- Tour code
ISLADV02
- Start
Reykjavik
- End
Reykjavik
- Min. age
16 years old
- Group size
Max 6-16 travellers
- Trip style
Classic
- Trip pace
Active
- Language
English
This is a big loop at a brisk pace, and the landscape changes almost hourly. One day you are standing at the edge of Dettifoss feeling the spray, the next you are watching icebergs drift out of Jökulsárlón toward the sea.
From Reykjavik you travel north to Akureyri, then east past Goðafoss, the lava pillars of Dimmuborgir and the steaming vents of Námaskarð to the tiny fjord village of Bakkagerði. The East Fjords lead you south to Höfn and the edge of Vatnajökull, before the glacier lagoon, Diamond Beach and Skaftafell.
The last leg brings Reynisfjara's black sand, Seljalandsfoss, Gullfoss, Geysir and Þingvellir, then a Reykjavik day with Sky Lagoon and an optional snorkel in Silfra. A final excursion to Snæfellsnes shows you lava fields, craters and fishing villages.
Your Soca Islands Host keeps the road days running smoothly, and optional add-ons such as whale watching, an iceberg boat trip and a glacier hike let you choose how active you want to be.
Why This Journey
Driving Iceland's Ring Road yourself means long hours at the wheel, weather to watch and accommodation to book in villages with only a handful of rooms. Here the route is planned around the light and the distances, the driving is done for you, and each night's bed is arranged, from the harbour in Reykjavik to a seaside guesthouse in the East Fjords.
It suits travelers who want to see far more than the Golden Circle in one trip: the north's waterfalls and lava fields, the empty fjords of the east and the glaciers of the south coast. Groups are small, from 6 to 16 travelers, which keeps stops quick and the group sociable.
Where You'll Stay
Reykjavik (4 nights): Berjaya Reykjavik Marina Hotel, by the old harbour. Akureyri (1 night): Hotel Kea, in the town centre. Bakkagerði (1 night): Blábjörg Resort, a seaside guesthouse in Borgarfjörður eystri. Höfn (1 night): Berjaya Höfn Hotel, by the harbour. Vík (1 night): Hótel Kría. Proposed accommodation (or similar), subject to confirmation. Prices are based on sharing a double room with two beds.
Getting There
International Flights Not Included. International airfare to and from the destination is not included in the package price. Travelers are responsible for arranging their own flights and ensuring their arrival and departure align with the trip itinerary. Fly into and out of Keflavík International Airport (KEF); arrival and departure airport transfers are included. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
What you will see and do
Geysers, glaciers and waterfalls
Black-sand beaches and a volcanic coastline
Soaking in geothermal pools
What's included
All activities mentioned on the itinerary
Accommodations in double rooms
Experienced Soca Islands Host with you throughout the trip
One farewell group activity when possible
Max 16 travellers per group
Arrival and departure airport transfers
Group transportation
What's excluded
- International flights (travellers arrange their own)
- Travel insurance (required)
- Lunches, dinners and meals not listed
- Optional activities, including whale watching, the iceberg boat trip, the glacier hike and the Silfra snorkel
- Single room supplement (single rooms on request, subject to availability)
- Extra hotel nights before or after the trip
Group itinerary
Arrive at Keflavík on your own schedule and transfer to your hotel by Reykjavik's old harbour. There is time to stretch your legs along the waterfront or rest after the flight.
Later, your Soca Islands Host brings the group together to meet and talk through the road ahead.
After breakfast you set off on the long drive north to Akureyri, the largest town outside the capital region, crossing open moorland and valleys along the way.
Wander its compact old town of wooden houses and stop at a local café for lunch. If you want more, an optional whale-watching trip heads out onto the fjord.
Today you drive east through the Mývatn area. First stop is Goðafoss, whose name means waterfall of the gods, then Dimmuborgir's twisted lava pillars and the bubbling mud pots and steam vents of Námaskarð.
Next you stand beside Dettifoss, often called the most powerful waterfall in Europe. The day ends in the small village of Bakkagerði in Borgarfjörður Eystri, where you stay overnight in a guesthouse.
You follow the coast road through the East Fjords, where mountains drop straight into the sea and every bend brings another reason to pull over.
As you head south, Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe, comes into view. You reach the harbour town of Höfn in the evening.
This morning you visit Jökulsárlón, where chunks of glacier ice float in a lagoon before washing up on nearby Diamond Beach, often with seals lounging nearby. An optional boat trip gets you out among the icebergs.
Next is Skaftafell National Park, with walking trails or an optional guided glacier hike, equipment provided. You overnight in the small village of Vík.
Start at Reynisfjara, where black sand meets towering basalt columns. Then work your way west past the Seljalandsfoss waterfall and onto the Golden Circle route.
Gullfoss, the geysers at Geysir and Þingvellir, a national park and UNESCO-listed site where Iceland's early parliament met, fill the afternoon. You are back in Reykjavik by early evening.
Early risers can take the optional snorkel in Silfra, a fissure where you float in glacier-fed water in the gap separating the Eurasian and North American plates.
Later your Host takes you around central Reykjavik before the group relaxes at Sky Lagoon, a geothermal spa looking out over the ocean.
Your final full day heads to Snæfellsnes, the peninsula Jules Verne chose as the entry point for Journey to the Center of the Earth.
