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Self Drive 8 days Young Explorers

Reykjavík Welcome to ! To make your stay in Iceland more enjoyable, we would like to draw your attention to the following:

△ This booklet contains a standard itinerary. If you have Sat Nav added nights, please note that the itinerary has not been customized to show such amendments.

△ This itinerary is a guideline for your travel in Iceland. The Speed Limit route may vary according to your overnight stay and road conditions, especially during April/May and September/ October. Seat Belts △ Even with the long daylight, you will not be able to visit every nook and cranny nor enjoy all the fun things sug- gested. Please choose between the sites mentioned Road Map depending on your interest as time limits your possibilities.

△ The kilometer/mile distance per day is not precise. The distance may vary depending on the location of your Bin the Litter accommodation and the detours you take each day.

△ On your accommodation itinerary you will find a detailed address list, describing how to reach your accommoda- One Lane Bridge tions. The accommodation itinerary also has a reference number, which is valid as your voucher. Official hotel check-in time is 14:00-18:00. If you arrive any later, it’s Watch out for Animals courteous to notify the hotel.

△ Breakfast is always included during your stay, but no other meals. Many of the rural hotels and guesthouses offer a Gravel Roads nice dinner at a reasonable price.

2 Self Drive Young Explorers A few favourites from the trip

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Young Explorers Self Drive 3 Day 1: Arrival Pick-up your rental car and explore Reykjanes Peninsula ➠➠Approximate driving distance: 40 km / 38 miles 5 Please see your Iceland Travel Itinerary for Reykjavík 7 Höfn details about your overnight stay Keflavík Kirkjubæjarklaustur 1 2-3 pon your arrival in Iceland you’ll find 4&6 your rental car at the service desk in the U Vík arrival hall at Keflavik Airport. The desk is open every day from 5:00am – 5:00pm and again from 9:00pm-1:00am. The staff will advise you where to find your vehicle. Take road no. 41 and turn left onto road no. to Krísuvík and Kleifarvatn. Krýsuvík is a hot 44 and continue on road no. 425. Along this spring area which boasts colourful surround- road you will find the Reykjanes Continental ings and bubbling hot springs while Kleifarvatn Bridge. The peninsula lies on one of the world’s is the largest lake on Reykjanes Peninsula and is major tectonic plate boundaries, or the Mid part of the Reykjanes fissure zone. Atlantic Ridge. These plate are continuously Head on to Reykjavik via road no. 42 and drifting apart creating gaping rifts. Here you turn right onto road no. 41. can walk across this rift and go from North Another option would be to visit Vikinga- America to Europe with just a few steps! heimar or Viking World, which is just a stone’s Continue on road no. 425 to Gunnuhver hot throw away. Turn off road no. 41 into Njarðvik. spring. This hot spring is named after a local You will go through a series of roundabouts ghost! You can walk up to the boiling hot spring here but just follow the signs to Viking World. via two ramps and feel the power bursting from Each round-about will have its own theme and the ground. work of art. Following the same road to Grindavik, turn To get to the Blue Lagoon, follow road no. right to center of town and then a left onto 41 towards Reykjavik until you find road no. 43, road no. 427. This winding road will take you leading south towards Grindavik. Before you

4 Self Drive Young Explorers reach Mt Þorbjorn you make a right turn to the longstanding belief of having profound, divine Blue Lagoon area. To make it easier you can just powers. Church wardens informs visitors of the follow the steam rising up through the air! At old and present history of the church. the Blue Lagoon you can wash of the jet lag and Continue on and turn right on road no. 34 relax in the milky waters of the Lagoon and per- to Eyrarbakki. This friendly village used to be haps enjoy a glass of the famous Blue Lagoon the largest commercial community as well has cocktail while you let the algae mask bring out having the largest harbour on the south coast. the skins inner glow! Many houses built between 1890 and 1920 still Kindly note that the Blue lagoon is very stand and so visiting Eyrarbakki can seem like popular year around and therefore you should taking a step back in time. The Eyrarbakki Mari- book ahead. time Museum will give you a better glimpse Stop in Reykjavik for the night. into this small village’s history. Further along on road no. 33 you will get to Fun things to do . This small town is renowned for ATV Panorama tour its beautiful seashore, breaking waves, and its Duration: 1 hour birdlife. Handicraft and cultural life is vibrant ATV4x4, tel. 857 3001. here and you will find workshops and galleries to look into. Learn about elves, trolls, and local ghosts at The Ghost Center! Day 2: Head back and turn right onto road no. 34 until you reach Route 1. Turn left and head Hveragerði, towards Hveragerði. The village is one of the few sites in the world located directly on top South Trail, Eyrarbakki of a geothermal area and because of its many ➠➠Approximate driving distance: greenhouses heated by hot water from nearby 120 km / 75 miles springs it is often called the flower village.

