Iceland Aurora self drive holiday
Eight days immersing yourself in iceland. A tailor made trip taking in the golden circle, glaciers and volcanic greatness. The Aurora is the icing on the cake.
Reykjavik Golden Circle Viewings for Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis Gullfoss waterfall Strokkur Geysir Thingvellir National Park Secret Lagoon and Little Geysir Thorsmork (Þórsmörk ) Nature Reserve Reynisfjara beach Vík Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Reykjanes peninsula Blue Lagoon
Price
£1385including UK flights
More info
Return International Flights from the UK to Iceland, airport taxes, car hire (VW Polo or similar), 7 nights accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis.
Description of Iceland Aurora self drive holiday
Discover the wonders of Iceland on this 8-day fly-drive holiday adventure suitable for travel all year-round. Explore impressive pounding waterfalls and swim in secret natural lagoons. Drive between the Golden Circle and the dramatic south and west coast to marvel at immense glaciers calving chunks of ice and volcanic black sand beaches. Accommodation on this fly-drive holiday is a mix of hotels and family-run guesthouses with evenings free to enjoy fresh local produce at the excellent in-house restaurants or relaxing in outdoor hot tubs under the late night sun or the celestial northern lights. This is a wonderful independent Iceland holiday allowing you to experience the best of this fascinating land and its friendly people.
Please note: northern lights season is broadly mid-September through to mid-April. Any travel outside this season will not offer opportunities to see the northern lights.
Itinerary
| Day 1 | Arrive at Keflavik International airport. Pick up your car and drive to Reykjavik, the world’s northernmost capital. Reykjavik offers a thriving cultural scene with an abundance of first-class restaurants, stylish galleries and historic landmarks. Surrounded by the pounding Atlantic Ocean, exceptional fresh fish dishes abound in Reykjavík’s top restaurants and hotels. Situated in the fashionable 101 area, Restaurant Fish Market is a Regent favourite. Overnight in Reykjavik. |
| Day 2 | Drive to Skaftafell National Park. Stop along the way at Reynisfjara Black beach and Cape Dyrhólaey for a great view. Continue to Kirkjubaejarklaustur and, en route, visit Fjadrárgljúfur, an otherworldly shaped canyon. Once arrived in Kirkjubæjarklaustur see the small waterfall Systrafoss and Kirkjugolfid, the so-called “church floor”, a flat columnar basalt surface. Overnight in Skaftafell area. The drive today will total in the region of 320km. (B) |
| Day 3 | Enjoy the day in Skaftafell National Park. Embark upon an optional glacier walk or spend the day hiking. Discover the Svartifoss waterfall with its high black basalt column, or walk all the way up to the ice at the Svinafellsjokul glacier tongue. In the afternoon, drive eastward along the edge of the Vatnajökull glacier. Reach the smaller glacial lagoon Fjallsárlón and, a little bit further, the more famous and bigger Jokulsárlón. Overnight in Skaftafell area. The drive today will total in the region of 120km. (B) |
| Day 4 | Head back towards the Golden Circle area. En route, pass through Skógar and discover its waterfall Skógafoss and the local folk and transport museum. It is possible to hike along the river Skógá for a while and see a few more waterfalls as well as get a closer view over the Eyjafjallajokull. A few kilometres further lies the notorious volcano Eyjafjallajokull. Driving further west reach the iconic waterfall Seljalandsfoss. Overnight in Selfoss area. The drive today will total in the region of 280km. (B) |
| Day 5 | Today unearth the Golden Circle and visit some of Iceland‘s best known natural attractions. Discover the magnificent Gullfoss waterfall and explore the Geysir geothermal area, home to the famous spouting Strokkur geyser. Visit Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, not only remarkable for its geology but also an important location in Iceland’s history, as it was here the Vikings established their parliament in 930AD. In the afternoon, travel over to the west side of the island and stay 2 nights in Borgarfjordur area. The drive today will total in the region of 350km. (B) |
| Day 6 | Journey through the countryside to Snaefellsnes Peninsula and spend the day exploring this area. Discover the small fishing village of Arnarstapi, Hellnar creek, Budir black church and lava field. Admire Mt. Kirkjufell and the surrounding coastline, mountains and waterfalls. Enjoy the spectacular sea shore at Breidafjordur bay and visit Bjarnarhofn - the region’s leading producer of hakarl (shark meat). Overnight in Borgarfjordur area. The drive today will total in the region of 330km. (B) |
| Day 7 | Explore the Borgarfjordur region, famous for Deildartunguhver hot spring, Hraunfossar waterfalls and Reykholt medieval center. Embark on an optional tour on Langjokull glacier, the second largest ice cap in Iceland, after Vatnajökull. In the afternoon, reach Reykjanes peninsula, a UNESCO Global Geopark. The peninsula, with its diversity of volcanic and geothermal activity, is well suited to be a Geopark as it is the only place in the world where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is visible above sea level. Perhaps, stop by the Blue Lagoon known for its special mineral rich water for a relaxing bath. The drive today will total in the region of 200km. (B) |
| Day 8 | Return the car at the airport and fly back to the UK. (B) |
Price information
£1385including UK flights
Return International Flights from the UK to Iceland, airport taxes, car hire (VW Polo or similar), 7 nights accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis.
