Our Grand Circle At Leisure 14 day, 13 night Self Drive Itinerary is designed for those who want to take their time and travel at leisure around the entire island, allowing you to include some off the beaten path locations that you otherwise wouldn’t have time to visit. On your journey you will experience the most celebrated sights, immerse in nature and get a little adventure along the way.
In comparison to the Full Grand Circle 12 Day Self Drive Itinerary, you will spend at least 2 additional days to really going to know the hidden Iceland. We have added in a day trip to the highlands of Iceland by superjeep to Þórsmörk, or valley of Thor and added an extra day to allow you to visit the lesser known parts of the eastfjords in more detail.
The trip includes a glacier hike, two of Iceland’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the dramatic mountainous scenery of the Eastfjords, the volcanic region of Mývatn Nature Reserve in the north, huge waterfalls, the ever popular Golden Circle region, Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon situated at the Vatnajökull National Park, geothermal hot springs, rural villages and even a visit to the now dormant volcano that erupted in 2021.
Tour Duration
The itinerary below lasts for 14 days and 13 nights, including arrival and departure day. These days can be amended to fit your schedule.
Please note: we have only provided the highlights below to give you a snapshot of this incredible itinerary. We will provide you with a breakdown of the day-to-day itinerary after you submit the form at the bottom of the page.
Diamond Beach with Hidden Iceland. By Simon Svensson Photography (67)-38
Grand Circle at Leisure 14 Day, 13 Night Self Drive Itinerary
Reykjavík & Golden Circle
After spending some time in Reykjavík, you will start with the most popular area in Iceland for tourists, the Golden Circle. You will see an erupting geyser at the Geysir Geothermal Area, witness your first big waterfall at Gullfoss and learn all about Iceland’s geothermal properties and unique tectonic plate dynamics. Starting the trip with a bang, literally.
Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse by Dagný Björg Stefánsdóttir
Öxarárfoss Waterfall in Þingvellir National Park. Oxarafoss in Thingvellir on our Golden Circle Platinum Tour.
An erupting geyser in the Golden Circle. Photo taken by Dennis Stever.
Thingvellir National Park on our Golden Circle Platinum Tour. Photo by Emily Sillett. Þingvellir.
Gullfoss waterfall into canyon by Norris Niman * Featured
Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse Lunch by Kat Craats
Þórsmörk (Valley of Thor) Highland tour
Today you truly go off the beaten track (away from the Ring Road) going into Þórsmörk, a lushly vegetated mountain valley in an off road 4×4 Super Jeep that enables you to cross deep glacial rivers and handle nearly any terrain. On the way, you head all the way up to Gígjökull, one of the outlet glaciers of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano. Here, you will get an idea of the forces that were at play during the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull. Next stop, you will explore Stakkholtsgjá canyon, a beautiful natural wonder. Walking to the end of the canyon is one of the most rewarding short hikes in Iceland. After your walk in the canyon, you will make our way deep into Thórsmörk, a nature reserve in the southern Icelandic Highlands, nestled between the Myrdalsjökull, Eyjafjallajökull and Tindfjallajökull glaciers. You have the opportunity to enjoy the amazing landscape and take nice short hikes around the area, and really take in the beautiful unspoiled nature of Iceland.
Thorsmork (Þórsmörk). The Valley of Thor in the Highlands of Iceland.
Thorsmork Canyon | Hidden Iceland
Thorsmork Midgard Superjeep in highlands summer.
Thorsmörk Highlands. Photo by Dagny Bjorg. Hidden Iceland
Thorsmork Valley. Hidden Iceland. Photo by Dagny Bjorg
Thorsmork Valley. Hidden Iceland. Photo by Dagny Bjorg * Featured
South and South East Iceland
The next few days will have you travelling along the entire south coast, reaching as far as the Vatnajökull National Park in the southeast. This area is known for its breathtaking scenery, glacier lagoons, black sand beaches and mountainous landscape. Over the space of 2 days you will get the chance to explore this unique area intimately, including a visit to the world-famous Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon where you can watch the giant icebergs float around and wash up on the black sand shores of Diamond Beach.
If you are feeling adventurous, you can add in a zodiac boat tour or hike on a glacier.
For the less adventurous among you, there are uncountable nature walks to experience the flora and fauna, horse riding options and many other options in the area. There’s a reason this area was crowned as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019.
Skógafoss Waterfall on the South Coast by Norris Niman. Skogafoss.
Seljalandsfoss Aerial | Hidden Iceland | Photo Danny Mcgee | Featured
Icebergs in Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon by Paul Fencaros.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. Hidden Iceland. Photo Norris Niman
Hike to Falljökull Glacier. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon 2 Day Tour. Hidden Iceland. Photo Dennis Stever
Falljökull glacier hike
Seljalandsfoss at Sunset by Danny Mcgee. Hidden Iceland
Horse riding Tour
The East Fjords & Mývatn Geothermal Area
The following days are all about the drive itself. You’ll find yourself stopping to take pictures at every twist and turn as you zip around the East Fjords in East Iceland. On your way, you will see minuscule fishing villages and gorgeous views of valleys and uninhabited fjords. The birdlife it quite spectacular in certain seasons as migrant species gather in these tranquil areas.
