Spend eight days on this self-drive tour to discover the beautiful highlights of Iceland in winter. First, enjoy the snowy views of Reykjavik and explore the best places in the city. Then, take a guided tour to the glacier and explore frozen waterfalls on the way to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Continue exploring lava formations, black sand beaches, and craters before heading to the Golden Circle for a snowmobile ride on the Langjokull Glacier. Head to other waterfalls, arches, and cliffs on the South Coast, explore an ice cave at the Vatnajokull glacier, and visit the stunning Diamond Beach at the Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon. On your way back to Reykjavik, make a few more stops along the South Coast, and enjoy a relaxing break in the Blue Lagoon before your departure.
Highlights
- Explore Langjokull, from an into the glacier tour to a snowmobiling excursion
- Enjoy warm, geothermal soaks in the Secret Lagoon and Blue Lagoon
- Discover frozen waterfalls, glaciers, and black-sand beaches along the South Coast
- See the ice cave of Skaftafell and icebergs along Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
| Travel Style | Self-Driving Tour |
| Availability | December – March, Daily |
| Tour Duration | 8 days / 7 nights |
| Brief Itinerary | Day 1. Arrive at Keflavik airport. Explore downtown and stay in Reykjavik Day 2. Hot springs and frozen waterfalls of West Iceland| Hotel in Borgarnes Day 3. Snaefellsnes Peninsula winter highlights | Hotel in Reykjavik Day 4. Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon | Hotel in Hella Day 5. Waterfalls & Black-sand beaches of South Coast | Hotel in Kirkjubaejarklaustur Day 6. Skaftafell & Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon | Hotel in Kirkjubaejarklaustur Day 7. Back to Reykjavik. Visit the Blue Lagoon | Hotel in Reykjavik Day 8. Morning in Reykjavik. Departure |
- Accommodation (comfort/quality) for 7 nights
- Breakfast included accommodation
- Rental car with unlimited mileage and CDW
- Two authorized drivers assigned
- Wi-Fi and GPS Navigator with the rental car
- Detailed itinerary for the trip
- Road map with the route marked in
- 24/7 Emergency service by phone
- Taxes, Service fee, and VAT
- Flights to/from Iceland
- Personal travel insurance
- Gasoline for the trip
- Driving-Related fees
- Food and drinks, if not specified
- Any services not listed above as “Included”
Optional Extras
- Optional activities fitted to the itinerary of the tour
Tour Pricing
The indicated price per person is based on four adults sharing two double rooms during the low tourist season and using a mid-size car type (Toyota RAV4 WD or similar) for the trip. Please send us a tour request to clarify the price for your group.
Reserve Now & Pay LaterFly into Keflavik International Airport, where your guide meets you and provides a private transfer to downtown Reykjavik (approximately 45 minutes). Check into your hotel and explore the downtown area or rest away from any jetlag. In case you arrive in the early morning (which is typical for flights from the United States), downtown Reykjavik has some great coffee shops.
Things to do in Reykjavik:
- Walkthrough the compact Reykjavik center to enjoy the charm of the city.
- Head to the waterfront to see the Sun Voyager sculpture and Harpa Concert Hall with incredible glass architecture.
- Visit the Hallgrímskirkja Church on the hill and take the elevator at the tower for panoramic views of the Reykjavik area.
- If the weather is inclement, visit several museums such as the Northern Lights Center, Saga Museum, Maritime Museum, or Iceland’s Whale Exhibition.
Driving distance 50km/32miles. Overnight stay in Reykjavik.
Start your journey to the west of Iceland. Take a rental car and travel to Hraunfossar (Lava Falls) and Barnafoss (Children’s Falls), considered some of the most unique and impressive waterfalls in Iceland, where clear underground water seeps through lava fields and pours out of rocks.
Then, head to Husafel to join an “Into the Glacier” ice-cave tour (3-4 hours) and explore Langjokull, Iceland’s second-largest glacier. The all-terrain truck designed for this excursion will carry you on the snow-white slopes and head into the ice tunnel to the heart of the glacier.
