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Iceland Active Winter Wellness
8 days / 7 nights
- 4.9
- (10 reviews)
Combine thrilling activities with blissful hot spring visits
This itinerary will take you to jaw-dropping waterfalls, bubbling hot springs, and an awe-inspiring glacier lagoon. You’ll also get chances to chase the Northern Lights in the evening thanks to the winter darkness.
Because this is a self-drive package, you get to set your own pace and stop as often as you like. And your itinerary is easy to customize with extra activities like a glacier walk or spa experience. What more could you ask for from a week-long winter trip to Iceland?
Travel style
Self-drive
Trip length
8 days / 7 nights
Vibe
Adventure
Season
Winter (1 Oct–31 Mar)
Transport
Rental car
Starts from
Reykjavík
Tour code
SD36
On this tour you will...
- Soak in Iceland’s most iconic geothermal pool – the Blue Lagoon
- Road trip around the breathtaking Snæfellsnes peninsula
- Unwind in the warm, soothing waters of Fontana Spa
- Tour dazzling ice caves beneath the towering Katla volcano
- Visit Vatnshellir cave, where you can walk along an ancient lava tube
- See the beautiful south coast and travel the famous Golden Circle route
Top attractions
Arnarstapi
Kirkjufell
Hraunfossar and Barnafoss
Deildartunguhver
Akureyri
Dimmuborgir
Lake Mývatn
Goðafoss
Dettifoss
Húsavík
Vík í Mýrdal
Skaftafell
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Seljalandsfoss
Skógafoss
Geysir and Strokkur
Þingvellir National Park
Gullfoss
Why book a self-drive trip with SAMATRIP™?
- Start your tour on the date that suits you
- Secure your booking with just a 5% deposit
- Handpicked local accommodation options
- 24/7 emergency helpline in Iceland
- New rental cars with 2 drivers as standard
- Best Price Guarantee
Your 8-day self-drive itinerary
Day 1 – Welcome to Iceland
You’ve arrived in the Land of Fire and Ice and it’s time for your wintry adventure to begin. Collect your rental car from Keflavík Airport, drive to Reykjavík, and get settled into your hotel.
Then head out into the city and soak up the atmosphere. You could wander Laugavegur, the main street, and stop for a drink or bite to eat at a local café or restaurant. Or take a relaxing dip in a local swimming pool to recharge after your journey.
If your flight lands in the morning, you might have time for one of the optional activities below.
Day 2 – Waterfalls & ice cave expedition
This morning, make your way out of the city to Iceland’s south coast. Here you’ll come across two of Iceland’s most spectacular waterfalls: Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. You can even walk behind the plume of Seljalandsfoss!
In the afternoon, you’ll join a special ice cave expedition from the village of Vík. Hop aboard a super jeep and let your experienced driver-guide whisk you off to the edge of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. Now it’s time to gear up (equipment provided) for your hike across the glacier surface!
Once you arrive at the ice cave, you’ll be able to peer and even walk inside. You’ll be blown away by the ice cave’s mesmerizing walls, which appear to glow blue.
Day 3 – Skaftafell & Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
Continue along the south coast to Vatnajökull National Park, home to Iceland’s largest glacier. This slice of the country is studded with natural gems. You could take a short hike to the Svartifoss waterfall, set against a backdrop of hexagonal lava columns.
Then stop at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, where you can watch icebergs drifting slowly out to sea. Some of them wash ashore at nearby Fellsfjara, also known as ‘Diamond Beach’. The sight of the clear-blue ice glistening against the jet-black sand is truly stunning.
In the evening, you’ll head back to Vík/Kirkjubæjarklaustur for a sound night’s sleep.
Day 4 – Geysir, Gullfoss & Fontana spa
Your trip to Iceland wouldn’t be complete without touring the famous Golden Circle. Today you’ll see two of the legendary natural attractions on this popular route: Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall.
At Geysir, you’ll witness the powerful Strokkur geyser erupting into the air every few minutes. The surrounding Haukadalur valley is also dotted with boiling hot springs and steaming vents.
A short drive away you’ll find the Gullfoss waterfall, also known as the ‘Golden Falls’. One of Iceland’s most majestic cascades, it’s named for the yellow-tinged waters that flow over it.
After a day of sightseeing, relax at the Fontana Geothermal Baths on the shores of Laugarvatn lake (admission included). If you’re feeling brave, you can dip your toes into the chilly waters of the lake before warming up in the naturally heated ‘hot pots’.
Day 5 – Þingvellir National Park & West Iceland
After a restful night’s sleep, thanks to your spa experience, you’ll head to Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park. This history-laden site is the cradle of Icelandic democracy, where the parliament would meet in Viking times.
The area also has great geological significance: here you can see where the North American and European tectonic plates meet. This is the only place on Earth where you can actually walk this boundary.
In the afternoon, head west toward the Borgarfjörður area. This is Iceland’s largest bay, home to thousands of small islands. You’ll find the star attractions here slightly inland though. Stop at the Deildartunguhver hot spring, perhaps taking a dip in the Krauma baths (optional upgrade).
