Iceland - An adventurer's dream and a paradise like never seen. It is a Nordic island situated in the North Atlantic featuring unexplored terrains, vivid landforms, dancing auroras, roaring waterfalls, striking glaciers, beautiful natural geysers and hot springs. It is famously named as ‘The Land of Fire and Ice’ due to its stark differences in landscape across the country in summers and winters.
We planned to drive through the Ring Road, which is a 930 mile drive on highway 1 taking us through the edges of the country. This is the only highway that connects all major towns and is open throughout the year (except severe snow storms). Although a 900 mile drive could be completed in under 15 hours, you will find hard to gasp a breath even if you plan a week for this drive to explore this beautiful country.
The duration of the trip was 6 days with 5 different accommodations along the ring road in the month of November.
What to expect on the road trip to Iceland during the period of October to March?
Shorter days - The country gets 6 hours of sunlight in winters from 10 am to 4 pm. One has to plan for day-time excursions in a shorter span of time. In contrast, it gives more time to visualize the aurora borealis.
Northern Lights: Do plan this trip for a minimum of 5 nights, the chances of seeing the aurora increases. Northern Light is a natural phenomenon seen only on clear nights. It took us 3 nights to spot the first show of the lights. Do check the aurora forecast on a daily basis as it updates very frequently and enroll for a guided tour in any close by city for a clear sky evening.
Cellular network everywhere! One will find cellular reception and 3G in the remotest of locations.
Rent a 4 wheeler & get a fuel card: Be prepared to drive through snow, rain, storms and sunlight.
All major rental-car agencies (Avis, Budget, National) are available. UK, US, Canadian, Australian and NZ driving licenses are valid. Driving is left handed and headlights must be on all the time at low beam.
Buy a $100 prepaid fuel card at the nearest gas station after renting a car. Icelandic gas stations accept credit cards but require PIN number which most of the countries don't offer; which means you will not be able to pump gas without a fuel card.
Local weather links: Below links are recommended by the locals for accurate weather prediction:
112 - Iceland Emergency Services can come handy in extreme weather situations.
Pack enough food/small bites for the trip; food is expensive in Iceland.
Thick snow boots/hiking shoes and layers of warm clothes are must. Do not forget gloves and mufflers.
Many local restaurants will not accept global credit cards. Carrying Icelandic currency will come handy.
This blog will provide you day by day excursions that can be covered in the span of 6 days.
Day 1: Travel through the beautiful Golden Circle
We picked up the rental car at 6 am and started driving on Route 36 northeast towards Pingvellir. This is the prime area of the Golden Circle. One can catch beautiful sight of pink sunrise from the overlook point at the Pingvellir National Park.
The name Golden Circle is a tourist-industry tag, as it offers country’s most famous and best-known landscapes along with rich history.
The most visited places in the country (on Golden Circle) -
Pingvellir National Park (Sunrise)
Geysir
Gullfoss Waterfall
Selfoss
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall (Sunset)
After day-long exploration of the geothermal areas and geologically active valleys, our first accommodation was at Hotel Skogafoss, overlooking a 62 m water drop off a plateau called Skogafoss Waterfall.
Day 2: Walk on the black sand beaches
From the Skogafoss region, day 2 kicked off driving through the southern region of the country. In about 17 miles, we took the first stop at Dyrholaey Lighthouse (turn right onto route 218 Dyrhólavegur from highway 1). This is one of the modern lighthouses of the century; overlooking the dyrholaey arch and the peninsula of the south.
Iceland’s southern coastal region is known for its black sand beaches; the famous one being, Reynisfjara. This beach is the best example of country’s volcanic coastline and rock formations in the ocean.
The cliff’s along the shoreline display a beautiful backdrop of black basalt columns and caverns; making it a highly rated spot for touring southern iceland.
Driving further west on the ring road, a mesmerizing vista throughout the drive is of Vatnajokull - Europe’s largest and world's second largest glacier spread across 3200 square miles. If one has an additional day on the trip, this location offers many one-day activities like ice-caving, glacier walks & hikes.
After a long day of driving through the southern atlantic coast; we reached Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon which was a unique, contemporary hotel offering panoramic mountain views situated right on the ring road.
Day 3: Explore the world of icebergs and ice diamonds
We started most of our days with a heavy breakfast at the hotel and reached the next destination before sunrise (~10 am).
