Iceland Classic Circle Tour, Self-Drive

Arrive at Iceland’s Keflavik Airport and take your included transfer about 50 minutes into the Reykjavík City Center. You will have the rest of the day free to see the city. There is also the option to visit the Blue Lagoon upon arrival, taking the 10 minute transfer from the airport and enjoying your morning relaxing in the naturally heated waters. During your time in Reykjavík it is recommended to walk along the harbor from the Harpa Concert Hall, past the Sun Voyager Sculpture, and down to Hallgrímskirkja Church. For more suggested tours today, check out our Reykjavík Day Tours Blog . Overnight in Reykjavík

This morning you will pick up your rental car and begin your drive heading northwest out of Reykjavík. Your drive will take you through the tunnel under the Hvalfjörður (Whale fjord) and through the saga valley Borgarfjörður (Borgarfjordur). Visit the impressive Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, as well as the powerful Deildaratunghver hot spring and the nearby Krauma Pool and Spa that is heated by it. Time permitting, can investigate part of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Overnight in West Iceland

Continue across the north this morning, stopping in Akureyri, the main city of the North. Perhaps enjoy some of the sights here before continuing onward. Stop at beautiful Goðafoss (Godafoss), the waterfall of the gods, before arriving in Húsavik along the coast in the afternoon. Join a whale watching excursion, traveling out into the northern waters to hopefully spy Humpback, Minke, or other whales. You may also have the chance to see some of the native birdlife such as puffins or guillemots. Overnight in Húsavik or Myvatn

Depart this morning, stopping at the lava formations at Dimmuborgir on your way or exploring the other-worldly landscape of the Lake Mývatn area. A relaxing visit to the Lake Mývatn Nature Baths may be of interest as well. If you have time, perhaps include a stop at the amazing Dettifoss Waterfall, Europe’s most powerful waterfall. Make your way down into the stunning East Fjords, with several small fishing villages set along the winding coastline. Overnight in East iceland

Drive through the East Fjords today, heading south along the scenic coast. You will soon see the massive Vatnajökull Glacier, the largest glacier in Europe. Vatnajökull National Park encompasses all of the glacier and some of the natural landscapes around it. You may wish to stop in the town of Höfn and enjoy the cozy atmosphere in this old fishing town before continuing along the southeast, arriving at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. It is possible to join an optional boat ride on the lagoon today, or just walk along the black sand “Diamond Beach” and admire the icebergs from land, along with the various large ice formations on the shore. This afternoon or evening, you may wish to visit the Skaftafell Nature Area within the National Park and do some independent hiking and exploring in this beautiful area. Overnight in the Southeast

Today you will travel along Iceland’s amazing south coast, crossing the largest lava field in recorded history before arriving at the quaint village of Vík, where you can check out the black sand beaches of Reynisfjara and the basalt columns of Reynisdrangar. This afternoon make your way to Sólheimajökull, a glacier tongue off of the larger Myrdalsjökull glacier. Enjoy a guided hike on the glacier with a professional guide leading you safely across the ice and talking about glaciers in Iceland and their unique place in the culture and lore. After your hike, but before you arrive at your hotel this evening, you will want to stop at Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss. Overnight in the South region

Today you will traverse the famous tourist route, the Golden Circle. The sites to visit include Gullfoss Waterfall, Geysir hot spring and geyser geothermal area with its main geyser Strokkur, Kerid crater, and Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park, known best for being the meeting place of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Continue on via Hveragerði to the southwest. Overnight on the Reykjanes Peninsula

If you have a later departure flight, time this morning to explore the geological sights of the Reykjanes Peninsula, also the location of the Blue Lagoon. Drop off your rental car at nearby Keflavik Airport then check-in for your flight back to the US – or extend your stay in Scandinavia!