100% customisable travel idea
Highlands, fjords and glaciers Second journey to Iceland
Iceland - Reykjavik - Highlands - East Fjords
100% customisable travel idea
Iceland - Reykjavik - Highlands - East Fjords
100% customisable for you
Direct flight to Keflavik, collect your rental vehicle, and drive along the ocean via the scenic Route 427 to Geysir, a majestic geothermal area that is more than 10,000 years old. This is a truly unique site with amazingly powerful geysers, sometimes shooting tons of scalding water more than 49 feet (15m) high, several times a day.
You’ll stay the night in a recently built hotel just opposite the geothermal site. Behind large picture windows and natural materials that blend beautifully into the surroundings, you’ll find modern interiors in subtle tones where stone and wood come together. The bedrooms are spacious and sometimes you can glimpse the Strokkur geyser through the window.
Head towards the north of the island along the famous Kjölur route, which runs between the Hofsjökull and Langjökull glaciers. This route was used from the earliest days of the island’s colonisation, by people from the north who wanted to meet up with their friends from the south, at the Thingvellir Parliament. There are several places to stop along the way, including at Hagavatn lagoon, overlooked by Langjökull glacier, or at Lake Hvitarvatn, at the source of the Hvítá river. After a 2 hour and 30 minute drive, you’ll reach Kerlingarfjöll, nestled at the foot of a volcanic mountain range. Stay for two nights in a wooden chalet, a mountain refuge with surprisingly comfortable accommodation in such a natural setting, and a restaurant serving hearty breakfasts and dinners.
The Kerlingarfjöll mountain range, also known as the “Witch Mountains”, is made up of high-altitude volcanoes that are continually covered with patches of snow and small glaciers. These rhyolite domes, formed during subglacial eruptions, make this region a paradise for hiking enthusiasts, thanks to its strikingly wild setting.
Must-do: The Hveradalir Hike, a 7-mile (12km) round-trip route (about 4 to 5 hours of walking) with breathtaking views. When you set out from the refuge, you first cross a footbridge over the Innri-Asgarosa river, then set out on the well-marked trail that climbs along a ridge towards the plateau and on to the summit of Mount Mænir, which overlooks the Hveradalir valley. In good weather, you can enjoy clear views from the top, both to the north towards Kjölur and to the west towards Lake Hvítárvatn. Stunning!
Drive north (4 hours). On the way, be sure to stop at Hveravellir and its geothermal area.
When you reach Akureyri, a charming town on the shores of the beautiful Island Fjord, check in for a night at a comfortable, contemporary Nordic-style hotel. The rooms are spacious and bright, decorated in subtle, harmonious tones.
Drive to the Askja volcano (2 hours and 30 minutes), stopping at the Godafoss waterfalls, the “waterfall of the gods”, then at Myvatn, one of the country’s most active volcanic regions and a protected nature reserve. Finally you will reach the hamlet of Mödrudalur, where you will be staying for two nights. This is the most remote farm in Iceland and the highest in the country, “perched” at 1538 feet (469m). In the past, there was a weather station here. The church was built in 1949 by the farmer at the time, in memory of his wife. Today, the farm offers a few bedrooms and two traditional chalets, which are really quite comfortable given the site's remote location.
To see and do: Discover the desert to the north-east of Askja. These Icelandic Highlands, inhospitable yet breathtakingly beautiful, have been shaped by thousands of years of glaciation and volcanic activity. As you approach Odadahraun, you can appreciate the vastness of this lava desert (about 1,700 square miles (4,400km²)). From its centre it is dominated by the Askja volcano and the table-topped mountain Herdubreid. Here you are in the heart of Iceland at its wildest and most lunar. There are almost no traces of vegetation or water sources there. After the major eruption of 1875, a large caldera formed. Today, it is filled with a lake where you can swim. A little further north lies Herdubreid, which Icelanders call the “queen of Icelandic mountains”, with its summit reaching nearly 3280 feet (1,000m) in altitude. The Herdubreidarlindir Springs stretch as far as the eye can see to the foot of the mountain. All around, the bucolic scenery formed by the rivers and vegetation stands out in the midst of this vast desert of stone and sand.
Drive to the village of Egilsstadir, at the heart of a lush green valley that stands in stark contrast with the desert landscapes you have just crossed.
Scheduled: the Vök hot springs. You already have tickets for these natural baths, which are less touristy than those in the south-west of the island. They feature several hot water pools fed by springs beneath Lake Urridavatn. State-of-the-art facilities blend seamlessly into the landscape and promise absolute relaxation in a world of earth, fire and ice.
Stay for two nights in a modern hotel nestled in the heart of the forest, just 30 minutes from Egilsstadir.
To see and do: Walk around Lake Lagarfljot. Accessible after a short hike, Hengifoss is one of the most breathtaking waterfalls in the country. The Brekkuselslækur torrent plunges from the top of a cliff and crashes 394 feet (120m) below in a stunning display. Below it you will also find the beautiful Litlanesfoss waterfall and its stunning necklace of basalt columns. South-west of Egilsstadir, you can experience the mysterious atmosphere of Hallormsstadur Forest, a rare wooded area in Iceland occupying more than 5600 acres (2,300 hectares) over nearly 18km² (7 square miles). There are numerous trails, including a botanical one, to help you explore almost all of its length and breadth.