This routine turned to be a cherry on the cake when we saw sparkling ice stones beaming with the morning rays floating on the shore of the black sand beach; rightly known as ‘The Diamond Beach’.The beach is situated on the ring road, 18 miles from Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon and 50 miles from Hofn. It is indeed one of the wonders of nature only seen in Iceland - with large pieces of ice crystals floating in the sea and getting deposited on the shores.
Just half a mile north of the diamond beach, is the most filmed location of the country called Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon with large number of icebergs partially immersed in water. The lagoon is located south of Vatnajokull and is formed from the melted glacial water with continually increasing number of icebergs every year.
Continuing the journey to the eastern coast of the country, this was the longest drive on the trip (3444 miles, 7 hrs) to reach Laxa Hotel in the Myvatn area.
We decided to take a longer route for the scenic drive that ran between mountains and ocean on either sides. The drive offers stunning coastal views, untouched forests and beautiful towns. If you are short of time, you can take 95 north and cut down ~50 miles.
Day 4: Hike the snow mountains and capture the glimpse of northern lights
The unique northern territory of the country is known for its shining cobalt blue lakes, geothermal pools, pseudocraters and lava formations surrounded by layers of snow.
The town of Myvatn, called as the northern lights capital of the country has the following must spots to visit:
Dettifoss and Selfoss Waterfall Hike: The best way to hike to these waterfalls is to take the route 862 north and reach dettifoss parking area on the west side of the waterfalls. The trail is a 2 mile (~1.5 hr) round trip of hiking through the snow (snow boots, a must).
Hverfjall Volcano Hike: The cone shaped crater is a hard to miss sight from the lake myvatn surroundings. One can climb up the side (~30 min) for dramatic views of skutustadir pseudocraters and steam from adjacent nature baths.
Lava Fields: Walking paths at Dimmuborgir or Black fortress (Lithlihringur and Storihringur) are best short walks (~20 mins) to get the glimpses of the lava pinnacles and rock formations. To reach the parking spot, take a left on the road to Dimmuborgir from Ring road while driving from Myvatn towards Akyureri and drive further for 2 mile.
Mud Pots: On heading out from the Myvatn area towards the east, one will hit the first detour for Hverarond geothermal area. This spot has unique boiling mud pits surrounded by walking pathways (~15 mins).
One of the best sights of the aurora borealis can be seen from the northern parts of the country. We had booked a guided tour from Akureyri (second largest town after Reykjavik). Guided tours (extreme iceland) are best known for their network of finding regions where the aurora activity is the strongest and will drive the group of 9-10 visitors to the spot.
Day 5: Contrasting Landscapes
The best part about driving through the entire country in a short span was capturing glimpses of different landscapes.
After catching the beautiful dancing pink and green northern lights for about 2 hours straight, we drove overnight from Akyureri to Hvammstangi Cottage, 4.3 mi from the ring road. As much as contrasting landscapes, our accommodation throughout the country was unique as well. From luxurious contemporary hotels to the wooden cottages, Hvammstangi topped the chart for location and fully equipped cabins (inc. tiny kitchenette) for a minimal price. The drive through the western region showcases sunshine, grasslands and icelandic horses.
Bernafoss area of the western region is a well-known spot for children’s waterfall - that presents a tragic saga of 2 icelandic children. Another sight in the area is of Hraunfossar falls that sweeps through the lava formations with a short fall to the ground making a unique sight.
Day 6: Relax in the natural hot water spring
One cannot leave the country without visiting the most famous Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa. After an adventurous tour to ‘the city of vikings’ we decided to soak in the natural mineral sea water surrounded by snow covered mountains and cherish the amazing wonders of the world seen on our trip.
We reserved a 8am slot at the lagoon to witness the sunrise from the pool and to avoid large crowds through the day. The entry fee for the comfort package ($65) covers the entry, silica mud mask, towels and a free drink. Note: Pre-booking to blue lagoon is a must.
"There is always little something a place offers and there is always something about every place that prepares to call me again"
What will I do on my next visit to Iceland - Definitely, visit again in summer.
1. Glacier Walks
2. Ice Caving
3. Westfjords Region
Print this one pager to take along on your next trip to Iceland
~ Nomadic Traveler ~
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