Iceland: The Land of Fire and Ice - Summer of 2023
A road-trip of a lifetime.
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Conditions in July
- ~20 hours of sunlight
- Sunrise: ~4:00 AM
- Sunset: ~11:00 PM
Itinerary Option-1: Full Island Drive
Day 1: Saturday, July 1
- Morning: Land in KEF, pick up rental car at 8:00 AM.
- Activities:
- Visit Blue Lagoon (~23 min drive, pre-booked tickets recommended).
- Drive to Krísuvíkurberg Cliffs (~30 min).
- Optional stops: Selatangar, Iceland coast viewpoints.
- Night Stay: Reykjavik or outskirts (Reykjavik Peace Center).
Day 2: Sunday, July 2
- Activities:
- Visit Lava Centre Museum (Optional) (~1–2 hours).
- Explore Seljalandsfoss (~20 min drive).
- Visit Skogafoss (~30 min drive).
- ATV Tour at Mýrdalsjökull Base (3:00 PM, pre-booked).
- End the day at Reynisfjara Beach (~23 min drive).
- Night Stay: Camping at Skaftafell (no reservation required).
Day 3: Monday, July 3
- Morning:
- Visit Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon (~44 min drive).
- Zodiac Boat Tour at 10:00 AM (pre-booked).
- Visit Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon (~44 min drive).
- Afternoon: Drive along the southeast coast.
- Night Stay: Egilsstaðir (Hafaldan HI Hostel).
Day 4: Tuesday, July 4
- Activities:
- Visit Stuðlagil Canyon (~1 hour drive).
- Explore Lake Myvatn (~2 hours drive).
- Key spots:
- Myvatn Geothermal Area
- Myvatn Nature Baths
- Dimmuborgir Lava Field
- Grjótagjá Lava Cave
- Key spots:
- Optional short hikes: Hverfjall mountain, Hofdi.
- Night Stay: Lake Myvatn (Hlid Hostel, pre-booked).
Day 5: Wednesday, July 5
- Activities:
- Morning: Explore Husavik (~48 min drive).
- Visit Godafoss Waterfall (~40 min drive).
- Evening in Akureyri (~35 min drive).
- Night Stay: Akureyri (Airbnb Option).
Day 6: Thursday, July 6
- Activities:
- Drive to Ketubjörg Cliffs (~2 hours).
- Explore Snæfellsnes Peninsula:
- Kirkjufell Mountain
- Svörtuloft Lighthouse (optional)
- Dritvik Djúpalónssandur Pebble Beach
- Lóndrangar Basalt Towers
- Hellnar Viewpoint
- Night Stay: The Freezer Hostel (Booking Link).
Day 7: Friday, July 7
- Activities:
- Explore Þingvellir National Park:
- Gulfoss Waterfall
- Geysir Hot Springs
- Optional: Hike Thingvellir Loop.
- Explore Þingvellir National Park:
- Night Stay: Camping at Þingvellir (Details).
Day 8: Saturday, July 8
- Activities:
- Morning in Þingvellir National Park.
- Afternoon: Drive to Reykjavik (~40 min).
- Explore Reykjavik:
- Sun Voyager Sculpture
- Museums
- Whale Watching (Optional)
- Night Stay: Reykjavik (Hotel Options).
Day 9: Sunday, July 9
- Activities:
- Final day exploring Reykjavik.
- Afternoon: Drive to KEF airport (~50 min).
- Flight: Depart KEF at 4:50 PM.
Itinerary Option-2: Drive Clockwise arund the island
Day 1: Saturday, July 1
- Activities:
- Land in KEF, pick up rental car at 8:00 AM.
- Visit Blue Lagoon (~23 min drive, pre-booked tickets recommended).
- Drive to Krísuvíkurberg Cliffs (~30 min).
- Optional stops: Selatangar, Iceland coast viewpoints.
- Night Stay: Reykjavik or outskirts.
Day 2: Sunday, July 2
- Option 1:
- Visit Lava Centre Museum (~1–2 hours).
- Explore Seljalandsfoss (~20 min drive).
- Visit Skogafoss (~30 min drive).
- End at Reynisfjara Beach (~32 min drive).
- Night Stay: Camping at Skaftafell.
- Option 2:
- Full-day South Coast & ATV Tour with hotel pickup.
- Return to Reykjavik or the same stay from Day 1.
Day 3: Monday, July 3
- Activities:
- Explore Þingvellir National Park:
- Gulfoss Waterfall
- Geysir Hot Springs
- Thingvellir Loop Hike (optional).
- Explore Þingvellir National Park:
- Night Stay: Camping in Þingvellir.
Day 4: Tuesday, July 4
- Activities:
- Explore Snæfellsnes Peninsula:
- Kirkjufell Mountain
- Dritvik Djúpalónssandur Pebble Beach
- Lóndrangar Basalt Towers
- Hellnar Viewpoint
- Explore Snæfellsnes Peninsula:
- Night Stay: Stay near Borðeyri or Snæfellsnes.
Day 5: Wednesday, July 5
- Activities:
- Drive to Ketubjörg Cliffs (~2 hours).
- Optional: Whale Watching tour at Husavik.
- Visit Godafoss Waterfall.
- Night Stay: Guesthouse or Hostel nearby.
Day 6: Thursday, July 6
- Activities:
- Relax at Lake Myvatn:
- Myvatn Geothermal Area
- Myvatn Nature Baths
- Dimmuborgir Lava Field
- Grjótagjá Lava Cave
- Night Stay: Lake Myvatn.
- Relax at Lake Myvatn:
Day 7: Friday, July 7
- Activities:
- Optional second day at Lake Myvatn.
- Visit Stuðlagil Canyon.
- Drive to Akureyri (~3 hours).
- Night Stay: Akureyri.
Day 8: Saturday, July 8
- Activities:
- Drive to Reykjavik (~4 hours).
- Explore Reykjavik:
- Museums, Sun Voyager, or Whale Watching.
- Night Stay: Reykjavik.
Day 9: Sunday, July 9
- Final day in Reykjavik.
- Flight: Depart KEF at 4:50 PM.