Drive to Höfn (4 hours).
To see on the way: the East Fjords. Seldom visited because it lies off the usual tourist routes, this region is surprising, combining incredibly wild landscapes with more sunshine than the rest of the country. You can access Mjoifjördur Fjord, which is one of the most beautiful, via an unpaved road with some tight hairpin bends. The tiny fishing port of Brekka and its small church are the only signs of human presence in this magnificent landscape, which is even more magical at nightfall. A charming little village at the entrance to the East Fjords, Djupivogur has a peaceful seaside atmosphere. On arrival you will be greeted by fish drying racks laid out along Route 1. Breiddalsvik is another small fishing village set on the coast, stretching out from the beautiful Breiddalur, the widest and longest valley in East Iceland. It is full of geological wonders and hiking trails, and is home to the famous Breiddalsa salmon river.
You’ll be staying overnight in the heart of nature, just outside Höfn, opposite the majestic Vatnajökull glacier. The hotel, which has recently been redecorated, offers comfortable and modern bedrooms. The view from the panoramic restaurant and bar takes your breath away.
Drive to Kirkjubæjarklaustur (3 hours).
Scheduled: Kayaking trip on the Heinabergsjokull lagoon. During this boat trip led by a guide, you will gently glide through the water at the foot of the majestic Heinaberg glacier, which is a perfect opportunity to learn more about the area and see the landscapes from a different angle.
Must-see and experience: Skaftafell National Park, where beautiful walks bring you close to the glacial lagoons of Vatnajökull and offer spectacular views of Hvannadalshnúkur, Iceland’s highest peak, rising to 7250 feet (2,210m). There is also an easy hike also leads to Svartifoss, a small waterfall decorated with a beautiful necklace of basalt columns. Near the Jökulsarlon lagoon, with its Greenland-like atmosphere, seals and Arctic terns play hide-and-seek among blue, white and black icebergs, surrounded by a stunning amphitheatre of glaciers and snow-capped peaks. Take the opportunity to walk along the lagoon or on the stunning black sand beach, where icebergs, broken by the waves, wash ashore and melt. Wilder and less visited, the Fjallsarlon lagoon is also worth a detour. There are far fewer icebergs to see here, but you can get much closer to the glacier face. Above all, you can sometimes see - and hear - seracs falling into the lagoon from the front of the Fjallsjökull glacier.
Stay for two nights in cosy accommodation in Kirkjubæjarklaustur. At the end of the day, everyone gathers around the wood-burning stove - a rarity in Iceland - or at the large communal table to share meals prepared by the hostess, made with fresh, local ingredients.
Not to be missed: The Laki craters, formed at the end of the 18th century along a 16-mile (25km) eruptive fissure. This eruption, which is considered to be one of the most significant in history, gave rise to 130 craters that emitted 530 billion cubic feet (15 billion cubic metres) of lava!
Drive to the Landmannalaugar massif (2 hours and 30 minutes), a mountain range made up of rocks vividly coloured by geothermal activity and an iconic landscape of wild, untamed Iceland.
Must do: Hike in the Landmannalaugar Reserve. To make the most of the region’s volcanic landscapes, nothing beats climbing Blahnukur and Brennisteinsalda - a real little adventure through streams, gorges, lava flows and sulphur spots.
Continue on to Hella and stay for two nights in a former farmhouse converted into a hotel. It features simple yet well-equipped contemporary rooms, and a restaurant with a view to the scenery outside through large picture windows.
Must-see, must-do: The south coast and its many picturesque small villages, such as Vik or Skogar, set on the shores of the Atlantic. You will be instantly charmed by the small houses clustered at the foot of towering cliffs, from the top of which you can see stunning views of the Eyjafjallajökull and Myrdalsjökull glaciers. Nestled between glaciers and the ocean, the region is home to some of the island’s most beautiful waterfalls, starting with Seljalandsfoss and also Skogafoss, a magnificent 197-foot-high (60m) curtain of water where many fulmars come to nest in summer. You can climb the staircase to the right of the waterfall and follow the trail along the river, leading from one waterfall to the next.
Optional: Guided hike on the Solheimajökull glacier tongue to experience walking on ice.
Heading west.
Must-do along the way: Hike in Thingvellir National Park, at the heart of the Golden Circle. This is not only one of the most important sites in Icelandic history, but also an exceptional natural and geological site. Here you can discover Lake Thingvallavatn, the largest natural lake in Iceland, with several trails that take you through the heart of nature.
The journey continues to Reykjavik, a vibrant city buzzing with a dynamic arts scene.
Must-see, must-do: Stroll through the 101 district, around Laugavegur, a “village” best explored on foot, with its brightly-coloured houses, cafes, galleries, showrooms, design shops and concept stores, where you might be tempted by a pure wool blanket or creations by emerging designers; climb to the top of Hallgrimskirkja church; visit Árbæjarsafn in Kistuhyl, an outdoor architecture museum, to see what the Icelandic capital looked like at the start of the 20th century; sample caraway-flavoured potato schnapps; visit the Marshall House, a former herring factory opened in 1948 and funded by the Marshall Plan, now renovated as an exhibition space for artist collectives.
Spend your last night in the heart of the capital, in a modern hotel with beautiful Scandinavian decor, featuring cosy bedrooms and a sauna.
Drive to Keflavik airport, return your vehicle and take your international flight home.
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