The best of southwest Iceland (self-drive)

Collect rental car from Keflavik airport
Car Transfer: Your Skoda Octavia Station automatic vehicle (or similar) is ready for pick up at Enterprise Car rental service desk. Once you have landed and collected your luggage, please proceed directly to the car rental shuttle bus, located just outside the arrival hall. They will take you to Enterprise service desk on the other end of the premises. Shuttle departures every 10-15 minutes. Included in your rental are: GPS navigation system, Theft protection (TP), Personal Accident insurance (PAI), Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) Insurance Additional insurances can be purchased at the Enterprise Rental Car service desk.


Self-drive from Keflavik International Airport to Reykjavík
Car Transfer: Pick up your car from Keflavik International Airport, and make your way to Reykjavik. Estimated travel time - 45 minutes


At leisure in Reykjavik
Excursion: Reykjavik is a growing city and very much alive. Whether you visit in summer or winter, there will be so much to do so make the most of any free time that you have here, There are many day tours and activities on offer here. Here are some recommendations: For those who love history, a visit to the National and Saga Museums will give you an education on Iceland's Viking past For breathtaking views, take a stroll up the Hallsgrimskirja church. The architecture is fascinating also From April - October, join a whale-watching excursion For music lovers, try to catch a performance at Harpa Concert Hall. Don't be disappointed if you don't get a chance to hear the symphony, it is still a great place to visit because of its unusual architecture, waterfront location and outdoor terrace Foodies can participate in one of the many food walking tours that operate around the city. This is a great chance to get an insider's knowledge on the best (and often hidden) food vendors Game of Thrones enthusiasts can join a tour that departs the city and visits the famous filming locations of the popular series. Take a camera! Iceland has a varied food scene and there are a multitude of restaurants and/or coffee-houses to take a break in. Whether you’d like to try out Icelandic cuisine, a la carte restaurants or are in the mood for fast food, you should have no trouble finding a restaurant that suits you needs. But please, don’t forget to stop by the small hot dog stand, called “Bæjarins bestu”, and try out our very special Icelandic hot dog. It’s a treat, we promise. There are also a few shopping malls, if you’re into mood for shopping, the largest ones being Kringlan and Smaralind. Kringlan is not far from the city centre, while Smaralind is in Kopavogur. There you’ll find many popular brands! If you’re travelling with your family and want a more relaxing start to your trip, there are so many geothermal water pools in the city to be enjoyed. Icelanders love to sit in hot tubs and pool - you can often find lively debates and discussions in the tubs, especially before noon.

Discover Hvalfjordur Fjord
Excursion: Hvalfjordur Fjord (Whale Fjord) is surprisingly not named for the number of whales spotted in the area, but rather for an ancient folktale involving an angry, red-headed whale that terrorized Iceland’s west coast until it was lured into a trap. The innermost part of the fjord shows an interesting mixture of volcanic mountains and green vegetation in summertime. At Botnsá, Nootka lupine is common, along with other flowers and moss, as well as small forests of birch and conifers. The area displays a good example of the planting of forests, a project that has been going on in Iceland for some years.


Explore Borgarnes (Self-Drive)
Excursion: Located on scenic Borgarfjordur Fjord, the town of Borgarnes is the centre for communications, trade and services in Borgarbyggd County. It is connected to the south by Borgarfjardarbrú, the second largest bridge in Iceland. The town is proud of its legacy, serving as the setting for most of the Icelandic Sagas with the landscape, nature and culture reflecting this heritage and bringing history to life. History can be particularly enjoyed at the Settlement Center where visitors learn about the nation’s origins and Egill Skallagrimsson, Iceland’s favourite warrior poet from the Sagas. The Borgarfjordur Museum is also worth a visit. There you’ll see a unique exhibition on the life and surroundings of children in Iceland in the 20th century. The photographs are presented in an unusual way, mounted on walls in which cabinets behind some photographs contain objects and further information. Visitors can move around the walls and discover how children lived, laughed and worked over the past 100 years.


