8 day self-drive adventure & activity tour
Sites visited: Reykjavik, the Golden Circle, Kjölur, Skagafjörður, Akureyri, Mývatn, Ásbyrgi, Húsavík, Sprengisandur & more.
The Highland Circle is the ultimate self-drive adventure tour. In only 8 days you‘ll get to explore places around Iceland most travelers dream to see but only few actually do! During this tour you will not only cross the country once but twice, catching a glimpse of the unique, beautiful and rarely visited Icelandic highlands! Besides these unique views you‘ll get the chance to explore the top sites around Reykjavik in the south-west, Akureyri and Mývatn in the north, the famous south cost and Skaftafell national park in the south-east. On each location you‘ll get to undertake an adventure or an activity specific to each area. To name a few things you‘ll visit the Golden Circle in south-west, view the deserted highlands while undertaking some awesome 4X4 roads, go river rafting on a world class white water rafting river in Skagafjörður, snorkel on the meeting of the tetonic plates of North America and Europe, go whale watching in Húsavík, and go hiking on the largest glacier in Europe and so much more!
Detailed itinerary
DAY 1: Your tour starts early morning at Reykjavik Backpackers where you collect your travel documents if you have not done that already. After leaving the city you‘ll visit the Golden Circle, starting with Þingvellir National Park. There you can see the tectonic plates of Europe and North America meet and the site of the Viking parliament before seeking out the Geysir hot spring, the spouting Strokkur and Gullfoss waterfall. This day includes a choice between three activities, you can go river rafting on the beautiful Hvítá River, snorkeling in the Silfra fissure in Þingvellir or horse riding. The first night you’ll stay in the south west area, strategically located for your plan for the following day.
DAY 2: Now you cross the Kjölur highland route with it‘s beautiful landscape. You pass Hvítárvatn lake, the source of Hvítá river and Kerlingarfjöll mountains, famous for it‘s hiking routes and hot pool. Hveravellir nature reserve with it‘s amazing geothermal activity is a great place for a stop. You can take a dip in a geothermal pool which has natural hot and cold water. At Hveravellir you are situated right between the glaciers Langjökull and Hofsjökull and the scenery is stunning. You‘ll then continue north until you reach the Skagafjörður district where you‘ll spend the night.
DAY 3: Today you‘ll go river rafting on one of the two glacier rivers Skagafjörður boasts. The East Glacial River and West Glacier River are two of the most visited river rafting rivers in Iceland. Each one of them offers different difficulty levels of river rafting. The first river is top class rafting (ranking 4 to 4+) and the second one is a family friendly river with grade 2 to 2+ rapids. After enjoying the outdoors and the refreshing activity you‘ll continue to the Akureyri town for your overnight stay. Akureyri has alot to offer, it is called the capital of the north.
DAY 4: We recommend you start your day early as there are a lot of interesting sights to see today. Make a short stop at Goðafoss waterfall before continuing to the magical area of Mývatn. Lake Mývatn is famous for rich birdlife and volcanic activity. Just a view of the lake and its surroundings is an experience by itself but there are numerous sights that are worth your time. Dimmuborgir (dark castles) lava fields, Víti explotion crater, the steaming hot volcano crater Leirhnjukur and Námafjall geothermal area with it‘s bubbling mud pools are definitly highlights. After checking out the Mývatn lake you will drive further east to Jökulsárgljúfur Nation Park where you will visit Dettifoss Waterfall and Ásbyrgi canyon. At last you visit Húsavík town, famous for it‘s whale watching tours. A preferred overnight stay is in the Húsavík/Mývatn area (taking the Tjörnes circle).
DAY 5: This is the longest stretch between the south and north so we have to keep the pace on this day. The route lies between Hofsjökull and Vatnajökull glaciers in a very remote and barren enviroment. The landscape is rough and often it‘s a challange to cross it but taking your time in a good 4x4 this might be the 4X4 adventure of your life. You start by driving the Bárðardalur Valley which is one of the longest valleys in Iceland. You then continue the Sprengisandur route passing lakes and magnificent mountain views until you reach Hrauneyjar highland center. From here you are a short distance away from many beautiful locations like Landmannalaugar, Thjórsárdalur and Mount Hekla. You‘ll overnight in the area.