As part of the Grand Circle At Leisure itinerary, we will add in an extra day to allow you to immerse yourself in the open and empty landscape of the Eastfjords. This is an easy driving day since all the hidden gems are barely 30 minutes drive from your hotel. You’ll hike the local trails to the gorgeous waterfall Hengifoss. This is Iceland’s 3rd highest waterfall and is surrounded by basaltic strata with thin, red layers of clay between the basaltic layers. A beautiful sight. Then in the afternoon, you will take the spectacular mountain road over to Seyðisfjörður town with its famous blue church and rainbow street. This small town, nestled in a deep fjord surrounded by towering mountains, is one of the most beautiful towns in the country.
Then, as you approach the northeast and into Mývatn an entirely new terrain opens up, rich with bubbling volcanic fumaroles, giant craters, great hikes, natural hot pools and a multicolored landscape that needs to be seen to be believed.
Myvatn Nature Baths Aerial. Photo Myvatn Nature Baths.
Námaskjarð | North East Iceland | Hidden Iceland. Hverir Fumaroles in Myvatn.
Grjótagjá. North East Iceland | Hidden Iceland
Lake Myvatn
Krafla volcanic crater & geothermal area near Myvatn. Photo by Scott Drummond
Stokksnes sunset photo by Norris Niman.
Blue Church in Seyðisfjörður. Photo by Scott Drummond
Hengifoss. East Iceland. Hidden Iceland.
Seyðisfjörður harbour. Photo by Scott Drummond
The Diamond Circle & North Iceland
Once in the North, you will have the chance to take a detour off the main ring road and into the newly created Diamond Circle route. This area is rife with waterfalls, nature walks and is considered one of the best places in Iceland to see whales.
You’ll also be surprised by how big the capital of the north is in Akureyri for a spot of shopping and sightseeing before detouring again into the often missed Troll peninsula, Tröllaskagi. Waterfalls, culture and impressive views are the main attraction over these couple of days. Not to be missed.
Dettifoss waterfall. North East Iceland.Hidden Iceland
Whale Watching Breach. Hidden Iceland. Photo North Sailing
Ásbyrgi Canyon
North Sailing Aerial. Hidden Iceland. Photo North Sailing
Goðafoss waterfall, North Iceland. Hidden Iceland. Photo by Dagný Björg Stefánsdóttir
Jökulsá glacier river near Dettifoss in the Diamond Circle. Photo by Scott Drummond
The Arctic Coastway & Snæfellsnes
As you come close to completing the full ring road adventure, you will take your longest drive through the breathtaking Arctic Coastway. This drive winds around stunning fjords and mountains that tower over the coastline, creating some incredible driving scenery. Rural farm life and an unspoiled landscape make this feel like the most remote area you’ve been since travelling in Iceland.
Then, as you approach the wonderful Snæfellsnes Peninsula you’ll find fjords, mountains, volcanoes, endless lava fields, glaciers, and dramatic coastal cliffs all in one amazing peninsula, including the famous Kirkjufell mountain with its waterfalls, depicted in the hit TV series Game of Thrones as the Arrow Mountain.
Kirkjufell Midnight Sunset on an Iceland package tour. Hidden Iceland. Photo by Tom Archer. Feature. Hidden Iceland.
Djúpalónssandur Beach
Arnastapi By Tom Archer. Feature
The Arnastapi sea cliffs by Norris Niman.
Búðakirkja black church in Snæfellsnes. Photo by Norris Niman. Feature
Glaumbær Farm. Hidden Iceland 2
Reykjanes, Blue Lagoon & Departure
On your final days of self driving you will explore the UNESCO Global Geopark of Reykjanes Peninsula which is home to some incredible sights. Start with the hot springs and bubbling mud pools of the geothermal area of Krysuvik then take a hike to the newest lava field in Iceland at the dormant volcano, Geldingadalur, which started erupting in March 2021. Walk around the lava field observing its incredible geometry and textures. There is no hot lava these days but you’re likely to see some steam coming from the rocks as the lava field is still hot. There is lots to see and do in this often overlooked part of the country before you finish your journey in Iceland at the world-famous Blue Lagoon.
Seltún in Krýsuvík. Hidden Iceland. Photo by Norris Niman
Pahoehoe Lava Textures. Hidden Iceland. Photo by Dr Holly Spice
Kleifarvatn. Between Continents Reykjanes & Lava Tunnel tour. Hidden Iceland. Photo by Norris Niman
Reykjanes Peninsula Drive. Between Continents Reykjanes & Lava Tunnel tour. Hidden Iceland | Photo by Norris Niman
Blue Lagoon, Iceland
The Retreat Spa & Lagoon at The Retreat Hotel by Blue Lagoon
Tour Highlights
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Inclusions
– Accommodation for the duration of your stay, all activities, rental vehicle with wifi from arrival to departure (type of vehicle depends on group size and preferences), all taxes and booking fees, carbon offsetting of your fuel usage.
– Custom itinerary for the duration of your stay. When we create your final itinerary we give you a very detailed itinerary which includes an interactive map, including a day by day map, trip breakdown as well as full detail on each stop with background information, facts, history etc on each sight. You can view it online, or can save as a pdf. You can also download a free app that allows you to have the itinerary on your phone, which then allows it to link to google maps to help with navigation.
– Hidden Iceland support and assistance every step of the way.
Optional Extras
– You can request additional activities, additional days, a full extra day(s) in Reykjavík and suggested activities in the city. This tour is fully customisable to your needs under our guidance.
Exclusions
– Flights to and from Iceland, meals unless otherwise specified.
Ready to make this your dream trip?
Please try to give us as much information as you can in the form below so that we can come up with the best private trip for you as quickly as possible. We will always do our best to respond to all messages within 3 business days, excluding weekends.
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