Iceland Road Trip: Highlights of the Ring Road

Here are our recommendations of what to do in Reykjavik. Explore the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik at your own pace. You could begin your day with a visit to the splendid Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral. Visible across the city, the design of the shrine draws inspiration from the natural geological formations in the country. Enjoy beautiful views of the city from the observation deck at the top of the cathedral. Head to Harpa Concert Hall, one of Reykjavik’s most iconic landmarks with it sleek, colored glass façade and modern design. You could enjoy a guided tour or a live performance at this all-purpose cultural center. Afterwards, walk along the city’s waterfront, halting to take pictures of the gleaming Sun Voyager steel sculpture. Make your way to the trendy Laugavegur street with its boutique stores and hip restaurants. Enjoy a hearty meal or grab a quick bite before you check out the quirky street art lining the paths along the downtown area. (Self-explore Activity; Transfers, entrance fees and meals are not included; Choose from our recommendations what best suits your interests and pace. Please note that you may not be able to do all recommended activities)

If you have the time and weather allows it, we recommend visiting the attractions of the Golden Circle on your drive from Reykjavik to the scenic hamlet of Hveragerdi. Begin your exploration at the UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park. Featured in the works of numerous Icelandic artists over the centuries, this spectacular park was also seen in the Game of the Thrones series. Travel on to the Haukadalur valley where you can explore the geothermal area that is home to the largely dormant Great Geysir and the intensely active Strokkur Geysir. Afterwards, drive on to the spectacular Gullfoss waterfall that gushes down into the Hvita river canyon. This glacial waterfall with its dual layer cascade offers ample opportunities for you to test your photography skills. (Enroute; Self-explore Activity; Entrance fees and meals are not included; Fitness level: easy; Depending on your personal itinerary, weather conditions, and time available to you, it may not be possible to do all recommended activities)

Beginning from Gullfoss, join your local guide in a Super Truck, and head towards Langjökull Glacier, the second-largest in Iceland. Arriving at Jaki base camp on the glacier’s western edge, gear up in snowmobile suits, balaclavas, gloves, and helmets. A glacier expert will teach you how to safely operate snowmobiles. Shortly after, hop on for an adventure in the Icelandic highlands. Zoom across the smooth snowy landscape at your own pace. Take in breathtaking vistas of the table mountain of Eiríksjökull glacier, the domed peak of Hofsjökull glacier, and the Kerlingafjöll mountain range. En route, see expansive lava fields, rugged cliffs and gigantic volcanic craters. Making a pitstop, learn about the history of these gorgeous natural surroundings. Listen to anecdotes about the ice caves nearby that were used by outlaws during the medieval times. Return to camp with memories of a unique experience on the landmark Langjökull Glacier. (Duration: 4/5 hrs; Time: 1200 hrs; Shared Activity; No Transfers; Meeting point: Gullfoss Cafe; Notes: Wear warm clothes with weatherproof layers, and snowboots)

If you have the time and weather allows it, we recommend visiting LAVA Center, Seljalandsfoss waterfall and other natural attractions on your way from Hveragerdi to the picturesque region of Skaftafell. Stop off at the LAVA Center in Hvolsvollur to browse the displays dedicated to Iceland’s volcanos and earthquakes. Enjoy the interactive experience before you travel on to find the gorgeous Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Capture splendid images of the cascading water and walk to the small cave behind the falls. Continue on your way to stop again at the historic lighthouse at Dyrholaey and enjoy panoramic views of the rugged Icelandic coastline and the ocean. Walk along the black sand on Reynisfjara beach and savor splendid views of the natural rock formations that dot the region. Capture beautiful images of the sea stacks, known as Reynisdrangar Columns, before you resume your onward journey. You also have the option of stopping by Iceland’s most voluminous waterfall, Urridafoss, depending on the time available. (Enroute; Self-explore activity; Entrance fees and meals are not included; Fitness level: easy; Please note: at Reynisfjara Black Beach, be careful of the tidal sneaker waves, which can unexpectedly knock you over and have enough power to dangerously suck out to sea; Depending on your personal itinerary, weather conditions, and time available to you, it may not be possible to do all recommended activities)

