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 has continued to erupt periodically ever since, with spectacular fiery lava flows leaving behind newly formed black lava fields. Take in these last few other worldly sites before heading home.
Itinerary
Fly to Keflavik, collect your rental vehicle and drive to the Reykjanes peninsula for an overnight stay. Perhaps visit the Blue Lagoon and take an evening dip in its therapeutic waters (entrance fee at extra cost – pre-payable).
Optional Experiences
Blue Lagoon
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 in Fludir.
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.
Optional Experiences
Katla Ice Cave Tour
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 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. Maybe visit the 35-minute demonstration at the Lava Show.
Optional Experiences
Snowmobiling on Myrdalsjokull Glacier
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 in Reykjavik.
Optional Experiences
Lava Centre
Spend a final day exploring the Reykjavik before travelling back to Keflavik Airport.
Prices & departures
What's Included
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Accommodation in rooms with private facilities
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Daily breakfast
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Car rental throughout with unlimited mileage
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No charge for additional driver
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24-hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
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No surcharge guarantee
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Full financial protection
From £899 Excluding Flights
5 Nights
Year Round
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.
Darren
10
Whale watching trips
3
Successful northern lights hunts
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
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Gary
Travel Specialist
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Lauren
Travel Specialist
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Ben
Travel Specialist
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Jenna
Travel Specialist
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Dawn
Head of Customer Experience
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Freya
Travel Specialist
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Darren
Travel Specialist
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Doug
Travel Specialist
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Jo
Travel Specialist
