Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip

Iconic Iceland
Road Trips, Reykjavik and Rural Retreats

Iceland - Thingvellir - Myvatn - Reykjavik

Starting from between £4,350 to £5,910 per person for 8 days depending on the time of year, type of accomodation and activities

Itinerary Highlights

  • Marvel at the merging of fire and ice in the Katla Ice Cave
  • Embark on an epic day’s road trip from Thingvellir National Park to Lake Mývatn
  • Admire geothermal spectacles such as lava fields and bubbling mud springs
  • Relax in a turquoise geothermal pool, the ‘Blue Lagoon of the North’
  • Stay in convivial villas that feel just like home
There are as many ways to travel in Iceland as there are visitors to it. In just eight days, you'll see countless natural phenomena and geological wonders without feeling like you're constantly on the move. You'll stay in stunning villas that are perfectly located for exploring but equally inviting to curl up in front of the fireplace after a day in the great outdoors. In Thingvellir you'll stay in the heart of the Golden Circle, close to some incredible sites, including the first Icelandic parliament, the impressive Strokkur geyser and the mythical Gulfoss waterfall. After three nights, you'll embark on an epic day's road trip to the remote region of Lake Mývatn. This route is a real journey, leading you through fjords, waterfalls and picturesque towns. When you reach Mývatn, you'll discover volcanic landscapes of intense beauty that never stop steaming and bubbling and stay on the shores of the lake surrounded by birds and green landscapes, not far from a geothermal lagoon. The trip ends with a night in Reykjavik, where you'll sample some incredible food, visit lively bars and experience Iceland's inimitable hospitality. To get around, you'll have a 4x4 fit for exploring Iceland's rocky terrain and private transfers where necessary. We've included some unmissable gems – a private tour of Katla Ice Cave and some incredible food in Reykjavik – but the rest is yours to delve into at your own pace. You'll have a mobile app and personalized itinerary to help you get from A to B, and our on-site Concierge is always on hand to help with setbacks, recommendations and anything else you might need along the way.
Iceland © Daniel Farò
Iceland © Daniel Farò
Lake Myvatn-  Northeastern Region - Iceland © Laetitia Georges
Lake Myvatn- Northeastern Region - Iceland © Laetitia Georges
Reykjavik - Iceland © Sergdid/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Reykjavik - Iceland © Sergdid/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Thingvellir National Park - Iceland © Matthieu Ricard
Thingvellir National Park - Iceland © Matthieu Ricard
Lake Myvatn - Iceland © Laetitia Georges
Lake Myvatn - Iceland © Laetitia Georges
Reykjavik - Iceland © Thomas Linkel/LAIF-REA
Reykjavik - Iceland © Thomas Linkel/LAIF-REA

Itinerary

100% customisable for you

This eight-day trip kicks off with a flight to Keflavík, which takes just over three hours. When you land, you’ll get priority passage through airport formalities so you can collect your hire car and start your drive to Thingvellir, just over an hour away. You’ll spend three nights here in a villa located directly on the shores of Lake Thingvallavatn. Soak up wonderful scenery from your terrace, living room or hot tub, all of which have a view of the sparkling lake.

Located in the heart of the Golden Circle, Thingvellir National Park is brimming with history and natural spectacles. This is the site of the former Icelandic national parliament, the Althing, founded in the year 930. In the surrounding area, you’ll find a beautiful waterfall and numerous gorges including Almannagjá, which offers views across the valley and lake. The Strokkur geyser gushes to a height of 65ft every five to eight minutes. The Gullfoss Falls, meanwhile, are unmissable. If that’s not enough action for one day, we can also arrange for you to go snorkelling in the Silfra Fault.

Today, we’ll arrange for you to explore the Katla Ice Cave. take a trip to the astonishing glacier under which Katla – a dormant volcano – rests. Equipped with crampons, you’ll explore the impressive ice corridor of Myrdalsjökull. Here, fire and ice have united to create something quite spectacular. This incredible experience ends with a trip to a number of Iceland’s famous black sand beaches.