Board an inflatable zodiac boat and explore the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon at a leisurely pace. Navigate around bright white and blue icebergs that dot this calm and pristine environment. If you’re lucky, you may witness an iceberg calving from the mighty Vatnajökull glacier. Conditions permitting, you can also make your way to the glacier’s terminal face. Keep an eye out for native wildlife around. Seals and seabirds might make appearances. Take in panoramas of snow-capped mountains in the Vatnajökull National Park in the distance. Chatting with your knowledgeable local guide, learn about Iceland’s glacial landscapes and their significance in the surroundings. Made popular by the opening sequence of the Bond film ‘A View to a Kill’, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon has been mesmerizing travelers ever since. Enjoy these surreal landscapes, and listen to more anecdotes as you return to shore. (Duration: 1 hr; Shared Activity; No Transfers; Meeting point: Zodiac Boat Tour ticket office, 30 mins before scheduled tour; Notes: Wear warm clothes and comfortable footwear. Please note that minimum height of participant 1.3 m)

If you have the time and weather allows it, we recommend hiking to Hengifoss and Litlanesfoss Waterfalls. Drive to the banks of Lagarfljot lake and set off on the easy hike to Litlanesfoss. Watch the cascade as it drains into a small pond flanked by rugged basalt columns. Continue to walk uphill on to reach the base of gorgeous Hengifoss waterfall. Capture beautiful images of the water gushing down over layers of red clay sandwiched between the basalt rocks. Enjoy the sight of one of Iceland’s highest waterfalls to your heart’s content before starting on the downhill journey. (Self-explore Activity; Transfers, entrance fees and meals are not included; Fitness level: moderate as it involves walking for about 1 hr; Depending on your personal itinerary, weather conditions, and time available to you, it may not be possible to do all recommended activities)

If you have the time and weather allows it, we recommend exploring Lake Mývatn, a highlight of the Diamond Circle in northern Iceland. Look out for the vibrant geothermal landscapes of Námaskard Pass and Hverir, near Mount Námafjall. Drop by Dinmuborgir or Dark Fortress to see unique lava formations and explore its various trails and caves. See Iceland’s largest ice sculptures inside the Lofthellir cave, located within the Búrfell lava field. Head to the protected pseudo-craters of Skutustadagigar for birdwatching opportunities. Learn about the region’s avifauna at the Sigurgeir’s Bird Museum. Visit the 1913 Grænavatn Turf House and its adjoining farm. Spot myriad species of ducks, during a stroll alongside Laxá river. Hike up the Hverfjall Cinder Cone for panoramic vistas of Lake Mývatn. Explore the infamous Krafla Volcano area to see the lava flows in the crater. Nearby, witness the grandeur of the powerful Dettifoss waterfall within the Vatnajökull National Park. Continue on to see the horseshoe-shaped glacial Àsbyrgi Canyon. Unwind in the Mývatn Nature Baths to round off your adventurous day. (Self-explore Activity; Transfers, entrance fees and meals are not included; Depending on your personal itinerary, weather conditions, and time available to you, it may not be possible to do all recommended activities)

Take a relaxing soak in the Mývatn Nature Baths as you enjoy the picturesque scenery all around! The Mývatn Nature Baths are a set of geothermally heated pools and steam baths found in the Lake Mývatn area. The bath water flows directly from Landsvirkjun’s borehole in Bjarnarflag to a large reservoir and then into the lagoon. Relax and invigorate your body in the mineral-rich, alkaline waters, said to be beneficial for skin problems, asthma and respiratory diseases. A unique chemical composition also makes the waters free of bacteria and other vegetation. Get a chance to experience a steam bath in geothermal steam rising from vents on the floor. After your soak, tuck into a light lunch or dinner at Cafe Kvika, which has an outer terrace and serves a variety of soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps and pastries. ( No guide; No transfers; Meals are not included; Entrance tickets are included; Fitness Level: Easy; Please bring a bathing suit and towel. Please note that the geothermal water in Iceland usually contains some amount of sulfur so it is recommended to remove copper and silver jewelry before bathing, otherwise they may be damaged.)

