The Best of The South Self-Drive tour A tour to Iceland is probably the closest thing you ll experience to a voyage to another planet. With unique natural phenomena, Iceland is known as the Land of Fire and Ice. It is an island nation which offers a unique experience of natural wonders and landscapes of creation. A geologically young land where natural forces that shape the earth had not yet finished their work. In many places across Iceland you ll see how the island is changing shapes and created before your eyes. Active volcanoes, magnificent glaciers, mighty waterfalls, geysers of steam all constantly changing terrain in a fascinating combination of colours and temperatures. We invite you to a fascinating journey to one of the real wonders of the world, where nature has yet not said it last word.
Day 1 - Arrival to Keflavik Pick up car - Reykjavik. Welcome to Iceland! Exit the airport, Take the direct road to Reykjavik on road 41. Or explore the area between the airport and the capital. This area is called Reykjanes Peninsula. This is a geologically active region located on the boundary of two tectonic plates. Many people describe the area to have "lunar landscape". What to see in Reykjavik? Reykjavik is the capital and largest city in Iceland. It is also the world's most northern capital excluding Nuuk, Greenland. With a population of 120,000 (over 200,000 in the Greater Reykjavik area) it is the center of economic activity and the government of Iceland. The city is close to the Faxaflói gulf and in its background you can see an impressive view of the mountains called Esja ridge. Reykjavik offers quality time with all the advantages of a modern European city. Sites in the city center - most of Reykjavik's most interesting sites are within walking distance from each other.
Laugavegur is the main shopping street of Reykjavik, with a wide selection of shops, restaurants, cafes and bars. Next to Austurvollur square near the city center, you will find museums, boutiques, designer shops and fine dining places. Lake Tjörnin in downtown Reykjavik is a worthy of visit. The lake is relatively small compared to other lakes in Iceland, but its location is one of the most famous ones. Around the lake there are many interesting buildings, including the municipality of Reykjavik, Iceland's National Gallery and the Church Fríkirkjan. The only park in central Reykjavik Hljómskálagardurinn is also can be found near Lake Tiorn. Hallgrimskirkja - the city's main cathedral and the most prominent structure. The church tower offers great view of the city. Hallgrímskirkja, located in the center of Reykjavik, and is most evident in the structure. It is the largest church in Reykjavik and one of the most visited places in Iceland. State Architect Guðjón Samúelsso designed the church in 1937. Construction work began in 1945 and ended in 1986, it took 38 years to complete the building. Austurvöllur Square - The main square, where the Parliament Building. The Statue of Jón Sigurdsson who led Iceland's independence movement from Denmark stands in the middle of the square. Opera House (Harpa) - the new concert hall in Reykjavik's opened in 2011. The building consists of a steel frame clad in a geometric glass plates of different colors. The building was originally part of the redevelopment of the area known as Austurhöfn new trade center of Reykjavik, partially abandoned after the serious financial crisis of 2008. Although the Icelandic government decided to continue the construction work of the building and not leave it unfinished in the city so it won't have depressing effect on the loacals. One can get a guided tour of the place. Address: Austurbakki 2 near the port. Sculpture "Sólfar" (The sun voyager) - A metal sculpture of an imaginary ship sailing on her way to the sun. The statue was built by Jón Gunnar Árnason and was first introduced in 1990. The statue is located on the sea front Sæbraut St. Approximately 200 meters to the right of the Opera building "Harpa".
