Skip to main content

Iceland Odyssey

Extended Circle Tour with the Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Stykkisholmur harbour, Iceland © Shutterstock

Take to the open road and discover the natural wonders and welcoming towns of Iceland's Ring Road and West Iceland. Additional nights can be added in Reykjavik at the end.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Keflavík – Hveragerði 100km

Geothermal Lagoon – Flower village – Geothermal Greenhouses
Pick up the car at the airport and start your Iceland experience. From Keflavík International Airport drive the southern coast of the Reykjanes peninsula towards your first overnight stay in the charming village of Hveragerði. The 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 in Hveragerði.

Day 2 The Golden Circle 165km

National Park with Geological Wonders (UNESCO) - Exploding Geysers - Massive Waterfall
Drive to Thingvellir National Park, site of the ancient Icelandic parliament and a jewel of nature. Visit the Golden Circle natural wonders, the famous Geysir hot-spring area and the mighty Gullfoss Waterfall. While in the area, perhaps relax in one of the hot spring-fed pools that make Iceland so famous. The Secret Lagoon is a historical swimming pool with an all-natural feel and its own little geyser and the Laugarvatn Fontana steam baths are a local favourite. Overnight in the Golden Circle area.

Day 3 South Shore - Vik - Kirkjubaejarklaustur 250km

Hekla Volcano - Thundering Waterfalls - Seabirds - Black Sand Beaches - Lava Fields
Drive along the spectacular south coast, viewing highlights such as Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, Myrdalsjokull glacier, Dyrholaey* and the black sand beaches of Vik. Continue towards the village of Kirkjubaejarklaustur known for its fabulous trout fishing and is the former site of a 12th century catholic convent. *Please note that Dyrholaey is closed during nesting season, mid-May to late June. Overnight in the Kirkjubaejarklaustur area.

Day 4 Skaftafell - Jokulsarlon - Egilsstadir 400km

Europe's Largest National Park - Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs - Europe's Largest Glacier - Narrow Fjords - Steep Mountains
Today you will be in the area of Vatnajokull National Park, named after Europe's largest glacier. Visit the park‘s awe-inspiring Skaftafell area, which is set between glaciers and offers many hiking possibilities. Continue to the shimmering icebergs of Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon, nearby Diamond Beach Wind your way through the spectacular East Fjords, with towering mountains and charming fishing villages, to the fertile Egilsstadir area. On the way, you might opt to visit the quirky egg sculptures in the harbour of charming Djupivogur village. Two nights in Egilsstadir area.

Day 5 Egilsstadir and surroundings variable mileage

East Fjords - Legendary Lake Monster - Largest Forest in Iceland - Wilderness Heritage
Explore Egilsstadir and the surrounding area. Visit Hallormsstadur the largest forest plantation in Iceland set along Lake Lagarfljot, which according to legend contains a monster. Drive to edge of the magnificent highland wilderness, where you can visit the interactive new Wilderness Centre that focuses on the pioneer history and nature of the Eastern highlands. Perhaps end the day at Lake Urridavatn's new Vok Baths, where you can unwind in untouched nature in distinctive floating geothermal pools. 

Day 6 Dettifoss - Asbyrgi - Husavik 330km

Europe's Most Powerful Waterfall - Glacier Carved Gorge - Whale Watching
Travel across Modrudalsoraefi highlands renowned for their stark beauty to the mighty Dettifoss waterfall. Discover the horseshoe shaped Asbyrgi Canyon in Vatnajokull National Parks northern area before continuing around the fossil rich Tjornes Peninsula to the fishing village of Husavik, famous for whale watching. A great way to end the day is with a relaxing swim in the warm sea waters of Husavik's GeoSea Baths. Overnight in Lake Myvatn area.

