AROUND ICELAND AT YOUR OWN PACE

DAY 1. FLIGHT TO KEFLAVIK
Flight departure. Arrival in Keflavik in the afternoon/evening. Reception of the rental vehicle and driving of about 30 minutes to our hotel.

Hotel accommodation, Keflavik.

DAY 2. HUSAFELL – PENINSULA OF SNAEFELLSNES
Breakfast.

After breakfast we will go around Reykjavik, to take the road number 1, from where we will head north to the Akranes tunnel, and later we will deviate to Reykholt, where we will visit the most abundant hot spring in Europe, and the waterfalls of Hraunfossar and Barnafoss. We will finish the day in the Husafell area overlooking the Langjökull glacier, the second largest in Iceland. Transfer to the southern coast of the Snaefellsnes peninsula. Here we can visit the largest basalt column cliffs on the island and a beautiful seal colony by the beach. Then we will visit the fishing villages of Arnarstapi and Hellnar.

Accommodation in a guesthouse, Snaefellsnes.

DAY 3. PENINSULA OF SNAEFELLSNES – OLAFSJORDUR
Breakfast.

In the morning we will skirt the end of the peninsula in the shadow of the Snaefellsjökull volcano. We will visit spectacular beaches, picturesque fishing villages and green mountains with peculiar shapes until we reach Stykkishólmur. Then we will leave the peninsula and make a stop to visit the Vidimyri wood and peat church, one of the oldest in Iceland. From here the road enters deep valleys flanked by the mountains of the Tröll peninsula, also called the Icelandic Alps. We can visit the entire coast of the peninsula passing through interesting fishing villages, such as Siglufjördur, which was the world capital of herring until the middle of the 20th century. Many hiking possibilities are in the area. It is also possible to bathe in a thermal pool with views of the bays islets. Arrival in the afternoon in the city of Akureyri, the second largest in Iceland where we can make a short visit to it’s center. Panoramic views of its church, its streets with colorful houses and the beautiful botanical garden. In the afternoon we will go to Olafsjordur, where we will sleep in a cabin by the lake.

Accommodation in a cabin, Olafsjordur.

DAY 4. OLAFSJORDUR – GODAFOSS – MÝVATN LAKE – HUSAVIK
Breakfast.

We will get up early and travel for about 45 minutes to Godafoss, the waterfall of the Gods, a beautiful double horseshoe waterfall. Mid-morning arrival on the banks of Lake Myvatn and an obligatory walk through the Dimmuborgir lava fields. Then we visit Hverir, with its famous solfatarras, fumaloras and burning clay pits. In the afternoon we will visit the Kafla valley, with its turquoise lake of Viti and the smoky countryside of Lierhnjúkur, where you can take a 1h30 walk between cracks, streams and still hot young rocks. After the visits, transfer to Husavik.

Accommodation in guesthouse, Husavik.

DAY 5. HUSAVIK – EGILSSTADIR
Breakfast.

An intense day awaits us. In the morning you can do an optional navigation in the Husavik bay to see cetaceans (rorquals, humpback whales, dolphins, etc). Continuing around the Tjörnes peninsula to Arbyrgi to a spectacular rocky spot known as the Horseshoe of Odin. Along cliffs and through one of the few tree forests in Iceland. We then continue to P.N. Jokulsargljufur for a 1-1h30 hike through the lava fields overlooking the Jokulsa river canyon. We will finish our visits today by visiting the so-called “Avenue of the Cascades”, where the largest waterfall in Europe stands out, Detifoss, a colossal curtain of water that comes from the melting of the Vatnajökull glacier. Once the visits are finished, we will continue by car on the road nº1 until Egilsstadir. Bordering Lake Logurinn we will arrive at our accommodation, located in a quiet area next to the mountains.

Accommodation in tents, Egilsstadir.

DAY 6. EGILSSTADIR – BORGARFJORDUR EYSTRI
Breakfast.

In the morning, a 2-hour walk to visit the Litlanesfoss and Hengifoss waterfalls.

Then we will return to Egilsstadir to take the mountain road towards the hidden Borgarfjordur Eystri Fjord. On our way we will pass through the mountain pass overlooking the imposing Dyrfjoll mountain range, with its steep walls and rhyolite edges. Arrival in Bakkagerdi, the capital of the elves in Iceland. Time to rest and enjoy the natural and magical surroundings of this hidden corner of Iceland.

Tent accommodation, Bakkagerdi.

DAY 7. BAKKAGERDI – EGILSSTADIR – DJÚPIVOGUR – HÖFN
Breakfast.

