Itinerary
- Day 1
Keflavik to Reykjavik
Land at Keflavik International Airport and pick up your rental car for the drive to Reykjavik, roughly 50 km away. After settling into your hotel, you'll have the evening to rest and adjust to the local time.
- Day 2
Golden Circle
Head out on the Golden Circle route this morning. You'll stop at Thingvellir National Park, see Gullfoss waterfall, and watch Strokkur geyser shoot up every 8-10 minutes. Optional activities include the Fontana spa in Laugarvatn or a snowmobile safari on Langj\u00f6kull glacier if you're up for something more active. Later in the day, check out Seljalandsfjoss and Skogafoss waterfalls on the south coast before driving roughly 280 km to the Vik area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Thingvellir National Park
- See Gullfoss waterfall
- Watch Strokkur geyser erupt
- View Seljalandsfjoss waterfall
- View Skogafoss waterfall
Optional Activities
- Relax at Fontana spa in Laugarvatn with hot pots
- Visit Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin) - Iceland's oldest and most authentic thermal bath
- Snowmobile safari on Langj\u00f6kull glacier with super truck transfer
Landmarks/POIs Thingvellir National Park Gullfoss Strokkur geyser Fontana spa Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin) Langj\u00f6kull glacier Seljalandsfjoss waterfall Skogafoss waterfall 
- Day 3
Vik
Spend your time in Vik exploring the famous black sand beach and the unusual Reynisdrangar rock formations rising from the volcanic shore. You can wander through local cafes, browse shops for Icelandic sweaters, or search for Northern Lights in the sky. If you want something more adventurous, an optional glacier hike on Solheimaj\u00f6kull gets you up close to the ice with a guide leading the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Vik black sand beach
- View Reynisdrangar rock formations
Optional Activities
- Glacier hike on Solheimaj\u00f6kull with experienced guide
- Visit local caf\u00e9s
- Visit factory shop for Icelandic souvenirs and sweaters
Landmarks/POIs Vik black sand beach Reynisdrangar Solheimaj\u00f6kull glacier Katla volcano Myrdalsj\u00f6kull glacier - Day 4
Vik to Höfn
Drive from Vik toward H\u00f6fn, crossing through Myrdalssandur's vast sandy landscape. At Skaftafell National Park, take a roughly 6 km hike on clear trails to reach Svartifoss waterfall, which drops dramatically between dark basalt columns. You'll also pass Svinafellsj\u00f6kull, a glacier tongue that moves around one meter daily. The total drive is approximately 280 km, and the scenery along this route ranks among Iceland's most dramatic.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Hike to Svartifoss waterfall in Skaftafell National Park (approximately 6 km)
- Visit Svinafellsj\u00f6kull glacier tongue
Landmarks/POIs Myrdalssandur Skaftafell National Park Svartifoss waterfall Svinafellsj\u00f6kull Vatnaj\u00f6kull glacier 
- Day 5
Höfn
Explore the Vatnaj\u00f6kull area, which covers over 8,300 square kilometers. Take a super jeep tour into the Crystal Ice Cave to see the incredible blue ice formations up close. Walk around J\u00f6kulsarlon glacier lagoon and watch chunks of ice calve off the glacier into the water. You'll recognize this landscape from Batman Begins and Die Another Day, which filmed here.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walk around J\u00f6kulsarlon glacier lagoon
Optional Activities
- Crystal Ice Cave tour with Super Jeep - explore crystal blue ice beneath Vatnaj\u00f6kull glacier
Landmarks/POIs Vatnaj\u00f6kull glacier J\u00f6kulsarlon glacier lagoon - Day 6
Höfn to Egilsstadir
Travel north along the east coast fjords through small fishing villages. Stop in Djupivogur to check out its historic houses and museum, including the oldest harbor in the East Fjords dating back to the 16th century. Continue to Egilsstadir, taking in views of steep mountains, flat beaches, glaciers, and forests along the way. An optional detour to V\u00f6k Baths, the region's newest thermal spa, is available. The drive covers approximately 300 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Djupivogur fishing village and harbor
Optional Activities
