Sacred Earth Travel - Iceland: Self-Drive Complete Iceland 13 days

Complete Iceland self-drive tour, 13 days See it all, this itinerary takes in not only the ring road, but also the stunningly beautiful Westfjords and Snæfellsnes peninsula.

Arrival day: Upon arrival at the airport, a representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Reykjavik (this night's accommodation must be booked separately, it is not included in the package price).

Day 1: The South – Gullfoss, Geysir, þingvellir

Places of interest: þingvellir National Park, is the oldest national park of the country and the most important historical site of Iceland. It is here that in 930 AD the first parliament of the world was founded. The parliament has been moved, but the site on the shores of Iceland's largest natural lake, Lake Thingvallavatn, has been preserved and is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kerið, a 3000 year explosion crater, the largest in a row of craters in a 6000 year old lava field. Gullfoss waterfall (Golden waterfall) is a massive two tiered waterfall that thunders into a 2,5 km canyon below. Geysir hot spring - from which the English word 'geyser' is derived, is 'the mother' of all erupting hot spring fountains. It is only one of a large number of hot springs in this highly active geothermal area. Skálholt cathedral was once the seat of ecclesiastic power of Iceland.
Driving Distance: approx. 160km
Accommodation: in Gullfoss Geysir area.

Dyrholaey, a bird watcher's paradise, Iceland

Day 2: The South – Vík, Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Places of interest: Seljalandsfoss waterfall is a 60m tall waterfall which can be easily reached from the road. Skógar with its magnificent waterfall and interesting folk museum. Vík, Dyrhólaey a picturesque coastal area with a natural arch, which is rich in bird life. Kirkjubæjarklaustur, a small village close to an interesting basalt field, where the columns are in the earth and only the tops are visible which give the appearance of a paved floor.
Driving Distance: approx. 250km
Accommodation: in Kirkjubæjarklaustur area.

Day 3: The Southeast – Skaftafell, Vatnajökull, Höfn.

Places of interest: Skaftafell National Park is the second largest National Park of Iceland. It has an almost alpine appearance and an agreeable climate. Yet, the mountains are the result of volcanic eruptions and glacial runs, which occur when a lot of ice suddenly melts due to a volcanic eruption. Interesting tours to Cape Ingólfshöfði on hay wagon. The glacial lagoon Jökulsárlón with its rich wildlife amidst the swimming ice floats. The Vatnajökull glacier, the largest glacier of Europe, caps a highly active volcanic area. Tours on the glacier available if booked in advance. Fishing village Höfn.
Driving Distance: approx. 130km
Accommodation: in Höfn area.

Day 4: The East – Egilsstaðir, East fjords

Places of interest: En route towards the East you will pass through great scenery of tall and unusually shaped mountains. In Stöðvarfjörður village you can see a unique collection of stones. The Lagarfljót River is said to be the home of the sea serpent "Lagarfljótsormur", perhaps a relative of Nessie, of Loch Ness in Scotland.
Driving Distance: approx. 250km
Accommodation: in Egilsstaðir area.

Day 5 and 6: Mývatn area.

Places of interest: The Jökulsárgljúfur National Park, which joins the Vatnajokull National Park and together they form the largest protected area in Europe, an amazing primeval landscape of canyons, rivers and waterfalls including Ásbyrgi canyon, Hljóðaklettar (Echo rocks) and Dettifoss waterfall, the most awesome and mightiest of waterfalls. Whale watching is possible from Húsavík town. The geothermal area at Námafjall. Dimmuborgir, is a maze of lava formations in the lake Mývatn area, which is one of the pearls of Icelandic nature and rich in both bird and plant life. Goðafoss waterfall, which even in a country so richly endowed with beautiful and amazing waterfalls, stands out as one of the most impressive.
Driving Distance: approx. 210km
Accommodation: in Mývatn/Húsavík area.

Day 7: Akureyri

Places of interest: Akureyri town – the capital of the North, this is the second largest urban area in Iceland and a cultural hub for the northern region. It also has the northernmost Botanical Garden in the world. Akureyi is an important port town and earns most of its income from fishery and tourism.
Driving Distance: approx. 100km
Accommodation: in Akureyri area.

Day 8: Skagafjörður, The West

Places of interest: Skagafjörður is a district renown for horse breeding. There is a farmhouse museum at Glaumbær and old turf church at Víðimýri. þingeyrar church is one of the most beautiful churches in Iceland.
Driving Distance: approx. 350km
Accommodation: in Hólmavík area.

Day 9: The West, Hólmavík Ísafjörður

Places of interest: On the North Atlantic coast Seabirds and Seals abound. In Ísafjörður are some of the oldest buildings in Iceland.
Driving Distance: approx. 250km
Accommodation: in Ísafjörður area.

Day 10: The West, Dynjandifoss-Barðaströnd

Places of interest: The Vestfjords are simply breathtaking. Látrabjarg cliff is the westernmost point in Europe where you can see hundreds of seabirds nest.
Driving Distance: approx. 250km
Accommodation: in Barðaströnd area.

Day 11 and 12: The Snæfellsnes peninsula, Breiðafjörður and the West

Places of interest: Don't miss the Breiðafjörður Bay – boat excursion among the many islands, an excellent opportunity to observe birds and wildlife. Visit the fishing villages on the northern coast of Snæfellsnes peninsula. Snæfellsjökull glacier. Arnarstapi. Fantastic bird life. The Eldborg crater.
Driving Distance: approx. 390km
Accommodation: in Snæfellsnes area.

Day 13: Borgarfjörður, Reykholt

Places of interest: Borgarfjörður district. Hraunfossar waterfalls. Reykholt. Borgarfjörður is the site of one of the most popular Icelandic sagas, Egla.
Driving Distance: approx. 200km
Accommodation: at a hotel or guesthouse in Reykjavík of your choice (optional - not included in rate).

Rates upon request.
This itinerary is bookable with 8 nights w/priv. facilities & 4 nights w/shared facilities, car for 13 days.

Departures: Any day. Departures in December and January upon request

INCLUDED:

12 nights, car for 13 days

8 nights accommodation, rooms with private facilities. and 4 nights with shared facilities, breakfast.

Rental car for 13 days - unlimited mileage and CDW.

Door to door airport transfer to Reykjavík.

Good road map and suggested itinerary.

Accommodation Categories:

The rooms in Farmhouses, Farm Guesthouses and Country Hotels can be of four different cagetories:

I	These rooms are simple, comfortable and adequate. The beds are made up and rooms cleaned daily. Clean towels are supplied. Guests have access to communal sitting room. Breakfast included.
II	In addition to category I, all rooms have hand basins and are generally of a higher standard and better equipped. Breakfast included.
III	In addition to categories I and II, rooms have private bathroom. These rooms can be in farmhouses, guesthouses and cottages. Breakfast included.
IV	Rooms with private facilities in country hotels. Better equipped with TV, radio and sometimes coffee making facilities. Breakfast included.

All but the Country Hotels may have shared or private facilities. Country Hotels always offer the highest standard and have private facilities.

Car Categories:

Car grp A,	VW Polo / Toyota Yaris / Skoda Fabia
Car grp B,	VW Golf / Honda Jazz / Toyota Auris
Car grp N,	Skoda Oktavia (STW) / VW Golf (STW )
Car grp S,	Skoda Oktavia (AUTO) or similar
Car grp G,	Suzuki Grand Vitara (4WD)
Car grp. I,	Mitshubishi Pajero 3,2 (4WD)

For further information and booking inquiries please send us and e-mail.