East of Iceland & Golden Circle self-drive tour
This self-drive Iceland tour takes you on a journey of discovery from the remote Eastfjords to the scenic South Coast. You’ll begin by exploring the characterful fishing villages dotted around the eastern fjords before hitting the famous Ring Road route and beginning your journey south.
Along the way, you’ll pass through some of Iceland’s most dramatic landscapes as you travel in the shadow of jagged mountain ranges, soaring volcanoes, and vast glaciers. Stop as you go to take in the bewildering beauty of glacier lagoons, rushing waterfalls, and striking black sand beaches along the south coast. You’ll also visit Iceland’s incredible Golden Circle with its trio of unmissable sights.
Services
Included:
- 6 nights accommodation in three or four-star hotels with private bathroom
- Daily breakfast
- Domestic flight
- Private car rental (CDW insurance, Wi-Fi, unlimited mileage & emergency service)
- Airport bus transfer
- Activities & admission fees to sites as per the itinerary
- Maps for each day
- Northern lights tips
Excluded:
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees
- Any meals & drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
- Any activities not mentioned in the itinerary
Optional:
- Speak to your local expert if there's an experience that you'd really love to include in your trip
Itinerary at a Glance
Reykjavik
Arrival in Reykjavik
Borgarfjordur Eystri - Seydisfjordur - Mjoifjordur
Eastbound to the fjords
Studlagil - Hengifoss - Hallormsstadarskogur
Exploring the Eastfjords
Jokulsarlon - Skaftafell - Fjadrargljufur
Vatnajokull & its glacier lagoons
Reynisfjara - Skogafoss - Seljalandsfoss
Volcanoes, waterfalls & a black sand beach
Geysir - Gullfoss - Thingvellir
The majestic Golden Circle
Kleifarvatn - Seltun - Reykjanesta
The landscapes of the Reykjanes Peninsula
Detailed Itinerary
Reykjavik
Day 1: Arrival in Reykjavik
You’ll spend your first day in the city of Reykjavik, the world's northernmost capital and one of the cleanest, greenest and safest cities in the world. Start by exploring its charming downtown area, discovering its impressive landmarks, and visiting a variety of museums. The city has much to offer! There’s a vibrant cultural and music scene, great design shops, art galleries, and world-class restaurants. Some optional extra tours in Reykjavik include a guided food walk or a whale-watching tour from the harbor.
Borgarfjordur Eystri - Seydisfjordur - Mjoifjordur
Day 2: Eastbound to the fjords
Today you'll take a short flight to the Eastfjords where you'll get behind the wheel of your rental car and start exploring. This less-visited region is interspersed with long sea fjords dotted with charming fishing villages. Mjoifjordur is one of Iceland’s most beautiful and remote fjords and home to one of its tiniest villages with just 40 residents.Seydisfjordur is one of the best-preserved coastal towns in Iceland; the town center has timber houses, art shops, and a pretty blue church. Borgarfjordur Eystri, the town of elves and puffins, is one of the best places to see puffins in the summer. Take your pick of where to stop and explore today.
Studlagil - Hengifoss - Hallormsstadarskogur
Day 3: Exploring the Eastfjords
The Eastfjords feature one of the most dramatic stretches of the Ring Road with towering mountains, beautiful fjords, and charming fishing villages, each filled with special character. Egilsstadir, the capital of the Eastfjords, is set on the banks of Lake Lagarfljot, which is rumored to host an aquatic monster!
The drive around the lake takes you through the largest forest in Iceland and trailblazers can enjoy a short hike up to the Hengifoss waterfall. Elsewhere, the Studlagil Canyon features some of the most impressive basalt column formations in Iceland, and is well worth a visit.
Jokulsarlon - Skaftafell - Fjadrargljufur
Day 4: Vatnajokull & its glacier lagoons
Today, hit the famous Iceland Ring Road and start heading south. The landscape of southeast Iceland is dominated by Vatnajokull - Europe’s largest glacier. Nestled between its glacier tongues is the beautiful Skaftafell Nature Reserve, which offers a variety of hiking options, including an easy walk to the Skaftafellsjokull glacier tongue and a short hike to the picturesque Svartifoss waterfall.
Jokulsarlon is the most famous glacier lagoon in Iceland, dotted with icebergs that flow down to the sea and are then washed up on the gorgeous Diamond Beach.
With several less-visited glacier lagoons, the ancient Fjadrargljufur canyon and charming towns of southeast Iceland will take your breath away. If you visit during the winter, you could try glacier hiking or exploring an ice cave, while in summer boat trips across the Jokulsarlon Lagoon are a great option.
Reynisfjara - Skogafoss - Seljalandsfoss
Day 5: Volcanoes, waterfalls & a black sand beach
The scenic south coast is home to many of Iceland's most famous attractions... and some offbeat ones, too. As you drive, you’ll take in stunning views of world-famous glaciers and volcanoes across this mesmerizing landscape.
Seljalandsfoss is a unique waterfall in Iceland, with a path that runs around behind it, so that visitors can walk behind the rushing curtain of the falls. Meanwhile, picture-perfect Skogafoss is often accompanied by rainbows and is a favorite for photographers and filmmakers. Lastly, the black sand beaches of Reynisfjara offer fantastic views of the Reynisdrangar sea stacks and the Dyrholaey cliff.
Geysir - Gullfoss - Thingvellir
Day 6: The majestic Golden Circle
The Golden Circle is Iceland's most popular sightseeing route, and thankfully, isn't too far from Reykjavik. This trio of incredible sights includes Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir Geothermal Area, and the Gullfoss Waterfall.
Thingvellir, a historically significant site, is located in the rift valley between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. Then you have the Strokkur Geyser, which erupts 30m into the air every 8-10 minutes, and forms the highlight of the Geysir Geothermal Area. Gullfoss, the golden falls, needs no explanation - it is one of Iceland's most impressive waterfalls.
In addition to these most famous sights, there are several options for activities and less-visited local gems, including the Kerid Crater Lake and the hot spring town of Hveragerdi.
Kleifarvatn - Seltun - Reykjanesta
Day 7: The landscapes of the Reykjanes Peninsula
Positioned between Keflavik International Airport and Reykjavik, the moon-like lava landscape of the Reykjanes Peninsula offers a new view of the many wonders of Iceland. Except for the world-famous Blue Lagoon, the geological wonders of this region remain much less visited. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge cuts across the peninsula, making it one of the most volcanically active parts of Iceland, with colorful geothermal areas, a dramatic coastline, bustling bird cliffs, and the Bridge Between Continents. You can even take a tour inside an actual volcano - a wonderful way to end your last day in Iceland, before heading back to the airport for your journey home.
