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- The Ultimate Iceland itinerary
14 days - Independent deluxe self-drive tour in Iceland
See the untamed, majestic Iceland on this two-week journey travelling from Reykjavik to Akureyri, seeing all the iconic sights along the way. This self-drive journey allows you to explore the sights at your own pace and includes countryside boutique accommodation that let you fully recharge for each day’s adventures. Many private activities are included, making it an unforgettable adventure.
This Iceland itinerary can be tailor made to suit your plans. Flight from Akureyri to Reykjavik Domestic Airport included.
Highlights include
- Tour the Golden Circle: erupting hot springs at Geysir, Gullfoss waterfalls and Þingvellir National Park
- Stay at the Blue Lagoon to enjoy a soak in the hotel's own private bathing lagoon, not available to the general public
- Day tour to the Volcanoes and Glaciers of South Iceland
- Self-drive exploration heading north/west towards the amazing Snæfellsnes Peninsula
- Kayaking and puffin tours
- Whale watching tour
- Flight from Akureyri to Reykjavik Domestic Airport
- Day 1
- Arrive in Reykjavík and local guided tour
- Day 2
- Guided day tour of the Golden Circle
- Day 3
- Day tour to the south coast of Iceland
- Day 4
- Explore the scenic Hvalfjörður fjord, self driving north/west towards the amazing Snæfellsnes Peninsula
- Day 5
- Discover the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
- Day 6
- Morning kayaking tour in the fjord
- Day 7
- Head north to Blönduós
- Day 8
- Morning boat on the stunning Skagafjordur to Drangey island, a bird watchers paradise
- Day 9
- Whale watching tour on an electrical boat in the fjord
- Day 10
- Super Jeep tour to the Highlands
- Day 11
- Explore Lake Myvatn on your own
- Day 12
- Drive to Akureyri via Godafoss waterfall and fly back to Reykjavik
- Day 13
- Relax in the SPA and the Blue Lagoon waters
- Day 14
- Transfer to the airport
- Start Place
- Keflavik
- End Place
- Blue Lagoon, Iceland , Iceland
- Country Visited
- Iceland
- Duration
- 14 Days
- Start Date
- Flexible
- Travel Style
- Independent
- Suitability
- Independent holiday with moderately active activities and no luggage handling included
- Code
- 50DN0995
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
Transfers & self-drive car, such as Kia Sorrento 4x4 or if preferred, Range Rover Discovery.
Included
- Transfer from the airport
- Guided tour of Reykjavik
- Rental car for 9 days Car type (Kia Sorrento 4x4 or if preferred, Range Rover Discovery - Automatic), with unlimited mileage, CDW insurance and GPS, VIP service
- Best available accommodation outside of Reykjavik in our recommended country hotels with private facilities and breakfast included
- Entrance to Hvammsvik Hot springs
- Day private tour to see the Golden Circle
- Day private tour to the South coast of Iceland
- Kayaking tour on Snæfellsnes Peninsula
- Puffin tour to Drangey
- Whale Watching cruise
- Visit GeoSea infinity pools and SPA
- Full day highland exploration by super jeep
- 2 three-course dinners showcasing local ingredients in Blönduós
- 2 nights at the Silica Hotel Blue Lagoon, breakfast included
- Flight from Akureyri to Reykjavik Domestic Airport
- 24-hour emergency service
- Taxes and service fees
Not Included
- Extra car insurance, such as S-CDW and gravel protection.
- Flight tickets to/from start and end points, any airport taxes, travel insurance, visas, gratitudes and any items of personal nature.
Additional optional activities can be arranged before you leave. During peak season, they can book out early so please ask us for further details.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in Reykjavík and local guided tour
Early arrival Keflavik International Airport and private transfer to your centrally located hotel. Rest for a bit, freshen up and enjoy lunch, then meet your local Reykjavik guide for a 2hr private guided city walk of the charming Icelandic capital.
Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure - visit the charming design shops and cafés. If you want to do what the locals do - visit Hlemmur Mathöll (food court) and one of the local swimming pools.
Accommodation
Kvosin Hotel or similarRestaurants
Attractions
Day 2 - Guided day tour of the Golden Circle
After breakfast your driver guide will pick you up and take you out to the countryside, exploring the Golden Circle. See the tectonic plates in Thingvellir National Park, the roaring Gullfoss Waterfall and the amazing Geysir geothermal area as well as locals sites. If your lucky on return to Reykjavik, you may catch a glimpse of Northern Lights if conditions are good.
Meals
1 Breakfast1 Lunch
Accommodation
Day 3 - Day tour to the south coast of Iceland
Meet your guide for a daytrip to the south coast of Iceland, the area is known for the high waterfalls, beautiful black sand beaches and high cliff/rock formations, as well as the Volcanoes and Glaciers. During the day you will visit the top sights of the south and also visit a natural Ice Cave - this is magical, and the colours are amazing!
