6-Day Ring Road Tour Around Iceland

The 6-day Ring Road tour was awarded the best multi-day travel experience of 2019 in Iceland by TourRadar, based on traveler reviews worldwide. We operate our tours in small groups to provide an authentic experience for every traveler. Our superb guides — the best in the country — go the extra mile to give you an immersive, once-in-a-lifetime adventure.  

This 6-day Iceland tour begins in Reykjavik, where your guide will pick you up at your selected location. Then we hit the Ring Road towards the Golden Circle and then to the South Coast. Next, we drive east to explore the Vatnajökull Glacier area and the remote East Fjords.  

We set out for our whale watching adventure for North Iceland before we reach magical West Iceland, where Europe’s most powerful hot spring awaits. 

We will start our six-day adventure around Iceland with a day crammed full of Iceland's most famous natural wonders. We will visit the fantastic attractions on the Golden Circle route, including a giant waterfall, a frequently erupting geyser, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, we will head towards the southern coastline, where we will enjoy the most spectacular views along the way. Before arriving at our lovely country hotel, we will make stops at Iceland's most epic waterfalls: the majestic Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. From September to April, your guide can help you chase the Northern Lights at night.  

We will start the day at 8:00 am by collecting all passengers from their pickup locations. (Collection can take up to 30 minutes, depending on your location.) We will head towards the country's interior and hit the famous tourist route called "the Golden Circle." 

Our first stop will be Thingvellir National Park, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historical and geological importance. There, we will see the historical site where Althingi, the world’s oldest democratic parliament, was founded more than a thousand years ago.  

There is no specific parliament building here as the people of Iceland used to hold their meetings here under the open sky. The “Lögberg” is a piece of rock and was the platform from where the law speakers would proclaim new laws with the imperious rift valley at their back.  

Thingvellir is also famous for being the gap between two tectonic plates. There are several cracks between the Eurasian and North American plates lying at the center of the national park. These two plates continue to drift apart, with the gap widening by about 0.78 in. (2 cm) each year. This movement creates the awe-inspiring geology in the area that we will explore when we walk in between the tectonic plates.

Our next stop is the world-renowned Geyser Hot Spring Area. We will walk among bubbling hot springs and mud pots on the restless ground of an active geothermal area, passing by steaming fumaroles surrounded by colorful minerals. We will see the famous “Geysir” from which the English word geyser was adopted and its younger brother, Strokkur. The Great Geysir is dormant today, but Strokkur erupts every 5-8 minutes, so we will be able to see at least a few eruptions, for sure! The unearthly scenery will surely inspire us to know Iceland’s geology even better.  

Then, we will move on to the majestic Gullfoss Waterfall (Golden Falls). Gullfoss was named after the golden-brown hue surrounding the cascade on sunny days. If we are lucky, a stunning rainbow will form over the canyon, providing a fantastic opportunity for photos.  

Gullfoss, Thingvellir, and the Geyser Hot Spring Area are all things that everyone who visits Iceland should see, so you will be able to cross each one off your bucket list in one incredible day! 

After leaving the Golden Circle route behind, we will head south. We will continue our journey by driving on the Ring Road. The South Coast is the other area that every visitor to Iceland wants to see. Iceland’s most dramatic scenery can be seen here. Every meter is exciting, and the landscape looks like the setting from a fairytale.

We will stop at two of Iceland’s most epic waterfalls on our way to our accommodation: Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. We will have time to explore these outstanding natural beauties. At Seljalandsfoss, we can walk behind the cascade (when it’s not frozen, of course). At Skógafoss, we can take the stairs and walk up to its top, from where we will admire the landscape.  

We will spend the night in a small country hotel near the village of Vík. When the nights are dark from September to April, we will have the chance to see the Northern Lights. In summer, soak in the Midnight Sun. 

Soon we will arrive at Skaftafell in the Vatnajökull National Park. It is an oasis of luscious green birch forests and rich vegetation surrounded by the giant outlet glaciers of Vatnajökull. The natural wonders you will see here will take your breath away as you allow the wildly contrasting scenes to soak in.  

Here, we will take a magical three-hour glacier hike up Vatnajokull, the largest glacier in all of Europe. One of our specialist glacier guides will guide this hike, ensuring that you are safe throughout the tour. Your guide will also be on hand to teach you more about this incredible outlet glacier and all the fantastic things that you will be able to see from it. 

From October to April, we will replace the glacier hike to visit a naturally formed ice cave in the glacier's heart! Ice caves are natural phenomena that form in winter and collapse in spring, so anyone visiting an ice cave is extremely lucky! 

After our trip to the glacier, we will jump back on our bus to continue our adventure. For the last stop of the day, we will visit the spectacular Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Jökulsarlon is the deepest lake in Iceland, filled with giant floating icebergs. 

