Iceland is a country that you can easily drive around by car in a circle, immersing yourself in its fantastic beauty. Each of the 9 days of the Icelandic road trip will offer us a real kaleidoscope of impressions from the most beautiful places in the world!
This includes wild geysers and hot springs, fresh lava fields and volcanic caves, black beaches and sunrises by the Atlantic Ocean, basalt columns and tectonic plate rifts, mighty waterfalls and giant icebergs. We will also capture many moments with Icelandic horses and the famous "little puffins" - cute little birds called puffins.
We will get to know the fabulous landscapes from the Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, or James Bond movies that so often appear on the cinema screens.
The team leader knows this Icelandic driving tour very well, so he will show you all the hidden corners of the island while sharing many interesting facts and stories.
And to truly explore the heart of Iceland, into the depths of the island, you can venture on our hiking expedition "Landing on Mars."
Up to 8 participants accompanied by one team leader allows the group to be mobile, communicate and spend time together.
Every day we will see several breathtaking sights, such as waterfalls, geysers, hot springs, icebergs, black beaches, and whales. At the same time, the pace of the program is quite comfortable.
Overnight stays in tents in comfortable campsites, with shower and kitchen facilities.
We do not cancel or reschedule groups arbitrarily. If the consultant has given you the go-ahead to buy a ticket, you can buy it. The program will not be cancelled through our fault.
Experienced team leaders of the Backstage will accompany the group along the entire route, make your trip as safe and unforgettable as possible! They have already been to Iceland many times and know the country in detail.
More than 23000 participants have already gone with the Kuluar and 97.8% were satisfied. We are sure you will be too!
Welcome to Reykjavík, the northernmost capital of the world!
Today we are arriving at Keflavik Airport, from where we will transfer to Reykjavík, the stylish and beautiful capital of Iceland. Reykjavík is the largest city on the island, with about 120 thousand inhabitants - almost a third of the island's population.
We will have plenty of time to explore the city and immerse ourselves in its unique culture and atmosphere. Walking through the central streets and cozy squares of the historic city center, we will get acquainted with the magnificent examples of Scandinavian architecture and try the local kitchen.
We'll start our exploration of Iceland's natural magic with the Seltún geothermal area, known for its mud pools and colorful puddles formed by sulfur and other minerals. We will also visit one of the deepest lakes on the island, Kleifarvatn, which is fed by numerous small streams from the surrounding volcanic hills.
Then we will go to the largest geothermal zone in the country - the Reykjadalur Valley. In the valley, boiling geothermal waters are mixed with the water of an icy river, creating hot healing baths where we will soak.
Our next stop will be one of the most popular waterfalls in Iceland - Seljalandsfoss. This is a 60-meter stream fed by glacial meltwater. This is almost the only waterfall on the island that can be walked around in a circle - you can walk along the path behind the waterfall and take unique photos.
A hundred steps away from the famous waterfall, in a deep narrow canyon, the powerful Gljúfrabúi stream is hidden. The best way to get acquainted with its cold beauty is to go to the canyon and take beautiful photos.
Another great place to meditate and enjoy the natural beauty of the mountains in silence is the old Seljavallalaug natural pool. The pool is fed by a small geyser and is located in a cozy mountain gorge.
We finish today near the most famous Icelandic waterfall Skógafoss. The powerful flow is visible from afar, and the area around is incredibly picturesque. We will definitely climb the stairs to the top of the waterfall, from where, in good weather, a stunning view of the Atlantic coast opens up.
We spend the night at a campsite overlooking a waterfall.
Total mileage for the day: 220 km
In the morning we go to explore the famous beaches of the Atlantic Ocean. Dyrhólaey is a famous rocky one with a beautiful stone arch.
The cliffs of the cape are a nesting place for many species of seabirds, including puffins.
From the cape you can see one of the most beautiful places on the planet - the black volcanic beach Reynisfjara with huge basalt columns that go straight into the sea. A few tens of meters from the shore are the bizarrely shaped rocks - Reynisdrangar or Troll Fingers. The legend says that these are frozen trolls who were caught by the sun's rays, turning them into stone.
In the afternoon, we head to the easternmost point of the trip, where we will stop at an observation deck near one of the most stunning places in the world - the largest glacial lagoon Jokulsarlon, which is located at the foot of the Vatnajökull glacier. A hundred years ago, the edge of the glacier was 200 meters from the sea. Today, the glacier is melting intensively, actively increasing the area of the water surface of the reservoir. Blue and white icebergs drift slowly from the clear waters of the lagoon directly into the ocean, where the current carries them to the black Diamond beach. Large and small ice floes sparkle brightly in the sunlight. You can wander around and look at the fancifully shaped pieces of ice endlessly.
For the night we will stop at a cozy campsite in the coastal town of Höfn.
Total mileage per day: 335 km
The first stop today is in the small fishing village of Egilsstaðir. It is known for its stunning views of the surrounding mountains, waterfalls and fjords.
