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See Iceland's must-see places
Trip Code: IT03
Countries Experienced: Iceland
Price From: R 14 350
Trip Type : Professional Journey - Independent
Here’s your perfect way to spend a week in the wonders of South and West Iceland. You’ll see the “must-see” places but also enjoy an easy-going travel pace.
Here’s your perfect way to spend a week in the wonders of South and West Iceland. You’ll see the “must-see” places but also enjoy an easy-going travel pace.
Why you will love it
Why you will love it
You’ll explore a great large part of Iceland’s “must-see” areas within a short period but still have the flexibility to decide how much to visit each day
One of our most popular itineraries for a good overview of Iceland’s geological wonders
Visit three national parks, each with its own special scenery and natural wonders
Things to consider
Things to consider
Level of comfort: Experience
This is a self- drive independent trip
Accommodation: Hotel (6nts)
Meals included: 6 Breakfast
Rental car for 6 days with unlimited mileage, CDW, theft protection and VAT
Single supplement available if you would like your own room
Car pick-up/drop-off at Keflavik International Airport
Authorization for two people to drive the rental car during your trip
The Iceland Travel Companion App
Detailed itinerary - Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls
Detailed itinerary - Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls
Day 1: Arrival in the Land of Fire and Ice
Approximate distance: 100km
Once you have landed at Keflavik Airport, please pick up your luggage and head through customs. Collect your rental car at the airport and proceed to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time in Iceland, we suggest that you take some time to explore the Reykjanes Peninsula (a UNESCO GeoPark site) before you head to Reykjavik.
Drive along mystical lava landscapes of the South Coast road to the charming village of Hveragerdi for your overnight. The road takes you past rocky beaches with thundering waves. Hveragerdi is perfect for getting to know typical small-town Icelandic culture, but with a unique twist. Hveragerdi is one of the few sites in the world located directly on top of a geothermal area and, because of its many greenhouses heated by hot water from nearby springs, it is often called the “flower village.”
Overnight in the Hveragerdi area.
Optional : Blue Lagoon Entrance |Hot Springs Around Hveragerdi Biking Tour (from Hveragerdi) |Iceland Buggy Adventure (from Mosfellsbaer) Day 2: Gullfoss – Geysir – South Coast | Bubbling Geysers – Golden Waterfall – Cliffs & Stone Arches – Black Sandy Beaches & Seabird Colony
Approximate distance: 290km
Breakfast at your accommodation. Today you’ll be exploring the amazing sites of Gullfoss waterfall and the Geysir hot spring area. Gullfoss (the Golden Falls) is considered by many visitors to be Iceland’s most beautiful waterfall. Geysir is an active geothermal field with many bubbling steam vents and spouting hot springs, including the famous Strokkur geyser that shoots like clockwork.
Drive along the scenic South Shore and the area near the infamous Eyjafjallajokull volcano. This is the volcano whose massive 2010 eruption caused air traffic around the world to be cancelled We recommend a stop at the interactive LAVA Centre where you’ll learn about the powerful volcanic and tectonic forces that shaped both Iceland and Earth. The center has interesting exhibits for all age groups.
Your journey takes you by the beautiful Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls (each one worth a photo worthy visit) and Myrdalsjokull glacier. You can opt for a fun snowmobiling trip on the glacier and (if the weather is clear) a splendid view over southern Iceland. Stop by the seafront village of Vik to explore Reynisfjara, a dramatic stretch of coastline poised between glacier-topped mountains, rugged sea cliffs and black- sand beaches.
Dyrholaey* is a rocky headland famous in photos for its black lava arch. During the summer, thousands of sea birds and puffins nest here (puffins are generally in Iceland between mid-May and early August)
Overnight in the Vik area.
*Important: Please note that Dyrholaey is closed during nesting season, from about the middle of May until late June. Optional: Snowmobiling on Myrdalsjokull Glacier (from Basecamp) |Kayaking by Solheimajokull Glacier |Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths - Entrance fee Day 3: Vatnajokull National Park - Vik | Europe's Largest National Park – Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs – Europe's Largest Glacier
Approximate distance: 400km
Breakfast at your accommodation. Today you’ll be in the area of Vatnajokull National Park, named after Europe’s largest glacier. Visit the awe-inspiring Skaftafell area of the park, which is set between glaciers. There are several excellent hiking trails including one to the basalt lined Svartifoss Falls. If you want to experience glacier adventure, we definitely recommend taking a guided hike on one of the park’s glaciers. Continue to the shimmering icebergs of Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon and enjoy the amazing view. If you’re lucky you might glimpse a few sunbathing seals. Many people enjoy taking an amphibian or Zodiac boat trip on the Glacier Lagoon itself. Nearby the Glacier Lagoon is the Diamond Beach, an area where glittering pieces of glaciers perch on the volcanic black sand coastline.
