Planned by Eric,
local expert for Iceland
5.0/5
Starting at USD 2668 per adult / 10 days
International flights not included. Price details
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Spend 10 days driving along Iceland's scenic Ring Road, which stretches around the outside of the country. Soak in a thermal tub or pool beside gushing geysers or waterfalls, and relish the prospect of whale-watching, bird-watching, and glacier hiking in magical surroundings.

This itinerary is just a starting point as all services are 100% customizable to suit your travel wants and needs. Looking for different hotels, other experiences or an alternative route? Get in touch with Eric today to receive your personalized quote. Just enter your details and receive a quote based on your preferences.

Overview

Golden Circle 1 night
South West Coast 1 night
South East Coast 1 night
Eastfjords 2 nights
Lake Myvatn 2 nights
North West Iceland 1 night
Reykjavik 1 night

Detailed Itinerary

Start in Reykjanes Peninsula

DAY 1-2

Golden Circle

DAY 1

Golden Circle

Highlights• Geysir geothermal area, with the Strokkur geyser that erupts every 8-10 minutes• Gullfoss, the golden falls• Thingvellir National Park, a historically significant site with the rift valley between the tectonic plates• Beautiful Kerid, a volcanic crater lakeThe Golden Circle is Iceland's most popular sightseeing route. The three pillars of this region are Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and the Gullfoss waterfall.Thingvellir, a historically significant site, is located in the rift valley between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. The Strokkur geyser, which erupts 30 meters up into the air every 8-10 minutes, is the highlight of the Geysir geothermal area. Gullfoss, the golden falls, is one of Iceland's most impressive waterfalls.Apart from the most famous sights, there are several options for activities and lesser-visited gems including the Kerid crater lake and the hot springs town of Hveragerdi.

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Activity options in the Golden Circle

• Geothermal bakery tour (all year) (0+)• Secret Lagoon geothermal baths (all year) (0+)• Laugarvatn Fontana spa (all year) (0+)• Lava cave tour (all year) (3+)• Snowmobiling tour (all year) (6+ with a driver)• Horse riding tour (all year) (7+)• Inside the Volcano tour (May-Oct) (8+)• Silfra snorkelling (all year) (12+)

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DAY 2-3

South West Coast

South West Coast Travel guide

DAY 2

South Coast waterfalls & black sand beaches

Highlights• Iconic waterfall duo of Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss• Volcanic black sands at Reynisfjara with sea stacks and basalt columns• Dyrholaey cliffs and stone arch, with possibilities to see puffins• Views of the famous volcanoes Eyjafjallajokull, Hekla and Katla• Optional: Skogar Folk MuseumThe scenic south coast is home to many of Iceland's most famous attractions and some offbeat ones, with views of world-famous glacier-volcanoes from road 1.Seljalandsfoss is a unique waterfall allowing the possibility to walk behind it. The picture-perfect Skogafoss is often accompanied by rainbows and is a favourite for photographers.The black sand beaches of Reynisfjara offer fantastic views of the Reynisdrangar sea stacks and the Dyrholaey cliff.

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Activity options in the South West Coast

• Horse riding tour (all year) (6+)• Ice cave tour (all year) (6+)• Snowmobiling tour (all year) (6+ with a rider)• ATV safari on the black sand beach (all year) (8+ with a driver)• Glacier hike (all year) (10+)• Glacier & ice climbing tour (all year) (14+)

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DAY 3-4

South East Coast

South East Coast Travel guide

DAY 3

Skaftafell National Park & Glacier lagoons

Highlights• Skaftafell Nature Reserve with an optional hike to the picturesque Svartifoss waterfall• Magnificent Fjadrargljufur canyon• Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and Breidamerkurfjara “diamond beach”• Optional: Fjallsarlon, Heinabergslon and Hoffellsjokull glacier lagoonsThe landscape of Southeast Iceland is dominated by Vatnajokull, Europe’s largest glacier. Nestled between its glacier tongues is the beautiful Skaftafell nature reserve which offers a variety of hiking options, including the easy walk to the Skaftafellsjokull glacier tongue and a short hike to the picturesque Svartifoss waterfall.Jokulsarlon is the most famous glacier lagoon in Iceland, dotted with icebergs that flow down to the sea and are then washed up on the popular "diamond" beach.With several lesser-visited glacier lagoons, the ancient Fjadrargljufur canyon and charming towns, South East Iceland will take your breath away!

