– Kids, we’re going on holiday to Iceland this summer!
– Umm…we won’t be able to swim and it’s going to be cold…can’t we go to the beach instead?
– No, you’ll see, it’s going to be a wonderful trip. You’ll go swimming in hot springs and every day we’ll try a new and exciting activity like mountain biking, kayaking, boat tours. We’ll see icebergs and volcanoes and we can go horseback riding. They have a small horse breed that’s perfect for children! Then, there are the beautiful beaches with seals and birds everywhere! Did you know that it’s daylight almost all the time and it’s not actually that cold? So what do you think?
– Let’s go!
Arrival at Keflavik international airport. Rental car pick up and drive to Reykjavík. Settle into your accommodation. The rest of your first night is at your leisure in the world’s northernmost capital.
Distance travelled:50 km. 1h Overnight in Reykjavík.
Jour 2
Reykjavík – Vik – Kirkjubæjarklaustur
Vík
Depart taking national road number one that follows the southern coast and that drives between the geothermal area of Hellisheidi then discover the marvels lying at the feet of the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers. Black sand beaches and bird cliffs on the ocean-side of the road. On the other side, innumerable waterfalls crash from cliff tops and glacial tongues drift down from the mountains higher up. Stop at the two biggest waterfalls; Seljalandsfoss and also at Skogar, where you’ll be able to visit it’s charming little folk museum.
Distance travelled: 230 km about 4h Overnight in the Kirkjubæjarklaustur region.
Optional excursion Glacial hike at Sólheimajökull. You are fitted with a harness, crampons, gloves and a helmet as you tackle a glacial tongue from the Myrdalsjökull glacier. A one of a kind arctic experience!
With 4WD option: Discover the Hjörleifshöfði monolith. This gigantic volcanic block is covered in moss and dominates almost 200 meters of black sand beach.
Day 3 & 4
Skaftafell – Jökulsárlón - Kirkjubæjarklaustur
Kirkjubæjarklaustur
Two days to discover the foot of the Vatnajökull glacier. You keep heading east crossing tremendous expanses of black sand resulting from the glacier’s occasional floods. Hike through some of the many marvels of the Skaftafell National Park, including the Svartifoss waterfall as well as the basaltic rock formations around it. Further east is the glacial lagoon of Jökulsárlón, a truly arctic setting of icebergs and seals with Europe’s largest glacier in the background.
Distance travelled:300 km about 5h
Overnight in the Kirkjubaejarklaustur region.
With 4WD option: Add a day to your trip and discover the Laki region where the biggest recorded volcanic eruption since the island was populated occurred leaving behind surreal and lunar-like landscapes. A chain of 120 craters extends over 25 km here.
Optional excursions
– Mini-cruise around Jökulsárlón between its’ icebergs.
– Glacial hike at Svínafellsjökull
– Mountain biking in Skaftafell.
– Ride in a trailer as the tractor takes you to the rocky island of Ingólfshöfdi, from where you’ll be able to get a closer look at puffin and great skua colonies as well as admire beautiful panoramas from the tip of the island.
Day 5:
Kirkjubæjarklaustur- Vik- Flúdir
Flúdir
Today, discover the verdant Kirkjubæjarklaustur region: waterfall sand ancient moss-covered lava flows that remain from the 1783 Laki eruption. Stop at the Fjardrarglufur canyon, which is reachable from the road after a short walk. Heading west, cross the huge expanse of the Mýrdalssandur desert.
Distance travelled:280 km about 4h Overnight in the Flúdir region.
With 4WD option: Add a day to your trip to explore the nature reserve of Fjallabak which houses some of Iceland’s most spectacular and wildest sites, the Hekla volcano, the volcanic rift of Elgjá, and of course, the hot water river of Landmanalaugar, nestled in the mountains that geothermal activity has stained many colours over the years! The children will love it!
Optional excursions
– Horseback riding on the black sand beach near Dyrhólaey
– Amphibious vehicle tour beneath the cliffs of Dyrhólaey.
Day 6:
Iceland’s Golden Circle
Discovery of Iceland’s famous Golden Circle: The Strokkur geyser at Geysir (the place which originally gave the phenomenon its name) and the Gullfoss waterfall where the Hvítá river has dug an impressive canyon. Then on to Thjórsárdalur and the Gjá valley With its myriad of small waterfalls, ponds and rivers that sometimes re-emerge from the basalt volcanic formations.
Distance travelled: 100 km about 2h Overnight in the Flúdir region.
With 4WD option: A magnificently scenic return trip to and from Hveravellir, where you will discover its hot water spring and be able to relax in this outdoor geothermal pool at the foot of the Langjökull glacier. Possible detour to the volcanic and geothermal systems of Kerlingarfjöll and its landscapes of Springs, geysers, fire and ice. Optional excursions – Horseback ride in the Gullfoss/Geysir region – Rafting or jet boating on the river Hvítá.
