Summary
- 10 Days / 9 Nights
- Vehicle – 4WD
- Season – July – August
Main areas of this itinerary:
Golden Circle, Iceberg Lagoons, South Coast, Landmannalauger, F35, Myvatn, Dettifoss, Godafoss.
An unforgettable self-driving Jeep tour through Iceland’s captivating landscapes. The carefully planned route includes the renowned Golden Circle, traversing diverse terrains from glaciers to geysers. Highlights encompass powerful waterfalls like Dettifoss, the surreal landscapes of Lake Mývatn, and the iconic Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon. Experience a Jeep adventure on the Kjölur dirt road, showcasing surrealistic views of colorful mountains. The journey concludes in Reykjavik, the world’s northernmost capital. Don’t miss this unique and compact Icelandic adventure!
Itinerary Map
Day 1 – Arrival and Reykjavik Exploration
Iceland’s international airport is small yet efficient. Upon landing at Keflavik Airport, pick up your rental car and embark on a short drive through the stunning landscapes of Reykjanes Peninsula towards the world’s northernmost capital, Reykjavik. Reykjavik stands out with its compact, modern, and green cityscape. Nestled in a beautiful bay, it offers a unique view of the majestic mountain range. The city got its name from the Vikings who settled in the area, witnessing steam rising from the region where their ship landed, earning Reykjavik the nickname “Smoky Bay.” A walking tour in the city center covers key sites like Parliament Square, the main shopping street, Tjörnin Lake, home to various bird species, and a variety of restaurants and cafes. Reykjavik serves as both the starting and ending point for your Icelandic adventure.
Accommodation: Reykjavik
Optional Activities: FlyOver Iceland, Perlan, Sky Lagoon
Day 2 – Thingvellir Park – Geysir – Gullfoss Waterfall (Golden Circle)
The second day is dedicated to the famous Golden Circle route, starting with Thingvellir National Park. This historically and geologically significant park hosted the world’s first parliament and marks the meeting point of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, allowing you to “walk between continents.” Thingvellir was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. Adjacent to the park is the stunning Gullfoss Waterfall, one of Iceland’s largest and most impressive waterfalls, fed by glacial runoff from the mountainous region. Continuing the Golden Circle, you’ll encounter the iconic Geysir, a geyser known for its extraordinary eruptions, providing a captivating natural spectacle every few minutes. Close by is the picturesque Geysir Hot Springs area, including the perfect circular Strokkur geyser. The day’s journey showcases some of Iceland’s most famous and remarkable natural wonders.
Accommodation: Gullfoss area
Optional Activities: Silfra Diving, Secret Lagoon
Day 3 – Highland Adventure via Kjolur – Akureyri (4X4)
Iceland’s Highland Plateau covers most of the island’s geographical area and offers a glimpse into the country’s true wilderness. A 4X4 jeep tour during the summer allows access to areas accessible only a few months a year. Crossing the Highland Plateau via Kjolur, a historical route that once connected northern settlers on horseback to the annual Althing assembly at Thingvellir, offers diverse landscapes: colorful mountains, geyser fields, bubbling turquoise hot springs, and towering glaciers on both sides, resembling scenes from another planet.
Take a short hike at the stunningly colorful central meeting point of Karlinnargigur Geothermal Area. Kjolur continues towards Hveravellir, a geothermal park with hot springs and a cozy café, providing a unique place to rest.
Accommodation: Akureyri
Optional Activities: Forest Lagoon
Day 4 – Godafoss Waterfall – Lunar Landscape around Lake Myvatn
Continuing eastward from Akureyri towards Lake Myvatn, our first stop is at Godafoss, the “Waterfall of the Gods.” This iconic cascade marks Iceland’s peaceful transition from pagan beliefs to Christianity. Most of the day is dedicated to exploring the diverse region surrounding Lake Myvatn, a geographically unique area with various natural wonders.
From the “Black Lava City,” where you can stroll among colossal natural lava heart sculptures, to genuine and pseudo craters resembling a landscape from another planet, Lake Myvatn’s geological phenomena are truly extraordinary. The lake itself is famous for its serene moments, home to numerous rare duck species and mini-islands, providing tranquil birdwatching spots.
On the eastern side of Lake Myvatn, you’ll encounter intense geothermal activity, highlighted by Mount Krafla and its power plant harnessing geothermal energy. Witness the bubbling mud pits and steamy geysers adjacent to the main road leading from the volcano to the lake.
Accommodation: Myvatn Area
Optional Activities: Akureyri Wales Watching, Myvatn Bath
Day 5 – Jokulsargljufur National Park – Dettifoss Waterfall – Asbyrgi – Egilsstadir
Husavik serves as the starting point for Jokulsargljufur National Park, now part of Vatnajokull National Park, considered one of Europe’s largest. This northern Icelandic region centers around a powerful and dominant river, shaped by melting snow from the distant Vatnajokull glacier, creating a deep river canyon that houses Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall.
The force of the flowing water at Dettifoss is awe-inspiring, making it challenging to comprehend the immense power every second. Upstream, you’ll find Asbyrgi, a horseshoe-shaped canyon formed by a sudden flood from the glacier. The canyon’s grandeur, with high black cliffs forming its natural frame, offers a stark contrast to the pastoral green valley it is today, showcasing nature’s ability to regenerate and transform.
Continuing the journey, Egilsstadir, the central town in eastern Iceland, marks the conclusion of the day’s exploration, surrounded by the captivating landscapes shaped by the relentless forces of water and time.
