Iceland's Ring Road Self-Drive Vacation

For those who have plenty of time the Ring Road is the perfect route for seeing Iceland.  The Ring Road circles Iceland and you'll find some of Iceland's most beautiful sites just off the main road.  On the Nature Explorer summer version we improve the route a bit by taking the Kjolur mountain track so that you will get to explore the barren wilderness of the Icelandic highlands. On our Ring Road itinerary you will experience the diversity of Icelandic nature to the fullest.  You'll visit hot spring fields, soak in a natural geothermal pool, hike on volcanoes, see some amazing waterfalls, take a boat cruise on a glacier lagoon and visit national park.  The  drive itself is very scenic, be it through vast lava fields or by fjords and mountains.

Day 1 - Arrival in Iceland
Depending on your arrival time you may want to stop at the Blue Lagoon for a relaxing soak.  The afternoon is then spent exploring Reykjavík downtown.  You can also choose to pick up the rental car at the airport.  
Accommodation: A centrally located hotel in Reykjavík. 
Your self-drive package will be in the reception.

Day 2 - The Golden Circle
After picking up your rental car you head to Thingvellir national park, where the Icelandic parliament was founded and you can clearly see where the tectonic plates are slowly drifting apart.  You then drive east to visit Gullfoss, the golden waterfall, and Geysir hot spring area where you'll watch the geyser Strokkur spout boiling water into the air. 
Accommodation: Hotel by Geysir area 
Optional: An hour long horseback riding tour from Geysir, where you get to enjoy the benefits of the Icelandic horse and its five type of gaits.
Optional: An ATV tour from Geysir to explore the natural wonders of the area.

Day 3 - Kjolur mountain road
In the morning you'll head off the main road and into the wilderness of the highlands.  Traveling across Kjolur mountain track, which lies between the two glaciers of Langjokull and Hofsjokull, you take a photo stop at Kerlingafjoll mountain.  Midway across the track is Hveravellir where there's enormous geothermal heat in the ground and you'll find colorful hot springs such as Blaihver and Graenihver as well as a natural outdoor geothermal pool where you can have a relaxing soak.  You then go north through the town of Akureyri and stop at Godafoss waterfall before heading to Lake Myvatn.
Accommodation: Hotel by Lake Myvatn

Day 4 - Lake Myvatn and it's Surroundings
Today you have the benefit of staying at the same hotel for two nights, so you don't have to spend time packing and unpacking.  The day is spent exploring the Lake Myvatn area, seeing sites such as Dimmuborgir lava formations,
Krafla caldera and Namaskard hot spring area.  This area is also the home of over 2.000 birds in the summer.  There has been a lot of volcanic activity by Myvatn and there's a lot of geothermal heat in the ground.  In the afternoon it's perfect to go for a relaxing soak in the Myvatn Baths.
Accommodation: Hotel by Lake Myvatn
Optional: Whale watching tour from Husavik, which has the highest success rate of spotting whales in Iceland.

Day 5 - Jokulsargljufur national park
Driving east, you go to Jokulsargljufur national park and spend the morning and early afternoon hiking there and exploring the area.  The national park is home to Dettifoss
waterfall and Hljodaklettar where you'll find Karl and Kerling, two large rocks formations that
resemble a man and a woman.  Other sights include the three waterfalls of Selfoss,
Hafragilsfoss and Rettarfoss. From Jokulsargljufur you drive through Modrudalsoraefi, the most remote area of the Icelandic Ring Road which is quite barren with wonderful big vistas.
Accommodation: Hotel in Egilsstadir 

Day 6 - Eastern Iceland
From Egilsstadir you drive south along the magnificent fjords of the rugged coastline and enjoy the vista of majestic mountains.  This part of the country is rather rural, with small fishing villages nestling by the Ocean.  On the way you can stop at Stodvarfjordur and see Petra's Stone Museum.
Accommodation: Hotel by Hofn in Hornafjordur 
Optional: Boat trip to Papey island, where hundreds of puffins and other birds make their nest in the summer.

Day 7 - The Vatnajokull Region
From Hofn you travel towards Vatnajokull, Europe's largest glacier.  You'll stop at Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon for a boat ride among the majestic icebergs.  You then continue to Skaftafell national park where you spend the rest of the day hiking, taking photo stops at places like Svartifoss waterfall.
Accommodation: Hotel by Skaftafell or Kirkjubaejarklaustur

Day 8 - South Iceland
Traveling along the south coast you'll visit Dyrholaey peninsula which is shaped like an arc that stands out to sea.  From the peninsula you have a breathtaking view on a sunny day of Reynisdrangar, lava formations that stand out from the ocean as well as Myrdalsjokull glacier and the surrounding countryside. 
Further west you stop at the two waterfalls of Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss. 
At Seljalandsfoss you can take a short path that leads behind the free falling waterfall and
feel the spray and drizzle on your face.  
You return to Reykjavik in the afternoon and drop off your rental car. 
Accommodation: Hotel in Reykjavik
Optional: Snowmobile tour on Myrdalsjokull glacier.

Day 9 - Departure from Iceland
If your flight is early in the morning, you take a taxi or the flybus to the airport.
However, if your flight is in the afternoon it's ideal to visit the Blue Lagoon on the way to the airport.

Please note: It's no problem to extend your stay in Iceland, either by spending additional nights in Reykjavik or in the countryside. 

Prices: 
Prices are for 2 persons staying in a double room
Skoda Octavia 4wd or similar: ISK 404900.-
Toyota Land Cruiser 4wd or similar: ISK 542000.-
Land Rover Defender 4wd or similar: ISK 581400.-

Included: 
Rental car for 7 days with CDW insurance, GPS and unlimited milage
Accommodation for 8 nights in 2-3* hotels and guesthouses
A detailed Road Atlas and a map with your route marked out
An Icelandic cell phone with all necessary phone numbers

If you have any questions, comments or requests, please don't hesitate to contact us

---