Iceland Tour Packages 12-Day Self-Drive Iceland Ring Road Tour – See Everything

12-Day Self-Drive Iceland Ring Road Tour – See Everything

This comprehensive 12-day small-group tour takes you around Iceland’s iconic Ring Road, visiting the country’s most famous attractions. Explore the Golden Circle, dramatic Snæfellsnes Peninsula, South Coast, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, the remote Eastfjords, Diamond Circle, and the scenic Troll Peninsula. Discover stunning waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches, volcanic landscapes, and charming villages.

$ 3719

288 hours

76 + bookings

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Overview

The ancient, moss-draped lava fields of the south and the sprawling basalt columns of the northern canyons serve as the setting for this highly comprehensive 12-day independent self-drive expedition.

Managed by Marina Travel, a Gold Operator, this extensive "Everything You Must See" itinerary begins at Keflavík International Airport and finishes in the capital city of Reykjavík, guiding travelers on a complete unguided navigation of the national highway.

You move from an initial technical collection of your zero-excess rental vehicle to an unhurried, multi-day tracking circuit through isolated inland forests, glacial lagoons, and hidden volcanic peninsulas, experiencing an environment where raw tectonic geography and independent pacing define the daily structure.

Because managing a lengthy 1,300-kilometer loop over diverse subarctic road surfaces requires premium mechanical reliability and structural local support, securing a tailored vehicle manifest is essential to clear Iceland's ultimate road loop.

What's Included

11 Nights Pre-Booked 3-Star Regional Hotel Accommodations
Rental Vehicle with Unlimited Kilometers & Zero Excess
11 Morning Breakfast Buffets served at your hotel bases
Detailed e-Itinerary packet loaded with tracking points
24-Hour Emergency Roadside Assistance log access

International Flights (Self-booked to and from KEF terminal)
Daily Fuel Expenses & National Park Parking Manifest Fees
Daily Lunch & Dinner stops at regional countryside taverns
Optional Activity Passes (Spas, Fjord Cruises, Glacier Hikes)
Icelandic Kilometer Tax (Calculated and billed at vehicle return)

Itinerary

Your subarctic self-drive expedition launches directly at the Keflavík International Airport terminal. After securing your keys and your zero-excess vehicle manifest from the arrival hall rental booth, you route north into West Iceland toward your base in Borgarnes. You have the immediate option to pause your transit to soak in the mineral-rich geothermal waters of the famous Blue Lagoon, utilizing its saunas, steam rooms, and in-water mask bars before completing the one-hour run to check into Hotel Borgarnes.
The second tracking stage maps the diverse landforms of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. You drive west from your base to walk the sand flats of Ytri Tunga Beach, a known habitat for spotting local seal colonies resting on the coastal rocks. The route continues past the dramatic sea cliffs of Arnarstapi, the historic 1703 black wooden church of Búðakirkja, and the iconic glacier-carved cone of Mt. Kirkjufell. After capturing photos of Kirkjufellsfoss, you trace back through the western valleys to witness Deildartunguhver hot spring and the contrasting twin cascades of Hraunfossar and Barnafoss, before spending a second evening at Hotel Borgarnes.
The third tracking block marks your transition into North Iceland, with the route shifting dynamically by season. Summer travelers track the coastal roads of the Troll Peninsula to witness Hvítserkur, a 15-meter-tall basalt rock formation rising like a monument from the black sands, before setting up optional whale-watching cruises or beer spa treatments. Winter travelers (October through March) execute a direct, safe transit through the mountain valleys from Borgarnes to Akureyri, checking into Hotel Akureyri with an optional evening town walk.
The fourth phase explores the historic urban core of Akureyri before heading into deep volcanic basins. You can tour the panoramic lookout towers of Akureyrarkirkja church, stroll the summer botanical gardens, and browse the festive displays inside the Christmas House. Leaving the city, the drive guides you past the wide drop of Goðafoss waterfall and into the Lake Mývatn basin to explore geothermal features, mapping the steaming mud vents of the Hverir hotspot and adding an optional summer detour to Dettifoss waterfall, before checking into Hotel Hérað in Egilsstaðir.
The fifth day uncovers the deep wilderness trails of inland East Iceland. You leave the main highway to execute a self-guided foot transition through Hallormsstaður Forest, the island's largest woodland preserve, tracking quiet paths that wind past hidden caves and smaller streams. The route continues along the shores of Lake Lagarfljót—home to local ancestral folklore—where you embark on a 1-hour hike up to the dramatic, red-strata rock cliffs of Hengifoss Waterfall. Adventurous drivers can opt for an 8-kilometer waterfall circuit at Laugarfell, complete with a soak in an outdoor hot tub, before returning for a second night at Hotel Hérað.
The sixth phase routes you through the winding fjords of the remote eastern coast. Your driver maps a path where steep mountain walls drop into the sea, providing regular opportunities to spot wild reindeer herds moving across the valley flats. You can stop along the coast to view the giant stone sculptures of Eggin í Gleðivík, stroll the peaceful trails of the Christmas Tree Garden, and explore a preserved Viking village reconstruction at the base of the Vestrahorn peaks on the Stokksnes Peninsula, before completing your evening check-in at Hotel Höfn.
The seventh day highlights the frozen sub-glacial topography of the Vatnajökull ice cap. You travel directly to the edge of the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon to watch massive blue icebergs calve off the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier face, with choices to add an optional summer amphibian or Zodiac boat cruise. After crossing the highway to walk among the ice fragments resting on Diamond Beach, winter travelers can swap the boats for an optional Blue Ice Cave Tour, utilizing a specialized Super Jeep to trek inside the ice shelf before checking into Fosshotel Núpar.
The eighth tracking leg explores the dense geological features of Vatnajökull National Park. You begin with an active foot trek up to Svartifoss (the Black Waterfall), tracking a trail lined with dark basalt columns while taking in views of Hvannadalshnúkur, the island's highest peak. Shifting west along the coast, you pause to photograph the vast, moss-covered expanses of the historic Eldhraun Lava Field, before walking the sheer cliffs and crashing surf of Reynisfjara black sand beach and checking into your hotel in Vík.
The ninth day maps the giant cascades shaping the southern shelf. You start your drive at the base of Skógafoss waterfall, where an adjacent staircase leads directly to the top of the canyon gorge for panoramic coastal views. From there, you head to Seljalandsfoss, where a wet trail allows you to follow a path completely behind the falling curtain of water. Optional enhancements for the afternoon include booking a guided glacier hike across the blue ice of Sólheimajökull, trekking to the historic 1973 DC3 plane wreck on Solheimasandur beach, or exploring the interactive displays of the Lava Centre before checking into Hotel Eyjafjallajökull.
The tenth driving segment loops through the historic landmarks of the Golden Circle. You start at Thingvellir National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) to view the visible continental rift valley where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates drift apart. The route continues past the turquoise streams of Brúarfoss waterfall and the canyon drops of Gullfoss, before finishing at the Geysir geothermal area to watch Strokkur geyser blast steam columns into the air every few minutes. Your drive concludes with an evening check-in at Fosshotel Baron in Reykjavík.
The eleventh day leaves your schedule fully open to explore Reykjavík at your own pace. You can tour the historic Old Town lanes, view the architectural facade of Hallgrímskirkja church, and visit the Höfði summit house or the Perlan observation deck. Optional urban enhancements include viewing the Northern Lights show inside the Perlan planetarium, booking a late-night aurora fjord cruise, or scheduling a recovery soak at the oceanfront Sky Lagoon before your final night at Fosshotel Baron.
The final morning is reserved for last-minute souvenir shopping along Laugavegur or relaxing at a cozy city center café. Afterward, you execute a final driving run down the Reykjanes Peninsula back toward the airport depot, returning your keys to match your scheduled international departure flight home.