Please see your Iceland Travel Itinerary for Fun things to do details about your overnight stay Kayaking in Stokkseyri ead back to road no. 42 and turn left onto Duration: 1-3 hours Hroad no. 427 and explore the rest of the Kayakferðir, tel. 695 2058. Reykjanes peninsula and making your first stop at Strandakirkja, The Coastal Church. This church, built in the 12th century has a

Young Explorers Self Drive 5 itage concerning the Protection of the World Day 3: Cultural. Golden Circle, Fontana Geothermal Baths While in Þingvellir you should visit ➠➠Approximate driving distance: 200 km / 125 miles Lögberg (The Law Rock), the law speaker, the president of Lögrétta (the Low Council) stood, Please see your Iceland Travel Itinerary for facing the gathering below to recite the laws details about your overnight stay during the period when the old Alþingi was oday you will drive along road no. 1 and held at Þingvellir. Troad no. 36 to Þingvellir National Park. Þingvellir National Park is of great eco- Neðrivellir where Lögrétta was, the most logical, geological and historical interest. The important institution of the ancient parliament, park itself is situated in a stunning volcanic the Alþingi, where the “goðar”, the local chief- landscape of mountains and lava flows, on the tains, and bishops gathered to debate, pass new border of Iceland’s largest lake. Surrounding law and amend old ones. These two sites are on the lake are impressive faults and gorges that the eastern side of the Almannagjá gorge. are considered among the finest examples of the results of tectonic movements in the world. Drekkingarhylur (Drowningpool) in Öxará It is the area where the tectonic plates for River, where women found guilty of adultery Europe and America meet, and one can literally were drowned. see the ridge between the continents. This is also the former site of the oldest parliament in Öxarárfoss waterfall, a beautiful waterfall in Europe, Alþingi. It was founded in Þingvellir in the Öxará River, which falls thunderously over a 930 and there most of the greatest moments steep slope at the edge of the Almannagjá rift. of Icelandic history took place over a period of 750 years. In the 18th century a major earth- Þingvallakirkja Church, from 1859, situated quake took place at this location, after which on the spot where one of the first churches in the parliament was transferred to Reykjavík. Iceland was built around 1016, shortly after It may interest you that Þingvellir was in 2004 Icelanders converted to Christianity in the year inscribed upon the List of UNESCO World Her- 1000.

6 Self Drive Young Explorers From Þingvellir you will drive via Lyngdals­ heiði on road no. 365 to the lake Laugarvatn area, a geothermal area. It is said that when Christianity was legalized in the year 1000, the chieftains from the north who refused to be baptized in the cold water of Þingvellir, were brought to Laugarvatn to be baptized in the warm spring. At the Fontana Geothermal Baths you can relax in the warm geothermal pools and natural steam rooms while enjoying the spectacular views over the lake. You continue your tour to the beautiful Gull- foss and Geysir region. You drive to the Geysir area, which is by road no. 35. It is a colourful geothermal field in a 3 km2 (1,2 mi2) area where hot springs and geysers are abundant. Geysir spouting spring is the world’s largest geyser, whose name is the generic term for this strange phenomenon. Geysir, believed to have formed in the thirteenth century, has a bowl 18 m (59 ft) in diameter with a 20 m deep chamber below. Its eruptions are majestic and after the big earthquakes in 2000 it has erupted several times. A smaller, adjacent hot spouting spring, Strokkur, is a popular attraction, erupting at 5–10 minute intervals. The whole area contains a variety of hot springs and bubbling pools. Please be careful around the hot springs and around the waterfall and stick to the hiking­paths. You continue the journey further north to

