Complete South Iceland

Itinerary for Complete South Iceland

Day 1, Arrival & Reykjavik
We will arrange a private transfer from the KEF airport to your hotel in Reykjavik (40 minutes’ drive). The rest of the day is spent in the city, where you can go shopping, visit museums, relax in a spa or go for a stroll downtown.
Optional: City introduction tour
Accommodation: 4* Hotel in downtown Reykjavik

Day 2, West Iceland; Fjord, Hot Spring, Waterfalls, Tectonic Plates, Geysir
In the morning a driver guide in a private Super Jeep will pick you up at the hotel.  We start by driving through the scenic Hvalfjordur fjord to Europe’s largest hot spring, and then visit two beautiful waterfalls; Hraunfossar and Barnafoss. Then we head up to Iceland’s second largest glacier, Langjokull, where we cruise in the Super Jeep.  A fun mountain track leads from the glacier through the barren wilderness to Thingvellir National Park, where the Icelandic Parliament was founded, and where the Eurasian and North-American tectonic plates meet. The area is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List because of its beautiful nature and rich history.
After a stroll around Thingvellir we head to Geysir, where you can see many powerful hot springs and geysers, including Geysir, from which the English word geyser take its name.  There you watch the geyser Strokkur spout boiling water 25-30 meters in the air every five to ten minutes.  Staying overnight in the area gives you a great opportunity for an evening photo shoot, when other travelers have left.
Accommodation: Hotel Geysir

Day 3, Gullfoss, & Hekla Volcano
We begin the day with a visit to Gullfoss, the Golden Waterfall, which is the most photographed waterfall in Iceland.  The “gold” is the rainbow that forms on sunny days because of the drizzle from the water as it pummels down the 32 meter crevice in two steps.
Next we head towards Mt. Hekla, where we stop at Haifoss, Iceland’s second highest waterfall, and the beautiful Hjalparfoss waterfall.  We then travel through a fun mountain track by the lava fields formed over the centuries by Mt. Hekla’s volcanic activity.  The mountain track ends by Hrauneyjar highland center, the last stop before inland Iceland.
Optional: ATV tour or RiverJet on Hvita River
Accommodation: Hotel near Hekla

Day 4, Landmannalaugar & Hrafntinnusker
Driving along Domadalur Mt. track we head to Hrafntinnusker (Obsidian Skerry), where the geothermal heat in the ground is constantly shaping the environment; melting snow and forming ice cave.  Then we head into Landmannalaugar nature reserve, a beautiful area with an amazing array of different colours; green, black orange and yellow mountains.  In Landmannalaugar there is a geothermal pool where you can have a relaxing soak after a day of exploring and hiking.
We then travel south-east across Fjallabak mountain track, an old, scenic horse route used by Vikings.  It takes you into the wilderness, away from the main roads and bigger crowds.
Accommodation: A hotel in Kirkjubaejarklaustur or by Skaftafell

Day 5, Jokulsarlon & Skaftafell
First we head to Skaftafell, a beautiful national park of unspoilt nature with plenty of hiking paths and great photo-opportunities, like Svartifoss waterfall which flows down black basalt rock.
We then head to Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon where you go on a boat ride among the majestic icebergs which float in the water.  Seals are often seen swimming in the water or sun bathing on an iceberg.  We then head back west, stopping at the black sand beaches by Vik in Myrdalur, at Dyrholaey peninsula and Reynisdrangar.  We stop at Skogarfoss and Seljarlandsfoss, two beautiful waterfalls.
Accommodation: Hotel near Hvolsvollur town

Day 6, Thorsmork Nature Reserve
Today we visit one of the most beautiful locations in Iceland; Thorsmork.  Located by the roots of Eyjafjallajokull, which erupted so memorably in 2010, the green valley is one of Iceland’s most popular hiking grounds.  The route into Thorsmork is a great strip of mountain track, with plenty of unbridged rivers and streams to cross.  The day is spent hiking and photographing in Thorsmork.  On the way out of the valley we can stop for a walk along a long valley with a picturesque waterfall at the end.
Optional: Horseback riding tour
Accommodation: Hotel near Hvolsvollur town

