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7 days - Independent self-drive tour around southern Iceland
Join us for a summer escape to the land of ice and fire in the middle of the North Atlantic. You have the independence of a hire car, stop where you want, see what you want. Control your plans and privacy.
Experience the bathing hotsprings, Laugarvatn Fontana, glacier walking, volcano tour and Iceland's black sand beaches. There is an opportunity to grill your own sandwich on lava, enjoy a splendid unique hotel in Southern Iceland and delve into Reykjavik's restaurants and design worlds.
Upgrade to a 4WD to explore even further!
Highlights include
- Explore the Golden Circle: Visit Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Geysir hot spring area and the two-tiered Gullfoss Waterfall
- Visit to Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths and Bakery
- Black sand beach and rock formations of Reynisfjara
- Glacier walk on Sólheimajökull glacier tongue
- Sky Lagoon Pure Experience
- Secluded hotels and private experiences
- Day 1
- Arrive in Iceland and head to the Golden Circle
- Day 2
- Explore the Golden Circle and then relax at geothermal spa, Laugarvatn Fontana
- Day 3
- Tour the local area, black beaches, rock formations and volcanic countryside
- Day 4
- Sólheimajökull glacier walk
- Day 5
- Return to Reykjavik
- Day 6
- A day in Reykjavik and Pure Experience at the Sky Lagoon
- Day 7
- Depart Reykjavik
- Start/End Place
- Reykjavik, Iceland
- Country Visited
- Iceland
- Duration
- 7 Days
- Start Date
- Flexible
- Travel Style
- Independent
- Suitability
- Easy independent self-drive holiday suitable
- Code
- 50DN0525
As a Certified B Corporation, 50 Degrees North has designed this tour using handpicked local hoteliers and suppliers who share our ethos of delivering services and activities of high social and environmental standards.
The CO2-e per person per day of all tours is carefully measured following each season. We fully offset all emissions of our tours on your behalf, and we constantly look at ways to reduce emissions where possible.
Details
Transportation
Hire car
Included
- Rental manual car for 5 days, with unlimited milage and CDW insurance (pick up in Reykjavik Airport & drop off at Reykjavik city)
- GPS navigation system and VIP service at KEF airport
- Accommodation in rural local hotels and centrally located hotel in Reykjavik
- Geothermal Bakery experience and entry to the Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Bthas
- Glacier Experience with Glacier Walk
- Pure Experience at the Sky Lagoon
- Private transfer to airport on departure day
- 24-hour emergency service
- Taxes and service fees
Not Included
- Meals not specified in the itinerary
- Gratitudes and items of personal nature
- Travel insurance
- International or domestic flights
- Optional tour of 'Inside the Volcano'
- If you wish to hire an automatic car, these are 'on request' and can be difficult to obtain. Please seek further advice with us.
- Upgrade option to a 4WD
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in Iceland and head to the Golden Circle
Arrive in Iceland at the Keflavik airport, and pick up your car. Set off away towards the Golden Circle to get the most out of your stay in Iceland. It is a 90 minute drive to your hotel, in the heart of the Golden Circle. Your hotel is located at the river Sog which is Iceland’s largest freshwater river in terms of water volume. It is especially famous for fishing Arctic char, Atlantic salmon and brown trout.
Activities this afternoon can include golf, quad biking, snorkelling at Silfra or horse riding. We suggest booking activities and dinner with us before your departure.
Accommodation
Hotel Grimsborgir or similarDay 2 - Explore the Golden Circle and then relax at geothermal spa, Laugarvatn Fontana
Explore the Golden Circle highlights early this morning from your conveniently located boutique hotel. Grab your towel and enjoy a visit to a geothermal spa, Laugarvatn Fontana with it's hot spring bathing. Relax in the hot tub, built at a slightly higher level than the other baths, providing a panoramic view of the beautiful surroundings while the healthy water nourishes both body and soul.Three steam rooms and Finnish saunas are also there to be enjoyed. Feel alive with the dash between these amazingly beautiful hot pools. We have also included the Geothermal Bakery in your experience.
We also recommend visits to Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of great historical and geological importance, the Geysir hot spring area with its fabulous erupting Strokkur and the beautiful two-tiered Gullfoss Waterfall.
Meals
1 BreakfastAccommodation
Hotel Grimsborgir or similarDay 3 - Tour the local area, black beaches, rock formations and volcanic countryside
After breakfast, head off in your own car to explore the area of Vik. Head down to the black beaches, have a look at the amazing rock formation of Dyrhòlaeyand Reynisfjara in the distance. During nesting time, you might even see a puffin or two.
Stop to skip volcanic stones by Reynisfjara beach where there are unique basalt columns, black sand and caves.
Do as you will in this magical landscape, climb some mountains and enjoy the view from there before heading back home to your cosy family run hotel.