Young Explorers Self Drive 7 Gullfoss waterfall, the “Golden Waterfall”. It Fun things to do is a beautiful double-folding fall that many Fontana Geothermal Baths believe to be the most scenic in Iceland. It Open: 10:00 – 23:00 Summer, 11:00 – 21:00 thunders 32 m (105 ft) over a fault into a gorge, Winter which measures 2.5 km (1.5 miles) in length and Fontana Spa, tel. 486 1400. up to 70 m (230 ft) deep in places. You head back and return to road no. 35 and turn south. Further along road no. 35 is Day 4: another attraction in the area, the bishopric at Skálholt, (short detour on road no. 31) which Explore more of the beautiful South Shore played a major role in Icelandic history from Waterfalls, Volcanic Aftermath, Black Sand the year 1056 to 1796, when the bishopric Beaches moved to Reykjavík following a great series of earthquakes. ➠➠Approximate driving distance: You continue going south on road no. 35 142 km / 88 miles to the region of Grímsnes, which has experi- Please see your Iceland Travel Itinerary for enced at least 10 different lava flows; it is very details about your overnight stay difficult to distinguish between them. Kerið is only one of the group of Tjarnhólar craters, but ontinue on road no. 1. You drive in direc- is the easiest to gain access to and probably the Ction Selfoss town and continue your trip most famous and most beautiful of them all, as through the fertile farmlands of the south, it has a lovely blue pool at its bottom. towards the east through the small villages of Hella and Hvolsvöllur, where trade and ser-

8 Self Drive Young Explorers vices are the main occupations. You will have This is the region where one of the best frequent views of mountains, including the known Icelandic classical Sagas, the “Story of majestic Mt. Hekla. Brennu Njáll” is set. You have the opportunity Mt. Hekla is without a doubt Iceland’s most to visit the Saga Centre in Hvolsvöllur where famous volcano. It is still very active, erupting you can learn more about the sagas, tel. 487 most recently in 1970, 1980, 1981 and in 1991. 8781. The last eruption started on 26th February in Rising ahead of you now is the cone shaped 2000 and lasted for 12 days; the lava from this Eyjafjallajökull glacier and volcano, 1666 m eruption covers approximately 18 km² (47 mi²). (5465 ft). On a clear day you can see the West­ Instead of a classical volcano cone, Hekla is man Islands to your right. part of a rather squat series of ridges, although There is a ferry to the Westman Islands, this is usually hidden behind a thick bank of sailing from Landeyjarsandur. Therefore it is clouds that earned Hekla its menacing name, easy to take a detour to the Westman Islands, a which means the hooded one. Soon after the small archipelago with around 15 small islands, settlement period, in 1104, Hekla showed that the largest one Heimaey has a population of it was a presence to be feared as it erupted around 4.000 inhabitants. without warning and devastated 20 farms in the Þjórsárdalur valley. Indeed the volcano’s fame Detour to the Westman Islands: grew so much that the Europeans in the middle Ages believed it was the gateway to hell. The few kilometres east of Hvolsvöllur, turn volcanic eruptions from Hekla are spectacular A right when you see the ferry sign and drive as the mountain is 1,493 m (4897 ft) high and towards the ocean. The ferry “Herjólfur” offers towers over the lowlands of the south. several departures per day, please call 481 2800

