12-Day Summer Self-Drive Tour | Explore the Ring Road of Iceland & Snaefellsnes Peninsula in Depth

On the second day of your immersive Icelandic vacation, you'll begin your slow-paced journey around the Ring Road. You'll start with the west, a wonderful region of idyllic countryside, beautiful coastlines, and a diverse peninsula nicknamed 'Iceland in Miniature,' Snaefellsnes.

As you take the Ring Road out of Reykjavik, you'll soon come to Hvalfjordur, a spectacular fjord vibrant with color throughout summer. Those who want to find one of the country's tallest waterfalls, Glymur, can take the scenic route to the fjord and will find it nestled in the mountains, while those eager to get to other sites can take a tunnel that goes underneath it.

Borgarnes is the next major attraction, a picturesque town with a long history. It's most famous for its fascinating Icelandic Settlement Center Museum. But it's not the only historic town in the region. The nearby Reykholt village is well-known for being home to the legendary medieval chieftain and writer Snorri Sturluson.

Those more interested in nature can seek out a wealth of sites nearby, such as the twin waterfalls of Barnafoss and Hraunfossar. Though just a short distance from each other, their appearances could not contrast more.

Barnafoss is a furious rapid that surges down a narrow gorge. Hraunfossar, meanwhile, is broad and made of many small gentle falls that flow over a plateau of lava in many little rivulets.

Near these waterfalls is the highest-flowing hot spring in Europe, Deildartunguhver. Adjacent to this beautiful natural feature is a modern spa that harnesses its energy called Krauma. Those seeking to break up their travels with relaxation can organize a dip here and bask in luxury while admiring the spectacular surroundings.

You have two other options if you prefer to break up today with an exciting Icelandic adventure. It's possible to descend beneath the lava landscapes of Iceland's terrain on a caving tour, where you can marvel over the beauty of the underworld and see firsthand the effects of Iceland's eruptions.

Alternatively, you could take a unique trip in a super jeep up the slopes of Iceland's second-largest glacier, Langjokull. Near its peak, you'll discover and explore the Ice Tunnel, an artificial matrix of vividly blue corridors and rooms that have been carved into the ice cap. Nowhere on earth has such a tunnel been cut, so this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

As evening winds around, you'll go to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, where your hotel awaits, so you can explore each of its wondrous sites in depth tomorrow without rushing. If you aren't tuckered out from the adventure so far, you can even begin some of this exploration with the guiding light of the midnight sun.

On day three of your slow-paced summer holiday in Iceland, you'll explore one of its most diverse regions, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. It's around 59 miles (90 kilometers) long, and its northern and southern shores boast incredible sites.

The south is particularly clustered with natural attractions. The basalt cliffs of Gerduberg are famous for their hexagonal columns. The beach of Ytri Tunga boasts a lovely seal colony.

You can hike into the gorge of Raudfeldsgja to find a waterfall and try your strengths by lifting stones on the historic beach of Djupalonssandur. Don't forget the massive basalt sea stacks of Londrangar, home to thousands of seabirds.

The northern shore coastline is best known for being home to the country's most iconic mountain, Kirkjufell. Shaped like a church, a pyramid, or 'an arrowhead' in the context of the seventh season of Game of Thrones, it's a striking feature made all the more beautiful by its adjacent falls.

Northern Snaefellsnes is also home to many historic fishing villages, such as Bjarnahofn, famous for its shark museum, and Stykkisholmur, renowned for its folklore and thriving fishing culture. At the former, you can taste the 'delicacy' of fermented shark, whereas, at the latter, you can opt into the Viking Sushi Boat Tour while booking.

On this unique trip, you'll set out into the seas to find magnificent views of the peninsula, many islands, and the Westfjords and to fish up a fresh lunch. Birdwatchers will rejoice at the number of species found around here.

However, the highlight of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula is found on its tip, where its crowning subglacial volcano is located. Snaefellsjokull is so beautiful that it's now the central feature of a National Park of its own name and is surrounded by magnificent lava fields and a dramatic coastline.

If you didn't opt for the boat tour, you could take a lava caving tour just below the glacier into Vatnshellir lava cave, a fantastic choice for those who missed their caving opportunity the day before.

After a day jam-packed with adventure and sightseeing, you'll retire at a hotel on the peninsula.

On the fourth day of your relaxed, 12-day circumnavigation of Iceland, you will depart the beautiful West Iceland for the spectacular north.

The journey from Snaefellsnes to Akureyri is only a few hours, but the landscapes you will pass on your journey beg to be investigated and explored. As this is a self-drive package, you can take any detours you want. You may, for example, wish to travel to the Vatnsnes Peninsula, renowned for its many seal colonies and the unusual rock monolith of Hvitserkur.

Of course, if you have booked one of the three excursions possible on this day, you must arrive at your starting location in North Iceland in good time.

The first of these is a horseback riding tour. You'll be introduced to the unique horse breed of Iceland, renowned for its small size and friendliness, before being guided through the spectacular natural surroundings near Akureyri. Whether you are a beginner or an expert rider, this tour can be tailored to you.