Day 7, Reykjanes Lunar Landscape & departure
From our hotel we head west to the lava fields of the Reykjanes peninsula.  Here the landscape has been shaped by centuries of volcanic activity, having formed vast lava fields.  There are some great mountain tracks that we travel along, stopping at Lake Kleifarvatn, Seltun and Krysuvik to see the bubbling mud pits and blowing steam vents.  We can also stop and explore Leidarendahellir lava cave.  After a fun Super Jeep adventure we head to the Blue Lagoon for a relaxing soak.  The driver guide will then drop you off at the airport in time for your flight.  It is also possible to end the day in Reykjavik, if you want to stay longer in Iceland.
Optional: ATV tour in Reykjanes

Itinerary for Complete South Iceland

Day 1, Arrival & Reykjavik
We will arrange a private transfer from the KEF airport to your hotel in Reykjavik (40 minutes’ drive). The rest of the day can be spent in the city, where you can go shopping, visit museums, relax in a spa or go for a stroll downtown.
Optional: City introduction tour
Accommodation: 4* Hotel in downtown Reykjavik

Day 2, West Iceland: Fjord, Hot Spring, Waterfalls, Tectonic Plates, Geysir
In the morning a driver guide in a private Super Jeep will pick you up at 9 am at your hotel. We start by driving through the scenic Hvalfjordur fjord to Europe’s largest hot spring, and then visit two beautiful waterfalls: Hraunfossar and Barnafoss. Then we head up to Iceland’s second largest glacier, Langjokull, where we cruise in the Super Jeep. A fun mountain track leads from the glacier through the barren wilderness to Thingvellir National Park, where the Icelandic Parliament was founded, and where the Eurasian and North-American tectonic plates meet. The area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its geological uniqueness, beautiful nature and rich history.
After a stroll around Thingvellir we head to Geysir, where you can see many powerful hot springs and geysers, including Geysir, from which the English word geyser takes its name. There you watch the geyser Strokkur spout boiling water 25-30 meters in the air every five to ten minutes. Staying overnight in the area gives you a great opportunity for an evening photo shoot, when other travellers have left.
If the skies are clear, you have a chance to see the auroras at night.
Accommodation: Hotel Geysir

Day 3, Landmannalaugar
This day will be our big off-road winter adventure. We drive from Geysir to Hjalparfoss waterfall, close to Hekla volcano and onwards to the hydro power plants at Hrauneyjar. There we leave our luggage at the hotel and venture into the Highlands.
The roads are closed but with our Super-Jeep we drive on snow and go places other vehicles can’t at this time of year. We drive to the beautiful crater lakes of Hnausapollur and Ljotipollur, cross snowy lava fields and through a crater to hopefully reach Landmannalaugar – which is famous for its natural geothermal pool in the middle of the Highlands. This is the wilder side of Iceland which not many get to see in winter.
Our hotel is small, with a small menu but very good food. It also has a hot tub and a great location for seeing auroras.
Accommodation: Hotel Highland

Day 4, Eyjafjallajokull Volcano + Snowmobiling & Black Sand Beach
Today we drive from Geysir to the south side of Eyjafjallajokull, the famous volcano that erupted so memorably in 2010 disrupting all the air traffic in Europe. We start by going to Skogafoss waterfall and then to the black sand beach before driving up to 1000 m above sea level to the edge of the glacier where you go snowmobiling on the glacier for an hour. In only 15 min drive the landscape changes dramatically: cruising down from the glacier, through barren rocky terrain to the green countryside and all the way to the black sand beach.
A bit further east is Dyrholaey and Reynisfjara with their hexagonal basalt columns and view to Reynisdrangar, the lava pillars rising from the ocean. We can also see them from the other side, at Vik before we continue eastwards through Iceland’s largest lava flow, Eldhraun, to our hotel by Kirkjubaejarklaustur. The hotel is away from the town lights so you have a chance to see the auroras at night. The hotel also has good food and a great view to two glaciers on a clear day.
Optional: 1hour snowmobile tour on glacier:
ISK 17500 per person if 2 share 1 skidoo, or ISK 22500 per person if each has his/her own skidoo
Accommodation: Hotel Laki

