Journey to the Centre of the Earth
from £765 excluding flights
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Highlights
Explore Snaefellsnes Peninsula’s stunning coast and volcanoes
See the black-sand beaches and waterfalls on the South Coast
Experience the ice wonders of Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon
See the natural treasures of Iceland’s iconic Golden Circle route
Walk to Svartifoss waterfall in Vatnajokull National Park
Stroll along black-sand beaches at Vik
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
Nordic Heritage
With over 37 years of experience in creating trips to Nordics we know this region inside out
Overview
In Jules Verne’s classic sci-fi novel you could descend into Iceland's Snaefellsjokull volcano, meet a few dinosaurs and remerge at the surface through Italy's Stromboli volcano. We can't quite match that adventure. But on this blockbuster self-drive, you’ll still witness the legendary Snaefellsnes Peninsula – and add your very own riveting chapter on the South Coast.
Fact not fiction
Professor Otto Lidenbrock missed the point. Instead of attempting a Journey to the Centre of the Earth he should have focused on the natural wonders outside – not inside – Snaefellsjokull. This weeklong self-drive not only loops around the 1,446m-high volcano (which last erupted 1,800 years ago), but it also takes you to the surreal black-pebble beach of Djupalonssandur and the wave-gnawed cliffs and sea arches at Arnarstapi. The Snaefellsnes Peninsula has everything from forbidding cinder plains and troll-like sea stacks to friendly fishing villages and elusive Arctic foxes. You really couldn’t make it up.
The plot thickens...
The second chapter in this self-drive is packed with natural wonders in South Iceland. Another famous volcano (Eyjafjallajokull) is a looming presence as you drive along the South Coast. Iconic waterfalls like Skogafoss pour over ancient sea cliffs, while icebergs drift in the mirror-calm of Jokulsarlon lagoon. And that’s not the end of the story. Driving between the South Coast and Snaefellsnes Peninsula you will also be able to visit the Golden Circle and hike to the mighty Glymur falls
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 arrive Iceland
Fly to Keflavik and collect your rental vehicle. Drive to Reykjavik for an overnight stay, perhaps taking a dip in the world-famous Blue Lagoon en route (at additional cost - pre-booking required).
Fly to Keflavik and collect your rental vehicle. Drive to Reykjavik for an overnight stay, perhaps taking a dip in the world-famous Blue Lagoon en route (at additional cost - pre-booking required).
Day 2 Reykjavik - Skaftafell
Head east over Hellisheidi, past the greenhouse village of Hveragerdi to two of Iceland's best known waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. Visit the Skogar Museum or drive to Reynishverfi and stroll along a volcanic sand beach, backed by impressive basalt columns. Cross the eerie, moss-clad lava field Eldhraun, the biggest lava field in Iceland formed in 1783 after the Laki eruption and continue east to Skaftafell. Be sure to take a walk up to the nearby lake of Systravatn, view the delightful waterfall Systrafoss and the eroded basalt columns of Kirkjugolfid. This day involves a long drive along Iceland's South coast from Reykjavik to Skaftafell but offers plenty of interesting sightseeing spots on the way. Spend two nights at Hotel Skaftafell.
Head east over Hellisheidi, past the greenhouse village of Hveragerdi to two of Iceland's best known waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. Visit the Skogar Museum or drive to Reynishverfi and stroll along a volcanic sand beach, backed by impressive basalt columns. Cross the eerie, moss-clad lava field Eldhraun, the biggest lava field in Iceland formed in 1783 after the Laki eruption and continue east to Skaftafell. Be sure to take a walk up to the nearby lake of Systravatn, view the delightful waterfall Systrafoss and the eroded basalt columns of Kirkjugolfid. This day involves a long drive along Iceland's South coast from Reykjavik to Skaftafell but offers plenty of interesting sightseeing spots on the way. Spend two nights at Hotel Skaftafell.
Day 3 exploring Skaftafell
Take a hike to either the tip of the Skaftafellsjokull glacier tongue, or Svartifoss, a beautiful waterfall framed by basalt columns. In the afternoon visit the stunning glacial lagoon Jokulsarlon.
