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8 days - Self-drive independent tour with Silfra snorkelling, glacier walking and into the volcanoes.

Experience the thrills of the great outdoors on this Iceland tour. This self-drive journey allows you to explore the sights at your own pace and includes countryside boutique accommodation that lets you fully recharge for each day’s adventures.

This is a full-throttle holiday that features the best Iceland's southern region has to offer. Explore the insides of a volcano, go whale watching in a RIB boat and snorkel in the crystal clear water in the Silfra fissure. Depending on the season, glacier walking, kayaking and ice climbing are also included in this active tour. Finally, soak your weary bones in the Blue Lagoon with our comfort package.

A perfect blend of energetic pursuits and breathtaking sights, this trip is bound to leave you breathless!

Highlights include

  • 'Inside the Volcano' tour
  • Whale watching in a RIB boat
  • Go snorkelling in Silfra, in Þingvellir National Park
  • Join an unforgettable Glacier Kayak Adventure
  • Glacier walk on Svinafellsjokull Glacier Tongue in Skaftafell National Park
  • Relax at the Silica Hotel by the Blue Lagoon
Day 1
Arrive Reykjavik and transfer to your central hotel
Day 2
Day tour exploring the inside of the Thrihnukagigur Volcano
Day 3
RIB tour to see Iceland's magnificent whales
Day 4
Snorkelling tour in Silfra, in Þingvellir National Park. Dive between the continents!
Day 5
Explore the South coast of Iceland
Day 6
Glacier kayaking
Day 7
Svínafellsjökull glacier walk and then relax at the Blue Lagoon
Day 8
Departure day
Start/End Place
Reykjavik, Iceland
Country Visited
Iceland
Duration
8 Days
Start Date
Flexible
Travel Style
Independent
Suitability
Independent holiday with moderately active activities and no luggage handling included
Code
50DN0020

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 with rental vehicle

Included
  • Private transfer from airport to hotel.
  • Meet & Greet service at hotel
  • Rental manual car for 5 days Car type B (VW Golf or similar), with unlimited mileage, CDW insurance.
  • Accommodation outside of Reykjavik in superior hotels with private facilities and breakfast included
  • 3 night in Reykjavik Alda Hotel, breakfast included or similar
  • 1 night at the Silica Hotel, Blue Lagoon, breakfast included
  • Entry to Blue Lagoon as part of your stay at Silica
  • "Inside the Volcano" tour
  • Whale watching tour in a RIB boat
  • Snorkelling in Silfra tour
  • Glacier Kayak Adventure
  • Glacier walk on Svinafellsjokull Glacier Tongue in Skaftafell National Park
  • 24-hour emergency service
  • Taxes and service fees

The activities are seasonal and will be substituted depending on what you want to do and what is available.

Not Included

Extra car insurance, such as S-CDW and gravel protection.

If you wish to hire an automatic car, these are 'on request' and can be difficult to obtain. Please seek further advice with us.

Flight tickets to/from start and end points, any airport taxes, travel insurance, visas, gratitudes and any items of personal nature.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive Reykjavik and transfer to your central hotel

On arrival, make your own way to the hotel. Check into your hotel and enjoy exploring this lovely capital. Be sure to check out the design stores and cool cafes in central Reykjavik.

Accommodation
Hotel Alda
Restaurants
Fiskmarkaðurinn
Sægreifinn
Vid Fjorubordid lobster restaurant
Matarkjallarinn Food Cellar and Cocktails
Attractions
Whale Watching from Reykjavik
Puffin Watching from Reykjavik

Day 2 - Day tour exploring the inside of the Thrihnukagigur Volcano

Today you will be doing the 'Inside the Volcano' tour. You are picked up from your hotel for this 5–6 hour tour (about 35-40 minutes inside the volcano). There is a hike into the volcano and lunch provided. After arriving on location, your group will be informed about all safety procedures and how to behave in the area and when inside the volcano. In smaller parties of 6–7 people, you will take a lift down for about 6 minutes through the centre of the dormant Thrihnukagigur Volcano.

You will spend about half an hour on the ground of the volcano, during which time you can take as many photos as you want. However, you are not allowed to take rocks and stones from the crater. Expert guides will be with you at all times, in the cable lift and on the ground in the magma chamber.

Return to Reykjavik, 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. Be sure to consider seeing the live show at the Harpa centre "Icelandic Sagas The Greatest Hits".

Meals
1 Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel Alda

Day 3 - RIB tour to see Iceland's magnificent whales

After breakfast, join an amazing 2-hour RIB Express tour to see the magnificent whales of Faxaflói Bay. The 12-meter-long boat allows you to get very close to the animals in a way that's safe for both passengers and whales. When you head out into the bay it's a fast, thrilling ride with the wind in your hair. On the way, we stop at Akurey, the puffin island to catch a glimpse of these adorable seabirds that live around here during their nesting season.

You will have plenty of time out in the whales' feeding grounds before returning back to Reykjavik on a scenic route along the coast. A perfect photo opportunity!

