Iceland Encompassed Fly-Drive

Collect hire vehicle on arrival at Keflavík International Airport before proceeding to Reykjavík for an overnight stay. (50Km)

Head for Snaefellsnes peninsula, either drive through the Hvalfjörður bay tunnel (approx £5) or drive the old scenic road around the fjord. Spend the day exploring the Snaefellsnes peninsula with its diverse geology. There is an interesting walk (1.5 hours return) from Arnarstapi to Hellnar, along the coast line and through the lava fields - take a welcome break at the friendly coffee house Fjöruhúsið at Hellnar. Drive around the tip of the peninsula to view Snæfellsjökull glacier in all its majestic glory. Finish the day in the fishing town Stykkishólmur or neighbouring villages for an overnight stay. (B) (280Km)

In the morning, take the ferry Baldur across Breiðafjörður Bay to Flókalundur on the south coast of the Westfjords. The journey takes around 3 hours and travels past Flatey Island. Reach the shore and head towards the western-most tip of Iceland, Látrabjarg, the largest bird cliffs in Iceland where hundreds of thousands of seabirds come to nest, including the Puffin. Evenings and early mornings are a good time for hiking along the cliffs. Overnight in the area. (B) (65 Km)

The road traverses along the fjords on the way to Ísafjörður, the largest town in the area. Take a detour to Selárdalur Valley in Arnarfjörður. In the early 1900s, farmer-turned-artist Samuel Jonsson lived here and created sculptures of famous buildings, among them his version of the lion‘s fountain in the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain. At the bottom of Arnarfjörður is the majestic waterfall Dynjandi, a perfect spot for a short hike or picnic. Drive to Ísafjörður area, and stay for two nights. (B) (300Km)

Spend a full day in the Ísafjörður area. Perhaps visit the Maritime Museum in Osvor and the old blacksmiths workshop. Take time to relax and enjoy cake and coffee at the Arctic Fox Centre or live like a fisherman in Sudureyri. Bird enthusiasts may wish to take an optional boat tour to Vigur Island, where Puffins nest in their thousands. (B) (0Km)

Drive along the winding road to the end of the long fjord Ísafjarðardjúp and across the mountain pass Steingrímsfjarðarheiði to the Westfjords area of Strandir. Here, find a museum dedicated to Icelandic sorcery and witchcraft, as well as Iceland’s only Sheep Farm museum. Overnight in Hólmavík area. (B) (225Km)

Depart the stunning Westfjords and notice the landscape changing from steep mountains with countless fjords to a more open landscape and smaller mountains. Travel through the farmlands of north west Iceland en route to the Skagafjörður area, which is often referred to as the horse country of Iceland. The farmers of Skagafjörður pride themselves on owning more horses then they can count so this is the perfect place to enjoy some horse riding. (B) (240 Km)

Continue on to Akureyri, perhaps via the town of Siglufjörður with its award-winning Herring Era Museum before finishing the day in the “capital of the North”. (B) (180Km)

From Akureryi head towards Lake Mývatn, stopping en-route at Goðafoss falls and stay for 2 nights in the Mývatn area. Lake Mývatn was formed 2,300 years ago in an eruption of one of the Krafla fissures. Often mistaken for a crater, Lake Mývatn is actually a very flat lava field that was dammed in around the edges by subsequent flows. The eruption disrupted the flow of the Laxa River and the basin was filled with underground spring water. Take a leisurely hike among the pseudo craters at Skútustaðirand at rock formation Dimmuborgir. Leave time for relaxing in the Mývatn Nature Baths, an outdoor bath in natural geothermal blue water.(B) (80Km)

Continue exploring the area around Lake Mývatn, a haven for birdwatchers. You could arrange a day-trip to Askja, famously used by the Apollo astronauts to train for their missions to the moon or visit the Ásbyrgi National Park, a dramatic gorge formed by floodwaters from the Vatnajökull glacier. 

Húsavík is renowned for its whale-watching and is one of the best places to see these incredible creatures. You can arrange trips on a traditional wooden boat and exhilarating RIB or one of the new eco-friendly, electric boats where you cruise the harbour in near silence, keeping an eye out for minke, humpback and the occasional blue whale. Afterwards visit the new GeoSea thermal baths perched on the edge of the fjord boasting views across to the mountains on the other side of the water.  (B) 

This morning drive to Dettifoss waterfall, the most powerful waterfall in Iceland, before continuing across the mountain pass of Möðrudalsöræfi to enjoy homemade waffles at the mountain cafe Fjalladýrð. On a good day there are spectacular views into the deep highlands, all the way to Vatnajökull glacier. In the afternoon drive to Egilsstaðir  for an overnight stay. (B) (165Km)

Start the day with a walk, then visit Hengifoss, just south-east of Egilsstaðir. This high and narrow fall is considered the third highest in Iceland and the walk takes around 2-3 hours. Alternatively enjoy a leisurely drive along the Eastfjords, through the fishing towns. In fjord Stöðvarfjörður visit the unique Petra‘s Stone Collection Museum, containing local stones collected by one lady, who changed her home into a museum. Reach the town of Höfn and enjoy the view of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier. (B) (260Km)

In the morning, visit Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, where icebergs float on the glacial waters. Take an optional boat tour before continuing to Skaftafell National Park to walk up to the glacier tongue Svínafellsjökull Overnight in the area. (B) (140Km)

Spend the morning relaxing or for the more adventurous, glacier hiking. Head west, crossing the sand plains of Mýrdalsjökull glacier to reach the village of Vík. Continue to the volcanic area of Eyjafjallajökull and visit the excellent new Lava Centre - an interactive, high-tech educational exhibition depicting volcanic activity, earthquakes and the creation of Iceland over millions of years. Leave time for the Skógar folk Museum and Skógafoss waterfall, as well as Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where a walk behind the falls reveals the full force of nature. Overnight in the area. (B) (235Km)

Today visit the famous Gullfoss waterfall and Geysir hot spring area, where the geyser called Strokkur erupts every 10-15 minutes. In the afternoon explore Þingvellir National Park, now an UNESCO World Heritage Site, not only remarkable for its geology but also an important location in Iceland’s history, as it was here that the Vikings established their parliament in 930AD. Continue to Reykjavík and check in to the accommodation for two nights. (B) (210Km)

Spend the day exploring Iceland's capital city. Speak to a Regent Iceland Specialist about an optional excursion to the famous Blue Lagoon. (B) (0Km)

Return the hire car at Keflavik International Airport and connect with the flight back to the UK. (B) (50Km)