Drive - Hike Around Iceland (Self Drive)
15 Days Self Drive-Hike Tour from Reykjavik

Features and Inclusions

  • 14 nights accommodation with private facilities

  • 14 breakfasts

  • Detailed travel itinerary in English

  • Emergency phone number access service

  • Most hikes are easy to moderate with options of 4-6 hour walks per day

  • Not Included: Rental Car, detailed road maps, entrance fees and activities, travel guide books

.

Departures and Prices 2012

Starting Daily from

May 1 - May 31, 2012

September 1 - September 30, 2012

Standard Class Hotel

Per Room Twin

$ 3062.00

Per Room Single

$ 3976.00

Comfort Class Hotel

Per Room Twin

$ 3325.00

Per Room Single

$ 4060.00

Superior Class Hotel

Per Room Twin

$ 5824.00

Per Room Single

$ 7952.00

 

Starting Daily from

June 1 - August 31, 2012

Standard Class Hotel

Per Room Twin

$ 3827.00

Per Room Single

$ 4956.00

Comfort Class Hotel

Per Room Twin

$ 4263.00

Per Room Single

$ 5096.00

Superior Class Hotel

Per Room Twin

$ 7299.00

Per Room Single

$ 9940.00

 

ITINERARY

Day 1: Reykjavik (49km)
Arrival and overnight in Reykjavik/Keflavik. (O)


Day 2: Mt. Esja (155km)
Climb Mount Esja, Reykjavík's favorite mountain and witness a panoramic view of Iceland's capital and its surroundings. Mt. Esja is 914 meters (2999 ft) high and the ascent is a relatively easy, about 2 hours hike. Another hiking suggestion is to Glymur, Iceland highest waterfall and Hvalfell mountain (challenging hike). Drive along the scenic Hvalfjördur fjord. 2 nights stay in Borgarfjörður/West Iceland area. (B/O)

Day 3: Bifrost (80km/50 miles round trip)
Explore Bifröst area that we consider as the hidden nature reserve of West Iceland.  Climb Grábrók volcano crater that offers a stunning view all over the Norðurárdalur valley and the encircling mountains. There are several easy walking trails at Lake Hreðavatn and the surrounding forest and this is simply a lovely place for a picnic. Nearby you can take a short walk down to an overlook on the cliffs, from where there is a fine view of Glanni, a spectacular waterfall on the Norðurá river. Continue to Paradísarlaut (Paradise Hollow), a small pond with beautiful, clear water. (B/O)

Day 4: Going North (340-370km, 210-230 miles)
Travel north and start with a hike on Hrútey island in Blönduós where there is a lot of vegetation and bird life. On Vatnsnes peninsula we recommend hiking to different seal colonies. Continue to Skagafjördur, valley of the horses and sagas. Here you find the Glaumbær turf farm & folk museum and the Viðimýri church, one of the most beautiful examples of traditional turf church architecture. 1 night stay in Dalvik/Akureyri area. (B/O)

Day 5: Eyjafjordur (160km, 99 miles)

Near the fishing village of Dalvik you will find plenty of  nice hiking possibilities. The island of Hrisey is just a short ferry ride from the main land and considered one of the best bird watching places in Iceland. Hrisey has a population of about 200 people and the picturesque village with colorful houses is worth a visit. Short and longer hiking trails available to explore this beautiful island located in the Eyjafjörður fjord. Akureyri is the capital of North Iceland and we suggest a visit to the old town, the modern church and botanical garden. Continue to Godafoss, the waterfall of the Gods. 4 nights stay at Husavik/Lake Myvatn area. (B/O)

Day 6: Lake Myvatn & Husavik (140km, 87 miles round trip)

Lake Myvatn offers a wide spectrum of volcanic and geological features, abundant bird life and a wealth of walking trails. We recommend also a soak in the unique Mývatn Nature Baths, Iceland's newest geothermal spa - called "the Blue Lagoon of the North". Optional evening whale watching cruise. (B/O) 

Day 7: Jokulsargljufur National Park (220km, 136miles)