Day 7:
Thingvellir- Reykholt – Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Snaefellsnes
A short drive to Laugarvatn and its steam bath spa followed by a dive in the lake’s chilly waters! Hike in Thingvellir to observe the effects of the oceanic rift and the former location of the oldest parliament in the world. Stop at the waterfalls of Hraunfossar and Barnafoss, and the hot water springs of Deildartunguhver (too hot for bathing). After, Borgarnes waits, with its’ Eldborg crater, “the fortress of fire”, fortunately inactive but still breathtaking.
Distance travelled:250 km about 4h
Staying overnight in the Snæfellsnes peninsula.
With 4WD option: Follow the Kaldidalur trail that links the Reykholt valley to the Thingvellir valley along the western flanks Langjökull glacier.
Day 8:
Snæfellsnes peninsula
Visit the wild coast in between the tiny ports of Arnastapi and Hellnar. Coves and cliffs alternate along the shore and are the homes of Black-legged Kittiwake Gulls and of Arctic Terns. You can also choose to discover the reefs of Djupalonssandur or the lava flow at Budahraun. Experience the enviroment that inspired Jules Verne’s imagination for the beginning to his novel: “Journey to the Center of the Earth.”
Distance travelled:250 km env. 4h Staying overnight in the Snaefellsnes peninsula.
With 4WD option: You can drive to the edge of the Snæfellsjökull glacier with its pumice stone expanses and 360 degrees of spectacular vistas.
Optional excursions
– Horseback riding on Löngufjörur’s beach.
– Mini-cruise in the fjord of Breidarfjördur from Stykkishólmur.
– Sea kayaking in Stykkishólmur.
Day 9:
Snæfellsnes - Reykjavík
Return to Reykjavik through Hvalfjördur, “Whale Fjord.” Hike to the Glymur waterfall that drops 200m and bathe in the overall beauty of this wonderful fjord!
Distance travelled: 180 km about 3h Return the rental car and stay overnight in Reykjavik
Optional excursions
Whale watching tour departing from Reykjavik
Day 10:
Reykjavik – Keflavik
Keflavik
Today is your last day in the land of fire and ice, if your departure is in the afternoon or the evening, take some time to visit Reykjanes peninsula and the Blue Lagoon. (Not included) Then it’s time to go back home, after returning your rental car at Keflavik airport, you then board your flight; it’s then full of memories and unforgettable souvenirs of your family trip that you take off.
Your accomodation during your Family Icelandic Road Trip
Your accommodation during your roadtrip
For this trip, we offer a range of stays in countryside hotels and traditional farmhouses. You’ll enjoy rooms with private bathrooms, made-up beds, and breakfast included. Many places also offer the option of dinner on-site, a great way to unwind after a full day of discovery.
Another popular choice in Iceland is the guesthouse. This more budget-friendly option includes rooms with shared bathroom facilities, while still providing made-up beds and optional breakfast.
For something a bit more refined, Iceland’s growing collection of boutique and luxury hotels offers added comfort and charm, just let us know if that’s more your style when we tailor your trip. And for the more adventurous spirits, there’s always the local way: staying in hostels, mountain huts, or even camping under the midnight sun, a great way to connect with other travelers and the Icelandic outdoors.
– A great family trip for the festive, winter and spring seasons.
– Best between February and April so you can enjoy the days as they get longer.
– It’s the best season for glacial hiking.
– Rent a D or G 4×4 vehicle for better access to the country during the winter months.
– For a trip based at one location, check out our Chalet/Summer house in the south
– Take a group tour before or after your self-drive trip to access the highlands with a snowshoe hiking trip in and around the huts at Landmannalaugar. Landmannalaugar Winter Retreat
– Take advantage of your trip in Iceland to visit Greenland for 4 to 7 days.
Ample opportunities to add activities to the itinerary.
The icebergs of the Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon and plenty of occasions to swim in hot springs.
Nos garanties
Icelandic Pioneer
Based in Reykjavik
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Value for money
Les avis de nos voyageurs
Dear Trent,
My family and I would just like to say thank you. The itinerary you had arranged was excellent and the service providers you had hired were of utmost professionalism. We had a really wonderful time in Iceland and are completely sold on returning. Thank you again. Best regards,
Nathanael
Mars 2014
Trent,
Just a note to say thank you for a fabulous holiday. We were lucky with the weather and simply loved Iceland in every way – the scenery, the lack of people, the roads (especially the fords!), the hotels were all terrific. We were looking for puffins all week and on the last couple of days saw thousands. We didn’t brave the thermal springs but that’s cos we wouldn’t have been able to get out of the water, and the wind was a bit too strong to tempt us out on the water for whale watching, but that just gives us a reason to come back again to explore the north of the island in a couple of years or so.
Many thanks.
