Description

Type of Tour:Self-Drive Tour
Duration:6 days / 5 nights
Visit:Reykjavik – Reykjavik
Includes:
  • 5 nights accommodation
  • Group 1.3 (Economy 4wd Suzuki Swift 4WD or similar) Rental car for 8 days with CDW, theft protection, unlimited mileage, VAT
  • Complimentary GPS system and no charges for an additional driver
  • Complimentary Fuel discount card
  • Car pick up/drop off at Keflavik International Airport
  • Service fee and taxes
  • Travel companion app
  • Meals as per itinerary (B=Breakfast)
Excludes:
  • All entrance and sightseeing fees
  • Airfare and airport taxes
  • Petrol/Gasoline
  • Travel insurance, meals and services not listed above, optional tours and activities, gratuities.
Notes:Minimum 21 years of age with a valid driver’s license required to rent a car (Upgrading the vehicle to Group 5 and beyond increases this requirement to 23 years of age).
Please note that the package price is based on 8 x 24-hour rental days starting at the time of rental. If your flight arrives early on day 1 and departs late on day 9, an additional supplement will be necessary unless you choose to return the car in Reykjavik when the 9-day rental is up and make your own way around.
Accommodation:Comfort self-drive holidays allow you to spend your days exploring rural Iceland, knowing your nights will be spent in the most comfortable accommodation each area has to offer (in standard rooms). Throughout the tour you will stay in quality guesthouses and hotels where all rooms have private facilities.
Your final night will be in a 4 star equivalent hotel in Reykjavik.
Golden Falls, Iceland

Full Itinerary

Day 1:  REYKYAVIK
Approximate driving distance: 100 km

Pick up the car at the airport, make sure you receive the travel companion app with your rental car and you will be ready to start your Iceland experience. If your flight arrives early in the day, you may wish to stop at the Blue Lagoon (a short distance from the airport) for a chance to relax in the soothing geothermal mineral waters (this has to be requested and pre-booked as admission is limited). From Keflavik International Airport it is recommended one drives along the southern coast of the Reykjanes peninsula, a colourful area filled with interesting geological sites and perfect for photo opportunities. This route takes you along dramatic coastlines and towards your first overnight stay in the charming village of Hveragerdi. This village 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:  Hveragerdi

Day 2:  HVERAGERDI – GOLDEN CIRCLE AREA – SOUTH SHORE – KIRKUJBAEJARKLAUSTUR

National Park – Famous Golden Falls – Bubbling Geysers – Impressive Lava Field
Approximate distance: 385km

After breakfast complete check out procedures.   Today is open for you to explore the wonders of the Golden Circle region. Visit Thingvellir National Park, site of the ancient Icelandic Viking parliament and a jewel of nature. Here you can see the meeting point between the North American and Europe continents. Several walking trails and hiking trails take visitors to historical points of interest. Continue to the amazing sites of Gullfoss waterfall and the Geysir hot spring area. Gullfoss 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.

Drive along the scenic South Shore, one of Iceland’s best areas for farming. If the skies are clear you’ll get a great view of two famous volcanoes. Hekla is Iceland’s most frequently erupting volcano. Eyjafjallajokull is the (in)famous volcano whose 2010 eruption impacted air traffic around the world.

The path takes you over vast lava fields and black sand plains created by glacial floods and on to the town of Kirkjubaejarklaustur.
Important: Please note that Dyrholaey is closed during nesting season, from about the middle of May until late June.

Overnight:  Kirkjubaejarklaustur (B)

 

Day 3:  KIRKJUBAEJARKLAUSTUR – VATNAJOKULL NATIONAL PARK – HOFN

Massive Lava Field –  Glacier National Park – Europe’s Largest Glacier – Iceberg filled Lagoon
Approximate distance: 215km

After breakfast complete check out procedures.  You will soon be in the vicinity of Vatnajokull National Park, named after the largest glacier in Europe.  We highly recommend visiting the Skaftafell area of Vatnajokull National Park. There are some excellent hiking trails with views of glaciers. During the summer months, a popular hiking trail leads to Svartifoss (the Black Falls), waterfalls framed in dark basalt columns. You can also take a hiking tour with an expert glacier guide. Near the park is the Glacier Lagoon (Jokulsarlon), where icebergs drift and collide with each other in a lake formed by Vatnajokull glacier.  Some icebergs have drifted up onto a nearby black sand beach that provides a dramatic setting for photos. Known as the Diamond Beach, this is a beautiful place to linger, catching views of icebergs and seals.  Head eastward to the village of Hofn, which lies in the shadow of Vatnajokull glacier.