Then check out by the Barnafoss and Hraunfossar waterfalls, whose brilliant blue waters are fed by a lava field.
Day 6 – Snæfellsnes peninsula – Iceland in Miniature
Today you’ll explore the Snæfellsnes peninsula in West Iceland. It’s sometimes called ‘Iceland in Miniature’ thanks to its incredibly varied scenery. The peninsula is also dotted with charming fishing villages, including the main town of Stykkishólmur.
Follow the road to the far end of the peninsula and you’ll end up at Snæfellsjökull National Park. Here you’ll find glaciers, lava fields, and yellow and red beaches. There are also otherworldly rock formations along the cliffs, including the Arnarstapi sea stacks.
It’s in the national park that today’s main activity takes place. Descend a spiral staircase into the Vatnshellir lava tube. This stunning cavern was formed 8,000 years ago during a volcanic eruption, and now you can walk where lava once flowed.
Day 7 – Exploring Reykjavík & Blue Lagoon relaxation
Head back to Reykjavík for a day of urban discovery. You could check out the city’s many museums and galleries, including the Settlement Exhibition with its excavated Viking longhouse. Or spend day exploring the old town’s streets, which are lined with traditional multicolored houses.
Once you’ve had a chance to experience the city, make your way to the Blue Lagoon spa (admission included). There you can relax in its bright blue waters, while enjoying a free drink and silica mud mask.
In the evening, it’s time to return to Reykjavík. Before returning to your hotel, why not have dinner at one of the city’s food halls (not included)?
Day 8 – Goodbye Iceland
Your last day in Iceland is here. Depending on your flight time, you might be able to squeeze in some more wandering around Reykjavík in the morning.
When it’s time to leave, return your rental car at Keflavík Airport. Go back home with memories of an epic trip, and the photos to prove it!
What’s included?
- Detailed itinerary
- Budget, Comfort, or Quality accommodation every night
- Continental breakfast every day
- Rental car of your choice for 9 days
- 2 authorized drivers as standard
- Unlimited mileage
- Unlimited in-car Wi-Fi
- Collision damage waiver
- Katla Ice Cave – Under the Volcano tour
- Laugarvatn Fontana admission
- Vatnshellir lava cave tour
- Blue Lagoon Comfort admission (includes towel rental, silica mud mask, 1 drink)
- 24/7 emergency helpline when you’re in Iceland
- Carbon offsetting of your tour
- VAT, taxes & service fees
- Flights to Iceland
- Fuel & parking charges
- Food & drink, unless otherwise stated
- Attraction entrance fees, unless otherwise stated
- Personal travel insurance
FAQs about our self-drive trips
How does an Iceland self-drive trip work?
On a self-drive trip with SAMATRIP™, you’ll be at the wheel of the rental car of your choice and free to go pretty much where you want, whenever you want.
We provide a detailed itinerary to help you plan your route and where you want to stop along the way. But it’s up to you whether you want to stick to it or go your own way. If you do take detours, make sure that you aren’t too far from your accommodation on any given night.
That said, it’s a good idea to stick to the suggested itinerary if you’ve never visited Iceland before. Created by our Reykjavík-based travel experts, it contains plenty of things for you to and see and do on each leg of your trip. One thing’s for sure: you won’t be short on ideas!
You also get unlimited in-car Wi-Fi, so you can stay connected and use maps on your phone for navigation.
When should I book my trip?
It’s best to book your trip at least a few weeks before you travel. This gives us enough time to organize your preferred accommodation and itinerary. For this reason, we’re unable to accept bookings with less than 1 week’s notice.
In the summer, which is the most popular time of year, booking a few months ahead is a good idea. In certain parts of the countryside, accommodation options are more limited and can be booked up well ahead of your trip.
Can I drive in Iceland and what kind of license do I need?
You have to be at least 20 years old to rent a car in Iceland, or 23 years old for larger vehicles like jeeps and vans. You’ll need to have held a valid driver’s license for at least 1 year and present a credit card when you collect your car.
You don’t need an International Driving Permit unless your license is not in Latin script (for example, Arabic or Chinese).
Find out more about car rental in Iceland.
Can I customize this self-drive trip?
Yes! It’s possible to add extra activities or extend your trip with additional nights in Reykjavík or the countryside. Check the itinerary above to see what activities are available on what day.
Can I add extra activities to my package?
Of course you can add extra adventures! We want you to be able to get the absolute most out of your trip to Iceland, so you can pick optional extra activities at checkout. You’ll be shown exactly what’s on offer for each day of your trip.
And if you feel like you just don’t have enough time to fit it all in, you can also add extra days.
How do you drive in Iceland?
The rules of the road in Iceland are similar to most other countries, although there are some local quirks that you might not be familiar with.
Iceland drives on the right and steering wheels are on the left side of the car. Distances and speed limits are given in kilometers only.
Roundabouts are very common in Iceland, especially in towns. If you’re not familiar with these, make sure you understand how to give way (yield) to other traffic.
