Compare Around Iceland's ring road self-drive tour by Audley Travel vs Natural Wonders of Iceland - Classic Group by Insight Vacations
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 13 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 6,075 | $ 5,404 |
| Price Per Day | $ 467 | $ 540 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Self-guided tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description |
Exploring the craggy landscape of the Reykjanes Peninsula en route. Soaking in the geothermally heated waters of the Secret Lagoon surrounded by dramatic Icelandic landscapes. visit the Hafnarhólmi puffin colony and search for elves near Borgafjörður Eystri, or hike the array of trails that cross the fjordland scenery. |
Breathe in the fresh air of Iceland as you tour the scenic bay of Reykjavik, uncover volcanoes on the way to Vik and explore the geothermal hubbub of Lake Mývatn—near Akureyri. From the thunder of the two-tiered Gullfoss Waterfall and the geothermal floating pools of Egilsstaðir to the black lava fields of Búðir and the sea cliffs of Arnastapi, experience every imaginable landscape on this one week guided tour. Take an Insight Choice in Reykjavik between a dip in the mineral rich waters of the Blue Lagoon or a walking tour of the city’s premier sights—led by a Local Expert. In Hellisheidi, visit Iceland’s flagship geothermal heat and power station, and learn how this scientific wonder helped the country generate 70% of its power—from renewable energy sources. |
Day 1: Reykjavík
Accommodation options: Centerhotel Miðgarður, Hotel Borg, Icelandair Hotel Reykjavík Marina & Reykjavík Residence Hotel
Arriving at Keflavík airport, collect your rental car and make own your way to Reykjavík, which is around an hour’s drive away. All insurances have been included for you, and a GPS navigation system can be added locally. To navigate Iceland’s more remote rugged landscape, we’ve booked a 4x4 for you. If you have time, we recommend exploring the craggy landscape of the Reykjanes Peninsula en route; we’ll provide some suggestions of what to see on your self-guided tour.
Day 2: Hella
Accommodation: Hotel Rangá
Venture out of Reykjavík and spend the day exploring the highlights of the Golden Circle on your self-drive tour. Don’t miss the diverging tectonic plates at Þingvellir National Park, erupting geysers at Geysir Geothermal Area, and the thundering Gullfoss waterfall. End your day soaking in the geothermally heated waters of the Secret Lagoon surrounded by dramatic Icelandic landscapes.
Day 3: Vík
Accommodation: Hotel Vík
Make your way to the south coast, home of some of Iceland’s most renowned waterfalls and volcanoes. Before you travel, we’ll offer some recommendations on where to go on your self-drive tour. This afternoon, join a small-group tour to a naturally formed ice cave on Kötlujökull glacier and wander through its frozen formations.
Day 4: Hof
Accommodation: Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon
Continue your drive east and venture through the barren landscape around Kirkjubæjarklaustur. You’ll drive past the Eldhraun lava field – one of the biggest in the world – and close to Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, before arriving at your hotel, close to Vatnajökull National Park and its immense ice cap.
Day 5: Hof
Accommodation: Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon
Your focus today is Vatnajökull National Park and southeast Iceland. Watch bergy bits calve off the Vatnajökull ice cap and drift serenely along Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon on a guided Zodiac boat tour, and wander through huge chunks of ice that have washed up on nearby Diamond Beach. We also recommend stopping by the tourist office at Skaftafell and hiking to see the towering basalt columns at Svatifoss waterfall.
Day 6: Egilsstaðir
Accommodation: Gistihúsið — Lake Hotel Egilsstaðir
Begin your morning by joining a small-group, guided tour to the Ingólfshöfði promontory which is known for its thriving population of puffins who come here to nest in the towering cliffs each summer. On a clear day, expect glorious sea views and the spectacle of the vast Vatnajökull ice cap looming to the north. From here, continue your drive east through the scenic inlets and bays of the Eastfjords. Here you’ll find some of the best driving in Iceland and you can be assured of impressive views at every turn.
Day 7: Egilsstaðir
Accommodation: Gistihúsið — Lake Hotel Egilsstaðir
Spend a full day at leisure in the Eastfjords. You might like to visit one of Iceland’s tallest waterfalls, Hengifoss, visit the Hafnarhólmi puffin colony and search for elves near Borgafjörður Eystri, or hike the array of trails that cross the fjordland scenery.
Day 8: Lake Mývatn
Accommodation: Icelandair Hotel Mývatn
Your self-drive tour takes you north away from the coast and through the barren volcanic scenery to Lake Mývatn. As you travel, you’ll see a landscape dotted with craters, bubbling mud pools and steaming fumaroles rising from the ground. Spend the afternoon exploring the lake, observing its thriving birdlife, sulphurous geothermal areas and perhaps hiking its network of trails. End the day soaking in the geothermally heated waters of Mývatn Nature Baths overlooking vast Lake Mývatn and its pseudocraters below.
Day 9: Akureyri
Accommodation: Hotel Kea Akureyri
Embark on a self-guided tour of the so-called Diamond Circle: a network of key attractions in north Iceland. Your first stop is thundering Dettifoss – Europe’s largest waterfall by volume – before reaching the gaping Ásbyrgi canyon. From here, your drive takes you to Húsavík: Iceland’s self-proclaimed whale-watching capital. Here, you’ll join a small-group boat tour into Skjálfandi Bay and observe humpback whales feeding in the Arctic waters. From here, drive to Iceland’s second city, Akureryi, stopping en route to admire Goðafoss waterfall and its Niagara-esque veil of water that plunges into the Skjálfandafljót River.
