Highlands and Lowlands

Highlands and Lowlands
from £2,506 excluding flights
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Highlights

Experience the wild beauty of the Highlands including Askja and Landmannalaugar

Hike in the East Fjords and Vatnajokull National Park

Drive a 4WD vehicle on the Sprengisandur Route

Discover pseudo-craters and mud pools at Lake Myvatn

Take a soak in the hot river at Laugarvalladalur

Experience the ice wonders of Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon
Why this trip...

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

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

Off-the-beaten-track
This holiday showcases places and experiences away from the usual tourist routes
Overview
Iceland’s main roads are perfect for touring in any vehicle, but get behind the wheel of a 4WD and suddenly the whole interior opens up for you. This exciting two-week self-drive combines popular spots on the Ring Road, like the South Coast and Lake Myvatn, with offbeat trails through the Highlands, including the epic Sprengisandur Route and the legendary drive to Askja.
Driving in Iceland’s Highlands
You will have plenty of time to become familiar with your high-clearance 4WD vehicle before tackling F26 – the Sprengisandur – a 244km track which traverses Iceland, crossing a barren volcanic plateau between the icecaps of Hofsjokull and Vatnajokull. After exploring the area around Lake Myvatn, you will once more head inland, passing Herdubreid (Queen of the Mountains), fording rivers and weaving through lava fields to reach the flooded caldera of Askja. Another 4WD adventure takes you from Skaftafell to spectacular Landmannalaugar – famed for its hot springs and colourful rhyolite mountains.
Taking the smooth with the rough
You won’t spend all your time bumping through volcanic deserts. This trip also includes gentle touring through the East Fjords and the South Coast, as well as plenty of opportunities for parking the car and enjoying a hike – whether it’s a gentle stroll to a puffin colony or waterfall, or a more challenging glacier hike.
Itinerary
The itinerary shown is an example of this self-drive holiday. We have many other hotels and route recommendations which can be tailored to your requirements. Please discuss with our Travel Specialists who can put together a bespoke itinerary for you.
Day 1 Keflavik - Hveragerdi
Fly to Keflavik Airport and collect your 4WD rental vehicle before setting off to explore the Reykjanes Peninsula – a hauntingly beautiful landscape of lava flows, volcanic craters, tectonic rifts, hot springs and rugged shore. Continuing east, you’ll reach the fascinating geothermal town of Hveragerdi where you will be based for the following three nights at Hotel Ork.
Fly to Keflavik Airport and collect your 4WD rental vehicle before setting off to explore the Reykjanes Peninsula – a hauntingly beautiful landscape of lava flows, volcanic craters, tectonic rifts, hot springs and rugged shore. Continuing east, you’ll reach the fascinating geothermal town of Hveragerdi where you will be based for the following three nights at Hotel Ork.
Day 2 explore the Golden Circle
Enjoy a leisurely day exploring three of Iceland’s most famous natural wonders: the twin-tiered waterfall of Gullfoss, the Geysir geothermal site and Thingvellir National Park – an extraordinary site that showcases both Iceland’s ancient parliament and the continental rift between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Part of this rift (the Silfra fissure) is flooded with crystal-clear glacial water, forming one of the world’s most unusual and unforgettable dive sites. Optional guided tours, either snorkelling or diving, are available, with all equipment (including drysuits) provided. At nearby Fludir, meanwhile, you can gently poach yourself in the geothermal waters of the Secret Lagoon.
Enjoy a leisurely day exploring three of Iceland’s most famous natural wonders: the twin-tiered waterfall of Gullfoss, the Geysir geothermal site and Thingvellir National Park – an extraordinary site that showcases both Iceland’s ancient parliament and the continental rift between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Part of this rift (the Silfra fissure) is flooded with crystal-clear glacial water, forming one of the world’s most unusual and unforgettable dive sites. Optional guided tours, either snorkelling or diving, are available, with all equipment (including drysuits) provided. At nearby Fludir, meanwhile, you can gently poach yourself in the geothermal waters of the Secret Lagoon.



