Compare Active Iceland self-drive tour: waterfalls, volcanoes and lagoons by Audley Travel vs Iceland in 8 days - Land of Ice & Fire - PRIVATE TOUR CHARM by Exoticca

Day 1: Hveragerði

Accommodation: Frost & Fire Boutique Hotel

Collect your car on arrival at Keflavík airport. All insurances have been included for you, and a GPS navigation system can be added locally. You’ll be staying in the Reykjadalur valley, close to the Golden Circle region, an area known for its geothermal activity. Take a hike this afternoon through the valley, ending with a soak in the naturally heated river.

Day 2: Hveragerði

Accommodation: Frost & Fire Boutique Hotel

Explore the highlights of the Golden Circle on a self-drive tour of the region, including the diverging tectonic plates at Þingvellir National Park and an erupting geyser at Geysir Geothermal Area. At Gullfoss waterfall, you’ll go white-water rafting along the Hvítá river, through Brúarhlöð canyon.

Day 3: Vík

Accommodation: Hótel Kría

This morning you’ll be met by your guide at your hotel and taken on a private tour by superjeep to Landmannalaugar, a region deep in Iceland’s highlands known for its striped rhyolite hills and diverse walking opportunities. You’ll explore the valley on foot, before a well-earned soak in natural hot springs surrounded by the vibrant wilderness landscape.

Day 4: Vík

Accommodation: Hótel Kría

Drive along the scenic south coast passing ice-capped volcanoes and waterfalls tumbling down the mountainsides. At Sólheimajökull, join a small-group hike up onto the glacier, to explore the icy landscape and observe the deep crevasses on the glacier’s surface.

Day 5: Hof

Accommodation: Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon

Continue your self-drive tour eastwards towards the remote town of Kirkjabæjarklaustur and the Eldhraun lava field, the largest of its kind in the world. You’ll explore this verdant, mossy wilderness by mountain bike with a local guide, stopping to see waterfalls and drink from natural springs that are spread across this pristine landscape. You’ll also explore one of the region’s many lava caves, formed in the 18th century by a huge volcanic eruption.

Day 6: Hof

Accommodation: Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon

Spend the day exploring the southern side of Vatnajökull National Park, perhaps hiking to see the basalt columns of Svartifoss waterfall or watching icebergs wash up along the shoreline on nearby Diamond Beach. You’ll also explore Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon on a small-group kayak tour, paddling between its bergy bits and spotting seals basking on its icy shoreline.

Day 7: Blue Lagoon

Accommodation: Silica Hotel

Return west back along the south coast, perhaps stopping to admire the striking black sands of Reynisfjara beach or walk behind thundering Seljalandsfoss waterfall. This afternoon, check into the Blue Lagoon and bathe in its milky, minerally-rich waters. Relax with a silica mud mask and a drink of your choice at the lagoon bar.

Day 8: Return home

Make the short drive to the airport, where you’ll drop off your car in time for your onward flight.

Day 1: US - Night on board

Ready to discover the spectacular cities and landscapes of Iceland? Arrive at your departure airport, ready to catch a flight to Reykjavik.* Night on board. * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Day 2: Reykjavik

Touch down in Reykjavik, the capital and largest city in Iceland. Self-transfer to the hotel* and get settled in before enjoying the remainder of the day exploring at your leisure. If time allows, get out and explore the cosmopolitan atmosphere and unique Icelandic cuisine of the capital or visit Reykjavik's fantastic museums on Viking heritage. Overnight stay in Reykjavik.* * Optional private or shuttle bus transfers can be added as a supplement in the next step of the booking process.

Day 3: Reykjavik - Snaefellsnes

Breakfast at the hotel. Start the day with a morning city tour of Reykjavik. See the highlights of the city such as the charming Old Harbour, the Harpa Concert Hall and the striking Hallgrímskirkja Church, a symbol of Iceland. Spend some free time exploring at your leisure before departing to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, a region in the west of the country known for its dramatic landscapes of volcanoes, cliffs and snow-capped mountains. Take in the captivating views before arriving at the hotel. Keep your eyes peeled for the Northern Lights, which are often sighted in the night's sky around the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Overnight stay in Snaefellsnes.