Visit Borgarfjörður
Excursion: This area is known for its spectacular scenery and outdoor activities for those seeking some adventure. The town of Borgarnes is also located on the scenic Borgarfjörður. The town is proud of its legacy, serving as the setting for most of the Icelandic Sagas with the landscape, nature and culture reflecting this heritage and bringing history to life. History can be particularly enjoyed at the Settlement Center where visitors learn about the nation’s origins and Egill Skallagrimsson, Iceland’s favourite warrior poet from the Sagas. The Borgarfjordur Museum is also worth a visit. There you’ll see a unique exhibition on the life and surroundings of children in Iceland in the 20th century. The photographs are presented in an unusual way, mounted on walls in which cabinets behind some photographs contain objects and further information. Visitors can move around the walls and discover how children lived, laughed and worked over the past 100 years.


Into the Glacier tour (optional)
Shared Excursion: Want to add a once in a lifetime adventure to your self-drive holiday? Visit the man-made Ice Cap Glacier, located high on Europe's second largest glacier, Langjokull. Never before has anyone been able to see the beautiful blue ice at the heart of an Ice Cap Glacier like you do on this exciting and magical journey. Depart from the Klaki base camp/Husafell and journey to one of the world's greatest wilderness where you will be able to explore the incredible ice cap glacial environment. This three in one tour will enable you to explore around, on and within, the giant, 953 sq/km glacier, taking ice cap glacier exploration to a whole new level. Highlights of the tour: -Experience the awesome ice cap glacial environment -Ride in our special modified glacier vehicles -Bear witness to global warming. Whilst there are a few man-made Ice Tunnels and Ice Caves in various places around the world, there is nothing quite like Into the Glacier, either high up in a remote area of an Ice Cap Glacier, or on such a scale. Important: 1 Jan to 31 May & 16 Oct to 31 Dec: Meeting point at Husafell Center. Duration 4 hours. 1 June to 15 October: Meeting point at Klaki Base Camp by the glacier edge. Duration 2.5 hours. Shuttle service to and from the glacier edge and Husafell available upon request for 14 EUR per adult. Meeting point for the shuttle is in Husafell Service Center. The shuttle leaves 30 minutes before tour departure. Please give yourself at least 2.5 hours driving from Reykjavik to Husafell during winter and 2 hours during summer in order to be on time for the departure. What to bring: Waterproof shoes and warm socks Base and mid layer clothing Waterproof and warm coat Hat & gloves Sunglasses

Discover Snaefellsnes Peninsula (Self-Drive)
Excursion: Explore the countless natural wonders of the Snaefellsnes peninsula. Visit Arnarstapi sea cliffs with their varied birdlife and the rocky beach of Djupalonssandur before driving along the north coast through lively fishing villages. In Stykkisholmur, join a boat tour in Breidafjordur Bay (approx. 2 hours) to admire the rich birdlife and sea life of the area. During the boat tour, a shellfish plough is lowered into the ocean and a wonderful selection of shellfish and sea life is caught for viewing and tasting: scallops, sea urchins, crabs, starfish, sea cucumbers and much more. Overnight in west Iceland. Approximate distance: ca330km / 200miles


Caving in Vatnshellir (optional)
Shared Excursion: One of the most interesting features of Snaefellsjokull National Park is Vatnshellir Cave, a great example of a lava cave typical to Iceland. Walk along the 200-meter cave and down 35 meters below the surface to experience unique colours and lava formations. This deep cave has been hidden from the outside world for thousands of years. Vatnshellir Cave was formed 8000 years ago! What to bring: Warm clothing (it gets chilly inside the cave) Gloves and hat Hiking boots Included Guided cave tour Helmets Flashlights/Torches


Whale watching from Grundarfjörður (optional tour)
Shared Excursion: Sitting on the north end of the peninsula, the town is close to the bountyful waters of the clear North Atlantic Ocean where a number of whale species feed. This unique whale watching tour takes you into in search of orcas, blue whale, fin whale, humpback whales, minke whales and sperm whales. From the open waters you can also get a great view of the magnificent Snaefellsjokull Glacier, as it appears to be rising from the sea.