Northern lights center - Now you can watch the Northern Lights in any season and in any weather. Northern Lights center of Reykjavik features an ongoing film presents the amazing phenomenon in HD. Here you can read about the Northern Lights and learn about the phenomenon through stories and legends from around the world and learn something about the science behind this amazing phenomenon. Address: Grandagarður 2, Reykjavik 101 - http://www.aurorareykjavik.is/ Sites in short distance from the city center: Perlan (The Pearl) - a revolving restaurant located on top of Öskjuhlíð hill. It can be observed from many spots in Reykjavik. It's offer great panoramic view of 360 degrees. Within Perlan there is a coffee shop and restaurant. Restaurants and Bars: FISHCOMPANY or Fiskfélagið - Gourmet Restaurant Fish Company located in Vesturgata 2a This is the famous Fish Market Reykjavik. http://goo.gl/6cnyi Saegreifinn - The Sea Baron - Reykjavik harbor seafood restaurant. Geirsgata 8 Phone: 553-1500 The English Pub - Good bar with good atmosphere Austerstraeti 12A. Museums: The National Museum of Iceland - The National Museum is located in Reykjavik displays objects that provide insight into the history and culture of Iceland. The museum encourages visitors to linger on the past, present and future of Iceland and foster knowledge and awareness of the nation's unique history. Address Suðurgötu 41, 101 Reykjavík Opening hours: daily from 10: 00-17:00. http://www.thjodminjasafn.is/english/ Iceland's whale museum - The world's largest museum devoted to whales. The museum displays a real-scale models of many species of whales, including the blue whale, the largest creature ever to live on Earth. The museum is located in Reykjavik's old harbour, not far from the city center. Great entertainment for families with children. The museum site - http://www.whalesoficeland.is
Icelandic Phallological Museum The museum is dedicated to the Presentation of the male genitalia of most mammals including whales living in Iceland and the latest addition was added to the museum from a human specimen who volunteered to donate their "share" to the enjoyment of visitors. http://www.phallus.is/en Main sites of the day: Reykjavik Day 2 - Skógafoss Waterfall Dyrhólaey Cliff Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Leave Reykjavik at the eastern outskirts. Take road 1 to the south and head for Selfoss. After leaving the city, cross the plateau Hellisheiði with a lot of geothermal activity and plumes of steam rising from the ground. Drive to the village Hveragerði, at the foot of the mountain, east of the plateau where geothermal water is used to heat up greenhouses. Hveragerði and the town Selfoss, a little further east suffered considerable damage during the major earthquakes that shook Iceland in May, 2008. Large hot springs and mud pools were created in Hveragerði.
Hiking from Hveragerdi: 3 hours hike (6 km) to Reykadalur ("smoky valley.") Exit from the parking lot at the edge of the town after passing the golf course. At the end of the trail river flows hot water ideal for bathing (take swimsuit and towel). 19 Km pass Selfoss, you can make a short stop (to the right) at Urriðafoss, a waterfall in Þjórsá River. Þjórsá is Iceland's longest river, 230 km, and Urriðafoss is the most voluminous waterfall in the country. Continue road 1 along the South Shore and see the Lava Centre at Hvolsvöllur. Continue on road 1 heading for the Eyjafjöll district and stop at the waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. In summer, it is possible to walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall, - this is an interesting experience. Make sure the visit the nearby Gljúfrabúi waterfall few hundred meters from Seljalandsfoss. Continue on road 1 to visit Skógafoss waterfall. It is one of Iceland s biggest and most beautiful waterfalls with an astounding width of 25 meters (82 feet) and a drop of 60 meters. You can visit the Folk Museum at Skógar, close to the The glaciers Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull are towering above. On March 20th 2010, a volcanic eruption started on Fimmvörðuháls, a mountain ridge between the glaciers, Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. The eruption on Fimmvörðuháls lasted a couple of weeks. After this eruption came to an end a new and bigger eruption started underneath the nearby icecap of Eyjafjallajökull Glacier. This eruption came to an end on 23. May 2010. Hidden underneath the icecap of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier is Katla, one of Iceland s most dangerous volcano. During summer, snowmobiling and dog sledding are available on the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. Make a detour on a road from the main highway to the glacial tongue of Sólheimajökull, a part of the Mýrdalsjökull Ice field before continuing on road 218 to the Dyrhólaey natural reserve and a nesting colony of numerous seabirds (Dyrhólaey is closed for all traffic during the nesting period until June 25th). Drive to Reynishverfi, road 215 with beautiful coast, spectacular rock formations and thousands of nesting seabirds which nest in almost every crevice in summer. Back to the main road and continue to Vík, a small village on the black beach.
