7-Day Action-Packed Vacation | The Ring Road of Iceland and Reykjavik

On day two, you will begin your once-in-a-lifetime Icelandic adventure around the country’s Ring Road. 

You’ll be picked up bright and early by your knowledgeable guide and set out to marvel over the countless sites of the South Coast. This region is somewhat of a microcosm of Iceland due to the incredible diversity that can be witnessed in just a few hours.

Inland, you will be exposed to the glaciers of Eyjafjallajokull, Myrdalsjokull, and, towards the end of your journey, Vatnajokull, the largest ice cap in Europe.

Eyjafjallajokull is a stratovolcano known for its eruption in 2010 that caused significant disruption in Europe’s air travel. Eyjafjallajokull stands 5,427 feet (1,651 meters) tall, making it one of South Coast’s most imposing features.

Meanwhile, the Myrdalsjokull glacier sits close to Eyjafjallajokull. Myrdalsjokull is Iceland’s fourth-largest glacier, with its highest peak measuring 4,921 feet (1,500 meters) tall. It also covers an impressive 232 square miles (600 square kilometers).

Next is the breathtaking Vatnajokull glacier. Vatnajokill covers an area of 3127 square miles (8,100 square kilometers), making it Europe’s largest glacier.

Thankfully, your friendly guide will take you around the area as you discover one of the finest attractions in the region.

Out to sea, you’ll witness spectacular coastal features, such as the jagged Westman Islands, the Reynisdrangar sea stacks, and the Dyrholaey rock arch. The black sand beaches are beautiful in and of themselves, particularly at Reynisfjara.

There are also plenty of stunning waterfalls along this stretch, three of which you’ll come to early in your journey. Standing 197 feet (60 meters) tall, Seljalandsfoss is most known for its serenity and the unusual cavern behind it. 

Next is Gljufrabui, hidden in a small gorge and overlooked by most. In summer, you can go through a stream inside a grotto to reach this waterfall.

The third is Skogafoss, one of Iceland’s biggest and most captivating waterfalls. It’s renowned for its incredible power, with a drop of 197 feet (60 meters) and a width of 82 feet (25 meters).

Additionally, its mighty cascade creates a spray, resulting in a rainbow when hit by sunlight.

You’ll discover a fourth waterfall towards the end of your trip when you stop at the spectacular nature reserve of Skaftafell. Though measuring only 66 feet (20 meters) tall, the Svartifoss waterfall makes up for it through its beautiful formation and surroundings.

It’s surrounded by bizarre columns of black basalt rock, lava landscapes, serene lagoons, and many glacier tongues, among many incredible features.

If you’re adventurous, you’re welcome to add a glacier hiking tour in Skaftafell. You can scale the spectacular Svinafellsjokull glacier and enjoy some unbelievable views.

After exploring the incredible sites of South Iceland, you’ll retire for the night in a hotel in the southeast.

On your third day, you will first explore the wonders of the Vatnajokull Glacier, starting at the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. Its depth is 932 feet (284 meters), making it Iceland's deepest lake. It also spans about 6.9 square miles (18 square kilometers).

This magnificent lake is filled with enormous icebergs, which slowly cruise from a crumbling outlet to the ocean. Many seals call this spectacular place home, only adding to the delightful sights.

A short walk from the lagoon is Diamond Beach, where the icebergs finally wash up on the black sands, glistening beautifully as they slowly melt into the surf. Summer travelers can board a zodiac boat and witness Jokulsarlon from a new perspective.

After enjoying what is sure to be one of your most memorable moments in Iceland, you'll continue your journey along the Ring Road. You will undoubtedly notice a dramatic drop in the number of tourists as you leave the south and enter one of the country's most remote regions.

The Eastfjords boast some of the most stunning views in Iceland. As you drive and stop at the beauty spots, you'll be exposed to magnificent seascapes, towering mountains, and more of the mighty Vatnajokull.

This region is made all the more beautiful with its wildlife. The fjords are full of seabirds, the waters are home to seals, and it is the only place in the country where you can see wild reindeer.

At the end of your exploration of this untouched region, you'll reach the sleepy capital of the East, Egilsstadir. 

Be sure to enjoy the mystical Lake Lagarfljot adjacent to the town before retiring for the night. It's a narrow lake known for its fishing, beauty, and folklore.

Legend has it that the lake hides the Lagarfljot Wyrm, a huge worm-like beast. Considered to be the cousin of the Loch Ness monster, this beast is said to be disrupting the lake's surface.

Your fourth day of this Icelandic adventure will take you to incredible North Iceland. As you leave the Eastfjords, you’ll travel through the volcanic landscapes of the northern reaches of Vatnajokull National Park and marvel over the captivating terrain.

If you’re traveling outside of the winter months, you’ll stop along this route to visit Europe’s most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss. Over 328 feet (100 meters) wide and thundering into an ancient canyon, the waterfall is a sight to behold.

It also boasts an average flow rate of 50985 gallons (193 cubic meters) per second, complementing its natural beauty. Interestingly, the waterfall caught the eye of filmmaker Ridley Scott who filmed the opening scene of the 2012 movie “Prometheus” in Dettifoss.

However, the main area you’ll explore today is the diverse Lake Myvatn. Featuring a series of lakes, the site is a hotspot of the country’s unique fauna and flora and its geological and geothermal marvels.

Pseudocraters, towers of basalt, and even the “lava fortress” of Dimmuborgir create a stark contrast with the serenity of the waters. You’ll also see steam seething from many volcanic pockets.

To witness these geothermal forces at their most extreme, you’ll include a visit to the smoking fumaroles that define the barren Namaskard Pass. To experience them in a far more relaxing way, you can organize admission into the luxurious Myvatn Nature Baths, which sit on the edge of a lake, when booking.

After enjoying the diversity of Myvatn, you’ll make your way to the “Capital of the North,” Akureyri. En route, you have another powerful waterfall to enjoy: Godafoss, or the “Waterfall of the Gods.” 

Famous for its beauty, the Godafoss waterfall boasts a height of 39 feet (12 meters) and a width of 98 feet (30 meters). As you witness its impressive cascade, you’ll notice the water resembling the shape of a horseshoe as it splits into two.

In addition, it has a fascinating thousand-year history that you can read about on-site.

Upon reaching Akureyri and before retiring, you can explore the quirky town, famous for its architecture, beautiful nature, and plentiful cultural sites, if you still have the energy.