14-Day Northern Lights Winter Self-Drive Tour of the Complete Ring Road with Snaefellsnes Peninsula

You'll start your clockwise road trip with a bang on day two by visiting a region often called 'Iceland in Miniature' due to its geological diversity, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

The Snaefellsnes Peninsula, a captivating jewel on Iceland's West Coast, encapsulates the breathtaking diversity of the island's natural wonders. Snow-capped peaks, majestic glaciers, black sand beaches, and rugged cliffs are familiar sights to witness as you drive along this land.

You'll travel along the peninsula's south side toward the Snaefellsjokull National Park, the area's most notable feature. The National Park is named after the Snaefellsjokull glacier and volcano, which forms an incredible backdrop to many sites along the peninsula. This twin-peaked feature is well-known for various reasons, including being featured in many renowned pieces of literature.

The sites along the way are diverse and beautiful, including the villages of Arnarstapi and Hellnar with stunning rock formations, the great basalt stacks at Londrangar, and the black beach of Djupalonssandur.

A cultural heritage nearby is Budir black church, one of the most photographed churches in Iceland. The black exterior of the church contrasts the lush valley or snowy plains of Snaefellsnes during winter, making it an excellent subject for photography and sightseeing.

On the northern side, you can stop at one of the most beautiful and photographed mountains in Iceland, the arrow-shaped Kirkjufell. This feature has a cute adjacent waterfall, Kirkjufellsfoss, which often sports a cape of ice in winter.

If you wish to add an adventure to the day, exploring a lava cave called Vatnshellir is a great way to explore further, this time below the earth's surface. During this optional tour, an expert guide will be with you to ensure your safe and fun lava-caving experience.

You'll reside for the night on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

On day three of your winter tour along the Ring Road, you'll leave the comforts of West Iceland and drive through the mountains and coastal towns of North Iceland. Your primary destination for the day is Akureyri, often called the "Capital of the North."

During your drive, you could visit the rock stack Hvitserkur. Despite its original legend as a dragon or a troll, most visitors think it resembles an elephant with its trunk in the water. Other interesting places to visit today are the Borgarvirki natural fortress and the strange little church at Thingeyrar.

Another notable stop is Blonduous, a small town in northwest Iceland with a population not exceeding 1,000. The settlement serves as a gateway to the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Skagafjordur region, with rolling hills, fertile farmland, and a backdrop of majestic mountains.

During winter, the town transforms into a winter wonderland, with its farmlands and mountains partially blanketed by snow. It's a sight that you shouldn't miss.

This is a very scenic route, offering everything from broad valleys to steep and jagged mountain tops. Take your time admiring and photographing your surroundings, as there are fewer travelers to bump into during the winter season.

Soon after, you'll come up to Akureyri, where you can enjoy a meal or drink at one of the town's fine restaurants or bars. Being so far north makes the town ideal for a stroll in the nearby Kjarnarskogur woodlands. This woodland of around 800 hectares and over a million trees is the town's most popular recreational area.

Alternatively, you can spend the night hunting for the aurora borealis in Akureyri's outskirts. Being closer to the Arctic Circle gives you a better shot at seeing the elusive northern lights.

After a fantastic day, you'll retire to your North Iceland accommodation.

Moving on from the diverse north, you'll begin your exploration of the spectacular Eastfjords on the seventh day of your winter self-drive tour in Iceland.

Due to its distance from Reykjavik, the Eastfjords is one of the least visited and, thus, least crowded parts of Iceland. This, however, says nothing of the unbelievable beauty found here. The remote and sparsely populated area is ideal for spotting the northern lights, as there's little light pollution.

The Eastfjords are best defined by towering mountains, deep fjords, historic and quaint fishing villages, and wildlife. This wildlife includes birds, seals, and, most interestingly, reindeer. These animals were brought over to be farmed, but since the industry never took off, they have roamed free for decades in large herds.

Winter is the best time to spot them because they tend to move into the eastern Highlands in summer.

There are two settlements of great significance in the Eastfjords, the towns of Egilsstadir and Seydisfjordur.

Egilsstadir, the largest town in East Iceland, is a gateway to the area. There are many great shops, grocery stores, gasoline stations, and restaurants in town that you can visit to resupply before hitting the road again the following day.

Situated on the banks of Lake Lagarfljot, the town offers a peaceful setting with panoramic views of mountains and valleys. Visitors can explore the serene wilderness through hiking trails or enjoy the countryside's relaxed ambiance.

Just beside Egilsstadir is Seydisfjordur, a quaint coastal village nestled at the end of a fjord of the same name. Seydisfjordur's charm extends to its picturesque harbor, where you can enjoy fresh seafood at local restaurants. The Rainbow Road is a popular place to explore here, which leads to the village's shops and beautiful church.

You'll spend the night at a comfortable accommodation in Egilsstadir.

On your eighth day, you'll continue traveling along the Eastfjords. You'll stop for plentiful photo opportunities far from the crowds, enjoy the magnificent views, and visit some pleasant towns en route.

Your destination for this day is Hofn, a small town in Southeast Iceland on the eastern side of the Vatnajokull glacier. Hofn makes an excellent base for exploring the glacier and its various features, which you can do the next day.

The highlights of today's winter adventure are the coastal villages of the Eastfjords. Besides sightseeing, visiting these villages can let you learn more about rural Iceland's rich history and culture.

For example, excellent pitstops in the area are Eskifjordur, Faskrudsfjordur, and Djupivogur villages. With their captivating landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and warm community spirit, these settlements provide an immersive experience against the cold breeze of the Icelandic winter.