Visit the Bjarnarhofn Shark Museum (optional)
Shared Excursion: Explore the countless natural wonders of the Snaefellsnes peninsula, which happens to be a national park. With mountains to one side and the sea to the other, visit the wind-tangled Arnarstapi sea cliffs and the rocky beach of Djupalonssandur before driving along the north coast through bustling fishing villages. Overnight in Borgarnes area.

Self-drive from Borgarnes to Geysir
Other Transfer: Iceland’s Golden Circle showcases a trio of celebrated natural attractions, including the dramatic Gullfoss waterfall and the geothermal fields of Geysir Hot Spring Area, alive with boiling mud pits, steam vents, and exploding geysers. Its centerpiece is Thingvellir National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site), where Viking settlers established an annual assembly in AD 930 which has become the world’s oldest ongoing parliament. Thingvellir is also a geological masterpiece, as it marks the visible site of the mid-Atlantic Ridge where the North American and Eurasian continental plates meet. Following the road through the fertile countryside, stop to enjoy some local flavours at Efstidalur dairy farm, which specializes in homemade skyr, an organic Greek-style yogurt that has been enjoyed as a breakfast staple and dessert treat in Iceland since Viking times. The journey continues to Hveragerdi, the charming gateway town to South Iceland set in a highly active geothermal area where pillars of steam rise up from the ground year round. Hveragerdi has the largest concentration of greenhouses in Iceland; residents provide the country with much of its home-grown produce, including exotic papayas and bananas. In the evenings, the lighted greenhouses give the town of Hveragerdi a distinctive glow.


Discover the Golden Circle's natural wonders (Self-Drive)
Excursion: The Golden Circle has for a long time been popular among visitors to Iceland. And for a good reason - it includes the most popular natural wonders of South Iceland. Thingvellir National park (Þingvellir). A fascinating mixture of Icelandic history and natural beauty. The first settlers put down their roots in South Iceland in the 9th century. Þingvellir was chosen as the assembly site because the region was accessible from all the most peopled areas. In 930, it became Iceland’s and the world’s first parliament. And the nation's shared cultural heritage has grown ever since. Þingvellir National Park is also the meeting point of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, which creates some stunning geological sights. You can admire its deep valley, the only place in the world where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is visible on land and a "Game of Thrones scenery" Geysir geothermal area. An area of steam stokes and bubbling mud pools. for some incredible action look for Strokkur geyser erupting roughly every 6-10 minutes shooting hot water as high as 40 meters into the air. Gullfoss waterfall Only 10 minutes from Geysir area. Watch the milky water in total of 32 meters and admire the rainbows they spray creates. There are many other wonderful stops you can find on the way. Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy


Snowmobiling tour on Langjokull Glacier from Gullfoss (optional)
Shared Excursion: Want to add a little adventure to your Iceland holiday? Join a snowmobile tour on Langjokull Glacier when passing through the Golden Circle! We offer snowmobiling tours for individuals with pick up from Gullfoss Café, no 4x4 vehicle needed. Once at the basecamp you will put on your warm overalls and helmets and you're ready to dash across the glacier on a snowmobile while gazing at the incredible surroundings. Take it all in and create memories you will never forget. Important: Meeting point is at Gullfoss Café. Drivers need to present a valid driver's license. The estimated time for this tour is 3-4 hours, but please note that delays can occur due to weather and road conditions. What to bring: Warm, wind proof clothing Waterproof hiking boots Included Round-trip transfer from Gullfoss Café to basecamp at Langjokull 1 hour snowmobile tour Overalls, balaclavas, gloves, shoe covers and helmets

