Winter Tour of Iceland's Ring Road - 13 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Keflavík, Drive to the Golden Circle

Welcome to Iceland! After your arrival in Keflavík, pick up your rental car and begin your tour of the Ring Road, or Route 1. This is one of Iceland's main roads, and just like the name sounds, it circles the entire country. Your drive today takes you to the Golden Circle, where you'll find some of Iceland's most amazing natural landmarks. 

Start with a visit to Þingvellir National Park, which is located in the rift valley between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. Stop in at the Hakid Visitor Center, which has different seasonal interactive exhibits on the history of the area and its people. Then, head to the Geysir geothermal area for erupting geysers. This is home to the Strokkur geyser, which erupts every 8-10 minutes and reaches heights of nearly 100 feet (30 m). Later, continue to Gullfoss (Golden Falls) for a hike around the area. 

While the Golden Circle has plenty of tourist-centric sights, there are also a few off-the-beaten-path places worth visiting. Kerid Crater Lake is one such destination, featuring a lake surrounded by red volcanic rock. In winter, the lake freezes over, and you can ice skate on it, so bring your skates if you want to give it a try! The town of Hveragerði is another interesting stopping point. Here, you'll find several natural hot springs scattered in the nearby hills, where you can relax for a bit in those warming, healing waters. Overnight in the location of your choice, and rest up for tomorrow's adventures.

Day 2: Dog Sledding Tour

Explore the Golden Circle via four-legged transport today as you ride along winter trails while being pulled by energetic and powerful huskies. You might think that this is a historical mode of travel in this part of the world, but dog sledding was actually never used much here due to the unpredictable weather and how much (or little) snow accumulation might occur. Most people in Iceland enjoy the sport for fun now, and you can get it in on it, too, with today's excursion.

You'll start at a nearby dog farm where you'll do a meet and greet with the huskies, then chat with your musher guide and get an overview of the tour. During the ride, your musher will share information about dog sledding, as well as the history of the areas you travel through. Afterward, you'll have a chance for some photos with the dogs before you head back to your accommodations for the evening. 

Day 3: Drive to Vík, South Coast Waterfalls & Black-Sand Beaches

Your tour continues with a drive to the South Coast, with your final destination being the town of Vík. Make your first stop at the iconic Seljalandsfoss, the only known waterfall of its kind that allows you to walk behind it. The snow-covered ground and icicles near the falls make it an especially picturesque place for winter photos, although hikers should be cautious of ice along the paths. Nearby, you'll find Skógafoss, with impressive 200-foot (62 m) cascading waters.

Day 4: Eyjafjallajökull Snowmobiling Tour

Take glacier sightseeing to the next level today with a snowmobile tour of Eyjafjallajökull glacier. You'll start at the base, Gljúfrabúi, which is located near Road 249. After a safety briefing, don your snowsuit, helmet, and mask, then hop into a modified Super Jeep to drive up the slopes of Eyjafjallajökull and onto the glacier. From there, you'll transfer to snowmobiles and begin your adventure.

Eyjafjallajökull is a rarity in that it is a stratovolcano, where an ice cap covers the caldera of a volcano. This means that under the glacier ice, a real volcano lurks, and the glacier has the ability to erupt! Your guide will take you across a pristine expanse of snow as you drive around rock formations and massive natural ice sculptures. The glacier views extend across vast snowfields and touring mountains, and your guide will share information about the glaciers, how they formed, and the myths and legends that surround them. Later, enjoy your last night in Vík before continuing your Ring Road journey tomorrow. 

Day 5: Drive to Höfn, Skaftafell Nature Reserve & Glacier Lagoons

Day 6: Drive to Egilsstaðir, Eastfjords & Vök Baths 

Drive the rugged coastlines of the Eastfjords, one of the Ring Road's most scenic stretches. You'll be surrounded by an abundance of towering mountains and picturesque fjords, as well as some very charming fishing villages worth visiting. Stop in at the town of Seyðisfjörður, which sits on a fjord of the same name and boasts beautiful views, or head to the town of Fáskrúðsfjörður to learn about the 19th-century French fisherman who settled here. You'll also want to stop at Studlagil canyon, which boasts the largest number of basalt rock columns in Iceland and is bisected by a gorgeous blue glacial river.

Later, take a guided expedition in search of reindeer. East Iceland is home to the only reindeer herds in the country. Introduced from Norway in the late 1700s, there were once thousands of them across Iceland, but all eventually died out, save for those in the east. Enjoy a 4WD Jeep tour with an expert guide, who will take you to the regions where the herds can often be found in the winter months, all while sharing their expertise and knowledge about the reindeer's history and behaviors. 