On the way back to Reykjavik, visit the historic village of Reykholt and stop at Deidartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in Europe, supplying hot water to nearby towns. Visit the nearby Krauma to soak in the natural geothermal baths and take a meal after relaxing in warm water. Then, head to Borgarnes for an overnight stay there.
Driving distance approx. 200 km/125 miles. Overnight stay in Borgarnes.
Leave Borgarnes in the morning and head towards the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. The day’s first stop will be the Bjarnarfoss waterfall, falling off a cliff and descending a steep slope into the valley. After a short walk to the waterfall, head to the nearby ancient church in the village of Budir, and from there, take a short walk to the ocean, framed by yellow volcanic sand and black lava rocks.
The most iconic and mysterious attraction of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula is the magical Snaefellsjokull glacier with a mighty volcano under an ice bowl. This volcano is one of the most famous places in Iceland. Without a doubt, the area is impressive, and the local landscapes will surprise even seasoned travelers.
Stop at the small fishing village of Arnarstapi. Here you will find the small harbor and rocky arch of Gatklettur. The entire rocky coastline in Arnarstapi is so beautiful that it is worth coming here alone for this.
Next, head to the rocky cliffs of Londrangar, located at the foot of the Snaefellsjokull volcano. Lоndrangar is a unique rock formation formed as a result of ancient eruptions. Londrangar and Svaltuf hill are the remains of a crater eroded by the ocean.
And, of course, visit Djupalonsandur, a black pebble beach with the remains of a wrecked trawler and mysterious cliffs overlooking the ocean. In the old days, the beach was used as a fishing station, where rowing boats were moored, and people processed the caught fish on the shore.
You will then drive to the northern part of the peninsula to the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall, located at the foot of Kirkjufell mountain. The mountain is one of the most photographed places on the arm, attracting many photographers regardless of the season.
Drive through the Vatnaleid pass to the southern end of the peninsula and return to Borgarnes for an overnight stay there.
Driving distance 300 km. Overnight stay in Borgarnes
After breakfast in Borgarnes, you will drive towards the Golden Circle, Iceland’s most popular route.
The first stop will be at Thingvellir National Park, known for its geological structure as the border between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates. During the Viking Age in 930 AD, it was founded by locals and remained a social center until the late 18th century. It is also widely known as the site of the first parliament in the world.
The next stop is the Haukadalur valley, a geothermal area where the Geysir and Strokkur hot springs are located. Strokkur is the most active geyser in Iceland, shooting hot water up to 20-30 meters (65-100 feet) every 5-10 minutes.
Then, continue to the impressive Gullfoss, Iceland’s second-largest waterfall. Afterward, you can visit the Fridheimar tomato greenhouse to lunch there. For a different experience, stop at Secret Lagoon, the oldest geothermal pool in Iceland. Head to your overnight stay in Hella.
Duration of 8 hours. Driving distance approx. 255 km / 160miles. Overnight stay in Hella
On this day, travel to the South Coast and drive through the lowlands to your first stop, the beautiful Seljalandsfoss waterfall, one of the most famous in Iceland. It is 63m/210ft high and offers fantastic walks along the path behind the falls. Here, you can find another waterfall called Gljufrabui, 40m/140ft tall, falling into the gorge.
Then drive along with the farms of the Eyjafjoll area and arrive at the mighty Skogafoss falls, descending over 60m/200ft with water flowing from the Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull glaciers. This majestic waterfall is one of the most visited places in Iceland, and for a good reason.
Continue to Dyrholaey, a rocky headland that slopes into the ocean in the southernmost part of the country, and continue to Reynisfjara Beach, considered the most impressive black sand beach in Iceland. Here you will find unique vertical basalt columns and Reynisdrangar rocks in the water.
Visit Fjadrargljufur Canyon, the magnificent and massive canyon, about 100m/320ft deep and about two kilometers long. After walking through the canyon, head to Kirkjubaejarklaustur for an overnight stay.
Driving distance 205km / 125 miles. Overnight stay in Kirkjubaerjarklaustur.
