9-Day Vacation Package in Iceland with a Guided Tour of the Ring Road

Day two marks the start of your guided 6-day Ring Road tour with a convenient pick-up from your accommodation in Reykjavik. You’ll travel east toward the Golden Circle and Iceland’s South Coast, visiting several of the country’s most famous natural landmarks.

Your first stop is Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. This historic landscape is also where Iceland’s parliament was founded more than 1,000 years ago.

Next on the Golden Circle tour is the Geysir Geothermal Area in the Haukadalur Valley, where Strokkur Geyser erupts every few minutes, sending boiling water up to 66 feet (20 meters) into the air. This lively display offers a striking look at Iceland’s geothermal power.

The route then leads to Gullfoss Waterfall, one of Iceland’s most celebrated natural wonders. Here, the glacial Hvita River crashes down in two dramatic tiers into a rugged canyon, filling the air with mist and offering spectacular viewpoints from several angles.

Leaving the Golden Circle behind, the journey continues along the South Coast after a short stop for lunch. Seljalandsfoss Waterfall is the next highlight, dropping from a high cliff and standing out for its narrow, graceful flow.

The route then leads to Skogafoss Waterfall, offering a very different experience. Its wide curtain of water and powerful drop often create rainbows on clear days, one of the most impressive sights along the South Coast.

The final stop of the day is Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, known for its basalt columns, powerful Atlantic waves, and the Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks just offshore. This dramatic coastline is one of Iceland’s most photographed locations and a highlight of any south coast tour.

As the day comes to an end, you’ll head to your hotel in the South Coast area. This is the perfect place to unwind and reflect on a day spent exploring Iceland’s most iconic landscapes before continuing your adventure.

Day three marks the second day of your Iceland Ring Road guided tour and begins with breakfast at your accommodation before heading out along the South Coast. The journey continues east, following the coastline toward new regions of the country.

The day focuses on seeing more of the South Coast, with a mix of coastal villages, glacier landscapes, deep canyons, and black sand beaches. These varied stops showcase some of Iceland’s most recognizable natural landmarks.

The first stop of the day is the village of Vik, a small coastal settlement backed by cliffs and wide stretches of black sand. During your visit, you can explore the surrounding coastline and view the Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks rising from the Atlantic Ocean.

The highlight of the day is an included Katla Ice Cave tour beneath Myrdalsjokull Glacier. Inside the glacier, dark volcanic ice streaked with ash forms sculpted tunnels and shifting formations that reveal Iceland’s frozen interior.

This experience is led by expert glacier guides who carefully assess conditions throughout the tour to ensure a safe visit. To stay comfortable in the cold environment, warm layers, a waterproof jacket and pants, sturdy hiking boots, and gloves are recommended.

After a stop for lunch, the route leads to Fjadrargljufur Canyon, a winding gorge carved by the Fjadra River. Steep canyon walls and a quiet atmosphere make this one of the South Coast’s most memorable natural landmarks.

Later in the day, arrive at Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, where massive icebergs drift across the water after breaking away from Breidamerkurjokull Glacier. Shades of blue and white fill the lagoon, and seals are often seen swimming among the floating ice.

Just across the road, Diamond Beach provides a striking contrast, with ice fragments scattered across the black sand shoreline.

As the day comes to an end, you’ll head to your hotel near the coastal town of Hofn. This peaceful setting offers time to rest and reflect before continuing your Ring Road adventure.

The journey continues through East Iceland on day four of your Iceland vacation tour, a region known for quiet fjords, winding roads, and changing coastal scenery. This part of the route offers wide-open views shaped by the coastline and surrounding mountains.

After breakfast, the drive follows the eastern edge of the country, where steep mountains rise from the sea, and small settlements appear along the shoreline.

The first stop is Djupivogur, a small fishing village known for its relaxed pace and close connection to nature. The village sits along the coast, surrounded by mountains and calm waters.

Time here allows for a walk along the harbor, where colorful fishing boats and coastal views reflect the character of the village. Your guide may also lead a visit to the Eggin i Gledivik art installation, which features stone eggs representing native bird species.

Continuing inland, the journey reaches Egilsstadir, the largest town in East Iceland and an important regional center near the Lagarfljot River. This is a natural place to stop for lunch and a short break, with nearby views of Hallormsstadaskogur Forest. 

Later in the day, the route leads to Borgarfjordur Eystri, a quiet fjord known for its colorful mountains and coastal scenery. The area offers open views across the fjord and a peaceful stop away from busier routes.