We will walk to a real natural wonder - the Hengifoss waterfall. Surrounded by basalt rocks with thin layers of red clay, this waterfall hides ancient fossilized coniferous tree trunks.
Downstream is the Litlanesfoss waterfall, famous for its tall basalt columns of volcanic origin.
We will spend the night at a campsite near the picturesque Stuðlagil Gorge.
Basalt columns of a deep canyon rise above a turquoise glacial river. In this place, you involuntarily catch yourself thinking that you are in some imaginary frame of a feature film.
Total mileage per day 340 km
Let's start the day with a look at the most powerful waterfall in Europe - Detifoss
Powerful streams of clear glacial water can hypnotize any visitor. Falling down with a roar, the water rushes at lightning speed through the crumbling rocks of the Jökulsá á Dal river canyon.
The Detifoss is so strong that a fog-like cloud of spray can be seen from several kilometers away.
After lunch, we will walk through the geothermal area and climb to the top of the famous Krafla volcano. The volcano's crater is one of the two most famous Víti craters in Iceland (Icelandic Víti means hell). In ancient times, people often believed that hell was under volcanoes. At the bottom of the crater is a green lake that hides magma at a depth of only 2 km.
The last eruption of Krafla was in 1984.
Mount Hverfell is the part of the Krafla volcanic system. We will climb to the top and walk along the edge of the crater, which has a diameter of about 1 kilometer.
We will finish the day on the shores of the famous Lake Myvatn in natural baths and geothermal steam baths.
Total mileage per day: 230 km
In the morning, we will visit the geological wonder of the "lava fortress" - Dimmuborgir. This place is steeped in folklore; it is said that thirteen evil Santa Clauses of Iceland live here. An episode of Game of Thrones was filmed here.
In the afternoon, we will devote time to an amazing whale safari. The tour starts from the fishing village of Husavik. This is one of the best places in the world to see whales in their natural environment, and the tour offers an incredible opportunity to get to know these majestic creatures. We will have a chance to get as close as possible to the whales in a safe and comfortable environment on a customized tour boat. During the boat trip, we will be able to enjoy the beautiful scenery and take many wonderful photos.
We spend the night at a picturesque campsite, which is located halfway from Akureyri to Reykjavík.
Total mileage per day: 390 km
Today we start the day on the shores of a sea fjord near Mount Kirkjufell, which is shaped like an orca fin. It is surrounded by gorgeous landscapes - rivers and waterfalls, lagoons, fields and rural houses.
Therefore, no matter which side you approach this mountain, it looks different from everywhere and is always very picturesque.
We will spend the afternoon on the amazingly beautiful rocky Snæfellsnes peninsula. We will go down into the deep lava cave Vatnshellir and visit Lóndrangar, the majestic basalt cliffs that are the remains of ancient sea pillars formed by erosion over thousands of years. We will also walk through Arnarstarpi, a small fishing village known for its picturesque stone arch, a lighthouse on the rocky coast, and the deep glacial gorge Rauðfeldsgjá.
Furthermore, we spend the night in a cozy campsite on the ocean.
Total mileage per day: 400 km
The program of this day includes a visit to Thingvellir National Park, which is located in a valley formed by a crack between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. Here you can walk between the continents and practically visit both Europe and America at the same time. The Thingvellir National Park is also a unique place in historical terms - the oldest parliament in Western Europe, the Althing, met here regularly for eight centuries, starting in the mid-tenth century. Christianity was also adopted here in 1000, and in 1944 Iceland declared independence from Denmark.
Our acquaintance with the island continues with a visit to the famous Haukadalur Valley, where the world-famous Geysir is located, giving its name to all the gushing springs on the planet. Geysir is in "hibernation" most of the time and rarely pleases tourists with grandiose jets of water. But its neighbor Strokkur manages to shoot several twenty-meter jets in a row every 2-6 minutes.
The Golden Ring of Iceland is completed by the Gullfoss waterfall, a multi-level "golden waterfall" with a total height of 32 meters. Gullfoss is one of the most beautiful, full-flowing and largest waterfalls in Iceland.
Total mileage per day 290 km
Today is the final day of our trip to Iceland.
We will devote the remaining time before our flight to a walk around Reykjavik. It's best to start exploring the Icelandic capital with a walk along the Laugavegur shopping street. There are many shops and souvenir shops here where you can buy the famous Lopeys sweaters and other items made from lopi sheep yarn. Don't miss the city's main attraction, the expressionist Hallgrímskirkja church building. Check out the Harpa Concert Hall, the National Museum, the Maritime Museum, the Icelandic Whale Museum, or the Reykjavik Northern Lights Museum. The city has a lot of beautiful architecture and a huge amount of street art. And you will surely meet one of the local cats - there are many of them in the center of Reykjavik.
You can also visit the Blue Lagoon, a popular geothermal resort. The lagoon is just a 20-minute drive from the airport and 45 minutes from the center of Reykjavik.