In one day you see lava fields, volcanic craters, sea cliffs and small fishing villages, a snapshot of much of Iceland, before returning to Reykjavik for your last night.
After breakfast the trip comes to an end, and your departure transfer takes you to Keflavík for your flight.
If you would like more time, extra nights in Reykjavik can be requested before you book.
Accommodations
Here's a glimpse of the hotels we selected for this adventure.
Berjaya Reykjavik Marina Hotel
A design-led hotel in a converted building by Reykjavík's old harbour, a short walk from the city centre, Laugavegur and the Harpa concert hall, and close to the harbour's whale-watching and food halls.
The Slippbarinn cocktail bar by the harbour is a lively spot in the evenings.
Rooms are 17 m² (183 ft²).
Hotel websiteHotel Kea
A long-established hotel in the centre of Akureyri, at the foot of the church steps and a short walk from the harbour and the town's cafés and shops.
Múlaberg restaurant and bar is on site, and rooms come with a double bed or two single beds.
Hotel websiteBlábjörg Resort
A small guesthouse and hotel in a converted fish-freezing plant by the sea in Bakkagerði, the only village in Borgarfjörður eystri, surrounded by mountains and walking paths.
The Frystiklefinn restaurant uses fresh local produce, and the Musteri spa and hot pot are a good way to end a long road day.
Hotel websiteBerjaya Höfn Hotel
A hotel by the harbour in the fishing town of Höfn, on the doorstep of Vatnajökull National Park and about an hour's drive from Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.
A breakfast buffet is served daily, and the Verbúðarbarinn lobby bar opens in the afternoons and evenings.
Rooms are 18 m² (194 ft²).
Hotel websiteHótel Kría
A modern 72-room hotel in the village of Vík, near the black-sand beach and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks, with the Mýrdalsjökull glacier rising behind.
Breakfast is a hot and cold buffet with local products, and there is an in-house restaurant and cocktail bar.
Hotel websiteRooms
You'll stay at Trip Hotel.
- Included
Shared double
Shared with the person you book with, or a fellow traveller of the same sex.
- +$1,386 per person
Single room
A room to yourself, subject to availability.
Room prices are per person for the Apr 3, 2027 departure and can differ on other dates. You choose your room when you book.
Tour FAQS
Fly into and out of Keflavík International Airport (KEF).
Proposed accommodation is Berjaya Reykjavik Marina Hotel in Reykjavik, Hotel Kea in Akureyri, Blábjörg Resort in Bakkagerði (a guesthouse), Berjaya Höfn Hotel in Höfn and Hótel Kría in Vík (or similar), subject to confirmation.
International Flights Not Included. International airfare to and from the destination is not included in the package price. Travelers are responsible for arranging their own flights and ensuring their arrival and departure align with the trip itinerary. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
Yes. Arrival and departure airport transfers between Keflavík International Airport (KEF) and your Reykjavik hotel are included. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
The trip includes 7 breakfasts. Lunches, dinners and other meals are at your own cost.
Extra nights can be requested, subject to hotel availability; contact our Customer Experience team for a quote.
There are no scheduled activities on the final day, so feel free to book your departure at your own convenience.
We recommend arriving before 3 pm on Day 1 to make it in time for the welcome event. But don’t worry no matter when you land, we’ll have an airport transfer ready for you.
Please Refer to your government’s travel advice or consult your local consulate. Remember, passport and visa requirements can change, so make sure to stay updated.
Excluding alcohol, we suggest budgeting around USD $40.00 per day for extras.
While we’re not medical professionals, we want to help you prepare for a safe and healthy adventure. Here are some tips:
- Consult with a healthcare professional: Schedule an appointment with your travel nurse or doctor at least eight weeks before your adventure to get any necessary vaccines or medications.
- Up-to-date medical advice:
- US residents: Check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
- UK residents: Visit the NHS Fit For Travel website.
- Australian residents: Refer to the Smart Traveler Health website.
3. Government travel advice:
- US residents: Consult the US Department of State Travel Advice.
- UK residents: Check the FCDO Travel Advice.
- Australian residents: Visit the Smart Traveler website.
4. Medication tips: If you take prescription medication, bring enough to last the entire trip, plus a few extra days in case of delays. Carry a copy of your prescription in case you need to visit a clinic abroad.
We hope this helps you prepare for a safe and enjoyable adventure.
Please keep in mind that our itinerary, activities, and hotels might change. These adjustments could happen with little notice due to factors like availability, weather conditions, seasonal shifts, or other circumstances beyond our control. Rest assured, we always aim to minimise any impact on your experience. Occasionally, we may tweak the itinerary to try out fresh ideas and keep the adventure exciting.
We believe solo travelers shouldn’t have to pay extra to explore the world. That’s why our group trips are designed around shared accommodation and do not include a single supplement. Solo travelers joining our group trips are paired in twin or multi-share rooms with another traveler of the same sex for the duration of the trip.
Some of our Independent trips are structured differently. For these itineraries, solo travelers will need to book at the single occupancy rate.
Tips are not included in the cost of this tour. Remember, tipping is entirely at your discretion and based on what you feel comfortable with.
Would you like to learn more or customise our Iceland Golden Circle trip?
Have questions about accommodations, accessibility, group preferences, or dietary needs? Complete the form below and our team will get back to you shortly.
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