Compare Iceland Discovery by Intrepid Travel vs Iceland's hidden highlights self-drive by Audley Travel

Day 1 Reykjavik

Hallo! Welcome to Reykjavik, which lies just below the Arctic Circle. The city sees around four hours of sunlight a day in winter and 22 hours or more in summer. Surrounded by volcanic peaks and crystalline ocean and boasting a vibrant arts and nightlife scene, Reykjavik's contrasts are utterly beguiling. Your adventure kicks off with a welcome meeting at 6 pm at your accommodation. If you arrive early, why not head to the National Museum, which depicts the history of Iceland from the ninth century – when the first Vikings from mainland Scandinavia arrived and settled – to the present day. Or perhaps join locals who gossip and chatter in the Laugardalslaug Geothermal Pool.

Day 2 Golden Circle / Hvolsvollur Valley

Make an early start to beat the crowds on the Golden Circle route. Head to Thingvellir National Park, home to the Parliament Plains and location of Iceland’s first parliament. Thingvellir also contains the Silfra fissure, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart. The resulting gap is partly filled with fresh water and is clearly visible. From here head to the Geysir geothermal area, checking out Strokkur and watching as the geyser swells with blue water before erupting and shooting some 20-30 metres in the air. Be spellbound by the immense beauty and sheer power of the Gullfoss (Golden) double waterfall on the Hvita River, before proceeding to a remote farm in the Hvolsvollur region, our overnight stop for the night.

Day 3 South Coast / Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Begin the day with a visit to breathtaking Seljalandsfoss waterfall, followed by Skogafoss waterfall. At 25-metres wide with a 60-metre drop, this waterfall roars. You can feel its power up close with a strenuous walk up a windy set of stairs up to a stunning viewpoint. The black sands and bizarre, rectangular rock formations of Reynisfjara are up next. The last stop of the day is the famous Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. Make sure you head down to Diamond Beach, where some of the icebergs are washed onto the black sand. Your leader can help you book an optional walk on the mottled blue, grey and black face of one of the tongues of Europe's largest glaciers, the epic ice cap of Vatnajokull. From Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon it is not far to our overnight stay, located on another lagoon that is sheltered by a black sandbar.

Day 4 East Fjords / Modrudalur Valley

Start the day by returning to the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. Cruise between jagged icebergs in an included boat tour. Then take a scenic drive along the rugged coast of the East Fjords. Enjoy spectacular views of high mountains, deep fjords, spectacular waterfalls, glaciers and quaint fishing villages. Make stops along the way at small but notable towns like Djupivogur, which became a member of the cittaslow movement in 2013 and is aiming to be the Happiest Town in Iceland, and drop by Egilsstadir, home to the mythic Lagarfljot Wyrm. Continue along mountain roads into the highland to the farm village of Modrudalur. At 469 metres (1539 feet) above sea level, Modrudalur is the highest inhabited place in Iceland, and snow can be seen almost year-round. Stretch your legs with a walk to the farm's church, built in 1949 by farmer Jon Adalsteinn Stefansson in memory of his wife. Spend the evening on this unique farm, which is small but rich in history.

Day 5 Lake Myvatn / Akureyri

Set off for magnificent Dettifoss, Europe's mightiest waterfall at 100-metres wide and with a 45-metre drop into the craggy shores of Jokulsargljufur canyon below. It’s so powerful that it’s vibrations can be felt underfoot. Continue to volcanic Lake Myvatn. Next is Namaskard, where steam rises from the sulphuric terrain and it’s hard to believe you’re on Earth and not Mars. Take a walk around the lava stacks and caves of Dimmuborgir and then observe the massive pseudo craters of Skutustadir. Continue to the crescent shaped Godafoss waterfall, where legend says a lawmaker priest threw the idols of the Norse gods when Christianity became Iceland’s official religion in AD1000. Travel on to Akureyri and settle into your accommodation for the evening.

Day 6 Akureyri / Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Situated at the head of Iceland's longest fjord, Akureyri is the nation's second-largest city. Embark on a short walking tour of the town, taking in the striking church and other local sights. Later, continue to Snaefellsnes Peninsula, home to the magnificent Snaefellsjokull Glacier, which played a starring role in Jules Verne's 1864 novel Journey to the Centre of the Earth. Next up is Lysuholslaug, where you can bathe in thermal pools (depending on the season) or check out the Icelandic horses grazing in the fields. Look forward to an included home-cooked dinner this evening.

Day 7 Snaefellsnes Peninsula / Reykjavik

Continue exploring the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, beginning with the white beach at Budir, then go on to Arnarstapi, where a short stroll along the coastal cliffs exposes you to rich bird life and other wonders of nature. Continue on to the basaltic pebble beach Djupalonssandur. In the afternoon head back to Reykjavik to complete your circuit of Iceland. You may wish to book an optional whale watching tour for late afternoon if you are here between May and December. The rest of the evening is yours for the taking. Perhaps head out for dinner with your fellow travellers and toast with a glass of Brennivin, a savoury schnapps.

