12-Day Highlands of Iceland Explorer Tour

Upon arrival at Keflavík International Airport, you'll collect your pre-booked rental car. If you arrive in the morning, consider a visit to the Blue Lagoon on your way to your accommodation. Just a short drive from the Blue Lagoon, you'll find the charming fishing village of Grindavík, home to a saltfish museum. Continue along the southern coast of the Reykjanes Peninsula toward Hveragerði, a village famous for its hot springs and geothermal greenhouses that cultivate flowers and vegetables. Along the way, stop at the legendary Strandakirkja church, known to bring good fortune to its visitors. Overnight stay in the Hveragerði/Selfoss area.

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Þingvellir National Park, where a walk through the Almannagjá canyon offers both a geological and historical introduction. The canyon marks the boundary between tectonic plates and leads to the ancient site of the Viking parliament. From there, head to the village of Laugarvatn, named after its natural steam springs beside a lake. At the Fontana Spa & Wellness Centre, unwind with a steam bath and a refreshing dip in the lake. Next, visit the famous Geysir geothermal area, where the Strokkur geyser erupts spectacularly every few minutes. Just a short drive away, the mighty Gullfoss waterfall cascades over two steps into a deep canyon.

Your 4x4 highland adventure begins just a few kilometers from Gullfoss. The road turns into the bumpy gravel route (F35) Kjölur, an ancient highland trail once used by early settlers. About a third of the way, take a right turn (F347) toward the Kerlingarfjöll highland center, a stunning hiking area known for its geothermal activity.

In the morning, explore the geothermal wonders of Kerlingafjöll. Continuing along the Kjölur route, drive through the rugged, desert-like landscapes until you reach Hveravellir, a stunning geothermal zone and nature reserve. Known for its breathtaking glacier views, Hveravellir is regarded as one of the most beautiful spots to relax in a geothermal spring, and it also offers excellent hiking opportunities. The area is famously associated with Iceland’s notorious outlaw, Fjalla-Eyvindur, who once lived here with his partner Halla.

To reach the Skagafjörður area, you can choose between two routes. The first option takes you along the Kjölur route until you connect with the ring road. Alternatively, you can drive through the scenic valleys of Haukadalur and Mælifellsdalur, though this route is a bit slower, so plan extra time for it.

From Reykir, located north of Sauðárkrókur – the largest town in Skagafjörður – you can embark on an adventurous boat tour to the island of Drangey. Alternatively, take a relaxing dip in the natural pool, Grettislaug, located directly by the coast. If you have time and are interested, visit the local folk museum in Glaumbær and the turf church in Víðimýri.

After exploring Sauðárkrókur and its surroundings, head over to the east coast of Skagafjörður, then drive north around the Tröllaskagi Peninsula. Stop at the splendid outdoor swimming pool in Hofsós for stunning views of the fjord. Continue on to Siglufjörður, once Iceland’s center for herring fisheries, and explore its fascinating exhibition on Icelandic folk music. Drive through a tunnel from Siglufjörður to Ólafsfjörður, a charming fishing village, then onward to the Eyjafjörður fjord coast and Dalvík fishing village. From Dalvík, consider joining a whale-watching tour. If time allows and you're interested, take a scenic drive through Svarfaðardalur valley, offering views of mountains, farmland, and small glaciers. Optional activity: Whale watching from Hauganes.

In the morning, depart from the Akureyri area and visit the stunning Goðafoss waterfall before heading to Húsavík, known as Iceland’s whale-watching capital. Continue along road 85 to Ásbyrgi, a vast, horseshoe-shaped canyon with dramatic 100-meter-high cliffs and lush vegetation. Hikers can choose between easier routes to the pond at the canyon’s base or more challenging hikes up to the cliff tops for panoramic views. According to legend, the canyon’s horseshoe shape was created by the step of Odin’s eight-legged horse, Sleipnir. Next, head to Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall, via road 862. Finish your day in the Mývatn area, where you can unwind in the Mývatn Nature Baths if you wish. Optional activity: Mývatn Nature Baths.

Today, embark on an adventurous journey into Iceland’s rugged highlands to the stunning Askja volcano area. Askja is a complex of calderas in the Dyngjufjöll mountains, located north of Vatnajökull. With a 4x4 vehicle and the ability to cross a few rivers, you can explore this dramatic landscape on your own, or opt for a guided Super Jeep tour (extra cost). Begin your journey from Mývatn on road 1, then turn onto road 901, followed by mountain roads F905 and F910 toward Drekagil. You’ll cross two small fords on this route. For a more challenging, yet scenic option, you can take road 1 to mountain road F88, passing by Mt. Herðubreið, Iceland's "queen of the mountains," and cross the rivers Grafarlandsá and Lindá.

