5 Day Self Drive Fall & 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
- Waterfalls of the south
- Reynisfjara Black sand beach
- Golden Circle (Thingvellir, Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall)
- Skaftafell National Park
- Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon and the Diamond Beach
Daily itinerary
Day 1 – Tuesday: Arrival in Icelaland – Reykjavík (ca. 50 km)
Arrival in Iceland. Pick up your rental car at Keflavík international airport and drive to your accommodation in Reykjavík.
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.
*Optional tours available:
- Glacier hike on Sólheimajökull glacier
- Snowmobile ride on Mýrdalsjökull glacier
- ATV Tour on Sólheimasandur
- Black sand beach horse back riding tour
- Zip line experience
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.
*Optional tours available:
- Glacier hike from Skaftafell
- Boat tour at Jökulsárlón (October only)
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.
If your flight departs late afternoon, then you have the possibility to add an optional whale watching boat tour in the morning, drive around the Reykjanes peninsula or visit the Blue Lagoon before dropping of the rental car at Keflavík airport.
Possibility to extend your tour into the north of Iceland: Discover the Winter Highlights of North Iceland or Northern Lights Special
Dates & prices
Departures: Daily from 15. September to 15. April
Single supplement: ISK 35,800
Included in the package price:
- 4 nights accommodation in double/twin rooms with private facilities, including breakfast
- 4 days car rental: unlimited mileage, tax, CDW, GP, TP, SCDW; pick up/drop off at Keflavík airport.
- Detailed itinerary with multiple daily options based on pre-booked accommodation
- Service and VAT
Not included in the package price: optional tours, admission to museums, domestic flights and meals others than specified above.
Good to know:
- The Northern Lights are a naturally occurring phenomenon that no-one can control. Seeing them is always dependent on weather conditions, Northern Light activity on any given date, but also some planning! You can see the aurora forecast every day here.
