Iceland Last Minute Holiday
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive in Reykjavik
Within a few hours you fly from the UK to Keflavikurflugvöllur, the international airport of Iceland where you start your adventure in Iceland. After arrival you immediately pick up the rental car and drive to Reykjavík this will be your first look at the typical Icelandic landscape with rocks, lava fields, and mystic water vapor. In Reykjavik you will stay the first night in a modern hotel within walking distance of the main street Laugavegur. We work with several small-scale hotels and guesthouses.
Day 2 – Exploring Reykjavik
The next morning you can start exploring the streets full of typical Icelandic colored wooden houses, the modern church Hallgrímskirkja and the Viking Maritime Museum. Laugavegur Street has many great local shops and cosy restaurants. At Íslenski Barinn you can try local specialities such as sheep’s head, whale and reindeer. Of course, the Brennivin schnapps should not be missed.
Day 3 – Golden Circle
Today you will drive to the Golden Circle during your Iceland trip. The geothermal area is often visited as a day trip. We think an overnight stay in the area is much more fun, you can then visit the Strokkur geyser and Gullfoss waterfall when it is quiet. On the way we recommend a stop in Thingvellir, the gap between the European and American continents. The gap widens about 1 cm every year. Warm up in one of the oldest thermal baths in Iceland, the Secret Lagoon. In the winter months you can spot the Northern Lights above you with a bit of luck, while you float in the warm water. We will reserve the entrance ticket for you in advance.
Day 4 – On the volcano route to Skaftafell
When you open the curtains, you look out over the green fields and hills. You start the day with a delicious, typical Icelandic breakfast. After packing your things, you travel by car towards Skaftafell, via the volcano route. Via the volcano and waterfall route, you will arrive at two of Iceland’s most photogenic waterfalls after about an hour’s drive: Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. The Skógafoss is 25 meters wide and 60 meters high. You can hear the roaring sound of the water from the parking lot. Are you in the mood for some action? Then climb up via the path – you can take the best photos from the viewing platform. The Seljalandsfoss is a short 20-minute drive away. The Seljalandsfoss is famous because you can walk behind it. Take a cool photo behind the water with the mist that makes you wet. A five-minute drive further you will find the Kvernufoss waterfall, where it is a lot less crowded. Just like at Seljalandsfoss you can walk behind the water. This waterfall is less known and at least as beautiful. Your destination for the coming days is Skaftafell NP . You will spend the night here in a guesthouse
Day 5 – On the glacier
Skaftafell is known for the largest glacier in Iceland: the Vatnajökull glacier. In addition, you can take many beautiful walks here. You cannot go to Skaftafell without climbing this glacier. You go with crampons under your feet. It takes some getting used to, with an ice axe in your hand and crampons under your shoes. But you will soon notice how to best walk on the ice without slipping or losing your balance. You hike along flowing meltwater and narrow ice crevasses, quite spectacular! You will not only see the gray ice (which you often find at the bottom of the glacier), but also the deep blue ice, which glaciers are known for, the guide knows the way.
Day 6 – Black Beaches
Take a small detour to the village of Vík. First drive past the Svartifoss waterfall, hidden in the greenery and a nice place to take a walk and take a look at the Eldhraun lava field. A guarantee for beautiful photos through the almost alien lava field that is covered in green moss. And don’t forget to make a stop at the green Fjaðrágljúfur canyon. The canyon is 100 meters deep and 2 kilometers long. Descend into the canyon and wade through rivers or walk along the top from viewpoint to viewpoint. At the foot of Iceland’s most active volcano Hekla lies Vik. About nine hundred years ago, the volcano covered the entire valley under rubble and ash. Enthusiasts can visit a farm that has been preserved and excavated from the rubble. Vík is known for its black lava beaches. From your guesthouse you take a detour to Dyrhólaey, the peninsula with a viewpoint over the lava beaches. With a bit of luck you can see the puffins flying back and forth here (between May and August). Or drive in 10 minutes to Arnardrangur: two black basalt rocks that rise dramatically from the sea. Your guesthouse has tastefully decorated rooms and is close to the sea.
Day 7 & 8 – End in Keflavík
To complete your tour of Iceland, you will drive back to Keflavík today. Along the way, you can enjoy beautiful views or visit the site of recent volcanic eruptions in Iceland. You can also relax in the Blue Lagoon at Keflavík. Keep in mind that you will certainly not be the only visitor here. Book your entrance tickets online and choose your specific entrance time. It is more than worth a visit: mysterious vapours around you and the water is light blue in colour. Get some white clay at the mud bar and smear yourself all over.
The next morning you drive to the airport where you return the rental car. With a head full of memories of all the highlights of South Iceland and a suitcase full of dirty laundry you fly back home.
Accommodation
