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A reader was unable to create an account on the forums– sorry! I will post their question here, and then answer it in the next post!
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What do you think of this itinerary for a family of 4 – we are wiling to explore further and drive out more – we do not need to do the whole circle around the island. Thoughts? Here is the itinerary:————————————–
Explore Iceland’s Ring Road, including the Mysterious Eastern Fjords, Snaefellsnes Peninsula and Melrakkasletta, the northernmost point of Iceland!Arrival – 21 SEP 17
Pty 4 (2 chd ages 3 & 5)
Family accommodations where possibleDay 1: Arrival
Approximate distance: ca100km / 62miles
Geothermal Lagoon – Flower village – Geothermal Greenhouses
Pick up the car at the airport and start your Iceland experience.
From Keflavik International Airport we recommend driving the southern coast of the Reykjanes peninsula towards your first overnight stay in the charming village of Hveragerdi. The village is one of the few sites in the world located directly on top of a geothermal area and because of its many greenhouses heated by hot water from nearby springs it is often called the flower village.
Depending on your arrival time in Iceland it is ideal to visit the renowned Blue Lagoon to relax in the geothermal water.
Overnight stay in Hveragerdi.
Highlights: Reykjavík |Tjornin |Perlan |Laugardalur |Reykjavik City Museum
Optional: Blue Lagoon Entrance and ExtrasDay 2: Thingvellir – Gullfoss – Skalholt – Tjorsardalur – Hella
Approximate distance: ca300km / 186miles
National Park with Geological Wonders (UNESCO) – Exploding Geysers – Massive Waterfall – Hekla Volcano
Today’s highlights include Thingvellir National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site), a place of great geological and historical interest. Then take in the spectacular Gullfoss waterfall and Geysir hot-spring area. Drive along the mighty Thjorsa river to Thjorsardalur valley with Mt. Hekla, Iceland’s most famous volcano towering above. Continue to the South Shore area.
Overnight in South Iceland
Highlights: Gullfoss |Geysir |Geysir Center |Kerid |Thjorsardalur |Hekla
Optional: Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths – Entrance feeDay 3: Hella – Vik – Kirkjubaejarklaustur
Approximate distance: ca160km / 99miles
Thundering Waterfalls – Puffin Colony – Black Sand Beaches – Lava Fields
Visit Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, each with its own unique character. Continue to Dyrholaey* a rocky headland where thousands of puffins nest in the summer (puffins are in Iceland usually between mid May and early August). Travel across the vast lava field of Eldhraun to the picturesque village of Kirkjubaejarklaustur, former site of a 12th-century Catholic convent.
Overnight in South Iceland
Highlights: Vík |Dyrhólaey |Skogar Museum |Skogafoss |Seljalandsfoss
Optional: Snowmobiling on Myrdalsjokull Glacier (from Basecamp)Day 4: Skaftafell – Jokulsarlon – Hofn – Egilsstadir
Approximate distance: ca450km / 280miles
Glacier-Ringed Oasis – Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs – Europe’s Largest Glacier
Today you will be in the area of Vatnajokull National Park, named after Europe‘s largest glacier. Visit the park´s Skaftafell area, a green oasis nestling below the great Vatnajokull glacier. There are many excellent hiking trails here. Continue to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, where huge icebergs float and grind together in the still, deep waters of the lagoon. Drive along the rugged and varied coastline of the magnificent East Fjords to Egilsstadir the largest town in the east.
Highlights: Skaftafell National Park |Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon |Vatnajokull |Hofn |Djúpivogur |Egilsstadir |Petra´s Minerals
Optional: Glacier Wonders (from Skaftafell National Park) |Amphibian Boat Tour on Glacial Lagoon (from the lagoon)Day 5: Egilsstadir and Surroundings
Distance is variable
East Fjords – Legendary Lake Monster – Largest Forest in Iceland
Explore Egilsstadir and surrounding area. Visit Hallormsstadur the largest forest plantation in Iceland set along Lake Lagarfljot, which according to legend contains a monster. A highlight of this area is the new Wilderness Center, which offers exciting hiking and horseback riding day tours visiting mountains, waterfalls and abandoned farmhouses. An interactive exhibit also shows how Icelanders lived here in the old days.
Highlights: Egilsstadir |Seydisfjordur |Neskaupsstadur |Reydarfjorður |Eskifjordur |Lagarfljót |Skriduklaustur |The Wilderness Center
Optional: Dinner with the Locals (from Egilsstadir, East Iceland) |Eastern Landscapes and Legends (from Egilsstadir)Day 6: Vopnafjordur – Langanes
Approximate distance: ca140km / 87miles
Glacial Rivers – Small Fishing Villages – Northernmost Point in Iceland
Drive to Vopnafjordur village, with its spectacular coastline and natural hot springs. Continue to Thorshofn village (population: 500), which is situated on Langanes peninsula.