Self-drive from the waterfalls along South Shore to Eyjafjallajokull Volcano
Car Transfer: Drive along the south shore, an area of Iceland that is beautiful to view in the winter. This is one of the main farm regions of the country, and the road will pass by typical Icelandic farms, often with Icelandic horses in the fields. This part of Iceland is home to the new Lava Centre, an interactive, high-tech educational exhibition depicting volcanic activity, earthquakes and the creation of Iceland over millions of years. Enjoy both the exhibit and viewing an interesting film about Icelandic volcanoes at the centre’s cinema. Stop at the spectacular waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. Head onwards, passing by Myrdalsjokull Glacier, to visit Reynisfjara beach. Take a walk on the black sands, and admire the extraordinary rock formations and thundering waves of the Atlantic Ocean.


Glacier hike at Solheimajokull Glacier
Shared Excursion: Experience how it feels to walk on ice in this thrilling adventure! You will walk on the Solheimajokull glacier, which is a part of the Myrdalsjökull glacier, on the South Coast of Iceland. After a safety briefing and a lesson in ice walking, you will head onto the glacier to experience this unique environment and look upon some amazing terrain, which include crevasses, sink holes and ice ridges. It is about 30-40 min walk from the base (on road 221) to the Glacier. Total duration of the Glacier hike is approx. 3-4 hrs. Important: The Glacier walk does not require any special skills. The tour can be enjoyed by all people in good health that are able to walk on rugged terrain. Included: Guided tour Helmet, Crampons, Ice axe and other safety equipment Please bring: Sensible, closed-toe footwear Waterproof/quick dry clothing (no jeans) and layers


Visit Skógafoss
Excursion: Skogafoss is a waterfall in the south of Iceland at the cliffs of the former coastline. After the coastline had receded seaward (it is now at a distance of about 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) from Skogar village), the former sea cliffs remained. Skogafoss is unique because the waterfall comes directly from two glaciers, Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull. If you climb the 370 steps to the top of Skogafoss waterfall you’ll be rewarded with an awe-inspiring view out over south Iceland’s coastline. This is also the start of the Fimmvorduhals pass, a popular hiking route. Standing at 60 meters (197 ft) tall, the heavy veil of water is impressive and walking close enough envelops visitors in a cloud of spray, sound and refracted light. Due to the amount of spray the waterfall consistently produces, a single or double rainbow is normally visible on sunny days.


Explore Seljalandsfoss waterfall
Excursion: Stop at Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where you can gain a different perspective by walking behind the curtain of cascading water. Seljalandsfoss waterfall along Iceland’s southern coast is fed by melting water from the famed glacier-capped Eyjafjallajokull volcano. This powerful waterfall cascades into a pretty meadow but is best known for the walking path that runs behind the curtain of water where visitors can enjoy a truly unique viewpoint from this angle. It’s the only known waterfall in the world that it is possible to walk behind.


Visit the Reynisfjara black sand beach and Reynisdrangar Sea Cliffs
Excursion: Reynisdrangar Sea Cliffs stand under the Reynisfjall Mountain, at the end of a dramatic stretch of black sand beach. They are towering, spiky basalt sea stacks jutting out from the ocean 66 meters (217 ft) into the air. The Reynisfjara beach, where the Reynisdrangar rock formations are located, was voted as one of the top ten beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world. Reynisdrangar are a visual trademark for the village of Vik in Myrdal, and are teeming with nesting Arctic terns, fulmars and puffins. Folk legend says there were two trolls pulling a three-mast ship to the shore unsuccessfully, but were caught by the sunlight at dawn and turned into stone, as happens to trolls when they stay out until dawn. So there they sit just outside the beach forevermore. You must remember if you visit Reynisdrangar, either from the east side from Vik or from Reynisfjara on the west side, that the ocean and the waves can be rough. The waves are strong and unpredictable, so people are advised to take extra care when visiting the area. A good rule of thumb is to never turn your back on the ocean. The Reynisdrangar cliffs are just one of many attractions in Reynisfjara beach. The black sand has a major appeal on its own, the roaring ocean waves are powerful and chilling, and furthermore, there you can see spectacular patterns of basalt columns that nature has created. This and more makes Reynisfjara one of the most popular tourist destinations in Iceland.