Take a hike to either the tip of the Skaftafellsjokull glacier tongue, or Svartifoss, a beautiful waterfall framed by basalt columns. In the afternoon visit the stunning glacial lagoon Jokulsarlon.
Day 4 Skaftafell - Geysir
Make your way back along the south coast past Myrdalsjokull and Dyrholaey with its spectacular rock arch. Visit the Thjorsadalur Valley, including the reconstructed farm at Stong, which dates from the Viking period, and finally Mount Hekla. Spend one night in Geysir at Litli Geysir Hotel in the heart of the Golden Circle or Hotel Ork in Hveragerdi.
Make your way back along the south coast past Myrdalsjokull and Dyrholaey with its spectacular rock arch. Visit the Thjorsadalur Valley, including the reconstructed farm at Stong, which dates from the Viking period, and finally Mount Hekla. Spend one night in Geysir at Litli Geysir Hotel in the heart of the Golden Circle or Hotel Ork in Hveragerdi.
Day 5 Geysir - Snaefellsnes
A day to explore three of Iceland's best-known natural wonders: the Geysir hot springs area, mighty Gullfoss and Thingvellir National Park for a walk around the ancient assembly site. After, continue north towards the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in West Iceland and if you wish to in the summer, take the scenic route around the edge of Hvalfjordur to visit Glymur waterfall. Spend three nights at Fransiskus Hotel in Stykkisholmur, a delightful harbour town with a strikingly modern church, and take a stroll to its connected island, Sugandisey, or stay at Hellnar on the southern coast of the Snaefellsnes peninsula.
A day to explore three of Iceland's best-known natural wonders: the Geysir hot springs area, mighty Gullfoss and Thingvellir National Park for a walk around the ancient assembly site. After, continue north towards the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in West Iceland and if you wish to in the summer, take the scenic route around the edge of Hvalfjordur to visit Glymur waterfall. Spend three nights at Fransiskus Hotel in Stykkisholmur, a delightful harbour town with a strikingly modern church, and take a stroll to its connected island, Sugandisey, or stay at Hellnar on the southern coast of the Snaefellsnes peninsula.
Excursions
Enhance your holiday by pre-booking a selection of excursions and activities. View or download the pdf below and then talk to our Travel Specialists about how best to fit these into your holiday.
Prices and Departures
Price from £765 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun - Aug 2020 | 7 nights | B - VW Golf | £1,127 |
| Jun - Aug 2020 | 7 nights | D - Skoda Octavia (4WD) | £1,256 |
| Jun - Aug 2020 | 7 nights | G - Toyota Rav4 | £1,452 |
| Sep 2020 | 7 nights | B - VW Golf | £941 |
| Sep 2020 | 7 nights | D - Skoda Octavia (4WD) | £1,025 |
| Sep 2020 | 7 nights | G - Toyota Rav4 | £1,115 |
| Oct 2020 | 7 nights | D - Skoda Octavia (4WD) | £834 |
| Oct 2020 | 7 nights | G - Toyota Rav4 | £937 |
| Nov 2020 - Apr 2021 | 7 nights | D - Skoda Octavia (4WD) | £765 |
| Nov 2020 - Apr 2021 | 7 nights | G - Toyota Rav4 | £883 |
| May 2021 | 7 nights | B - VW Golf | £883 |
| May 2021 | 7 nights | D - Skoda Octavia (4WD) | £972 |
| May 2021 | 7 nights | G - Toyota Rav4 | £1,066 |
| Jun - Aug 2021 | 7 nights | B - VW Golf | £1,181 |
| Jun - Aug 2021 | 7 nights | D - Skoda Octavia (4WD) | £1,316 |
| Jun - Aug 2021 | 7 nights | G - Toyota Rav4 | £1,522 |
| Sep 2021 | 7 nights | B - VW Golf | £982 |
| Sep 2021 | 7 nights | D - Skoda Octavia (4WD) | £1,070 |
| Sep 2021 | 7 nights | G - Toyota Rav4 | £1,164 |
Choice of Vehicles
We offer a wide 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
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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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