9 day self-drive adventure & activity tour around Iceland. Activites included:
Sites visited: Reykjavik, Þingvellir, Skaftafell, Vatnajökull, Egilsstaðir, Dimmuborgir, Mývatn, Skagafjörður & more.
This is the ultimate Icelandic Road Trip! The tour is designed see and experience all sides of Iceland by traveling around the country in only 9 days and 8 nights with local advice and hot tips in the provided Arctic Road Book. As with all our road trips this one not only includes a car, accommodation and the open road but we‘ve also fitted different adventures, activities and sightseeing unique to each part of the island for you to experience! These adventures include rafting a glacial river, relaxing in natural hot springs and witnessing the erupting geysers in the south-west of Iceland, a hike on the ancient ice of Vatnajökull Glacier in the south-east, visit the small fishing villages that dot the glacial fjords of east Iceland, whale-watching in the North Atlantic ocean and hike up to the highest waterfall in Iceland in the south-west. You’ll also be given the opportunity to explore the volcanic craters of the Mývatn Lake, gobble down the best ice cream in world in Akureyri and be mesmerized by the chatter of puffins and skuas on the Dyrhólaey. This is not even half the story… Iceland waits your discovery!
The Classic Roundtrip is a 9 days (8 nights) trip around Iceland. You can also choose to go with the express version which is 7 days (6 nights) or extend the time and add some extra days from our selection.
Detailed itinerary
DAY 1: Your tour starts early morning at Reykjavik Backpackers collecting the car and travel information. After leaving the city you‘ll visit the Golden Circle, starting with Þingvellir National Park. There you can see the meeting of the tectonic plates of Europe and North America and the site of the Viking parliament before seeking out the Geysir hot spring and the spouting Strokkur. 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 southwest of the country, strategically located for you plan for the following day.
DAY 2: The second day is dedicated to the famous south coast of Iceland all the way to the Skaftafell National Park. We recommend an early start so you can make good use of the day as there many places to visit on the way to Skaftafell. Make sure you don’t miss Seljalandsfoss and Skógar waterfalls, the black sands and jagged cliffs of Reynisfjara and the island peninsula of Dyrhólaey with its huge population of birds. Not to mention the infamous volcanic glacier of Eyjafjallajökull and its bigger brother Mýrdalsjökull. You should arrive in Skaftafell in Vatnajökull national park early evening. The second night you‘ll overnight in the area around Skaftafell national park.
DAY 3: Your third day starts early in Skaftafell National Park with a guided glacier hike on Vatnajökull glacier and sightseeing tour. The activity will last until the afternoon when you‘ll continue to the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon where you’ll go sailing among the ice bergs. For the third night you’ll head over to the area around the small town Höfn í Hornafirði for an overnight.
DAY 4: The road from Höfn to Egilsstaðir, the main town in East Iceland, follows the coastline and its deep glacier fjords, dotted with traditional fishing villages and lush countryside. This is a road that seems to have been crafted to fit the phrase “slow travel” so we suggest you take your time and enjoy the views and the open road. Visit Steinasafn Perlu in Stöðvarfjörður, grab a local lunch and maybe take a few minutes to fish of one of the hundreds of piers you will pass, nothing is more Icelandic then fishing and as they say “when in Rome…”. You’ll overnight in the Egilsstaðir area, which is one of very few inland towns in Iceland making their summer nights unusually warm and cozy, a great place to toast the midnight sun with a cold drink.
DAY 5: Start the day by visiting Hallormsstaður the largest forest in Iceland that lines the shore of Lögurinn glacier lake which you can explore on the Lagarfljótsormuinn boat, named after the ferocious dragon or “ormur” that resides in the depths of the lake. If you are not up for a boat ride you can go horse riding in the beautiful surroundings. Then continue to the North of Iceland finishing your day in the Húsavík - Mývatn area where you‘ll have a ticket to an evening visit to the Mývatn Nature Baths.
DAY 6: This day is dedicated to the many highlights of the North in the Húsavík - Mývatn region. Those include the lava wonderland of Dimmuborgir, Dettifoss, the most powerfull waterall in Europe, and Ásbyrgi canyon. In the small town of Húsavík we’ve included an afternoon whale watching tour in old but beautifully restored oak fishing boats. During the night you’ll overnight in the area in or around Akureyri.
DAY 7: Day seven is spent in the town of Akureyri, the capital of the North. This is great place to relax and enjoy the luxuries of this cozy place in the Eyjafjörður Fjord with towering mountain all around. Here you will find a great public swimming pool, with water slides for the kids and a multitude of hot pots for the grown ups. The main street is lined with great cafés, restaurants and bookstores and there are many good day hikes in the vicinity of the town. If you are a beer enthusiast make sure that a visit to the Kaldi brewery at Árskógssandur is at the top of your list. If you are an ice cream enthusiast then your tastebuds are also in for a treat as Akureyri has one of the best traditional ice cream parlors at Brynja and very likely the best organic ice cream factory with dozens of flavors, located just outside the town at the Hofland farmhouse.
DAY 8: Today you‘ll head from Akureyri region over to Skagafjörður where you go river rafting. The East Glacial River and West Glacier River are two of the most visited river rafting rivers in Iceland. There are two difficulty levels of river rafting available. 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 in a refreshing activity you‘ll continue to the Borgarnes area to overnight.
DAY 9: Today we suggest you drive the Hvalfjörður Fjord back to Reykjavik, bypassing the tunnel and taking the scenic road along the fjord. The best reason for your detour being that the fjord keeps the hidden secret of Glymur, the highest waterfall in Iceland. Hiking up the slope beside the canyon in which the waterfall hides you‘ll catch some magnificent views of it. After the stop, keep on driving to the capital city, finishing the tour in Reykjavik around dinnertime.
Details & Prices Valid June 15th 2011 - September 1st 2012
Accommodation type A - Car type A
2 persons per car 166.990 ISK per person
3 persons per car 158.990 ISK per person
4 persons per car 145.990 ISK per person
Accommodation type B - Car type A
2 persons per car 189.990 ISK per person
3 persons per car 169.990 ISK per person
4 persons per car 159.990 ISK per person
Accommodation type C - Car type B
2 persons per car 224.990 ISK per person
3 persons per car 215.990 ISK per person
4 persons per car 197.990 ISK per person
Accommodation type D - Car type B
2 persons per car 290.990 ISK per person
3 persons per car 259.990 ISK per person
4 persons per car 249.990 ISK per person
Price includes:
Accommodation (Choose Type A, B, C or D); A rental car (Choose Type A or B); GPS; The following tours & activities:
DAY 1: Snorkeling / River Rafting / Horse Riding (Choose one)
DAY 3:Glacier Hiking & Boat Tour on Jökulsárlón
DAY 5: Horse Riding
DAY 6: Whale Watching & Mývatn Nature Bath
DAY 8: River Rafting
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: Compact 2x4 car (Nissan Micra, VW Polo or similar).
- For 3-4 persons: Station wagon 2x4 (Subaru Legacy 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: Compact 2x4 car (Toyota Yaris or similar).
- For 3-4 persons: Station wagon 2x4 (Toyota Avensis 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!