Self-drive from Vik to Vatnajokull National Park
Car Transfer: Depart from Vik and begin your journey towards Vatnajokull National Park. Start with a view over the magnificent Fjaðurárgljúfur Canyon then drive by Dverghamar (the Dwarf Rocks) and over Skeiðarársandur with its vast stretches of black sand formed by mighty glacial rivers. Soon you will be in the area of Vatnajökull National Park, named after the Europe’s largest glacier.


Kayaking among the Icebergs (Optional)
Shared Excursion: Glacier kayaking is the ultimate way to experience the magnificence of the world famous Vatnajökull National Park. Join us in an unforgettable trip and enjoy 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 we step on one of the icebergs and take a short walk, overlooking the lagoon and surrounding area – safely equipped with the appropriate glacier gear. Heinabergslón is “out of the beaten path”, so there is no other traffic on the water. This is the tour for those who want to be environmentally friendly while exploring nature. The trip is fully guided by guides with a vast knowledge of the area, its history, hidden spots – and of course kayaking. The Glacier Kayak Adventure suits people with no paddling experience to experienced paddlers. Our Kayaks are SIT-ON-TOP boats, very stable and should be suitable for first time kayakers as well.


Zodiac tour on a glacier lagoon (Optional)
Shared Excursion: The scenery is extremely unique. The biggest glacier in Europe outside the arctic, Vatnajökull towers over the mountains in all its glory. The glacier crawls down a steep slope until it reaches down to the water. At the edge of the glacier, icebergs break off into the lagoon and drift serenely around before melting. The icebergs are different in size, shape, and hues that make the appearance of each iceberg unique. Wherever you look you can see how the natural forces of the glacier have shaped the landscape. Not only is the glacier constantly sculpting the landscape but also depending on the weather the scenery takes on different forms. This makes each visit to Fjallsárlón a unique individual experience because the scenery is constantly changing. Sailing besides the glacier and the icebergs is a great memory to take from Iceland and something you should not miss being in the southeast part of Iceland. If you are looking for a memorable activity you should seize the day and do a tour among the icebergs. You will not come across an iceberg lagoon that often!


Explore the glacial area of Skaftafell
Excursion: Skaftafell National Park was established in 1967, but in 2008 it became a part of the newly established Vatnajokull National Park. The Skaftafell region of Vatnajokull National Park is a lush oasis where you can hike for days on gorgeous trails through forests, waterfalls, black sands, mountains and glaciers with Iceland’s highest peak, Hvannadalshnjukur, reaching 2,118 meters (6,950 ft), providing a stunning backdrop. Although flanked by glaciers, Skaftafell is actually among the areas in Iceland that receive the least amount of snow. Precipitation usually comes with southerly wind directions that also bring a relatively warm air from the ocean. So most of the time, the precipitation is rain rather than snow. As a result, most of the hiking trails in the lowland areas of Skaftafell are clear of snow all year round.


