5 Day Self Drive: Southwest Highlights & off beat surprises

A 5-day self-drive package perfect for travelers who enjoy the comfort of staying in a single hotel in Reykjavik. Explore cascades, glaciers, and lava caves with complete independence and flexibility.


Iceland Land Tours
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Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
Starts: Reikiavik, Islandia
Ends: Reikiavik, Islandia
Language: English guided tours


FROM:
ISK 216.250.-

Available from:
October 2026 - Mid April 2027
(Excluding 23. Dec. - 31. Dec)

Price per person in Icelandic króna (ISK)
Toyota Aygo / Manual ISK 216.250
Dacia Duster / Manual ISK 231.250
Kia Sportage 4*4 / Auto ISK 251.250

*Additional extras: (GPS, extra-driver, etc) bookable upon request, if car drop off is after pick up time, an extra day fee will be charged
**Please note: Car rental pick up office located in walking distance next to the airport (5 min walking, shuttle also available).
Pick up counter directly in the airport available for a higher rate.


Included


This 5-day self-drive package is perfectly tailored for travelers who appreciate the supreme comfort of staying in just one single hotel for the entire trip, using it as a fixed base to explore regional natural attractions. The itinerary comprehensively covers the most vital highlights of Southwest and South Iceland while weaving in delightful, off-the-beaten-track experiences to add a layer of exclusive surprise to the holiday. With a fully insured rental car at their disposal, guests enjoy absolute independence to format their driving days across scenic highways, alternating visits to monumental cascades with guided ice hiking and sub-surface volcanic explorations.

Every evening is enhanced by a dedicated focus on spotting the magical northern lights, highlighted by an premium night boat cruise leaving from the capital's harbor to significantly boost sighting opportunities. On a cultural level, the program features an immersive geothermal bakery tour to experience traditional underground rye bread baking, paired with Premium admission packages to an exclusive geothermal oasis at Laugarás Lagoon. Active adventures are seamlessly integrated through a guided cave explorer tour into the Viđgelmir lava tubes and a safe glacier hike on Sólheimajökull suitable for basic fitness levels, providing a highly diverse and rewarding winter escape.

Highlights:
Discover Southwest landmarks with the convenience of a single 3-star hotel base in Reykjavik.
Drive a fully insured 4WD rental car with unlimited mileage and convenient airport pickup.
Join a guided glacier hike on Sólheimajökull and an expert exploration of Viđgelmir lava cave.
Experience a starlight northern lights boat cruise alongside a Premium admission package to Laugarás Lagoon.
Enjoy an authentic geothermal rye bread baking and tasting presentation at Fontana.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrival in Iceland, Keflavik Airport, Pick up rental car - Reykjavik - Evening: Northern Lights Yacht Cruise (2,5h)
Car rental collection, leisure time in the capital, and starlight ocean sailing
Arrival in Iceland at Keflavik International Airport. Pick up your selected rental car at the office located within short walking distance next to the terminal. Drive to your 3-star hotel in Reykjavik, such as Hotel Skuggi or similar, where you will spend all 4 nights. Enjoy leisure time in the capital. In the evening, head to the harbor to join a 2.5-hour night boat cruise dedicated to hunting the northern lights from the sea.

Day 2: Exploration of famous "must see highlight" Golden Circle
Continental rifts, erupting geysers, thermal bread baking, and lagoon soaking
Drive and explore the iconic Golden Circle route independently, visiting Thingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall. The day includes the unique Rye Bread Tour at Fontana to experience traditional geothermal baking and tasting. Afterward, enjoy a soothing bath with Premium admission (Lerki Package) to the Laugarás Lagoon, a beautiful geothermal oasis. Drive back to Reykjavik.

Day 3: Exploration of Silver Circle, Borgarfjördur
Powerful hot springs, cascading waterfalls, and descending into a massive volcanic tube
Drive west to the historic Borgarfjörđur region to explore the scenic Silver Circle. Sights include the Deildartunguhver hot spring and Hraunfossar waterfalls. Join the guided Cave Explorer Tour to venture deep inside the massive Viđgelmir lava cave to witness its historic volcanic formations. Guests can optionally add admission to the high-end Krauma Spa in the afternoon before driving back to the capital.

