Self-Guided Iceland Grand Tour by Land Rover

Land Rover Highlights

This vehicle has been modified to be the perfect Super Jeep to explore Iceland's rugged landscape:

• Four wheel drive
• Up to 7 passengers (also available without auxiliary rear seats)
• 33" or 38" all terrain tires
• Navigation System and optional WiFi
• Diesel 2.4 TDCi Duratorq
• Shovel, towrope and hitch
• Tire repair kit
• Auxiliary lights
• Integrated air compressor
• Roof racks, trailers, jerry cans and other accessories can be added

Day 1: Borgarfjörður District, Langjökull Glacier, and Þingvellir National Park

Visit the Borgarfjörður district on your first day and drive the barren mountain track Kaldidalur on the West side of Langjökull glacier. Along the way, you can stop at Þingvellir National Park and drive to the edge of the Langjökull glacier. Board an 8x8 truck and ride to the top of the glacier where you’ll visit Hraunfossar and Barnafossar waterfalls, historic Skálholt, the hot springs at Deildartunguhver, and the small towns of Hvanneyri and Hvanneyri.

Day 2: Venture into Þórsmörk, see the South Shore’s Black Sand Beaches and Waterfalls

Drive through the scenic southern countryside and stop at the famous Seljalandsfoss waterfall where you can climb behind the waterfall (bring a raincoat!). Then enter Þórsmörk (“Valley of Thor”), between two glaciers, Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull.  This beautiful valley contains woodlands, rugged glaciers, and lava fields from the recently erupted Eyjafjallajökull crater in 2010. When entering Þórsmörk you will cross several unbridged rivers--which you cannot do in a normal rental car--to reach the huts at the end of the valley. After this adventurous drive, continue along the South Coast where you can visit many natural sights such as Vík village, Reynisfjara beach with its famous black sand and interesting cliff formations, and Dyrhólaey bird cliffs where you’ll likely see puffins. Take an ice walk on the Sólheimajökull glacier tongue before finishing the day at the Skógafoss waterfall and the black beaches at Sólheimasandur.

Driving Distance: approx. 250 km / 150 mi

Day 3: Mystical Mælifellssandur Desert, Secluded Langisjór Lake, Eldgjá fire Gorge

Start your morning with a drive along the beautiful Öldufellsleið track east of Mýrdalsjökull glacier towards the mystical Mælifellssandur desert, which you can only access in a modified vehicle or by foot. Continue along the Álftavatnakrókur track to lake Langisjór, one of the clearest lakes in Iceland. Explore the lake and the Eldgjá fire gorge, a volcanic fissure formed in 934 during one of the largest eruptions, and the largest volcanic canyon in the world. Nearby you can hike to Ófærufoss waterfall, one of the region’s most beautiful. After exploring, drive back to the main road.

Driving Distance: approx. 250 km / 150 mi

Day 4: Lagoons, Glaciers, and Snowmobiling at Skaftafell National Park

Spend today seeing the highlights of Skaftafell National Park, south of Vatnajökull glacier. Drive through stunning moss and lava fields on your way to the black sands below the Skeiðarárjökull glacier. At Skaftafell you can visit various glacier outlets and lagoons and explore the famous glacier lagoon by boat. Visit small local museums, ice makers, restaurants and more. Along the way, you can also enter a track that reaches up to the edge of Vatnajökull glacier 840m above sea level.  Enjoy the breathtaking views over the south coast and towards the Atlantic ocean. If you’re up for another adventure, you could try a snowmobile tour on Europe’́s largest glacier. Finish your day with a drive through Höfn village and enjoy a dinner at one of their local restaurants.

Driving Distance: approx. 300 km / 185 mi

Day 5: Eastern Fjords: Mjóifjörður, Seyðisfjörður, and Borgarfjörður Eystri

Focus today on exploring the fjords in the east and their small, charming villages.  Visit the secluded Mjóifjörður fjord and Dalatangi lighthouse at the mouth of the fjord, or the stunning Seyðisfjörður village. Take an optional detour to Bakkagerði village at Borgarfjörður Eystri (approx. 150km/90mi, 4hr detour including stops).

Driving Distance: approx. 250 km/ 150 mi (400 km/ 250 mi with full detour)

Day 6: Bathe in a Volcano and walk over lava fields at Askja

Explore the volcanic highland are to the north of Vatnajökull where you will find the volcanic crater Askja. Get our of the Land Rover and hike up to the top of the crater and visit Víti crater, the “gateway to hell” where you can bath in the warm geothermal waters inside the crater. After visiting Askja you can visit the new lava fields from the eruption in Holuhraun, south from Askja.

Driving Distance: approx. 350 km/ 220 mi

Day 7: Jökulsárgljúfur National Park, Krafla Volcanic Area, Whale watching at Húsavík

Loop around the north visiting the highlights of Jökulsárgljúfur National Park, Dettifoss waterfall, Krafla volcanic area, Ásbyrgi nature paradise and Húsavík village where you can do some whale watching.

Driving Distance: approx. 200­-250 km/ 125-150 mi

Day 8: Mývatn’s Sights, Sprengisandur Highlands, and an Oasis in Laugafell

Start the day exploring the spectacular sights around the Mývatn region: Dimmuborgir rock formations, Hverfell mountain, Námaskarð geothermal area, Krafla volcano and more. Drive the northern section of the Sprengisandur track through the highlands towards Reykjavik. Stop in Laugafell where you can soak in the hot springs between the glaciers Vatnajökull and Hofsjökull. Once you’re relaxed, continue along the Sprengisandur track and follow the track south towards Þjórsárdalur valley.

Driving Distance: approx. 350 km/ 220 mi

Day 9: Ljótipollur crater, Frostastaðavatn lake, Landmannalaugar highland paradise, and Hekla Volcano

On your final day drive the Fjallabak North mountain road to Ljótipollur crater, Frostastaðavatn lake and Landmannalaugar highland paradise with its famous nature baths. From Landmannalaugar drive another route to Hekla volcano, one of the most regularly active Volcanoes. Drive along the lava fields towards the old farm at Keldur before heading back to Reykjavík in the late afternoon.

Driving Distance: approx. 250 km / 150 mi