Young Explorers Self Drive 9 for information about the schedule and prices. fish life, houses a rock and minerals collection and You can either leave your car behind at the har- an aquarium. From mid-May until mid-September bour or take it along on the ferry. The duration of the museum is open daily from 10:00-17:00 but the trip is about 30 minutes in good weather. less in other months, tel. 481 1997. Once in the Westman Islands, you should visit Beautiful walks in Vestmanneyjar includes a Eldheimar – a volcano museum of remem­ walk to the southern tip of the island “Stórhöfði” brance, tel 488 2700. The exhibition focuses on for puffin- and bird sightseeing and hike up to the 1973 volcanic eruption in , Helgafell and/or Eldfell volcano. without a doubt one of Iceland´s biggest natural Back on the ferry and you find yourself again disaster. The highlight of the exhibition is a house on the main-land. that has been delicately excavated. Eldheimar also houses the Surtsey exhibition with all avail- Continue on road no. 1 and a stop at the able information about this unique island, which is spectacular waterfall , 40 m (131 on the UNESCO World Heritage List. ft) high, is recommended. There you can actu- A boat tour around the islands is a must for ally climb behind the waterfall, but be careful as all bird and nature lovers, please call Viking Tours it might be slippery. for further information, tel. 488 4884. They offer Shortly after you pass Seljalandsfoss water- various tours, such as the popular circle tour, whale fall, you can pay a visit to the famous visitor watching and deep sea fishing. centre at Þorvaldseyri farm, tel. 487 5757, A visit to the Museum of Natural History is which gained world-wide attention, during recommended, that offers insight into the bird and the volcanic eruption beneath Eyjafjallajökull

10 Self Drive Young Explorers Glacier. During the eruption, thick layers of ash the settlement of Iceland, Katla has erupted fell to the ground and rivers flooded its banks, 16–20 times at an average interval of 40–80 damaging the farmlands, hot water pipes and years, melting the glacial cap and causing water barriers of the nearby farms. The farmer, catastrophic floods in the plains below. All of Mr Olafur and his family, have extraordinary this has in the course of time created the vast images on display, showing the farm and its sur- Mýrdalssandur desert on the south-eastern rounding before, during and after the eruption. side of the glacier. Katla last erupted in 1918. Drive onwards to Skógar, where you can Continue the journey and pass Dyrhólaey, visit the Folk museum and Skógafoss waterfall, a magnificent rocky headland with sheer cliffs. 60 m (197 ft) high, one of the most impressive It is the southernmost point of Iceland and at waterfalls in the country. The popular Folk the tip of it, is a huge wave cut gap which boats museum is open daily from 09:00-18:00 during can sail through. The headland is known for June, July and August but less in other months, its bird life and is certainly worth a visit. It is tel. 487 8845. about 5km (3 miles) from road no. 1 on road Mýrdalsjökull is Iceland’s fourth largest gla- no. 218, about 8 km (5 miles) before you arrive cier. Glacier tongues creep down its sides to the to Vík village. Dyrhólaey is a bird sanctuary and lowlands, the most prominent being Sólhei­ traffic during breeding season from ca. 15th of majökull. Under the south-eastern side of the May until 25th of June can be limited. Please glacier is Katla, a sub glacial central volcano, note that the road to the top is not always buried deep under 400 m (1312 ft) of ice. The recommendable as it is very steep. If it has caldera is 10km (6.3 miles) in diameter. Since been raining severely, the road turns muddy

Young Explorers Self Drive 11 and is not recommended for smaller cars and Mýrdalur valley which is the southernmost inexperienced drivers. One has to be very care- borough in Iceland. The western border is ful walking on top of Dyrhólaey, as no fences marked by the glacial river, Jökulsá, to the protect you from falling, so do not walk close to east by the river Blautakvísl, and to the south the edge. by black, volcanic beaches and the Atlantic Before reaching Vík, there is another recom- Ocean. Mýrdalur is a farming area with about mended detour to the so-called Reynishverfi 600 inhabitants, 330 of them in the village of by turning right on road no. 215. Reynishverfi Vík. It is an area of great contrasts. Lush green offers a beautiful black beach and impres- pastures lie between vast black volcanic sands. sive basalt column. At one place you can even Rugged mountains, scarred by deep gullies, rise see and go into a cave called Hálsanefshellir from the sands and are topped by the Mýrd- formed by the sea through the thousands of alsjökull glacier. The area has rich birdlife with years. Depending on the tides the cave may not the country’s largest nesting colony of arctic always be accessible. terns just east of the village. In the cliffs west of the village you will see countless puffins, kit- Please note: tiwakes and fulmars mainly during the months As much as this stretch of black sand looks of May, June and July. innocent, it’s open to the Atlantic Ocean Please be careful when walking in the nest- and is known for extremely vicious waves ing area of the arctic terns as they are very and strong currents. You should therefore protective of their eggs and their young ones. be extra careful, comply with warning Intruding those areas one can expect dive- signs at all times and keep away from the bombing attacks, where they do not hesitate to shore line. pick with their pointed beak on one’s head. To avoid getting hurt, please put a stick, umbrella You will drive onwards to the quiet village or something long above your head since they of Vík, which is situated in the mild and fertile attack the highest point.

