This is a classic route tour that gives you flexibility and suitable time to spend at Iceland's major attractions. You can visit the Blue Lagoon at the end of the tour.

Key facts about this tour:

This tour is very similar to Iceland Travel's “Iceland Circle” tour, but the Grand tour additionally includes two days in West Iceland, where you can explore the magical Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

This tour covers the whole of Iceland, except the Westfjords. With 12 days of traveling, you are sure to have plenty of time to cover all the major stunning attractions that Iceland has to offer along the Ring Road.

The nature plays the biggest role in this unforgettable tour. Geysers and hot springs, glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls, National Parks and more – this one has it all.

Types of Car recommended: 2.0 or higher.

The accommodation in this package is available with or without private facilities.

As for all our selfdrive packages, passengers will receive a road book, as well as a good road map of Iceland upon check-in at your first accommodation. For your safety and in case of emergency or after hours assistance, Iceland Travel provides you with an emergency phone number, open 24 hours in the summertime.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL

Explore Reykjavik, the Northernmost Capital in the World.

Arrival and overnight in Reykjavik (transfer from international airport not included)

DAY 2: Þingvellir - Gullfoss - Fludir/Selfoss

National Park with Geological Wonders (UNESCO) - Exploding Geysers - Massive Waterfall

Approximate mileage: ca. 170 km / 106 miles

Drive to Þingvellir National Park, site of the ancient Icelandic parliament and a jewel of nature. Continue to the famous Geysir hot-spring area and don't miss the mighty Gullfoss waterfall.

Optional: Whitewater rafting in the Geysir area; ATV-quad biking in Haukadalur; boat tour to Westman Islands.

DAY 3: Þjórsárdalur - Hella - Vík - Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Hekla Volcano - Thundering Waterfalls - Puffin Colony - Black Sand Beaches - Lava Fields

Approximate mileage: ca. 300 km / 186 miles

Drive along the spectacular south coast and view highlights along the way such as Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, Mýrdalsjökull glacier, Dyrhólaey* and the black sand beaches of Vík. Continue towards Kirkjubæjarklaustur, a picturesque village known for fabulous trout fishing and is the former site of a 12th-century Catholic convent.

*Please note that Dyrhólaey is closed during nesting season in spring, from ca. middle May until June 23rd

Optional: Boat tour from Dyrhólar on a special made boat with wheels; Skógar folk museum.

DAY 4: Skaftafell - Jökulsárlón - Höfn

Europe's Largest National Park - Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs - Europe's Largest Glacier

Approximate mileage: ca. 200 km / 124 miles

Visit the beautiful Skaftafell National Park nestled between glaciers with various hiking possibilities. Continue to the shimmering icebergs of Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon.

Optional: Boat tour on Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon; glacier hike in Skaftafell area.

DAY 5: Djúpivogur - Reyðarfjörður - Egilsstaðir

Narrow Fjords - Steep Mountains - Picturesque Coastline - Mineral Collection

Approximate mileage: ca. 300 km / 186 miles

Drive through the spectacular East Fjords with towering mountains and charming fishing villages to the fertile Egilsstaðir area. You have the possibility to take a boat tour to Papey Island where thousands of puffins nest in the summer or visit the famous stone collection of Petra at Stöðvarfjörður.

Optional: Boat tour to Papey Island; Petra's stone collection.

DAY 6: Dettifoss - Ásbyrgi - Húsavík - Mývatn

Europe's Most Powerful Waterfall - Glacier Carved Gorge - Whale Watching

Approximate mileage: ca. 310 km / 193 miles

Travel across Möðrudalsöræfi highlands to the mighty Dettifoss waterfall. Explore the impressive horse-shoe-shaped Ásbyrgi canyon in Jökulsárgljúfur National Park before continuing to the fishing port of Húsavík.

Optional: Whale watching from Húsavík.

DAY 7: Lake Mývatn - Akureyri

Bizarre Lava Formations - Geothermal Activity - Rich Birdlife

Approximate mileage: ca. 100 km / 62 miles

Explore the highlights of Lake Mývatn and surrounding area with unique attractions such as Dimmuborgir, the pseudo craters at Skútustaðir, the colorful sulfurous slopes of Námaskarð and Krafla volcanic area. Make a stop to admire Goðafoss "Of the Gods" waterfall before continuing to the town of Akureyri.

Optional: bird museum in Mývatn.

DAY 8: Akureyri

Iceland's Second Largest City - Botanical Gardens - Local Museums - Arctic Circle

Approximate mileage: variable

Spend the day exploring Akureyri the capital of the North and its surrounding area.

Optional: Visit to Hrísey island; Flight tour to Grimsey Island which is the only place in Iceland touching the Arctic Circle (not available on Saturdays); Sea Angling from Akureyri.

DAY 9: Akureyri - Laugarbakki

Fertile Farmlands - Folk Museum - Viking Horses

Approximate mileage: ca. 193 / 120 miles

Travel to the horse-breeding valley of Skagafjörður fjord, continue to the shores of Húnaflói bay, an area rich in Icelandic history.

Optional: Whitewater river rafting in Skagafjörður; horse riding in Skagafjörður; seal watching tour from Hvammstangi.

DAY 10: Stykkishólmur - Arnarstapi - Borgarfjörður

Birthplace of Leif Eiriksson - Sea Cliffs with Birdlife - Volcanic Crater

Approximate mileage: ca. 344 km / 213 miles

Explore Dalir, the region of Eric the Red and birthplace of Leif Eiriksson at a living replica museum, before driving to Snæfellsnes peninsula with countless wonders such as the rocky beach of Djúpalónssandur and Arnarstapi sea cliffs. Continue to the Borgarfjörður area.

DAY 11: Borgarfjorður -Reykholt - Hvalfjörður - Reykjavík

Picturesque Waterfalls - Europe's Most Powerful Hot Spring - Blue Lagoon

Approximate mileage: ca. 220 km / 137 miles

In Borgarfjörður visit the beautiful Hraunfoss and Barnafoss waterfalls, Reykholt and the enormous Deildartunguhver hot spring. Continue via Hvalfjörður fjord to Reykjavík. You may opt to visit the famous Blue Lagoon before heading back to Reykjavik.

Optional: Bathing in the Blue Lagoon.

DAY 12: DEPARTURE

Departure (transfer not included).

Included

Rental car for 10 days with CDW, theft protection, unlimited mileage, VAT and one authorized driver.
Delivery of rental car to hotel on day 2 (Only available for packages with accommodation at Hotel Hilton Nordica).
Accommodation for 11 nights including breakfast, a combination of farmhouses, guesthouses and hotels.
Detailed road map (1:600 000).
Road book.
Emergency phone line available 24/7 from May to September.

Not included

Gasoline.
Meals.
Optional Tours.
International flights.
Any service not mentioned under "included"

OPTIONAL:
When sending your request, possibility to include at extra cost:

Child seat/booster: EUR 25 / EUR 10 per rental (not commissionable).
GPS system: EUR 16 per unit per day (Max EUR 112). If booked in advance we offer 50% discount (not commissionable).