Self Drive tour to west Iceland, Geysir and south Iceland

Self Drive Itinerary to west Iceland, Geysir and south Iceland

Day 1: Arrival in Keflavik Int. Airport
Transport to a hotel in Reykjavik by Flybus or a taxi. You can also choose to stop on the way at the Blue Lagoon for a relaxing soak.  At your guesthouse a self-drive package will be waiting for you; maps with your route, an Icelandic mobile phone and a road atlas.
Accommodation: Hotel or guesthouse in Reykjavik downtown.

Day 2: Reykjavik - Snaefellsnes Peninsula
In the morning you pick up your rental car.  Drive the small town  of Stykkisholmur in the Snaefellsnes peninsula, where you have the option of going sailing on a sightseeing tour around Breidafjordur Bay, ideal for bird watching in the middle of the nesting season.  We say here in Iceland that the islands in Breidafjordur are too many to count.
We recommend a drive around in the “Danish” town Stykkisholmur with its beautiful surroundings and little houses. Drive from Stykkisholmur around Snaefellsnes peninsula and look at all the things that it has to offer; volcanic glacier, beautiful rocky beaches full of nesting birds, rugged landscape with lava fields meeting the Atlantic Ocean.
Accommodation; Hotel on the south shore of Snaefellsnes 

Day 3: Snaefellnes - Borgarfjordur - Thingvellir - Geysir area
From Snaefellsnes you head to Borgarfjordur, to see its main attractions: Hraunfossar (Lava Waterfalls) where the river flows from underneath the lava field and flows down into the river. Just a few meters away there’s another great waterfall, Barnafoss. You pass through the historical site of Reykholt before visiting Iceland’s most powerful geothermal spring, Deildartunguhver.
The route to Thingvellir depends on what kind of a car you will be driving. If you have rented a 4x4, we recommend you take the mountain road Kaldidalur to Thingvellir national park. This road really shows you the barren and remote side of Iceland; rugged lava surrounded by glaciers and mountain desert, and takes you close to Icelands second largest glacier Langjokull.
If you don’t have a 4x4, you will have to stick to the main roads, driving through the scenic Hvalfjordur.
 Thingvellir is the site where Iceland’s ancient parliament of Althingi established in 930 AD, which makes it the oldest parliament in the world. Thingvellir is also known for its natural beauty and geographical uniqueness. From Thingvellir you head on to Geysir area where you spend the night.
Accommodation: Hotel by Geysir

Day 4: Geysir area - Gullfoss - Horse rental 
Spend the day near the Geysir area; see the various hot springs, including the geyser Strokkur which erupts every 5-7 minutes and of course Geysir himself.  There are several hiking paths available in the area, to enjoy the surrountings.  We recommend a swim in the swimming pool by Hotel Geysir which is filled with warm water from the hot spring area. From the Geysir area there is a 10 min. drive to Gullfoss waterfall which is a must-see. We recommend that after you looked at the Gullfoss waterfall to try our national dish, the classical lamb meat soup at Gullfoss café.
Optional: Horseback riding, River Jet or ATV tour.
Accommodation: Hotel by Geysir

Day 5:  Hotel Geysir - Eyjafjallajokull glacier - Kirkjubaejarklaustur
You can choose from several routes from Geysir through the green country side to Eyjafjallajokull glacier, where you stop at the 40 m high waterfall Seljalandsfoss and take short walk behind the waterfall to feel the spray and drizzle on your face.  From the road you can see Eyjafjallajokull glacier, which erupted so memorably in 2010.  Next stop is the 62 m high beautiful Skogafoss waterfall, by the little village Skogar where there is a very good folk museum worth visiting.
From Skogar you head eastwards along Iceland’s south shore through the village of Vik close to Iceland’s southernmost tip; Dyrholaey. In Vik you can go down to the black sanded beaches and see Reynisdrangar, lava formations that stand out from the sea. Drive on trough a black sand desert and by the lava fields from Mount Laki, to the small village Kirkjubaejarklaustur.  Once there you can take a walk up to Systrafoss waterfall before dinner.
Accommodation; Hotel or guesthouse by Kirkjubaejarklaustur