12 Self Drive Young Explorers Reynisdrangar: These are high rocks or Sisters´ Lake, respectively. You can have a look needles in the sea at the base of Reynisfjall at the famous Kirkjugólf or church floor, at the Mountain, supposedly formed when two trolls northern part of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, although were trying to drag a three-mastered ship to it was never a floor in a church. It is the surface land. When daylight broke they turned into of huge basalt columns that is worth a closer stone. The needles rise 66 m (216 ft) above sea look. Just as you come to Kirkjubæjarklaustur level and can be seen from Vík. you will see numerous hills, Landbrotshólar, Heiðarvatn: A lake that lies not far from but they make up the biggest area of pseudo Vík. It offers good trout fishing and is a nice craters in Iceland. area for walking. Please note that you will need The area has a lot to offer the visitor; hiking, a permit for fishing. swimming in the local pool or sightseeing are some of the options. The Tourist Information Fun things to do Center in Kirkjubæjarklaustur, at Klaustur vegur River Rafting on the river Hvítá 29, tel. 487-4620 can also give you further infor- Duration: 3- 4 hours mation on what to do in Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Arctic Rafting, tel. 562 7000. On the way from Kirkjubæjarklaustur to Snowmobile tour on Langjokull Glacier Skaftafell National Park you will have a great Duration: 2.5-3 hrs opportunity to see an interesting basalt column Mountaineers of Iceland, tel. 562 7000. formation at Dverghamrar, please look for a Snowmobile Tour of Mýrdalsjökull glacier sign on the right hand side of the road. Then Duration: 1 hour drive past Núpsstaður, an old farm surrounded Arcanum, tel. 487 1500 / 893 3445. by magnificent cliffs, where you will find one of the oldest churches in Iceland with a turf-cov- Day 5: ered roof. You will also drive past Lómagnúpur; an impressive 688 m (2.257 ft) high precipice. Kirkubæjarklaustur, Jökulsárlón Glacial Continue your tour and drive from Skaftafell Lagoon on to Jökulsárlón where it is possible to take a breathtaking cruise amongst floating icebergs Europe’s Largest National Park, Glacial Lagoon on the fantastic 180 m (590 ft) deep glacial with Icebergs, Europe’s Largest Glacier lagoon. The icebergs break off enormous ice ➠➠Approximate driving distance: lobes, advancing down deep valleys from the 272 km / 169 miles Vatnajökull icecap. The ice from the glacier is over 1000 years old, but the lagoon has largely Please see your Iceland Travel Itinerary for been formed this century, as the glacier has details about your overnight stay retreated in the warmer climate. Sometimes ou continue your trip to Kirkjubæjarklaus­ you can see seals by the coastline of the lagoon. Ytur, an area of great beauty, a growing resort with a number of historical spots. You Fun things to do drive on road no. 1 across the south-eastern Trout fishing, close to Kirkjubæjarklaustur part of Iceland through the impressive Skaftár­ Duration: Variable eldahraun lava field, which was created in the Efri-Vík farm, tel. 487 4694. volcanic eruption at Laki Craters, supposedly Glacial Walk in Skaftafell the biggest lava field on earth coming from Duration: 2.5 hours only one eruption, and which is now all covered Icelandic Mountain Guides, tel. 587 9999 or with moss. 899 9982. Kirkjubæjarklaustur was the site of a con- Boat Tour on the Jökulsárlón Glacial vent in earlier times, a fact reflected in place Lagoon name like Systrastapi, Systrafoss and Systra­ Duration: 30-40 min vatn, meaning Sister’s Rock, Sisters´ Fall and Jökulsárlón, tel. 478 2222 or 899 5920.