Accommodation: Egilsstadir
Optional Activities: Husavik Wales Watching, Vok Bath
Day 6 – Eastern Fjords – Fishing Villages – Mount Vestrahorn – Hofn
Today is dedicated to one of the most captivating and ancient geological regions in Iceland. Exploring this area provides a unique opportunity to visit Icelandic fjords. Unlike other fjords in Northern Europe, Icelandic fjords are relatively treeless and much wilder. Impressive table mountains, pyramid-shaped peaks, and waterfalls cascading from the mountains flow into the sea.
Along the secluded fjords, fishing villages adapted to remoteness and isolation have thrived, relying mainly on the bounties of the sea over the years. The distinctive landscape of the region is formed by rapid glacial melt that occurred at the end of the last ice age. The large glaciers encountered during the journey are remnants of ancient ice caps that have sculpted the landscape of this region.
The Eastern Fjords are also the only area in Iceland where you can encounter herds of free-roaming North Icelandic reindeer. Heading southward, not far from the village of Hofn, you can visit the impressive Mount Vestrahorn, one of the most photogenic locations in Iceland. Capture the moment with your cameras.
Concluding the day in Hofn, the easternmost town in Iceland, serves as a gateway to the departure from the fjords, marking the beginning of a journey along Iceland’s southern coastline. Hofn is a hub for lobster fishing, and several restaurants in the area specialize in this delicacy.
Accommodation: Hofn
Day 7 – Eastern Fjords – Fishing Villages – Mount Vestrahorn – Hofn
Today is dedicated to one of the most captivating and ancient geological regions in Iceland. Exploring this area provides a unique opportunity to visit Icelandic fjords. Unlike other fjords in Northern Europe, Icelandic fjords are relatively treeless and much wilder. Impressive table mountains, pyramid-shaped peaks, and waterfalls cascading from the mountains flow into the sea.
Along the secluded fjords, fishing villages adapted to remoteness and isolation have thrived, relying mainly on the bounties of the sea over the years. The distinctive landscape of the region is formed by rapid glacial melt that occurred at the end of the last ice age. The large glaciers encountered during the journey are remnants of ancient ice caps that have sculpted the landscape of this region.
The Eastern Fjords are also the only area in Iceland where you can encounter herds of free-roaming North Icelandic reindeer. Heading southward, not far from the village of Hofn, you can visit the impressive Mount Vestrahorn, one of the most photogenic locations in Iceland. Capture the moment with your cameras.
Concluding the day in Hofn, the easternmost town in Iceland, serves as a gateway to the departure from the fjords, marking the beginning of a journey along Iceland’s southern coastline. Hofn is a hub for lobster fishing, and several restaurants in the area specialize in this delicacy.
Accommodation: kirkjubaejarklaustur
Optional Activities: Snowmobile, Zodiac in the Glacier Lagoon
Day 8 – Fjallabak Highland Route – “Valley of Fire” – Landmannalaugar Reserve (4X4)
Today is dedicated to exploring the mountainous heart of Iceland in one of the most stunning places on the island, considered by many as the most beautiful mountainous route. The Fjallabak Highland Route leads from the southern coast of Iceland towards the colorful mountain reserve of Landmannalaugar. The route traverses several rivers and utterly surreal landscapes that are unmatched elsewhere. It takes you through the “Valley of Fire,” also known as Eldgjá, a volcanic fissure and canyon considered the largest of its kind in the world. In this place, the earth split open, creating a rift that appears like a straight cut made by a sharp knife, stretching for 30 km and plunging to depths of up to 200 meters. The width of the canyon reaches up to 600 meters in certain areas. At the end of the hiking trail in Eldgjá Valley lies the Ófærufoss waterfall.
Continuing from here, the journey proceeds to the highlight of the day, the Landmannalaugar Reserve. Surrounded by colorful rhyolite mountains, the central feature of the reserve is a geothermal pool perfect for bathing. From the visitor center at the reserve’s entrance, a circular hiking trail offers excellent views. The landscapes in this area are incredibly diverse, featuring plains of obsidian, wide canyons, craters, and lakes, providing breathtaking scenery in every direction. The mountain route, Landmannaleið, departing from the reserve, presents some of the most picturesque landscapes you’ll encounter on this journey.
Accommodation: Hella
Optional Activities: Hiking in Landmannalauger
Day 9 – Southern Coast – Waterfalls – Reykanes Peninsula – Blue Lagoon
Explore the stunning southern coast with black sand beaches and the backdrop of two active volcanoes and glaciers. Witness Skogafoss, a powerful waterfall creating a perpetual rainbow, and Seljalandsfoss, unique for its behind-the-falls trail. Head to Vík, a junction to Reykanes Peninsula, known for the Valley of Smoke hike. The peninsula, at the convergence of tectonic plates, features Krýsuvík’s geothermal area. Conclude the day at the iconic Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa with mineral-rich waters, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes. End the journey in Reykjavik.
Accommodation: Reykjavik
Optional Activities: Ice Cave, Horse Riding
Day 10 – Reykjavik – Car Return at Keflavik Airport (Flight)
Spend the final day exploring Reykjavik before your flight. For convenience, return the rental car at Keflavik Airport before departure.
Among our collection of 50+ itineraries, the ‘Across Iceland – 10 Days’ itinerary stands out as a perennial favorite, securing its place on the ‘Top Itineraries’ list of ‘Take Me There Iceland’. Explore the beauty of Iceland at your own pace, guided by our app for an unforgettable road trip experience.
