The Road Less Travelled
The Road Less Travelled
from £2,172 excluding flights
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Highlights
Explore Snaefellsnes Peninsula’s stunning coast and volcanoes
Delve inside Langjokull icecap on an Into the Glacier tour
Venture to the less-explored West Fjords
Count all seven tiers of the majestic Dynjandi waterfall
Visit the picturesque town of Siglufjordur
Discover pseudo-craters and mud pools at Lake Myvatn
Why this trip...
Explore at leisure
With the route, transport and accommodation sorted, each day offers the freedom to explore
Off-the-beaten-track
This holiday showcases places and experiences away from the usual tourist routes
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
Tingling with the prospect of goosebump-inducing scenery, this two-week self-drive wastes no time taking you deep into Iceland's wild west – and beyond to sublime Siglufjordur and Lake Myvatn in the north. Sandwiched in the middle of it all is an in-depth exploration of the West Fjords – that tantalising peninsula dangling off the northwest tip of Iceland and riddled with surprises around every one of its myriad corners.
Snaefellsnes and the West Fjords
Driving north from Keflavik you’ll pass Europe’s most powerful hot springs at Deildartunguhver and the delicate, almost lace-like Hraunfossar waterfall before reaching Hotel Husafell – a chic base from which to explore the ice cave of Langjokull. Two days on the stunning Snaefellsnes Peninsula are easily filled with coastal walks and whale watching before taking the ferry across Breidafjordur to the West Fjords. From the seabird cliffs of Latrabjarg to fan-shaped Dynjandi waterfall and the towering crags of the Strandir Coast, this magnificent, largely deserted region forms a riveting climax to Iceland. But it’s not the end of the line for this holiday...
Akureyri and the North
Unravelling from the West Fjords, the road leads east, passing the dragon-shaped sea stack of Hvitserkur before reaching the peaceful fishing village of Siglufjordur. Whale watching is possible from Akureyri and Husavik, while birds and bubbling mud pools steal the show at Myvatn, which is part of the spectacular Diamond Circle touring route. Other highlights include the waterfalls Godafoss and Dettifoss as well as Asbyrgi canyon and Hverfjall crater.
Itinerary
The itinerary shown is an example of this self-drive holiday. We have many other hotels and route recommendations which can be adapted to your requirements. If you'd like to tailor this itinerary, simply ask our Travel Specialists.
Day 1 arrive in Iceland
Arrive at Keflavik Airport, collect your rental vehicle and drive to Hvalfjordur and on to Reykholt, visiting Iceland’s largest geothermal area at Deildartunguhver. Don’t miss the beautiful Hraunfossar waterfall, emerging from under moss-covered lava in a series of rivulets. At Reykholt, you can find out about medieval history and the Icelandic Sagas at the Snorrastofa cultural centre. Historian, writer and law-speaker Snorri Sturluson lived in the area from 1206-41. Continue to Husafell where you’ll spend the following two nights at Hotel Husafell.
Arrive at Keflavik Airport, collect your rental vehicle and drive to Hvalfjordur and on to Reykholt, visiting Iceland’s largest geothermal area at Deildartunguhver. Don’t miss the beautiful Hraunfossar waterfall, emerging from under moss-covered lava in a series of rivulets. At Reykholt, you can find out about medieval history and the Icelandic Sagas at the Snorrastofa cultural centre. Historian, writer and law-speaker Snorri Sturluson lived in the area from 1206-41. Continue to Husafell where you’ll spend the following two nights at Hotel Husafell.
Day 2 explore Langjokull glacier
Rising to about 1,450m, Iceland’s second largest icecap is the setting for an extraordinary adventure exploring a manmade tunnel cut deep into the glacier’s blue ice. The optional ‘Into the Glacier’ tour begins with a journey in an 8WD supertruck across the surface of Langjokull before venturing on foot into the 500m-long ice tunnel. Led by an experienced guide, you will not only discover how icecaps are created, but you will also witness amazing natural and manmade features, from crevasses to a subterranean ice chapel. Back at Husafell, spend time relaxing in the outdoor complex of geothermal pools (currently closed, undergoing renovation).