Today you explore Iceland’s largest glacier, Vatnajokull, and the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. Visit Skaftafell Park, where you can hike (1.5 hours) to Svartifoss, a slender waterfall surrounded by basalt columns. You can join a hike on the glacier or from Skaftafell Park for further exploration.
You will find another glacial lagoon before reaching the Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon, Fjallsarlon. Here you will get much closer to the glacier, and you will have a better view of all cracks and crevices.
Next, visit the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, one of Iceland’s most unique landmarks, with icebergs of all shapes from white to blue floating across the lagoon. We recommend that you take a Zodiac or Amphibian boat tour (May-October) in the lagoon to get closer to the glacier and icebergs in the water. In the winter season (Nov-March), we recommend taking an Ice Cave tour (3-4 hours) starting from the glacier lagoon.
On the way back from the glacier lagoon, you can reach the picturesque Hofskirkja church at Hof and then head back to Kirkjubaeiarklaustur to spend the night there.
Driving distance 255 km/160 miles. Overnight in Kirkjubaejarklaustur.
On this day, you will return from the south coast to Reykjavik. On the way back, you will have another chance to visit places that you may have missed earlier or visit new places:
- The Seljavallalaug pool, one of the oldest pools in the country, was built-in 1923. A short scenic walk takes you to a relaxing pool.
- Douglas DC3 wrecked plane. The landscapes with the abandoned remains of the plane on the black sand are pretty steep and surreal.
- Kerid Crater. Walk along the top of the crater and enjoy the view of its blue-green lake below.
- Reykjadalur (Smoky Valley) with a hot springs river. Walk the trail (about an hour) to reach a hot river that flows through the valley.
Another great option is to visit the famous Blue Lagoon geothermal resort on the way to Reykjavik to relax and unwind in the warm mineral water. After that, head to Reykjavik.
Back in the capital, you still have a little time to explore the money and then enjoy an evening with great restaurants and nightlife.
Driving distance 340 km/213 miles. Overnight stay in Reykjavik
Today is a time for your Iceland adventure to end. Check out your Reykjavik hotel and enjoy a private transfer to Keflavik Airport. Goodbye for now!
Duration 1 hour. Driving distance 50km / 32miles.
Accommodation is included in the tour package. The cost of accommodation and the price of the tour depending on the chosen category (comfort or quality), as well as the time of year you visit Iceland (low/shoulder/high tourist season). The price per person specified in the tour description is calculated when four adults together accommodate in two double comfort rooms during the low tourist season or shoulder season if a tour is not provided during the low season. Please note that accommodation can be changed at your request to rooms of a higher category. If you plan to stay in Iceland longer than the duration of the tour, for example, to add a day before or after the tour, please notice that in the application form.
Reykjavik is a convenient place to stay during the trip, as it is the capital and a very lively and hospitable city. In the city center, there are many small hotels 3*-4* and guesthouses, which are conveniently located for evening walks and visiting local restaurants. For multi-day tours, we recommend staying at hotels fitted to the route. That allows to minimize road overlapping and extend traveling area outside of Reykjavik. It is less choice of lodging places in the countryside and most of the hotels are three-star. It is better to book accommodation in advance, especially for the summertime, otherwise, it will be difficult to find conveniently located hotels at an affordable price.
High season: June 1 – August 31; December 30 – January 2
Shoulder season: May 1 – May 31; September 1 – October 31
Low season: November 1 – December 29; January 3 – April 30
The high tourist season in Iceland is quite short, from June to the end of August. Most tourists visit the country in the summer months, and the maximum load for hotels, rental companies, tour operators reaches in July and August. Lodging and rental prices at this time are almost doubling compared to the low season, and availability may be limited. Therefore, we recommend booking a summer tour a few months before the trip.
Comfort: Standard rooms with separate bathroom and shower (or bath) in a three-star hotel or comfortable guesthouse. Breakfast is included.
Quality: High-quality rooms with separate bathroom and shower (or bath). A superior room in a three-star hotel or a standard room in a four-star hotel. Breakfast is included
In all tour package with a level of comfort or higher, you will have a separate bathroom in the booked rooms. Breakfast is always on.
