Iceland Ring Road, Slow & Steady

If you are planning on driving in Iceland during winter, between September and May, we highly recommend choosing a 4×4 vehicle for your safety and to make your vacation more enjoyable. The weather in Iceland can change suddenly and you could encounter snow or sleet. Some roads are also not accessible for smaller vehicles but can be reached on 4×4´s.

To ensure your safety on our self-drive tours in Iceland, we only provide 4WD cars from 1st of October through March, due to possible snow, sleed, and other hazardous road conditions.

Included in rental rate

• Unlimited mileage
• CDW (Collision Damage Waver)
• SCDW (Super Collision Damage Waver)
• GP (Gravel Protection. Includes damages to windscreens, headlights and the car)
• TP (Theft Protection)
• Extra driver option
• 4G WiFi with unlimited data to stay connected during your tour
• VAT 24%

Not included in rental rate

Can be added in the booking process

• Liability waiver for carefree travelling
  Small car: 3.290 ISK per day
  Medium/Large car: 3.890 ISK per day
• GPS navigation system
  Some cars have free GPS systems on board
  1.550 ISK per day
• SAAP (Sand and Ash Insurance)
  Recommended for those travelling the south coast.
  Rates depend on the size of the rental car.
• Baby seat
  0 – 13 kg 4.000 ISK per rental
• Child seat
  15 – 36 kg 4.000 ISK per rental

You can choose from three main categories of accommodations in the booking request process, comfort, quality, and luxury. Breakfast is included in all categories.

Comfort

This includes rooms with private bathroom and shower, in hotels and guesthouses.

Breakfast is included.

Quality

This includes rooms with private bathroom and shower, in 3 — 4 star hotels or the best available in the area.

Breakfast is included.

Luxury

This includes rooms or suites with private facilities, in luxury accommodation. Please note that this category has very limited availability and is not available in all parts of Iceland.

Breakfast is included.

Day 1

Welcome to Iceland! Today you will arrive at Keflavík airport, where you will pick up your rental car. You’ll kick off your adventure by driving through the lava fields of the Reykjanes peninsula towards the town of Selfoss. 

Depending on your arrival time, you might like to visit the Blue Lagoon. This gorgeous volcanic spa is extremely popular, so let us know well in advance if you’d like us to arrange some tickets for you! You can also add an optional wildlife tour in a RIB speed boat or safari or ATV (quad biking) excursion from Þorlákshöfn, a small fishing village on the South Coast of Iceland. Just let us know what sounds right for you! You will spend your first night in the greater Selfoss area. 

Km driven: 95

Day 2

After breakfast, you’ll drive to Hveragerði, where you can take a hike to Reykjadalur valley. Don’t forget your swimsuit, because you can take a dip in the gorgeous geothermal river.  

After soaking away your travel aches beneath the open sky, you will head to Þingvellir National Park, the first stop in the famous Golden Circle tourist route. You can check out the stunning rift valley, where continental plates are drifting apart. If that wasn’t close enough, there will be a chance to get kitted out in a dry suit and snorkel in the Silfra fissure. After swimming in the crystal clear water, you’ll head to the Geysir geothermal area to see the explosive hot spring called Strokkur. 

You will then head to the Gullfoss waterfall for some amazing photo opportunities, before heading to your accommodation in the Flúðir area. Don’t forget to let us know if you’d like to go ahead with the snorkeling trip or if you prefer to keep your feet on dry land!

Km driven: 155

Day 3

Today you will drive to the South Coast of Iceland. Your first scheduled stop will be at the stunning waterfall Seljalandsfoss. This gorgeous waterfall is unique because you can walk right behind the crashing glacial water. 

Next, you’ll head to Skógafoss waterfall. You can’t walk behind this one, but the views from the top are spectacular!  On your way to Skógafoss, you will drive past the ice-covered volcano called Eyjafjallajökull. You might remember the world-stopping eruption back in 2010!

Just East of Skógafoss, you can go for an optional glacier walk at Sólheimajökull outlet glacier. You’ll have an expert guide on hand to supervise, so don’t worry if you’re new to the ice!  Your next stop will be at the abandoned plane wreck at Sólheimasandur beach. You will then wander down the black sand beach of Reynisfjara, famous for its mighty basalt columns. You will spend the night in the Vík/Kirkjubæjarklaustur area.

Km driven: 145

Day 4

It’s time to get acquainted with Iceland’s wild places. Today you will head to Skaftafell, a gorgeous hiking area in the Vatnajökull National Park. You can pick an easy 2-hour route to Svartifoss waterfall and Skaftafellsjökull outlet glacier. Or, if you’re feeling up to it, you could take a longer trail up to the mountain ridges. 

Once you’ve finished your hike, you will visit the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Here you will watch icebergs float across the lagoon on their journey to the ocean, each one totally unique. We can help you choose a short boat tour if you would like to get up even closer to the icebergs. 

