6-Day Ring Road Tour Around Iceland

The 6-day Ring Road tour was awarded the best multi-day travel experience 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 Iceland tour offers unforgettable experiences year-round. Here are some seasonal extras: from September to April,  you might see the Northern Lights; from October to April, explore the Crystal Ice Cave. In summer, enjoy the Arctic midnight sun and spot puffins. In September, there is sometimes a chance to see a countryside sheep round-up.

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 visit the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, where we can see the famous Reynisdrangar sea stacks and the dramatic black basalt columns. It was ranked among the top ten non-tropical beaches in the world.

From Reynisfjara, there is a beautiful view over the sea arches and rock cliffs at Dyrholaey. Puffins nest on the basalt columns during the summer. The volcanic beach of Reynisfjara certainly deserves its fame!

We will spend the night in a small country hotel near the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Your accommodation provides a great setting for spotting the awe-inspiring Northern Lights from September to April under favorable conditions. In summer, you can 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 a comfortable accommodation in the Southeast area. Ask your guide for tips to see 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. While the monster's existence might be just a legend, some locals genuinely believe in it. 

For the rest of the day, we'll explore the Wilderness Center, a living history center located on the edge of Northern Europe's biggest wilderness. Access to the museum's exhibitions is complimentary during your stay.

Once you walk over the old wooden bridge, you're transported to the past. Everything at the Wilderness center is designed to make you feel part of life from long ago, from the buildings to the food and activities. You'll even stay in accommodations that feel like they belong in a museum, immersing you in the "Wilderness World" day and night.

After your exploration, unwind in the hot spring spa, built in an authentic style, featuring a traditional hot spring crafted from stones similar to those used by our ancestors.

If the weather's right, you might also see the Northern Lights from September to April.

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.*

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 visit to the region, we'll stop by the renowned Myvatn Nature Baths (optional extra), sometimes referred to as “the Blue Lagoon of the North.” Here, you can unwind in the blue geothermal water, sourced from depths of up to 2,500 meters and heated by underground volcanic activity. In addition to the bathing lagoon, you'll also find steam baths where steam rises from the floor, providing a 100% natural experience controlled by the weather.

Afterward, 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'll make our way to Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland. Despite its small size, with fewer than 20,000 residents, Akureyri is the largest city outside the capital area. Nestled in the heart of Eyjafjörður Bay, this picturesque town boasts stunning views in all directions. In Akureyri, you'll find charming cafes, top-notch restaurants, captivating art galleries, and a vibrant atmosphere! It's no wonder why this delightful town was named the #1 best travel destination in Europe by Lonely Planet! 

We will spend the night in a hotel in the Akureyri area, where you might catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights between September and April.

*In winter, road conditions may limit access to Stuðlagil. But don't worry. We'll have plenty of other thrilling activities lined up for you. Your safety and satisfaction are our main concerns. Thank you for your understanding.

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. 

Finally, we will head south and go to Laugarbakki, where you will spend the evening at the hotel. 

In winter evenings, if the conditions are right, you can go out of the hotel to view the dazzling Northern Lights, painting the sky with vibrant hues of green, purple, and blue (September-April).

On our sixth day, we will explore West Iceland, which the Lonely Planet voted as one of the best holiday destinations. 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.  

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.