top of page
Explorateur
Gems of South and West Iceland
An autotour
Based on 9 nights 10 days
From $1,030
Itinerary
This trip allows you to combine exploration of the wild lands of Iceland with comfort, both in the vehicle (4x4) and in the accommodation.
This stay invites you to discover the South and West coasts of the country: the Snæfellsnes peninsula, the sites of the Golden Circle, the Vatnajökull glacier, the Jökulsárlón iceberg lagoon, the waterfalls on the South coast..., as well as the colorful mountains of Landmannalaugar and the explosive fault of Eldgjá.
The route allows you to discover these gems in eight days. Looking for comfort while wishing to explore the most beautiful sites in Iceland, this stay is designed for you.
Each step in the package can be modified and tailored to the number of nights you wish to spend per step.
A step can be deleted and replaced by another.
The supplement in a superior category or in a hotel can be requested.
Day 1 Arrive in Iceland – Borgarfjörður
Upon arrival at Keflavik airport, collection of the rental car with our service provider on site.
Drive to your first accommodation in the beautiful town of Borgarnes.
An hour's drive north of the capital Reykjavik, Borgarnes is a town located on a peninsula in western Iceland. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, glaciers, national parks and icy waters, it is the ideal place from which to enjoy the surrounding natural beauty. The town is one of the few in Iceland that is not dependent on fishing, although you can enjoy fresh seafood, Borgarnes' specialty being the lamb raised in the region. One of the restaurants has also taken up residence inside the oldest building in the city, the colonial center. It is also a great place to admire the Aurora Borealis when it illuminates the snow-capped peaks of Mount Hafnarfjall.
To discover in Bogarnes:
-The colonial museum on the Viking history of the region
-The Borgarfjordur museum which presents the life of Icelandic children of the last century
This stage takes you through the Borgarfjörður region.
You visit the historic site of Reykholt, a small village steeped in history and culture, in particular because it was the home of the legendary writer Snorri Sturluson, to whom we owe much of our knowledge of the medieval history of southern Europe. North - Discovery of the small neighboring towns of Reykholt - Direction the largest hot spring in Europe Deildartunguhver - We end by going to see the beautiful waterfalls of Hraunfossar and Barnafoss.
Recommended activities in the area:
-Climbing Mount Hafnarfjall
-Snowmobiling on the Langjökull Glacier
-The bubbling thermal springs of Deildartunguhver
Day 2,3 Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Breakfast - Drive to the Snæfellsnes peninsula, located just over 100km north of the capital Reykjavik.
Volcanoes, steep fjords, lava fields as far as the eye can see, cliffs, waterfalls, craters... the peninsula offers a panorama of exceptional sites such as Snæfellsjökull National Park, which is home to the country's most famous volcano, the conical mountain of Kirkjufell and its enchanting waterfalls, the basalt columns of Gerduberg, the beach of Londrangar lined with lava cliffs where a marked path takes you to a spectacular view of lava pinnacles. In particular, you can climb the famous glacier of the stratovolcano Snæfellsjökull, made famous by Jules Verne in Journey to the Center of the Earth and considered one of the symbols of Iceland. During this stop, you will also discover two pretty little towns: the fishing port of Arnarstapi with its charming houses and cliffs on the edge of the ocean, immersed in an unusual landscape of lava and basaltic formations and Stykkisholmur, the city at the port colourful, dominated by a white church with rather extravagant architecture, and stuck in a narrow cove, at the very end of a peninsula.
Optional activities and excursions (with supplement)
- Vatnshellir Caving: Explore the unique colors of the Vatnshellir cave on the Snaefellsnes peninsula.
-Viking Sushi Boat Tour: Enjoy a boat trip in the bay of Breidafjordur and learn more about the sea and bird life. Then, touch and taste the freshly caught seafood.
-Whale Watching from Olafsvik: Experience a traditional whale watching excursion from Olafsvik.
Day 4,5 Golden Circle
Breakfast - Drive to the sites of the Golden Circle: Þingvellir National Park, located on the edge of the largest lake in Iceland and which draws a volcanic landscape of mountains and lava flows - The gushing hot springs of Geysir ( Strokkur geyser) and its bubbling mud pools - The Gullfoss Waterfall and its falls reaching a height of 32 meters and plunging into a very narrow crack in the gorges of the river - Head to the small village of Laugarvatn for its sublime sunsets and the some hot springs that can be spotted thanks to the fumaroles which escape from them.
Activities included:
-Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths: Immerse yourself in a relaxing bath at the Fontana Geothermal Baths.
