Ultimate Icelandic Ring Road Self Drive

Collect your 4×4 that will be your transport for the remainder of your trip. Exit Reykjavik and embark on your circumnavigation tour around Iceland.

Start with the famous Golden Circle route towards your first hotel, Skalakot Manor Hotel. On the Golden Circle tour, you will see Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall and the Geysir geothermal area. You should stop for lunch at Fridheimar tomato farm for an educational visit at a working greenhouse producing tomatoes year-round. You can also add a stop at the secret lagoon for a quick dip into a real hot spring – less popular than the Blue Lagoon and far more authentic. Next, drive past Seljalandsfoss waterfall before you reach the wonderful Skalakot Manor Hotel.

The next day, you will drive a short distance to the roots of Solheimajokull Glacier, where you will meet with your private guide for a glacier walk (don’t worry, all your gear is included). Enjoy one of our local recommended restaurants for lunch, or we can arrange a picnic in situ. After lunch, you will go on another private tour on ATVs around the famous black lava beach. This is an opportunity to get far away from the crowds at Reynisfjara and see the impressive and extensive beach in much more privacy.

Check out of Skalakot and continue the drive further east, winding along the south coast of Iceland en route to your next hotel – Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon. The many natural treasures of Iceland’s south coast are reachable from here with a car – specifically the Jökulsárlón lagoon.

Along the way, there are many wonderful places to see, but we highly recommend you take the opportunity to visit Fjadrargljufur canyon and Skaftafell National Park, including an easy hike up to the impressive Svartifoss waterfall.

Today, after checking out of the hotel, drive a short 20 minutes to reach Fjallsarlon glacier lagoon, where you will embark on a private zodiac tour on these majestic waters. You will see and feel the floating icebergs next to you and learn more about the residing glaciers from your guide. Drive few minutes further east to the more known Jokulsarlon Glacier lagoon and see Diamond Beach. Continue on to the town of Hofn where you will have a selection of local restaurants for lunch before heading due north to your next overnight stop – Icelandair Hotel Herad.

Today you will continue your drive to your next destination, Myvatn (approximately 2 hour 50 minutes drive), with some incredible stops along the way. Visit Studlagil Canyon, where you will see some incredible basalt column formations rising high above the piercing blue river that runs through. Enjoy the view as you walk the trails and experience the birdlife. You also have the option to visit Lake Myvatn nature baths to relax after your day on the road.

During your full day in the Myvatn area, your private guide will pick you up after breakfast to show you some of its hidden secrets. Expect to see caves, incredible rock formations at Dimmuborgir and experience other national treasures on this tour.

Today you will have the longest drive of the trip to your next destination, Húsafell, on the west side of Iceland (approximately 5 hours drive).

You will drive through the capital of the north, Akureyri, where you can shop for some local merchandise and walk around the cute downtown area. Further along the drive, you can also go visit the seals on the beach in Hvammstangi (where if you are interested, there is also a seal museum), visit Deildartunguhver bubbling hot spring and stop for a lovely hike along the way.

The next day you will explore the Húsafell area by car and visit Barnafoss and Hraunfossar waterfalls, visit Stedji local brewery and go on a private cave tour to Vidgelmir – the largest cave in Iceland. Afterwards, take a hike with a local to the Húsafell hot spring located a short trek away from the hotel.