Volcanic Explorer
Volcanic Explorer
from £704 excluding flights
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Highlights
See the natural treasures of Iceland’s iconic Golden Circle route
Hop across to the Westman Islands and visit a part-buried town
See the stunning waterfalls on the South Coast
Stroll along black-sand beaches at Vik
Enjoy Reykjavik with its blend of Nordic and modern style
Visit the Lava Centre with its interactive exhibits
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
Explore at leisure
With the route, transport and accommodation sorted, each day offers the freedom to explore
Nordic Heritage
With over 38 years of experience in creating trips to Nordics we know this region inside out
Overview
This exciting self drive short break provides a glimpse of the fiery side of Iceland, with a liberal splattering of impressive waterfalls and magnificent glaciers. Focusing on the south-west corner of the island, one action packed day follows another.
Enjoy a leisurely start to your holiday staying at the Northern Light Inn, a short drive from the airport and in close proximity to one of Iceland's primary visitor attractions, the Blue Lagoon. Enjoy a relaxing dip in preparation for the spectacular sights to follow, including the trio of natural wonders on the Golden Circle route.
Explore the magnificent south coast, scattered with volcanoes, waterfalls, black sand beaches and majestic mountains. Make a stop at the Lava Centre in Hvolsvollur and learn all about volcanoes, eruptions and earthquakes. In Vik, take part in the Lava show and witness the sight, the sound and the heat of real flowing lava as it flows into the dark room, bubbling and shining bright onto a huge block of ice.
On a day trip by ferry (booked separately) to the volcanic Westman Islands, walk through houses excavated from the ash of the massive 1973 eruption, then head along the coast to see puffin colonies (summer only) or opt for one of the thrilling possibilities to get onto the nearby Solheimajokull glacier - include riding a snowmobile, a superjeep trip, or even a glacier walk.
Reykjanes is the rugged peninsula in Iceland's south west where you'll find a moody lavascape and surf pounded, black sand beaches, hot springs, bubbling mud pools, a 'mysterious' lake and tectonic rifts. It's also home to Iceland's newest volcano, Fagradalsfjall, which erupted in 2021 and again in 2022, with spectacular fiery lava flows leaving behind a newly formed black lava field. Take in these last few other worldly sites before heading home.
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 Keflavik - Blue Lagoon
Fly to Keflavik, collect your rental vehicle and drive to the Northern Light Inn close to the Blue Lagoon for an overnight stay. Perhaps take an evening dip in its therapeutic waters (entrance fee at extra cost - pre-payable).
Fly to Keflavik, collect your rental vehicle and drive to the Northern Light Inn close to the Blue Lagoon for an overnight stay. Perhaps take an evening dip in its therapeutic waters (entrance fee at extra cost - pre-payable).
Day 2 Reykjanes - Fludir
Explore Reykjanes Peninsula where you will cross dramatic lava fields, witness steaming vents and bubbling mud pools at Krisuvik and walk across the bridge between the two continents which is situated on the mid-Atlantic ridge. Enjoy the famous trio of natural wonders on the Golden Circle route: Gullfoss, a stunning two-tiered waterfall and gorge; Geysir, where you'll witness the geyser Strokkur erupt every few minutes and Thingvellir National Park, site of the historic Althing assembly, where tectonic rifts are visible on the surface. Overnight at Hotel Fludir.
Explore Reykjanes Peninsula where you will cross dramatic lava fields, witness steaming vents and bubbling mud pools at Krisuvik and walk across the bridge between the two continents which is situated on the mid-Atlantic ridge. Enjoy the famous trio of natural wonders on the Golden Circle route: Gullfoss, a stunning two-tiered waterfall and gorge; Geysir, where you'll witness the geyser Strokkur erupt every few minutes and Thingvellir National Park, site of the historic Althing assembly, where tectonic rifts are visible on the surface. Overnight at Hotel Fludir.
Day 3 Fludir - Westman Islands - Vik
Hop across to Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands), a short ferry ride away and explore the volcanic island of Heimaey (additional cost). Climb the crater Eldfell, whose 1973 eruption buried one third of the island's houses under lava and ash. Walk through the lava and visit the houses excavated from the ash. Walk or drive along the coast to the puffin colonies and Storhofdi viewpoint (summer only). Back on the mainland, stay 2 nights in the Vik area at Hotel Kría.
Hop across to Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands), a short ferry ride away and explore the volcanic island of Heimaey (additional cost). Climb the crater Eldfell, whose 1973 eruption buried one third of the island's houses under lava and ash. Walk through the lava and visit the houses excavated from the ash. Walk or drive along the coast to the puffin colonies and Storhofdi viewpoint (summer only). Back on the mainland, stay 2 nights in the Vik area at Hotel Kría.
Day 4 exploring the south coast
A day of mouth-watering scenery begins as you approach the 8km long Solheimajokull glacier. Optional guided glacier walk on this massive creaking tongue of ice (at additional cost). Snowmobile and jeep tours on Myrdalsjokull icecap are also on offer. Feel the spray at the foot of 60m high Skogafoss falls and visit the nearby Skogar Folk Museum and its turf farm. At Dyrholaey Nature Reserve, see the impressive rock arch and watch puffins (summer only) and other seabirds. Stroll on the black sand beaches near Vik and marvel at the troll-like rock stacks and basalt columns. Visit the 35-minute demonstration at the Lava Show.
A day of mouth-watering scenery begins as you approach the 8km long Solheimajokull glacier. Optional guided glacier walk on this massive creaking tongue of ice (at additional cost). Snowmobile and jeep tours on Myrdalsjokull icecap are also on offer. Feel the spray at the foot of 60m high Skogafoss falls and visit the nearby Skogar Folk Museum and its turf farm. At Dyrholaey Nature Reserve, see the impressive rock arch and watch puffins (summer only) and other seabirds. Stroll on the black sand beaches near Vik and marvel at the troll-like rock stacks and basalt columns. Visit the 35-minute demonstration at the Lava Show.
Day 5 Vik - Reykjavik
Visit the Lava Centre (additional cost) in Hvolsvollur before driving to Reykjavik where you can also visit the Wonders of Iceland exhibition at Perlan (additional cost). Time to explore this colourful capital city. Overnight at Hotel Klettur.
Visit the Lava Centre (additional cost) in Hvolsvollur before driving to Reykjavik where you can also visit the Wonders of Iceland exhibition at Perlan (additional cost). Time to explore this colourful capital city. Overnight at Hotel Klettur.
Excursions
Prices and Departures
Price from £704 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, EasyJet or Wizz Air. 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 facilities
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan- Apr | 5 nights | D - Skoda Octavia (4WD) | £729 |
| May | 5 nights | B - VW Golf | £748 |
| Jun - Aug | 5 nights | B - VW Golf | £1,049 |
| Sep | 5 nights | B - VW Golf | £972 |
| Oct | 5 nights | D - Skoda Octavia (4WD) | £746 |
| Nov - Dec | 5 nights | D - Skoda Octavia (4WD) | £704 |
* 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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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.
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