Highlights of Iceland self drive holiday

A self-drive Iceland holiday that gives you total freedom in one of the world’s wildest islands, discovering geysers, glaciers and enchanted forests at your own pace.
Hvergerdi Golden Circle Seljalandfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls Reynisfjara Vik beach Vatnajokull glacier Skaftafell National Park Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon East fjords Dettifoss waterfall Myvatn Baths Akureyri Godafoss whale watching at Eyjafjordur Glaumbaer Reykjavik
Price
£1500To£2500 excluding flights
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Duration
11 Days
Type
Tailor made
Reviews
More info
Included: - Rental car with unlimited kms and insurance SCDW - Nights in B&B with private facilities and breakfast buffet - Entrance to Mývatn Baths - Whale watching Not included: - International flight - Petrol - Meals - Personal insurance
Make enquiry

Description of Highlights of Iceland self drive holiday

There are two “circles” in Iceland which conveniently contain the island’s most stunning natural sites, and this Iceland self drive holiday takes you on a journey to explore both of them, at your own pace.

The Diamond Circle in northern Iceland is fantastic for whale watching in Mývatn-Húsavík – this is Iceland’s best spot for sightings, with humpback, blue and minke whales amongst the 23 species that have been recorded here. You can also explore the canyons of Jökulsárgljúfur and Europe’s most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss.

Southern Iceland’s Golden Circle is the island’s most famous circuit, including the incredible geological formations of Thingvellir National Park, Geysir and the beautiful waterfall at Gullfoss.

This Iceland self drive holiday travels from north to south, passing through the East Fjords and looking out for wildlife en route – keep an eye out for birds, seals and reindeer. The eagle eyed may even see an Arctic fox…

Reaching the south coast, you’ll encounter surreal scenes with Vik’s black beaches on the island’s southernmost tip, Jökulsárlón’s glacial lake, Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull and the 60-metre high Skógafoss waterfall.

Iceland self drive holiday – highlights

- Discover the famous sites. This itinerary is perfect for a first trip to Iceland, as it includes many of the country’s famous and most spectacular natural attractions.

- Charming accommodation. We handpick all of our accommodation with care, avoiding chain hotels wherever possible. We prefer to make the most of Iceland’s more unique options, opting for high quality, character and a warm welcome.

- Customisable itinerary. This self drive holiday is tailor made, meaning you can choose the duration and focus on the sites that appeal to you most. You can explore Iceland at your own pace, without having to spend hours driving each day, but still covering enough ground to discover many of its diverse attractions.

Price information

£1500To£2500 excluding flights
Convert currency:
Included: - Rental car with unlimited kms and insurance SCDW - Nights in B&B with private facilities and breakfast buffet - Entrance to Mývatn Baths - Whale watching Not included: - International flight - Petrol - Meals - Personal insurance
Make enquiry

Departure information

This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements

Travel guides

Iceland
Much of Iceland's landscape could double for a Tolkien fantasy - the very earth is hot beneath your tread, spitting out hot liquids, lava, dark ash an...
Self drive & fly drive
Don't 'guesstimate' driving times. Use detailed trip notes written by those who've driven routes themselves and found the best places to stop, stare a...

Holiday information

Our top tip:
Some sights and wildlife are better at some times of year than others - chat with these Iceland experts to ensure you travel in the best season for you.
Trip type:
Tailor made, self drive tour. Children welcome.
Activity level:
Leisurely.
Accomm:
B&Bs or guesthouses. 3-4* hotel or camping also available.
Solos:
This trip can be tailor made for solo travellers with a surcharge.
Included:
Accomm., domestic flight, car rental inc. unlimited mileage, Myvatn baths, whale watching.
Meals:
Breakfasts only.

Reviews

10 Reviews of Highlights of Iceland self drive holiday

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Reviewed on 07 Aug 2021 by

The trip was awesome. The best from the operator were the hotels and bed and breakfast places selection. They were very charming places. Read full review

Reviewed on 02 Sep 2018 by

We saw places we never would have thought of on our own and everywhere we stayed was either a great hotel or in a beautiful setting or, most often, both. Read full review

Reviewed on 12 Mar 2018 by

The most memorable was snorkelling in Silfra and exploring Reynisfjara Beach. We got really lucky and had 100% sunshine and 0 precipitation the entire 45 days we were there. Read full review

Reviewed on 16 Oct 2018 by

It didn't get off to a great start but overall it would have to have been one of the best holidays my wife and I spent together. It was a trip of a lifetime and we will cherish the memories forever. Read full review