Double rooms in most Icelandic hotels are rooms with two single beds. In most cases, two single beds can be put into a double bed. However, this can vary between hotels/guesthouses. Triple rooms are in most cases double rooms with an extra bed, so when you install an extra bed, space can be limited. You can choose a combination of rooms when booking.
Children under 2 years old get free accommodation if they live in the same room as their parents. Families with one child are advised to book 3 persons in a double room. This room can accommodate an extra bed or mattress if the available room is too small to accommodate an extra bed. Two adults and two children book two double rooms. Children living in a separate room pay the full cost. When one adult travels with one child, the full cost of a double room is charged.
Check-in time for accommodation in Iceland is usually from 14:00 to 16:00. Some hotels offer early check-in for a minimum fee. However, it depends on the hotel and room availability. The only way to ensure an early check-in is to also book the night before. However, if the room is ready, you can check-in sooner.
If you want to change the hotel, we will do everything possible to change your stay in the hotel. Please note that due to low availability and high demand in summer we cannot guarantee some hotels. If you want to book a particular hotel, we will naturally do our best to provide it to you, but keep in mind that there may be an additional charge.
Most hotels and guest houses in Iceland provide free access to wi-fi internet. Some hotels and guesthouses may charge a small fee for internet access.
The self-driving tour package includes a car rental for your Icelandic drive. We recommend using a 4WD vehicle, especially in winter. The tour package includes a Wi-Fi modem, GPS navigator, CDW / SCDW insurance, Gravel protection, and Liability Waiver. Full details from the car rental company will be provided after the booking request.
A full driver’s license must have been held for at least 12 months and must be presented at the start of the rental. Renter must be 20 years of age to rent a vehicle at Blue Car Rental. To rent a large-size SUV or a passenger car the renter must be 23 years of age.
All rentals are subject to the full rental agreement terms and conditions at the time of rental. A credit card imprint will be taken at the start of all rentals for security reasons, even when a voucher covers the cost of the rental. This credit card imprint may be used to pay all extra charges as extra insurance, parking fines, damages, or any cost due to the rented car as a result of the renter’s use of the car.
The rental car will normally have a full tank of fuel. The car should be returned full or a charge will be made for having the tank refilled even if it is missing just some liters. In case the fuel tank is not full at the time of the rental, the car should be returned with the same amount of gas in it.
In Iceland, young children must travel in safety seats while in a vehicle. Child seats are available if pre-ordered at a reasonable additional charge. These child seats are generally suitable for children aged from 6 months to +4 years of age. Booster seats are free of charge.
Early returns are always allowed. However, no refunds can be given for unused, or partly used car hire vouchers unless the amendments or cancellations have been made before the pick-up date.
Third-party liability is equivalent to the amount stipulated by Icelandic law at each time. This also applies to the amount of individual driver liability. Third-party coverage and personal accident insurance are automatically included in your rental and in the self-risk liability amount mentioned here below. If for some reason, the renter causes damages to a third-party vehicle, without causing damages to the rented vehicle, the third-party liability is a total of ISK 35.000.
The Super Collision damage waiver (SCDW) along with the Collision damage waiver (CDW) included in our prices. A renter who only has the CDW is liable for damages amounting up to ISK 350.000 but since the SCDW is included, the maximum self-risk amount is ISK 90.000 for all 2wd cars and ISK 120.000 for all 4wd cars and larger passenger cars. We offer our customers to provide them with more security when traveling and a more enjoyable experience.
The following damages are however always on the renter’s responsibility and are not covered by the CDW or the SCDW;
- Negligence
- Damages are caused by driving into waters and rivers and when driving off-road.
- Driving while intoxicated
- Damage to tires, headlights, wind-screen, and the underside of the car.
- Damage caused by the wind blowing up the door.
- Damage caused by sand and ash storm. (only applies if the renter has not opted for the SAAP insurance).
This protection includes damage to the windscreen, headlights, front bumper, mirrors, and the hood of the car when gravel or rocks gets thrown onto the vehicle by another car. The gravel protection (GP) is included. The self-risk amount for a broken windscreen is ISK 20.000.