The lagoon is connected to the sea, so the icebergs float slowly toward the open ocean. Here, the waves push them back onto the shore, creating a genuinely mesmerizing natural wonder. The sapphire water laps up against coal-black sands, which are peppered with pearl white and blue icebergs, as well as ice rocks that look like precious stones. This coastline is called Diamond Beach. It is a supernatural sight that will send shivers down your spine!  

In the evening we will lay down our heads at comfortable accommodation near Hofn. Ask your guide for tips to find the Northern Lights at night during winter!

On day three, we will explore the eastern fjords of Iceland. As we make our way along the coastline, we will drive by the Hvalnes Nature Reserve, a remote and beautiful peninsula with insanely impressive mountains. Eystrahorn, Stokksnes, and Vestrahorn are located here, also known as the "horny mountains." Surrounded by grassy black sand dunes, this place is more beautiful than you could ever imagine!  

Our first stop of the day will be Djúpivogur, a traditional fishing village with centuries-old, colorful houses that will remind us of the village's long history of trading. Djúpivogur has a population of 450 people who all make their living out of the sea. The nature surrounding it is beautifully varied. A picturesque, pyramid-shaped mountain nearby and a stunning coastline make the views even more interesting.  

We will drive the serpentine roads around the Eastfjords and marvel at the stunning landscapes. After leaving the coastal area behind, we will head towards the legendary Lagarfljót Lake, the third-largest lake in Iceland. It is famous for being home to Iceland's biggest monster, Lagarfljótsormurin. Lagarfljótsormurin is a cryptid serpent that has been seen many times by locals during the ages. Someone even caught it on a camera in 2012! While the monster's existence might be just a legend, some locals genuinely believe in it. 

We will finish the day by soaking in geothermal Vök Baths surrounded by the amazing scenery of Lake Urriðavatn, they are distinguished by their modern design and the only floating infinity pools in Iceland. Enjoy hot baths there is an optional extra, which you can do at your own cost, please make sure to book it as an extra during the booking process. 

After the baths, we will jump in the car again and move on to Egilsstaðir, the largest town in East Iceland, where we will relax in a hotel for the night. From September to April, your guide can help you find the Northern Lights from the hotel.

On day four, we will head toward North Iceland. After leaving Egilsstaðir behind, we will drive through a Highlands area, where the landscape is barren and extraterrestrial. First, we will visit Stuðlagil Canyon, one of the world’s most enchanting basalt rock formations. Then, on our way, we will have a stop at Möðrudalur, Iceland’s highest farm. Here, we can relax a bit and grab a quick bite at Iceland’s highest restaurant. At 1538.7 ft (469 m), it has an excellent view of the pristine wilderness below.  

From here, we will continue our drive and head towards Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall. The vigorously cascading water is a unique experience to see, giving us a whole new perspective on the power of nature. Dettifoss was chosen as a filming location for the famous Hollywood movie Prometheus. The opening scene, the Engineer’s sacrifice, was shot here.  

After visiting Dettifoss, we will move towards the volcanic wonderworld around Lake Mývatn. Covering an area of 14 sq. mi. (36.5 km2), Mývatn is the fourth largest lake in Iceland. An incredibly vibrant array of flora and fauna thrives around the lake and on its tiny islands. Myvatn is deservedly one of Iceland’s most valuable protected nature reserves.

During our travels around the lake, we will learn about the region’s volcanic history. We will go for a short hike in Dimmuborgir, “the Dark Fortress,” a charming garden of lava rock sculptures, huge rock pillars, caves, caverns, tunnels, and lava bridges. These strange lava formations are steeped in mythology. Our friendly tour guide will tell us all about Iceland’s thirteen Santas and the many trolls who live among these peculiar sculptures.  

Near to the lake is one of Iceland’s most terrific geothermal fields, Námaskarð. The highly active volcanic terrain contains wildly bubbling hot springs and loud fumaroles surrounded by colorful mineral-painted soil. The air smells intensely of rotten eggs, which is the typical smell of sulfur. This smell can be unpleasant, but the sights will make you forget about the smell!

Our final stop of the day will be at the Goðafoss Waterfall. The “waterfall of the gods” was named when Iceland switched from the Norse religion to Christianity. According to the legends, this was the place where the pagan idols were destroyed when Iceland converted to Christianity.  

The water cascades from a height of 39 ft. (12 m) over a length of 38 ft. (30 m) and has a unique horseshoe shape, making it highly photogenic.

After our memorable day, we will head towards Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland. Even though it is small with a population of fewer than 20,000 people, Akureyri is the largest city outside of the capital area. This picturesque town is located right in the heart of Eyjafjörður Bay and offers spectacular views in every direction. In Akureyri, you can expect cozy cafes, quality restaurants, inspiring art galleries, and good vibes! There is a good reason this lovely town was chosen as the #1 best travel destination in Europe by the Lonely Planet in 2015!  

