This exciting combination of the East Fjords and Iceland’s north east is perfect for a well-paced, seven-night self-drive. Start by exploring the stunning coast and fascinating villages of the East Fjords, then head to Lake Myvatn and Husavik for an equally heady mixture of volcanic natural wonders and world-class whale watching and a collection of sights dubbed the Diamond Circle.
Forests, fjords and feathered friends
The birch forest of Hallormsstadur near Egilsstadir is a wonderful spot for hiking, cycling, horse riding or taking to the trails on all-terrain vehicles. Alternatively, drive north to the remote village of Bakkagerdi for a hike in the Dyrfjoll Mountains or a rendezvous with the puffins that nest near the harbour. A spectacular mountain drive leads to Seydisfjordur, a colourful village with a cultural spring in its step. At the mouth of the fjord, Skalanes nature reserve is a perfect montage of the East Fjord’s breathtaking scenery, and a great place for spotting birds, seals and wild reindeer.
Whales, waterfalls and volcanic wonders
Leaving the East Fjords, it’s a fantastic drive to Lake Myvatn, perhaps taking a detour to little-visited Vopnafordur with its turf farm museum. You have three nights to explore Myvatn – touring the lake road to marvel at pseudocraters, lava caves and bubbling mud pits. Drive to Husavik for a boat trip in search of humpback whales and visit Dettifoss where some 200 cubic metres of water thunder over the edge of the falls every second. If you prefer less violent water, take a soothing dip in the Nature Baths – an outdoor pool naturally heated by geothermal springs.
Itinerary
Fly to Keflavik, transfer to Reykjavik and fly onwards to Egilsstadir in the East Fjords. Collect your rental vehicle and drive the short distance to your hotel your base for the next two nights.
Head out on a day exploring. Lagarfljot – the glacial lake that stretches south from Egilsstadir – is always worth a second glance. Legend has it that its murky depths (over 100m in places) are the lair of the Lagarfljotsormur – a dragonlike ‘wyrm’ that would give even the Loch Ness monster the jitters. By comparison, Hallormsstadur (Iceland’s largest forest) is a tranquil spot for a walk in the woods. You can also hike to Hengifoss, a graceful cascade swishing a 128m-long plume of water across cliffs striped red from ancient volcanic eruptions.
If you fancy exploring further afield today, we recommend the hour’s drive to Bakkagerdi – a remote, peaceful village overlooking a bay framed by mountains that gives you access to invigorating hikes in Borgafjordur Eystri, as well as superb puffin watching (early May to mid-August) and even a chance to spot wild reindeer.
Start the day by visiting Seydisfjordur. It only takes 30 minutes to nip over the mountains to reach this fjord-nuzzled village – but what a drive! The views from the pass are breathtaking – the narrow waters of the fjord drizzled like quicksilver through brooding mountains. You will want to linger in Seydisfjordur, photographing the pastel-coloured houses at the water’s edge, enjoying coffee and cake (and a chat with the friendly locals) at Bistro Skaftafell and seeking out the arts and crafts that the village is famous for. Leave enough time, though, for driving along the fjord to Skalanes – a beautiful nature reserve where you can roam trails spotting birds, seals and reindeer.
Later, head towards the small town of Breiddalsvik, stopping on the way to visit the atmospheric old fishermen’s shack in Eskifjordur known as Randulff’s Seahouse. Stay in Breiddalsvik for two nights.
Choose to explore the area near Breiddalsvik or take drive to the town of Neskaupstadur. The town also hosts one of the East Fjords’ popular village walks, offering visitors a chance to learn about culture and history with a local guide. You can also explore Paskahellir – a coastal cave adorned with pillow lava formations and curious holes left by trees consumed by lava 12 million years ago.
Leaving the East Fjords, drive west towards Lake Myvatn. If you have time, make an optional detour to the bay of Vopnafjordur with its sea cliffs and black-sand beaches. Back on route 1, stop at Modrudalur, Iceland’s highest farm, for a hot chocolate and far reaching views of Herdubreid – the Queen of the Mountains deep in the interior. Spend three nights in the Myvatn area.
The first of two full days exploring the area around Myvatn, start by driving the lake road which links several must-see sights: the perfect cone-shaped pseudocraters at Skutustadir, the bizarre basalt formations of Dimmuborgir and the kilometre-wide tephra cone volcano of Hverfjall. Slightly further afield, you can explore Namaskard – pockmarked with bubbling mud pits and hissing fumaroles – and walk across the steaming lava fields at Krafla. There’s also a fascinating lava cave at Lofthellir. At the end of the day relax in the geothermal waters of the Nature Baths, enjoying a drink and spectacular views across the raw, volcanic landscape.
Optional Experiences
Bird Watching at Lake Myvatn Nature reserve
Myvatn Nature Baths
Askja and Holuhraun Super Jeep Day Tour
On your second full day in the Myvatn area, drive north to Husavik for a whale watching trip (optional) where you’ll scan the sea for tell-tale signs of minke and humpback whales – a sudden spout perhaps as a leviathan surfaces to breathe, or a flock of seabirds fussing over fish driven to the surface by feeding whales. With luck you’ll be treated to a close encounter. Humpbacks can be particularly acrobatic, slapping their tails and flukes, spy-hopping or breaching. You may also spot white-sided dolphins and even blue whales.
Back on shore, visit the excellent whale museum in Husavik harbour before driving to Asbyrgi, a horseshoe-shaped canyon which, according to Norse legend, was stamped in the ground by Odin’s eight-legged horse Sleipnir. Sheltering abeautiful birch woodland, it’s a fine spot for a walk and a picnic.
From Asbyrgi, continue south to Dettifoss where you can walk right up to the enormous cappuccino-coloured cataract. Measuring 100m wide and 45m high, Europe’s most powerful waterfall is bloated with silt-laden meltwater from the Vatnajokull icecap. Return to Myvatn for your final night.
Optional Experiences
Husavik Whale Watching and Puffins Boat Trip
Silent Whale Watching, Husavik
GeoSea
Head to Akureyri for your flight home via Keflavik.
Prices & departures
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
From £1843 Excluding Flights
7 Nights
May-Sep
Prices are per person based upon 2 sharing, subject to availability. Your Travel Specialist will confirm the exact price based upon your tailored requirements, inclusions, and travel dates.
Make this trip yours
Every trip you see here can be adapted to suit you using inside-out knowledge to create one-off experiences created just for you.
Eric
6
Faroese Islands explored
4
Shooting stars with northern lights
We create holidays that are as individual as you are. And we’ve been doing it for 40 years, crafting each and every holiday using our in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm for our destinations. Whatever your brief, we’ll create an amazing trip for you to get excited about. That might mean adapting one of our existing itineraries or we’ll build you one from scratch.
Experts with real experience
-
Freya
Travel Specialist
-
Kieran
Travel Specialist
-
Lauren
Travel Specialist
-
Doug
Travel Specialist
-
Gary
Travel Specialist
-
Darren
Travel Specialist
-
Phoebe
Travel Specialist
-
Rosie
Travel Specialist
-
Jo
Travel Specialist
-
Eric
Travel Specialist
