This express tour is the “fast track” around the Ring Road, designed to include as many of Iceland’s top sights as time allows, including hot springs, glaciers, waterfalls, volcanic black sand beaches and more.
Attractions:
Geysir
Geysir
Gullfoss
Gullfoss
Jokulsarlon
Jokulsarlon
Dyrhólaey
Dyrhólaey
SELJALANDSFOSS
SELJALANDSFOSS
SKAFTAFELL
SKAFTAFELL
Skogafoss
Skogafoss
Akureyri
Akureyri
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN REYKJAVÍK
Arrival at Keflavik Airport and transfer to hotel in Reykjavík.
Rest of the day is free for you to explore the vibrant city centre with its abundance of museums, restaurants and bars to suit all tastes.
Spend the night in central Reykjavik.
Day 2. THE GOLDEN CIRCLE
Collect your rental car in the morning and begin your journey on the classic “Golden Circle” route that includes: Þingvellir National Park, the hot springs of the Haukadalur geothermal area, the majestic Gullfoss waterfall and the old implosion crater of Kerið.
Continue your drive along the south coast and visit the graceful Seljalandsfoss waterfall (where you can walk behind the cascade), and the equally impressive Skógafoss waterfall.
Spend the night in the Vík area.
Driving distance approx. 320 km / 199 mi.
DAY 3: GLACIERS AND ICEBERGS
Visit the black volcanic beach near Vík and the rock formations of Dyrhólaey and Reynisdrangar.
Head to Skaftafell, part of the immense Vatnajökull National Park.
On your way towards Höfn, take a break at the amazing Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, where you can join a boat ride among the maze of floating icebergs (optional).
Spend the night in the Höfn area.
Driving distance approx. 270 km/ 168 mi.
DAY 4: EAST FJORDS & LAKE MÝVATN
Drive along East Iceland is characterised by spectacular fjords, tranquil fishing villages and sweeping landscapes.
Arrive at Lake Mývatn, where there is abundance of unusual natural wonders including the Krafla volcano, the curiously-coloured Námaskarð pass, the fascinating lava formations at
maze of Dimmuborgir and the lunar-like pseudo-craters at Skútustaðir.
Spend the night in the Lake Mývatn area.
Driving distance approx. 420 km / 261 mi.
DAY 5: THE CAPITAL OF THE NORTH
Spend the first half of the day exploring the sights around Lake Mývatn before driving towards Skagafjörður.
On the way stop to enjoy the beautiful Goðafoss waterfall, the charming town of Akureyri—nicknamed “The Capital of North Iceland”—and the Glaumbær turf farm museum.
Spend the night in the Skagafjörður area.
Driving distance approx. 200 km / 124 mi.
DAY 6: HISTORY AND HOT SPRINGS
Head back to Reykjavik.
Notable sights along the way include the Grábrók volcanic crater, the Icelandic Settlement Centre in Borgarnes, Deildartunguhver—the largest hot spring in Europe—and the beautiful Hraunfossar waterfalls and Barnafoss waterfalls.
Spend the night in central Reykjavík. On return to Reykjavik, return the rental car before settling in at your accommodation.
Driving distance approx. 275 km / 171 mi.
DAY 7: DEPARTURE
Transfer to Keflavík Airport as per your flight timings.
If your flight is in the afternoon, you can fit in a relaxing visit to the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa or even take a short guided tour of the volcanic Reykjanes Peninsula (optional; not included).
