6-Day Self-Drive Holiday in Iceland with the Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon & Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

On day two of this summer adventure, you'll go on a trip around Iceland's famous Golden Circle driving route. 

Your first stop on the Golden Circle is the Thingvellir National Park. Here, you can see the spectacular Almannagja gorge, where the national assembly, founded in 930 AD, used to gather.

A natural wonder of Iceland, the gorge also marks the divide between two tectonic plates. A walk along the easy path is literally a stroll between the continents of Europe and North America.

You can opt into an exhilarating snorkel tour through the Silfra fissure at Thingvellir. Don't worry about the cold water, because you'll be cozy and warm in a dry suit. Silfra is known for having some of the most transparent water on the planet, so clean it's even drinkable! Participants need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.

Next on your Golden Circle tour is the Geysir geothermal area in the Haukadalur geothermal valley. There are many steaming hot pools and fumaroles here, including the geyser Strokkur, which erupts every 10 minutes. Its spray can reach 66 feet (20 meters), but it has been known to blast water to heights almost double that.

Lastly, the magnificent Gullfoss waterfall is Iceland's most popular attraction on the traditional Golden Circle route. It's possible to walk close to the edge of these falls in decent weather, where you get a beautiful view of the cascading water and can feel nature's incredible power.

After Gullfoss, you can add an exciting snowmobiling excursion on Langjokull glacier. If neither this nor the snorkel appeals to you, you can opt for a horse-riding tour instead. 

Otherwise, head straight to the main road and stop at the volcanic crater lake Kerid. The volcanic rock here is painted in fiery orange and rust-red colors, while the lake within is an azure oasis. The contrast is a breathtaking sight.

You'll spend the night in a charming accommodation in Southwest Iceland near the Golden Circle.

As you continue your journey on day three, you'll drive towards Eyjafjallajokull, the volcano under a glacier that made world headlines in 2010, bringing European air traffic to a standstill.

You'll then visit the beautiful waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. Seljalandsfoss is unique for the path encircling it, allowing you to view its beauty from different angles. Skogafoss is known for its power and is equally as beautiful. You can walk up a staircase to the top of Skogafoss for stunning South Coast vistas.

After admiring the waterfalls, a detour to the Skogar folk museum is highly recommended, where you can explore life in the old days of Iceland through the restored turf house, church, and other buildings.

Then, drive towards the Solheimajokull glacier, where you can go on an optional glacier hike or snowmobiling tour. Both experiences promise excitement and incredible beauty.

You can also opt for an exciting ice cave tour that departs from the Vik village, where you're picked up by a super jeep and driven up the volcano Katla before you descend into the cave in Myrdalsjokull glacier. The Katla ice cave is one-of-a-kind because you can enjoy its vivid blue colors and striking formations in summer. Other ice caves are open only in winter.

After your tour, take a moment to walk along Reynisfjara beach, with a short stop at the village of Vik. Reynisfjara is one of Iceland's most spectacular beaches because of its impressive black basalt cliffs and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks. It's also a fantastic puffin-watching location.

This beach, however, is one of Iceland's most dangerous places, so be careful not to get too close to the pounding surf. Currents hidden in the swirling water can sweep you out to sea in no time. 

After this day of witnessing many breathtaking sights, you can rest for the night in one of the villages and accommodations along the South Coast.

On your fourth day, set out for the waterfall Foss a Sidu and the nearby Dverghamrar basalt columns in South Iceland before taking the road over the vast glacial sands of Skeidararsandur.

Foss a Sidu waterfall cascades gracefully down a cliff face and is framed by the rugged beauty of the surrounding landscape, so ensure you've got your camera ready.

Dverghamrar, often called the "Dwarf Cliffs," is a unique geological formation featuring striking hexagonal basalt columns believed to have formed from rapidly cooling lava.

Next on your route is the Skaftafell Nature Reserve, part of Vatnajokull National Park. Once there, you can hike to yet another impressive waterfall, Svartifoss. Its basalt columns inspired architect Gudjon Samuelsson when he designed the Hallgrimskirkja church and the roof of the National Theatre in Reykjavik.

There are plenty more options for hiking at Skaftafell. One popular choice is a guided glacier walk along the edge of the Skaftafellsjokull glacier, a breathtaking trip that offers fantastic views over the surrounding area. You need to make sure to opt into this while booking.

Once you're finished at Skaftafell, drive about 40 minutes further east to reach the magnificent Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, the highlight of this trip. The lagoon is famous for its glistening icebergs.

You can take an optional boat tour for a closer look at them, either in a zodiac or amphibious vessel. Keep your eyes peeled in this area for the resident seals, whether from a boat or the shore. 

From Jokulsarlon, walk down to Diamond Beach, where icebergs become stranded upon the shore like glittering jewels. Jokulsarlon and Diamond Beach are considered by many to be the most beautiful locations in Iceland.

After you have made the most of these incredible sights, spend a night in a peaceful countryside hotel in Southeast Iceland.