Itinerary
- Day 1
Keflavik to Reykjavik
After landing at Keflavik, you'll pick up your rental car and drive about 50 km to your accommodation in the Reykjavik area. Take your time getting oriented to the car and the roads before heading to your lodging.
- Day 2
Reykjavik to Golden Circle
Start the day at Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO site where you can see the tectonic plate divide between North American and Eurasian plates. Drive from there to Gullfoss waterfall, then head to the geothermal geyser area where water shoots up every 7 to 10 minutes. The Geysircenter has information about how it all works.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Thingvellir National Park
- Visit Gullfoss waterfall
- Visit geothermal geyser area
- Geysircenter exhibition
Landmarks/POIs Thingvellir National Park Gullfoss Geysircenter 
- Day 3
Golden Circle to South Coast
Stop at the Lava Center in Hvolsvöllur to check out interactive exhibits on Iceland's volcanic history and ongoing volcanic activity. From there, drive along the south coast and see Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls. Later, head to Reynisfjara black sand beach near Vik where you can hunt for polished lava stones.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Lava Center exhibition
- Photo stop at Seljalandsfoss waterfall
- Photo stop at Skógafoss waterfall
- Walk along Reynisfjara black sand beach
Landmarks/POIs Lava Center Seljalandsfoss Skógafoss Reynisfjara 
- Day 4
South Coast to Vatnajökull
Drive to Skaftafell National Park for an easy 2-hour hike to glacier tongues. After that, you have the option to take a tractor-drawn hay cart ride out to Ingolfshöfdi peninsula to see bird colonies. Later, visit Jökulsarlon glacier lagoon and either take a 30-minute boat trip between icebergs or walk around the lagoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Easy hike to glacier tongues at Skaftafell National Park
- Jökulsarlon glacier lagoon visit
Optional Activities
- Tractor-drawn hay cart ride to Ingolfshöfdi peninsula (approximately 2.5 hours)
- Boat trip between icebergs at Jökulsarlon glacier lagoon (approximately 30 minutes) - not available in October
- Walk along Jökulsarlon lagoon or on Diamond Beach
Landmarks/POIs Skaftafell National Park Ingolfshöfdi Jökulsarlon 
- Day 5
Vatnajökull to East Fjords
Drive through the East Fjords toward Djupivogur with a coffee break at a cozy house along the way. If interested, drop by Petra's Stone Museum to see roughly 150 types of minerals found in Iceland. Continue through Hallormsstaður, Iceland's largest forest area, then spend time relaxing in the warm waters of Vök Bath near Egilsstaðir.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive through East Fjords
- Coffee stop in Djupivogur
Optional Activities
- Petra's Stone Museum visit
- Relaxing dip in Vök Bath near Egilsstaðir
Landmarks/POIs Petra's Stone Museum Hallormsstaður Vök Bath - Day 6
East Fjords to Mývatn
Stop at Mórudalur farm where you can pet sheep and goats. Head to Námaskarð and walk through the colorful solfatar fields. At Lake Mývatn, look for stone trolls in the Dimmuborgir lava maze with its unusual rock formations and lava towers. You can also balance on pseudocraters or hike up a volcanic cone if you want.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Mödrudalur farm to pet sheep and goats
- Explore Námaskard solfatar fields
- Explore Dimmuborgir lava maze
Optional Activities
- Balance on pseudocraters in Dimmuborgir area
- Short hike up volcanic cone
Landmarks/POIs Mödrudalur Námaskard Dimmuborgir 
- Day 7
Mývatn/Húsavík
Choose between taking a whale watching boat trip from Húsavík (where up to 15 whale species including humpbacks and dolphins show up in summer) or visiting the whale museum at the harbor. After that, drive along Tjörnes peninsula to Ásbyrgi gorge and Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall located in Vatnajökull National Park.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Ásbyrgi gorge
- Visit Dettifoss waterfall
Optional Activities
- Whale watching tour from fishing boat in Húsavík
- Whale museum visit at Húsavík harbor
- Stop at cafés and restaurants in Húsavík
Landmarks/POIs Húsavík Ásbyrgi Dettifoss 
- Day 8
North Iceland
Stop at Goðafoss waterfall on your way to Akureyri, the charming northern capital. Drive over a mountain pass into Skagafjörður valley, known for sheep and horse breeding. There's an option to try a short ride on Icelandic horses if you're interested. Before moving on, watch for seal colonies and various birds on Vatsnes peninsula.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Goðafoss waterfall
- Visit Akureyri
- Observe seal colonies and bird species on Vatsnes peninsula
Optional Activities
- Short ride on Icelandic horses at a farm
Landmarks/POIs Goðafoss Akureyri Vatsnes peninsula 
- Day 9
North to Reykjavik
Heading back toward Reykjavik, stop in Borgarfjörður where you'll find Deildatunghuhver, Europe's largest hot spring with roughly 100 liters of 95°C/203°F water flowing out every second. Return to the Reykjavik area and consider spending time in one of the local swimming pools if you want.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Deildatunghuhver hot spring
Optional Activities
- Relaxing dip in swimming pools in Reykjavik
Landmarks/POIs Deildatunghuhver - Day 10
Reykjavik to Keflavik
Drive to Keflavik Airport for your return flight. Turn in your rental car and head through departure, concluding your trip around Iceland.
- Meals
- Breakfast