Today, it's as much about the journey as it is the destination. On the way to Lake Mývatn, you'll journey through fjords, waterfalls and natural springs. Here are just some of the things you'll encounter en route: Reykholtsdalur Valley and Borgarnes, a small port nestled at the bottom of a fjord with colorful houses and a wooden church; the Skagi peninsula, a wild and sparsely populated region where horses and sheep graze freely on the moor and the colorful houses of Akureyri, a charming town on the edge of a fjord. For lunch, we recommend stopping in Blönduós or Brimslod. Continue on to Whale Fjord (home to the Glymur waterfall) or swing by the Deildartunguhver hot spring, the Icelandic Seal Center in Hvammstangi, or the fascinating Glaumbær Museum.

When you finally arrive in Lake Mývatn, one of the first things you'll notice is how many ducks there are. In fact, fifteen species call the lake home, including Barrow's goldeneye and harlequin Goldeneye. You'll stay right on the water, with a balcony and barbecue so you can take in the great outdoors from your own private space. Not far from your villa, you'll find a natural geothermal lagoon that rivals the famous Blue Lagoon. The waterfalls of Dettifoss, Aldeyarfoss and Godafoss, as well as the fumaroles of Mount Námafjall and the Krafla volcano, are just a stone's throw away too.

The best way to discover this incredible region is to take Route One, which runs along Lake Mývatn and brings you close to Skútustaðir and its pseudo-crater formations. A little further is Dimmuborgir, a lava field full of column-shaped volcanic formations that’s both bucolic and solemn. You’ll then reach Hverfjall and its explosion crater ¬– the ascent is easy and the spectacle striking. North-east of Reykjahlíd is Namaskard and its large field of solfataras (sulphurous mud springs) and fumaroles; here, it feels as if you’re walking on Mars. There’s a small network of trails that allow you to get closer to these geothermal spectacles, including Námafjall, which you can climb to admire beautiful views of your yellow-orange surroundings. If you have time, end your two days of adventure with a swim with a view of Lake Mývatn at the ‘Blue Lagoon of the North’, Jardbodin (Mývatn Nature Baths), an immense expanse of turquoise water at 30°C. If you like, we can also arrange for you to see this incredible region from above on a light aircraft flight.

Today, you’ll drive back to Akureyri and board a short flight to Reykjavik. When you arrive, we’ll whisk you away by private transfer to your accommodation for the night: a Scandi-inspired modern apartment. Spend the rest of the day getting acquainted with the capital’s foodie scene. Sample a selection of traditional dishes and street food favourites, including Icelandic cheeses, lamb, homemade ice cream and famous Icelandic hot dogs. End the tour at Sweet Aurora, the first French fine pastry shop, which will be sure to wow with its lemon meringue tarts and pistachio eclairs. This evening, we’ll arrange for you to have dinner at a Nordic restaurant serving stunning seafood, a fitting end to your adventure.

Today, you’ll be privately transferred to Keflavík where you’ll board your flight back to the UK.

Suggestions

Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included

DIVING IN THE SILFRA FAULT

Located in the Thingvellir plain, this fault was created when American and European tectonic plates met many moons ago. The water that fills it comes from the Langjökull glacier, 25 miles away, and therefore has a constant temperature of 2 to 4°C. Equipped with a wetsuit, mask and snorkel, immerse yourself in this exceptionally transparent water to see the magic beneath the surface.


FLIGHT OVER THE MÝVATN REGION BY PRIVATE PLANE

Fly over some of Iceland’s most beautiful landscapes aboard a light aircraft. Starting around Lake Mývatn, you’ll head south above over Iceland's largest desert, Ódádahraun, then Askja, a strato-volcano in the Highlands, peaking at 4,974ft. On the way back, you can admire Hverfjall, Námafjall and Krafla before landing in Reykjahlid.

Why visit Iceland with Original Travel ?

Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.

ENQUIRE NOW

A few of the benefits of travelling with us to Iceland

  • Our local Concierges
  • The Original Travel app
  • Airport lounge access
  • Destination Dossier
  • 24-hour helpline
  • Expert guides
  • 100% carbon absorption

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A rough idea of the price

Depending on the time of year, type of accommodation and activities

Base 6 personnes
The cost for this trip starts from £4,350 to £5,910 per person.

The final cost of the trip depends on the way we tailor it especially for you. The final cost varies according to several factors, which include the level of service, length of trip and advance booking time. The exact price will be provided on your personalised quote.

The average starting price for this trip is £5,300 per person.

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