Around Iceland: Drive and Hike

Around Iceland: Drive & Hike

15 Days & 14 Nights 4.7 Read 3 reviews

A 360 degree journey around Iceland, travelling by car on Ring Road 1
Thingvellir National Park, Gulfoss Waterfall and Geysir - Iceland's Golden Circle!
The Snaefellsnes Peninsula on the west coast - "Iceland in miniature"
Myvatn, scattered with bubbling mud-pots, lava formations and hot springs
The colourful fishing villages of the East Fjords

Travel 360° around the ‘land of fire and ice’ by car and on foot, ticking off this amazing country’s must-see highlights! Powerful waterfalls, other-worldly landscapes, lava fields, volcanoes, glaciers, fjords, hot springs, wildlife and some of the friendliest people you will ever meet all await! Starting in Reykjavik, this tour takes you on a full loop of the island. Walk through great tears in the earth’s crust, at the top of thundering waterfalls, alongside magnificent glaciers, and amongst bubbling geysirs and hot springs. This Icelandic adventure is one you are sure to remember for a long time to come!

What To Expect

Travel Restrictions

This action packed grand tour of Iceland ticks off all the major highlights of this wild island in two weeks, travelling by car right round the country. You’ll be armed with comprehensive driving route notes, a road atlas and guide book, and some superb suggested walks.

Trip Type:

Discovery | Think of it as a ‘local’s guide’ to the best of the region. It includes a combination of activity and transportation to give you the freedom to explore and cover more ground at your own pace. We do all the research and organisation for you. All you have to do is turn up and enjoy!

Activity:

Drive and Hike | Exploration of picturesque and remarkable destinations by car combined with walks that highlight the best of a country or region.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Islands

Grade & Terrain

We grade this tour as easy-moderate as the suggested walks are all optional. They are between 1—6 hours in length, and up to 500m ascent/descent (most are less than 200m ascent/descent).

Navigation

We provide detailed route notes and maps to allow you to navigate the recommend walks without any problems. Footpaths are not always clearly marked but with the above you should not have any issues navigating. Paths can be slippy and rocky underfoot, so a good pair of walking boots is essential.

Accommodation Information

2 Night’s accommodation is included in a 3-star city hotel in Reykjavik. 12 Nights are in comfortable, countryside hotels and guesthouses. We have carefully chosen traditional countryside hotels which offer a warm Icelandic welcome, comfortable rooms and fantastic food! They are in spectacular locations and generally have great views of the surrounding countryside.

Alternative Accommodation

The hotels we normally use are detailed below but subject to availability we may accommodate you in alternative hotels/guesthouses of a similar standard.

Meals

14 breakfasts are included. You can pick up lunches during the day from many cafes or shops. All of the countryside hotels have a restaurant where you can have dinner as there are not usually many other options for places to eat nearby. Food is generally of a very high standard, and local specialities include Hangikjöt (a delicious smoked lamb dish), Saltifiskur (salted fish) and the delicious Arctic Char. For the more adventurous, there is also Hákarl (cured shark commonly accompanied by schnapps), only for the very brave!

Solo Walkers & Single Rooms

Single rooms are available on this trip and a supplement will apply. It is also available to solo travellers but prices are on a request basis.

Included

2 Nights at a 3* Hotel in Reykjavik
12 Nights in countryside hotels and guesthouses
14 Breakfasts
13 Days Group B car hire (from Day 2 to Day 14)
Return transfers betweeen Keflavik Airport and Reykjavik accommodation
Iceland Road Atlas
Detailed pre-departure information pack
Route notes, maps and driving instructions
24/7 support from our local partners and UK office

Excluded

Travel to and from Iceland
Lunches and evening meals
Fuel and oil
Personal equipment
Mountain rescue
Travel Insurance
Drinks and snacks

Extras

Additional nights before, during or after the tour
Car Hire Upgrades
Glacier Hike

When To Go

You can start this tour on any day of the week between the beginning of May and end of September. From June through to August is the most popular and best time to travel to Iceland due to the long hours of sunlight and the fact that the weather is at it’s driest and warmest then. This is also the best time for wild flowers. During this time, the main tourist sights such as the most popular waterfalls will get quite busy but you shouldn’t notice it too much whilst on the walks or driving. If you prefer a quieter experience, then we would recommend either May or September. The weather isn’t quite as reliable then but it is quieter, and the price also comes down during those months.

Getting to the Start

Fly into Keflavik International Airport, which is served by numerous airlines from UK, Europe and North America. Keflavik is just a short 3 hour flight from the UK and just a 5 hour flight from Boston. Icelandair and Wowair offer many direct flights from various US airports. On arrival at Keflavik airport, you will be met by a transfer to take you to your hotel in the centre of Reykjavik, and you will be transferred back to Keflavik at the end of your tour.

Getting from the End

Your tour finished in Reykjavik. A transfer (included) will take you back to Keflavik International Airport for your flight home.

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, (for example, proper rain gear jacket and pants, sun hat, sunscreen). Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes or the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

Car Hire

We include Group B Car Hire from the morning of Day 2 up to the afternoon of Day 6. Group B Car Hire would be based on a Volkswagen Golf or similar and is suitable for 2-3 people with luggage. For parties of 4, we will automatically include an upgrade to a CAT N Car Hire (similar to a Skoda Octavia) and this is already included in the cost. For parties of 5-8 people, we will provide 2x CAT B for 5-6 people, and 2x CAT N for 7-8 people. If you prefer a larger car you can also choose to upgrade to CAT FG. Please select this option when making your booking. Car hire includes unlimited mileage, VAT, CDW insurance, 1 additional driver, One Way Drop off Fees, Pick up and Drop off fees. No insurance in Iceland covers the underside of vehichles and excesses can be expensive. For this reason we suggest you take out an excess reimbursement policy in advance of your arrival, or upgrade your insurance locally. Fuel and oil are not included in the rental of your vehicle.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity, emergency evacuation and hospital care.

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