir Cave
- Hike Dyrholaey peninsula
- Trek to Sólheimasandur plane wreck
Optional Activities
- Spot puffins at Dyrholaey peninsula
Landmarks/POIs Reynisfjara Beach Hálsanefshellir Cave Dyrholaey peninsula Sólheimasandur plane wreck - Day 5
Skaftafell National Park
Begin with an optional visit to Hjörleifshöfði mountain and Yoda Cave if you're interested. Stop at Fjáðrárgljúfur canyon, then head to Skaftafell National Park for hiking. You'll walk through lava plains and glacier-fed river landscapes, making your way to Svartifoss black waterfall framed by basalt columns.
Included Activities
- Visit Skaftafell National Park
- Hike to Svartifoss waterfall
Optional Activities
- Visit Hjörleifshöfði island mountain
- Explore Yoda Cave
- Stop at Fjaðrárglúfur canyon
Landmarks/POIs Hjörleifshöfði Yoda Cave Fjaðrárglúfur canyon Skaftafell National Park Skaftafellsjökull glacier Morsárjökull glacier Skeidararjökull glacier Svartifoss - Day 6
Vatnajökull Glacier Hike
Join a professional English-speaking guide for a glacier hike on Vatnajökull. You'll be equipped with crampons and a helmet to explore ice formations, glacier mills, and deep gorges. In the evening, watch for Northern Lights dancing across the night sky if conditions cooperate.
Included Activities
- Glacier hike on Vatnajökull in Skaftafell National Park with English-speaking guide
Landmarks/POIs Vatnajökull glacier - Day 7
Diamond Beach to Hveragerði
Visit Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach, where blocks of glittering ice wash up on black sand creating a surreal landscape. Afterward, start driving westward across Iceland, stopping at scenic viewpoints along the route. You'll arrive in Hveragerði for the night.
Included Activities
- Visit Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
- Visit Diamond Beach
Landmarks/POIs Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon Diamond Beach - Day 8
Golden Circle
Drive the Golden Circle route in your rental car. First stop is Kerid Crater (admission paid separately if you want to go in), then the powerful Gullfoss waterfall and the geysers Strokkur, Stóri, and the Great Geyser in Haukadalur. Finish at Þingvellir National Park to see where continental plates meet and Öxarárfoss waterfall, then end in Reykjavik.
Included Activities
- Visit Gullfoss waterfall
- Visit Strokkur geyser
- Visit Stóri geyser
- Visit Great Geyser
- Visit Þingvellir National Park
- View continental plate movement at Almanna Gorge
- Visit Öxarárfoss waterfall
Optional Activities
- Visit Kerid Crater (admission payable on site)
Landmarks/POIs Kerid Crater Gullfoss Strokkur geyser Great Geyser Haukadalur geothermal area Þingvellir National Park Almanna Gorge Öxarárfoss - Day 9
Reykjanes Peninsula
Explore the geothermal wonders of Reykjanes Peninsula. Walk wooden paths near the Krýsuvík volcano system hot springs with colorful minerals and steam. Visit Fagradalsfjall volcano and hike through lava flows, then feel the extreme heat at Gunnuhver's hot springs (over 300°C underground). Cross the bridge between the Eurasian and North American continental plates.
Included Activities
- Visit Krýsuvík volcano system hot springs
- Visit Fagradalsfjall volcano
- Hike through lava flows
- Visit Gunnuhver hot springs
- Cross Brúin milli heimsálfa bridge between continental plates
Landmarks/POIs Krýsuvík volcano system Fagradalsfjall volcano Gunnuhver Brúin milli heimsálfa bridge - Day 10
Departure
Return your rental car at the airport and reflect on your 10-day adventure. You've seen thundering waterfalls, massive glaciers, geysers, volcanoes, and more natural wonders than you could have imagined across Iceland.