From Vík drive across the Mýrdalssandur floodplains and Eldhraun, the largest lava field ever to flow on Earth in historical time, and to the small village Kirkjubaejarklaustur. Fjaðrárgljúfur is a narrow and beautiful canyon a few km to the west from Kirkjubæjarklaustur, worth taking a look at (road 206). This is a fairly wide impressive canyon 100 m deep and 2 km in length. It is made from soft rock, with layers of lava penetrated into it and over it. The canyon was at the end of the Ice Age about two million year ago. When the ice cap retreated they formed a large lake in the valley over the canyon. The water stored in the lake due to the brink of a rock and dripped downhill. Melting snow brought erosion that. As a result, all at once jet water washed and created the canyon we see today. The lake was filled again and the river dug itself deeper and deeper into the rock, a phenomenon that continues to this day in small scale. At Kirkjubæjarklaustur, often abbreviated as "Klaustur", see Kirkjugólfið (the Church Floor), a protected natural monument just east of the village. Kirkjugólfið is columnar basalt, shaped and eroded by water and wind, only a few minutes walk from the road. On the roundabout take road 203 to get there. Main sites of the day: Hveragerði Seljalandsfoss Skogafoss Reynisdrangar Dyrhólaey - Fjadrargljufur canyon. Optional activities: Lava center in Hvolsvollur www.lavacentre.is Skógar folk museum and turf houses - http://www.skogasafn.is Snowmobile tour at 15:30 - www.arcanum.is
Day 3 - Skaftafell national park Glacier Lagoon - Vik. Continue from Klaustur over Skeidarársandur, vast tracts of black sandy desert washed down by numerous torrential glacial rivers. Just north of town on our way we can stop at Dverghamrar ("Dwarf cliffs") - These are special rocky formations of hexagonal shapes according to the local folk stories this is places where local elves live, so please avoid talking loudly when you visit the place. Continue through wetlands erosion Skeiðarársandur at Park Skaftafl On the way we can see the impressive Table Mountain Lómagnúpur. Stop at the Skaftafell National Park, an oasis wedged between glacier and sand. Its natural beauty is a result of unusually favourable weather conditions and the interaction of ice and fire. Beneath the Vatnajökull ice cap, towering above Skaftafell is Grímsvötn, one of Iceland s most active volcanoes. See the interesting Visitors Centre where you can learn the history of fire and ice in the region and a video of the volcanic eruption and the catastrophic flood in the area in 1996 can also be viewed. An interesting hiking trail takes you to Svartifoss, one of Iceland s most picturesque waterfalls, framed in by beautiful basalt columns that surround it. In the Skaftafell area are many other interesting hiking trails.
Continue to Fjallsárlón and Jökulsarlón glacial Lagoons where huge icebergs, sculptures of nature, broken off the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier float and grind together in the deep blue waters of the lagoon. An interesting cruise among the icebergs on the Lagoon is available in summer. Make sure to walk pass the bridge to see where the ice bergs wash in to the beach, the place known as diamond beach. From here, drive back west to Vik. Main sites of the day: National Park Skaftafell - Ice Lagoon. Useful info: Skfatafell hiking trail - http://www.vatnajokulsthjodgardur.is/english/hiking/skaftafell/ Optional activities: Glacierwalk from Skaftafell Park Can be book by us in advance. http://www.mountainguides.is/day-tours/glacier-tours/from-skaftafell/blueice-experience/ Glacier lagoon boat tour around 17:20 or 18:10. Please book online in advance at www.jokulsarlon.is
Day 4 - Geysir Gullfoss waterfall - Park Thingvellir - Reykjavik. Drive west on road 1. After passing Selfoss Take road 35, Make a stop at the volcanic crater Kerið. Kerið is a volcanic crater lake. The crater depth is 55 meters and was it is 3,000 years old. Half the age of the other nearby volcanoes. While most of the rather steep crater walls have almost no vegetation, a wall of a more moderate slope is covered with moss. The lake itself is quite shallow and reaches a depth of up to 14 meters depending on rainfall. Because of minerals from the soil it is impossible to see the bottom. Don t miss the pretty waterfall Faxi, hidden a short distance from the road on your right hand side. Look for the small "Faxa" sign. Further south Continue on road 35 to Geysir area. This is the hot springs park located in an area called Haukadalur. The word "geyser" is a bit confusing. "Geyser" is the name of the phenomenon known as boiling water and steam erupt from the bowels of the earth, but the Geysir is also the name of one of the geysers in the park.
