Self-Drives

Iceland Classic Circle Tour

A classic round trip that includes all the major sights on the ring road with the Snæfellsnes Peninsula as an addition.

Tour code: ISD7

Price from:
$2,917
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A classic circle tour around Iceland with the Snaefellsnes peninsula.

Highlights include the Golden Circle, Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon, Lake Myvatn and Dettifoss waterfall just to name a few. The Classic Circle offers an even pace to enjoy the serenity of Icelandic nature with views of volcanic mountains and craters, lakes, waterfalls, clear rivers, green meadows dotted with flowers and patches of arctic cotton grass with sheep roaming around freely. All this in contrast with the whiteness of glaciers.

Tour Overview

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Language
Travel documents are in English
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Accommodation
Hotel or Guesthouse
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Transport
Rental car
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Driving per day
200 - 480 km
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Duration
9 days
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Duration
9 days
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Difficulty
Easy

Tour Highlights

The Beauty of Mývatn
The Magical Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Golden Circle
Dettifoss Waterfall

Included

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

Not included

  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Optional tours / Activities
  • Admissions

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)

Tour Map and Itinerary

Click map for detailed itinerary
Map & Itinerary

Iceland Classic Circle Tour

Arrival in Iceland (Tuesday or Thursday)

Day 1

Arrival in Iceland. Pick up rental car at Keflavik international airport and drive to your accommodation in Reykjavik.

Distance: ~50 km

The Golden Circle - Hvolsvöllur

Day 2

Start the drive around the country by visiting three of Iceland's best known sights:

- Þingvellir (Thingvellir) national park, the site of the first parliament, founded in 930. Þingvellir was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site for its cultural value. The Lake with its surroundings presents also a place of great geological interest.

-the Geysir geothermal area with abundance of hot springs where the most active of the geysers, Strokkur spouts a column of water into the air every 5-10 minutes.

- the Gullfoss waterfall – the Golden Falls which drops in two cascades deep into the deep gorge of Hvítá glacial river.

Continue towards the southern coast and end the day in the area of Hvolsvöllur. Accommodation in the area.

Distance: ~320 km

Seljalandsfoss - Skógar - Reynisfjara - Vík - Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Day 3

Drive east along the south coast of Iceland with possibilities to stop at the waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. Driving along the Eyjafjöll mountains there are good views of Eyjafjallajökull glacier under which rests the infamous volcano of the same name that cause disruption in air traffic all over Europe in 2010.

Continuing east you can stop for an easy short hike at Reynisfjara black beach with view of the cliffs of Dyrhólaey. Drive on to the village of Vik with its black sandy beach stretching as far as the eye can see, with impressive views of the Reynisdrangar cliffs rising out of the ocean. Continue across the sands and moss-covered lava fields towards Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Accommodation in the area.

Distance: ~200 km

Skaftafell - Jökulsárlón - Eastfjords

Day 4

The drive to Skaftafell national park goes across the sands of glacier rivers. At Skaftafell – the green oasis surrounded by glacial outlets and sands of glacial rivers. Take a walk throught the park to Svartifoss waterfall. At Skaftafell it is also the best point to see Hvannadalshnjúkur – highest point of Iceland. Drive further along the ring road with a view of Iceland's largest glacier Vatnajökull will bring you to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Possibility for optional amphibian boat tour among the icebergs. Here we are also within walking distance of the sea. If lucky, you might spot a seal near the shore of the so called „Diamond Beach“ or even in the lagoon. Drive further towards Höfn and continue along the Eastfjords towards Djúpivogur/Breiðdalsvík for the next overnight.

Distance: ~400 km

Egilsstaðir - Dettifoss - Húsavík

Day 5

Drive further along the Eastfjords to Egilsstaðir – the largest municipality in East Iceland, located at the banks of Lake Lagarfljót. The route further goes through the green Jökuldalur valley with numerous waterfalls dropping from the top of the hills alongside the road. Then across the desert land of Möðrudalsöræfi towards the Jökulsá á Fjöllum glacial river. Take the road to Dettifoss, Europe's largest waterfall in the gorge of Jökulsárgljúfur national park where you can spend some time to enjoy the scenery. Further north towards Ásbyrgi – horseshoe shaped canyon created by the wild forces of glacial river in pre-historic times. Driving around the Tjörnes peninsula to Husavik for the next overnight.

Distance: ~480 km

Mývatn - Goðafoss - Akureyri

Day 6

In the morning possibility to visit the Whale centre or Exploration museum. Or take an optional whale watching boat tour. Then start the drive to Lake Mývatn where you spend the day exploring the numerous natural wonders of the Myvatn volcanic area with several possibilities for short hikes and a chance for a relaxing bath in the Nature Baths geothermal lagoon.

Late afternoon drive to Goðafoss waterfall, then crossing the Vikurskarð mountain pass and along the eastern coastal road in Eyjafjörður towards Akureyri where you stay overnight.

Distance: ~200 km

Akureyri - Skagafjörður - Borgarfjörður

Day 7

Drive north along western coastal road of Eyjafjörður with panoramas of the alpine landscape with high mountains, glacial valleys and Hrisey Island. Driving through Dalvík, Ólafsfjörður and three tunnels we reach the charming fishing village of Siglufjörður where you have a possibility for an optional visit to the awarded Herring Era museum. Continue to Skagafjörður with views of the Islands of Malmey, Drangey, then to Blönduós and further south along the fjords and across the Holtavörðuheiði heath towards Borgarfjörður. Accommodation in Borgarfjörður area.

Distance: ~400 km

Snæfellsnes Peninsula - Reykjavík

Day 8

Drive to one of the most beautiful parts of Iceland, Snaefellsnes peninsula. Here we can observe most of the natural phenomena that can be found around Iceland – only on a much smaller scale: lava fields, volcanic craters, Snæfellsjökull glacier/volcano, waterfalls, sandy beaches, charming fishing towns, bird cliffs and more. The drive also takes you through fishing villages. One of the landmarks you pass is Mt. Kirkjufell - one of the most photographed mountains in Iceland; another spot not to be omitted is Arnarstapi. From Snæfellsnes continue through Borgarnes and via Hvalfjörður submarine tunnel to Reykjavik for another overnight.

Distance: ~420 km

Departure day (Wednesday or Friday)

Day 9

Drive to Keflavik airport in time for check in for your international flight.

If your flight departs late afternoon, then you have the possibility to add an optional whale watching boat tour in the morning, drive around the Reykjanes peninsula or visit the Blue Lagoon before dropping of the rental car at Keflavik airport.

Distance: ~50 km

Please note

Reverse itinerary may apply for some departure dates.

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