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Volcanic Explorer

from £704 excluding flights

  • 5 nights
  • Year round
Home Destinations Nordic Europe Iceland Volcanic Explorer
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Highlights

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

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Hop across to the Westman Islands and visit a part-buried town

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See the stunning waterfalls on the South Coast

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Stroll along black-sand beaches at Vik

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Enjoy Reykjavik with its blend of Nordic and modern style

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Visit the Lava Centre with its interactive exhibits

Why this trip...

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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

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Explore at leisure

With the route, transport and accommodation sorted, each day offers the freedom to explore

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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

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).

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

Spend a final day exploring the Reykjanes Peninsula en route back to Keflavik Airport. You may have time to hike up to the fascinating volcanic eruption site at Fagradalsfjall before flying home.

Accommodation Options

We have selected properties for this holiday referenced in the itinerary. However, with a wide choice of accommodation in Iceland, we can mix and match different grades and styles to suit your personal preference – from hotels, farmstays and self-catering apartments to private villas and countryside properties.

Discuss your options with our Travel Specialists
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  • hotel fludir restaurant

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 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 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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Travelling sustainably

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.