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Fly, Drive and Hike

from £1807 excluding flights

  • 14 nights
  • May-Sep
Home Destinations Nordic Europe Iceland Fly, Drive and Hike
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Highlights

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Stride out in spectacular scenery

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Discover pseudo-craters and mud pools at Lake Myvatn

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Explore Snaefellsnes Peninsula’s stunning coast and volcanoes

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Walk to Svartifoss waterfall in Vatnajokull National Park

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Join a guided hike in the rhyolite mountains of Borgarfjordur Eystri

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Walk the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at Thingvellir National Park

Why this trip...

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Tailor made

This itinerary can be tailor made to suit you and is intended to give you a guideline of what is possible in a given timeframe

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Well-researched route

We've put our years of experience into creating this well-paced itinerary that includes the places we know you'll enjoy

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Explore at leisure

With the route, transport and accommodation sorted, each day offers the freedom to explore

Overview

The title of this two-week self-drive says it all. Fly to Iceland (three hours from the UK). Drive around the Ring Road (an adventure in itself). Hike at spectacular locations including the East Fjords, Skaftafell, Lake Myvatn and Snaefellsnes. Perhaps we should have added ‘iDiscover’. Our digital travel guide will no doubt add an extra dimension to this superb summer trip.

Iceland’s Great Outdoors

Although you go full-circle on this holiday, it’s far more than a road trip. We’ve picked a handful of overnight stays from which you can get footloose and fancy-free on Iceland’s fantastic hiking trails. Hveragerdi, for example, is in countryside not far from Reykjavik and makes a great base for exploring nearby geothermal sites and the natural wonders of the Golden Circle. Skaftafell, meanwhile, puts you in a prime spot for hikes to the waterfalls and glaciers of the immense Vatnajokull National Park. It’s more a case of ‘stand-and-stare-in-awe’ at the nearby iceberg-filled lagoon of Jokulsarlon.

From East to West

Once you reach the East Fjords there’s a huge choice of walking trails – from a short amble to a puffin colony to a full-day hike in the Dyrfjoll Mountains, searching for trolls and reindeer. At Lake Myvatn in North Iceland, you can grapple with lava flows or stroll through a wooded canyon, while the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in West Iceland has dramatic coastal walks.

Itinerary

Arrive in Keflavik, collect your vehicle and drive to Hveragerdi, perhaps stop at the Blue Lagoon for a dip en route (pre booking essential). Spend three nights at Hotel Ork.

Marvel at the spectacular two-tiered waterfall Gullfoss, the fascinating Geysir geothermal area, where you can watch Strokkur erupting every few minutes, and the beautiful lake in Thingvellir National Park, site of the ancient assembly.

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The area above Hveragerði is covered in trails and hot springs, its hillside stained by volcanic salts and heathland plants. From here, there are inspiring views towards the coast in fine weather. Remember to take your swimming costume to bathe in the warm streams.

See the magnificent waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, stroll along the bird cliffs at Dyrholaey and walk through Fjadrargljufur canyon. Two nights at Hotel Skaftafell.

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Starting from the visitors centre, head first to the impressive Svartifoss, the dark falls, so named because of the black hexagonal basalt columns which surround it. Discover further spectacular glaciers, waterfalls and dramatic mountains in this beautiful part of Iceland.

Explore the Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon with its blue icebergs and drive along the coastal road visiting picturesque fishing villages in the colourful East Fjords. Overnight at Hotel Bláfell.

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Head past the main town of Egilsstadir along winding roads to the charming and remote Borgarfjordur Eystri your base for two nights.

Take an optional guided hike amongst the spectacular coloured rhyolite peaks offered by the hotel. Alternatively, relax and soak up the scenery in this peaceful hideaway location.

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Drive through a grey desert landscape to Jokulsagljufur National Park. It’s well worth going to see Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall, and enjoying a short hike in the wooded gorge of Asbyrgi before exploring the Hljodaklettar volcanic plugs. Two nights at Sel Hotel Mývatn.

There is a great choice of fantastic hiking routes around Lake Myvatn. Opt for the Krafla area, around the crater Viti and the mud pools of Namaskard. Or perhaps take in the Hverfjall crater, the Dimmuborgir lava formations, Grjotagja fissure and Skutustadir’s pseudocraters.

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Visit beautiful Godafoss en route to Akureyri. Hike to Hraunvatn Lake, set among glaciated mountains and continue west to the Skagafjordur region. Walk among the craters and lava flows of Berserkjahraun. Overnight at Hotel Laugarbakki.

Drive to the Snaefellsnes and spend the next two days exploring this magnificent peninsula. Overnight at Fosshotel Sykkisholmur.

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Take a coastal walk to Arnarstapi and view its rock arches, sea stacks and basalt columns. Explore the cliffs, coves and rock formations of Snaefellsnes National Park at the foot of the volcano and icecap.

Drive to Reykjavik for the last overnight stay. Overnight at Hotel Klettur.

Drive to Keflavik, return your hire car and depart on your flight.

Accommodation Options

We have selected properties for this holiday referenced in the itinerary. However, with a wide choice of accommodation in Iceland, we can mix and match different grades and styles to suit your personal preference – from hotels, farmstays and self-catering apartments to private villas and countryside properties.

Discuss your options with our Travel Specialists
  • south west ork superior
  • south west ork exterior
  • fosshotel hellnar superior room
  • hotel sel myvatn exterior

Prices and Departures

Price from £1807 excluding flights

Airfares vary widely and are quoted separately to the holiday price, starting from around £250pp return with Icelandair and British Airways, though may be lower with Play or EasyJet. We'll provide the best fare available at the time of enquiry, which tend to be cheaper the earlier you book.

UK Airports with flights direct to Iceland are Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Bristol, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh. We can also arrange flights from non-UK destinations. Discover more »

What's Included

  • Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
  • Daily breakfast
  • Car rental throughout on unlimited mileage
  • No charge for additional driver
  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
  • No surcharge guarantee
  • Full financial protection

From prices per person

Based on 2 sharing a room with private bathroom, including car hire. Prices may vary depending on departure date. Please contact us for a detailed quote based on your preferred travel dates, vehicle category and style of accommodation, or to tailor this itinerary.

Departure Duration Car Category* Twin Price
May 14 nights B - VW Golf £1,808
Jun - Aug 14 nights B - VW Golf £2,530
Sep 14 nights B - VW Golf £1,897

* Choice of Vehicles

We can offer a wide range of rental vehicles for this holiday – our team will be happy to talk you through the options and provide a quote for the most suitable category based on your individual requirements.

  • 4WD

    We would always recommend a 4WD for winter travel, but many clients also prefer the greater security and comfort that a larger vehicle provides year round – upgrade your vehicle from as little as £10 per person, per day.

  • Go electric

    With a selection of electric cars now available including the Kia Niro and Volkswagen ID.3, you can choose to upgrade from as little as £12 per person, per day. We recommend this option for summer only, due to the colder temperatures in winter affecting battery range.

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Tailor made trips

As independent destination specialists, we are able to tailor make holidays to suit you, be that customising the itineraries shown on this website or creating something bespoke.

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Travelling sustainably

We believe travel is about finding the right balance between minimising our impact on the environment and broadening minds through new experiences and cultural interaction.