The glacier tongue Svínafellsjökull at the glacier Vatnajökull
Around Iceland - 8 Days
Über die Reise
This trip is for travellers with less time, yet wanting to be introduced to the most interesting landscapes in Iceland. Depending on your arrival, you will have time to explore on your first day the Reykjanes peninsula with hot springs, lava fields and the Blue Lagoon. With a shorter time frame in mind, the stops on the way are planned to maximize your experience with Iceland´s magnificent nature. You will see mighty waterfalls, a glacier lagoon, steep fjords, volcano craters, glaciers and more. We will secure your accommodation and rental car for a hassle free, enjoyable vacation. Detailed route description and further information upon booking.
Highlights
- Þingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss waterfall
- Skaftafell National Park
- Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
- The steep East Fjords
- Jökulsárgljúfur National Park
- Dettifoss the most powerful waterfall in Europe
- Nature paradise Mývatn
Leistungen
- 7 nights in three-star hotels or guesthouses, incl. breakfast
- 7 days rental car incl. unlimited mileage, CDW, Icelandic VAT and pick up/drop off at the airport in Keflavík
- Detailed itinerary for each day
- Location description of your accommodation
- Road map 1:500 000
- Iceland Road and Travel Guide
- VAT and accommodation tax
- Insolvency Insurance
Not included:
Fuel, meals other than breakfast, admission, GPS system and tunnel toll (Hvalfjörður). Extra driver 45 €.
Reiseverlauf
1
Arrival
The rental car will be at Keflavík airport upon arrival. On the way into the city you can take an optional detour to the Blue Lagoon Spa for a relaxing bath. 1 night in Reykjavík or the geothermal area Hveragerði (ca. 30 to 50 miles/50 to 80 km)
2
National Park Þingvellir, hot springs at Geysir, and the waterfall Gullfoss
Drive to the countryside, either via the geothermal area Nesjavellir or the Mosfellsdalur valley. In the National Park Þingvellir, recently included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, we recommend a walk amidst the lava landscape at the old parliament site. Drive further over the Lyngdalsheiði area and through the small village by Lake Laugarvatn to the hot spring area at Geysir. A bit further you will find the waterfall Gullfoss. From Gullfoss the route is south towards Vík. Make sure to stop at the waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss and the bird cliff Dyrhólaey and Reynisfjara beach if time permits. 1 night in or near the village of Vík. (ca. 185 miles/300 km)
3
National Park Skaftafell and the Glacier Lagoon
Head east along the ring road through the village Kirkjubæjarklaustur until reach Skaftafell in Europe’s largest national park, Vatnajökull. A hike to the beautiful waterfall Svartifoss is highly recommended. About an hour’s drive onward you reach the glacier lagoon Jökulsárlón. There you can go on an amphibian boat excursion on the lagoon, sailing between the icebergs. Alternatively, you could walk along the coast, where you have a good chance of spotting seals. 1 night near village Höfn. (ca. 170 miles/ 280 km)
4
The fjord landscape of the East
A nice beginning of the day is a short detour to the old Danish trading post of Djúpivogur as well as a visit to the country’s largest private mineral collection in Stöðvarfjörður. Drive further through the fjords Fáskrúðsfjörður and Reyðarfjörður as well as the „beautiful valley“ Fagridalur with its many waterfalls until you eventually reach the capital of the east, Egilsstaðir. 1 night in or near village Egilsstaðir or Jökulsárhlíð. (ca. 155 miles / 250 km)
5
Waterfall Dettifoss in the National Park Jökulsárgljúfur
On your way through the lonesome landscape of Möðrudalsöræfi you should take the old ring road and visit the secluded café at Möðrudalur farm before reaching Jökulsárgljúfur in Europe‘s largest National Park. In this area are some of the main attractions in Iceland, e.g. the continent’s most powerful waterfall Dettifoss, the horseshoe shaped lava canyon Ásbyrgi and the “echo cliffs” of Hljóðaklettar. Continue the journey by driving around the Tjörnes peninsula to the fishing village Húsavík, where there is an opportunity to go on a whale watching tour or visit one of the town’s many museums. 1 night near Húsavík or Lake Mývatn (ca. 155 miles / 250 km)
6
Nature paradise Mývatn & Akureyri
The area around Lake Mývatn has much to offer! We recommend any of the following walks: along the pseudocraters of Skútustaðir, through the lava labyrinth of Dimmuborgir, by the sulphur springs in Námaskarð or in the new lava from the volcano Krafla. Furthermore a relaxing dip in Mývatn’s Nature Baths before continuing the journey to the “capital “of North Iceland, Akureyri, with a stop at the waterfalls of the gods, Goðafoss. Visit the Botanical Garden in Akureyri or just take a stroll through the town centre. Drive over the mountain pass Öxnadalsheiði to Skagafjörður, an area famous for horse breeding. 1 night in the Skagafjörður region (ca. 130 miles / 200 km)
7
Reykjavík
Begin the day with a visit to the folk museum at Glaumbær before continuing to Reykjavík along the ring road over the mountain pass Holtavörðuheiði. Perhaps an optional detour to Hvammstangi to visit the Seal Centre might interest you? In Reykjavík a birdwatching tour on the boat Lundi RE 20 can be a nice option, departing from the old harbour located downtown. In the evening, you can conclude your holiday in Iceland with a relaxing bath in one of Reykjavík‘s many swimming pools. 1 night in Reykjavík. (ca. 185 to 220 miles / 300 to 350 km)
8
Departure
Drive to the airport in Keflavík where you return the rental car before catching your flight back (ca. 130 miles / 200 km)
Anreise
Icelandair, the Icelandic national carrier has over 70 years of flying experience. They offer direct flights from many major airports including London (LHR & LGW), Birmingham, Glasgow, Vancover, Toronto, New York, Washington D.C., Orlando Denver, Seattle, Copenhagen, Billund. For more detailed information on Icelandair routes please follow the link, alternatively for live flight fares and booking status requests, please contact the team at Erlingsson Naturreisen.
It is possible to travel to Iceland with the Smyril-Line ferry from Hirtshals in Denmark. You can either take your car or get a rental car when arriving in Seyðisfjörður in the east of Iceland. We are happy to give you a tour offer with individualized routes and accomodations.
Galerie
