National Parks and Natural Wonders
Overview
Take two points in Iceland – Reykjavik in the southwest and Akureyri in the north. Start at either one and join the dots in-between. The result: a stunning 10-night self-drive through a succession of scenic wonders. Thingvellir and Vatnajokull national parks are the stars of this free-spirited odyssey, but you’ll also visit natural beauties like the East Fjords and Lake Myvatn.
Highlights
- Straddle two continents at Thingvellir National Park
- See Europe’s largest glacier outside the Arctic at Vatnajokull National Park
- Witness the Strokkur geyser erupt 20m high (every 6-10 minutes)
- Discover pseudo-craters and mud pools at Lake Myvatn
- Drive the spectacular coast road in the East Fjords
- Tick off a long list of famous Icelandic waterfalls
- See even more with our exclusive iDiscover digital travel guide
What's Included
- Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
- Daily breakfast
- Car rental throughout
- 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
Full description
Iceland’s all-action national parks
Vatnajokull covers no less than 13% of Iceland. Much of it is frozen wilderness. Scaling the Vatnajokull icecap by superjeep or cruising through the icebergs at Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon are two of the optional activities available on this trip. You can also go glacier walking or snowmobiling. Thingvellir National Park, meanwhile, is not only a superb hiking spot, but you can also snorkel or dive in the flooded Silfra fissure at the margin between the Eurasian and North American plates.
Non-stop natural wonders
They come thick and fast on this trip. You’ll lose count of the waterfalls (Gullfoss, Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, Svartifoss, Hengifoss and Dettifoss are just the famous ones). There’s wildlife too: seabirds on the Vopnafjordur coast; reindeer in the East Fjords and whales in the north. You’ll see volcanic wonders at Lake Myvatn: steaming lava flows, seething mud pits and explosion craters. And you’ll even see trees (a rarity in Iceland) when you delve into the birch forest of Hallormsstadur. Geysers, fjords, canyons, glaciers, volcanoes, black-sand beaches ... Iceland is, in fact, just one big natural wonder.
This holiday includes a domestic flight between Reykjavik and Akureyri. It’s up to you whether you want to start your self-drive in Reykjavik and fly back to the capital from Akureyri, or fly to Akureyri first and do the itinerary in reverse. Alternatively, you can extend your trip and drive between the two.
Prices & Dates *
Airfares are quoted separately to the holiday price and start from around £120 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2020 | 10 nights | B - VW Golf | £1,432 |
| May 2020 | 10 nights | D - Skoda Octavia (4WD) | £1,537 |
| May 2020 | 10 nights | F - Suzuki Vitara | £1,614 |
| Jun - Aug 2020 | 10 nights | B - VW Golf | £1,855 |
| Jun - Aug 2020 | 10 nights | D - Skoda Octavia (4WD) | £1,968 |
| Jun - Aug 2020 | 10 nights | F - Suzuki Vitara | £2,090 |
| Sep 2020 | 10 nights | B - VW Golf | £1,390 |
| Sep 2020 | 10 nights | D - Skoda Octavia (4WD) | £1,495 |
| Sep 2020 | 10 nights | F - Suzuki Vitara | £1,572 |
What's Included
- Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
- Daily breakfast
- Car rental throughout
- 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 »
What's Not Included
- Domestic flight to Akureyri
Itinerary & Accommodation
Itinerary & Accommodation
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 - Blue Lagoon - Reykjavik
Fly to Keflavik, transfer to the city and overnight in Reykjavik. If you have time why not visit the Blue lagoon enroute (prebooking essential).
Overnight at Hotel Cabin.
Day 2: Reykjavik - Akureyri - Myvatn
Transfer on your own (5-10 mins taxi ride, payable locally) to Reykjavik City Airport for midday flight to Akureyri, then collect rental vehicle at the airport. Explore this quaint northern town located almost at the head of Eyjafjordur then drive to Myvatn, making a detour at picturesque Godafoss for a photo stop. Spend two nights at Lake Myvatn.
Overnight at Guesthouse Dimmuborgir.
Day 3: Lake Myvatn
Spend the day exploring 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).
Overnight at Guesthouse Dimmuborgir.
Day 4: Lake Myvatn - Vopnafjordur
Visit the Jokulsa Canyon National Park and explore its gorges and waterfalls, including a possible visit to the immense waterfall Dettifoss. Continue to Vopnafjordur for an overnight stay.
Overnight at Hotel Tangi.
Day 5: Vopnafjordur - Egilsstadir
Drive the 4x4 track to view the monumental basalt columns and sea birds on Langanes, a lonely windswept peninsula or visit the remote village of Raufarhofn. Return through Vopnafjordur and travel to Egilsstadir for an overnight stay.