-Secret Lagoon: escape for a moment of relaxation in natural hot springs, better known as the Secret Lagoon.
Day 6 Southern waterfull, glaciers and Vik
Breakfast - Driving along the spectacular south coast - Discovery of the Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls - Exploration of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, which is home to the Katla volcano, on foot or by dog sled - Heading to the southernmost point with the Dyrhólaey peninsula and its colossal cliffs where the puffins go to fish (site closed during the spawning period mid-May to mid-June) - Parenthesis on the black sand beaches of Vík. Steep cliffs standing at the edge of the water, this is the picture that awaits you if you visit Vik and its surroundings. Its church, camped on a hill overlooking the village, imposes its red roof which contrasts particularly with the black sand of the beaches. At the top of the cliffs, if the time is right (June to mid-August), it is likely to find thousands of puffins. They generally allow themselves to be approached to be photographed.
Vik is also the starting point to go to the Westman Islands, with their grandiose landscapes and cliffs teeming with birds…
Day 7,8 Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Vatnajökull and Jökulsárlón
Cross the Eldhraun lava field to reach the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, the former site of a Catholic convent in the 12th century. Visit the Skaftafell National Park which lies at the foot of the Vatnajökull glacier offering several hiking opportunities.
*Please note that Dyrhólaey is closed during the nesting season from mid-May until mid-June.
Recommended visits around Kirkjubæjarklaustur
- Landmannalaugar: one of the most grandiose volcanic sites in Iceland. Volcanic activity has forged reddish craters, rhyolite mountains, valleys and ash fields that border deep blue lakes. A magical place to indulge in beautiful hikes.
- Systrafoss: beautiful waterfall flowing from a lake above the cliffs eroded by the sea, with marked paths for accessible hikes.
Optional :
-visit to the folk museum of Skógar
-Eyjafjallajökull information center
Day 9 Reykjavik
Drive to Reykjavik and direction to the natural steaming hot water baths of the Blue Lagoon, 40 km from Reykjavik, misty and nested in a surrounding lunar landscape - Continuation to your accommodation. Check-in at your hotel - An afternoon to visit Reykjavik, whose unique architecture combines traditional houses with colorful roofs with ultra-contemporary facilities. Dinner at the picturesque Old Port.
We cross the semi-pedestrian district of the old town, the shopping streets of Laugavegur, Bankastræti, Austurstræti, Lækjargata and Skólavörðustígur. Tour to the popular square of Austurvöllur. Jump to the Harpa concert hall camped on the water - Visit a cultural place of your choice, Aurora Museum or Nordic House. Panoramic view from Hallgrimskirkja Lutheran Church over central Reykjavik. Jump to the Sundholl public swimming pool, if you want to feel the typical Icelandic atmosphere of the city and crown your day with a relaxing bath in a hot geothermal spring - In the evening, we go to dinner in Hafnarfjordur, a town built on fields of lava, 15 min from Reykjavik. The legend says that it would shelter small supernatural beings like elves and gnomes.
Optional :
- Whale Watching from Reykjavik: observe whales and seabirds in their environment and take part in a memorable adventure at sea
- Puffin Express: take a boat trip from Reykjavik harbor to see puffins in their natural environment
- Whales of Iceland: interactive installation and virtual reality experience where you discover life-size models of whales swimming in Icelandic waters
Day 10 departure
Return car to Keflavik Airport . End of stay
Accommodation
Roots Travel has selected for you accommodations in perfect harmony with the spirit of Costa Rica. Depending on your needs and desires, we offer different categories of comfort, from standard to premium.
Transportation
Costa Rica is full of opportunities for adventure—and one of the best ways to explore is on a self-drive road trip. Having your own 4x4 means you have the freedom to take spontaneous detours and side trips. Your specialist will give you information on current rouaconditions before you go.
Price
Starting from
$1030
Included
Accommodation
9 nights stay in mix of guesthouse and standard hotel in double occupancy
Pension
All breakfast
Transportation
Rental of a 4x4 vehicle JEEP Rengrade Automatic or similar with liability insurance and GPS
Activities
Entry to Fontana bath
Entry to Secret Lagoon
Amphibian boat tour on Glacier Lagoon
Assistance
24/7 whatsapp support from Roots Travel
Road assistance hotline
Not Included
Airfares
Option to add flight from your choice of airport to SJO San Jose
Travel Insurance
Option to add travel insurance: Cancellation, Multi-risk or repatriation
Request this trip
Download brochure
bottom of page