Explore Iceland at Your Own Pace – Set Departure Self-Drive Journeys, Summer 2026
Imagine waking up to the scent of fresh Icelandic air, knowing the day ahead is yours to explore — waterfalls that plunge into mossy canyons, black sand beaches stretching to the horizon, and steaming geothermal lagoons tucked away in volcanic landscapes.
Our Summer 2026 Set Departure Self-Drive Journeys combine the independence of your own vehicle with the comfort of carefully selected premium hotels, private transfers, and exclusive experiences. From the dramatic heights of Glymur waterfall to the soothing waters of the Blue Lagoon Retreat, each day blends Iceland’s iconic highlights with hidden gems far from the crowds.
With fixed starting dates between May and September, you’ll enjoy the perfect season for long days, vibrant landscapes, and unforgettable road trip adventures. All you need to do is arrive — we’ve taken care of the rest.
Tuesday - Arrival
Your first feeling of Iceland starts right at the airport as the Leifur Eiriksson Keflavik airport is small, on international level, and easy. Your driver will be waiting for you in the arriving hall, welcoming you to Iceland. Your driver will drop you off at your 4 star hotel in the city center.
Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in the city.
Popular sights to visit include:
- House of Parliament: A classic 19th century structure, built in 1881. It houses Althingi, the Icelandic parliament.
- Harpa: A concert hall conference center by the Reykjavik harbor.
- Hallgrimskirkja: Standing on top of a hill, Hallgrimskirkja church towers over the city of Reykjavik.
Wednesday – Glymur Waterfall – Hvalfjord - Borgarfjord
You collect the rental car in the morning and start the adventure with a drive to Hvalfjord (Whale fjord), optional hike to Glymur – The tallest waterfall in Iceland. If you are up for more adventure, we recommend a drive over to Borgarfjordur, to visit some beautiful waterfalls and hot springs.
Highlights
- Glymur: Iceland’s highest waterfall, Glymur falls from 196 meters to the ground. It‘s a short hike from the parking lot to see this tall waterfall but if you want to hike all the way to the top it takes about 3 hours.
- Deildartunguhver: The most powerful hot spring in Europe. In the summer local farmers sell vegetables next to the hot spring.
- Barnafoss and Hraunfossar falls: Barnafoss (children fall) named after two children who fell into the waterfall centuries ago. Hraunfossar (Lava falls), the water runs on ancient lava fields, covered with trees, into the river.
Optional Activity
- Hvammsvik Sea Baths: Located in Hvalfjordur and the concept is inspired by the old hot spring that was used by locals for decades. Now there are eight pools to choose from, each with a different temperature, from sea temperature to around 40°C. The pools are all built in harmony with the nature and wildlife using the rocks from the surroundings and the changing facilities seek inspiration from the history of World War II
Thursday– Self Drive – Golden Circle
Visit Iceland’s main attractions; Thingvellir, Gullfoss and Geysir area. It is all a part of the famous Golden Circle route, there is a reason these powerful geysers and magnificent waterfall are among the highlights to visit when exploring Iceland. Another interesting visit is the Fridheimar geothermal greenhouses. There are a few diamonds in the rough to explore on the Golden circle, one of which is Bruarfoss waterfall, famous for its turquoise blue color. Another spot to enjoy is Haukadalsskogur forest, although its only a short drive from the hot spouting geysers it is still a well kept secret, making it a great pit stop to enjoy nature away from the crowds.
Highlights
- Thingvellir National Park: A huge part of Iceland’s history since the first Althingi in 930. It is also a Geological phenomenon, standing on two tectonic plates that are gradually moving away from each other. Thingvellir is listed as a UNESCO World heritage site.
- Geysir area: Home to a number of hot spouting geysers. The most famous one is Great Geysir itself but the most energetic one is Strokkur, it spouts every few minutes up to the height of 40 meters.
- Gullfoss waterfall: Iceland‘s most famous waterfall, plummeting down 32 meters in two stages directly to the canyon below. The water in Gullfoss comes from the second biggest glacier in Iceland, Langjokull glacier.
- Fridheimar: At Fridheimar they grow tomatoes all year round, despite Iceland’s long, dark winters, under artificial lighting in greenhouses. They welcome visitors to see their greenhouses and then enjoy a taste of the crop.
- Bruarfoss waterfall: This stunning, lesser-known waterfall located on the Golden Circle. Often called the “Blue Waterfall,” it is famous for its vivid, turquoise-colored water, which contrasts beautifully against the surrounding dark lava rocks. The waterfall is unique for its series of small cascades that form a wide, horseshoe-shaped flow, creating a mesmerizing visual effect.
Friday – Self Drive - South Shore – Waterfalls – Black Sand Beach
The south shore of Iceland is well known for its beauty. Waterfalls that make your jaw drop and black sandy beaches that go far beyond what the eye can see is just half of what you are about to witness today.
Highlights
- Seljalandsfoss waterfall: The water in Seljalandsfoss flows from the famous glacier/volcano Eyjafjallajokull glacier. It‘s a 60 meter high waterfall with a footpath behind it so if you‘re not afraid to get a little wet you can walk behind it.
- Reynisdrangar: Basalt sea stacks in the North-Atlantic Ocean. Legend says that the stacks originated when two trolls dragged a three-master ship to land unsuccessfully and when daylight broke they became needles of rock.
