Self-Drives

Akureyri & Highlights of the North

The best of north Iceland with Akureyri, Mývatn and some off the beaten track gems like Dettifoss Waterfall and Jökulsárgljúfur glacier river canyon.

Tour code: ISD2

Akureyri & Highlights of the North
Price from: 254.000  ISK

North Iceland: Highlights and hidden gems

This tour covers the key highlights of the north as well as some hidden gems, off the beaten track. The landscapes are diverse: high mountains, valleys and fjords carved out by the ice age glaciers and moonlike volcanic scenery that are out of this world. No tour in Iceland is complete without waterfalls and this one includes one of the most beautiful (Goðafoss) and the most powerful (Dettifoss). By staying in both Akureyri and Myvatn you experience a balanced mix of urban and rural local living

Tour Overview

  • Language

    Travel documents are in English

  • Accommodation

    Hotel or Guesthouse

  • Transport

    Rental car

  • Driving per day

    50 260 km

  • Difficulty

    Easy

    Difficulty

    Accessible to all people in good health.

  • Availability

    All year

  • Duration

    5 days

Contact Us

For availability information on a tour, please contact us using the form below.

Primary passenger information

Tour information

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Tour Highlights

Included

  • 4 nights accommodation in double/twin rooms with private facilities and breakfast
  • 5 days car rental (group B) with unlimited mileage
  • Insurance CDW, GP, TP, SCDW
  • Airport pick up / drop off fees at Akureyri airport
  • Detailed itinerary with multiple daily options

Not Included

  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Optional tours, admissions and activities
  • Domestic flights

Optional Extras

  • Car upgrade to group N, FG, I or J
  • Single room (single travelers and groups with odd numbers must choose the single supplement option during the booking process)
  • Flight (Reykjavík - Akureyri / Akureyri - Reykjavík

Tour Map and Itinerary

Click map for detailed itinerary

Akureyri & Highlights of the North

MAP & ITINERARY

Day 1

Akureyri & Surroundings (Saturday)

Flight from Reykjavik, arrival to Akureyri (flight not included in the tour package) and pick up the rental car at the airport. Spend the day sightseeing around Akureyri and the surrounding area: the old town centre with charming historical buildings, the church of Akureyri which towers over the downtown area, take a walk through the botanical gardens or visit one of the many interesting museums in Akureyri and the surrounding countryside. Driving through the countryside you have a chance to stop at a typical Icelandic farm.  Accommodation in Akureyri.

Optional tour from Akureyri (not included):

- in summer: Whale watching, horseback riding, Grimsey Arctic Circle Flight

- in autumn/winter: Northern lights tour

Distance: ~50 - 100 km

Day 2

Goðafoss - Lake Mývatn

Godafoss waterfall is one of the gems of nature  to be found in North Iceland. From here you continue to the Myvatn area where you spend the day exploring the natural volcanic wonders that surround the famous Lake Myvatn. Amongst the highlights are the pseudocraters at Skutustadir, Dimmuborgir (The Dark Castle) and the solfatara field at Namaskard with its boiling mud pits and steam vents.  

During the spring / summer months Lake Myvatn is teeming with bird life as various bird and duck species arrive for the nesting season. A stop at the Mývatn Nature Baths for a relaxing dip in the geothermal lagoon is a perfect way to end the day of sightseeing.

Accommodation in the area of Lake Myvatn for the next 3 nights.

Distance: ~170 km

Day 3

Húsavík - The Countryside

Husavik and northern countryside. Drive north through the desert land of Holasandur and past the Laxavirkjun hydro-electric power station, passing an old turf farm and the folk museum at Grenjadarstadur which offers a glimpse into times past. Continue to the thriving fishing village of Husavik which has become particularly well known for whale watching and the Whale Museum based in the town. One of the new highlights in Húsavik from 2018 is the GeoSea spa.             

Returning to Lake Myvatn, you can re-visit the Nature Baths, enjoy a local hike or join a riding tour in the area.

Accommodation in the area of Lake Myvatn.

Distance: ~110 km

Day 4

Dettifoss - Mývatn

Drive to Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall which drops 45m deep into the Jokulsargljufur canyon of Jokulsa river which shaped the landscape. From the Dettifoss car park take an easy walk by a gravel path to reach the waterfall (20 min. each way). Within walking distance from Dettifoss waterfall you can observe another waterfall - Selfoss. The scenery around these waterfalls is like something from another planet. And indeed, Dettifoss waterfall played a big part in the Ridley Scott movie Prometheus.

Return to Lake Myvatn for another overnight.

Distance: ~120 km

Day 5

Akureyri - Eyjafjörður - Departure (Wednesday)

Today you will return to Akureyri in the morning and then continue along the west coast of Eyjafjordur towards the old fishing village of Siglufjordur. Along the way you will pass several historic sites, some tiny fishing villages (that have some excellent whale watching tours!), fertile farm lands, magnificent mountains and the Trollaskagi peninsula. In Siglufjordur we recommend visiting the award-winning Herring Era museum, visit the local chocolatier or one of the micro-breweries!

Return to Akureyri and depart on an early evening flight, returning to Reykjavik.

Distance: ~260 km

  • Day 1
  • Day 2
  • Day 3
  • Day 4
  • Day 5
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