The second is a whale-watching and angling tour. North Iceland boasts some of the most bountiful waters in the world in summer, and you are almost guaranteed to see at least one humpback whale as you gaze across the stunning fjord of Eyjafjordur.

Other animals regularly seen include white-beaked dolphins and Atlantic puffins. Orcas, blue whales, and even belugas are spotted on rare occasions.

The final tour on offer today is the most unique, a beer bath at the Beer Spa in the village of Dalvik. Though an unusual way to relax in a country with so many hot springs, the warm, young beer you will bathe in is said to have therapeutic properties, and adults are welcome to enjoy a pint with their dip.

After a day of enjoying beautiful landscapes, hidden gems, and an unforgettable excursion, you'll reach Akureyri. If you have the opportunity, this is a great town to explore. Nicknamed the Capital of the North, it is a cultural hot spot, boasts beautiful architecture, and has plenty of attractions worth seeing.

You'll spend the rest of the night resting in your North Iceland accommodation.

On the fifth day of your travels, you'll immerse yourself further in the beauty of North Iceland. Those interested in culture could spend the morning in Akureyri, visiting its museums, boutiques, galleries, and the world's northernmost botanical gardens. If you're eager to dive into North Iceland's natural attractions, you can hit the road straight away.

One of the major attractions nearby is the village of Husavik, arguably the oldest settlement in Iceland. This village is even more renowned than Akureyri for its whale-watching opportunities, and you can set out into Skjalfandi Bay to search for the giants of the deep.

You can take a traditional whale-watching boat for more comfort or an RIB vessel for added excitement and closer interaction with the animals.

Husavik is also becoming increasingly known for being home to the Geosea Baths. This saltwater geothermal spa is unique in Iceland and is highly recommended for those who want an alternative relaxation experience. With its views overlooking the ocean, there are few better places to unwind.

Its only competition in the area is with the Myvatn Nature Baths, which you can alternatively elect to organize entry to while booking. Located inland by the spectacular Lake Myvatn, what this more traditional spa lacks in uniqueness, it makes up for in amenities and size.

You must reach Lake Myvatn by the end of your day regardless, as it is where you'll spend your sixth night. It's recommended to stop off at the beautiful waterfall of Godafoss on your journey, famous for its intrinsic role in Iceland's history.

If you get to the lakes in good time, you can explore their magnificent features and landscapes. You'll find the lava fortress of Dimmuborgir, the barren volcanic pass of Namaskard, and the bizarre and beautiful pseudocraters of Skutustadir. You may also have time to enjoy the lakes under the midnight sun, with their abundant fauna, vibrant flora, and unique geology.

If not, however, you'll have time to check out these sites tomorrow. You'll retire for the night in one of the accommodations in Northeast Iceland.

The adventure continues on day seven of your immersive summer holiday in Iceland as you navigate the magnificent East Fjords.

Seydisfjordur is a charming town in Eastern Iceland nestled at the end of a fjord and surrounded by dramatic snow-capped mountains and cascading waterfalls. Its vibrant wooden buildings lend the settlement an artsy, creative vibe that's palpable as you stroll its scenic streets.

Whether marveling at the striking Blue Church or walking along the historic hiking trails, Seydisfjordur offers a delightful blend of natural beauty and rich cultural experiences.

Of all the regions you'll explore on this trip, the East Fjords is the furthest from Reykjavik, thus the freest from other travelers. As such, you can marvel over the stunning views without other people getting into your eye line and the frames of your photographs.

Many visitors to Iceland declare the East Fjords their favorite region for its sheer beauty. It has some of the country's tallest mountains, boasting views over the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajokull. The fjords and bays are majestic, and this region has abundant wildlife.

The shores are great for spotting seals. The seas are often home to whales and dolphins. Puffins and other seabirds crowd the cliffs, and wild reindeer can be found only here. Ensure you have your camera ready for any magical photo opportunities.

The East also has many sleepy villages nestled in the fjords that seem as old as time. These are wonderful places to immerse yourself in the more rural side of Iceland's culture, particularly at the settlement of Djupivogur, known for its chilled way of living, coastal hot pools, and public art.

You'll be able to detour constantly as you travel to the region's hidden gems. Or, if you're mainly seeking Iceland's most famous and photographed features, you'll find one towards the end of your journey. Vestrahorn is a striking, twin-peaked mountain with a notably dark coloration, which ominously stands by the edge of the seas at the very south of the East Fjords.

You'll retire for the night in Southeast Iceland.

Your eighth day will be spent in South Iceland exploring the two most majestic locations of Vatnajokull National Park, with a possible tour of each. The first site has the unofficial title of 'the Crown Jewel of Iceland's Nature', the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.

This enormous lake sits between the ocean (with which a narrow river connects it) and a crumbling outlet glacier. It's filled with vast icebergs throughout the year. They shimmer an ethereal blue and offer a mesmerizing walk along the shores. To make the site even more appealing, it's home to many seals, which can be seen swimming in the waters or relaxing on the icebergs.

For a more immersive experience here, you can take an amphibious or zodiac boat into the lagoon, where you can see the animals up close and even touch the ice.

