This 10 night fly drive anticlockwise circle of Iceland is the perfect way of seeing all the best bits Iceland has to offer. It includes 10 nights hotel in up to 7 key locations including Reykjavik , Golden Circle , Akureyri, Myvatn, Egillstadir , Snaefellsnes, Hofn and the Blue Lagoon area. It also provides you with a 10 days car hire so you can take control of your own Iceland holiday.
What you'll do
Day 1: Arrive in Iceland
Fly in from your chosen UK airport and land safely at Keflavik.
Collect your car hire
Drive to Reykjavik and check in to your city centre hotel
Stay overnight and explore the capital
Day 2: The Golden Circle
Drive towards the Golden Circle and explore the area. Combining history, culture and extraordinary nature, you can see Thingvellir National Park and walk among the geological wonders of the fissure zone and in the footsteps of the early Viking settlers where the Althingi parliament was founded. You can then see the Gullfoss and feel the mist of glacial water as it cascades down one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls. Finally, you can witness the Geysir and hear the bubbling of the mud pots, smell the sulphur in the air and watch in awe as the geyser Strokkur blasts boiling water into the air.
Check in and stay at your hotel near the Golden Circle.
Day 3: The Secret Lagoon
Today will take you to Fludir where we highly recommend you check out the Secret Lagoon, a man-made hot spring of natural resources located at Hverahólmi. It is the oldest pool in the country where you can sit and rejuvenate in the geothermal waters.
Then drive towards Seljalandsfoss waterfall. This waterfall is unique in that you can actually walk around it in a 360 degree view even getting behind the waterfall. Spend some time taking pictures at different angles and walking all the way around.
Next up is the waterfall Skogafoss and is one that you cannot miss. It is a massive waterfall with a staircase off to the side which you can walk up to the top of. Getting too close to the bottom of the waterfall will most likely result in some wetness so be careful when trying to get the best picture.
After taking in a couple waterfalls, hiking for a bit and eating lunch, continue your way east to Dyrholaey which is the large peninsula with its well known arch. You can walk around to different view points and get a look at the waves crashing nearby.
At night you'll stay in Kirkjubaejarklaustur
Day 4: Skaftafell National Park
After a much needed sleep wake up bright and early to head out to Skaftafell National Park. Here you will have two main options to choose from – hiking in the national park on your own or heading on a glacier hike as part of a guided tour.
After a long morning/afternoon of hiking grab some food back by the visitor center and relax for a bit. After the break continue your day towards some glacier lagoons. Take a quick stop at the smaller Fjallsarlon lagoon before heading to Jokulsarlon.
Stay the night in Hofn
Day 5: Eastern Fjords
?The fourth day of your trip takes you from the town of Hofn up to Egilsstadir along the eastern fjords. As you make your way up north you will pass by plenty of scenic routes and towns.
Stay overnight in Egilsstadir
Day 6: North East Iceland
It is now time to see what the northeast of Iceland has to offer and that is going to start with a ~2 hour or so drive to Dettifoss, which is one of the most powerful and largest waterfalls in Iceland. You can then head over to Lake Myvatn, a beautiful lake with plenty of things to see around the area. It is also where many scenes of Game of Thrones were filmed.
Then head towards ?Akureyri, the second largest city of Iceland which is base for some of the best whale watching and puffin sightings in all of Iceland.
Stay overnight in Akureyri
Day 7: Explore Akureyri
Take the day off from driving and explore Akureyri
Stay overnight in Akureyri
Day 8: Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Today you will be heading west towards the Snaefellsnes peninsula .
Stay overnight in Snaefellsnes
Day 9: Back to Reykjavik
Head back into Reykjavik and spent the day exploring the capital
Stay overnight in Reykjavik
Day 10: The Blue Lagoon
For your last day, take a short drive up to the Blue Lagoon and melt away the pleasures of your holiday in the geothermal spa. (Ticket not included)
Stay overnight in Blue Lagoon
Day 11: Fly Home
It's time to head home.
Drop the car hire off and fly back to UK