Day 8 Reykjavik

Today is departure day and time to say sjaumst (see you soon)! Check out time is at midday. If you are departing later, you can arrange with reception to store your luggage at the hotel. If you wish to spend more time in Reykjavik, we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). Please speak to your booking agent at the time of booking. Perhaps browse some of the city's great art galleries. If you feel like something more active, book yourself on a Silfra Fissure snorkelling adventure, where you’ll discover this underwater ridge with water visibility of up to 120 metres. Alternatively, while away the hours with a soak in the geothermal waters of the famous Blue Lagoon.

Day 1: Hveragerði

Accommodation: Frost & Fire Boutique Hotel

On arrival at Keflavík airport and collect your rental car. All insurances have been included for you, and a GPS navigation system can be added locally. To navigate Iceland’s more remote rugged landscape, we’ve booked a 4x4 for you. Drive to your hotel, located in the heart of the Reykjadalur valley where geothermal activity causes steam to rising atmospherically from the surrounding hills.

Day 2: Hveragerði

Accommodation: Frost & Fire Boutique Hotel

Meet your guide this morning and embark on a full-day, private superjeep tour to the Þjórsárdalur valley in Iceland’s remote southern highlands. This region is celebrated for its impressive waterfalls, including Háifoss and Gjáin, and its verdant meadows, which bloom with wildflowers during the summer. You’ll also stop at the Stöng farmhouse – one of Iceland’s few Viking archaeological sites.

Day 3: Vík

Accommodation: Hotel Vík

Drive to Landeyjahöfn where you’ll take the half-hour ferry across to the Westman Islands. Formed thousands of years ago by submarine volcanoes, the Westman Islands are scenically and culturally different from the rest of Iceland, and you’ll have the full day at leisure to explore. You might like to visit the Eldheimar Museum to learn more about the devastating impact the 1973 eruption had on the island community, or hike to the top of Eldfell volcano and take in the views across the sea of the glaciers on the Icelandic mainland.

Day 4: Vík

Accommodation: Hotel Vík

See the renowned south coast from another perspective, joining a local Icelander on a small-group quad-bike tour. Along the way, your guide will share stories of Iceland’s past, and cook a meal for you in an ancient cave that was hand-carved by Irish monks over a millennia ago.

Day 5: Hof

Accommodation: Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon

Continue your self-drive tour east towards the town of Kirkjabæjarklaustur and the vast Eldhraun lava field, which was created by a huge eruption in the 18th century and is the largest in the world. Your 4x4 will allow you to access some of the area’s more rugged roads and explore the waterfalls, canyon and lava formations of this extensive wilderness area at leisure.

Day 6: Höfn

Accommodation: Hotel Höfn

Your focus today is the vast Vatnajökull National Park, whose mammoth ice cap covers 20% of Iceland. Most visitors flock to the much-celebrated Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon; instead you’ll take a small-group, guided boat tour on its nearby sister lagoon Fjallsárlón, and watch huge chunks of ice, which have calved from the glacier above, float beside your boat.

Day 7: Fáskrúðsfjörður

Accommodation: Fosshotel Eastfjords

Your self-drive tour continues along the coast to Iceland’s spectacular Eastfjords. This region is one of the least visited in the country, and you can expect some of Iceland’s best scenic driving opportunities as you weave your way through this remote fjordland area, passing towering mountains, alpine lakes and tiny fishing communities that are scattered along the coast.

Day 8: Egilsstaðir

Accommodation: Gistihúsið — Lake Hotel Egilsstaðir

Continue your drive through the Eastfjords to the village of Borgarfjörður Eystri. Here, take a guided tour with a local, learning more about traditional folklore and the way of life for Icelanders in this remote corner of the country. If visiting between May and August, you can also visit a thriving puffin colony, whose residents come to nest on a rocky outcrop just outside the village. Spend the rest of your day at leisure, exploring the region’s wide array of hiking trails, visiting some of its museums, or simply taking in the rural scenery by car.

Day 9: Reykjavík

Accommodation options: Centerhotel Miðgarður, Hotel Borg, Icelandair Hotel Reykjavík Marina & Reykjavík Residence Hotel

Drop off your car at Egilsstaðir Airport and take a short flight west to Reykjavík. On arrival, take a taxi to your hotel, which is a short distance away in the heart of the city. You’ll have the afternoon to explore Iceland’s compact capital under your own steam; stroll through the town’s Old Harbour, browse the shops of Laugavegar, admire the architecture of the Harpa concert hall or get sweeping views from the top of Hallgrímskirkja cathedral.

Day 10: Return home

You’ll be met at your hotel this morning and transfer by private car to Keflavík International Airport in time for your flight.