After the adventurous day, we will spend the night in an Icelandair hotel in Akureyri, city.

Day five is dominated by Iceland’s incredible wildlife. The tiny fishing village of Dalvík offers nearly a 100% chance of seeing whales as they are abundant in this bay all year round! Humpbacks, minke whales, and dolphins are frequently spotted in Eyjafjörður, the “island fjord” bay.  

Seeing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat is an experience that will last you a lifetime. Whales often swim close to the boat, frolicking around and guaranteeing you will get a new perspective on the natural world. We may also see some unique bird species during the summer, including puffins and more.  

Once we reach the shore, we will travel around the beautiful Trölskaggi peninsula and enjoy some of the best ocean scenery along the way. We will drive through picturesque small villages and thriving agricultural areas.  

Our last stop of the day is Siglufjörður, a tiny village that was once the herring fishing capital of the North Atlantic Ocean. Continuing our scenic drive, we will drive around the peninsula and reenter Iceland’s epic Ring Road. Finally, we will head south and go to Laugarbakki, where you will spend the evening at the hotel. 

On our sixth day, we will explore West Iceland, which the Lonely Planet voted as one of the best holiday destinations in 2016. We will spend most of our time in the Borgarfjörður area, which has many spectacular natural sights and is famed worldwide for its majestic beauty.  

Our day will begin with a short hike up to a highly scenic volcano crater, Gábrók. The red volcanic soil is covered with green moss patches, making it look like a vibrant painting. On a clear day, there are fabulous views over the lava field and the area.  

The next stop is the bubbling Deildartunguhver hot spring. Europe's most powerful hot spring produces 50 gallons (180 liters) of water per second at a piping hot 97°C (200°F). All hot water in the towns and farms within a 60- to 70-kilometer radius is transferred from Deildartunguhver.  

Our next stop will be the unique Lava Falls. The waterfalls of Hraunfossar are extraordinary as its countless creeks and cascades stream out of the ground. A waterfall without a river over it is quite a rare natural phenomenon! The water continues appearing from the ground for about 0.55 mi. (900 m). It is an extraordinary sight, making it one of the most beloved waterfalls of those who visit it. 

A few minutes from Hraunfossar is another waterfall called Barnafoss or the “Children’s Waterfall.” According to a sad rumor, errant children have perished in cyan blue water.  

From here, we will travel to the historic and charming site of Reykholt. It was once the hometown of Snorri Sturluson, the Icelandic historian, lawyer, politician, poet, and author of many Icelandic sagas.  

Snorri Sturluson is one of Iceland’s most famous people and lived here between the 12th and 13th centuries. His accounts of Nordic mythology are truly incredible and reading them will help you appreciate Iceland.  

We will get to see Snorralaug, “Snorri’s pool,” an attractive geothermal hot pool you can dip your fingers in to feel the temperature of the water. The site is closed to bathers for its historical significance. The pool itself was built in the 10th century and may well be the oldest man-made structure in Iceland. 

On our way back to the capital, we will drive by another scenic fjord, Hvalfjörður (the “Whale Fjord”). During World War II, the fjord was the base of the British and American navies. Until the late 1990s, those traveling north from Reykjavík had to make a 38.5 mi / 62 km detour around the fjord. Today, a tunnel 541 ft / 165 m below sea level cuts travel around the fjord by about an hour. Usually, we’ll take the tunnel, but we will drive around the fjords if there is some extra time. Keep your eyes peeled for more incredible wildlife and stunning scenery!  

Depending on the weather, we will arrive back in Reykjavík at around 5-6 pm. This trip is jammed full of exciting adventures, stunning wildlife, magnificent nature, inspiring history and culture. You will collect the memories you will never forget! 

• We’ll collect you from your hotel or a nearby meeting point in Reykjavik. You can find available pickup locations here. Pickup begins at 8 a.m. The pickup can last up to 30 minutes depending on your location, so we apologize if you have a short wait.

• On the sixth day of the tour, we’ll drop you off in Reykjavik at your chosen location around 5 p.m. (17:00).

• Weather patterns in Iceland are changing all the time. You can experience all four seasons in one day! For your comfort, do not forget to bring warm clothing and sturdy hiking shoes. A waterproof jacket and pants will come in handy. You can always rent hiking boots, a waterproof jacket, and waterproof pants in the booking process. 
  
  
• There are different activities to take on depending on the season you choose to visit. In summer, see the Midnight Sun and photograph stunning wildlife such as puffins, Icelandic sheep, and even reindeer.
  
  
• From October to April, we replace the Vatnajökull glacier hike with a journey to the Crystal Ice Cave. 

• Accommodation is for two people per room. Solo travelers need to choose a single room supplement when finalizing their booking if they want to upgrade to a private room.

• The itinerary of this tour is subject to change due to weather conditions.