In the morning we will visit one of the most important puffin colonies in Iceland. We will need to get up a little early, because the puffins leave the nests to go fishing, very early in the morning (before 8 AM). Then after returning to Egilsstadir. We will go up to the mountain pass that will allow us to contemplate beautiful views of the Seydifsjordur fjord. Visit to several waterfalls in the area. Egilsstadir is a pleasant little town of colorful houses by a lake. Here transatlantic ships arrive from continental Europe, twice a week. After returning to Egilsstadir we will take the main road that goes along the eastern fjords, passing fishing villages with multicolored houses such as Reydarfsjördur, Eskifjordur, Breidalsvik and Djúpivogur, and under the foot of the Bulandstindur mountain, before reaching Höfn, a town located at the beginning of the eastern sector of the south coast, access point to the “Kingdom” of the Icelandic glaciers. At the last minute visit to the Stokkness site, where we will stroll among small black sand dunes, visit a Viking village and views of the impressive Vesturhorn mountain.

Tent accommodation, Eglisstadir.

DAY 8. HÖFN  – JÖKULSARLON – KIRKJUBAEJARKLAUSTUR
Breakfast.

In the morning we will go to the Jökursarlon Glacial Lagoon, where we can make a small navigation with an amphibious boat among the ice floes of the lagoon. Then we can walk to the black sand beach where the ice blocks from Jökursalon accumulate before merging with the waters coming out of the ocean. Continuation and visit to the Fjallssarlon glacial lagoon. At noon we will go to the most spectacular National Park in southern Iceland, Skaftafell. We can walk one of its many trails, visit the Svartifoss waterfall, go up to the Sjónarnipa viewpoint to enjoy an incredible view over the glaciers or touch the ice on the Svinafellsjökull glacier tongue. After the visit we will drive to Kirkjubaejarklaustur.

Accommodation in guesthouse, Kirkjubaejarklaustur.

DAY 9. KIRKJUBAEJARKLAUSTUR – VIK – SKOGAFOSS – SELFOSS
Breakfast.

We will start the day visiting the famous kirkjugol “church floor” formations and the Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon viewpoint. Further on we will reach Vík and its black sand beaches, such as Dyrholaey. Next to it are the Reynir basalt cliffs and the Reynisdrangar rocks. Then we can go to bathe in a thermal pool at the foot of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano. Then we will visit two of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country, Skogafoss and Seljalandfoss. In the afternoon transfer to Selfoss

Accommodation in guesthouse, Selfoss.

DAY 10. SELFOSS – LANDMANNALAUGAR – HÁIFOSS – SELLFOSS
Breakfast.

In the morning we will leave Selfoss early and drive about 1h30 to Hrauneyjar. Here begins an exciting dirt road that goes deep into the Highlands of Iceland. For about 25 km we will drive through lunar landscapes, dotted with lakes and volcanic cones in subrealistic colors, a mixture of grays, reds and the intense green of moss. In this way we will arrive at mid-morning at Landmannalaugar, one of the most magical places in Iceland. Here we will take a walk of about 2 hours to get to know the Brennistensalda valley, with its colored rocks and fumaroles. Time to take a thermal bath in the waters of the Landmannalaugar river. In the early afternoon we will undo the 25 km of track to Hraunyejar. A little further down we will take Highway 32 to detour about 5km to the Háifoss waterfall, without a doubt, one of the most spectacular in Iceland. Nearby we can also visit another beautiful waterfall, Hjalparfoss. Driving to our accommodation in the Selfoss – Golden Circle area.

Accommodation in guesthouse, Selfoss.

DAY 11. SELFOSS – GOLD TRIANGLE – REYKJAVIK
Breakfast

In the morning we will leave Selfoss to stop at the Kerid crater, where a beautiful lake is located at the bottom of the crater. Then we will go to the Geysir geothermal area, and its spectacular Strokkur geyser (over 20 meters) that launches columns of hot water every 5 minutes. Further on we will visit the golden waterfall of Gullfoss. In the afternoon we will go to the Thingvellir National Park (where the geological faults that separate the tectonic plates from Europe and America are observed), or we will go directly to the capital.

Hotel accommodation, Reykjavik.

DAY 12. REYKJAVIK. FLIGHT BACK HOME
Breakfast.

After breakfast we can spend the morning getting to know the capital of Iceland. We can walk along the promenade, through the city center, on the banks of Lake Tjörnin and climb the bell tower of the Hallgrímskirkja church. At noon departure to the Reykjanes peninsula, to visit the Hafnaberg cliffs. On the way we will visit the bridge that crosses the fault of the two continents. In the early afternoon we can go to the famous Blue Lagoon, the most famous thermal center in the country. A mandatory online reservation is required well in advance. We can take the farewell thermal bath of this intense trip. In the evening transfer to the airport, return of the rental car and board the flight back home.