After making the most of this otherworldly location, you would be remiss not to walk to the adjacent coastline. Nicknamed the Diamond Beach, this is where the icebergs come to rest after they finally escape Jokulsarlon, washing on the black sands and glistening beautifully as they slowly melt.

Today's second main attraction is the Skaftafell Nature Reserve. Before Vatnajokull National Park was established and enveloped Skaftafell, this breathtaking area was a National Park in its own right.

It boasts countless paths leading to outlet glaciers, glacier lagoons, lava fields, and many other features, although its most beloved attractions are the Svartifoss waterfall and the Svinafellsjokull glacier tongue.

Svartifoss is famed for its unique appearance. It pours between towering columns of black basalt, formed into perfect hexagons by a rare volcanic process. Svinafellsjokull, meanwhile, is renowned for being one of the best ice caps in the country for glacier hiking.

You're welcome to organize an excursion here when booking, and as it is conducted in the afternoon, you can embark on it alongside a Jokulsarlon boat trip.

After marveling over Vatnajokull's incredible features, you travel a short way along the South Coast to your hotel near Vik's historic, beautiful village, perfectly positioned for your sightseeing adventure tomorrow.

On the ninth day of your epic adventure around Iceland, you will explore the many sites lining the South Coast. Several travelers attempt to fit this region, Skaftafell, and Jokulsarlon, into a single day and find themselves skipping and rushing attractions. However, due to this package's focus in the south, you can give each one justice.

Traveling from Kirkjubaejarklaustur, the first significant site you will come to is the village of Vik, which sits next to the famous Reynisfjara beach. Considered one of the world's most stunning non-tropical beaches, it's renowned for its black volcanic sands, thunderous waves, and massive sea stacks of Reynisdrangar.

A short distance from here is another geological marvel, the Dyrholaey coastal rock arch, large enough for ships to travel through. Though spectacular throughout the year, it's a marvelous summer attraction, as it's one of the best places in Iceland to see puffins. These birds are usually unafraid of humans, so you can intimately view these creatures and their burrows.

The following site you'll visit is a 197-foot (60-meter) tall waterfall, Skogafoss, which boasts significant power. It's possible to get close to this feature and view it from many angles due to an adjacent staircase. Ensure you have waterproof clothing, as you may get wet!

As you continue along the South Coast, you'll catch glimpses of Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull, two massive glaciers. While the former is more famous for its massive eruption in 2010, the latter is of more interest to you today, as there are two tours you can take upon it.

The first is a glacier hike on one of its tongues, Solheimajokull. Under the care of an experienced guide, you'll navigate around the crevasses and ice walls to find some of the South Coast's most beautiful views.

Alternatively, you could take an ice-caving tour into one of its naturally occurring tunnels after taking a super jeep to its summit. This excursion only occurs on Myrdalsjokull in summer.

After this adventure, you'll come to another waterfall, Seljalandsfoss. Though as tall as Skogafoss, it's much more gentle and boasts a fully encircling path. Those who wade through a shallow stream into a mountainside cleft nearby will discover its secret neighboring falls, Gljufrabui.

Towards the end of your day, you will reach the picturesque, rural area of Southwest Iceland, where your hotel will be waiting.

On the tenth day of your holiday around Iceland, you'll leave the Ring Road to follow the Golden Circle, the country's most popular sightseeing trail. While traveling this route, you can also choose from two epic Icelandic adventures.

The first site you'll visit is Gullfoss, one of the country's most dramatic waterfalls. Tumbling in two tiers, its spray is famous for casting off countless rainbows in the sun, adding to its unreal beauty.

After admiring this site, those who wish to take a snowmobiling excursion can be picked up from the nearby car park and escorted in a super jeep to Langjokull glacier. Snowmobiling is a thrilling way to explore the ice cap and witness the south of Iceland from a new perspective.

The following location on the Golden Circle is just a ten-minute drive from Gullfoss, the Geysir geothermal area. As its name suggests, this area is home to the Great Geysir, an exploding hot spring so spectacular that it gave its name to all similar phenomena worldwide.

These days, the site's star is the much more explosive Strokkur, which erupts every ten minutes to magnificent heights.

Finally, you'll come to the Thingvellir National Park. This incredible place has something for everyone. Those fascinated with geology can marvel over the tectonic plates enclosing it, history buffs can learn about its significant role in modern democratic thought, and nature lovers can explore its beautiful lava fields, forests, streams, and ravines.

In one of these ravines is a natural spring called Silfra, where the adventurous can embark on a snorkeling tour between the continents. The waters here are so fresh that they are drinkable. Silfra's visibility is up to 328 feet (100 meters), and the colors underneath the water are otherworldly.

Please note that snorkeling participants need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.

As this is your last day on the road, you may wish to pack in some detours. Thankfully, this area boasts many lesser-known sites well worth a visit, including the Kerid crater lake, the Secret Lagoon bathing site, and the Fridheimar tomato farm.

Once you've finished sightseeing, you'll return to Reykjavik, where your final hotel will be waiting.