In the countryside, you might encounter sheep on the road, or even reindeer in East Iceland. You may also come across gravel roads, single-lane bridges, and blind summits.
When will I receive my travel documents?
Once you’ve paid your deposit for your trip, we’ll finalize bookings for your accommodation, rental car, and any activities. As soon as we receive confirmation of everything, we’ll email your travel documents to you.
We aim to finalize everything within a few weeks of receiving your booking request, but in busy periods this might take longer. That said, you’ll always receive all of your documents before your departure date.
When and where can I pick up my rental car?
You’ll be able to pick up your rental car at Keflavík International Airport from the arrivals hall. Before your trip, we’ll send you information about where to go in the terminal to collect your keys.
Make sure you have your driver’s license and credit card ready when you collect your vehicle.
If you land late at night, you can use the out-of-hours phone at the pick-up desk to contact someone who will be able to help you.
You also have the option to collect your rental car in Reykjavík, if you’re planning to spend some extra days in the city before your trip starts. If you’d like to do this, please let us know in the ‘Special requests’ box at checkout.
Can I collect my rental car from Reykjavík city centre?
Yes, you can easily collect your rental car from Reykjavík instead of Keflavik Airport.
During the booking steps on our website, just let us know you’d prefer your pick-up/drop-off location to be in the city centre. We’ll take care of it for you, no problem.
Just a quick heads-up: if you request different pick-up and drop-off locations (e.g. collect from the airport, drop off in the city, or vice versa) there’s a one-way fee of around ISK 8,790 ISK (EUR 60). You’ll pay this directly to the rental company when you pick up the car.
What’s included with your self-drive trips?
All of our self-drive tour packages include the following as standard:
- Rental car of your choice, with unlimited mileage
- Basic liability insurance coverage
- Collision damage waiver
- Authorization for second driver
- Unlimited in-car Wi-Fi
- Accommodation level of your choice
- Breakfast every day
- Detailed itinerary crafted by local travel experts
- 24/7 helpline in Iceland, just in case you need it
When you book your vacation on our website, you’ll be able to choose your preferred rental car and accommodation level.
You can see what vehicles are available on this car rental page.
What kind of accommodation is included?
On a self-drive package with Iceland Tours, you can choose from 3 levels of accommodation:
- Budget – Guesthouses and country hotels, with shared bathrooms
- Comfort – Hotels or guesthouses of around 3 stars, with private bathrooms
- Quality – Hotels or guesthouses of around 4 stars, with private bathrooms
Each accommodation level offers different types of rooms. We’ve described them below to help you choose the best one for you. Just keep in mind that not every hotel has all these room types available.
- Single room: one single bed in a room, perfect for solo travelers.
- Double room: a full-sized double bed for 2 people.
- Twin room: a room with 2 single beds that fit 1 person each.
- Triple room: these vary in size and layout, but are designed to fit 3 adults. Triple rooms feature a combination of double, single or sofa beds, depending on the hotel.
No matter which accommodation level you pick, breakfast is included. Read more about the differences between the levels on this accommodation page.
Feel like getting closer to nature? Check out these self-drive camping tours.
What do I need to pack for a self-drive trip?
In Iceland, you can expect all weathers no matter what time of year you visit. With that in mind, it’s good to make sure you’ve got everything you need to stay cozy, warm, and dry.
Here’s a packing list to help you get ready for your trip:
- Tough, waterproof walking boots
- Thermal underlayers
- Sweaters or fleeces
- Waterproof raincoat
- Warm winter jacket
- Scarf, hat, and gloves
- Sunglasses
- Swimwear (for pools and hot springs)
- Lip salve and moisturizer
Can I carbon offset my tour?
No worries! SAMATRIP™ is already offsetting the carbon footprint of your tour package. We’ve teamed up with an environmental fund in Iceland to cover the carbon offset for all our tours.
Carbon offsetting for international flights is not included, but we suggest checking with your airline or through a local environmental fund for options.
Choose your accommodation level
Stay in well-located hotels and guesthouses that are highly rated by visitors and handpicked by experts.
Choose your rental car
Included as standard:
- Collision damage waiver
- 2 authorized drivers
- Unlimited in-car Wi-Fi
- Extra nights
- Please note that your rental car is not included in the cost of any additional nights. Get in touch if you would like to extend your rental car period.
- Your room choices
- The maximum number of rooms you can book online is 4. If you need more rooms, please email [email protected]
- Your activities and day tours
Day 2 – Waterfalls & ice cave expedition
Day 4 – Geysir, Gullfoss & Fontana spa
Day 6 – Snæfellsnes peninsula – Iceland in Miniature
- Traveler information
Please let us know if someone in our team helped you with your booking.
Terms & conditions
Before making a reservation at SAMATRIP™, we encourage you to read these terms and conditions carefully, as they constitute a contract agreement between SAMATRIP™ and you, from the time the booking is made. The person who makes the booking accepts these conditions on behalf of all the people in the group and is responsible for all payments due.
By submitting a booking you confirm to us that you comply with these arrangements.
Payment
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