5 Day Self Drive Fall and Winter Dream South Iceland 2
5 Day Self Drive Fall and Winter Dream South Iceland
Nordic Winter Dream & Northern Lights in Iceland. This tour takes you to some of the most spectacular highlights in South Iceland: three iconic and majestic waterfalls – Gullfoss, Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, the national parks of Þingvellir and Skaftafell, black sand beaches, views of glaciers and the oh so impressive Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon with the Diamond Beach. And maybe the Northern Lights will dance for you in the dark winter sky.
Highlights
Hunt for the Northern Lights
Skaftafell National Park
Reynisfjara Black sand beach
Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon & the Diamond Beach
Waterfalls of the South
Golden Circle
DAILY ITINERARY
DAY 1
Tuesday: Arrival in Iceland – Reykjavík (ca. 50 km)
Arrival in Iceland. Pick up your rental car at Keflavík international airport and drive to your accommodation in Reykjavík.
Optional Tours & Activities
DAY 2
Wednesday: Reykjavík – South Shore – Vík (ca. 200 km)
Drive east along the south coast of Iceland towards the towns of Hveragerði and Selfoss. Further along the way stop at the inspiring waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss – two of the most iconic waterfalls in Iceland. The drive continues at the foot of Eyjafjöll mountains where the infamous Eyjafjallajökull volcano rests under the glacier of the same name. Drive on to the village of Vík with a chance for a stop at Reynisfjara black sand beach with a view of Reynisdrangar cliffs in the sea and the Dyrhólaey promontory. Accommodation in a country hotel near to the area of Vík. The hotel is situated in a rural location away from the village and so offers the excellent possibility for observing the northern lights if they appear during your stay, directly from the hotel.
DAY 3
Thursday: Skaftafell – Jökulsárlón (ca. 400 km)
Drive across the black sands, glacial rivers and moss-covered lava fields east towards Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Crossing Skeiðarársandur we reach Skaftafell national park, the largest national park in all of Europe. One of the park’s main attractions is Svartifoss waterfall. From here you also get the best view of Hvannadalshnjúkur – Iceland’s highest peak. Continuing at the foot of Vatnajökull you reach the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon with thousands of icebergs of different shapes, sizes and colors slowly moving from the calving glacier towards the sea. Following the river, we reach the ocean and the “Diamond beach” where impressively beached large pieces of glacial ice glitter on the black sand before they melt or are washed away by the sea.
Drive back the same way to Vík area for another overnight.
DAY 4
Friday: The Golden Circle – Reykjavík (ca. 290 km)
Leave the Vík area, driving back to towards Selfoss from where you continue to some of the best known natural wonders of Iceland. Stop at the Geysir area where the most active of the geysers, Strokkur spouts a column of hot water regularly every 5-10 min. Take a walk around the other hot springs of this high-temperature geothermal area. A short drive towards the highlands will bring you to Gullfoss waterfall – the Golden Falls which cascades into the deep canyon of Hvítá glacial river. Continue past Lake Laugarvatn towards the Þingvellir national park by Lake Þingvallavatn – a site of the first parliament as well as a place of great geological interest and natural beauty.
Continue to Reykjavík for the last overnight.
DAY 5
Saturday: Departure day (ca. 50 km)
Drive to Keflavík airport in time for check in for your international flight.
Optional Tours & Activities
(If your flight depart is in the late afternoon)
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