Overnight:  Hofn (B)

Day 4:  HOFN – VIK

Glacial views – Lava Landscapes – Powerful Waves and Black Sand Beaches
Approximate distance: 339km

After breakfast you will complete check out procedures. Take your time and enjoy a leisurely drive back along the South Coast.

Start with a visit to Vestrahorn, the mountain outside of Hofn. This is a wonderful place of steep cliffs and seacoast, ideal for photographs.  Now head back along Road 1, getting a completely different view of Vatnajokull and Southeast Iceland. You should definitely stop again at the Glacier Lagoon and Iceberg Lagoon. The area looks very different with a change in light conditions.  The road leads to Vik, the southernmost community in Iceland. Vik is a pretty town set against the dramatic seacoast. Admire the black sand beach, basalt columns and powerful Atlantic waves of Reynisfjara beach near Vik. Far out to sea are huge sea stacks that local tales say were once trolls. 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).
*Important: Please note that Dyrholaey is closed during nesting season, from about the middle of May until late June.

Overnight:  Vik (B)

Day 5:  VIK – REYKJANES – BLUE LAGOON – REYKJAVIK

Dramatic Coastline – UNESCO Geopark – Geothermal Lagoon
Approximate distance: 285km

After breakfast complete check out procedures. Today continue west along the South Shore. The route leads by two beautiful waterfalls. Seljalandsfoss is a ribbon-like waterfall that you can walk behind if trail conditions are good. Skogafoss is believed to contain hidden treasure from the Middle Ages.  This is a great day to get acquainted with Iceland’s famous volcanic and tectonic forces with an optional visit to the interactive LAVA Centre in Hvolsvollur village.  Take a turn onto a coastal road known for its breath-taking views of powerful sea waves slamming against the shoreline.   Drive to the Reykjanes peninsula, a UNESCO Geopark with many intriguing geological wonders, including the bubbling and colorful Krysuvik geothermal area. You can also opt to enjoy a relaxing soak in the famous Blue Lagoon, a unique wonder of nature with pleasantly warm and mineral-rich geothermal water located in a middle of a black lava field. (Please note that admission to the Blue Lagoon must be booked in advance. We would be happy to help you with booking admission). If you’re interested in culture and history, we definitely recommend a visit to the Viking World exhibit where you can discover facts about Viking life and see Islendingurinn, a replica of a Viking ship that sailed from Iceland to North America in the year 2000.

Overnight:  Reykjavik (B)

Day 6:  DEPARTURE
Approximate distance: 50km

After breakfast complete check out procedures Drive back to Keflavik International Airport.

Rates

SOUTH ICELAND – WATERFALLS, GLACIERS AND DIAMOND BEACH –
Self-Drive

6 Days
5 Nights

CurrencyPer Person Sharing
1 October 2020 – 30 April 2021Reykjavik – ReykjavikEURTBC

Includes:  5 nights accommodation in comfortable country guesthouses and hotels in standard rooms with private facilities; Group 1.3 (Economy 4wd Suzuki Swift 4WD or similar) rental car for 8 days; Car pick up/drop off at Keflavik International Airport; complimentary GPS and no charge for additional driver; complimentary fuel discount card; service fees and taxes; companion travel app; meals as per itinerary.

Excludes: All entrance and sightseeing fees, fuel.

All rates will be converted at time of final payment according to ITT’s bank selling rates. Please double check the final ZAR amount with us on day of payment. All services are subject to availability at time of booking and subject to the General Terms and Conditions of ITT Inspirations Travel & Tours (PTY) LTD.