Highlights of North Iceland Tour: 8 Days

Welcome to Iceland. After you clear customs, you will be transferred to your accommodation in the city centre in Reykjavík where you’ll stay for the first night. Today you will receive your travel documents. We also invite you to come by our office for a private information meeting to go over your travel plans. We recommend exploring the famous landmarks of the city such as Hallgrímskirkja Church, Harpa Music & Conference Centre, and the Sun Voyager sculpture to name a few. In the evening, enjoy a nice dinner at one of many nearby restaurants. Overnight in the heart of Reykjavík.

Attractions of the day

Reykjavík City

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Harpa - Music Hall

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Sun Voyager - The Solfar Sculpture

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Hallgrímskirkja Church

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Today is when your self-drive adventure begins. Collect your rental car in the morning and head north towards Borgarnes. There you’ll find the most voluminous hot spring in Europe, Deildartunguhver. If you’re up for an adventure, drive towards Húsafell and stop by the beautiful Hraunfossar on the way. In Húsafell you can join a super truck tour which takes you up to Langjökull glacier. Once there, explore a man-made ice cave which gives you a unique opportunity venture deep into the bowels of a glacier, truly a once in a lifetime experience. Continue your drive to north-west Iceland in the afternoon. Approx. driving distance: 350 kilometers Between mid of June and mid of September, it would be also possible to go North via the famous Kjölur highland road. A 4×4 rental car is needed for this trip since you will travel right across the heart of Iceland. The road starts right by Gullfoss waterfall so it would be possible to have a quick stop at the famous waterfall and the geyser area close-by. On your way to the North be sure to make a stop at the high-temperature area at the Kerlingarfjöll mountain range. It is a paradise for hikers and the colours of the mountains are simply stunning. Another must-see is the Hveravellir hot temperature area where you can bathe in a natural hot spring. You spend the night in the Skagafjörður region.

Attractions of the day

Settlement Center in Borgarnes

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Deildartunguhver Hot Spring

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Today’s drive is a scenic one through the impressive mountains of Tröllaskagi or the Troll Peninsula. You might want to start off by visiting the tiny village of Hofsós and enjoy a dip in their geothermal infinity pool with an amazing ocean view. Continue to Siglufjörður, a thriving fishing village, where we recommend that you enjoy a nice lunch in one of the colourful restaurants by the harbour. Continue to Akureyri, the hub of North East Iceland, where we recommend to explore the Botanical Garden, Hof Culture House or simply enjoy a nice cup of coffee in the charming Hafnarstræti street. In the afternoon you head East for the beautiful Lake Mývatn region where you’ll spend the next days exploring this amazing area. On the way, stop and visit Goðafoss (The Waterfall of the Gods). You will stay overnight in the area of Lake Mývatn.

Attractions of the day

Hofsós Swimming Pool

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Siglufjörður

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Akureyri

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Goðafoss

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Today you have a full day to explore the highlights of the Mývatn area. You should not miss the impressive Skútustaðir pseudo craters. These pseudo craters are created by explosions of water and steam, unlike most craters in Iceland that are created by volcanic activity. As hot lava overflew the ground and heated up the water below the ground, the steam could not find any exit and forced its way through the lava. It is possible to walk on the rim of the pseudo craters. The view from there of Lake Mývatn and the surrounding areas is very beautiful. When you visit Mývatn, don’t miss to go to Dimmuborgir, where you find a huge lava field and very interesting formations. You can also visit Krafla caldera where you will find the smaller of the two Víti craters found in Iceland, a volcanic crater with an opaque teal green lake. After a long but rewarding day, we highly recommend that you take a dip in Mývatn Nature Baths where you can relax and unwind in the mineral-rich geothermal water while enjoying a cold beverage. You stay for a second night in the Mývatn area.

Attractions of the day

Lake Mývatn

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Mývatn Nature Baths

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Dimmuborgir

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Skútustaðir Pseudo Craters

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Today you embark on the Diamond Circle, a magnificent route that includes some of the most stunning sites and landscapes on the entire island. Start by heading towards Húsavík where you might want to enjoy an optional whale watching tour (duration 3 hours) or visit the whale museum of Húsavík. Drive to Ásbyrgi canyon and thereafter visit Jökulsárgljúfur National Park before continuing your drive to the amazing Dettifoss waterfall, the most powerful waterfall in Europe. In the afternoon, we recommend visiting the huge geothermal area Námaskarð where you’ll find several fumaroles, mud pools, and mud pots. You can walk around in that area, but be careful, the fumes and of course the mud pools are very hot. Continue back to Lake Mývatn region where you can enjoy dinner at one of the restaurants in the area before making your way back to your accommodation.

Attractions of the day

Húsavík

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Ásbyrgi Canyon

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Hljóðaklettar

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Dettifoss Waterfall

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Today you have a free day, and we recommend that you use this opportunity to visit the Northern part of the Icelandic highlands. We can arrange a unique guided tour that takes you all the way up to the Askja caldera. On the way, you will be driven through the lunar-like landscape that characterizes this stunning region and get to visit sights such as Drekagil canyon and Herðubreiðarlindir, from where you can enjoy views to the majestic Herðubreið mountain. Once in the Askja caldera you will hike to the larger Víti crater and if conditions allow you may even be able to bathe in its opaque blue waters. It would be also possible to join a sightseeing flight from Akureyri. It would be possible to visit the small island Grímsey, the northernmost inhabited Icelandic territory, by plane. Grímsey is not only famous for lying on the Arctic Circle but also for its rich bird life. During summer, thousands of puffins (and other seabirds) nest on this island. It would also be possible to fly over the magnificent Highlands and towards Askja, Mývatn, Herðubreið and Vatnajökull Glacier.

Attractions of the day

Askja Caldera

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Víti Crater

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Time has come to say goodbye to the beautiful North and return to Reykjavík. We recommend leaving early as you have a long journey ahead. On the way back to Reykjavík, we recommend stopping at Grábrók crater in Borgarfjörður which offers a great vantage point of the rugged lava field all around. In Borgarnes, you will find the interesting Settlement Exhibition where you can get to know some of the heroes of the Icelandic Sagas a little bit better. Once heading back to Reykjavík, you can either take the scenic Hvalfjörður Fjord route where you can stop and hike up to the famous Glymur waterfall or if you want to return directly to Reykjavik take the Route 1 underwater tunnel. Continue to Reykjavik and drop off your rental car before checking into your downtown accommodation. Spend the night in the heart of Reykjavík.

Attractions of the day

Grábrók Crater

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Settlement Center in Borgarnes

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Reykjavík City

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Your road trip in Iceland has come to an end. If your flight is in the afternoon, there is still one twist in this tale. You will be picked up from your accommodation and transferred to Keflavík International Airport, and on your way, you can stop for an optional dip in the geothermal waters of the world-renowned Blue Lagoon geothermal spa (your luggage will be stored safely for a small fee during your visit). After a rejuvenating dip in the lagoon, you will be transferred to Keflavík Airport in time for your flight home.

Attractions of the day

Reykjavík City

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The Blue Lagoon

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