Young Explorers Self Drive 13 Day 6: On the other hand you have the enormous Skaftafell icecap of Vatnajökull with its valley glaciers descending like fingers in all directions. In the ➠➠Approximate driving distance: middle lies Skaftafell plateau, like a verdant 272 km / 169 miles oasis, where you can see gorges with clear brooks and beautiful waterfalls, birch woods, Please see your Iceland Travel Itinerary for a wealth of wild flowers and lush vegetation. details about your overnight stay A walk on the marked paths along the gorges rive a long the South Coast back to Vik. for a look at the waterfalls is a must for all DMake a stop on the way at Skaftafell, a visitors. The most majestic is , “Black beautiful glacier ringed green oasis within Fall” plunging over a wall of symmetrical basalt Vatnajokull National Park. There are many columns that recall organ pipes. There is an great hiking trails here, including a short hike alternative for those who have difficulty walk- to Svartifoss waterfall surrounded by beautiful ing up to the Skaftafellsjökull glacier (wheel- columnar basalt. chair accessible). For further information please Skaftafell National Park is a masterpiece ask at the information centre in Skaftafell. of seemingly impossible contrasts of nature. If you have children 10 years and older, you On the one hand you have the Skeiðarár­ can try hiking on a glacier. This is an amazing sandur plains, vast stretches of black sandy experience, and your family will also learn lots wasteland and volcanic debris borne from of interesting facts about glaciers. You might volcanic eruptions from underneath the icecap also visit Hólmur, a farm that has a collection of of Vatnajökull. The eruption in Vatnajökull farm animals kids can meet. In the farm zoo you glacier in October 1996, millions of tons of can see sheep, horses, calves, goats, a pig, cats, water and ice flooded over Skeiðarársandur. many different rabbit breeds, Icelandic Viking The flood washed away large parts of the road hen, dwarf hen, silky hen, pheasants, quail, and destroyed two bridges. Preliminary repairs doves and pigeons, goose and ducks. Many of were made and the road opened again in these animals are rare breeds that have not December, only two months after the eruption. changed since the days of the Vikings. Open Some of the icebergs that the flood carried daily, 09:00-17:00, tel. 478 2063. with it were as large as three storey houses.

14 Self Drive Young Explorers Day 7: Reykjavik

➠➠Approximate driving distance: 180 km / 115 miles

Please see your Iceland Travel Itinerary for details about your overnight stay oday you will be heading back to Reykjavik Tto explore the city! In Reykjavik we suggest that you visit Laugardalslaug swimming pool or one of the many swimming pools in Reykjavík. There is also a botanical garden and family park in the Laugar dalur area you might enjoy visiting. You can also browse around the old city center of Reykjavík, with its many shops, galleries, museums, cafés and restaurants. Recommended sites to visit if walking are: Hallgrímskirkja Church, the City Hall, Tjörnin Lake, the harbor area, Harpa conference and music hall, and the sculpture Sun Voyager. A little bit outside of the Day 8: center you can visit the Höfði House. If you are interested in whales, why not take Departure a look at the Whales of Iceland museum or perhaps spend the day relaxing at Nauthólsvík eparture from your accommodation Geothermal Beach. Dis recommended 3 hours before the If you have not planned any extra activities in departure of your flight, as it takes approx. 1 Reykjavik and would like to add an experience to hour to drive to the airport and check in will your stay there, be sure to take a look at our day start 2 hours before your departure. tours selection on our web www.icelandtravel.is If you did not visit the Blue Lagoon on day 1, but have time to spare today you might want Fun things to do to use the opportunity enroute to the airport. Laugardalslaug, Open: 06:30 – 22:00 For this detour, please be sure to allow for at Laugardalslaug, tel. 411 5100. least 2-2.5 hours extra to make sure you’ll have Reykjavik Park and Zoo. ample time in the lagoon. Open: 10:00 – 18:00 The rental car should be returned to the car Reykjavik Park and Zoo, tel. 411 5900. rental airport service area which is located only Whales of Iceland. Open: 10:00 – 18:00 2 minutes from the airport building. A shuttle Whales of Iceland, tel. 571 0077. will then transport you to the departures hall.

We at Iceland Travel hope you have enjoyed your stay in Iceland and wish you a safe journey back home. It would be great to hear how your holiday went when you get back home! You can either log onto our website’s comment section at www.icelandtravel.is/comment/ or visit our TripAdvisor profile.

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