The car rental company also offers insurance coverage against damage due to sand and ash storm which damages the paint of the car, windows, lights, and plastic. These damages can cost between 500.000 to 1.500.000 ISK to fix. By purchasing SAAP the self-risk in case of damage from sand and ash is lowered to 90.000 ISK. We offer the SAAP for only 1.650 ISK per day. Volcano eruptions in the past years have increased the risk of damage to the paint and windows of all cars and no insurance company will cover these damages. In high winds and dry weather, the ash from the volcanos and sand on the south coast can cause huge damage to the cars and all the cost has fallen on the renter, until now. (NOT included)
The Liability Waiver reduces the self-risk/deductible amount for any damage covered by insurances to zero. This includes CDW/SCDW, GP, TP (thief protection), and SAAP and is subjected to the terms and conditions of the Rental Agreement. Excluded are any damages not covered by insurances as stated in Article 29 and 32 in the Rental Agreement and terms and conditions. Keep in mind that this is not extra insurance but an option for our renters to waive their liability in case of any damages to the rental car during the rental time. This allows our renters to have a carefree experience while enjoying our beautiful island.
This fee does not apply when the damages incurred are not caused by the renter. There is a handling fee of 4.500 ISK for all fines or charges that result from renters’ use of the car and the renter does not pay himself. Blue Car Rental will charge the renter for fines and charges plus the previously mentioned handling fee. If the car is returned extra dirty there is a cleaning fee of 15.000 ISK. This is in the case of an extremely dirty car, especially on the inside. Not from regular use of the car. Smoking is strictly forbidden in the car. If someone smokes inside the car, the renter will be liable for a cleaning fee and fine of 45.000 ISK. If the car is damaged and needs to be picked up, the retrieval fee is a total of 250 ISK per km. outside of the capital area or a minimum of 35.000 ISK.
Assuming that before ordering a tour or when you prepare for the trip, you may have questions that we want to answer in advance to provide you with complete information about the tour and make it comfortable as possible. If you have any other questions, please contact us.
In general – the sooner the better, considering the fact that most of our tours are privately guided, availability on certain dates might be limited.
We require a 15% deposit at the time of booking. Full payment is due 4 weeks before arrival.
Payments are collected online while booking. We accept major credit cards. If you have any problems with using a credit card, please contact us. If another way of payment is preferable, please contact us through e-mail at info@topicelandtours.com
Once you are confident about your trip selection proceed to press the Tour Request tab. Here you will fill in the required information and proceed through the tour request.
After agreeing on the details of the tour and price, we require a 15% deposit at the time of booking. Full payment is due 4 weeks before arrival date.
Once a booking is made an automatic e-mail is sent informing you that the order has been placed and is currently being processed by the Top Iceland team. You will then be contacted by one of our trusted travel agents with further details.
Several factors determine the tour price:
- Time of the year you plan on visiting (high, low, and shoulder seasons)
- Accommodation type (we offer comfort and quality grades, you can choose one or a mixture of both)
- Number of people traveling together (up to 15 people in a group)
- Type of vehicle for transportation (SUV, Minivan, or Minibus)
- Optional Activities (Various optional activities are available with each trip)
Pick-ups are included in the tour price and provided from Keflavik airport upon your flight arrival, your driver-guide will await you at the arrival hall holding a tag with the lead traveler name. Pick-up and drop off on other days will be from hotels reserved according to the tour itinerary.
Check-in time for accommodation in Iceland is usually between 14:00-16:00. The only way to secure an early check-in is to book the night before as well. However, if a room is ready you should be able to check-in early.
Most hotels and guesthouses in Iceland provide free access to Wi-Fi Internet. Some hotels and guesthouses might charge a small fee for access to the internet.
Solid, warm & waterproof shoes, as well as warm rain & windproof outdoor clothing, is recommended for all the tours. (Please see the question below about weather and temperature).
