Our trip The Jewels of Iceland is our best seller self drive tour. It has been designed to allow you to discover the most famous natural sites in Iceland and to offer a very complete itinerary around the island. We offer now the same itinerary with an English/ French-speaking guide in a small group (max. 12 people).
Every day, we will discover various and stunning landscapes : tremendous black sand beaches, steep fjords, impressive volcanoes, stunning glaciers, powerful waterfalls, all those words are not enough to describe the Icelandic natural jewels. Your guide will help you approach those beauties in a sensitive way, he will underline the richness and specificity of Icelandic nature and history, connecting the past to the future stakes. An amazing discovery to enrich this trip.
In June, you’ll be visiting during the blooming of the Icelandic nature, waking up after the long winter. The trip will be brighten up by migrating birds, back on the island for nesting. You’ll also be experiencing long days as we slowly get closer and closer to the Summer solstice and its midnight sun. This is a perfect trip to gain in vitality and in energy.
In September, we will have the return of the Northern lights to light up the Icelandic nights. Nature is offering its last fruits, blueberries and mushrooms can be picked up before they start to be covered by snow. Animals are less exuberant but we still have the chance to observe a seal, whales or even reindeers during their transhumance to the mountains or a shy arctic fox.
Reykjavik
Reykjavik
This trip starts in the morning when you meet your guide in Reykjavik. Once the presentations have been made with the other participants, we drive to the Golden Circle to discover its three emblematic sites. We will walk in the middle of the lava formations where the American and Eurasian tectonic plates separate and admire the natural beauties of the Þingvellir national park classified by Unesco. We will stop at Geysir to be amazed by the geyser’s spurt spontaneity. Finally we will end this day in front of Gullfoss, one of the most powerful and beautiful waterfalls in the country. Road to our accommodation, located on the south coast, in the surroundings of the town of Hella.
Driving distance approx. 250 kms.
We start this day by crossing some vast agricultural plains with the mountains at the horizon including Eyjafjallajökull, the famous volcano which erupted in 2010. Our first stop will be refreshing at Seljalandfoss, walking behind its large water curtain, an amazing experience ! We will continue then towards the vast black sand beaches of the South coast such as Reynisfjara. Our accommodation is localized in the Kirkjubæjarklaustur region, in the heart of lava fields, due to the eruption of the Laki volcano.
Driving distance approx. 250 kms.
Today we will discover on foot some sites of Skaftafell National Park, facing the Vatnajökull glacier and have a chance to get close to one of the glacial tongues. We will then continue to the icebergs of the Fjallsárlón and Jökulsárlón glacial lagoons. We can walk along the famous black sand beach at Diamond Beach, where the icebergs run aground. Overnight in Djúpivogur.
Driving distance approx. 300 kms.
The East fjords are a mix of sleepy fishing villages, nestled in the depths of its fjords, desert pebble beaches and dizzying mountains. We will start the day by the visit of Djúpivogur, with its offbeat artistic imprint and its hidden black sandy beach. In Fáskrúðsfjörður, we will immerge ourselves in the history of Breton sailors who died at sea, who came to fish for cod in the cold and dark waters of the North Sea (the museum can be visited at extra cost). We will take the road to the beautiful isolated village of Bakkagerdi. The stage may change in September trip.
Driving distance approx. 300 kms.
We spend the morning to observe the beautiful puffins colony and take back the road with a brief stop at Egilsstadir. We will drive accross a long desert road which will lead us to the volcanic oasis that is Lake Myvatn. On almost 200 km, there is no habitation, only large desert areas. The only possible stop is 8 km from the main road, at Möðrudalur, the most isolated farm in the country. We will also stop at the famous Dettifoss waterfall, the most powerful in Europe.
Driving distance approx. 250 kms.
Today we have limited distance to drive, and spend the day in the heart of the volcanic sites located around the lake. The best opportunities will be chosen according to the weather and the group’s desires: walking through the lava formations of Dimmuborgir, gaining height at the top of the Hverfell crater, walking on the steaming lava flows of Krafla volcano or stopping at Grjótagjá lava tunnel. At the end of the afternoon, we will enjoy a relaxing break in the warm waters of the Myvatn baths, into its turquoise water, rich in silica at 39 ° degrees.
Driving distance approx. 20 kms.
This morning we drive towards Akureyri, the capital of the North. On the way, we stop at the beautiful waterfall of Godafoss “the fall of the Gods”. We make a short visit in Akureyri to discover its botanical garden and beautiful cathedral. We drive along the fjord Eyjafjördur, where we go on a whale watching excursion. Last stop of the day in Siglufjordur where our accommodation is located for the night.
Driving distance approx. 200 kms.
This morning we explore some sites of the Trollaskagi peninsula the “troll peninsula”. We will stop at the beautiful Hofsós swimming pool which overlooks the ocean and visit historic sites such as the traditional turf houses of Glaumbaer or the former Archbishopric of Iceland in Holar. We will get to Blönduós where we will spend the night.
Driving distance approx. 250 kms.
The day begins with the beautiful viewpoints along the Vatnsnes peninsula, driving on a dirt road that will drop you off at the foot of the astonishing Hvítserkur rock, some of which say it is a petrified troll… Nice walk along the beach to admire the largest seal colony. We will then continue to the West with a few stops en route to our accommodation located in the region of Borgarfjörður.
Driving distance approx. 250 kms.
For this last day, en route to Reykjavik, we will stop in the Reykholt region to admire the beautiful waterfalls of Hraunfossar and Barnafoss and arrival in the afternoon, in the capital through the road tracks of Kaldidalur. Free time in the Icelandic capital for those who stay in town or transfer to the airport for the others.
Driving distance approx. 150 kms.