Drive around the mountainous peninsula Tjörnes and visit Jökulsárgljúfur National Park with spectacular sites like Ásbyrgi canyon, Dettifoss waterfall and Hljóðaklettar with fascinating river landscape and volcanic formations. Here you find many short and long hiking options. (B/O) 

Day 8: Krafla & Lake Myvatn (140km, 87 miles round trip)

Explore hot spring area of Námaskarð and you might want to hike up the pastel-shaded mountain Námafjall. Continue to volcanic area of Krafla and Víti maar. Mt. Leirhnjúkur is a fascinating hike through a hot spring area, into craters formed in the Krafla fires and to the summit. An excellent hiking trail leads to Hverfell that is a circular tehra ring from an explosive eruption and the crater diameter is 1.000 meters and it resembles a moon crater. (B/O) 

Day 9: Going East (240-300km, 150-186 miles)

Travel east over Jökuldalsheiði moorland plateau, lava and sand desert. Egilsstaðir is the center of East Iceland. In the afternoon we suggest a tour around Lake Lögurinn and enjoy some shorter hikes in the Hallormsstadur woods and to Hengifoss waterfall. Overnight in East Iceland. (B/O)

Day 10: East Fjords & Glacier Lagoon (400km, 248 miles)

Travel the scenic route along the dramatic fjord landscape and fishing villages of East Iceland before reaching Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier and National Park. Jökulsárlón, the lagoon at the mouth of Vatnajökull glacier, is several kilometers long and wide and covered with icebergs that break off the glacier. If you are lucky, you will spot seals in the lagoon. We recommend a boat tour on the glacier lagoon and also a stroll along the black lava sand beach that is covered with stranded icebergs. Here you can experience the rough  North Atlantic surf. There are many wonderful walking trails at Vatnajökull national park and we suggest also a visit to the lovely turf church at Hof. 2 nights stay at Skaftafell area. (B/O) 

Day 11: Skaftafell National Park (40 km, 25 miles)

Vatnajökull glacier and National Park includes numerous huge glacier tongues that descend to the sandy outwash plains which stretch south to the coast. Spend a full day exploring Skaftafell National Park. There is a lot to do here if you like hiking, which varies from rather easy to very hard. In this area is offered a bird watching tour by tractor to Ingolfshöfdi promotory which is one of Iceland's best outdoor adventure tours. There are several options for a glacier hike and ice climbing from 2 to 6 hours. (B/O) 

Day 12: South Shore (240 km, 149 miles)

There are plenty of natural wonders along the south coast back to Reykjavik. We recommend a visit at the small turf church at Núpsstaður, a walk around the Dwarf Cliffs and a walk up to Systrafoss waterfall in Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Nearby is the fabulous 100m-deep gorge called Fjaðrárglújfur which sides are full of spikes, arches and scary ledges. Continue across the Laki lava field, pass the waterfalls Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss. The bird cliffs of Dyrhólaey and Reynisfjara are simply amazing. We recommend also a stroll on the black lava beaches of Vík. 2 nights stay in South Iceland. (B/O) 

Day 13: Interior (90 km/56 miles, 290 km/180 miles or 100 km/62 miles)
The interior highlands are heaven for hiking. Depending on your rental car you can reach different regions. We suggest areas like Hekla volcano hike, visit Landmannalaugar or Thórsmörk glacier valley (4WD Jeep needed). Hiking in this area is from easy to difficult and hikes can be from 2 to 8 hours, depending on selected trails.
(B/O) 

 

Day 14: Golden Circle (230km, 143 miles)

Today's program is called Golden Circle with Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir hot spring and Thingvellir National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. It offers numerous hiking trails; many are ideal for short and leisurely walks.  Overnight in Reykjavik. (B/O) 

Day 15: Departure (49km/30 miles)

Depart for home. (B)

B=Breakfast; D=Dinner; O=Overnight                                            gitsj034

 

Home | Independent Tours & City Stays | Independent Rail Tours | European River Cruises | Escorted Tours | Self-Drive Tours | Destinations | Special Deals | Hotels | Reservations | Travel Agents | About Us | Terms & Conditions