This stop is especially known for viewing puffins in Iceland and is only available during the puffin season from mid-April until mid-August. During this time, puffins can often be seen nesting along the cliffs, making Borgarfjordur Eystri a rewarding stop for wildlife lovers.

After a day of sightseeing, an optional visit to Vok Baths offers a relaxing way to end the day. Floating on Lake Urridavatn near Egilsstadir, these geothermal pools provide warm waters and lake views in a peaceful setting, ideal for unwinding after a full day on the road.

Finally, you’ll return to Egilsstadir to settle into your hotel for the night, with time to rest before continuing your journey around Iceland.

Day five of your Ring Road tour leads into North Iceland, following part of the Diamond Circle route. The day features a mix of waterfalls, volcanic landscapes, lava fields, and lake scenery found only in this region.

After breakfast at your accommodation, the journey continues along the Ring Road as you head deeper into North Iceland. 

The first stop is Studlagil Canyon, known for its tall basalt column formations lining both sides of the gorge. A short walk leads to viewpoints overlooking the canyon, and when conditions allow, the river below turns a vivid turquoise, one of East Iceland’s most photographed natural sights.

The route then leads to Dettifoss Waterfall, Europe’s most powerful waterfall by volume. Fed by glacial meltwater from Vatnajokull, the falls plunge into a vast canyon carved by ancient floods, with mist rising into the air and the ground vibrating underfoot.

After about a one-hour drive with your driver, you arrive in the Lake Myvatn area, one of North Iceland’s most geologically active regions. Lava fields, shallow lakes, and volcanic craters shape the landscape, creating wide views across the surrounding countryside.

From there, a stop at Namaskard Pass reveals the area’s geothermal activity, with steam rising from the ground and colored mineral deposits spread across the landscape. Bubbling mud pots and hissing vents offer a close look at the volcanic forces beneath the surface.

A short drive away, Skutustadagigar pseudo-craters sit along the edge of Lake Myvatn. These unique formations were created by volcanic activity interacting with wetlands and provide a peaceful stop with wide views across the lake.

Later in the day, the journey continues to Godafoss Waterfall, known as the “Waterfall of the Gods.” Its wide, horseshoe-shaped cascade and historical significance make it one of the most iconic waterfalls along the Ring Road.

The route ends in Akureyri, the largest town in North Iceland, located along Eyjafjordur fjord. You’ll settle into your hotel for the night, with time to relax after a full day of exploring northern Iceland’s most memorable natural sights.

The adventure continues on day six of your summer vacation in Iceland, with a focus on Akureyri and the varied landscapes of Northwest Iceland. This part of the route moves west from North Iceland, where open valleys, coastal views, and historic sites define the scenery.

After breakfast, the morning begins in Akureyri, a lively northern town set along the shores of Eyjafjordur fjord and framed by surrounding mountains.

Those interested can join an optional whale-watching tour departing from the harbor, where calm waters often attract whales and seabirds. This is a popular way to experience Akureyri’s coastal setting and marine life.

Alternatively, use the free time to explore Akureyri’s main sights, including the Akureyri Botanical Garden and its peaceful walking paths. Nearby, Akureyri Church overlooks the town with wide views across Eyjafjordur fjord and the surrounding mountains.

Leaving Akureyri behind, the route gradually shifts from coastal town scenery to the open landscapes of the Skagafjordur region. Wide valleys and long-established farms appear along the drive, offering a clear sense of rural life in northern Iceland.

At Glaumbaer, one of Iceland’s best-preserved turf farmsteads, grass-roofed buildings provide a tangible look at how families once lived. Thick turf walls and compact interiors reveal how people adapted to long winters and a harsh climate.

Further along the route, Borgarvirki rises above the plains, a natural rock formation that once served as a defensive stronghold. From the top, views stretch across the surrounding countryside, adding context to the site’s historical role.

Along the Vatnsnes Peninsula, the coastline comes into view at Hvitserkur, a sea stack standing just offshore. Shaped by wind and waves, this unusual formation is one of the region’s most recognizable landmarks.

Before reaching the night’s stop, the route passes through Kolugljufur Canyon, where waterfalls tumble through a narrow gorge carved by the river below. Short walks lead to viewpoints overlooking the canyon and its cascading water.

The day finishes in the small village of Laugarbakki, where you’ll check into your accommodation for the night. 

This is your final day which concludes your summer vacation in Iceland for now. You'll be picked up in Reykjavik and taken through the black lava fields once again to Keflavík International Airport in time for your departure.

We hope you had a lovely time and hope you visit again soon!