11-Day Northern Lights Self-Drive Holiday of the Complete Ring Road & Snaefellsnes Peninsula

On the second day of this winter drive, you'll drive to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, often nicknamed 'Iceland in Miniature' for its variety of natural features. This modest 56-mile (90-kilometer) coastline has a wide array of attractions, including mountains, coastal villages, and beaches.

The most notable feature of the peninsula is Snaefellsjokull, a glacier-capped volcano with 700,000 years of history. Besides its prominent height of 4744 feet (1446 meters), Snaefellsjokull is famous worldwide thanks to Jule Verne's novel "Journey to the Center of the Earth."

In Jules Verne's novel, which has been adapted into several movies, Snaefellsjokull served as the gateway to the center of the Earth.

Not far from the Snaefellsnes glacier volcano is Djupalonssandur, a hauntingly beautiful black sand beach nestled along the coast. As you step onto the beach, you'll see vast stretches of shimmering black sand sculpted by the relentless waves of the Atlantic Ocean. The beach is also adorned with rock formations and remnants of a shipwreck.

If you're looking for a cultural attraction, another stop to make on the peninsula is Budir black church. Amidst the captivating landscapes of Snaefellsnes, the iconic Budir black church stands tall with this distinct black exterior.

The picturesque location of the church, with the backdrop of the Snaefellsjokull glacier and the surrounding terrain, creates a mesmerizing scene perfect for photography.

You also have the opportunity to see one of the most beautiful and photographed mountains in Iceland, Mount Kirkjufell, which was also featured in HBO's Game of Thrones. Kirkjufell is notable for its distinct peak, which towers at 1519 feet (463 meters).

While on the peninsula, you can join an adventure and visit the stunning Vatnshellir cave, an impressive lava tube. When your guide asks everyone to turn off their torches, you'll find strange lava formations, glittering walls, and pitch darkness inside the cave.

Whatever you get up to on this magical stretch of land, watch out for the northern lights in the evening before retiring to your accommodation in the area.

Wake up, get behind the wheel to rejoin the Ring Road, and make your way to the 'capital of the North,' Akureyri. On day three of this self-drive tour in the land of fire and ice, you'll explore the many wonders of North Iceland.

You can marvel at the grandeur and beauty of the Skagafjordur area as you make your way into Akureyri. The road passes through incredible sceneries and high mountain passes where it's possible to see horses playing in the fields.

Some places of interest in the area include the Hvitserkur rock stack and Hvammstangi village. 

Hvitserkur is a unique rock formation that sticks out from the sea at 49 feet (15 meters) on Iceland's northern coast. It looks like an enormous creature frozen in time against the backdrop of the ocean. People love taking pictures of this geological formation because it's so interesting.

Meanwhile, Hvammstangi is a quiet settlement perfect for experiencing nature and Icelandic culture. You can take walks by the coast, watch birds, and look for seals. The village has lovely places like cozy cafes where you can try local food.

After a few hours on the road, you'll finally reach the beautiful town of Akureyri.

This quirky town is filled with activities if you're not too tired after your time on the road. You could, for example, visit the many shops and boutiques, unwind in the local swimming pool, or go sightseeing at the stunning Akureyri church and Hof Culture Centre.

One of the most prominent features of Akureyri and the region is the picturesque Eyjafjordur fjord, one of the longest fjords in Iceland. The fjord spans 47 miles (70 kilometers), boasting valleys, cliffs, and snowcapped mountains.

The benefit of being so far north is that you have even more hours of darkness to see the northern lights, so take the opportunity to explore this charming municipality steeped in culture and history.

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

Leaving the Myvatn area, you'll make your way to East Iceland, one of the most remote regions in the country.

Before you set off, indulge in a genuinely Arctic experience and take a dog-sledding tour around the beautiful Lake Myvatn. After whizzing around the snow on a sled pulled by adorable Huskies, you can reward these hard-working creatures with a good belly rub.

If you fancy some time off from driving or want to visit places hard-reached by regular cars, you can opt for a tour to Dettifoss waterfall in a formidable super jeep equipped to handle any terrain or weather.

This stunning feature is considered the most powerful waterfall in Europe and was featured in Ridley Scott's sci-fi movie Prometheus. Dettifoss has an impressive width of 328 feet (100 meters) and an average water flow of 6,186 cubic feet (193 cubic meters) per second plunging into a deep canyon.

The waterfall is breathtaking in winter when snow and ice adorn its sides and surroundings. Take as many photos as possible in the area before moving on to your next stop.

Alternatively, you could head straight for the Eastfjords to explore the charming town of Egilsstadir. Egilsstadir is considered the capital of East Iceland because it serves as the region's leading service for commerce, transportation, and tourism.

The town features excellent shops, restaurants, accommodations, and even a local airport. You can stroll around the streets to learn more about the local culture and talk with the friendly locals to complete your experience.

Nearby is another scenic town called Seydisfjordur, a quaint little fishing town with beautiful houses and a charming pastel-blue church.

You'll retire to accommodation in East Iceland this evening. Make sure you keep your eyes open for the northern lights before you go to bed.

You have a day to yourself in the Eastfjords, a beautiful region dotted by charming fjords and coastal villages. Fewer tourists venture into this area, especially during winter, so you can expect more personal time exploring attractions.

The Eastfjords of Iceland during winter offer a breathtakingly beautiful and unique experience. Nestled along the country's eastern coast, this region is known for its rugged landscapes, dramatic fjords, and serene beauty. You also have the best opportunity to see wild reindeer here when they go down the valleys to graze. 

Just outside Egilsstadir stands Iceland's largest forest, Hallormsstadaskogur, a fantastic place to stroll. It's the largest national forest in Iceland, covering at least 740 hectares (1828 acres) with 85 tree species.