Expect an independent, highly empowering, and visually spectacular road expedition. As traveler Raymond notes, approaching this 12-day framework as an editable menu of excellent suggestions rather than an unyielding, rigid checklist guarantees an elite, stress-free adventure. The driving environment changes constantly, transitioning from smooth paved highways to winding, narrow fjord gravel paths. Because you are the captain of your own vehicle, maintaining a flexible attitude and checking real-time weather logs ensures you navigate the changing conditions with absolute comfort.

Self-Drive Road Insider Secrets

Track your mileage metrics; the government has introduced a pay-as-you-use distance tax that replaces part of the fuel levy. You will be billed ISK 8.81 per driven kilometer (roughly €0.06 / $0.07) at the vehicle return counter, processed directly through the driver's mandatory physical credit card along with standard administration fees.
Maximize your wilderness paths; unlike shorter loops that sprint past the east, this 12-day manifest features two consecutive nights pre-booked at Hotel Hérað. This provides a dedicated, unhurried time window to execute the lengthier hikes up Hengifoss or explore the Hallormsstaður woodlands without needing to pack your bags each morning.
Plan your family metrics; the high-speed Zodiac boat tours on Jökulsárlón lagoon get significantly closer to the calving glacier faces than the large amphibian vessels. However, due to open-water speed vectors, Zodiac rides are strictly not recommended for children under 10 years of age, making the amphibian craft the premier choice for families.
Track your check-in vouchers carefully; high-season demand means equivalent 3-star regional alternatives may be utilized by the operator to preserve your overall route continuity across the remote regions.
Guard your dry layers; walking behind the water curtain at Seljalandsfoss exposes your clothing to a heavy cloud of freezing mist. Keeping a fully waterproof jacket and a pair of rain pants within arm's reach inside the car cabin is a daily travel necessity.

Optimal Driving Atmosphere Guide

The low northern sun and shifting coastal environments provide distinctive backdrops for your journey.

Route Segment	The Experience	The Road Trade-off
Hallormsstaður Trails	Sylvan Isolation: The best probability of hiking through dense, quiet subarctic forests surrounded by hidden waterfalls and folklore.	Unpaved dirt paths; shifting into rigid hiking boots prevents slips on damp pine needles.
The Vestrahorn Dunes	The highest probability of photographing black sand dunes reflecting the jagged mountain peaks across shallow ocean waves.	High coastal wind gusts; keeping your camera lenses shielded from blowing volcanic silt between shots is helpful.
Svartifoss Basalt Gorge	The clearest view of a unique waterfall framed by hanging columns of dark volcanic stone.	A steady uphill foot climb from the national park visitor lot; pacing your ascent keeps the trek low-intensity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are international flights covered in this self-drive package?

No—all international airfares are fully excluded, allowing you the flexibility to arrange your own flights to match the rental car pickup window.

Is a credit card required at the rental car desk?

Yes—providing a valid physical credit card in the primary driver's exact name is mandatory to handle security logs and process the kilometer tax.

Are vehicle specifications altered for winter departures?

Yes—Marina Travel automatically deploys robust 4x4 drive systems (such as the Skoda Octavia 4x4 or Toyota Landcruiser) equipped for winter conditions from November through March.

Are entry fees for optional sites like the Blue Lagoon included?

No—admission tickets for the optional spas, boat tours, or glacier treks must be purchased separately.

Are daily breakfasts covered at the hotels?

Yes—a full morning breakfast buffet is included at each pre-booked hotel along your route.

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