Askja’s main caldera spans 50 km², with the smaller caldera in the southeast home to Öskjuvatn, Iceland's second deepest lake. The crater Víti, formed by a large eruption in 1875, is filled with milky-turquoise water and remains at a temperature of 30°C, making it a popular spot for a warm dip. Be cautious if you plan to bathe, as the path to the water can be slippery in wet conditions. The lunar-like landscapes, which once served as NASA’s astronaut training grounds for the moon landing in 1965 and 1967, will make you feel like you’re on another planet. You can also explore Holurhraun, the youngest part of Iceland, formed by a 2016 lava eruption.

Today, you’ll travel south across the remote highland road Sprengisandur F26, where you’ll encounter desert-like landscapes, breathtaking glacier views, and complete silence. Be sure to stop at Aldeyjarfoss, a stunning waterfall surrounded by majestic basalt columns, located inland near Bárðardalur. As you drive between the Hofsjökull and Vatnajökull glaciers, you'll traverse a rugged gravel road, crossing a few unbridged rivers. Make sure to fill up your tank before departure, as there are no service stations along the route. This is a truly unique experience to immerse yourself in Iceland's untouched highland nature, with the gravel road being the only sign of human presence.

If you're eager to experience Iceland's famous natural hot springs, a journey through the Fjallabak area and the vibrant rhyolite mountains of Landmannalaugar awaits. Here, you can soak in hot waters and choose from various hiking trails, with the most popular being the path to Brennisteinsalda (“Sulphur Wave”) and the trail up Bláhnjúkur (“Blue Peak”) volcano, offering stunning panoramic views of five glaciers on clear days. Along the way to Landmannalaugar, make sure to stop at the crater lake Ljótipollur and Lake Frostastaðavatn.

After exploring Landmannalaugar, continue south through the mountains to the Kirkjubæjarklaustur area. In the village, you can easily visit the small waterfall Systrafoss and Kirkjugolfið, known as the “church floor,” a flat basalt columnar formation.

Heading further east, you’ll arrive at Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park, a true haven for hikers and nature enthusiasts. Even if you're not typically one for hiking, the easy and scenic walk to Svartifoss waterfall is a must. The waterfall, surrounded by dramatic basalt columns, offers a stunning sight. Another great hike is to Skaftafellsjökull, a glacier tongue that you can easily reach from the Visitor Center in Skaftafell. The glacier's retreat over the years is visible, making for an interesting stroll. For a more adventurous glacier experience, head to Svínafellsjökull, though be sure to go with a guide and proper equipment.

In the afternoon, continue east along the Vatnajökull glacier’s edge. First, stop at the quieter Fjallsárlón lagoon, then head to the famous Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Take a walk along the shore and across the black sand beaches, or even go on a boat tour amid the drifting icebergs for an unforgettable experience. You may even spot seals in the lagoon.Optional activity: Amphibian Boat Tour - Jökulsárlón.

The Lakagígar crater row, the most impressive of its kind in Iceland, is the site of a catastrophic eruption that shaped the region's striking lava landscapes. Following the F206 track takes you through several river fords and across rugged terrain. The eruption, which occurred between June 1783 and February 1784, was one of Iceland's most destructive, leading to the death of over 50% of the country's livestock and the loss of nearly all crops. This devastation resulted in a famine that claimed around 25% of Iceland's human population. The eruption also sent ash into the atmosphere, affecting global climate and causing widespread crop failure in Europe. Some historians even suggest it may have played a role in triggering the French Revolution. Today, the area is known for its surreal beauty, attracting nature enthusiasts. The F206 road to the Lakagígar craters begins south of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, near the farm Hunkubakkar, and covers a distance of about 50 km, with an estimated travel time of 2 hours one way.

Another exciting day of adventure awaits with diverse landscapes. Begin with a visit to the bird cliffs of Dyrhólaey and the black sand beach of Reynisfjara, known for its impressive basalt columns. During the summer, this area is a popular nesting site for puffins. Note that while Reynisfjara and Vík are stunning, the sea here can be rough with strong currents, so be cautious, respect the tides, and stay a safe distance from the waves.

Next, explore the photogenic Skógafoss waterfall and the local folk and transport museum at Skógar. A few kilometers further, you’ll encounter the famous volcano Eyjafjallajökull. Continue to the beautiful Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where walking behind the falls offers a thrilling and wet experience, highly recommended for the sure-footed! In Hvolsvöllur, visit the recently opened Lava Centre, Iceland’s largest volcano and earthquake exhibition, as well as the fascinating Saga Centre. Optional activity: Sólheimajökull Glacier Discovery AG101.

Drive back to Keflavik International Airport and return your rental car and depart with unforgettable memories of your Icelandic adventure.