15 Day Self drive The Grand Iceland Circle with Snaefellsnes

15 Day Tour The Grand Iceland Circle with Snaefellsnes

This Tour allows you to travel around Iceland at a slower, more relaxed pace while enjoy the highlights of Iceland.  You travel to Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerfull waterfall and around Tjörnes peninsula. Discover also the Snæfellsnes peninsula in the west with numerous secret places worth finding.

Highlights:

• The Geyser area
• Dettifoss and numerous other waterfalls
• Dyrhólaey bird sanctuary
• Skaftafell National Park
• Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon
• East fjords
• Ásbyrgi horse-shaped canyon
• Húsavík
• Lake Mývatn
• Akureyri
• Snæfellsnes peninsula

Daily itinerary

Day 1: (ca 50 km)
Arrival at Keflavik International Airport, pick up rental car at the airport and drive to Reykjavik for an overnight stay. If your arrival is late in the night, your accommodation this night can be arranged closer to Keflavik international airport.

Day 2: (ca. 200 km)
“The Golden Circle”: Þingvellir national park which is a great lava arena in a rift valley and the site of the oldest parliament, “the Althing” * Lake Þingvallavatn * views of surrounding mountains * Lake Laugarvatn * the Geysir geothermal area – have your camera ready for one of the geysers, Strokkur as it spouts a coloumn of hot water * Gullfoss waterfall (the Golden Waterfall)

Day 3: (ca.300 km)
The south coast * views of Mt. Hekla * Seljalandsfoss waterfall * Skógafoss waterfall * Skógar museum * views of the Eyjafjallajökull glacier with the infamous volcano of the same name resting beneath it * Dyrhólaey promontory, a bird paradise and southernmost point of Iceland * the village of Vík with long black sand beach * the sands of glacial rivers and and lava fields * Skaftafell National Park with possibilities for shorter and longer hikes * Svartifoss waterfall

Day 4: Skaftafell national park
Explore the Skaftafell National Park * Hiking options: there are many trails for hiking through the park, suitable for different demands of the hikers; you can take a short walk through the park, or spend the whole day hiking * chance to walk to the edge of a glacial tongue * chance for a guided tour to Hvannadalshnjúkur, highest Icelandic mountain. Views of sands and glaciers.

Day 5: (ca. 240 km)
Possibility for a a tractor tour to Ingólfshöfði promontory where among other birds you can see puffins * Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon * chance for a boat tour amongst the icebergs calving off the glacier * drive aalong the foot of the largest European glacier – Vatnajökull * Höfn * possibility for a boat tour to Papey Island from Djúpivogur

Day 6: (ca.150-250 km)
Drive along the sheltered East fjords and through small fishing villages * Petra’s stone museum with a colourful collection of Icelandic minerals * Norðurfjörður with the picturesque fishing village of Neskaupsstaður * Egilsstaðir, the administration centre of East Iceland * Lake Lagarfljót * Hallormsstaður the largest Icelandic forest * Seyðisfjörður

Day 7: (ca. 220 km)
Jökuldalur valley with numerous waterfalls dropping down from the hilltops above the road * the desert plateau of Möðrudalsöræfi * Mörðudalur – the most isolated farm at the edge of the highlands * Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall * the gorge of Jökuldárgljúfur * Ásbyrgi, a horse-shoe shaped canyon with lush vegetation * Tjörnes peninsula * the delightful fishing town of Húsavík with the famous whale museum and possibility for whale watching tour.

Day 8: (ca. 70 km)
Time for whalewatching, exploring Húsavík or hike up to Mt.Húsavíkurfjall * Lake Mývatn with thousands of nesting birds * various volcanic phenomena: lava fields, volcanic craters and mountains, pseudo craters, lava rock formations, solfatara field with boiling mud pits and roaring steam vents * the Nature Baths geothermal lagoon with a possibility for a relaxing bath in pleasantly warm water and great views over the area.

Day 9: Mývatn
Day to enjoy the wonderous volcanic world of Lake Myvatn or possibility for an optional tour, such as Lofthellir lava ice cave or jeep tour to Askja and Holuhraun.

Day 10: (100 km)
Goðafoss waterfall (the Waterfall of Gods) * Eyjafjörður, the longest fjord in Iceland * the town of Akureyri often referred to as the capital of the north – the cultural, educational and administration centre. It is worth taking the time to explore this charming town with its old wooden houses, northernmost botanical garden, beautiful church and a number of interesting museums and cosy cafés.

Day 11: (ca. 360 km)
Glacial valleys of Hörgárdalur and Öxnadalur * Skagafjörður * Blönduós * Hrútafjörður * Laxárdalur * Búðardalur * Breiðafjörður – the fjord of inumerous islands * the town of Stykkihsólmur

Day 12: Stykkishólmur / Breiðafjörður
Explore Stykkishólmur and the surroundings. Possibility for an optional boat tour in Breiðafjörður. This is also a perfect opportunity to make a trip to Flatey Island using the schedule ferry service across Breiðafjörður. Flatey is place where it seems like time stopped about 100 years ago. Old houses were mostly built in 19th and early 20th century and the village preserves the old look. Nowadays there are only 2 farms with permanent residents on the island. And numerous sea birds.

Day 13: (ca. 150 km)
Snæfellsnes peninsula: tiny waterfalls, mountains, the fishing villages of Grundarfjörður, Ólafsvík, Ríf and Hellissandur with an interesting maritime museum * possibility for a visit to Vatnshellir lava cave * views of the Snæfellsjökull glacier/volcano * Lóndrangar * Djúpalónssandur * Arnarstapi with interesting basalt cliff formations and nesting sea birds.

Day 14: (ca. 150 km)
More of Snæfellsnes peninsula with tiny waterfalls, volcanic craters, lava fields, white sandy beaches etc. * Borgarnes * Hvalfjörður (the Whale fjord) * Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland

Day 15: (ca. 50-70 km)
Drive to Keflavík airport, return the rental car and check-in for the flight back home. If your departure is in the afternoon then you have the possibilty for a drive to the Blue Lagoon and a chance for another relaxing bath in the geothermal water before leaving Iceland.

Dates & prices

Departures: From May – September

Prices include:
– 15 days car rental with unlimited mileage, CDW, “Theft Waiver” PAI and tax; pick up/drop off at Keflavík airport
– road map
– 14 nights in double or twin rooms including breakfast
– Detailed itinerary
– Reference guide about Iceland
– Service and VAT

A) With accommodation in rooms with private facilities:

B) With accommodation in rooms without private facilities:

Car type group

Not suitable for highland roads:
A /EDMN : VW POLO / TOYOTA YARIS / SUZUKI SWIFT
B /CDMN : VW GOLF /  KIA CEED / TOYOTA AURIS
N /IWMQ : SKODA OKTAVIA STW / KIA CEED STW
M /FVMQ : CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTY (7-seater)

Suitable for highland roads:
FG /DFNN : SUZUKI GRAND VITARA / DACIA DUSTER
G /DFAN : VW TIGUAN / KIA SPORTAGE / TOYOTA RAV
I / FFBD : MITSUBISHI PAJERO / TOYOTA LANDCRUISER
J /SVNQ * : TOYOTA HIACE 9 SEATER 4WD BUS (* when rented with 8 pax, the price includes trailer for luggage!)

Ask for off-season price and itinerary.

Good to know

The itinerary can also be tailor-made according to your preferences and interests. Optional activities we can be added to the programme, e.g. horseback riding, sea-kayaking, river rafting, whale watching, glacial hike, caving, sightseeing flights, etc.

Upon booking and confirming the package detailed itinerary will be provided.