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iceland north east namaskard hverarond rth

Circle Iceland in a Week

From £1253

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 Earth Lagoon 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

Definitely one to book in advance, the Secret Lagoon is Iceland’s oldest swimming pool, built in 1891. Fed by the mineral-rich waters of Litli Geysir, the simple yet serene outdoor lagoon is a constant 38-40°C and is naturally replenished every 24 hours.

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

Located in the heart of Thingvellir National Park, the flooded canyon of the Silfra fissure offers an otherworldly and unforgettable snorkelling experience between two continents as you swim through crystal-clear waters at the junction of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

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

Located in Hvolsvollur, this high-tech, interactive exhibition vividly portrays the natural forces that have created and shaped Iceland over the last 20 million years. As well as learning about the Katla Geopark, you can watch live monitoring of Iceland’s active seismic sites.

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 

With an experienced guide at the wheel, this Superjeep tour will take your breath away as you climb high into the mountains to reach Europe’s largest glacier. The views (and photo opportunities) of 8,100km² Vatnajokull and the Sultartungugil glacier valley are simply mind-blowing.

Snowmobiling on Vatnajokull Glacier

Easy to get the hang of, snowmobiles offer an adrenaline-charged ride across Europe’s largest glacier. Departing just east of Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon, you’ll be geared up with polar suits and helmets, and given a full briefing by your guide.
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Blue Ice Experience

Walk on Svinafellsjokull Glacier Tongue in Skaftafell National Reserve part of Vatnajokull National Park.

Boat Trip on the Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon

Cruise in an amphibious boat among the giant blue icebergs trapped in Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon. During the 30 to 40-minute ride, you’ll learn about the geology of the region and even get to taste the 1,000-year-old ice.

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 Earth Lagoon (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

Earth Lagoon

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

A four-hour tour from Husafell, this unforgettable experience takes you on foot into the blue heart of the Langjokull glacier. After riding a snow truck onto the ice cap, you’ll follow tunnels hundreds of metres into a frozen subterranean world of 1,000-year-old ice.
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Krauma Geothermal Baths

Europe’s most powerful hot spring – Deildartunguhver – has been harnessed at Krauma to create a stunning geothermal retreat with five warm baths and one cold, two saunas, a relaxation room with an open fire and a restaurant serving local farm produce.

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

The Blue Lagoon is, quite simply, a rite of passage for anyone visiting Iceland – and with a pre-booked ticket, we’ll get you into those soothing naturally-heated, mineral-rich waters in no time at all. Ask us about adding a super-indulgent spa ritual to your experience.

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 £1253 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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Countries visited

4

Shooting stars with northern lights

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