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Activity options in the South East Coast

• Puffin watching tour (May-Aug) (0+)• Super jeep glacier tour (Mar-Oct) (0+)• Crystal ice cave tour (Sep-May) (6+)• Glacier lagoon boat tour (Apr-Nov, 0+ for amphibian) (Jun-Sep, 10+ for zodiac boat)• Glacier hike (all year) (10+)• Kayaking tour on a glacier lagoon (May-Sep) (14+)• Glacier hike & ice climbing tour (May-Oct) (14+)

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DAY 4-6

Eastfjords

Eastfjords Travel guide

DAY 4

The Eastfjords

Highlights• Options for detours to fishing villages and scenic fjords including the picturesque Seydisfjordur and the remote Mjoifjordur• The mystical Lake Lagarfljot• Serene Hallormsstadaskogur forest• Optional: Hengifoss waterfall hike• Optional: The impressive basalt columns and bright blue glacial river at StudlagilThe Eastfjords have one of the most scenic stretches of the Ring Road with towering mountains, scenic fjords, and charming fishing villages, each with a special character.Egilsstadir, the capital of the Eastfjords, is set on the banks of the Lake Lagarfljot, which is rumoured to host a lake monster! The drive around the lake takes you through the largest forest in Iceland and hikers can take a short hike up to the Hengifoss waterfall.The Studlagil canyon features some of the most impressive basalt column formations in Iceland.

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DAY 5

Eastfjords Villages

Highlights• Narrow Mjoifjordur fjord with the tiny Brekkuthorp village• Incredible coastal views from the Dalatangi lighthouse• Charming Seydisfjordur, one of the best-preserved villages in Iceland• Borgarfjordur Eystri, home of puffins and elves with its colourful mountain backdropThe remote fjords and charming fishing villages of the Eastfjords are not on the road 1 and the extra day (or two) to explore this region is well worth it.Mjoifjordur is one of Iceland’s most beautiful and remote fjords and home to one of its tiniest villages with just 40 residents.Seydisfjordur is one of the best-preserved coastal towns in Iceland; the town centre has timber houses, art shops and a pretty blue church.Borgarfjordur Eystri, the town of elves and puffins, is one of the best places to see puffins in the summer.

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Activity options in the Eastfjords

• Reindeer tour (Oct-Mar) (0+)• Vok Baths (all year) (0+)• Winter super jeep safari (Feb-Apr) (6+)• Horse riding (May-Sep) (10+)• Axe throwing (May-Sep) (16+)

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DAY 6-8

Lake Myvatn

Lake Myvatn Travel guide

DAY 6

The wonders of Lake Myvatn

Highlights• The bubbling geothermal landscape at Hverir and Leirhnjukur• Fascinating lava-rock formations at Dimmuborgir• Extraordinary Skutustadagigar pseudo craters• Grjotagja lava cave and spring, also featured in the Game of Thrones series• Optional: The impressive basalt columns and bright blue glacial river at StudlagilThe volcanic Lake Myvatn area is surrounded by diverse natural wonders – including fascinating rock formations at the Dimmuborgir lava park, the unusual craters at Skutustadagigar, bubbling geothermal areas, the Viti and Hverfjall craters and the Grjotagja lava cave.The Studlagil canyon between North and East Iceland features some of the most impressive basalt column formations in Iceland.

