11-Day Adventure Road Trip Along The Ring Road of Iceland

After recharging from your travels, your adventure around Iceland will begin. You'll find your first attractions along a popular sightseeing route close to the capital, the Golden Circle.

The first on your agenda is Thingvellir, a national park between two tectonic plates. Walking in this no-man's-land that belongs to no continent is a beautiful experience due to its abundant forests and waterways. Furthermore, Thingvellir has a fascinating history. The Althingi Parliament is the world's oldest surviving parliament and was founded here in 930 AD.

While in Thingvellir, you can join one of three tours. In one of the ravines torn open by the movement of the tectonic plates is a beautiful freshwater spring you can snorkel in. Participants need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.

Protected by a drysuit, you'll be privy to vividly blue underwater views, with visibility exceeding 328 feet (100 meters). The water is so clean you can drink it as you swim.

After Thingvellir, you'll continue to the Geysir geothermal area. Home to the geyser of Strokkur, this steaming valley is a fantastic place to observe the strange phenomena created by Iceland's volcanism. Strokkur erupts steam and water into the sky with breathtaking beauty and power every five to ten minutes.

Just six miles (10 kilometers) from Geysir, you'll find the spectacular waterfall of Gullfoss. Formed by a glacial river flowing from the ice cap of Langjokull, it thunders into a valley that opens unexpectedly through a landscape of rural bliss.

From the car park at Gullfoss, you can opt for a second tour, snowmobiling. After taking a super jeep up the slopes of Langjokull, you'll set off on a thrilling adventure across its icy surface. Snowmobiling is great for anyone who wants to get their adrenaline pumping and wishes to be privy to magnificent views.

Your third option for today's tour is a horseback ride. Icelandic horses are lovely creatures. Their small stature and gentleness help ease newcomers into the activity, whereas their unique gait and stamina make this excursion just as inviting for experienced riders.

After enjoying the attractions that define the Golden Circle, you can address your itinerary to locate many other nearby attractions. Kerid is a particularly notable example. It's a beautiful lake of azure waters nestled in an enormous crater of red rocks.

Once you've finished your travels, you'll retire in one of the towns of Southwest Iceland.

On the fourth day of your holiday to Iceland, you'll travel along the South Coast as you officially begin your Ring Road adventure. If you went to the Highlands the day before, you'd have seen a few of these sites on your drive, but now you can explore them with the justice they deserve.

The first three attractions are all magical waterfalls. Seljalandsfoss falls before a gaping cavern, allowing you to witness its gentle stream from unusual angles. Skogafoss is the most powerful of the three. It stands 197 feet (60 meters) tall and smashes into a river below with incredible force.

Glufrabui, meanwhile, is hidden in a narrow canyon off the beaten track, away from the eyes of most travelers.

If you take a glacier hiking tour, you'll head to the outlet of Solheimajokull after viewing these features. A tongue of the greater Myrdalsjokull, climbing Solheimajokull is an excellent way to witness the gleaming landscapes of the ice cap, its unusual and dramatic features, and great views over the south. Furthermore, it sits beside Eyjafjallajokull, the subglacial volcano that erupted in 2010.

Wildlife enthusiasts will want to detour to the Dyrholaey rock arch and cliffs a little further along the South Coast. This is a monumental site and an excellent puffin-watching destination, with thousands of nesting pairs overlooking beautiful ocean views.

Right by here is another picturesque coastal attraction, Reynisfjara beach. This black sand shore boasts the dramatic geological feature of Reynisdrangar, an enormous pair of basalt towers that are said, in Icelandic folklore, to be two trolls frozen by the morning sun's light.

By the beach is the charming village of Vik, where you can stop for refreshments and, if you select so when booking, head out on an ice-caving tour on Myrdalsjokull. A super jeep will take you to the summit of the spectacular ice cap, where you'll enter its beautiful and fascinating depths.

Once ready, you'll continue along the South Coast through some stunning lava fields. You'll then come to the magnificent Fjadrargljufur canyon. It's 328 feet (100 meters) wide and 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) long, with lovely hiking trails and a scenic, low river flowing through it.

Finally, you will reach the historic settlement of Kirkjubaejarklauster, where you can explore around. Your accommodation for the night is in this village or the nearby areas of Southeast Iceland.

On day five of your 11-day holiday to Iceland, you'll enjoy the wonders of the Vatnajokull National Park in the southeast. This area is defined by the glacier of Vatnajokull, the largest ice cap in Europe, and has some breathtaking scenery.

The hiking trails at the Skaftafell Nature Reserve are remarkable, taking you through diverse landscapes of lava fields, forests, and some spectacular attractions. Most notable is the Svartifoss waterfall, which cascades down a cliff of black hexagonal columns, and the Svinafellsjokull glacier tongue.

