12-Day Northern Lights Winter Self-Drive Tour of the Complete Ring Road with Snaefellsnes Peninsula

On day two, you'll head onto Iceland's most popular sightseeing route, the Golden Circle. The three sites along this route are world-renowned for a good reason.

Your Golden Circle adventure begins with Thingvellir National Park, the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Iceland and the first of the three breathtaking attractions you'll drive to today.

The reason it's a UNESCO site is its history, being the original site of what is now the world's longest-running, ongoing parliament. In addition, it's located between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, creating some spectacular geological features, including canyons, valleys, and lava fields.

At Thingvellir, you can opt for a snorkeling tour in the Silfra fissure. The water from the spring here is incredibly pure, creating some of the clearest visibility on earth, and drysuit equipment makes the experience not only possible but very enjoyable. Participants need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.

Next on the route is the Geysir geothermal area, home to the active geyser Strokkur, which erupts every five to ten minutes to over 66 feet (20 meters). There are also many hot springs and mud pools to admire in this scenic valley.

The final site of the Golden Circle is the Gullfoss waterfall. This massive feature is immensely powerful, thundering down a canyon in two tiers. There are multiple viewing platforms, allowing you to admire and photograph it from several different angles.

You can elect to take a snowmobiling tour from Gullfoss. This exhilarating experience will take you up Langjokull glacier across its otherworldly surface of snow, ice, and geological formations.

While the places listed above are the main three sites of today, you can reference your itinerary to find other places of note in the area, such as Kerid crater lake and the Secret Lagoon geothermal pool at Fludir.

You will spend the night at comfortable accommodations in Southwest Iceland.

On day three, you'll travel across the South Coast, one of the most visited regions in Iceland. There are many places to see today, so ensure you get on the road early.

The first features of note are waterfalls, and the two most iconic here are Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss.

The former has a classic shape and structure but is notable for its width and power. It's possible to approach it right to where the water is falling. Meanwhile, Seljalandsfoss is famed for its unusual formation that allows you to circle its majestic cascade.

On your way to Vik village, you'll encounter some mighty glaciers and can opt for an exciting snowmobile ride across Myrdalsjokull glacier.

Next along the route is Reynisfjara beach, a beautiful stretch of black-sand coastline. This volcanic beach boasts fascinating lava formations, such as the Dyrholaey rock arch and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks.

You can go a little off-route from Vik to the Skaftafell nature reserve. Once a National Park in its own right, it's surrounded by dramatic peaks and glacial tongues and filled with forests, lava fields, and hiking trails.

One well-recommended trail will take you to Svartifoss waterfall, which falls amongst a series of unique, hexagonal basalt columns. You can also take a glacier hike in this area, which you can opt for during booking.

After marveling at the sights here, you'll continue your journey and head to the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. This lagoon is filled with enormous icebergs that have calved away from a tongue of the mighty Vatnajokull, Europe's largest ice cap.

Watching the floating icebergs is mesmerizing, made all the more enjoyable for the seals that call the area home. A visit to the nearby Diamond beach is also worthwhile, as it's here that these icebergs wash on the shore before reaching the ocean.

Finally, you'll retire at your Southeast Iceland accommodation.

On the fifth day of your self-drive adventure, get ready to venture towards the spectacular North Iceland. Despite its distance from Reykjavik, many travelers frequent this region due to its stunning attractions and thrilling activities.

Before bidding farewell to the Eastfjords, take the opportunity to explore the surrounding area of Egilsstadir. A noteworthy attraction to consider visiting is Lake Lagarfljot.

Despite its tranquil facade, this lake is steeped in legends of a monstrous wyrm within its depths, with tales predating references to its cousin in Scotland's Loch Ness. Adjacent to the lake, you'll find Hallormsstadaskogur, Iceland's largest forest, inviting you to immerse yourself in its thousands of trees.

Leaving the Eastfjords, your journey continues along Route 1, leading you through the mesmerizing interior of the country. Prepare to be captivated by the magnificent views of the Highlands that unfold before you. Keep a keen lookout for the elusive wild reindeer, as they are unique to this part of Iceland, adding an element of untamed beauty to your expedition.

