HIGHLIGHTS OF Self Drive / 11 DAYS, 10 NIGHTS

If you are visiting Iceland for the first time and want to experience a good mixture of Iceland‘s top tourist attractions and other interesting spots this is the program for you. A classic self-drive around Iceland placing you next to various forms of natural wonders, such as , volcanoes, lava fields, glaciers and hot spring areas, still having time to participate in exciting activities.

Highlights & recommended activities INCLUDED: • National parks Þingvellir and Vatnajökulsþjóðgarður • 10 nights w. breakfast in pre- with Skaftafell. Geysers. Waterfalls , booked accommodation. , Skógafoss, , , • 10-day rental car of your choice & second driver. Barnafoss and Goðafoss. The Glacial Lagoon Jökulsárlón • Unlimited driving & CDW and Deildartunguhver hot spring. insurance. • Pick-up/drop-off rental car at the • Riding, Whale watching, River-Rafting, Glacier Hike, International Airport in Keflavík. Snowmobiling, Glacier Lagoon boat tour, Kayak tour, • Road Map 1:500 000. Papey boat tour, Secret Lagoon, Fontana Spa, Mývatn • Emergency out of office phone number available while traveling in Nature Bath, Lava Cave Viðgelmir. Iceland. • VAT & lodging tax. • Blue Whales are sometimes sighted early in the summer • Detailed itinerary. in the Whale Watching tour from Húsavík. PRICE FROM 870 EUR

Strand Alle 5 · DK-3050 Humlebæk, (Copenhagen) Denmark. Phone: +45 25 76 23 99 · Email: [email protected] www.creact.dk HIGHLIGHTS OF ICELAND SEASON: MARCH-NOVEMBER

Day 1: Arrival Upon arrival at Keflavik International Airport pick up your pre-booked rent- al car. You will start your journey by driving to Reykjavík where you will be staying overnight. If you are arriving early, you will have the option to make a detour to the famous Blue Lagoon for a relaxing bath or explore Reykja- vik, the most northerly located capital in the world. If arriving late, your accommodation will be near the airport.

Day 2: Þingvellir National Park , & Gullfoss Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site and Þingvellir National Park. Walk through the Almannagjá rift, pass the site of the first parliament, Al- thing and enjoy Öxaráfoss waterfall. Your journey will take you to Geysir hot spring area where Strokkur erupts every five minutes or so. Next stop is the majestic waterfall Gullfoss, one of Iceland´s famous natural wonders. We recommend a visit to Friðheimar greenhouse where you can treat yourself to a delicious tomato ice cream before heading to the Secret La- goon pool for a relaxing bath. Your accommodation is in Hella area.

Day 3: Waterfalls, Glacier & Black Sand Beaches Start the day with an unforgettable walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall or take the stairs to the brim of the waterfall Skógafoss. The local folk- and transport museum Skógasafn exhibits an original turf-farm as well as his- torical items from days long gone. You can join a Glacier hike or snowmobile tour at Sólheimajökull Glacier, before heading towards the bird cliffs of Dyrhólaey with its rock arch. Ex- plore Reynisfjara black beach with it’s fascinating basalt columns. Drive through the desert-like black sands of Mýrdalssandur, the lava landscapes of Eldhraun on your way to the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur for an over- night stay.

Day 4: Skaftafell National Park, Waterfall & Glacier Lagoon Make time for an easy hike to Svartifoss waterfall in Skaftafell, or head on to the outlet glacier Svínafellsjökull, its dramatic scenery has been used in many movies. Birdwatchers can join a hay wagon tour to cape Ingólfshöfði, before con- tinuing to the famous glacier lagoon Jökulsárlón. Boat tours are offered that will bring you closer to the floating icebergs and frequently seals are spotted in the lagoon. Sometimes smaller blocks of ice are washed ashore on the black sand beach close by. Continue along the majestic ice cap Vat- najökull to your accommodation near Höfn, maybe joining a snowmobile or Kayak tour on the way.