In fact, it geysir gave its name to the whole phenomenon and hence the confusion. Near the the great Geysir there is a smaller geyser called Strokkur. Strokor is currently the most active geyser in the park and although its water jet is smaller, is no less spectacular. Strokkur erupts every 10 minutes on average, prepare your cameras! Stroll among the many hot springs. Geysir Visitors Center offers: cafeteria, a souvenir shop, a gas station and a multi-media center. Continue Gullfoss waterfall one of Iceland s most beautiful waterfall. Gullfoss (which means "golden waterfall") is probably the most famous waterfalls in Iceland. The waterfall is located on the river Hvita. The waterfall is divided into two parts and then the river turns sharply to the left into a narrow canyon and fairly steep. Definitely recommended to go along the whole route, about half an hour walk and see the falls from different angles. On clear days when the sun shines a spectacular rainbow can be seen over the waterfall. Make a right turn on road 36. Visit National Park Þingvellir, geologically unique place with a breathtaking beauty. Studies have shown that Þingvellir is a natural wonder on an international scale. Defects and cracks in the rift are clear evidence of earth's crust. The park also selected by UNESCO World Heritage and is one of the few places on earth where you can observe the tectonic plates when they are lifted off the ground. Near the visitor center, the view over the valley ahead is breathtaking. You can enter the park for a walk between the two tectonic plates from both sides. These are the tectonic plates of America and Euroasia, and you are at this moment actually walk between them! Later the trail there is also a magnificent waterfall and pools deep and clear with bridges over them. Park Þingvellir is Iceland's most important place historically. That's where the world's first parliament convened in 930. Iceland is a parliamentary democracy of more than 1000 years. Icelanders have traditionally come every year from all parts of the country to Þingvellir to exchange goods, to discuss the legal and social affairs and set rules. Continue on road 36 back to Reykjavik. Before passing the town named Mosfellsbaer, we'll see Mt Esja with covered with pine trees off the road on the left. The maximum height of the ridge is 914 m. It is a place that attracts the locals and give a perfect opportunity for a break from city life and going out into nature. Main sites of the day: Gullfoss waterfall - Kerið crater - Þingvellir National park Krysuvik Blue Lagoon.
Optional activities: River jet boat in Reyklholt http://www.icelandriverjet.com Entrance to the blue lagoon please book long time in advance at www.bluelagoon.com Tip :Visit the information center at the entrance to Þingvellir Park for further info. Day 5 - Reykjanes Peninsula Blue Lagoon Krysuvik Keflavik. From Reykjavik take road 41 toward the Reykjanes peninsula. Take a left on road 42 and drive along Kleifarvatn lake to to Seltun (Krysuvik) to see the geothermal site. Seltún has many mudpots and fumaroles, and minerals deposited from geothermal solutions provide colorful sediments. Good walking paths are around the area and parking. Setún is a part of Reykjanes nature reserve. Continue on road 427 to Grindavik village.
The Blue Lagoon is located on road 43. To locate the place, look for the sign that says "Bláa lóníð" or simply look for the steam rising from the blue lagoon and the nearby power station. The Blue Lagoon is famous worldwide as one of the best spas in the world. Reykjanes peninsula is exactly the connection of two tectonic plates, Eurasian plate and the North American plate. These plates drift apart every year and the territory of Iceland actually grown several centimetres every year. Between two plates a pedestrian bridge was built which serves as clear evidence of the presence of tectonic plate margin. The bridge was built as a symbol of connection between Europe and North America. The bridge is located on Route 425, 7 Km south to Hafnir. On road 425 you can visit Hafnarberg cliff. It is a long line of sheer sea lava cliffs south of the old fishing hamlet of Hafnir. Hafnarberg is very popular among hikers and bird watchers as various marine birds nest at the cliffs. A parking place is located 4 km from Hafnir on road 44 and from there is a marked path from the road to the cliffs. Hafnarberg is a geosite in Reykjanes Unesco Global Geopark. Return back to Reykjavik on road 41 for overnight. Main sites of the day: Reykjanes peninsula - Krysuvik Blue Lagoon. Optional activities: Entrance to the blue lagoon please book long time in advance at www.bluelagoon.com
Day 6 Reykjavik Keflavik (Departure). Visiting all the sites and activities mentioned in the program depends on the weather. It is advisable to check out the weather conditions at the beginning of each day before departure. Refer to your itinerary for phone numbers and addresses of accommodation. Weahter Report: http://en.vedur.is How to drive in Iceland: http://www.safetravel.is Road conditions, Safe alrets: http://www.road.is Lagoons of Iceland: http://www.icelandlagoons.com Please print the traveling documents and carry with you.
Please note! Many countryside hotels and guesthouses serve dinner, - however not all. If you would like to have dinner at the hotel / guesthouse, it is usually advisable to call in advance to check for availability and reserve, especially if you arrive late after 19:30. In some of the more sparsely populated areas, the only restaurant may be the restaurant at your hotel / guesthouse. Emergency phone (Police\Ambulance) 112 Another Iceland wishes you a safe and pleasant visit in Iceland!