Summer Nights at Ranga

Summer Nights at Ranga
from £572 excluding flights
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Highlights

Stay at riverside Hotel Ranga in the volcanic heart of Iceland

See the natural treasures of Iceland’s iconic Golden Circle route

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

Discover the legendary Thorsmork valley

Explore under the long days of the midnight sun

Relax in outdoor hot tubs after a day exploring
Why this trip...

Nordic Heritage
With over 37 years of experience in creating trips to Nordics we know this region inside out

Stay in great locations
This holiday features accommodation in incredible locations

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
Overview
Based in the heart of the south west's beautiful countryside, this 4-night self drive is a fabulous summer break in Iceland. What’s not to love about spending a few nights in a stylish country hotel, enjoying fine food and exploring some of Iceland’s most enigmatic natural wonders – bathed in the glow of the midnight sun? We've known and loved Hotel Ranga's supreme comfort and welcoming charm for many years.
Your place in the country
Drive 90 minutes from Reykjavik and you will find the luxury, ranch-style Hotel Ranga nuzzled by a river on the green plains of Southwest Iceland. You’ll be instantly struck by the peace and tranquility. Every room has a view of the river or towards Mt Hekla. Ranga is also renowned for its charming hospitality and superb food. Prepare to be wowed by seriously fresh seafood, mountain-reared lamb and a flavour explosion of Icelandic wild mushrooms, berries and herbs. You'll want to linger over dinner, but afterwards it will still be light during mid-summer thanks to the glow of the midnight sun. Time perhaps for a relaxing dip in one of Ranga’s outdoor hot tubs, enjoying the long, beautiful sunset?
Exploring nearby natural wonders
With the freedom of a rental car you will be able to make the most of the long summer days by exploring the Golden Circle and South Coast. Geysir, Thingvellir and the waterfalls of Gullfoss, Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss are all within easy reach. Optional activities range from horse riding to 4WD superjeep tours exploring the wild and beautiful Thorsmork valley deep in the Highlands. Ranga’s state-of-the-art solar telescope, meanwhile, provides an opportunity to observe the sun in glorious detail, studying sunspots and other features of the midnight sun.
Accommodation



Hotel Ranga, near Hella
This cosy riverside lodge offering four-star comfort and fine dining in the volcanic heart of rural Iceland. This outstanding property is ideal for long, indulgent days under the golden glow of the midnight sun and even has its own star-gazing observatory.
Ranga has 52 stylish rooms, including eight sumptuous junior and master suites themed on the continents, a traditional Icelandic Suite and a Royal Suite. The gourmet restaurant has one of the most delicious and exciting menus in the country inspired by the seasons and fresh, local ingredients blending modern Nordic dishes with a touch of French and Italian.
Read moreItinerary
The itinerary shown is a 3-night example of this self-drive holiday. You can choose to extend your stay or consider alternative hotels and routes, 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
On arrival at Keflavik international airport collect your rental vehicle and head off along the scenic coastal road to Hotel Ranga – your home for the next three nights.
On arrival at Keflavik international airport collect your rental vehicle and head off along the scenic coastal road to Hotel Ranga – your home for the next three nights.
Day 2 explore the Golden Circle
After enjoying one of Hotel Ranga’s famous buffet breakfasts, drive north through beautiful rural countryside towards the Golden Circle – Iceland’s celebrated trio of natural wonders. Easily visited during a day’s gentle touring, the triple whammy of Gullfoss, Geysir and Thingvellir showcases Iceland’s rugged, volcanic beauty.
At the geothermal hotspot of Geysir, you can follow paths between bubbling springs and watch the obligingly regular Strokkur shoot scalding water 30m into the air. There’s wild water at Gullfoss too. This twin-tiered waterfall is a thunderous concoction of rapids, cascades and spray, squeezed into a narrow canyon and garnished with a rainbow. Calm and serene by comparison, Thingvellir has mysterious pools of gin-clear water. The flooded Silfra fissure is actually a rift between the Eurasian and North American plates. It is also the site of Iceland’s first parliament, founded in 930.
Return to Ranga for your second night’s stay, and perhaps use the hotel’s solar telescope to study the sun in startling close-up before it sets. At this time of year, you will often be treated to long, beautiful sunsets.
After enjoying one of Hotel Ranga’s famous buffet breakfasts, drive north through beautiful rural countryside towards the Golden Circle – Iceland’s celebrated trio of natural wonders. Easily visited during a day’s gentle touring, the triple whammy of Gullfoss, Geysir and Thingvellir showcases Iceland’s rugged, volcanic beauty.
At the geothermal hotspot of Geysir, you can follow paths between bubbling springs and watch the obligingly regular Strokkur shoot scalding water 30m into the air. There’s wild water at Gullfoss too. This twin-tiered waterfall is a thunderous concoction of rapids, cascades and spray, squeezed into a narrow canyon and garnished with a rainbow. Calm and serene by comparison, Thingvellir has mysterious pools of gin-clear water. The flooded Silfra fissure is actually a rift between the Eurasian and North American plates. It is also the site of Iceland’s first parliament, founded in 930.
Return to Ranga for your second night’s stay, and perhaps use the hotel’s solar telescope to study the sun in startling close-up before it sets. At this time of year, you will often be treated to long, beautiful sunsets.