Day 5: Fjord Landscapes of the East Perhaps visit the exhibition dedicated to the Vatnajökull glacier in Höfn, before heading on to the fjord landscapes of East Iceland characterized by dramatic precipices and narrow coastlines that is rich in birdlife. Visit the sculptures The Eggs of Merry Bay, take a boat tour to Papey island, or be impressed by the large mineral collection at Petra´s Stone museum, displayed in her former home. At the Wilderness Centre, a fascinating exhibition showcasing nature and the life of the early settlers of the area of Lake Lagerfljót. The popular and easy hike to Hengifoss waterfall rounds up the day. Overnight in Egilsstaðir area.

HIGHLIGHTS OF ICELAND SEASON: MARCH-NOVEMBER

Day 6: Traditional Farm, Dettifoss Waterfall & Hot Mud Springs Perhaps take a detour to the old turf style farmhouse Sænautasel on your way to Dettifoss waterfall, the most powerful in Europe. The foul-smelling sulphur mud hot springs at Námaskarð are a must, be- fore gazing into the Víti Crater near the volcano Krafla. We recommend an easy hike to the still warm rocks at Leirhnjúkur lava field. The green farmland around Lake Mývatn is a paradise for many bird spe- cies and birdwatchers. Make your last stop of the day at Mývatn Nature Baths and soak in the geothermal hot water, before heading to your ac- commodation for the next two nights.

Day 7: Lake Mývatn Lake Myvatn is in the summer home to many birds like Great northern diver, Red throated diver, Harlequin duck who´s breeding area in Europe is only to be found in Iceland. Take a leisurely walk along the pseudo craters at Skútustaðir, the lava for- mation Dimmuborgir or hike to the crater Hverfjall for an impressive view over the surroundings. It is possible to take a day tour in a 4x4 highlandbus to the caldera Askja, that erupted in 1875. Passing by Herðubreið mountain and driving through the vast highland desert, this adventure tour with a hike to the crater lake is a highlight to every Iceland visit.

Day 8: Whale Watching & Akureyri Húsavík village is known to be the Whale watching capital in Iceland, with a very good chance to see Humpback Whales, while the cute puffins are flying close by the boats. The Whale museum is one of the largest of its kind. Picturesque Goðafoss waterfall is located on the way to Akureyri. Take a walk through the charming city centre with its colourful houses and bo- tanical garden. Make the day special and join a Whale watching tour with sea angling, relax in a beer bath, and enjoy Christmas all year round at the Christmas garden, before heading on to Skagafjörður for your overnight stay. HIGHLIGHTS OF ICELAND SEASON: MARCH-NOVEMBER

Day 9: Adventure in Skagafjörður & Seal Watching on Vatnsnes Penin- sula Skagafjörður is the centre for horse breeding and of course horse riding tours are offered, as well as adventurous River Rafting tours. We recom- mend visits to the local folk museum Glaumbær with its Turf farm and the petite turf church Víðimýri. For a grand view over the fjord, relax at the local swimming pool in Hofsós. In Blönduós, the Sea Ice Exhibition Centre, the Icelandic Textile Center as well as the distinctive looking church are worth a visit. On the way south to your accommodation near Borgarnes, don´t miss to hike up the crater Grábrók!

Day 10: Lava Waterfalls & Reykjavík Deildartunguhver hot spring is the most active hot spring in Iceland, and the picturesque waterfalls Hraunfossar and Barnafoss are not far away. Guided tours of the lava cave Víðgelmir or the manmade ice cave Inside the Langjökull Glacier are available all year round. More about the icelandic Settlement and the famous Egill´s Saga can be found at the The Settlement Center in Borgarnes village, before driving onwards to Reykjavík. Explore the most northerly located capital in the world. A must see are the city hall at the lake Tjörnin, the old harbour area, Harpa concert hall and the city centre with its colourful buildings.

Day 11: Departure The time of departure determines your plan for the day. If you leave in the late afternoon or the evening you will have time to explore Reykjavík fur- ther and/or stop by at the Blue Lagoon on your way to the airport. If you have an early morning flight, we recommend spending the last night in short driving distance to the airport. Return your rental car at the airport before departure.