As you proceed, your first destination in the north is Lake Myvatn, one of the region's most popular locations. Once you arrive at Lake Myvatn, a vast field of natural wonders and geological sights will welcome you.

However, considering you have an entire day dedicated to this region tomorrow, taking a break from constant sightseeing and traveling might be a delightful idea. Instead, you can indulge in the Myvatn Nature Baths, allowing its soothing waters to wash away any fatigue from your journey.

As the night falls, you'll rest in your cozy Northeast Iceland accommodation. If the skies are clear and you still have the energy for an adventure, you should find time to hunt for the northern lights. Also known as aurora borealis, this natural phenomenon is the highlight of Icelandic winter.

On day ten, get ready to head to the one and only Snaefellsnes Peninsula. The area is only a few hours away, but your itinerary will direct you to many fascinating places en route. For example, you could visit the Seal Center at Hvammstangi.

Borgarvirki is a historical site situated in Northwest Iceland. As you approach, you'll notice the imposing Borgarvirki fortress, a volcanic plug that resembles an old castle. This ancient defensive structure dates back to the Viking Age and provides a fascinating glimpse into Iceland's past.

Continuing your journey, you'll encounter Hvitserkur, a stunning rock formation rising from the sea. This landmark translates to "the White Shirt," shaped like a mythical creature." During winter, the contrasting colors of the rock and the surrounding icy landscape create a visually striking scene.

Even when you don't go down the shore to get a closer look at Hvitserkur, don't miss your chance to marvel at its beauty on the designated viewing decks. You can also capture some photographs here with excellent angles.

Your last destination for this winter drive is the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. You can explore the peninsula upon arrival, although you'll have more time to explore the next day.

The central point of Snaefellsnes is the massive Snaefellsjokull, a glacier volcano that towers over the peninsula. This volcano has inspired writers and artists for generations. It was the setting for Halldor Laxness's novel "Beneath the Glacier" and Jules Verne's "Journey to the Centre of the Earth."

You'll have a full day of exploration before retiring for the night in a settlement on the peninsula, such as Stykkisholmur. If you stay in Stykkisholmur, don't forget to visit the town's natural harbor. It's an excellent place to see the Breidafjordur bay in Northwest Iceland.

On your 11th day driving around Iceland in winter, you'll explore the Snafellsnes Peninsula before returning to your base in Reykjavik.

In Snaefellsnes, you'll find a wealth of things to see. The peninsula is often called 'Iceland in Miniature' due to the incredible diversity found here. During winter, it transforms into a captivating snowy landscape, offering you a unique sightseeing experience.

Notable sites include Kirkjufell, one of Iceland's most photographed mountains. Mount Kirkjufell has a height of 1519 feet (463 meters) and boasts a distinctive cylinder or steeple shape. Pop culture enthusiasts will recognize this Icelandic formation as the "Arrowhead Mountain" in HBO's hit television series Game of Thrones.

The seal colony on the beach of Ytri Tunga, the haunted lava fields of Berserkjahraun lava field, and the Djupalonssandur black pebble beach are other locations you shouldn't miss.

Ytri Tunga and Djupalonssandur perfectly contrast each other with their different colors of sand. Unlike most beaches in Iceland, Ytri Tunga beach boasts golden sands where colonies of seals are often seen. Meanwhile, Djupalonssandur features black volcanic sands surrounded by lava formations.

Your destination for the journey's end is Reykjavik. En route, you could detour to different sites of West Iceland, such as the historical towns of Borgarnes and Reykholt, the waterfalls Fossatun, Barnafoss, and Hraunfossar, and geothermal areas such as the Deildartunguhver hot spring.

Consider also relaxing at Krauma, a geothermal bath resort fed by the hot springs, providing a blissful end to your adventures.

You can also take several adventures, such as venturing inside a lava tube in Vidgelmir cave or entering a stunning artificial ice tunnel in the Langjokull glacier. Both add-on options ensure geological wonders to behold.

As you finally approach Reykjavik, the setting sun might grace you with an awe-inspiring display of colors, a gentle reminder of the magical land you've been exploring. After a day of sightseeing and adventure, relax in Reykjavik for the night and enjoy its cultural downtown scene again.