Day 3 discover the South Coast
Another sensational drive beckons today. This time head southeast, following Iceland’s iconic Ring Road along a narrow coastal plain between black sand beaches and towering cliffs, volcanoes and icecaps. After crossing the Markarfljot river, stop to admire Seljalandsfoss – a delicate 60m-tall horsetail plume cascading from an ancient sea cliff. Walk behind the waterfall into an overhang dripping with emerald-coloured mosses. A little further on, Skogafoss catches your eye. It cascades over the edge of former sea cliffs in a 25m-wide curtain of thundering water.
Beyond Skogafoss, the road crosses wide gravel plains scratched by rivers. Look west and you might see the Westman Islands offshore. To the north, however, looms a far more overwhelming presence – Myrdalsjokull. This 600 sq km ice cap slumps over the Katla volcano, but a tongue of ice – the Solheimajokull glacier – snakes tantalizingly towards the coast. It’s a wonderful opportunity for a guided glacier walk.
How far you want to continue along the South Coast is entirely up to you. You may choose to drive to Vik where you can walk along dramatic black sand beaches towards troll-like sea stacks or even opt for a the long drive to the glacial lagoon, Jokulsarlon, and back. During mid-summer it remains light long into the night! Returning to Hotel Ranga, relax in one of the outdoor hot tubs, enjoying one of Ranga’s extraordinary sunsets, before dinner.
Another sensational drive beckons today. This time head southeast, following Iceland’s iconic Ring Road along a narrow coastal plain between black sand beaches and towering cliffs, volcanoes and icecaps. After crossing the Markarfljot river, stop to admire Seljalandsfoss – a delicate 60m-tall horsetail plume cascading from an ancient sea cliff. Walk behind the waterfall into an overhang dripping with emerald-coloured mosses. A little further on, Skogafoss catches your eye. It cascades over the edge of former sea cliffs in a 25m-wide curtain of thundering water.
Beyond Skogafoss, the road crosses wide gravel plains scratched by rivers. Look west and you might see the Westman Islands offshore. To the north, however, looms a far more overwhelming presence – Myrdalsjokull. This 600 sq km ice cap slumps over the Katla volcano, but a tongue of ice – the Solheimajokull glacier – snakes tantalizingly towards the coast. It’s a wonderful opportunity for a guided glacier walk.
How far you want to continue along the South Coast is entirely up to you. You may choose to drive to Vik where you can walk along dramatic black sand beaches towards troll-like sea stacks or even opt for a the long drive to the glacial lagoon, Jokulsarlon, and back. During mid-summer it remains light long into the night! Returning to Hotel Ranga, relax in one of the outdoor hot tubs, enjoying one of Ranga’s extraordinary sunsets, before dinner.



Day 4 Hotel Ranga - Reykjanes Peninsula
Head back towards Keflavik, where you will spend the night at the Northern Light Inn. Located next to the Blue Lagoon, why not take a relaxing dip at the Blue Lagoon or enjoying some sightseeing on the Reykjanes Peninsula
Head back towards Keflavik, where you will spend the night at the Northern Light Inn. Located next to the Blue Lagoon, why not take a relaxing dip at the Blue Lagoon or enjoying some sightseeing on the Reykjanes Peninsula
Day 5 Fly home
This morning return your rental car and checking in for your flight home
This morning return your rental car and checking in for your flight home
Excursions
With plenty of summer daylight available, you may also want to consider other optional activities during your visit. For an adrenaline rush, race snowmobiles across the Langjokull ice cap (pick up from the café at Gullfoss) or take a glacier hike on Solheimajokull. For chilling out, flop into the geothermal pools of the Fontana Spa near Lake Laugarvatn. The Secret Lagoon is another fine spot to gently poach yourself on a long summer’s evening in Iceland.
View or download the pdf to see the full range of excursions available and then talk to our Travel Specialists about how best to fit these into your holiday.
Open Excursions PDFPrices and Departures
Price from £572 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
- 3-course a lá carte dinner each night at Hotel Ranga
- 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 |
---|---|---|---|
May 2021 | 4 nights | B - VW Golf | £572 |
May 2021 | 4 nights | D - Skoda Octavia (4WD) | £616 |
Jul-Aug 2021 | 4 nights | B - VW Golf | £874 |
Jul-Aug 2021 | 4 nights | D - Skoda Octavia (4WD) | £925 |
Sep 2021 | 4 nights | B - VW Golf | £818 |
Sep 2021 | 4 nights | D - Skoda Octavia (4WD) | £862 |
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

One of our specialists
Meet Kim3 Decades visiting Iceland
1 Nordic inspired fashion label
4 Visits to Iceland with her young son
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Tailor made trips
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