Overnight at Hotel Eyvindará.
Day 6: Egilsstadir - Breiddalsvik
Spend the day enjoying the sweeping fjords of the east coast until you reach Breiddalsvik, where you will spend the night in the area.
Overnight at Hotel Framtid.
Day 7: Breiddalsvik- Skaftafell
In the morning, set off to the charming village of Djupivogur. After this begin your journey south, where one eye-catching view follows another on the drive through the fjords to Hofn, a fishing port at the foot of Europe’s largest icecap, Vatnajokull. Travel around the base of the icecap, in sight of its many breathtaking glaciers. One has receded, forming a huge lagoon, where icebergs lie adrift - this is Jokulsarlon. Take a boat trip (at additional cost) and head over to the beach to watch as they drift out to sea. Overnight in the area.
Overnight at Hotel Skaftafell.
Days 8: Skaftafell - Klaustur
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 (boat trips are prebookable - contact us for further details). Perhaps take an optional snowmobile trip on Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajokull. Continue to Kirkjubaeklaustur for an overnight stay.
Overnight at Hotel Klaustur.
Day 9: Klaustur - Vik - Hveragerdi
Journey along the south coast, visit the fascinating Skogar Folk Museum and the thundering falls, Skogafoss. Don’t miss the walk behind Seljalandsfoss and look out through its curtain of cascading water. Spend two nights in Hveragerdi.
Overnight at Hotel Ork.
Day 10: Golden Circle
Explore the natural wonders on the famed Golden Circle route: the tectonic rift in the earth's crust at Thingvellir, the thundering falls of Gullfoss and the bubbling Geysir geothermal area.
Overnight at Hotel Ork.
Day 11: depart Iceland
Drive back to Keflavik, drop off rental vehicle at the airport and catch the flight back home
Please note this itinerary may be booked in reverse ie. starting with the south coast and returning via a flight from Akureyri to Reykjavik. You may also prefer to extend your trip slightly and drive to or from Akureyri - call us to discuss your options and for a tailor made quote.
Hotel Cabin, Reykjavik
Iceland
Grade: Standard
Type: Hotel
Superb value for your money, this 252-room hotel is for guests looking for simple yet comfortable accommodation.
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Dimmuborgir Guesthouse, Myvatn
Iceland
Grade: Standard
Type: Guesthouse B&B
In a peaceful location on the banks of lake Myvatn, the guesthouse offers accommodation in…
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Sel Hotel Myvatn
Iceland
Grade: Standard
Type: Hotel
Sel Hotel Myvatn is the ideal base for experiencing the wonders of Lake Myvatn and its surroundings, with 58 smartly-furnished rooms situated on the southern shores of the lake.
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Hotel Blafell, Breiddalsvik
Iceland
Grade: Standard
Type: Hotel
Hotel Blafell is a cosy hotel situated in the charming village of Breiddalsvik at the…
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Lake Hotel, Egilsstadir
Iceland
Grade: Superior
Type: Hotel
Located on the shores of Lake Logurinn, this newly renovated hotel offers 50 unique and beautifully appointed rooms.
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Icelandair Hotel Herad
Iceland
Grade: Standard
Type: Hotel
Located in the heart of East Iceland's thriving capital of Egilsstadir, Icelandair Hotel Herad offers 60 well-appointed rooms that are both conveniently located and picturesque.
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Hotel Skaftafell
Iceland
Grade: Standard
Type: Hotel
The Hotel Skaftafell makes an ideal stopping off point for excursions into the park, out onto the glacier and to the area's iconic waterfalls.
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Hotel Ork, Hveragerdi
Iceland
Grade: Standard
Type: Hotel
Found 45km east of Reykjavik in the 'greenhouse village' of Hveragerdi, this hotel offers 85 spacious, en suite rooms.
Discover MoreExcursions
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.
Other Information
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.
Alternatively, consider renting a motorhome and use this itinerary as a route outline. You'll have complete flexibility on where you overnight.
iDiscover Digital App
Our next generation iDiscover app is here! Free to download for all Iceland holiday bookings before you travel, iDiscover is our innovative and exclusive digital travel guide that has been designed by us to enhance your holiday experience and to allow you to use your own smart device whilst on holiday. Personalised with your full itinerary, this easy-to-use app is packed with useful features such as a guide of must-see sites, local hikes and places to eat that you can add to you daily itinerary.
Find a holiday idea or suggested itinerary that inspires you, then send an enquiry or call us
Your dedicated travel specialist will create a quote based on your preferences
Together we’ll refine your itinerary until you’re happy and ready to book
From the moment you book until you return home we’re here for you no matter what
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