If you have the time and weather allows it, we recommend visiting the attractions along Iceland’s famed Diamond Circle. Set out from Lake Myvatn and head for the scenic Dettifoss waterfall, located within Vatnajokull National Park. Enjoy splendid vistas of the water gushing into a ravine before heading to the horseshoe-shaped canyon of Asbyrgi. Believed to be the hoofprint of an eight-legged horse from Norse mythology, this canyon offers ample photo opportunities. Travel on to the Tjornes Peninsula that sits tucked between two fjords. Take in panoramic views of the ocean and spot rock ptarmigans before you head to the harbor town of Husavik. Known as the whale watching capital of Europe, it is also home to a charming wooden church and a whale museum. Stop by the Geosea geothermal baths for a rejuvenating dip in the naturally heated seawater. Afterward, travel to Godafoss waterfall to take in gorgeous vistas of the cascading water gushing over a crescent of jagged cliffs. You also have the option of getting a closer look at the cluster of basalt rock formations known as Hljodaklettar. End your day at the port town of Akureyri. (Self-explore Activity; Transfers, entrance fees and meals are not included; Fitness level: easy; Depending on your personal itinerary, weather conditions, and time available to you, it may not be possible to do all recommended activities)

Enjoy a horseback ride across the flowering meadows and fertile valley of the Svartá River. Meet your local English-speaking guide at the venue, about 15 minutes before the trip begins. The ride is suitable for beginners and expert horse riders alike. Enjoy the feeling of the wind rushing through your hair as you ride under the big open skies, meandering along the Skagafjörður Valley, picturesquely framed by the Svartá River and the flat-topped mountains in the distance. Return to your hotel after the trip. (Duration: 1.5 hrs; Shared Activity; No Transfers; Meeting Point: In Varmahlíð, turn off Ring Road no.1 onto road no. 752 and find the office in the first building on the left (150 m from the junction), N 65°32,744′ W 19°26,338′; Fitness level: Easy; Maximum weight: 100 kg/220 lbs; Helmets & rain gear provided on tour; Please dress warmly in windproof jacket, gloves & comfortable hiking boots.)

If you have the time and weather allows it, we recommend visiting Góðafoss waterfall followed by a city tour of Akureyri. As you head out from Lake Mývatn, get ready for the splendor of Góðafoss which translates to ‘Waterfall of Gods.’ Watch as the waters of the Skjálfandafljót river thunder down a 30-meter wide horseshoe-shaped rock, flowing into a 7000-year-old lava field from the Trölladyngja volcano. After taking in the magnificence of the falls that have birthed legends and folklore about Norse gods and heroes, it is time to make your way to the northern town of Akureyri. Like any other Icelandic town, Akureyri offers a plethora of outdoor adventures – go horseback riding on farms or whale watching along the coast. The Lystigarðurinn, Akureyri’s botanical garden is a great place to take a leisurely stroll as you marvel at the lush greenery and summer blossoms, so close to the Arctic Circle. Later, wander past quaint turf houses, many of them preserved for their architectural heritage, before making your way to the iconic Akureyri Church that dominates the downtown horizon. (Enroute; Self-explore Activity; Entrance fees and meals are not included; Please note that estimated time at Goðafoss waterfall is 45 mins; Depending on your personal itinerary, weather conditions, and time available to you, it may not be possible to do all recommended activities)

If you have the time and weather allows it, we recommend exploring the natural beauty of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Home to a diverse landscape that showcases all the unique aspects of the country, the peninsula is aptly called ‘Iceland in a Nutshell.’ Discover the waterfall of Kirkjufellsfoss that makes for a beautiful sight with the majestic Kirkjufell Mountain in the backdrop. Walk the golden sands of Skardsvik beach that stands apart from the typical black sand beaches elsewhere in the country. Take stunning images of the brightly-colored Svortuloft lighthouse, silhouetted against the sky and the ocean. Stop for a closer look at the numerous well-shaped geological formations known as Gerduberg Basalt Columns. Formed by lava flows cooled by the sea, these hexagonal columns have stood here for thousands of years! (Self-explore Activity; Transfers, entrance fees and meals are not included; Fitness level: easy; Depending on your personal itinerary, weather conditions, and time available to you, it may not be possible to do all recommended activities)