Overnight in Northeast Iceland
Highlights: Vopnafjordur
Day 7: Asbyrgi – Husavik – Myvatn
Approximate distance: ca240km / 149miles
Glacier Carved Gorge – Whale Watching – Volcanic Area
Travel across the Oxafjardarheidi plateau. Visit Asbyrgi, a magnificent horseshoe-shaped canyon in Jokulsargljufur National Park. Local legend says this was formed by the hoof prints from Odin‘s magical horse. Drive along Tjornes peninsula at the edge of the Arctic Circle en route to the fishing port of Husavik. Spend some time in this charming town before continuing to Lake Myvatn.
Overnight stay in Northeast Iceland.
Highlights: Myvatn |Ásbyrgi |Jokulsárgljúfur National Park |Húsavík |Whale Museum
Optional: Whale Watching in traditional Oak Boat (from Husavik)Day 8: Akureyri and Surroundings
Distance is variable
Volcanic Area – Lava Formations of Lake Mývatn – Botanical Gardens
Explore the Lake Mývatn area´s natural wonders, including the fantastic lava formations of Dimmuborgir the Krafla volcanic area, and the pseudo craters at Skutustadir. Stop at Godafoss waterfall, a legendary cascade said to contain the statues of Norse gods tossed there in 1000 AD. Head onwards to the scenic Eyjafjordur fjord and Akureyri, Iceland’s “Capital of the North.” Spend some time in this town of beautifully preserved historical buildings. Though small in size, Akureyri has a vibrant cultural scene, including a street dedicated to art galleries. It also boasts one of the best geothermal swimming pools in Iceland.
Overnight stay in Akureyri area
Highlights: Akureyri |Myvatn |Dimmuborgir |Krafla |Godafoss |Myvatn Nature Baths
Day 9: Akureyri – Stykkisholmur
Approximate distance: ca348km / 217miles
Fertile Farmlands – Viking Horses – Quaint Fishing Villages
From Akureyri, continue over the Oxnadalur pass to the historical region of Skagafjordur, renowned for horse breeding. You might visit the old farmstead at Glaumbaer, a great example of Icelandic architecture from the last few centuries. Continue the journey Snaefellsnes peninsula.
Overnight in West Iceland.
Highlights: Saudárkrókur |Stykkishólmur
Optional: Seal and Nature Watching (from Hvammstangi)Day 10: Snaefellsnes – Borgarnes – Reykjavik
Approximate distance: ca200km / 130miles
Coastal Villages – Sea Cliffs with Birdlife – Volcanic Crater – Picturesque Fjord
Circle around the legendary Snaefellsjokull peninsula, passing the small fishing villages of Hellissandur and Grundarfjordur. Don’t miss the striking columnar basalt rock formations at Arnarstapi. Make a stop at the rocky beach of Djupalonssandur. Pass Eldborg crater on route to the agricultural region of Borgarfjordur before returning to Reykjavik.
Overnight in Reykjavik
Highlights: Ólafsvík |Arnarstapi |Songhellir |Shark Museum
Optional: Viking Sushi Boat Tour (from Stykkishólmur) |The Settlement Center – Entrance FeeDay 11: Departure
Approximate distance: ca52km / 32miles
Drive back to Keflavik International Airport and even stop at Blue Lagoon as it is on your way to the airport, if you did not have time to do it on you arrival day.*
It looks like this is the itinerary for a trip from Iceland Travel. So my first thought is that you will probably save some money if you do it yourself vs. paying for the tour! (I’m not sure if you plan to just follow their itinerary or actually go on a tour with them.)
Several of the days look ambitious to me with a 5-year-old and a 3-year-old. For example, on the first day you are supposed to arrive at the airport, explore the Reykjanes Peninsula, maybe visit the Blue Lagoon, drive to Reykjavik, explore Reykjavik, and then drive to Hveragerdi. That’s a lot on a few hours of sleep if you took an overnght flight.
And Day 4 has you going from South Iceland to Egilsstaðir out in East Iceland. Assuming they stay close to Vik in South Iceland, that’s almost 6 hours of driving that day. And they plan to do some stops along the way. I think my kids would be miserable after a day like that, but maybe yours would be better!
Since you’re not set on doing the entire ring road, maybe take a look at my sample 1 week Iceland itinerary with kids? You could continue heading east to Jökulsárlón after day 4 if you had more time.
Let me know what you think. Thanks!
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