Day 4: Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Breakfast at the hotel. Discover why Snaefellsnes is one of the most scenic destinations in Europe with a tour of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Experience magical landscapes ranging from moss-cloaked lava fields, black-sand beaches, caves filled with lava tubes and roaring ocean waves. Enjoy stunning views in every direction as you explore this land of glaciers, waterfalls and mountain tops, and see the iconic Snæfellsjökull Volcano. Return to the hotel and enjoy another night under the star-studded skies of Iceland. Overnight stay in Snaefellsnes.

Day 5: Snaefellsnes - Golden Circle - Skógarfoss

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, set off on the world-famous Golden Circle Tour to discover three of Iceland's most iconic natural attractions. Explore the Thingvellir National Park, a historic site, known as the home of Alþing, the site of Iceland's parliament meetings from the 10th to 18th centuries. Furthermore, the park sits on the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, so it is also known for its unique geological activity. The Geysir Geothermal Area is another highlight of the Golden Circle Tour, where you can watch the erupting Great Geysir and Strokkur Geysers spray steam and water high into the air at regular intervals. In fact, all the geysers in the world were named after this 'Geysir'. Finally, visit the legendary Gullfoss Waterfall, one of the most beautiful and captivating sights in Iceland. After an action-packed day exploring the Golden Circle, continue towards Skógarfoss and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Skógarfoss.

Day 6: Skógarfoss - Jokulsárlón Glacier Lagoon - Skógarfoss

Breakfast at the hotel. Your discovery of southern Iceland continues today, beginning with a stop at Reynisfjara Beach. Known for its dramatic landscape of enormous basalt rocks and the roaring waves of the Atlantic Ocean, Reynisfjara Beach is considered one of the most beautiful examples of Iceland's characteristic black sand beaches. Continue to the amazing Jokulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, one of the greatest wonders of nature in Iceland. The result of a warming climate, huge blocks of ice constantly break off of the Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier and float on the waters of this picturesque lagoon. The lagoon is up to 250 meters deep, making it the deepest lake in the country and is surrounded by immaculate landscapes of black sand beaches and rugged wilderness. After taking in the spectacular views of nature in its rawest, unkempt beauty, return to your hotel in Skógarfoss, passing through impressive lava fields along the way. Overnight stay in Skógarfoss.

Day 7: Skógarfoss - Reykjavik

Breakfast at the hotel. See two spectacular waterfalls today, starting with the Skogafoss Waterfall, one of the largest waterfalls in Iceland, and undoubtedly one of the most spectacular. Measuring 25-metres wide and 60-metres tall, watch the wall of thundering water cast rainbow across the surrounding cliffs as the sunshine illuminates the waterfall. Afterwards, visit Seljalandsfoss, the same height as Skogafoss but unique because you can walk behind the wall of falling water. Depart for Reykjavik and check in at the hotel. Spend the evening exploring the sights of the capital at your leisure, getting to know Icelandic urban culture. Overnight stay in Reykjavik.

Day 8: Reykjavik

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day at your leisure, sightseeing in the city's museums or shopping for souvenirs. Why not enjoy a relaxing sauna in one of the city's many public sauna houses or take a stroll along the coast to see the famous Sun Voyager sculpture. Alternatively, why not take an optional day trip to the famous Blue Lagoon or embark on an exciting whale watching excursion!* Overnight stay in Reykjavik. * Optional visit to the Blue Lagoon: Transfer from Reykjavik to the world-famous Blue Lagoon, a natural seawater spa located just outside of Reyjavik. Enjoy entrance to the lagoon, towel hire and plenty of time to relax in the mineral-rich thermal waters. A silica mask and 1 drink of your choice from the in-water bar is also included. * Optional Whale-Watching Excursion: Enjoy an exciting day at sea on a whale-watching excursion from Reykjavik. Set sail on one of the largest whale-watching boats in Iceland, complete with viewing decks and an onboard cafe to go in search of minke and humpback whales as well as dolphins and other marine animals. An unforgettable adventure! Please note: you can only select one of the optional excursions on this day.

Day 9: Reykjavik - US

Breakfast at the hotel. It's time to bid farewell to the captivating landscapes of Iceland. At the indicated time, self-transfer to the airport for your flight back to the US.* Arrive in US and end your trip. * Optional private or shuttle bus transfers can be added as a supplement in the next step of the booking process.