Iceland Odyssey

Day 1 ARRIVAL KEFLAVIK - HVERAGERDI

Geothermal Lagoon - Flower village - Geothermal Greenhouses
Approximate mileage: 100 km / 62 miles

Pick up the car at the airport and start your Iceland experience.

From Keflavik International Airport, we recommend driving the southern coast of the Reykjanes peninsula towards your first overnight stay in the charming village of Hveragerdi. This village is one of the few sites in the world located directly on top of a geothermal area and, because of its many greenhouses heated by hot water from nearby springs, it is often called the "flower village".

If your flight arrives early in the day, you might stop at the Blue Lagoon (a short distance from the airport) for a chance to relax in the soothing geothermal mineral waters.

Important: Please note that admission to the Blue Lagoon must be booked in advance. Overnight stay in Hveragerdi.

Highlights: Reykjavik | Tjornin | Solar Voyager | Perlan | Esja | Hofdi | Reykjavik City Museum

Optional: Blue Lagoon Entrance and Extras

Day 2 THINGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK - GULLFOSS - FLUDIR/SELFOSS (B)

National Park with Geological Wonders (UNESCO) - Exploding Geysers - Massive Waterfall
Approximate mileage: 170 km / 106 miles

Drive to Thingvellir National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site), 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. Overnight in Fludir area.

Highlights: Thingvellir | Gullfoss | Geysir | Geysir Center | Kerid | Skalholt

Optional: Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths - Entrance fee

Day 3 HELLA - SOUTH SHORE - VIK (B)

Hekla Volcano - Thundering Waterfalls - Seabird Colony - Black Sand Beaches - Lava Fields
Approximate mileage: 300 km / 186 miles

Drive along the spectacular south coast and view highlights along the way such as Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, Myrdalsjökull glacier, Dyrholaey* and the black sand beaches of Vik. Continue towards Kirkjubaejarklaustur, a picturesque village known for fabulous trout fishing and is the former site of a 12th-century Catholic convent. Overnight in Southeast Iceland.

*Please note that Dyrholaey is closed during nesting season in spring, from around mid May until June 23rd.

Highlights: Seljalandsfoss | Skogafoss | Hekla | Thjorsardalur | Dyrholaey | Vik

Optional: Snowmobiling on Myrdalsjökull Glacier (from Basecamp)

Day 4 SKAFTAFELL - GLACIAL LAGOON - EGILSTADIR (B)

Europe's Largest National Park - Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs - Europe's Largest Glacier - Narrow Fjords - Steep Mountains - Mineral Collection
Approximate mileage: 380 km / 236 miles

Today you will be in the area of Vatnajökull National Park, named after Europe's largest glacier. Visit the park's awe-inspiring Skaftafell area, which is set between glaciers and offers many hiking possibilities. Continue to the shimmering icebergs of Jökulsarlon Glacial Lagoon.

Wind your way through the spectacular East Fjords, with towering mountains and charming fishing villages, to the fertile Egilsstadir area. You might opt to take a boat tour to Papey Island where thousands of puffins nest in the summer or visit Petra's famous stone collection at Stodvarfjördur (best time for viewing puffins is mid May to early August). Overnight in Egilsstadir area.

You can either drive straight through Fagridalur to Egilsstadir or head along the East Fjords, one of the oldest regions in Iceland, shaped by glaciers during the Ice Age. Although many are uninhabited, each fjord has its own grandeur. The natural harbors in the fjords led to the development of fishing villages that have still hung on to a degree of old-world charm.

Highlights: Skaftafell National Park | Jökulsarlon | Höfn | Vatnajökull

Optional: Amphibian Boat Tour on Glacial Lagoon (from the lagoon)

Day 5 EAST FJORDS - EGILSTADIR AND SURROUNDINGS (B)

East Fjords - Legendary Lake Monster - Largest Forest in Iceland - Wilderness Heritage
Approximate mileage: variable

Explore Egilsstadir and surrounding area, one of the oldest regions in Iceland, shaped by glaciers during the Ice Age. Although many are uninhabited, each fjord has its own grandeur. The natural harbors in the fjords led to the development of fishing villages that have still hung on to a degree of old-world charm.

Explore the quaint village of Seydisfjördur, where multi-colored wooden houses are sheltered by a jaw-dropping backdrop of snow-capped mountains and tumbling waterfalls.

Visit Hallormsstadur the largest forest in Iceland set along Lake Lagarfljot, which according to legend contains a monster. Visit the new Wilderness Center located at the edge of the hauntingly beautiful eastern highlands. Here you can discover Iceland’s pioneer history and highland nature in a clever interactive way. Overnight in the Egilsstadir area.

Highlights: Djupivogur | Petra's Minerals | Reydarfjördur | Lagarfljot | The Wilderness Center

Optional: Dinner with the Locals (from Egilsstadir, East Iceland)

Day 6 DETTIFOSS - ASBYRGI - HUSAVIK - MYVATN (B)

Europe's Most Powerful Waterfall - Glacier Carved Gorge - Whale Watching
Approximate mileage: 310 km / 193 miles

Travel across Modrudalsoraefi highlands to the mighty Dettifoss waterfall. Explore the impressive horse-shoe-shaped Asbyrgi canyon in Vatnajökull National Park's northern rim before continuing to the fishing port of Husavik. Overnight in northeast Iceland.

