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Circle Iceland in a Week

From £1206

Excluding Flights

7 Nights

May-Sep

Overview

Drive around Iceland in just one week? Why not! The Ring Road is a delight to drive – well maintained and largely free of traffic. Barely an hour will pass on this slick self-drive when you won’t be pulling over to admire a stunning stretch of coastline or thundering waterfall. Plus you’ll stay in seven must-see locations.

Seven days to drive the Ring Road

Two weeks would be better as per our Around Iceland holiday, but if time is limited, and you want to see as much of Iceland as possible, this holiday features several key highlights. Some drives are lengthy, but if you enjoy a road trip this itinerary is incredibly rewarding – offering fabulous scenery, comfortable accommodation, optional excursions and even time for relaxing in a geothermal lagoon or two.

The Magnificent Seven

After a night in Reykjavik, your first full day takes in the Golden Circle – Geysir, Gullfoss waterfall and Thingvellir World Heritage Site. Next, you’ll explore the sublime South Coast with its black-sand beaches, bird cliffs, waterfalls and glaciers, before spending time at Vatnajokull National Park – famous for its colossal icecap and the iceberg-strewn lagoon of Jokulsarlon. You will then take a world-class coastal drive through the East Fjords before heading west towards Lake Myvatn where you can relax in the geothermal Nature Baths or visit Husavik for a whale-watching trip. A long drive the following day ends at the magnificent Hotel Husafell. All too soon, perhaps, you’ll be returning to Keflavik airport – but not before a chance to take a dip in the Blue Lagoon.

Itinerary

Fly to Keflavik Airport. Collect your rental vehicle and drive to Reykjavik for an evening of exploration and an overnight stay in Iceland’s capital city which blends modern with traditional.

Explore the natural wonders on the famed Golden Circle route: the tectonic rip in the earth’s crust at Thingvellir, the thundering falls of Gullfoss and the bubbling Geysir geothermal area.

Optional Experiences

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Secret Lagoon

The 'Secret Lagoon' was built in 1891 and is the oldest swimming pool in Iceland. This outdoor geothermal bathing spot remains at a constant temperature of 36-40°C and is accessible throughout the year.

Diving Silfra Day Tour

Possibly one of the most unique dives that guests will ever experience, this diving trip takes divers below the surface of Thingvellir itself.

Snorkelling Silfra Day Tour

The Silfra fissure is one of Iceland's best kept secrets in the heart of Thingvellir National Park, this submerged canyon offers a wonderful snorkelling experience.

Continue along the south coast and admire the views, including Seljalandsfoss, one of Iceland’s best-known waterfalls and the Myrdalsjokull icecap, where you may wish to take an optional snowmobile trip (pre-bookable – please contact our team). You may also choose to visit the little museum at Skogar and the famous waterfall with an impressive 60 metre drop, and perhaps take the path to the top. Explore the Reynisfjara pebble beach with its caves and basalt formations. Investigate the bird cliffs at Dyrholaey, (closed from 1 May to 25 June so as not to disturb nesting birds), and walk along its black sand beach.

Optional Experiences

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Lava Centre

The new Lava Centre offers visitors a full multimedia experience; immersing guests into Iceland’s volcanic and seismic life.

You will be spoilt for choice today as there is much to see and do in the area: walking in the stunning Skaftafell National Park; discovering the Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon with its immense icebergs. Perhaps take an optional snowmobile trip on Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajokull – one of many excursion options.

Optional Experiences

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Ice Adventure on Vatnajokull Glacier 

Explore the glacier in a superjeep.
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Snowmobiling on Vatnajokull Glacier

Take a thrilling snowmobile journey on Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajokull, departing from Skalafell, just east of the Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon.
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Blue Ice Experience

Walk on Svinafellsjokull Glacier Tongue in Skaftafell National Reserve part of Vatnajokull National Park.
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Boat Trip on the Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon

A trip amongst the icebergs is unforgettable and the photographic opportunities are endless.

Spend the day exploring the sweeping fjords of the east coast and the delightful fishing villages of Djupavogur and Seydisfjordur. Overnight in the nearby town of Egilsstadir.

Continue to the Myvatn region; with a possible visit enroute to Iceland’s highest farm with a cafe and turf buildings at Modrudalur. Visit the relaxing Nature Baths (the north’s answer to the Blue Lagoon) or venture up to the pretty village at Husavik and experience a thrilling whale watching trip on an old fishing boat.

Optional Experiences

Myvatn Nature Baths

Soak in milky-blue geothermal waters whilst taking in the magical views of the area around Lake Myvatn in north east Iceland.
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Husavik Whale Watching Boat Trip 

Husavik, in North East Iceland, is recognised as 'Europe’s Whale Watching Capital' and is also home to the fascinating Whale Museum.
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Forest Lagoon

Relax in the sheltered waters of Iceland's newest geothermal pools

Drive across the northern countryside, famous for its horse breeding, and then south towards Husafell in the region of Borgarbyggd. Spend the night at Hotel Husafell, where you can expect excellent service, gourmet cuisine and comfortable rooms, surrounded by a mountainous landscape.

Optional Experiences

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Into the Glacier - Ice Cave in Langjokull

The Langjokull ice cave stretches 200-300 metres into Europe's second largest glacier. Exploring at about 30 metres below the surface you'll discover ice in multiple hues of blue and white, hundreds of years in the making.
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Krauma Geothermal Baths

Experience nature from its core by bathing in the geothermal baths at Krauma .

Drive back towards Keflavik, taking a detour to the Blue Lagoon to bathe in its soothing geothermal waters (pre booking essential), before dropping off the vehicle at the airport and taking the afternoon flight home.

Optional Experiences

Blue Lagoon

Take a dip in the naturally heated waters of the award-winning Blue Lagoon, one of Iceland’s premier attractions.

Prices & departures

What's Included

  • Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom

  • Daily breakfast

  • Car rental throughout with unlimited mileage

  • No charge for additional driver

  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday

  • No surcharge guarantee

  • Full financial protection

From £1206 Excluding Flights

7 Nights

May-Sep

Prices are per person based upon 2 sharing, subject to availability. Your Travel Specialist will confirm the exact price based upon your tailored requirements, inclusions, and travel dates.

Our holiday prices exclude flights. Why? Because we want to offer you the best value, tailored to your needs. Flight prices and offers change daily, so when you’re ready to book, we’ll provide a bespoke quote based on the best options from your local airport. This way, you’ll always get the most up-to-date pricing and the flexibility to choose what works best for you.

Make this trip yours

Every trip you see here can be adapted to suit you using inside-out knowledge to create one-off experiences created just for you.

Eric in Norway
Eric
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Successful whale watching trips

We create holidays that are as individual as you are. And we’ve been doing it for 40 years, crafting each and every holiday using our in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm for our destinations. Whatever your brief, we’ll create an amazing trip for you to get excited about. That might mean adapting one of our existing itineraries or we’ll build you one from scratch. 

Experts with real experience