Visit Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
Excursion: Iceland’s south coast boasts the constantly changing Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon, where blue, white, turquoise and black streaked icebergs shift and creak about in an icy dance. The icebergs are 1,000-year-old chunks of the retreating Oraefajokull glacier that have broken off and are floating out to sea. The lake has grown at varying rates because of melting of the glaciers. It is now 1.5 kilometres away from the ocean's edge and covers an area of about 18 km2. It recently became the deepest lake in Iceland, at over 248 metres, as glacial retreat extended its boundaries. The mystical lagoon is enormous and has provided the backdrop for many major feature films and programs including ‘Batman Begins’ and most recently ‘Game of Thrones.’ The lagoon is open to the sea and contains a mixture of salt and freshwater, giving it a unique blue-green color. During summer months boat rides on the lagoon are offered and there are opportunities to hike around the perimeter year round. There are seals hanging out atop the icebergs during winter and the lagoon supports many species of fish, as well as some of the rich birdlife Iceland is famous for. The Lagoon is also a popular spot for Northern Lights hunters in winter, since it offers a great setting for beautiful pictures.

Self-drive from Vatnajokull to Reykjavik
Car Transfer: The South Coast back to Reykjavik Today you will be heading back to Reykjavik but there are still plenty of beautiful sights to see. You can take your time and stop along the way, and if you missed any sights you'll have a second chance to visit them today.


Katla Volcano Ice Cave Tour from Vík
Shared Excursion: It’s time to jump on a Super Jeep, strap on your crampons and step into the mighty Myrdalsjokull glacier, Mother Nature has really outdone herself with this one, the movie-like surroundings and glaciers everywhere you look and grand ice walls you walk amongst to enter the magical blue and black ice dome of the outlet glacier named after the powerful volcano Katla. Prepare to be amazed! Mýrdalsjökull glacier is one of the best known glaciers in Iceland, it feeds the glacier hiking paradise, Sólheimajökull, and from it the alluring Kötlujökull originates. Kötlujökull is named after the robust Icelandic Volcano Katla and is home to some of Iceland’s most impressive natural ice caves. On this exhilarating Super Jeep tour you will get to explore the wonders of the biggest one, Katla’s Ice Cave Dome as many like to call it. You will see why as soon as you step in! Meeting point: The Katla Icecave tour departs from The Ice Cave Bistro/ Restaurant in Vík. By the entrance, you will be able to find our guide holding an “Arctic Adventures” sign or standing by a super jeep that is marked “Arctic Adventures”. Tour highlights Scenic Super Jeep ride View over Myrdalsjokull Visiting a natural Ice Cave Epic landscapes Expert info on the ice cave Included Super Jeep Ride Visit to a natural Ice Cave Crampons for walking on ice Knowledgeable glacier guide

Reykjanes peninsula
Excursion: The Reykjanes peninsula is an active volcanic system under its surface, situated at the south western end of Iceland. The peninsula is rather sparsely populated except for Reykjanesbaer, which is the largest town on the peninsula. Other towns include Grindavik, Sandgerdi, Vogar, Hafnir and Gardur, all of which rely heavily on fishing. Reykjanes is marked by its large lava fields, active volcanism, numerous hot springs, geothermal energy and rugged landscape, all this allowing little vegetation. The gray-green moss on the strange, otherwordly lava is usually the first glimpse visitors to Iceland get of the land of ice and fire.


Visit Blue Lagoon (optional)
Shared Excursion: Enjoy a peaceful time at the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, an incredible geothermal spa set in an otherworldly area where lava and geothermal water meet and complement each other. The lagoon's warm geothermal water and natural active ingredients; mineral salts, silica and blue green algae help you relax and unwind while the lagoon's distinctive white silica mud gently cleanses and exfoliates the skin. The mineral salts balance and relax body and soul.


Departure - Drop off your car at Reykjavik Keflavik airport
Car Transfer: Sadly, your Iceland holiday has come to an end. We hope you have enjoyed your time here! If your flight departs in the afternoon, you could for example stop at the Blue Lagoon for a relaxing soak on your way to the airport. You could also drive around the Reykjanes peninsula or simply relax in Reykjavik. You must return your rental car in good time to check in for your flight. It is recommended that passengers check in for their flights 2,5 hours prior to departure time. Should the flight depart outside opening hours of the rental car office just drop the key in the box by the entrance and grab the shuttle all the way to the airport.