Day 6: Kirkjubaejarklaustur - Skaftafell - Glacier Lagoon
From Kirkjubaejarklaustur you drive on eastwards to Skaftafell national park. The road will take across the largest black sand desert in Iceland, and beautiful lava fields with a spectacular mountain view. In Skaftafell there are several hiking paths available, and we highly recommend walking up to Svartifoss waterfall which flows down a black columnar basalt cliff.
From Skaftafell it’s only a half an hour’s drive to Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon where you can go on a boat tour of the lagoon, enjoy the spectacular icebergs up-close and perhaps see some seals swimming in the water or bathing on an iceberg.
The road by Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajokull, is very scenic; steep colorful mountains with the white glacier in the back and the ocean on the other side, reindeer and sheep crossing the road.
Accommodation: Hotel or guesthouse by Kirkjubaejarklaustur

Day 7:  Kirkjubaejarklaustur - Fjadrargljufur - Reykjavik
Head back west, stopping at the beautiful gorge Fjadrargljufur.  Travel back through Vik in Myrdalur and by the majestic Myrdalsjokull glacier.  We recommend taking the route closer to the coast, and visiting the small village of Stokkseyri.  Here you can visit the ghost museum and the coastline is the ideal place for bird watching in the summer.  Rauda husid (the Red House) in Eyrabakki village is well-known for their delicious seafood, and is well worth the visit.  Another option for a stop on the way to Reykjavik is to see the greenhouse village of Hveragerdi, and hike up to Reykjadalur to enjoy the natural hot springs there.  Return the rental car in Reykjavik.
Optional: Glacier hike on Solheimajokull glacier or ATV tour in Vik.
Accommodation: Hotel in Reykjavik downtown

Day 8: Reykjavik - Departure from Keflavik Airport
If you have a late departure you can spend the day in Reykjavik and explore the city.  On the way to the airport you can stop at the Blue Lagoon, if you didn’t on day 1.  You can either take a taxi or a bus to the airport.

South & West Iceland Tour Highlights

Snaefellsnes & Snaefellsjokull

Budir, Arnarstapi & Hellnar
- Gatklettur Cliff
- Olkelda
- Budir timber church

Borgarfjordur
- Hraunfossar & Barnafoss waterfalls
- Deildatunguhver
- Borgarnes

The Golden Circle
- Gullfoss, Geysir and Thingvellir

Eyjafjallajokull volcano

Myrdalsjokull glacier

Seljarlandsfoss & Skogarfoss waterfalls

Skaftafell & Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon

Vik and Kirkjubaejarklaustur 

Prices for the Complete South + West Iceland self drive vacation

All rates are total for 2 people staying in a double room with private facilities.
For other room types or more rooms, please contact us.

Summer season prices (June through August):
Skoda Octavia 4wd or similar: ISK 330200
Toyota Rav4 4wd or similar: ISK 397800
Toyota Land Cruiser 4wd or similar: ISK 453400
Land Rover Defender 4wd or similar: ISK 483600

Shoulder season prices (May and September):
Skoda Octavia 4wd or similar: ISK 245300
Toyota Rav4 4wd or similar: ISK 289200
Toyota Land Cruiser 4wd or similar: ISK 325200
Land Rover Defender 4wd or similar: ISK 345400

Winter season prices (October through April):
Skoda Octavia 4wd or similar: ISK 196500
Toyota Rav4 4wd or similar: ISK 231800
Toyota Land Cruiser 4wd or similar: ISK 260700
Land Rover Defender 4wd or similar: ISK 276500

Included:
Rental car for 6 days with CDW insurance, GPS and unlimited milage
Accommodation for 7 nights in 2-3* hotels and guesthouses.
A detailed Road Atlas and driving directions
An Icelandic cell phone with all necessary numbers

Excluded:
Optional activities
Meals other than breakfast
Fuel