Meals
1 Breakfast1 Lunch
Accommodation
Day 4 - Explore the scenic Hvalfjörður fjord, self driving north/west towards the amazing Snæfellsnes Peninsula
After breakfast you are picked up from your hotel and taken to the car depot to get your rental car and drive off to the countryside! Start your self-drive exploration by heading north/west towards the amazing Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
On the way, included visit to the the new Hvammsvík geothermal sea baths. These are luxury geothermal sea baths located in Hvalfjörður (whale fjord) and there you get the most stunning view while relaxing both mind and body. Then venture on to enjoy a short hike if the weather is pleasant, visit an operational farm for lunch and why not the Settlement Centre Museum in Borgarnes. In the afternoon/evening, arrive at Hotel Budir and stay here for 3 nights.
Meals
1 BreakfastAccommodation
Hotel BúðirDay 5 - Discover the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Enjoy today´s round trip exploration of Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Enjoy sights such as Arnarstapi, Hellnar, Londrangar, Djúpalónssandur, Svörtuloft Lighthouse. A visit to the Vatnshellir Lava Cave is also possible.
Meals
1 BreakfastAccommodation
Hotel BúðirDay 6 - Morning kayaking tour in the fjord
Morning kayaking tour in the fjord, see the Kirkjufell Mountain from sea, and perhaps also meet seal and other wildlife during the trip. You can either explore further on your own, or we can include a horse-riding tour on the beach, or a boat tour with raw sea food straight from the sea!
Meals
1 BreakfastAccommodation
Hotel BúðirDay 7 - Head north to Blönduós
After breakfast head north to Blönduós.
On the way, we suggest a stop at the Icelandic Seal Center at Hvammstangi where you can learn everything there is to know about the seals around Iceland. The little town of Hvammstangi also has a rich history and vivid culture. The town is the home of the largest wool factory in Iceland, Kidka.
Check in to the charming Brimlod Atelier run by Inga Elsa and Gísli Egill who are passioned about food and local culture, spend 2 nights. Enjoy dinner in the evening.
Meals
1 Breakfast1 Dinner
Accommodation
Brimlod AtelierDay 8 - Morning boat on the stunning Skagafjordur to Drangey island, a bird watchers paradise
After breakfast a 45min drive will take you to the coastal village of Sauðárkrókur. Here you will meet your guide and boat driver for the day. Head out by boat on the stunning Skagafjordur to Drangey island, a bird watchers paradise! It is a bit late in the season for puffins, but you may see other wildlife and birds such as kittiwakes, fulmar and perhaps even a falcon. The full tour is about 4hrs return, including a walking tour of the island with breathtaking views from the top of the cliffs. Your guide will tell you about the Viking Grettir the Strong who lived on the island and history until today.
Return to Brimslod in the afternoon.
Meals
1 Breakfast1 Dinner
Accommodation
Brimslod AtelierDay 9 - Whale watching tour on an electrical boat in the fjord
Todays drive will take you via Akureyri, the biggest town of north Iceland, and onwards to the Whale capital Husavik. Visit the Husavik Whale Museum before you head out on a whale watching tour on an electrical boat in the fjord. On return enjoy a late lunch at Gamli Baukur before you visit Geosea infinity pools and SPA. After the visit, drive to Lake Myvatn, where you spend 3 nights.
Meals
1 BreakfastAccommodation
Icelandair Hotel Myvatn or similarDay 10 - Super Jeep tour to the Highlands
Meet your local adventure guide this morning for a full day highland exploration by super jeep. The main highlight of the day is the Askja Caldera in the heart of the Highlands. The beautiful blue water crater lake and the surrounding mountains are an amazing sight. The day trip also includes the open deserts area, freshwater springs of Svartá and the lava field Holuhraun. Returning to hotel in the evening.
Meals
1 BreakfastAccommodation
Icelandair Hotel Myvatn or similarDay 11 - Explore Lake Myvatn on your own
Day at leisure, explore Lake Myvatn on your own, visit the Myvatn Baths, go for hikes in the area and enjoy the day.
Meals
1 BreakfastAccommodation
Icelandair Hotel Myvatn or similarDay 12 - Drive to Akureyri via Godafoss waterfall and fly back to Reykjavik
Time to head back towards Reykjavik. Drive to Akureyri via Godafoss waterfall and explore the town on your own before you drop off the car at the airport and fly to Reykjavik Domestic Airport. Transfer to the Silica Hotel at the Blue Lagoon for your final 2 nights in Iceland.
Meals
1 BreakfastAccommodation
Silica Hotel, option to upgrade to the The Retreat, Blue LagoonDay 13 - Relax in the SPA and the Blue Lagoon waters
Enjoy the Blue Lagoon waters and additional pampering (secure your treatments at the time of booking as well as restaurant reservations as these sell out).
Meals
1 BreakfastDay 14 - Transfer to the airport
Transfer to airport in time for flights home.
Meals
1 BreakfastPrice per person, twin share. Due to the current volatility of the Icelandic Króna (ISK) and car hire costs, this price is indicative. We are happy to individually quote this tour for you.
30 Sep 2025
Important Information
The accommodation in this itinerary comprises Iceland’s best countryside boutique properties, which are in short supply during the peak summer season Jun-Aug. Booking early is essential. Should our selected properties not be available for your specific dates, we will look for alternatives, which in most cases will mean a downgraded standard.
Driving in Iceland:
A hire car cannot be driven in the Highlands area (we have included this as a guided super jeep tour). 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 roads. 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.
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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.