- Visit V\u00f6k Baths - newest thermal spa in the East
Landmarks/POIs Djupivogur V\u00f6k Baths - Day 7
Egilsstadir to Myvatn
Head toward Lake Myvatn, where volcanic landscapes dominate. Walk through Dimmuborgir's lava formations and check out the pseudo-crater of Skutustadir. The bubbling mud pools at Namaskard show the area's geothermal activity. Later, stay up to hunt for Northern Lights, since the Myvatn region offers excellent viewing conditions. The drive is about 200 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Skutustadir pseudo-crater
- Explore Dimmuborgir lava labyrinth
- View Namaskard mud pools and geothermal area
Optional Activities
- Northern Lights hunting
Landmarks/POIs Lake Myvatn Skutustadir Dimmuborgir Namaskard 
- Day 8
Myvatn
Soak in the Myvatn Nature Bath like a local, or explore more of the area on your own terms. Visit Godafoss waterfall, where water and ice combine to create unusual formations. From December to March, you can take an optional 2-hour snowshoe hike through Krafla Volcano Park to see lava fields and steaming geothermal features.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Relax at Myvatn Nature Bath (Jardb\u00f6din) thermal bath
- View Godafoss waterfall
- Snowshoe hike in Krafla Volcano Park (December to March, 2 hours)
Landmarks/POIs Myvatn Nature Bath (Jardb\u00f6din) Godafoss Krafla Volcano Park 
- Day 9
Myvatn to Akureyri
Stop in the colorful fishing village of Husav\u00edk, known for whale watching. Take an optional whale watching tour to see them in their natural habitat, or relax at the GeoSea geothermal bath. Then drive to Akureyri, the north's main city, where you can optionally check out the Forest Lagoon with its thermal waters and city views. The drive is roughly 180 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Whale watching tour in Husav\u00edk (available November, March, and April only)
- GeoSea geothermal bath in Husavik
- Forest Lagoon thermal bath in Akureyri
Landmarks/POIs Husav\u00edk GeoSea geothermal bath Forest Lagoon - Day 10
Akureyri to Borgarfjördur
Travel through dramatic mountain landscapes toward Skagafj\u00f6rdur, Iceland's horse breeding heartland. Ride one of the sturdy Icelandic horses through the winter landscape for a memorable experience, or visit the seal center in Hvammstangi if you prefer something calmer. Head southwest toward Borgarnes afterward. The total drive is about 360 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Ride Icelandic horses through the winter landscape
- Visit seal center in Hvammstangi
Landmarks/POIs Skagafj\u00f6rdur Hvammstangi seal center - Day 11
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Explore the Sn\u00e6fellsnes peninsula and its dramatic coastline. Hike in Arnarstapi with Snaefellsj\u00f6kull glacier visible in the distance, and stop for photos at Kirkjufell, the distinctive arrowhead-shaped mountain. It gained fame from Game of Thrones but has drawn visitors for far longer. The drive covers approximately 330 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hike in Arnarstapi
- Visit Kirkjufell mountain
Landmarks/POIs Snæfellsnes peninsula Arnarstapi Snaefellsj\u00f6kull Kirkjufell - Day 12
Snæfellsnes Peninsula to Reykjavik
Choose your final experience. Take a super jeep onto Langj\u00f6kull, Europe's second largest glacier, and explore an ice cave beneath the surface. Alternatively, head back to Reykjavik for the aurora cruise (available through mid-April) to see Northern Lights over the Atlantic with the city's lights behind you. Other options include the Fly over Iceland flight simulator at Perlan Adventure Center. The drive is roughly 200 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Into the Glacier adventure - super jeep transfer to Langj\u00f6kull glacier and ice cave exploration
- Fly over Iceland flight simulator at Perlan Adventure Center
- Perlan Adventure Center - learn about Icelandic nature
- Aurora cruise (available until mid-April)
Landmarks/POIs Langj\u00f6kull glacier Perlan Adventure Center - Day 13
Reykjavik to Keflavik
Drive to Keflavik International Airport, return your rental car, and depart Iceland. The drive covers approximately 50 km.
- Meals
- Breakfast