Day 5, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon & Skaftafell National Park
First we head to Skaftafell, a beautiful national park of unspoilt nature with plenty of hiking paths and great photo opportunities, such as Svartifoss waterfall which flows down black basalt rock. Next we stop at Svinafellsjokull glacier where you get up close & personal with the ice crumbling down the mountainside.
We then head to Fjallsarlon and Jokulsarlon glacier lagoons. Seals are often seen swimming in the water or sunbathing on an iceberg. Just a few hundred meters from Jokulsarlon there is a great black sand beach where icebergs strand – which is fantastic for photographs. We might alter the order of when we visit each sight, based on weather and your needs and wishes. Of course we hope for a grand finale with northern lights during the night.
Accommodation: Hotel Laki or another hotel in Kirkjubaejarklaustur

Day 6, Thorsmork (Þórsmörk) Nature Reserve
This day we start heading back to Reykjavik but the adventure is far from over.
Instead of driving straight to Reykjavik, we visit one of our favorite places in Iceland; Þórsmörk – the valley of Thor, Viking god of thunder. Surrounded by 3 glaciers, Myrdalsjokull, Eyjafjallajokull and Tindfjallajokull in the southern part of Iceland, it offers a great picturesque panorama and landscape. The rugged nature of green valleys, steep mountains, clear creeks and wild rivers make Þórsmörk one of the country´s most popular hiking grounds and a favorite place for many Icelanders. It’s very beautiful in the spring when it’s turning green and a fun drive as we need to cross many unbridged glacier rivers and streams to get there – which is completely safe on our super-jeep. You will also get very close to the eruption site of Eyjafjallajokull volcano on this side of the volcano.
If you wish, we can also visit two museums on our way back to Reykjavik; the heritage museum at Skogar and/or the Eyjafjallajokull exhibition at Þorvaldseyri.
Accommodation: 4* Hotel in Reykjavik

Day 7, Easy day in Reykjavik
Easy day in Reykjavik. All the landmarks such as Hallgrimskirkja, Harpa, the old harbour, Hofdi House, Solfarid and many museums are within walking distance from the city centre, as well as the main shopping street, Laugavegur.
Accommodation: 4* Hotel in Reykjavik

Day 8, ATVs + Blue Lagoon & Departure
People often forget to enjoy the last day and become preoccupied with the flight home, bu if your flight out of Iceland is in the afternoon, you have some time to have fun. Our private taxi will pick you up at your hotel at 9:00 and take you to the town of Grindavik where you go on ATVs for an hour and then enjoy a relaxing soak and lunch at the Blue Lagoon for a couple of hours. Our taxi then takes you to the airport in time for your flight, and makes sure that you are at KEF airport 2 hours before your flight.
Optional: Exclusive Lounge in the Blue Lagoon

Tour highlights

The Golden Circle
– Gullfoss, Geysir and Thingvellir national park

Hekla volcano
Barnafoss and Hraunfossar waterfalls

Landmannalaugar
– Colorful landscape
– Natural geothermal pool
– Hrafntinnusker (“obsidian skerry”)

Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon

Skaftafell national park

Thorsmork nature reserve

Eyjafjallajokull and Langjokull glaciers

Reykjanes lunar landscape
– Tectonic plates & lava fields
– The Blue Lagoon
– Lava cave

Great off-road adventure in a luxurious Super Jeep
– Into the wilderness
– Cross unbridged rivers

Plenty of fun activities available along the route.

What should I bring?

Warm wind & wet proof clothes
Warm sweater (fleece or wool)
Good shoes (preferably hiking boots)
Hiking boots with firm grip in winter
Warm headwear, scarf, gloves
Sunglasses
Comfortable evening wear
Bathing suit & towel (we often stop at swimming pools, if you want to)
Camera