Itinerary
- Day 1
Keflavík to West Iceland
You'll land at Keflavík International Airport in the afternoon and pick up your rental car. From there, you can drive toward West Iceland either through the tunnel or by taking the scenic route around Hvalfjörður fjord. If your flight gets in late, you'll stay the night on the Reykjanes peninsula.
Optional Activities
- Drive around Hvalfjörður fjord (scenic alternative to tunnel route)
Landmarks Keflavík International Airport Reykjavík Hvalfjörður - Day 2
West Iceland
Hvalfj örður fjord is on your route with views of old whaling station ruins. There's an optional three-hour hike up to Glymur waterfall, which drops about 200 meters. Alternatively, take Route 520 to see Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls or walk through the birch forest at Húsafell.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Hvalfjörður fjord
- View old whaling station ruins
Optional Activities
- Three-hour hike to Glymur waterfall
- Visit Hraunfossar waterfall
- Visit Barnafoss waterfall
- Explore birch forest of Húsafell
Landmarks Hvalfjörður Glymur Hraunfossar Barnafoss Húsafell - Day 3
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
The Sn æfellsnes peninsula has a lot to see geologically. You can spot the Sn æfellsjökull glacier volcano at the western end, check out the black beach at Djúpalónssandur with its rock formations and shipwreck remains, and visit Kirkjufell mountain to the north. You might stay overnight on the peninsula if you want.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Snæfellsnes peninsula
- View Snæfellsjökull glacier volcano
- Visit black beach at Djúpalónssandur
- Visit Kirkjufell mountain
Optional Activities
- Overnight stay on Snæfellsnes peninsula
Landmarks Snæfellsjökull Djúpalónssandur Kirkjufell - Day 4
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Spend more time exploring Sn æfellsnes. Trails in Sn æfellsjökull National Park have information centers at Malarif or Hellislandur. You can optionally hike with Summit Adventure Guides to explore caves, or head to Bjarnarhorn farm near Stykkishólmur to learn about há karl, a local Icelandic specialty.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Hike trails in Snæfellsjökull National Park
- Visit caves (contact Summit Adventure Guides)
- Learn about hákarl at Bjarnarhorn farm
Landmarks Snæfellsjökull National Park Malarrif Hellisandur Stykkishólmur - Day 5
West Iceland to Þingvellir National Park
Head from West Iceland toward Southwest Iceland. On the way, stop to visit Hvalfj örður if you haven't yet. Take Route 52 to reach Þingvallavatn lake's northern tip, which is part of Þingvellir National Park. This is where one of the world's first parliaments started around 930, situated between the Eurasian and North American continental plates.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel to Þingvellir National Park
Optional Activities
- Circumnavigate Hvalfjörður fjord
- Stop at various viewpoints along Route 52
Landmarks Þingvellir National Park Þingvallavatn 
- Day 6
Golden Circle
Start early to avoid the afternoon crowds at Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall. You can also spend time at Laugavatn Fontana or Secret Lagoon in Flúðir. If you want something more active, optional rafting is available on the glacial river Hv ítá.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Geysir geothermal area
- Visit Gullfoss waterfall
Optional Activities
- Visit Laugavatn Fontana at Laugarvatn
- Visit Secret Lagoon in Flúðir
- Rafting tour on glacial river Hvítá
Landmarks Geysir Gullfoss Laugavatn Fontana Secret Lagoon Flúðir Hvítá River 
- Day 7
Hvolsvöllur
Relax at your accommodation or explore the surroundings. Check out the Stöng archaeological site, where a Viking longhouse was buried under Hekla volcano ash. H áifoss waterfall drops about 122 meters into a canyon and works well for a lunch break. The Lava Center in Hvolsvöllur has information about Icelandic volcanism.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Stöng archaeological site
- View Háifoss waterfall
- Visit Lava Center in Hvolsvöllur
Landmarks Stöng Háifoss Hekla Lava Center - Day 8
South Coast Iceland
Travel along South Iceland's coast with several stops. Walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall to see it from a different angle. You'll pass by the Eyjafjallajökull glacier and see Skógafoss waterfall, which has better views if you hike the path above it. There's an optional museum in Skógar. End the day at Reynisfjara black beach with views toward Cape Dyrholaey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Seljalandsfoss waterfall
