Iceland Unique Adventure: 4x4 Highland Tour - 10 Days

Welcome to the first day of your highland tour of Iceland! After you clear customs, you will be transferred to your accommodation in the city center in Reykjavík. In the afternoon, you might want to explore some landmarks of the city, such as Laugavegur shopping street, Hallgrímskirkja Church, and Harpa – Music & Conference Center. We recommend paying a visit to some of the many entertaining museums, such as the National Museum of Iceland, Reykjavík Art Museum, or Reykjavík Maritime Museum. Alternatively, you might want to soak in the geothermal waters of the newly opened spa just 15 minutes from Reykjavík – Sky Lagoon. In the evening, you can choose from one of the many local restaurants that provide traditional dining experiences. After a delicious dinner, you can celebrate the beginning of your holiday by the Arctic Circle by visiting one of the many vibrant bars in the city centre. Overnight in the heart of Reykjavík.

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Today your Iceland travel begins for real! Pick up your rental car in the morning and start your day by driving to Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known worldwide for its incredible natural beauty and history. There you will be able to see how the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are diverging. Continue to the famous Geysir geothermal area and witness the great spouting spring, namesake of every other spring in the world. Even though Geysir itself has been dormant for decades, his "brother" Strokkur gets to erupt every 6 to 10 minutes, spouting water to the average height of 20 meters.

After a short drive, you are going to arrive at Gullfoss (Golden Falls), which has been voted as one of the 10 most beautiful waterfalls in the world. If you fancy grabbing some lunch, the areas around both Geysir and Gullfoss offer a lot of options from full local meals to quick bites. Afterward, make your way to the interior of Iceland via the Kjölur Highland Road, located between two glaciers. It takes roughly 4 to 5 hours to cross this region and traverse from the South to the North. On the way, you should check out Kerlingafjöll, in the old times, Icelanders believed that the outlaws were living there. Be sure to make a stop at Hveravellir Geothermal Area where you can bathe in a natural hot spring, before continuing and arriving in Skagafjörður Fjord. Overnight in the area of Sauðárkrókur.

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Today you will start the day by driving towards the second biggest town in Iceland – Akureyri, also known as "The Capital of the North". Have a good breakfast and drive along the coast of the stunning Tröll Peninsula. Along the way, you will admire the beautiful coastal villages of Siglufjörður, Ólafsfjörður, and Dalvík. Don’t skip having a relaxing bath in Hauganes Hot Pots! Once you reach Akureyri, we recommend taking a stroll downtown, having some lunch, and enjoying the view over the fjord. Proceed towards Lake Mývatn. On the way to Mývatn, make sure to stop at Goðafoss Waterfall (Waterfall of the Gods) which will be visible on your right side from the main road. Arrive at Lake Mývatn and explore this otherworldly area with its fascinating and bizarre lava formations, boiling mud pools, and pseudocraters. If you like, take a short hike to the top of Mt.Hverfjall, an extinct volcanic crater that dominates the Mývatn scenery. In the evening, it can be a nice treat to soak in the Mývatn Nature Baths and relax after a busy day of travel and sightseeing. Stay overnight in the area of Lake Mývatn.

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Today you will get to explore the beautiful area known as “Diamond Circle”. Start the day by driving to the charming village of Húsavík, the capital of whale watching in Iceland. The fruitful waters of Skjálfandi bay provide the best opportunity to see and admire these gentle giants. A whale-watching tour can be arranged. Continue to the natural wonder of the forested Ásbyrgi canyon, which is shaped like a horseshoe. The next stop on your itinerary is the most powerful waterfall in Europe that will take your breath away – Dettifoss. Don’t forget to take a moment to admire its dramatic surroundings. Alternatively, if you are planning to enjoy an extra relaxing day in Mývatn, there are plenty of incredible highlights in this area to fill your day with excitement and adventure. Overnight in the same hotel as the day before.

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It‘s now time to return to the highland plateau of Iceland and to proceed towards the spectacular Askja Caldera. On the way to Askja, admire Mount Herðubreið that some consider being the most beautiful of all Icelandic mountains. Continue via rough gravel road to Askja Caldera with a couple of smaller river crossings on the way. Once at the parking long, take a hike to Askja! After exploring this remote, moon-like area, drive towards Egilsstaðir village where you will stay overnight. If you fancy an evening of relaxation, we recommend having a rejuvenating soak in Vök Baths, a geothermal spa located just outside Egilsstaðir.

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Today you will leave Egilsstaðir and travel through the beautiful East Fjords of Iceland. From Egilsstaðir, you also have the opportunity to take a detour through a mountainous road to the adorable and colorful town of Seyðisfjörður. Afterward, make your way to the tranquil and charming village of Djúpivogur. On your way to Höfn (your destination for the night), we suggest taking a detour to Stokksnes, to admire the stunning mountain Vestrahorn. Höfn is often referred to as the “lobster capital of Iceland”, with many restaurants by the harbor offering delicious lobster-themed menus as well as catering to other dietary preferences. Spend the night in the area of Höfn.

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Today you will get to admire one of the most impressive and magnificent sites Iceland has to offer – the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. From Höfn, head south to the lagoon, where we highly recommend joining a boat tour between the stunning icebergs dropped into the ocean by the mighty Vatnajökull. Don’t forget to visit the other side of the road to appreciate the beauty of sparkling icebergs laying on Diamond Beach. Continue to Skaftafell, a lush green oasis between the vast Vatnajökull and the black volcanic Skeiðarársandur desert. From there you might enjoy an invigorating hike (usually less than an hour each way) to Svartifoss (Black Waterfall), named after the pitch-black basalt columns that surround it. Continue from there to Kirkjubæjarklaustur area, where you will spend the night.

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After a good night's sleep, it is time to explore the highlands once again! Before doing so, drive to the amazing and popular Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon. Afterward, drive across the vast Eldhraun Lava Field before taking the road F208 (Fjallabak highland route) towards the spectacular Landmannalaugar area. Your next destination is indeed Landmannalaugar, located by the end of a black and rugged lava field. If you wish, it’s possible to add an extra day to your itinerary, to explore this magical and enchanting area. Today you might even want to bathe in splendid natural hot pools, surrounded by colorful mountains. After a relaxing bath, head North to your overnight accommodation. Make sure to stop by Sigöldufoss along the way, a beautiful waterfall with vibrant, blue waters.

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Leave your accommodation and start heading towards the South Coast of Iceland. In Þjórsárdalur, you will find an interesting, reconstructed Viking settlement farm (Stöng). After exploring the area, make sure to stop at the beautiful Hjálparfoss Waterfall. Afterward, drive past Mt.Hekla, the most active volcano in Iceland, towards the South Coast. Continue through the town of Selfoss, where you can grab some food at the newly opened food hall called Mjólkurbúið Mathöll. After fueling your body, proceed to the greenhouse village of Hveragerði, where you can encounter geothermal activity in the center of town! Arrive in Reykjavík and drop off the rental car. Overnight in a downtown hotel in Reykjavík City centre.

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Your Iceland travel is coming to an end. How time flies when you’re having fun! You will be transferred to Keflavík airport in time for your flight. If it departs in the afternoon, it‘s possible to stop at the Blue Lagoon where you can enjoy soaking in the milky blue waters of the lagoon (optional). Treat yourself to additional massage, to rejuvenate both and the body after 10 days of exploring this beautiful country. Thank you for travelling with Iceland Unlimited and have a safe journey back home!

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