It is possible to organize another glacier hiking tour on this magnificent outlet glacier renowned for its incredible formations and vivid colors. This would be a great option if you went ice-caving yesterday, though still enticing for those who hiked Solheimajokull due to their dramatic differences.

Once you've enjoyed the magnificent Skaftafell Nature Reserve, you'll head to Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. One of the country's most famed and beloved sites, this lake separates one of the tongues of Vatnajokull from the ocean. As the outlet breaks apart, the lagoon fills with countless, colossal icebergs that, over months, cruise their way to the sea.

When they finally reach the ocean, they wash up on the adjacent Diamond Beach. Though overlooked by many guests, this is a spectacular place because the icebergs glisten as they melt and contrast with the dark sands.

Both sites are magical to walk along and admire from land, but those who want to get so close to the icebergs that they can touch them can organize one of two boat tours into Jokulsarlon. An amphibian boat tour will keep you primarily out of the splash zone, though a zodiac tour will provide a more personal and up-close experience.

Thankfully, you do not need to choose between taking the glacier hike or boat tours today. You'll have time to do both.

Today, guests seeking hidden gems will find plenty in the area, but none more spectacular than the Fjallsarlon glacier lagoon. Though slightly smaller than Jokulsarlon, far fewer visitors try to reach it, allowing you to enjoy the views over the icebergs and take photographs without crowds blocking you.

After a glorious day of sightseeing, you'll continue along the South Coast to the beautiful coastal town of Hofn. Then, you'll rest for the night in a charming accommodation in Southeast Iceland.

On day six of your Icelandic vacation, you'll discover the magic of the remote Eastfjords.

Before reaching this region, you'll take a beautiful coastal road, introducing you to two unique mountains, Eystrahorn and Vestrahorn. Both are nicknamed 'the Batman Mountains' due to their dark coloration and twin, jagged peaks. You'll then come to Djupivogur village, where you can admire the public art.

Once you begin to navigate the East Fjords, you'll be blown away by its beauty. The fjords are deep and spectacular, framed with dramatic mountains, and home to countless little fishing villages. Each has a distinct character, though all are authentic places to witness the local history and culture. 

Animal lovers will rejoice at the abundant wildlife in the east. The cliffs are home to countless seabirds, and you'll find several puffin-watching hot spots in the region. Wild reindeer, meanwhile, roam inland in great herds. When looking out to the seas, you may even spot seals, dolphins, and whales feeding in the fertile waters.

You'll find plenty of fascinating detours on your itinerary, particularly as you get close to your final destination of the day, Egilsstadir town. Hallormsstadaskogur, for example, is the largest forest in Iceland, with plenty of trails that appeal to hikers, birdwatchers, and those just looking for a lovely spot for a picnic.

Lake Lagarfjlot sits adjacent to it, a peaceful body of water rumored to hold the Lagarfljot Wyrm, a creature similar to the Loch Ness monster.

Once you reach Egilsstadir, you are welcome to enjoy the region's largest town before retiring. If you elect to do so when booking, you can also take a detour a little north to the Vok Baths, a geothermal spa in a stunning lake surrounded by beautiful scenery. There are few places that are luxurious and revitalizing to unwind in.

After another unbeatable day, you'll enjoy a good night's sleep at your accommodation in the Eastfjords.

On the seventh day of your 11-day Icelandic holiday, you'll travel out of the east and enjoy the beautiful sites of the north. Before departing the region, however, you may want to check your itinerary for some final attractions around Egilsstadir. For example, you could travel to the magical fjord of Borgarfjordur Eystri, renowned for its spectacular wilderness, folklore, and wildlife.

However, your first main destination in the north is the waterfall of Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall. Not only is its force and scale breathtaking, but the dramatic black valley it surges into has an ominous beauty. Just up and downriver are two more waterfalls, Hafragilsfoss and Selfoss, which are just as striking.

You'll then head to the Myvatn area, the most popular part of the region for its diversity and geothermal wonders. The stunning lakes here are thriving with unique flora and fauna, and it's an excellent spot for birdwatching.

Those fascinated by geology will also find many sites to admire. There are pillars of basalt rising from the lakes, rows of pseudocraters around the shores, and the nearby Dimmuborgir lava fortress.

Not only was this one of the Icelandic locations used in Game of Thrones for its dramatic appearance, but it's also central to the national folklore, being home to the notorious Christmas trolls.

There are two nearby locations where you can marvel over the geothermal forces of the north. The first is Namaskard Pass, a barren mountain plateau with many fumaroles belching volcanic gasses into the sky. The smell of sulfur, lack of life, and lingering steam give this place an otherworldly air.

The second is the Myvatn Nature Baths. Located on the edge of the lakes, this is another wonderful geothermal spa where you can soak in naturally heated, mineral-rich waters. If you want the chance to unwind here, be sure to select admission when booking.

Once you have enjoyed these sites of the north, you'll retire in an accommodation in Northeast Iceland, ready for more northern adventures tomorrow.