Here below, a table with average temperatures, precipitation, and daylights by months in Iceland:
| Month | Avg. High | Avg. Low | Avg. Rainfall | Avg. Sunlight |
| January | 36°F (2°C) | 28°F (-2°C) | 4 inches | 5 hours |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 28°F (-2°C) | 4.3 inches | 8 hours |
| March | 38°F (3°C) | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.7 inches | 12 hours |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 34°F (1°C) | 2.9 inches | 16 hours |
| May | 48°F (9°C) | 40°F (4°C) | 2.3 inches | 18 hours |
| June | 54°F (12°C) | 46°F (8°C) | 2.1 inches | 21 hours |
| July | 57°F (14°C) | 49°F (9°C) | 2.7 inches | 19 hours |
| August | 55°F (13°C) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.5 inches | 16 hours |
| September | 50°F (10°C) | 42°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches | 13 hours |
| October | 44°F (7°C) | 36°F (2°C) | 4.5 inches | 9 hours |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 30°F (-1°C) | 4.2 inches | 6 hours |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 29°F (-2°C) | 4.1 inches | 4 hours |
Please remember, that weather in Iceland changes rapidly and you cannot count on long-term forecasts. Two most reliable sources of the weather forecast: https://www.vedur.is/ and https://www.yr.no/
Fortunately not, even on the shortest days of the year, there are several hours of daylight every day – between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM. If you wish to check a specific time of a year we recommend to use https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/iceland/reykjavik
Yes, it is requested by Icelandic law to have child seats/boosters. Some families are already traveling on their own, but if you would like us to provide child seats and/or boosters on the tour, please send us an e-mail at info@topicelandtours.com
We arrange refreshment stops at cafés or restaurants on every day tour, where you can purchase your lunch and snacks. Therefore, you do not need to bring your food for the tours, however, if you prefer to bring some snacks or drinks, that is accepted. Please note that food is not included in the price of the tour.
Nearly all restaurants in Iceland offer some vegetarian food. There is no problem with purchasing vegetarian meals on tours.
The bathrooms are available at visitor centers at many stops on popular routes such as Golden Circle and South Coast. Some bathroom stops are available on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula tour. Your driver-guide will inform you about available places for bathroom stops on the route.
Tipping in Iceland is not required but always appreciated.
Cancellation policy for multiday tours and accommodations:
All cancellations should be made in writing and be notified as soon as possible.
- For changes made 15 days or more before arrival date: 20% cancellation fee
- For changes made 14-8 days before arrival date: 50% cancellation fee
- For changes made 7-4 days before arrival date: 75% cancellation fee
- For changes made 3 days or less before arrival date: 100% cancellation fee
Please note: Activities (Optional Extras) are individual products provided by other local operators that can have different cancellation policies. For full information about cancellation policies please check the page Terms & Conditions.
Refunds of tours canceled before departure by Top Iceland Tours:
When the tour is prepaid, a full refund will be issued in case a customer does not wish an alternative date of the tour or an alternative tour. When a tour is purchased through a third party (tourist office/booking agency or a hotel), please take your voucher back to the third party and they will issue the full refund after reconfirming with Top Iceland Tours that the tour was canceled.
Refunds of delayed, altered, or shortened tours after the departure:
When a tour is delayed due to weather, unsafe travel conditions, or unforeseen circumstances, no refunds are provided if the tour still operates. When the tour is altered or shortened after the departure due to weather, any unsafe travel conditions, or unforeseen circumstances, a partial refund is provided. The percentage of the refund is calculated according to how much of the initial itinerary has been completed.
Cancellations or change of multiday tours and accommodations by customers:
All cancellations should be made in writing and be notified as soon as possible.
- For changes made 15 days or more before arrival date: 20% cancellation fee
- For changes made 14-8 days before arrival date: 50% cancellation fee
- For changes made 7-4 days before arrival date: 75% cancellation fee
- For changes made 3 days or less before arrival date: 100% cancellation fee
This cancellation policy may apply also when booked through a third party.
No Show
When passengers are not present at the pickup place at the appointed time, we try to contact the lead traveler through the hotel staff or by phone. If we can’t contact the lead traveler, and there are no passengers are shown during an hour, this is considered as “No Show” and no refund will be made.