Reviewed on 05 Sep 2017 by

Everything was great. I can't isolate one part. Read full review

Reviewed on 27 Aug 2017 by

The glacier explorer walk on Vatnajökull with Glacier Guides was a wonderful experience. Excellent 10 day tour of Iceland's spectacular sights at a comfortable pace offering opportunities to explore local delights. Read full review

Reviewed on 05 Oct 2015 by

We absolutely loved Iceland! Every day was different to the previous one - the scenery changed but it was all amazing! Absolutely brilliant! Read full review

Reviewed on 03 Sep 2015 by

It was a wonderful trip, a great opportunity to contact with nature. Read full review

Reviewed on 09 Aug 2015 by

Amazing, terrific experience which was enhanced by wonderful co-ordination and planning by the tour company Read full review

Reviewed on 06 Jul 2015 by

Geothermal areas, bubbling pools and glaciers! Read full review

Responsible Travel

As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) holiday so that you can travel knowing it will help support the places and people that you visit, and the planet. Read how below.

Planet

Our aim – which is also our priority – is to ensure a maximum of quality on our trips, enabling each participant to experience a re-centering on his or her personal life. Those short adventures are for people with open, contemplative, active minds, who are willing to take time to discover, feel and meet.

When you travel alone in Iceland or with one of our small group trip we encourage you to follow this basic eco-friendly rules:

- Don’t leave waste behind you, take all the rubbish with you until you can find a proper litter bin
- Recycle as much as possible during your trip
- Follow footpaths and don’t walk on unmarked trails in order to protect the flora, don’t pick native flora even rocks or stones you could find pretty!
- Drink from tape and try to avoid buying plastic bottle. Water in Iceland is really good, use a flask when you go walking and refill it each time, with fresh water.
- If camping don’t contaminate, river and spring by using washing product which can contain detergent and phosphate. Try to use organic washing products without chemicals.

In our tours we eat local, as much as possible organic with a vegetarian tendency except for the delicious grilled leg's lamb and the unmissable local fish. We are particularly concerned by offering well-balanced and nutritious meals. If you have a special diet you need to let this now before the beginning of your trip.

In our tours, we work with local suppliers. Most of the places are chosen for their quality and are locally owned. We pay directly local communities and don’t work on large scale with international corporations. It’s also why we only travel in small groups (up to 12 people only).

We encourage people to buy local products and handicraft, respect customs and traditions, be polite in front of locals and even manage to speak a few Icelandic words even Icelandic people usually speak good English. Respect for local people, their cultures, traditions and environment are essential to our philosophy and we work hard to ensure our groups have a positive impact on the places and people visited. We hope that our clients will be treated as guests rather than as tourists whilst travelling with us.

We are ourselves based in Iceland and work all year round from our office, trying to use less transportation as possible even Icelandic road and conditions make us use engine such as 4x4 to conduct safely our customers. Whenever possible we walk and encourage slow travel by focusing on a small region instead of driving long hours to do the whole country. A lot of our tours are even based at the same place in North Iceland with little kilometers to drive everyday. The aim is to feel, experience and explore places hard to find without possessing the keys instead of glancing over.

We support a local association called Fjoregg and have meeting to make change in a better sustainable energy, wastewater treatment and protection of lake Mývatn birdlife. We also plant a tree for every 2 customers that book with us.

People

Our company is a family run company specialized in small group owned by Icelandic/French couple Harpa /Jean Marc who are based in Iceland. Together they have over 15 years experience travelling and guiding. She studied anthropology, Kundalini yoga and music and will tell you stories of the world of elves and trolls. She is also the president of the local association "Fjoregg" in order to protect the environment. You will have the possibility to become an adherent and support this association. Jean Marc is a professor of Aikido and Qigong and a Shiatsu therapist.

With them you’ll have the opportunity to encounter your own nature while contemplating the beauty of Iceland and forgetting yourself in the midst of the elements. Our extensive knowledge of Iceland enables us to offer original tour itineraries for different durations at all times of the year, as every season has different experiences to offer. We think that our trips provide a good balance between the region's well-known 'must-sees' and off-the-beaten-track pearls.

For each of our tours:
We respect the environment, visitors and locals
We benefit locals and support conservations
Our trips are never sporting challenges
We take the time to live, to contemplate
We focus on quality and simplicity in everything
With all this you can listen, meet, be amazed, be present

Guided tours
With your driver and guide you’ll experience Iceland more like a guest than a tourist. They will show you their favorite spots, and will tell you the stories and legends attached to every place. Tours often focus on contemplation, meditation, observation of wildlife, meeting of the local people and traditions...

Self-drive tours
We privilege eco-friendly accommodations and suggest itineraries that involve as little drive as possible. We try to reserve 4x4 only for necessary trips. Most of the activities we offer are eco-friendly and focus on nature instead of using big engine.

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