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Iceland Odyssey

from £2177 excluding flights

  • 15 nights
  • May-Sep
Home Destinations Nordic Europe Iceland Iceland Odyssey
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Highlights

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See the black-sand beaches and waterfalls on the South Coast

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Experience the ice wonders of Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon

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Discover pseudo-craters and mud pools at Lake Myvatn

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Spot humpback whales on a boat trip from Husavik

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Venture to the less-explored West Fjords spotting puffins at Latrabjarg

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Explore Snaefellsnes Peninsula’s stunning coast and volcanoes

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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Explore at leisure

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

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Nordic Heritage

With over 38 years of experience in creating trips to Nordics we know this region inside out

Overview

With 15 nights to lavish on a self-drive itinerary, we’ve devised a rather special holiday. Our Iceland Odyssey not only encircles the country, taking you on a breathtaking journey along the South Coast, through the East Fjords and over-the-top to Lake Myvatn, but it also probes the wild and wonderful West Fjords and stunning Snaefellsnes Peninsula. The ultimate Iceland odyssey.

Our most comprehensive itinerary

Iceland is like a box of chocolates. It’s sometimes hard to choose between the strawberry cream and the hazelnut caramel. But with our chock-a-block Iceland Odyssey itinerary, you can scoff the lot. Everyone’s favourite is included in this mouthwatering self-drive, from the ice-spectacular of Vatnajokull National Park to the irresistible West Fjords and classic Golden Circle.

Time to linger

This is not a mad dash around Iceland. The itinerary is paced to allow you to soak up the views, enjoy hikes and optional activities like snowmobiling and whale watching, relax in geothermal pools and get to know the friendly and welcoming Icelandic people. You’ll also have iDiscover. Over 30 years of our experience in Iceland has gone into this snazzy interactive guide. It’s just another way of ensuring that you have an unforgettable holiday.

Itinerary

Fly to Keflavik, collect rental vehicle and head off through stunning scenery to Hveragerdi for a two night stay at Hotel Ork.

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.

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Continue around the south coast, stopping no doubt many times to 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 (prebookable – 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 (perhaps walk the path to the top). Explore the Reynisfjara pebble beach with its caves and basalt formations. Investigate the bird cliffs at Dyrholaey and walk along its black sand beach (closed until 25th June so as not to disturb nesting birds). Continue east past Vik, driving through the rather curious looking, grass-covered lava fields at Eldhraun. Two nights at Hotel Skaftafell.

You will be spoilt for choice today as there is much to see and do in the area: walking in the Skaftafell area of Vatnajokull National Park; discovering the Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon with its immense icebergs (boat trips are prebookable – contact us for further details). Perhaps take an optional snowmobile trip on Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajokull – to name but a few options!

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Further east, located in the coastal village of Breiddalsvik for an overnight stay at Hotel Bláfell.

Spend the day enjoying the sweeping fjords of the east coast, including birdlife-rich Djupivogur, where you might want to take a look at the 34 enormous granite eggs along the shoreline, representing the number of bird species that nest in the area. The road winds high into the clouds before dropping down into the town of Egilsstadir. Overnight at Lake Hotel.

Lake Hotel, Egilsstadir

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lake hotel exterior egilsstadir

Located on the shores of Lake Logurinn, this newly renovated hotel offers 50 unique and beautifully appointed rooms.

Read more

Continue to the Myvatn region; with a possible visit en route to Iceland’s highest farm with a cafe and turf buildings at Modrudalur. Spend two nights at Sel Hotel Myvatn.

Close to the northern shores of the lake where you will have plenty of time to explore the area and its volcanic wonders. Visit the relaxing Nature Baths (the north’s answer to the Blue Lagoon), grab a snack at milking time at the Cowshed Cafe, take a hike at Dimmuborgir or venture up to the pretty village at Husavik and experience a thrilling whale watching trip on an old fishing boat (prebookable – contact us for details).

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Drive to Akureyri, Iceland’s “capital of the north” is a peaceful, laid back town set amongst snow capped mountains, on the edge of one of the country’s longest fjords. It is home to a host of trendy cafes, the world’s most northerly botanical gardens and several museums, and is well worth a visit before the long journey west, through sheep and horse country, to the Hvammstangi area. Overnight at Hotel Laugarbakki.

Drive along the spectacular Strandir coast to Drangsnes. Overnight at Malarhorn Guesthouse.

Continue deep into the West Fjords taking the road that follows the water’s edge to Sudureyri, almost at the westernmost tip of the Westfjords. Should you wish to stay an extra night here then there are plenty of activities to keep you occupied; from day hikes to fishing and kayak tours (prebookable – contact our team). Overnight at Fisherman Hotel.

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Travel down along the northwest coast of the region, with stunning views as you cross over the mountaintops of the fjords to your hotel, near to the bird cliffs at Latrabjarg, the westernmost point in Iceland and a must-see for bird watchers. Early evenings are often the best time to visit this area. Overnight at Fosshotel Westfjords.

Drive to Brjanslaekur and take a ferry (3 hrs) across Breidarfjordur Bay to the dramatic Snaefellsnes Peninsula. You may wish to consider adding an extra night and staying on the tiny island of Flatey (the ferry stops here en route, however vehicles are not permitted on the island and they will be transported to the harbour at Stykkisholmur ready for you to collect the following day). Two nights at Fosshotel Hellnar.

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Time to explore the volcanic landscape of Snaefellsnes including a drive around the impressive glacier, a visit to the sea stacks at Arnarstapi and the pretty fishing villages sheltered by colourful looming mountains and interspersed by sweeping lava fields.

On the final leg of the odyssey, drive south to Reykjavik, taking in the sights of Borgarfjordur including the beautiful Hraunsfossar falls spilling out from underneath the lava, the island’s most productive hot spring at Deildatunguhver and the fascinating Settlement Centre at Borganes (entry payable locally). Overnight at in Reykjavik.

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Depart Reykjavik for the airport. Time-permitting, perhaps taking a final dip in the relaxing waters of the Blue Lagoon (prebooking essential) before dropping off the rental vehicle at the airport and catch your flight home.

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.
  • fosshotel hellnar superior room
  • lake hotel egilsstadir exterior
  • fosshotel westfjords dining

Prices and Departures

Price from £2177 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 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 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 15 nights B - VW Golf £2,097
Jun - Aug 15 nights B - VW Golf £2,771
Sep 15 nights B - VW Golf £2,163

* 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.