You can also take part in a glacier hike or ice climbing session with a certified guide; just let us know if you think you’d be interested! To finish the day, you will drive Eastwards to your comfortable accommodation in the Höfn area. 

Km driven: 270

Day 5

Today you will enter the mountainous Eastfjords of Iceland. This beautiful area is famous for its narrow fjords and steep cliffs. There aren’t many people living in this region, but you will find charming fishing villages dotted along the coast, and you might even see some wild reindeer if you’re lucky. 

We recommend a stop at the town of Djúpivogur, which is a part of the Cittaslow movement. This means that the town is based on principles of environmentalism and human happiness. You can wander the streets and check out some of the local art exhibitions before heading to the tiny fishing town called Breiðdalsvík. 

We can arrange an intimate fishing trip for you on a small boat for those that want to.  You will then drive to Stöðvarfjörður, where you can stop and take a look at Petra’s world-famous stone & mineral collection. You will continue driving the beautiful fjords to Fáskrúðsfjörður, another charming fishing village with its rich history and culture to discover. You can also stop off at the Auroras Iceland museum that is located in the town. 

Finally, you’ll drive past Reyðarfjörður to get to your accommodation in Egilstaðir. 

Km driven: 250

Day 6

After a leisurely breakfast at your accommodation, you will head North to Húsavík. This is the whale-watching capital of Iceland, where 98% of excursions successfully catch sight of the Icelandic gentle giants living wild and free in the ocean. 

Before arriving at Husavík, you will stop off at the awe-inspiring Dettifoss, possibly the most powerful waterfall in Europe! You will also visit the lovely horseshoe-shaped canyon called Ásbyrgi. Depending on how energetic you feel, you might like to stretch your legs on one of the hiking trails at the canyon. 

When you arrive in Húsavík, we highly recommend adding an optional whale watching tour. You’ll have a very high chance of seeing humpbacks, minke whales, and white-beaked dolphins, to name a few! You will spend the night here in Húsavík. 

Km driven: 250

Day 7

This morning you will drive to Mývatn lake, famous for its natural beauty and thriving birdlife. You can immerse yourself in the sound of wild birds on one of the hiking trails in the area and check out the steaming mud pots in the geothermal area by Námafjall. 

We highly recommend a visit to the Mývatn Nature Baths, which are much calmer than the famous Blue Lagoon. Just let us know if you’d like us to arrange tickets for you!  Afterward,  you will head to Akureyri, also known as the capital of the North. 

You will stop at Goðafoss on the way, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland. Once you’re In Akureyri, you can add an optional whale watching tour in Eyjafjörður fjord. Alternatively, just kick back in a coffee shop with a well-earned cup of coffee. 

After checking out Akureyri, you will drive the Tröllaskagi peninsula towards the town of Siglufjörður and eventually to Varmahlíð, where you will spend the night. On your way to Varmahlíð, we recommend a stop in Hofsós, where you can visit the local swimming pool. The panoramic view from the geothermal pool is not to be missed.

Km driven: 370

Day 8

Today you will make your way South. You will have plenty of scenic stop-offs on your journey, including the beautiful waterfalls of  Hraunfossar and Barnafoss in Borgarfjörður. 

If you like, you can visit the man-made ice cave that goes right inside the Langjökull glacier. You have to go with a guide to get access to the cave, so let us know if you’d like us to book you a suitable tour. You could also visit the 8000-year-old Víðgelmir cave, one of the world’s biggest lava tunnels! This is quite a good cave for people that don’t like small spaces because the ceilings of the tunnel are very high.  

You will spend the night in the Húsafell/Reykholt area. 

Km driven: 250

Day 9

It’s time to make your way back to Reykjavík, but it’s not too late to enjoy a few final adventures! Driving along the Hvalfjörður fjord, you can stop for a hike to Glymur, Iceland’s highest waterfall. You’ll need to have appropriate footwear for this steep route, so think about this in advance!

Once you get to Reykjavík, you can choose how to spend the rest of your day. Some people like to check out the museums or city gardens, where others enjoy a final wildlife watching trip from the harbor. You can also unwind in the bars and restaurants of the capital or take a guided walk of the city. 

Km driven: 145

Day 10

It’s time to say goodbye to Iceland! After one final breakfast in the capital, you’ll head to Keflavík International Airport to return your rental car. We wish you a safe journey home, and we hope to welcome you back one day in the future!

Km driven: 50

Included in final tour price

• Accommodation for 9 nights with breakfast
• Rental car of your choice for 10 days including CDW, SCDW, TP, GP, SAAP, Extra driver, 4G Wifi dongle with unlimited data and VAT 24%
• Detailed personal itinerary
• Carbon offseting (16 trees planted)
• Taxes and service fees
• Personal and professional service

Not included

• Flight to/from Iceland
• Personal travel insurance
• Gasoline/petrol and tunnel fees
• Meals and drinks beside breakfast
• Entrance fees unless otherwise stated
• Optional activities listed in booking request process