- Black sandy beaches: Walk in the black sand beach of Reynisfjara and see waves of the north Atlantic break on the beach.
- Skogarfoss waterfall: It‘s usually counted as one of Iceland‘s most beautiful waterfall. It thunders down into a small canyon and it‘s easy to walk all the way up to it and capture the moment in all its glory.
Optional Activity
- Horseback riding: Go on a short horseback riding tour and get an introduction to the Icelandic Horse, which was bred exclusively and naturally, isolated in the far North Atlantic. Therefore, the Icelandic horse has some unique traits, like the fact that it has five gaits and one of the most color variants of any horse breed in the world.
Saturday – Self Drive - Reykjanes Peninsula – The Blue Lagoon Retreat
Reykjanesskagi is a peninsula at the southwestern end of Iceland, near the capital Reykjavik. The peninsula is marked by active volcanism under its surface, and large lava fields, allowing little vegetation. There are numerous hot springs and sulphur springs to see on the Reykjanes peninsula.
Highlights
- Kleifarvatn Lake: In a big earthquake in 2000 the lake began to diminish and about 20% of its surface disappeared. Since the earthquake it has slowly started to fill up again and in 2008 the lake had regained its previous surface level.
- Seltun geothermal area: Sulphuric water and gases have created colorful deposits, the soil is colored in green, yellow and red colors.
- Blue Lagoon is one of the most popular visiting place for everyone that travels around Iceland. Fortunately, they’ve made a way to make it more exclusive and special. The Blue lagoon retreat is a Hotel next to the main lagoon. Guests at the Retreat have access to a more secluded, private lagoon and access to the Spa of the Volcanic Earth. The Retreat Hotel is an award-winning sanctuary, enjoy the Blue Lagoon and the Retreat Spa.
Optional Activity
- Lava Tunnel: A journey into Raufarhólshellir is a unique experience and a great opportunity to witness the inner workings of a volcanic eruption as one walks in the path of lava that flowed during the Leitahraun eruption, which occurred about 5200 years ago. Every winter spectacular ice sculptures are formed inside the entrance of the cave making the experience of visiting the lava tunnel even more breathtaking.
Sunday – Self Drive – Reykjanes Peninsula - Retreat Spa at leisure
Today you have the option to explore the Reykjanes peninsula further before returning the rental vehicle and enjoy the Retreat spa to its fullest.
The lava-scarred Reykjanes peninsula lies on one of the world’s major plate boundaries, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. According to the continental drift theory, the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are continuously drifting apart with great forces under the gaping rifts. As the plates diverge, linear fractures, known as fissures, form due to stresses created by the tension that builds up as the plates move away from each other.
Highlights
- Retreat Spa: Guests at the Retreat have access to a more secluded, private lagoon and access to the Spa of the Volcanic Earth. The spa journey culminates with the Blue Lagoon Ritual where you cover your body with the three treasures of the geothermal seawater: Silica, Algae and Minerals. Each with their own unique qualities such as anti-aging, cleansing and exfoliation.
- A symbolic bridge between Europe and North America on the Reykjanes Peninsula. The Bridge between two continents at Sandvík is a small footbridge over a major fissure, which provides clear evidence of the presence of a diverging plate margin. The bridge was built in 2002 as a symbol for the connection between Europe and North America.
Monday - Departure
Now it’s time for your departure, your private driver will pick you up.
Depending on your flight time, enjoy the last hours of your stay soaking in the Blue Lagoon and relaxing in the Retreat Spa.
Hopefully what you are left with, after your stay in Iceland, are great memories of rough but beautiful nature and fun activities. Safe travels and we hope to see you again sometime.
Basic Itinerary
Tuesday – Private Transfer – Arrival in Iceland
Wednesday – Self drive – Glymur Waterfall – Hvalfjord – Borgarfjord
Thursday – Self Drive – Golden Circle
Friday – Self Drive – South Shore – Waterfalls – Black sand beach
Saturday – Self Drive – Reykjanes Peninsula – The Blue Lagoon Retreat
Sunday – Self Drive – Reykjanes Peninsula – Retreat Spa at leisure
Monday – Private Transfer – Departure
Starting dates:
May: 19th & 26th.
June: 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th.
July: 7th, 14th*, 21st & 28th.
August: 4th, 18th & 25th.
Sept: 1st & 8th.
* on request
Inclusions
Accommodation:
Tuesday – (2 nights) 4* hotel in Reykjavik city center – Superior Double room
Thursday – (2 nights) Hotel Ranga – Deluxe Double room
Saturday – (2 nights) Blue Lagoon Retreat Hotel – Moss Jr. suite
Transfers:
Arrival and Departure transfer with a Private Driver
Self drive vehicle Toyota Land Cruiser or similar
Meals:
Breakfast included every day
Activity:
Entrance to Retreat Spa, Blue Lagoon and Retreat Lagoon (*while staying at the Retreat Hotel)
Add on Activities – not included in pricing:
Wednesday – Hvammsvik sea baths, comfort entrance– 105 EUR per person.
Friday – Horseback Riding for 1 hr. – 80 EUR per person.
Saturday – The Lava Tunnel – 60 EUR per person.
Price for 2 people: 12,170 EUR (based on one Double / Twin room)
Price for 4 people: 20,513 EUR (based on two Double / Twin rooms)
