Around Iceland - 11 Days | Best seller

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Around Iceland – 11 Days | Our Best seller!

Our best seller! You will become familiar with Iceland´s unique nature of contrasts and the Icelandic people. The journey takes you to the most precious places in Iceland, including the Snæfellsnes peninsula with its diverse nature and mystery. The program is based on our group tours „Iceland for Nature Friends“ and „West Fjords and Snæfellsnes“ and leaves enough time for short walks, hiking, nature observation or additional excursions. Hiking instructions are available on request. 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
  • Vatnajökull National park, the largest in Europe
  • Jökulsárgljúfur National Park
  • Dettifoss the most powerful waterfall in Europe
  • The mountainous East Fjords
  • Waterfall Goðafoss
  • Nature paradise Mývatn
  • Snæfellsnes peninsula: Iceland in miniature

Leistungen

  • 10 nights in three-star hotels or guesthouses, incl. breakfast
  • 10 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, admissionto museums/exhibitions, GPS system and tunnel toll (Hvalfjörður). Extra driver € 30,-

 

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Reiseverlauf

1

Arrival

The rental car will be waiting at Keflavík airport upon arrival. On the way into the city an optional detour can be to the Blue Lagoon Spa for a relaxing bath. 1 night in Reykjavík (ca. 30 miles / 50 km)

2

Reykjavík, National Park Þingvellir & hot springs at Geysir

Drive through the geothermal area of Nesjavellir, passing a geothermal power station, and around Lake Þingvallavatn into the National Park Þingvellir, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Drive further through the area Lyngdalsheiði and the small village Laugarvatn to the hot spring area at Geysir and the beautiful waterfall Gullfoss. On the way to the accommodation, stop by the historic bishop’s residence in Skálholt. 1 night in or near the geothermal area of Flúðir (ca. 100 miles / 170 km)

3

The Local Heritage Museum in Skógar & the South Coast

Drive down to the south coast and make sure to stop at Seljalandsfoss waterfall and walk behind the waterfall. In Skógar, right by the waterfall Skógafoss, we recommend a visit to the local folk museum before driving further to your next stop at the bird cliff Dyhólarey. Nearby Dyrhólaey, the magnificent beach of Reynisfjara is a must! Through the black desert sands of Mýrdalssandur and the lava field “Eldhraun” or “Fire Lava” you’ll reach the accommodation in the area around Kirkjubæjarklaustur. 1 night (ca. 160 miles / 250 km)

4

The national park at Vatnajökull glacier

A drive through black sandy deserts will take you to Skaftafell, a part of Europe‘s largest national park at Vatnajökull glacier. A hike to the beautiful waterfall Svartifoss is definently reccomended which is known for its impressive basalt columns. On the road again, the glacier Öræfajökull with Iceland’s highest peak, Hvannadalshnjúkur (2110m) will be on the left side. In Fagurhólsmýri you can go on a tractor tour to the birds‘ cliff of Ingólfshöfði (daily except on Sundays) before reaching the famous glacier lagoon, Jökulsárlón, where you can take a walk on the shore or enjoy an unforgettable boat trip between the icebergs. 1 night near Höfn (ca. 130 miles / 200 km)

5

The dramatic fjord landscape of the East

Start the days journey by taking a short detour to the old Danish trading post of Djúpivogur. Further east, a visit to the country’s largest private mineral collection in Stöðvarfjörður will provide an insight into rocks and minerals in East Iceland. Then continue to the next fjord where either a shortcut through the tunnel or drive through the jagged fjord landscape of the east to the fjord Fáskrúðsfjörður is an option. On the way there is an old station used by French fishermen and the island Skrúður with a huge colony of northern gannets. Continuing to the next fjord Reyðarfjörður, and on through the ”beautiful valley” Fagridalur with its many waterfalls, that will lead to the “capital” of the east, Egilsstaðir. 1 night in or near village Egilsstaðir or Jökulsárhlíð. (ca. 160 miles / 250 km)

6

Jökulsárgljúfur in Europe‘s biggest National Park

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 there 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 you have the opportunity to go on a whale watching tour or visit one of the town‘s many museums. 2 nights near Húsavík or Lake Mývatn (ca. 160 miles / 250 km)

7

Nature paradise Lake Mývatn

The area around Lake Mývatn has many things to offer. We recommend any of the following walks: along the pseudocraters of Skútustaðir, through the lava labyrinth of Dimmuborgir, along the sulphur springs in Námaskarð or in the new lava from the volcano Krafla. Furthermore, you can take a relaxing bath in the Mývatn Nature Baths (ca. 90 miles/ 150 km)

8

Akureyri and Skagafjörður

On the way to the “capital ” of North Iceland, Akureyri, it is ideal to stop at Goðafoss waterfall. In the very charming town of Akureyri a walk that includes the botanical garden and the birthplace of writer Jón “Nonni” Sveinsson might interest you. Or just take a stroll through downtown. Drive over the mountain pass Öxnadalsheiði and into the horse-breeding area of Skagafjörður, where the folk museum Glaumbær is well worth a visit. Flugumýri is another option where they have a horse show and education of the living conditions of Icelandic farmers. 1 night in the area of Skagafjörður (ca. 125 miles / 200 km)

9

Snæfellsnes peninsula

Stop by the Seal Centre in Hvammstangi before reaching the spectacular Snæfellsnes peninsula via the fjord Hrútarfjörður and the high plateau of Laxárdalsheiði. A visit to the the town of Stykkishólmur were number of old houses have been neatly renovated is a must! A boat tour through the islands of Breidarfjördur is interesting not only for bird lovers. We recommend you visit farmer Hildibrandur in Bjarnarhöfn – not far from Stykkishólmur, who has turned part of his home into a small private museum, introducing the old Icelandic tradition of shark catching. Drive over the Vatnaheiði pass to the accommodation. 1 night on the south coast of the Snæfellsnes peninsula (ca. 230 miles / 370 km)

10

Snæfellsnes - Reykjavík

Start the day with a hike along the coast between Arnarstapi and Hellnar. When driving around the west side of the famous glacier Snæfellsjökull to Ólafsvík, there are number of stunning and lovely stops to make such as reef Malararrif, the peppled beach Djúpilónssandur or the lighthouse Skarðsviti. Continue along the north coast until you reach the pass Fróðárheiði, over which you return to the south coast of the peninsula. Continue southwards to the town of Borgarnes and the main “ring road” again. If time permits, a drive around the scenic Hvalfjörður fjord is worthwhile. Once in the Icelandic capital, a sightseeing walk can include  the old harbour, the church Hallgrímskirkja and the Perlan observation deck, from where you have a tremendous view all over the city. We especially recommend a bird watching tour on the boat Lundi RE 20, 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. 90 to 123 miles / 150 to 200 km)

11

Departure

Drive to the airport in Keflavík where you return the rental car before catching your flight back.

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