Day 10: Varmahlíð
Accommodation: Hestasport Cottages
Continue your drive west through the rolling countryside of north Iceland. This region is well known in Iceland for its horse farms and this afternoon you’ll join a small-group tour on horseback. The hardy Icelandic horse is known for its five gaits and, if you wish, you’ll have the opportunity to try the tölt, a unique rapid ambling gait, on your tour. Nearby, we can also recommend visiting the Glaumbær Museum to see its preserved turf houses and learn more about Icelandic life in the past.
Day 11: Stykkishólmur
Accommodation: Hótel Egilsen
Today you will reach the Snæfellsnes Peninsula on your self-drive tour. Tonight, stay in the quaint fishing village of Stykkishólmur, which lies on the shoreline of Breiðafjörður Bay. Watch boats come and go from the marina and enjoy a fresh seafood dinner by the waterfront.
Day 12: Stykkishólmur
Accommodation: Hótel Egilsen
Spend the day driving around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, which is often described as ‘Iceland in miniature. It’s a great round-up of the last two weeks, as you drive through mossy lava fields and fjord-like scenery, past black sand beaches, and around the imposing Snæfellsjökull ice cap, which dominates the Snæfellsnes landscape.
Day 13: Return home
As you make your own way back towards Keflavík, detour along scenic Hvalfjörður fjord in west Iceland. Hvalfjörður, meaning ‘whale fjord’ in English, is often bypassed by drivers heading towards Reykjavík, but it offers some of the best scenic driving in Iceland. From, here, you’ll continue to Keflavík airport, where you’ll drop off your car before your flight.
Day 1: The Smoky Bay of Reykjavík
Welcome to Iceland. On arrival at Reykjavik’s Keflavik Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel on your complimentary Insight shuttle operated by Gray Line. Join your Travel Director and travel companions at 18:15 for a Welcome Drink served with canapés.
Fosshotel Reykjavík.
Day 2: Hot Springs, Waterfalls and Vík
Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, heading east to visit Iceland’s newest geothermal and electric power station at Hellisheiðavirkjun. Later, travel on to the ancient bishopric of Skalholt and see the historic church, set in a remote location amid magnificent natural scenery. Continue to the hot springs at Geysir and the mighty Gullfosswaterfalls, the Icelandic equivalent of Niagara Falls. In the afternoon, visit the majestic south coast waterfalls ofSeljalandsfoss and Skógafoss before continuing to your hotel in Vik.
Hótel Kría, Vik.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: By Glaciers and Icebergs to Höfn
Travel along the southern coast of Iceland, beside the black sand beaches and basalt rock formations.Continue through the National Park at Skaftafell and see the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajökull.Travel on to the luminous blue icebergs of Lake Jökulsárlón, the highlight of the day. This dramatic setting was featured in two James Bond films.Arrive in the small harbour town of Höfn, an active lobster fishing hub. From here, your Travel Director will lead a short orientation.Dine at your hotel's restaurant tonight and experience what the local produce has to offer.
Hótel Höfn.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Eastern Fjords to Egilsstaðir Relaxed Start
Explore yet another face of Iceland, as you drive through narrow fjords surrounded by steep cliffs and past small fishing villages. Catch a glimpse of Friar Island, once the home of Gaelic monks who settled here before the arrival of the Vikings. Continue to the lakeside town of Egilsstaðir.
Icelandair Hotel Herad, Egilsstadir.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: By Desert, Lakes and Divine Waterfalls to Akureyri
Continue on to the beautiful Lake Mývatn and explore a wide spectrum of geological formations and the concentrated geothermal activity produces mud pools and spectacular coloured deposits. This afternoon is a taste of the local rúgbrauð, a sweet and dense rye bread which is buried underground and baked by the heat from nearby hot springs.After an introduction how they use the Dimmuborgir lava fields for the cooking process enjoy a sample of the delicious bread served with butter. Continue to Akureyri where you have the evening to relax or explore at your leisure. Perhaps embark on an optional whale watching experience? (available during whale season)
Icelandair Hotel Akureyri.
Breakfast
Day 6: From the Capital of the North to Borgarnes Relaxed Start
Enjoy an orientation of Akureyri, the capital of northern Iceland, first established as a trading centre in 1602. Travel past mountains, waterfalls and green coastal regions. Later, continue on to the southwest coast of Borgarnes.
Icelandair Hotel Hamar, Borganes.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: Exploring Snæfellsjökull National Park
Travel along the Snæfellsnes Peninsula to Snæfellsjökull National Park, known as the Jewel of West Iceland and home to the country’s most famous volcano. See the magnificent Snæfellsjökull glacier surrounded by unspoiled natural beauty. En route, admire the impressive landscapes of Búðir, offering a mixture of sandy hills, black lava fields and a yellow beach. Next, take a stroll along the sea cliffs of Arnastapi with its unique column rock formations and take in the beautiful scenery.
Icelandair Hotel Hamar, Borganes.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: Thingvellir, Blue Lagoon and on to Reykjavík
Journey south to Thingvellir. This remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet.Explore Reykjavik with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the mineral-rich waters of the Blue Lagoon. Alternatively, discover Reykjavik's top sights on a walking tour with your Local Expert and stop along the way to sample local specialties.This evening, delight in a delicious Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant where you round off your journey through one of the world's most naturally beautiful places.
Fosshotel Reykjavík.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 9: Farewell Reykjavík
Your Icelandic adventure comes to an end, with a transfer to Reykjavík's Keflavík Airport.
Breakfast