Rising to about 1,450m, Iceland’s second largest icecap is the setting for an extraordinary adventure exploring a manmade tunnel cut deep into the glacier’s blue ice. The optional ‘Into the Glacier’ tour begins with a journey in an 8WD supertruck across the surface of Langjokull before venturing on foot into the 500m-long ice tunnel. Led by an experienced guide, you will not only discover how icecaps are created, but you will also witness amazing natural and manmade features, from crevasses to a subterranean ice chapel. Back at Husafell, spend time relaxing in the outdoor complex of geothermal pools (currently closed, undergoing renovation).
Day 3 Husafell - Hellnar
The spectacular Snaefellsnes Peninsula beckons today. It’s a stunning drive from Husafell, tracing Iceland’s west coast before branching off onto the narrow, mountainous peninsula that points into the Atlantic like a bony finger. You can drive all the way around Snaefellsnes, admiring the 1,446m-tall, snow-capped volcano that rises from its tip. The dramatic coastline of sea arches, basalt cliffs, black-sand beaches and blowholes is best appreciated on the walk between Arnarstapi and Hellnar where you’ll also find a couple of excellent cafés. The following two nights are spent on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula at Fosshotel Hellnar.
The spectacular Snaefellsnes Peninsula beckons today. It’s a stunning drive from Husafell, tracing Iceland’s west coast before branching off onto the narrow, mountainous peninsula that points into the Atlantic like a bony finger. You can drive all the way around Snaefellsnes, admiring the 1,446m-tall, snow-capped volcano that rises from its tip. The dramatic coastline of sea arches, basalt cliffs, black-sand beaches and blowholes is best appreciated on the walk between Arnarstapi and Hellnar where you’ll also find a couple of excellent cafés. The following two nights are spent on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula at Fosshotel Hellnar.
Day 4 exploring Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Continue exploring the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, perhaps joining one of the optional whale watching trips from Olafsvik harbour. A boat trip not only offers opportunities for spotting sperm whales and orca, but it provides a superb vantage from which to admire the mountainous spine of the Snaefellsnes.
Continue exploring the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, perhaps joining one of the optional whale watching trips from Olafsvik harbour. A boat trip not only offers opportunities for spotting sperm whales and orca, but it provides a superb vantage from which to admire the mountainous spine of the Snaefellsnes.
Day 5 Hellnar - Patreksfjordur
Take a ferry from the north coast of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula through the islands and skerries of Breidafjordur bay to the West Fjords – one of Iceland’s most spectacular and least visited regions. Highlights today include the incredible 400m-high sea cliffs at Latrabjarg (high-rise accommodation for millions of puffins, gannets, guillemots and other seabirds) and the unusual red-sand beach at Raudisandur. Drive to Patreksfjordur for an overnight stay at Fosshotel Westfjords.
Take a ferry from the north coast of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula through the islands and skerries of Breidafjordur bay to the West Fjords – one of Iceland’s most spectacular and least visited regions. Highlights today include the incredible 400m-high sea cliffs at Latrabjarg (high-rise accommodation for millions of puffins, gannets, guillemots and other seabirds) and the unusual red-sand beach at Raudisandur. Drive to Patreksfjordur for an overnight stay at Fosshotel Westfjords.
Excursions
Prices and Departures
Price from £2,172 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
- 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 | 14 nights | B - VW Golf | £2,172 |
| Jun- Aug | 14 nights | B - VW Golf | £2,939 |
| Sep | 14 nights | B - VW Golf | £2,570 |
* Choice of Vehicles
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.- 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.
- Our long-standing relationship with the local Europcar franchise means that our clients enjoy many exclusive benefits, including priority on the newest and best appointed vehicles available.
Meet our expert
One of our specialists
Meet Eric10 Visits to Iceland
5 Successful whale watching trips
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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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