DAY 6: Explore the Landmannalaugar area with it‘s unique surroundings, hot springs and colourful rhyolite mountains. After the magnificent views in Landmannalaugar drive the Fjallabak Nyrðra mountain road behind the massive Mýrdalsjökull Glacier. On the way you‘ll cross various rivers, pass the Ljótipollur highland lake and drive under imposing mountains in an utterly unforgettable wilderness. When reaching Route 1 you will continue east along the coast to Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park with its alpine spires and massive glaciers.
DAY 7: Today you‘ll leave your jeep in the Skaftafell National Park and join our expert glacier guides on a day tour from Skaftafell. This tour includes glacier hiking on an outlet glacier of the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajökull, which is an experience of a lifetime. After finishing the glacier hiking you’ll head over to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon for a worth your while boat tour among the floating icebergs. Another night will be spent in the Skaftafell area.
DAY 8: Use the last day of your road trip to travel back to Reykjavik. There are many interesting sights and stops on this 300 km route along the famous south coast of Iceland. Among them are Reynisfjara black lava sand beach, Dyrhólaey peninsula, Reynisdrangar cliffs and Skógar and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls. Return back to Reykjavik in the afternoon marks the end of your road trip.
Details & Prices Valid June 15th - September 1st 2012
Type A accommodation - Type A car
2 persons per car 209.990 ISK per person
3 persons per car 189.990 ISK per person
4 persons per car 179.990 ISK per person
Type B accommodation - Type A car
2 persons per car 229.990 ISK per person
3 persons per car 199.990 ISK per person
4 persons per car 185.990 ISK per person
Type C accommodation - Type B car
2 persons per car 273.990 ISK per person
3 persons per car 252.990 ISK per person
4 persons per car 224.990 ISK per person
Type D accommodation - Type B car
2 persons per car 329.990 ISK per person
3 persons per car 289.990 ISK per person
4 persons per car 279.990 ISK per person
Price includes: 4x4 rental car (Choose type A or B); Accommodation (Choose Type A, B, C or D); the following activities:
DAY 1: Snorkeling / River Rafting / Horse Riding (Choose one)
DAY 3: River Rafting
DAY 4: Whale Watching
DAY 7: Glacier Hiking and a boat tour on Jökulsárlón
Not included: Fuel for the car; Food & Supplies for your trip Accommodation & Cars We offer four types of accommodation and two types of cars.
- Type A accommodation: Camping Equipment: Tent, sleeping bag with liner, pillow, mattress and cooking gear. Camping site fee is not included. Suggestions of sites come with the road book.
- Type B accommodation: Sleeping bag accommdation in a room with shared facilities. Location and guesthouse or hotel depending on availability. Double/triple room or possibly a dorm in certain locations. Breakfast not included unless it is a standard with the room.
- Type C accommodation: Private room with made up bed and shared facilites. Location and guesthouse or hotel depending on availability. Breakfast included unless stated otherwise.
- Type D accommodation: Private room with made up bed and private facilities. Location and guesthouse or hotel depending on availability. Breakfast included.
- Car type A: The vehicle is old (between 5-15 years) but well maintained, clean and fulfills all governmental inspections and safety standards. Unlimited mileage and allows the drivers to drive on all roads and tracks, only dependent on vehicle type and a few general safety guidelines. GPS included and standard insurance. Gas not included.
For 2 persons: Small size 4x4 (Suzuki Jimny or similar).
For 3-4 persons: Small size 4x4 (Terrano or similar).
- Car type B: A new car from Hertz (maximum 2-3 years old) or a similar car rental. GPS included and standard insurance. Gas not included
For 2 persons: Small size 4x4 (Grand Vitara or similar).
For 3-4 persons: Small size 4x4 (Toyota LandCruiser or similar).
Extras (not included but available upon request):
10% discount off accommodation at Reykjavik Backpackers for your stay in Reykjavik.
See prices here. Airport transfer from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik city (where you pick up your car and equipment on departure day). Includes a drop off at Reykjavik Backpackers or other hotel/guesthouse/hostel if needed.
Airport transfer from Reykjavik city on your departure day. Includes pick up at Reykjavik Backpackers or other hotel/guesthouse/hostel if needed.
Disclaimer
Please note that the accommodation is often in rural areas where the selection of places is limited. Of the near 318.000 people who live in Iceland about 200.000 live in Reykjavik. Hotel and guesthouse owners in the country side do their best to keep the athmosphere cosy and nice even though they don‘t always have the latest technology or most modern enviroment (some do, some don‘t). Their emphasis is the welcoming feeling you'll have on your home away from home. The main attractions in Iceland are the nature, culture, and history of the island as well as the action that it has to offer. Hope you enjoy your stay!