Return to the charming village of Vik in the late afternoon.
Overnight in the Vik area.
Optional: Amphibian Boat Tour on Glacial Lagoon (from the lagoon) |Zodiac Tour on Fjallsárlón- Iceberg Lagoon |Glacier Wonders (from Skaftafell in Vatnajokull National Park) Day 4: Thingvellir National Park – Borgarfjordur | National Park of Geological Wonders – Saga Sites – Lava Falls – Europe’s Most Powerful Hot Spring
Approximate distance: 325km
Breakfast at your accommodation. Visit one of the places beloved to us Icelanders: Thingvellir National Park. This area is the site of the ancient Icelandic Viking parliament and a jewel of nature. Here you can see (and even walk between) the meeting point between the North American and Europe continents. Many important historical events happened here. Several walking trails and hiking trails take visitors to historical points of interest. Since 2004. Thingvellir has been a UNESCO World Heritage site, and there is plenty to enjoy in this special area.
Then travel via either along Hvalfjordur fjord or the Kaldidalur wilderness track. (Kaldidalur is open June-August; a 4WD vehicle is needed. We recommend Category 5.0 or higher.) Your journey continues to the beautiful Borgarfjordur region and Reykholt, home of the colorful 13th-century chieftain and Saga author Snorri Sturluson. While in the area you might stop by the Visiting Horse Farm, where you can meet friendly Icelandic horses and try home-made baked treats in the farm’s café.
Visit Hraunfossar Falls, where glacial water rushes beautifully through lava formations. Then see how powerful hot springs can be at Deildartunguhver, where boiling water rushes by at 180 liters (48 gallons) per second. You can’t bathe here, but the nearby Krauma Geothermal Natural Spa is a great place to relax in a nice blend of water from Deildartunguhver and cool mountain springs.
Overnight in the Borgarfjordur area.
Optional: Into the Glacier - Classic Tour from Husafell Activity Center |Krauma Nature Baths
Day 5: Snaefellsnes Peninsula & Snaefellsjokull National Park | Sea Cliffs with Birdlife – Glacier-Crowned Mountain – Rock Formations
Approximate distance: 330km
Breakfast at your hotel. Today you are for a treat: a whole day to explore the countless natural wonders of the Snaefellsnes peninsula, home of Snaefellsjokull National Park. Snaefellsnes is known as “Iceland in a Nutshell” since you can see samples of most Icelandic landscapes in one area. Visit Arnarstapi sea cliffs where many types of seabirds live. If you enjoy hiking, there is a great nature trail you can hike between Arnarstapi and Hellnar villages. (About 4.3 km/2.7 miles). Crowning the area is the glacier topped Snaefellsjokull volcano, legendary home to a guardian spirit. Driving through the park gives you a chance to view the mountain from many different angles.
Visit Djupalonssandur with its mysteriously shaped rocks and black pebbled beach. Then head along the north coast through lively fishing villages. Keep an eye out for Kirkjufell, the photogenic Church Mountain. Olafsvík town is a great place for whale watching tours. In eco-friendly Stykkisholmur, you might join a boat tour in Breidafjordur Bay (approx. 2 hours) to admire the rich birdlife and sea life of the area. During the boat tour, a shellfish plough is lowered into the ocean and a wonderful selection of shellfish and sea life is caught for viewing and tasting scallops, sea urchins, crabs, starfish, sea cucumbers and much more.
Overnight in the Borgarfjordur area.