Day 4: South Coast Adventure with Guided Glacier Hike (basic fitness level sufficient), Drive to Reykjavik
Towering waterfalls, dramatic volcanic sands, and hiking on ancient glacial ice
Set out early along the magnificent South Coast highway. Stop to view the iconic waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. The absolute highlight of the day is a guided glacier hike on the Sólheimajökull Glacier, a safe and active experience on ancient ice requiring only a basic fitness level. Drive back to Reykjavik for your final evening.

Day 5: Drop off rental car at KEF Airport & Departure
Final drive and conclusion of the self-drive holiday
Savor breakfast at your hotel. Drive back along the Reykjanes peninsula highway to Keflavik International Airport. Return your rental vehicle at the car rental depot located adjacent to the airport terminal before entering the departures hall for your return flight back home. End of self-drive travel arrangements.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Iceland, Keflavik Airport, Pick up rental car - Reykjavik - Evening: Northern Lights Yacht Cruise (2,5h)
Car rental collection, leisure time in the capital, and starlight ocean sailing
Arrival in Iceland at Keflavik International Airport. Pick up your selected rental car at the office located within short walking distance next to the terminal. Drive to your 3-star hotel in Reykjavik, such as Hotel Skuggi or similar, where you will spend all 4 nights. Enjoy leisure time in the capital. In the evening, head to the harbor to join a 2.5-hour night boat cruise dedicated to hunting the northern lights from the sea.

Day 2: Exploration of famous "must see highlight" Golden Circle
Continental rifts, erupting geysers, thermal bread baking, and lagoon soaking
Drive and explore the iconic Golden Circle route independently, visiting Thingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall. The day includes the unique Rye Bread Tour at Fontana to experience traditional geothermal baking and tasting. Afterward, enjoy a soothing bath with Premium admission (Lerki Package) to the Laugarás Lagoon, a beautiful geothermal oasis. Drive back to Reykjavik.

Day 3: Exploration of Silver Circle, Borgarfjördur
Powerful hot springs, cascading waterfalls, and descending into a massive volcanic tube
Drive west to the historic Borgarfjörđur region to explore the scenic Silver Circle. Sights include the Deildartunguhver hot spring and Hraunfossar waterfalls. Join the guided Cave Explorer Tour to venture deep inside the massive Viđgelmir lava cave to witness its historic volcanic formations. Guests can optionally add admission to the high-end Krauma Spa in the afternoon before driving back to the capital.

Day 4: South Coast Adventure with Guided Glacier Hike (basic fitness level sufficient), Drive to Reykjavik
Towering waterfalls, dramatic volcanic sands, and hiking on ancient glacial ice
Set out early along the magnificent South Coast highway. Stop to view the iconic waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. The absolute highlight of the day is a guided glacier hike on the Sólheimajökull Glacier, a safe and active experience on ancient ice requiring only a basic fitness level. Drive back to Reykjavik for your final evening.

Day 5: Drop off rental car at KEF Airport & Departure
Final drive and conclusion of the self-drive holiday
Savor breakfast at your hotel. Drive back along the Reykjanes peninsula highway to Keflavik International Airport. Return your rental vehicle at the car rental depot located adjacent to the airport terminal before entering the departures hall for your return flight back home. End of self-drive travel arrangements.


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INCLUSIONS

4 nights' accommodation in 3* hotel in Reykjavik, standard dbl room, incl. breakfast
4 days car rental: CDW, SCDW, TW, GP, unlimited mileage, VAT included
Pick up / drop off KEF Airport
Northern Light boat tour
Rye Bread tour (Geothermal bakery) at Fontana
Laugarás, Lerki Package
Viđgelmir, Cave Explorer Tour
Glacier Hike on Sólheimajökull Glacier

EXCLUSIONS

International flights connecting with Iceland airport gateways.
Lunches, dinners, and bar expenditures outside of the integrated breakfasts.
Optional admission to the geothermal pools at Krauma Spa on Day 3.
Car rental optional extras such as GPS navigation units or additional driver registration.


* The prices are per person in US Dollars, unless expressly specified in a different currency. In that case, payment will be in US dollars at the exchange rate of the day.
** Rates are correct at the time of publication. All prices will be re-confirmed by email at the time of booking.
NOTE: Embracing the unexpected is part of the legacy—and excitement—of expedition travel. When traveling in extremely remote regions, your expedition staff must allow the sea, the ice and the weather to guide route and itinerary details. This itinerary is a tentative outline of what you’ll experience on this voyage; please be aware that no specific itinerary can be guaranteed.

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