Departure information
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Travel guides
Even though we now know what causes them, the lights still retain certain mysteries – such as why they are more active around the equinoxes, and exact...
Lukey Bourne, from our small group adventure specialists Wild Frontiers, recommends northern Ethiopia in April for empty, dramatic landscapes: “By the...
Reviews
12 Reviews of Iceland Aurora self drive holiday
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 13 Apr 2024 by Ivana Radenovic
The holiday was so fantastic overall but the diamond beach and the glacier lagoon were perhaps the most memorable moments. Unforgettable! Read full reviewReviewed on 31 Oct 2023 by Lucy Itkin
Excellent. We had a fantastic experience, and really valued the service from the tour operator. Read full reviewReviewed on 23 Mar 2019 by Justin Nixon
This is by far one of the most spectacular country on the planet. Such a unique ecosystem that can only be found there. A truly special place. Read full reviewReviewed on 27 Jun 2019 by Diane Beavis
There was so much that was memorable but we particularly liked the Skogafoss waterfall and the Strokkur geyser. Read full reviewReviewed on 11 Nov 2018 by Alvin Wan
Blue Lagoon Iceland was the most memorable part of the holiday Read full reviewReviewed on 16 Oct 2017 by Lynda Whitcombe
The landscape and sea life was memorable. Read full reviewReviewed on 28 Sep 2017 by Ariella Schaerer
Wow this is really hard to answer because honestly (and I do not tend to exagerate) this was the most amazing holiday we ever had. We were blown away every single day by the beauty of Iceland, the raw nature, constant changing scenery and wildlife. Read full reviewReviewed on 22 Sep 2017 by Wendy Meade
The outstanding scenery and unique landscapes which greet you at every turn. Whale watching was possibly the most exciting especially as it was on the last but one day of their season. The Humpbacks, Minkes and white nosed dolphins put on quite an active display for us. Read full reviewReviewed on 09 Jun 2017 by David Adams
The Snaefellsnes Peninsula was particularly lovely as was the prolific bird life generally. Food, though expensive, was almost universally superb, especially fish. Read full reviewResponsible Travel
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) holiday so that you can travel knowing we've worked to maximise the benefits of your holiday to local people and places, and minimise any negative impacts.
Planet
We encourage our clients to be responsible tourists and take the ‘Icelandic pledge’ promoted by Inspired by Iceland on www.visiticeland.com/pledge: 1. I pledge to be a responsible tourist; 2. When I explore new places, I will leave them as I found them; 3. I will take photos to die for, without dying for them; 4. I will follow the road into the unknown, nut never venture off road; 5. I will only park where I am supposed to; 6. When I sleep out under the stars, I’ll stay within a campsite; 7. When nature calls, I won’t answer the call on nature; 8. I will be prepared for all weathers, all possibilities and all adventures. All hotels/guesthouses seek to recycle any waste products – plastics, metals, paper and water. Due to the climate water is plentiful in Iceland, with tap-water not needing to be treated. However waste water is recycled for agriculture. All energy used is renewable – principally geothermally heated water and wind and water-generated electricity. All hot water is drawn from geothermally heated reserves for both bathrooms as well as any hot tubs. Farms use the geothermal heat for greenhouses to grow vegetables rather than gas/electricity.People
Wherever possible locally-owned and family-run hotels/guesthouses are used and visitors are encouraged to visit locally-owned and run attractions, such as the Skogar Folk Museum or the Herring Museum in Siglufjordur. Visitors are encouraged to go on trips where the sustainability of the environment is emphasised, such as whale watching trips where the emphasis is to “meet” and not “eat” the animals. We do not recommend restaurants where eating whale is advertised and encourage clients to respect and preserve the environment. We pay our office staff a fair wage and encourage clients to stay in locally-owned and run accommodation supporting the local economy. Our trip notes include details of many locally-owned and run craft shops and museums and encourage clients to visit them. We emphasise the natural beauty and purity of the Icelandic countryside, stressing the importance of treating both the countryside and the locals with respect. Clients are told not to drive off-road which would damage the countryside and only to walk along marked trails.Popular similar holidays
Iceland 6 day self drive tour
From £1225 6 days excluding flights
6 days exploring highlights of Iceland
Iceland highlights self drive holiday
From £3125 14 days excluding flights
A road trip adventure full of Iceland's highlights
Iceland midnight sun and whale watching, self drive
From €3060 10 days per accommodation
Discover Iceland's North Midnight Sun, Whales, and magic