Optional: Vatnshellir Caving (from Snaefellsnes Peninsula) |Whale Watching from Olafsvik village Day 6: Reykjanes Peninsula – Blue Lagoon | Volcanic Landscapes – Bubbling Mud Pools – Quaint Fishing Village – Geothermal Spa
Approximate distance: 215km
Breakfast at your accommodation. Today explore a different side of Iceland with a visit to Reykjanes peninsula. Designated a UNESCO Geopark in 2015, Reykjanes lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. It has over 50 geosites related to geothermal and tectonic plate activity. It’s a paradise for geologists and photographers alike! Visit the moon-like surroundings of Lake Kleifarvatn and the Krysuvik geothermal area with its multicolored bubbling mud pools. You can also cross the Mid-Atlantic ridge on the Bridge between Continents. Visit Grindavik fishing village, known for its delicious local food, especially a focus on saltfish. In the area is the famous Blue Lagoon where you can relax in the soothing mineral waters. If you enjoy adventure you can enjoy guided ATV tours, hiking, snorkeling and golfing. Or indulge your inner explorer at the Vikingaheimur museum where you can learn about Viking discoveries between Iceland and the New World. Note: The Blue Lagoon must be booked in advance. We can help with that!
Afterwards head to Reykjavik for your overnight. Enjoy the food scene and lively culture of Iceland’s capital.
Overnight in Reykjavik.
Optional: Blue Lagoon Entrance |Panorama ATV/Quad tour Day 7: Departure
Approximate distance: 50km
Drive back to Keflavik International Airport.* We recommend departing your hotel in Reykjavik no later than at least 3 hours before your flight. It takes approximately 1 hour to drive to the airport, and check-in will start 2 hours before your departure.
Approximate distance: 330km
Breakfast at your hotel. Today you are for a treat: a whole day to explore the countless natural wonders of the Snaefellsnes peninsula, home of Snaefellsjokull National Park. Snaefellsnes is known as “Iceland in a Nutshell” since you can see samples of most Icelandic landscapes in one area. Visit Arnarstapi sea cliffs where many types of seabirds live. If you enjoy hiking, there is a great nature trail you can hike between Arnarstapi and Hellnar villages. (About 4.3 km/2.7 miles). Crowning the area is the glacier topped Snaefellsjokull volcano, legendary home to a guardian spirit. Driving through the park gives you a chance to view the mountain from many different angles.
Visit Djupalonssandur with its mysteriously shaped rocks and black pebbled beach. Then head along the north coast through lively fishing villages. Keep an eye out for Kirkjufell, the photogenic Church Mountain. Olafsvík town is a great place for whale watching tours. In eco-friendly Stykkisholmur, you might join a boat tour in Breidafjordur Bay (approx. 2 hours) to admire the rich birdlife and sea life of the area. During the boat tour, a shellfish plough is lowered into the ocean and a wonderful selection of shellfish and sea life is caught for viewing and tasting scallops, sea urchins, crabs, starfish, sea cucumbers and much more.
Overnight in the Borgarfjordur area.
Optional: Vatnshellir Caving (from Snaefellsnes Peninsula) |Whale Watching from Olafsvik village Day 6: Reykjanes Peninsula – Blue Lagoon | Volcanic Landscapes – Bubbling Mud Pools – Quaint Fishing Village – Geothermal Spa
Approximate distance: 215km
Breakfast at your accommodation. Today explore a different side of Iceland with a visit to Reykjanes peninsula. Designated a UNESCO Geopark in 2015, Reykjanes lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. It has over 50 geosites related to geothermal and tectonic plate activity. It’s a paradise for geologists and photographers alike! Visit the moon-like surroundings of Lake Kleifarvatn and the Krysuvik geothermal area with its multicolored bubbling mud pools. You can also cross the Mid-Atlantic ridge on the Bridge between Continents. Visit Grindavik fishing village, known for its delicious local food, especially a focus on saltfish. In the area is the famous Blue Lagoon where you can relax in the soothing mineral waters. If you enjoy adventure you can enjoy guided ATV tours, hiking, snorkeling and golfing. Or indulge your inner explorer at the Vikingaheimur museum where you can learn about Viking discoveries between Iceland and the New World. Note: The Blue Lagoon must be booked in advance. We can help with that!
Afterwards head to Reykjavik for your overnight. Enjoy the food scene and lively culture of Iceland’s capital.
Overnight in Reykjavik.
Optional: Blue Lagoon Entrance |Panorama ATV/Quad tour Day 7: Departure
Approximate distance: 50km
Drive back to Keflavik International Airport.* We recommend departing your hotel in Reykjavik no later than at least 3 hours before your flight. It takes approximately 1 hour to drive to the airport, and check-in will start 2 hours before your departure.
We have various options to extend your Iceland adventure.
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