Day 3 explore the South Coast or Thorsmork
You have a couple of options for today’s adventure. A drive along the South Coast is rewarded with a procession of amazing sights, from the breathtaking waterfalls of Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss (not forgetting the far-less-visited, but absolutely stunning cascade known as Gljufrafoss) to the black-sand beach of Reynisfjara and seabird cliffs of Dyrholaey. The coast road also skirts the southern flank of Eyjafjallajokull (there’s an excellent visitor centre dedicated to the infamous eruption) and provides easy access to the Solheimajokull glacier where you can join an optional guided hike amongst its crevasses and ice caves.
Not far from the waterfall of Seljalandsfoss, a gravel road loops behind Eyjafjallajokull, probing the Highlands to reach the hidden valley of Thorsmork. We strongly recommend, however, that you join a guided superjeep tour to reach this spectacular destination, and not attempt the tricky river crossings yourself.
You have a couple of options for today’s adventure. A drive along the South Coast is rewarded with a procession of amazing sights, from the breathtaking waterfalls of Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss (not forgetting the far-less-visited, but absolutely stunning cascade known as Gljufrafoss) to the black-sand beach of Reynisfjara and seabird cliffs of Dyrholaey. The coast road also skirts the southern flank of Eyjafjallajokull (there’s an excellent visitor centre dedicated to the infamous eruption) and provides easy access to the Solheimajokull glacier where you can join an optional guided hike amongst its crevasses and ice caves.
Not far from the waterfall of Seljalandsfoss, a gravel road loops behind Eyjafjallajokull, probing the Highlands to reach the hidden valley of Thorsmork. We strongly recommend, however, that you join a guided superjeep tour to reach this spectacular destination, and not attempt the tricky river crossings yourself.
Day 4 Hvergerdi - Sprengisandur Highland route - Lake Myvatn
Originally used as a horse trail between North Iceland and the ancient midsummer assembly at Thingvellir, the Sprengisandur route is the setting for today’s adventurous drive, traversing the volcanic desert of the Highlands. Travelling through the interior of Iceland, you’ll experience the wide-open horizons and rugged scenery of this remote, uninhabited region. Reaching the north, and returning to the surfaced main road, stop to admire Godafoss waterfall before heading to the Lake Myvatn area for a three-night stay at Guesthouse Dimmuborgir allowing plenty of time to immerse yourself in the collection of natural wonders known as the Diamond Circle.
Originally used as a horse trail between North Iceland and the ancient midsummer assembly at Thingvellir, the Sprengisandur route is the setting for today’s adventurous drive, traversing the volcanic desert of the Highlands. Travelling through the interior of Iceland, you’ll experience the wide-open horizons and rugged scenery of this remote, uninhabited region. Reaching the north, and returning to the surfaced main road, stop to admire Godafoss waterfall before heading to the Lake Myvatn area for a three-night stay at Guesthouse Dimmuborgir allowing plenty of time to immerse yourself in the collection of natural wonders known as the Diamond Circle.



Day 5 around Lake Myvatn
Spend the day exploring the kaleidoscope of volcanic and geothermal sites around this glorious freshwater lake (a natural wonder in itself thanks to the profusion of wildfowl, waders and divers that nest around its shores). Driving around the area, you will be able to visit Krafla volcano with its explosion crater and vast lava fields. At Namafjall you can see (and smell) fumaroles and bubbling mud pits. Pseudocraters, lava caves, basalt pillars, sulphrous hot springs and tephra cones can also be found around Lake Myvatn. After a day of volcanic shenanigans, treat yourself to an (optional) dip in the Nature Baths – an open-air geothermal lagoon with wonderful views across the lake.
Spend the day exploring the kaleidoscope of volcanic and geothermal sites around this glorious freshwater lake (a natural wonder in itself thanks to the profusion of wildfowl, waders and divers that nest around its shores). Driving around the area, you will be able to visit Krafla volcano with its explosion crater and vast lava fields. At Namafjall you can see (and smell) fumaroles and bubbling mud pits. Pseudocraters, lava caves, basalt pillars, sulphrous hot springs and tephra cones can also be found around Lake Myvatn. After a day of volcanic shenanigans, treat yourself to an (optional) dip in the Nature Baths – an open-air geothermal lagoon with wonderful views across the lake.
Excursions
Enhance your holiday by pre-booking a selection of excursions and activities. View or download the pdf and then talk to our Travel Specialists about how best to fit these into your holiday.
Open Excursions PDFPrices and Departures
Price from £2,506 excluding flights
Airfares are quoted separately to the holiday price and start from around £250 per person with Icelandair (with higher fares during peak times). When enquiring, our Travel Specialists will provide the best fare possible from your preferred airline / airport.
What's Included
- Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
- Daily breakfast
- Car rental throughout with unlimited mileage
- No charge for additional driver
- Exclusive use of iDiscover App
- 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 for other combinations of passengers and rooms available on request. Other vehicle types also available.
Departure | Duration | Car Category | Twin Price |
---|---|---|---|
Jul - Aug 2021 | 14 nights | F - Suzuki Vitara | £2,506 |
Jul - Aug 2021 | 14 nights | G - Toyota Rav4 | £3,103 |
Choice of Vehicles
We offer a range of rental vehicles for this holiday provided by the local Europcar franchise. Our long-standing relationship with them means that our clients enjoy many exclusive benefits including priority on the newest and best appointed vehicles available on the day.Meet our expert

One of our specialists
Meet Alex1 Icelandic canyon jumped off
4 Geothermal pools bathed in
12 Shots of Brenivin drunk
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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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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.
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