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DAY 7

Dettifoss, Jokulsargljufur & Husavik

Highlights• The impressive Asbyrgi horseshoe-shaped canyon and the turquoise Botnstjorn pond• Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall• The 25km long Jokulsargljufur glacial river canyon• Vesturdalur valley with its peculiar geological formations• The fishing village of Husavik, known as the whale watching capital of IcelandThe diamond circle route goes up north from the impressive Dettifoss waterfall to the equally spectacular Vesturdalur valley and Asbyrgi canyon.The offbeat Vesturdalur valley features fascinating geological wonders such as the Hljodaklettar basalt formations and colourful Raudholar hills. The basin of the horseshoe-shaped Asbyrgi has an incredibly beautiful pond and serene forest area.The fishing village of Husavik is best known as the whale watching capital of Iceland and is also home to the GeoSea geothermal sea baths.

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Activity options in Lake Myvatn

• Myvatn Nature Baths (all year) (0+)• GeoSea Baths (all year) (0+)• Whale watching tour (Mar-Nov) (0+)• Whale & puffin watching tour (Apr-Aug) (0+)• Northern Lights tour (Sep-Mar) (0+)• Snowmobiling tour (Jan-Mar) (8+)

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DAY 8-9

North West Iceland

North West Iceland Travel guide

DAY 8

North West Iceland, Akureyri & Godafoss

Highlights• Godafoss, the picture-perfect waterfall of the gods• Akureyri town, the heart of North Iceland• Optional: Scenic drive along the coast of the Troll peninsula including the Siglufjordur fishing village• Optional: Detours in the Vatnsnes peninsula: Hvitserkur sea stack, Borgarvirki fortress & the Seal CentreAkureyri is the heart of North Iceland with a charming downtown area, several architectural sites, interesting museums and the beautiful Lystigardurinn botanical gardens.Nicknamed the beauty, the Godafoss waterfall is one of the prettiest waterfalls in Iceland.North West Iceland is an often-overlooked region with several options for lesser-visited detours in the Vatnsnes and Trollaskagi peninsulas - the colourful fishing village of Siglufjordur, the Hvitserkur sea stack and Borgarvirki fort amongst others.Look out for seals along the coastline of the Vatnsnes peninsula!

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Activity options in Akureyri and North West Iceland

• Forest Lagoon (all year) (0+)• Beer spa (all year) (0+)• Whale watching tour (all year) (0+)• Dog sledding tour (Jan-Mar) (0+)• Horse riding tour (all year) (5+)• River rafting (Jun-Sep) (6+)• Kayaking tour (Jun-Sep) (12+)

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DAY 9-10

Reykjavik

DAY 9

Reykjavik City

Highlights• The towering Hallgrimskirkja church, the best-known icon of Reykjavik• The Laugavegur main street and the town squares• Tjornin, the city pond and the charming old harbour• The Harpa Concert Hall, an architectural masterpiece• Solfar Sun Sculpture overlooking the coastline• Optional: Several interesting museums for history, art, whales depending on your interests• Optional: The Perlan buildingThe world's northernmost capital is one of the cleanest, greenest and safest cities of the world. Spend the day in the capital exploring its charming downtown area, impressive landmarks and variety of museums.Depending on your interests, the city has a vibrant cultural and music scene, a variety of design shops and art galleries, and world-class restaurants.

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DAY 10

Reykjanes Peninsula

Highlights• Colourful geothermal areas of Gunnuhver & Krysuvik• Beautiful Kleifarvatn lake on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge• Green-hued volcanic crater lake of Graenavatn• Stunning Reykjanesta bird cliffs and sea stacks• The Bridge between the Continents• The lava fields of Reykjanes UNESCO GeoparkPositioned between the Keflavik airport and Reykjavik, the moon-like lava landscape of the Reykjanes peninsula serves as a first introduction to Iceland.Except for the world-famous Blue Lagoon, the geological wonders of this region remain lesser visited. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge cuts across the peninsula making it one of the most volcanically active parts of Iceland, with colourful geothermal areas, a dramatic coastline, bustling bird cliffs and the Bridge between the Continents.

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End in Reykjanes Peninsula

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