The Complete Ring Road: 9 Day Northern Lights Self Drive Tour with Waterfalls and Hot-springs

Welcome to Iceland! Start your Icelandic adventure by picking up your rental car at Keflavík international airport or in Reykjavík city. If you're starting in Reykjavík, we recommend spending some time exploring the city and all it has to offer before hitting the road. Reykjavík is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city with a unique charm. Don't miss out on some of the city's highlights, such as the iconic Hallgrímskirkja church, the thermal pools at Laugardalur or the hipster neighbourhood of Reykjavíkurtjörn.

Today, you'll be exploring the famous Golden Circle. This route takes you to some of Iceland's most iconic sights, such as the Gullfoss waterfall, the geothermal area of Haukadalur with its bubbling hot springs, and the Thingvellir national park. Thingvellir is a particularly special place, as it's situated on the Mid-Atlantic ridge, the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

This morning, you'll be heading towards the South Coast. This beautiful stretch of coastline is home to some of Iceland's most popular attractions, such as the black sand beaches of Vík, the towering cliffs of Dyrhólaey and the glacial lagoon of Jökulsárlón.

Today, you'll be continuing your exploration of the South Coast. Highlights include the Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, the Skaftáreldahraun lava fields, the Skaftafell geopark and the Vatnajökull national park. Vatnajökull is Europe's largest glacier, and is truly a sight to behold.

Today, you'll be exploring the Eastfjords of Iceland. This area is known for its dramatic landscapes, with towering mountains, pristine fjords and tiny villages dotted along the coastline. Highlights include the Vestrahorn mountain, the town of Stapi and the abandoned herring factory at Djúpavík.

This morning, you'll be heading towards the town of Egilsstaðir. This is the largest town in the Eastfjords, and is a great place to stock up on supplies for the next leg of your journey. From Egilsstaðir, you'll be heading to the Stuðlagil canyon, the Dettifoss waterfall and the Ásbyrgi canyon.

This morning, you'll be heading to the Mývatn lake area. This region is known for its otherworldly landscapes, with bubbling mud pools, steaming geothermal areas and volcanic craters. Highlights include the Hverir mud pools, the Dimmuborgir lava field and the Skútustaðagígar pseudo-craters.

This morning, you'll be exploring the Borgarfjörður area. This region is known for its stunning landscapes, with highlights including the Grábrók volcano, the Deildartunguhver hot spring and the Hraunfossar waterfalls.

Today is your last day in Iceland. If you have time, we recommend exploring the Reykjanes peninsula, with highlights including the geothermal area of Gunnuhver, the Krysuvik mud pools and the lava field of Reykjanes.