For example, with your stop in Djupivogur, you can see the famous local artwork called the Eggs of Merry Bay. This work of art consists of 34 large-scale sculptures, each representing the eggs of different bird species in the region. The sculptures are positioned on a rocky shoreline overlooking the bay, creating a magnificent view against the backdrop of the surrounding mountains and the vast Atlantic Ocean.

By evening, you'll reach Southeast Iceland and can spend a few hours admiring sites such as Mount Vestrahorn or visiting the charming town of Hofn. Worry not if you do not have time for this today, as you'll have all day to explore this area tomorrow.

You'll spend the evening in Hofn, locally known for its langoustine fishing and being the best place in the country for some lobster feasting. It's highly recommended to enjoy this local specialty.

You'll retire to accommodation in Southeast Iceland tonight.

Day 10 is your final hurrah to explore more attractions in the Vatnajokull National Park. You'll begin to make your way back to the west on the penultimate leg of your clockwise journey. This route goes along the South Coast, although the main attraction for this drive is a little inland.

As the largest glacier in Europe, covering at least 10 percent of Iceland's landmass, Vatnajokull features remarkable landscapes you can explore even in winter. One of these is Skaftafell, a beautiful natural reserve in Southeast Iceland.

Skaftafell was, in fact, a national park itself before it was incorporated into a much larger protected area. This is because of its diverse natural features, ranging from glacier tongues to lava fields, lagoons, and woodland. It's a favorite destination amongst photographers and hikers alike.

The best hiking trail, accessible for those with decent mobility, is generally considered the route to Svartifoss waterfall. Surrounded by black hexagonal basalt columns, its unique beauty has inspired artists and architects for generations. This waterfall was part of the inspiration behind Reykjavik's two most notable buildings, Hallgrimskirkja church and the Harpa Concert Hall.

To make the most of Skaftafell, you could join a guided glacier hike and head up into the white ice cap. Seeing the cracks and crevasses that seem to breathe on their own, filling the ancient glacier with life, is an experience you'll enjoy.

All essential glacier hiking and safety equipment are included when you add this optional experience during the booking process. An expert guide will lead you through this adventure, so first-timers are welcome to join.

After enjoying Skaftafell and admiring the changing landscapes of glacier tongues, black sand deserts, river systems, countryside, and coastal views, you'll drive further south to the village of Vik. You'll spend the night in South Iceland.

The South Coast of Iceland between Vik and Hella, where you'll spend your eleventh day, has incredible sites, so you'll want to rise early to make the most of them.

Adjacent to the village is a beach, once voted one of the most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world, Reynisfjara. Here, haunting black sands stretch as far as the eye can see, with great Atlantic rollers crashing into them. As the many warning signs will tell you, do not be foolish with these waves, as many have been whisked out to sea by them before.

Jutting from the ocean, you'll see two rock pillars called Reynisdrangar. According to legend, these are the remains of two trolls frozen into rock while trying to pull a ship to shore. Near here is the Dyrholaey rock arch, which curves magnificently into the sea.

Next along the road, you see the spectacularly powerful Skogafoss waterfall. This waterfall throws off so much spray that rainbows often spring above it when the sun shines, allowing for great photo opportunities. Even in inclement weather, it's a beautiful site.

Your day will also take you past the massive Myrdalsjokull glacier cap. If you wish, you can embark on one of two tours here. You can take a thrilling snowmobile ride across its surface or a hike on one of its tongues, Solheimajokull, by adding these experiences during the booking process.

Meltwater from these glaciers feeds the next attraction, Seljalandsfoss waterfall. This well-photographed cascade will likely be familiar to those with a vague knowledge of Iceland's features, as it can be fully encircled, and many pictures have been taken from behind it.

This is your last evening in the countryside, so take an evening drive, enjoy the crisp winter silence, and watch the sky for the aurora borealis.

You'll stay in comfortable accommodation in Southwest Iceland tonight.

By your 12th day, you'll have completed your tour around the Ring Road of Iceland. There is, however, a glaring omission from your journey so far, a trip around the Golden Circle. The Golden Circle is the country's most famous route, going to three classic Icelandic destinations, Gullfoss waterfall, the Geysir geothermal area, and Thingvellir National Park.

Gullfoss is the country's most renowned waterfall and perhaps its most notable feature. Falling in two tiers, it has incredible power, a strange milky color because it is composed of glacial meltwater, and throws off many rainbows in the sun.

From there, you can opt for a high-speed tour and fly across the nearby Langjokull glacier on snowmobiles.

Next, you will see Geysir. This geyser is the one that lent all others their names, although it is currently experiencing a period of inactivity. Worry not, however, as beside it is the very active Strokkur, which goes off every 5-10 minutes.

A similarly active geyser can be found at the Secret Lagoon, a beautiful spa you can visit. However, the geyser here is much smaller, with the most defining aspects of the lagoon being its serenity and comfort.

The final site of the Golden Circle is Thingvellir National Park. Due to its history, the area is a national park, the original location of the Icelandic parliament. However, its beauty captures most guests, as it's nestled in a valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, both of which are visible.

As these plates pull apart, they tear ravines open throughout the park, which fill with spring water. You can snorkel in one of these ravines, Silfra. Though cold, you'll be provided with all the necessary gear to protect you, and the views through the crystal-clear water are unmatched. 

If you want to join the optional Silfra snorkeling tour, you need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.

After enjoying the Golden Circle, you'll return to Reykjavik for the night, completing the Ring Road.