You can also check out the Lagarfljot lake, which is long-rumored to be inhabited by a serpent-like creature, a story that outdates the Loch Ness legend by many years.

While driving in the Eastfjords, you can make a few stops to admire the region's rich culture and history. The Eastfjords are home to charming fishing villages dotted along the coastline. In winter, these villages exude a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere.

Some of the recommended pitstops here are Faskrudsfjordur and Djupivogur, where you can rest briefly while admiring the surrounding winter landscapes.

When you reach the southeast, you could go to the stunning Stokksnes peninsula, home to the very photogenic Vestrahorn mountain called the 'Batman Mountain' for its jagged, pointy peaks. The Eastfjords are dramatic and magnetic, and the mountainscapes are genuinely breathtaking.

Visit the charming fishing village of Hofn, renowned for its langoustine lobster and proximity to the Vatnajokull glacier.

Retire to your Southeast Iceland accommodation when you're ready. Watch for the northern lights across the beautiful bay before calling it a night.

On day seven of your winter self-drive tour on the Ring Road, you'll make your way to the 'Crown Jewel of Iceland,' Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. The lagoon is where massive icebergs break away from an outlet glacier of Vatnajokull and lazily drift out to sea.

Jokulsarlon is renowned for its massive icebergs that have broken off from the nearby Breidamerkurjokull glacier. These icebergs, in various shades of white and blue, float gracefully in the lagoon, creating a breathtaking sight. Some icebergs are small, while others can be several meters in height, resembling sculpted works of art.

Admire the tranquil pieces of ancient ice rendered in brilliant blues and white, scarred with streaks of black ash from historical eruptions. With luck on your side, you might even spot seals playing and resting on these chunks of ice. Opt for a boat trip for an up-close view of this mesmerizing landscape.

You can also visit Diamond Beach, adjacent to this natural wonder, where the icebergs wash ashore in the surf and stand in stark contrast to the black beach they rest upon. The volcanic beach is a haven for landscape and nature photographers due to its stunning beauty.

Besides Jokulsarlon and Diamond beach, you can enter one of the world's most phenomenal natural creations, a brilliant ice cave inside of Europe's largest glacier, Vatnajokull.

Stepping inside an ice cave, you'll be surrounded by different shades of blue ice walls where millions of oxygen bubbles are trapped inside ancient ice. Not much can prepare you for the beauty insides of this ice cap, so don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

If you've explored an ice cave here in the past, you can expect to see a different one on this adventure. No two ice caves are ever the same as they melt and freeze with the seasons.

You will spend the night in Southeast Iceland. Before enjoying a comfortable sleep in your cozy room, you can wait or hunt for the aurora borealis.

Your route for day nine is the impressive South Coast of Iceland, one of the most visited areas in the land of fire and ice. This region is an excellent place to see diverse landscapes in a single day, from waterfalls to black sand beaches to mountains and glaciers.

You can begin the day by walking around Vik to see the charming houses and excellent shops. The village also offers a panoramic view of the area, which extends to the North Atlantic Ocean.

Not far from here is Reynisfjara beach, known for its composition of black sand, defiant sea stacks, and towering basalt columns. Although the beach is beautiful to see up close, swimming here is prohibited due to the massive Atlantic waves. So don't forget to explore the beach with caution.

To the west of the beach is the impressive sea arch of Dyrholaey, a picturesque area to stop and take photos.

Back on the Ring Road, you now have a choice to hike on the beautiful Solheimajokull glacier to get a fantastic view of the South Coast's mountains and the opaque glacier lagoon, which sits in the realm of the glacier. 

You could also take a tour where you enter the intriguing Katla ice cave inside Myrdalsjokull, Iceland's fourth largest glacier. The ice cap sits on top of the mighty volcano, Katla, and inside the cave, you'll see how the white ice of the glacier is colored with jet-black streaks of ash from past eruptions.

The adventure doesn't stop there. Before returning to Reykjavik, you should stop at two of Iceland's most beautiful waterfalls, Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss. Both fall from a massive 197 feet (60 meters), making for an impressive sight, especially in their winter finery.

Before the day ends, you'll return to Reykjavik for a night of exploration and peaceful sleep in one of the charming accommodations in the city.

Waking up in Reykjavik on the penultimate day of your winter adventure, get on the road for Iceland's best-loved route, the Golden Circle.

Your first stop will be Thingvellir National Park, which is remarkable for many reasons. Here, Viking settlers created the first parliament in Iceland, Althingi, which still runs today in Reykjavik, making it the world's oldest continuous parliament.

Geologically, the park sits astride the Mid-Atlantic Rift, and both the Eurasian and North American plates are exposed on the surface. This means you can walk between two continents, something you'll find hard to do anywhere else.

The next stop is the Geysir geothermal area, home to the geysers, the most active of which is Strokkur. It erupts impressive water sprays every five to 10 minutes up to 66 feet (20 meters) in the air.

The incredible Gullfoss waterfall is not far from here, which plummets into a vast canyon and makes for a breathtaking sight. 

You have several ways to make your Golden Circle trip even more memorable.

First, you could go snorkeling in the crystal clear glacial waters of the Silfra fissure in Thingvellir and swim between the continents. The clear waters of Silfra provide excellent visibility, opening up a sky-blue underworld filled with beautiful rock formations and canyons. Participants need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.

Alternatively, you could ascend Iceland's second-largest glacier, Langjokull, and shoot across its icy plains on a snowmobile for a thrilling experience. Nothing can beat the adrenaline surging in your veins as you breathe in the crisp mountain air on top of a glacier.

Meanwhile, if you'd rather lie back and relax, you can go to the geothermally-fed Secret Lagoon next to the charming town of Fludir to soak in the warm water and admire the view before returning to Reykjavik for the night.