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Wonders of the South West

from £1311 excluding flights

  • 7 nights
  • Year round
Home Destinations Nordic Europe Iceland Wonders of the South West

Highlights

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Discover the legendary Thorsmork valley

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Explore Snaefellsnes Peninsula’s stunning coast and volcanoes

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

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

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Marvel at spectacular Hraunfossar waterfall

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Explore the Reykjanes Peninsula visiting the Blue Lagoon

Why this trip...

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Stay in great locations

This holiday features accommodation in incredible locations

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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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Well-researched route

We've put our years of experience into creating this well-paced itinerary that includes the places we know you'll enjoy

Overview

Showcasing the spectacular sights of of Iceland’s south west, this independent self drive offers a touch of class based at two of our favourite rural properties – Hotel Ranga and Hotel Husafell. Long days exploring an array of natural wonders including volcanoes, waterfalls and glaciers are topped off with fine dining and stylish relaxation.

Location, location, location

Surrounded by wide-open plains near Hella, ranch-style Ranga is well placed for visiting keys sites in south Iceland including Thorsmork valley, black sands beaches and the beautiful waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. The hotel blends quirky decor and a laid-back charm with high levels of service. Relax in the outdoor hot tubs and enjoy a first-class dining experience, some of the finest dining in the country.

Further north and set amidst the mountains of Borgarfjordur, Husafell is a stylishly modern hotel boasting 100% pure energy and sophisticated dining. Offering convenient access to nearby Langjokull glacier and the striking glacial falls Hraunfossar, the hotel also provides a good base for exploring the majestic Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

Conclude your adventure with a stay at the Northern Light Inn on the Reykjanes Peninsula, just a short distance from the Blue Lagoon as well as being conveniently located near to the airport.

Itinerary

Fly to Keflavik International Airport and collect your rental car then drive to Hotel Ranga in the heart of the Icelandic countryside for a three night stay.

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Hotel Ranga, near Hella

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Around an hour's drive from Reykjavik, this cosy riverside lodge offers four-star comfort and fine dining in the volcanic heart of rural Iceland.

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Make a stop at the iconic Seljalandsfoss and the magical Gljufrafoss waterfalls then continue to the famous Skogafoss, these are all must visits and amongst the finest of Iceland’s many waterfalls. Continue towards the beautiful small village of Vik, stopping on the way by Reynisfjara black sand beach and Dyrholaey bird cliffs and rock formations. After an adventurous day return to Hotel Ranga and a relax in the hot tub.

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Take an optional superjeep tour into Thorsmork, a valley named after Thor the Norse god of thunder. The guide with take on a thrilling journey through the valley crossing glacial rivers and visiting waterfalls as well as onto Eyjafjallajokull, the glacier atop a volcano which infamously erupted back in 2010. After an exciting day return to Ranga for another cosy evening.

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After breakfast check out of Hotel Ranga and head towards the famous Golden Circle route. Begin by visiting Gullfoss, a two-tiered waterfall often framed by a rainbow on sunny days. Continue to Geysir hot spring area and witness Strokkur erupting 30 ft into the air. Finally head to Thingvellir National Park, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet. It is also the site of the world’s oldest parliament – Althingi, which was formed by the vikings in AD 874.

Continue to Husafell valley in West Iceland where you’ll spend the next three nights at Hotel Husafell.

Hotel Husafell

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A stunning property full of contemporary flair, Hotel Husafell nestles in the magnificent landscape of Borgarfjordur, about 90 minutes’ drive northeast of Reykjavik.

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Explore the nearby area and visit striking Hraunfossar waterfall, where the stream of water flows deep in the lava field until emerging through the river bank in a broad cascade. Continue to Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring, providing 180 litres per second of boiling water. Explore the vast Hallmundarhraun lava field and take part an optional excursion to visit Vidgelmir lava cave, the biggest in Iceland.

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west hotel husafell scenic surrounds into the glacier langjokull

Spend the day exploring the beautiful landscapes of Snaefellsnes. On a clear day you are able to see the top of Snaefellsjokull glacier, a dormant volcano which is the starting point of Jules Verne’s novel- Journey to the Center of Earth. As you drive around the peninsula, make sure to visit Londrangar basalt cliffs, Djupalonsandur beach and now famous Kirkjufell mountain.

Alternatively take an optional excursion ‘Into the Glacier’. The unique adventure on Langjokull glacier begins with a journey by super truck – an old NATO missile launcher converted to a comfortable passenger vehicle, which takes visitors to the impressive man made ice tunnel on top of the glacier. The guided tour offers information on glaciers, past volcanic eruptions in Iceland and how this impressive project was conceived.

Return to Husafell for a peaceful evening and a delicious dinner (additional cost).

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Leave Husafell valley and head south taking a scenic detour around Hvalfjordur bay. Then head to Reykjanes Peninsula where you can choose to visit the world famous Blue Lagoon or explore the many sights. The Bridge Between Two Continents is a structure built to symbolise the close connection to both Europe and North-America. See the boiling mud pools and steam vents of Gunnuhver geothermal area and drive around Kleifarvatn lake. Check into the Northern Light Inn for you final night and enjoy the complimentary spa access.

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Northern Light Inn

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northern light inn aurora overhead feb19 bw

A delightful, well-appointed hotel in a great location.

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Drive the short distance to Keflavik airport, drop off your rental vehicle and check-in on your flight home.

Prices and Departures

Price from £1311 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 »

Iceland Volcano Disruption Protection
We are proud of our excellent reputation for looking after our clients, without question. Should the unexpected occur our team of dedicated Travel Specialists are on call 24/7 to make any necessary alternative plans at no cost to you.

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
  • Full financial protection

This itinerary starts from around £1,311 per person, based on 2 sharing a room with private bathroom in standard hotels, and rental of an intermediate vehicle.

Prices may vary depending on departure date and booking date, as well as any changes to the included components. The final cost of a tailored holiday will be based on the level of accommodation, size of vehicle, included activities, travel season, and how far in advance it is booked. We will confirm the exact price for your holiday in your individual quotation, based on your chosen travel dates and inclusions.

* 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.

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.