- View Eyjafjallajökull glacier
- View Skógafoss waterfall
- Visit Reynisfjara black beach
- View Cape Dyrholaey
Optional Activities
- Walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall
- Hike inland path above Skógafoss waterfall
- Visit local history museum in Skógar
Landmarks Seljalandsfoss Eyjafjallajökull Skógafoss Reynisfjara Cape Dyrholaey Skógar 
- Day 9
South Coast - Highlands
This day focuses on glacier areas around Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull. You can hike on Sólheimajökull's glacier tongue, take a highland bus to Þórsmörk glacier valley, or visit Landmannalaugar if you have an off-road vehicle. Those activities work independently if you have four-wheel drive.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Glacier hike on Sólheimajökull
- Highland bus tour to Þórsmörk glacier valley
- Highland bus tour to Landmannalaugar
- Self-drive off-road excursions (with off-road vehicle)
Landmarks Mýrdalsjökull Eyjafjallajökull Sólheimajökull Þórsmörk Landmannalaugar - Day 10
Westman Islands
Head to the Westman Islands by car or ferry on foot. Climb the volcano Eldfell, which erupted in 1973, for views over surrounding islands. Summer visitors might spot puffins here. There's an optional sightseeing flight from Bakki Airport if you book ahead. You can stay overnight in Heimaey if you want.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Climb volcano Eldfell
- Puffin spotting (summer)
- Sightseeing flight at Bakki Airport
- Overnight stay in Heimaey
Landmarks Westman Islands Eldfell Heimaey Bakki Airport - Day 11
Southeast Iceland
Travel southeast and pass the massive Eldhraun lava field, created during the Laki eruption from 1783 to 1785. You can detour to Fjaðráglúfur gorge or Laki craters if you have an off-road vehicle. Continue toward Vatnajökull plateau glacier, stopping at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon with its ice and icebergs. Don't skip Diamond Beach.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Pass Eldhraun lava field
- Cross Skeiðarársandur outwash plain
- Visit Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
- Visit Diamond Beach
Optional Activities
- Detour to Fjaðráglufúr gorge
- Visit Laki craters (off-road vehicle required)
Landmarks Eldhraun lava field Fjaðráglufúr Laki craters Skeiðarársandur Vatnajökull Jökulsárlón Diamond Beach 
- Day 12
Vatnajökull National Park
Vatnajökull National Park is Europe's largest plateau glacier at roughly 8,100 square kilometers. That's three times bigger than Saarland and larger than all other Icelandic glaciers combined. Hiking options include a trail to Svartifoss waterfall. Alternatively, spend a quiet day on the coast instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Hiking in Vatnajökull National Park
- Hike to Svartifoss waterfall
- Relax on the coast
Landmarks Vatnajökull National Park Svartifoss - Day 13
Southeast Iceland - Vatnajökull Area
From Hófn and Skaftafell, you have many tour options around Vatnajökull like jeep tours, glacier cave hikes, or sightseeing flights. Try a tractor and cart tour through mudflats south of Öræfi to Ingólfshöfði, where Iceland's first settler Ingólfur Arnarson spent his first winter. Summer is when puffins show up in this area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Active tours around Vatnajökull
- Jeep tours
- Glacier cave hikes
- Sightseeing flights
- Tractor and cart tour through mudflats to Ingólfshöfði
- Puffin spotting (summer)
Landmarks Hófn Skaftafell Vatnajökull Öræfajökull Ingólfshöfði - Day 14
Reykjavík or Reykjanes Peninsula
Plan about five hours to drive back to Reykjavík. You can explore the city with its colorful houses or visit Sky Lagoon. Another option is heading to Reykjanes Peninsula to see the active Fagradalsfjall volcanic area, which has been erupting since 2021, and then soak in a thermal spa.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Reykjavík city
- Visit Sky Lagoon
- Visit Fagradalsfjall volcanic area
- Enjoy thermal spa
Landmarks Reykjavík Sky Lagoon Reykjanes Peninsula Fagradalsfjall 
- Day 15
Keflavík
Your departure day has arrived. Head to Keflavík International Airport for your flight home, taking memories of Iceland with you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Keflavík International Airport