After the tour its recommended that you stop by the Whales of Iceland Exhibition in the harbour area. Admission is included.

Meals
1 Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel Alda

Day 4 - Snorkelling tour in Silfra, in Þingvellir National Park. Dive between the continents!

Pick-up your rental car this morning, and then, snorkelling in Silfra is today's adventure and one of Iceland's best-kept secrets. Iceland straddles the rift between the Eurasian and North American continental plates and you can see the rift for yourself on this snorkelling trip. You are provided with a dry suit, as the temperature of the water is around 2 degrees. You then get to float on the lake's surface, peering into the depths through pristine water that takes twenty years to filter down from a glacier through volcanic ash. By the time it reaches Silfra, the water is so transparent that people have been known to get vertigo as they hover on the surface, floating as if on air over the fissure below.

After snorkelling, you can explore Þingvellir National Park and the surrounding area. Þingvellir is one of the most frequently visited tourist sites in Iceland where you can become better acquainted with Iceland's history and traditions. You can join guided tours of the site and also find short hiking trails to help you explore Þingvellir National Park.

Meals
1 Breakfast
1 Lunch
Accommodation
Accommodation in the Golden Circle area.

Day 5 - Explore the South coast of Iceland

This morning, hit the road to enjoy the attractions of the Golden Circle before the crowds (approximately 5 hours driving in total). Head to Geysir which gave its name to the international word geyser, watch the most popular geyser, Stokkur (the Churn) which erupts about every 10 minutes. Then continue on to see the beautiful Gullfoss waterfall, the two-tiered waterfall is one of the most well-known and beautiful in Iceland. It is so large, it's difficult to see it all from one viewpoint!

Then make your way around the beautiful South Coast of Iceland, travelling via Dyrhólaey (Iceland's southernmost point accessible via a short detour on Road 218) and the Reynishverfi’s scenic black beach with basalt columns. Vik is a good spot for a late lunch before continuing on to Kirkjubæjarklaustur. You’ll pass through part of the moss-covered Skaftáreldahraun lava field, believed to be the largest lava field created from one eruption. Take a small detour and walk to Fjadrargljufur Canyon. In Kirkjubæjarklaustur you’ll find a number of lesser known attractions such as a small waterfall (Systrafoss), Kirkjugólf (Church Floor) basalt columns, and lots of craters. Your accomodation is close by this evening.

Meals
1 Breakfast
Accommodation
Accommodation in Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon or similar

Day 6 - Glacier kayaking

This morning, you will go Glacier kayaking, the ultimate way to experience the magnificence of the world famous Vatnajökull National Park. This unforgettable trip enjoys unbeatable panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers and their reflection in the mirror like water of the Heinaberg Lagoon. From the lagoon you will have an excellent view
over Vatnajokull and on the tour you step on one of the icebergs and take a short walk, overlooking the lagoon and surrounding area, with safely equipped with the appropriate glacier gear.

Enjoy a outside hot tub this afternoon at your hotel, happy hour between 6 - 8 pm before a lovely dinner at the lagoon restaurant.

Meals
1 Breakfast
Accommodation
Accommodation in Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon or similar

Day 7 - Svínafellsjökull glacier walk and then relax at the Blue Lagoon

After breakfast, walk the Svínafellsjökull glacier tongue. Svínafellsjökull is a breathtaking outlet glacier of the Vatnajökull glacier and the scenery and views are simply stunning. You will walk through a wonderland of glacial ice sculptures, meandering through ice ridges and the deep crevasses of the glacier. At the outset of our tour, an experienced guide teaches you how to use basic glacier equipment like crampons and ice axes, the required equipment for this tour.

After the activity, make your way to the Blue Lagoon for a relaxing experience and dinner. (Return your hire car at the Keflavik Airport tomorrow morning.)

Comfort Package included in your Blue Lagoon visit:
  • Visitor Pass
  • Entrance to Blue Lagoon
  • Use of Towel
  • Drink of your choice (you need to ask for this at the bar)
  • Silica mud mask
Meals
1 Breakfast
Accommodation
Silica Hotel or similiar

Day 8 - Departure day

Drive to Keflavik International Airport and return your hire car before flying out.

Meals
1 Breakfast
Dates & Prices

Price per person, twin share. There are a five premium included activities on this tour. 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.

The age limit for this tour is 14. We can adjust the itinerary to suit families with smaller kids by changing the activities.

Dates
Valid From
Valid To
From Price
Status
Accommodation
1 May 2025
30 Sep 2025
1 May 2025
30 Sep 2025
USD 4,642
On request
Standard
1 May 2025
30 Sep 2025
1 May 2025
30 Sep 2025
USD 2,857
On request
Extra for Single

Important Information

The accommodation in this itinerary comprises some of Iceland’s best countryside properties, which are in short supply during the peak summer season Jun-Aug. Booking early is essential.

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.

Interactive Tour Map

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