Meals
1 BreakfastAccommodation
Hótel Kría or similarDay 4 - Sólheimajökull glacier walk
The Sólheimajökull glacier tongue extends from the great Mýrdalsjökull glacier, down to the sandy plains of the Icelandic south coast. The spectacular surroundings are marked by rugged and majestic rock formations thoroughly shaped by the glacier.
On this fun, safe, and easy to moderate glacier walk, you will see how the primal elements shape and affect the glacier, creating mesmerizing labyrinths of ice ridges and deep V-shaped crevasses that crisscross and scar the surface of the ice. Not to mention the big sinkholes, called “moulins”, that sometimes have drilled their way through the glacier, draining the meltwater of the ice through little waterfalls and streams. At the glacier edge, we lace up our crampons, and following the guide, you will explore this otherworldly natural wonder; a rugged, raw, and ever-changing hub of ancient frozen water.
Meals
1 BreakfastAccommodation
Hótel Kría or similarDay 5 - Return to Reykjavik
At your leisure, travel back to Reykjavik, perhaps detouring via the Blue Lagoon or the Secret Lagoon. You can also visit the dormant Thrihnukagigur volcano that erupted 4.000 years ago.
Reykjavik is an intimate city with a big personality and some striking landmarks - stroll down to the harbour to visit the Armoury, the new concert hall, the design streets and city hall.
Meals
1 BreakfastAccommodation
Hotel Alda or similarRestaurants
Attractions
Day 6 - A day in Reykjavik and Pure Experience at the Sky Lagoon
Enjoy the Pure Experience at Sky Lagoon today, we recommend visiting either in the morning or evening, to leave enough time for exploring the city, and optional activities.
Reykjavik is an easy city to explore on foot or bike. Feel the fresh air on your face with a visit the harbour and perhaps enjoy a food tour of this small capital. If you're interested in experiencing the city's thriving coffee culture, head to the main street, Laugavegur, to enjoy its various shops and cosy cafes. Love fine dining - be sure to book ahead for one of Reykjavik's innovative restaurants.
Optional activities that can be included today are Inside the Volcano tours, puffin watching and whale watching.
Meals
1 BreakfastAccommodation
Hotel Alda or similarRestaurants
Attractions
Day 7 - Depart Reykjavik
After breakfast, private transfer to the airport.
Meals
1 BreakfastAll prices listed are per person. Due to the current volatility of the Icelandic Króna (ISK) and car hire costs, this price is indicative.
30 Sep 2025
30 Sep 2025
Important Information
This itinerary is independent and can be modified accordingly. You will not be given detailed instructions for your drive but you will be provided clear instructions for your hotel locations and places of interest.
For a greener option, please ask us about changing your vehicle to a 'green' car; either a diesel or a hybrid.
The itinerary can be rearranged depending on the time of your arrival flights and if you wish to start with a stay in Reykjavik.
Driving in Iceland:
A hire car cannot be driven in the Highlands area. In regards to gravel roads; technically you’re not recommended to take a hire car on gravel roads, but in Iceland you may not have a choice. Some guesthouses are located on gravel road. Consider getting extra car insurance with gravel protection if it is something that might worry you. Ask us about what car would suit you - as it depends on the time of year and where you want to go!
When driving in Iceland, plan that all your destinations are going to take longer to reach than planned. Most of the time it is because you are going to make unanticipated stops to check out a waterfall, a viewpoint, a museum, or a shop. Sometimes it is also that traffic is just slow, animals may be crossing the road, or there is bad weather. If you build some extra time into your day, you won’t have to be rushing around at the end of the day.
For more Iceland driving rules and tips and to stay up to date on road conditions, check out the Road Conditions website and for all kinds of safety and travel information in Iceland check out the Safe Travel website. Bookmark both of these websites before you start your drive in Iceland.
Please note: Due to limited availability of accommodation in certain areas of Iceland this summer, we may need to adjust overnight locations and driving distances in some tours.
Please note that the authorities of Reykjavik City has announced changes to the current arrangement for tour bus traffic in Reykjavik City Centre, effective from 15th of July, 2017. The area where buses are not allowed to drive has been increased in size, and locations, numbers and names of the designated bus stops have been changed.
This may affect the pick-up and drop-off locations for your activities and transfers. If you have airport transfers with FlyBus, you will need to carry your luggage (200 metres to 300 metres) to / from the bus stop to your hotel.
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Travel Safe
Travel Insurance and Safety
Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours with 50 Degrees North. The safety of our travellers, staff and operators is a major priority of 50 Degrees North. With an operational office in Norway, 50 Degrees North has access to an up-to-the-minute flow of information regarding the countries we work in. We are also in regular contact with the various operators we use. Their in-depth knowledge and understanding of their various areas is vital.