Day 8: Drive to Lake Mývatn, Mývatn Nature Baths

Your next destination is Lake Mývatn and the aqua waters of the Mývatn Nature Baths. The lake is Iceland's fourth-largest body of water, and a diverse array of volcanic and geothermal natural wonders surrounds it. Once you've settled at your accommodations, your day is free to explore. Start with a walk to the bubbling mud pits along the landscapes of Hverir and Leirhnjukur, or hike to Dimmuborgir, an area of lava rocks that resemble ancient towers.

Fans of the series "Game of Thrones" will want to stop in at nearby Grjótagjá Cave, a natural spring tucked away under layers of lava rock that was once a film site for the show. You can also visit the massive Skútustaðagígar pseudocraters, also known as "rootless" craters, which look like real volcanic craters but actually have no magma conduit. Finish the afternoon with a trek to the volcanic crater of Hverfjall (Crater Mountain). 

This evening, warm up with a dip in the healing waters of the Mývatn Nature Baths. Built in 2004, this alkaline lagoon is rich in minerals and purported to promote general health and vitality. With temperatures that hover around 104°F (40°C), you can swim, soak, or hop into one of the nearby steam baths, which are vented with natural geothermal steam. There is also an on-site café at the baths, where you can have a light dinner or snack.

Day 9: Dettifoss, Jokulsargljufur & Húsavik, Seaside Horseback Tour

Visit some of the sights around Lake Mývatn via the Diamond Circle, a route that takes you north and circles back around. Start with the cascades of Dettifoss, located just under 50 miles (77 km) from the lake area and considered to be Europe's most powerful waterfall. From there, head to Jokulsargljufur, an impressive 15-mile (25 km) long glacial river canyon with stunning winter views. Stop in at the horseshoe-shaped Asbyrgi canyon and take an easy hike to the turquoise waters of Botnstjorn pond before continuing to the town of Húsavik, known as the whale watching capital of Iceland. 

Day 10: Drive to Laugarbakki, Akureyri & Godafoss, Forest Lagoon

Continue your journey along the Ring Road today, heading northwest and toward the coast. Make your first stop at the magnificent Godafoss waterfall, otherwise known as the "Waterfall of the Gods." Flowing from the Skjálfandafljót River, it falls from a height of nearly 40 feet (12 m) and is 100 feet (30 m) wide. After taking advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime photo ops offered here, drive to the town of Akureyri. 

Akureyri is the second-largest city in Iceland and is the main hub of the northern regions. Grab a meal at a local restaurant, or walk the downtown area, where you'll find several museums, interesting architecture, and botanical gardens. If you're looking for more invigorating soaks in Iceland's geothermal pools, head to the Forest Lagoon. Located just outside of town, this newly opened resort area offers hot pools, a sauna, two in-water pool bars, and an on-site restaurant, all of which are surrounded by deep green, tranquil forests. 

You'll overnight in the village of Laugarbakki this evening, but before that, you can add to your tour with a drive along the coast of the Troll Peninsula, with a stop at the fishing village of Siglufjörður, Iceland's herring capital. This quaint town has the vibrancy of a much bigger city, with museums, music festivals, hiking, and even skiing. Be sure to visit the Herring Era Museum, which is set in several old warehouses and tells the story of how the herring industry helped pull the whole country out of poverty.

Day 11: Explore the Vatnsnes Peninsula

Explore the Vatnsnes Peninsula, an often overlooked region with several options for lesser-visited but equally impressive natural landmarks. Start at the Hvitserkur sea stack, a nearly 50-foot (15 m) monolith rising from the sea. Legend has it that Hvítserkur was once a troll, terrorizing the nearby Þingeyraklaustur convent until he was captured by the rays of the sun and turned to stone.

You'll also want to stop in at the village of Hvammstangi, home to the Icelandic Seal Center. This research center offers exhibits that detail the history and lives of the seals of Iceland, and you can learn about the different species or take a guided seal-watching tour, where you also might see other wildlife like the arctic fox, whales, and puffins. And prior to returning to your accommodations for the evening, take a visit to Borgarvirki, a volcanic plug that is rumored to have once been a Viking fortress. Climb up to the top for some truly breathtaking views. 

Day 12: Drive to Reykjavík, Super Jeep Hunt for Northern Lights

Day 13: Drive to Keflavík via Reykjanes Peninsula & Depart

It's time to depart today, but be sure to make time to explore some of the Reykjanes Peninsula first. Located in between the Reykjavík and Keflavík airports, this otherworldly landscape isn't as visited as other parts of Iceland but has just as many geological wonders. Stop in to see the geothermal areas of Gunnuhver Krysuvik for steamy hot springs and the green-hued volcanic crater lake of Graenavatn.

Just before you head to the airport, take a walk on the Bridge Between Continents (Europe Miðlína), part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which pulls apart a few centimeters every year. You can cross the bridge between the continental plates and look down at the gap below—an excellent conclusion to your Iceland adventure. Safe travels home or to your next destination! 

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