The guide has the right to make changes to the route depending on the weather conditions and general wishes of the group.
You need a valid Schengen visa or biometric passport for travel to Iceland.
To participate in the hike, you must have no illnesses incompatible with active tourism: the list is here.
The climate in Iceland is very changeable, there is even a saying: "If you don't like the weather in Iceland, just wait 5 minutes and it will change." That means, during the hike there will be both rain and sunshine - which will be more - it depends on your luck. We try to organize our hikes at the most favorable time, but we can't give guarantees about the weather)) Take good membrane things, they will protect you from rain and wind. The air temperature is on average about +13°C, but it can also warm up above 20°C! So it's not as cold as you think!
You need to buy tickets as early as possible. Closer to the start, the price may increase by one and a half times. You will have to fly with transfers. You have to choose the best flight option by yourself, it all depends on the starting point. Ticket prices start from 300 euros for a round trip. If you have any difficulties, you can always contact us, and we will help you with the purchase.
How to get from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavík and find our campsite, read the detailed article with transfer options and video instructions.
Our recommendations on flight matching services can be found in this article.
You need good insurance to participate in the program. Please do not neglect this point. It has saved some participants thousands of dollars.
Keflavík Airport is 55 km from Reykjavík, about 45 minutes away.
-The most expensive way is a taxi for 200-250 euros. Uber taxi aggregators do not work in the country.
-Company bus Airport Direct departs almost around the clock once an hour and runs from the airport to the BSÍ Bus Terminal. A cheap one-way ticket costs from 3900 ISK
-Company bus Flybys one way from 3900 ISK. Also runs from the airport to the BSÍ Bus Terminal.
-The cheapest way is Bus 55 one way from 1,840 ISK, but departs 9 times a day and takes 120 minutes. Also goes from the airport to BSÍ Bus Terminal.
All these buses stop near the main large hotels in the center. There is also a pickup option. From the BSÍ Bus Terminal you can be transferred to a smaller bus and taken to other agreed stops (including the campsite). This is sometimes for an additional fee and should be specified.
All of the above also works in the opposite direction.
For more details and screenshots, see the article: How to get to Reykjavik from the airport
In Iceland, the currency is the krona. You won't be able to buy anything for euros or dollars, except in large souvenir shops in the center of Reykjavik, and at a not very favorable rate. You can pay with your card absolutely everywhere.
But it's worth keeping some cash (coins), because some campsites pay for showers with them. 2 thousand kronor will be enough. Just withdraw a few kronor from an ATM, buy a bun in a supermarket, and ask for the rest in coins.
Icelandic is the only language spoken in Iceland. But the Icelanders are very friendly and speak English well, and all signs and plaques are duplicated in English, so you don't have to worry about the language barrier. You don't have to ask your interlocutor if it's okay to speak English, because almost everyone understands it.
I (Anna Petrauskane) bought it her - Icewear. The jumper cost 23,000 ISK. The store gives you a receipt, and at the airport you can fill in the information to get a tax refund. There are more expensive and cheaper sweaters, they are sold everywhere. It is worth paying attention to whether it is made of original Icelandic wool or just natural wool, but not authentic. This affects the price.
During the trip, we will spend the night in tents in specially equipped paid places - campsites. A campsite in Iceland is a fenced area with a parking lot and a place to set up tents. There is also almost always a warm shower with a toilet and, as a rule, a kitchen, and some have a washing machine and even a dryer. Campsites are located in unusually beautiful places where there are simply no hotels or hostels, so every morning when you open your tent, you will admire the luxury of wildlife.
Campsites in cities (Reykjavik, Vik, Skogar) have free Wi-Fi, recharging sockets, washing machines (extra charge), and drying rooms.
-Skyr - Icelandic yogurt
-Liquorice candy
-HÁKARL - fermented shark meat
-SVIR - lamb's head
Eat in Reykjavik you can here - a great restaurantSkál!
The average check will be 4000 ISK. I advise you to try fish dishes and licorice ice cream in the food court. There are also other food outlets at the food court, so there's plenty to choose from.
The cost depends on the number of participants:
Only airport transfers will be mandatory additional costs - about 50 euros. Of course, when you arrive at the end of the world, it is logical to give away all or some additional activities:
We recommend that you budget about 500 euros, but it all depends on your wishes.
If the amount of prepayment is too much for you at the moment, but you still want to book a place, write to the consultant and he will break it down into comfortable parts.
👉 Check out: payment methods and refund conditions in case of cancellation or departure from the route
Dear friends, please don't take 500 euro banknotes. There are always problems with them when settling payments with partners in Europe. Thank you for your understanding!
*Please note: the consultant will help with the selection and search for air tickets, recommend an insurance company, but it is not his task to purchase them. Participants do it themselves or contact our partners, all contacts are in the article: tickets, hotels and insurance