Highlights: Jökulsargljufur National Park | Dettifoss | Asbyrgi | Husavik | Whale Museum

Optional: Whale Watching in traditional Oak Boat (from Husavik)

Day 7 LAKE MYVATN - AKUREYRI (B)

Bizarre Lava Formations - Geothermal Activity - Rich Birdlife
Approximate mileage: 100 km / 62 miles

Explore the highlights of Lake Myvatn and surrounding area with unique attractions such as Dimmuborgir, the pseudo craters at Skutustadir, the colorful sulfurous slopes of Namaskard and Krafla volcanic area. Make a stop to admire Godafoss "Of the Gods" waterfall before continuing to the town of Akureyri. Overnight stay in the Akureyri area.

Highlights: Myvatn | Dimmuborgir | Krafla | Godafoss | Myvatn Nature Baths

Optional: Whale Watching (from Akureyri) | Akureyri Art and City Walk (from Akureyri)

Day 8 AKUREYRI (B)

Iceland's "Capital of the North" - Botanical Gardens - Local Museums - Arctic Circle
Approximate mileage: variable

Spend the day exploring Akureyri, "Capital of the North" and its surrounding area. This charming town is small in size but has a vibrant cultural scene. Wander through a street dedicated to art galleries. Visit museums and historical wooden homes. Swim in the magnificent geothermal pool, and take a walk through a beautiful botanical garden on the edge of the Arctic Circle. If you enjoy outdoor recreation, Akureyri is great for whale watching, fishing, horseback riding or hiking in the trails around the fjord. Overnight stay in Akureyri.

Highlights: Akureyri | Kjarnaskogur

Optional: Whale Watching (from Akureyri) | Akureyri Art and City Walk (from Akureyri) | Horses and Heritage (from Akureyri) | Culinary Coastline (from Akureyri)

Day 9 AKUREYRI - LAUGARBAKKI - STYKKISHOLMUR (B)

Fertile Farmlands - Folk Museum - Viking Horses
Approximate mileage: 370 km / 230 miles

Travel to the horse-breeding valley of Skagafjördur fjord. Here you might enjoy a horseback ride in the beautiful countryside or take in ancient history at Holar Museum area or the old manor of Glaumbaer.

Continue to the shores of Hunafloi bay, an area rich in Icelandic history. Explore Dalir, the region of Eric the Red and birthplace of his son, the great explorer Leif Eiriksson at a living replica museum before driving to Snæfellsnes peninsula. Overnight stay in Stykkisholmur area.

Highlights: Dalvik | Siglufjördur | Saudarkrokur

Optional: Seal and Nature Watching (from Hvammstangi)

Day 10 STYKKISHOLMUR - ARNARSTAPI - BORGARFJÖRDUR (B)

Magical Glacier Volcano - Sea Cliffs with Birdlife - Volcanic Crater
Approximate mileage: 240 km / 150 miles

Circle around the legendary Snæfellsjökull peninsula passing the small fishing villages of Grundarfjördur and Hellissandur. Make a stop at the rocky beach of Djupalonssandur. Don't miss the striking columnar basalt rock formations at Arnarstapi. Highlight of this beauty is the great glacier-crowned volcano of Snæfellsjökull, said to have magical powers. Pass Eldborg crater on route to the agricultural region of Borgarfjördur. Overnight stay in Borgarfjördur area.

Highlights: Stykkisholmur | Olafsvik | Songhellir | Shark Museum

Optional: Viking Sushi Boat Tour - Short Version (from Stykkisholmur)

Day 11 HRAUNFOSSAR - REYKHOLT - REYKJAVIK (B)

Picturesque Waterfalls - Europe's Most Powerful Hot Spring - Viking history
Approximate mileage: 220 km / 137 miles

In Borgarfjördur visit the beautiful Hraunfoss and Barnafoss waterfalls, and the enormous Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot springs in Europe. Walk in the footsteps of the Medieval chieftain and Saga author Snorri Sturluson at his home in Reykholt. Visit the Viking Settlement Museum in Borgarnes. Continue via Hvalfjördur fjord to Reykjavik. Overnight stay in Reykjavik.

Highlights: Hraunfossar | Barnafoss | Deildartunguhver | Borgarnes | Settlement Center of Iceland | Husafell

Optional: The Settlement Center - Entrance Fee | Into the Glacier - Classic Tour (from Husafell Hotel or Klaki Base Camp)

Day 12 REYKJAVIK DEPARTURE (B)

Approximate distance: 52 km / 32 miles

Drive back to Keflavik International Airport and even stop at Blue Lagoon as it is on your way to the airport, if you did not have time to do it on your arrival day. *

Highlights: Reykjavik | The Blue Lagoon

Optional: Blue Lagoon Entrance and Extras

*Please note that the package price is based on 11 x 24-hour rental days starting at the time of rental. If your flight arrives early on day 1 and departs late on day 12 an additional supplement will be necessary unless you choose to return the car in Reykjavik when the 11 day rental is up and use our Flybus departure transfer.