Day 7 Lake Myvatn area variable mileage

Bizzare Lava Formations - Geothermal Activity - Rich Birdlife
Explore the highlights of Lake Myvatn and surrounding area with unique attractions such as Dimmuborgir, the pseudo craters at Skutustadir, the colourful sulfurous slopes of Namaskard and Krafla volcanic area. Overnight in Lake Myvatn area.

Day 8 Akureyri and surrounds 175km

Iceland's "Capital of the North" - Botanical Gardens - Local Museums - Arctic Circle
Make a stop to admire Godafoss "Of the Gods" Waterfall. Spend the day exploring Akureyri the "capital of the North" and its surrounding area. This charming town is small in size but has a vibrant cultural scene. Wander through a street dedicated to art galleries. Visit museums and historical wooden homes. If you enjoy outdoor recreation, Akureyri is great for whale watching, fishing, horseback riding or hiking in the trails around the fjord. There is even a Zipline course outside the town. After a day of fun in the area, why not take a relaxing soak in the beautiful Forest Baths (Skogarbod). These geothermal pools are in the Vadlaheidi nature area, surrounded by small trees and the mountains of Eyjafjordur fjord. Overnight in the north-west area.

Day 9 Laugarbakki - Stykkisholmur 360km

Fertile Farmlands - Folk Museum - Viking Horses
Travel to the horse-breeding valley of Skagafjordur fjord, continue to the shores of Hunafloi Bay, an area rich in Icelandic history. Overnight Stykkisholmur area or northern Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

Day 10 Stykkisholmur - Arnarstapi - Borgarfjordur 240km

Magical Glacier Volcano - Sea Cliffs with Bird Life - Volcanic Crater
Circle around the legendary Snaefellsnes peninsula passing the small fishing villages of Grundarfjordur and Hellissandur. Make a stop at the rocky beach of Djúpalónssandur. Don't miss the striking columnar basalt rock formations at Arnarstapi. Overall of this beauty is the great glacier-crowned volcano of Snaefellsjokull, said to have magical powers. Pass Eldborg crater on route to the agricultural region of Borgarfjordur. Overnight in Borgafjordur area.

Day 11 Borgarfjordur - Reykholt - Hvalfjordur - Reykjavik 205km

Picturesque Waterfalls - Europe's Most Powerful Hot Spring - Blue Lagoon
In Borgarfjordur visit the beautiful Hraunfoss and Barnafoss waterfalls, Reykholt and the enormous Deildartunguhver hot spring. Continue via Hvalfjordur fjord to Reykjavik for overnight.

Day 12 Reykjavik - Keflavik Airport 52km

Drive back to Keflavik International Airport and return your rental car.


2024 departures: daily 01 May – 30 September

Notes:

The first night of your tour is spent in the Hveragerði area, a small town about 45km from Reykjavik, to enable you to then head off into the countryside the next day without having to go through Reykjavik. Additional nights can be added in Reykjavik at the end.

Choose from three different levels of accommodation:

Budget: 
- Shared facilities
- Standard rooms in budget hotels, guesthouses and farmhouse accommodation
- First night in Hveragerdi includes private facilities

Comfort: 
- Private facilities
- Standard rooms in comfort hotels, guesthouses and farmhouse accommodation

Quality:
- Private facilities
- Standard rooms in quality hotels and guesthouses
- Superior rooms in comfort hotels and guesthouses

The names for individual accommodations are not available prior to booking, as the tour package is based on specific hotel/price categories and not on specific hotels/accommodations. The exact location of the countryside hotels will vary according to availability - the itinerary indicates the region for each overnight stay (with the exception of the last night which is always in Reykjavik itself).

The price is based on 11 x 24-hour rental days starting at the time of car pick up and finishing at the same time. Additional use of the car beyond this time frame will incur additional days rental fee.

For other car types and accommodation prices please enquire.

If you would like to have dinner in the hotel restaurant, we recommend making a reservation with the hotel reception desk at the time of check-in at each hotel en-route.

Nordic Travel is 100% Australian owned and operated