8-Day Iceland Ring Road Tour with Snæfellsnes & Landmannalaugar

8 Days Around Iceland – Ring Road, Snæfellsnes & Landmannalaugar

Travel through Iceland’s major regions in eight days, combining the complete Ring Road with the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and a final highland adventure in Landmannalaugar. This carefully planned itinerary brings together waterfalls, glaciers, volcanic landscapes, geothermal areas, dramatic coastlines, charming villages and Iceland’s colourful interior highlands.

The order of the itinerary may vary depending on your departure day, but the main regions and experiences remain part of the tour.

Day 1 – Golden Circle & South Coast

Leave Reykjavík and begin your Iceland adventure with the famous Golden Circle. Visit Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and the powerful Gullfoss Waterfall before continuing towards the South Coast.

The journey continues through Iceland’s dramatic volcanic coastline, with stops at Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and Reynisfjara. You will then continue to your accommodation in South Iceland.

Main stops: Þingvellir National Park, Geysir and Strokkur, Gullfoss Waterfall, Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and Reynisfjara.

Day 2 – South Coast & Glacier Lagoon

Continue east through South Iceland towards the spectacular glacier landscapes of Vatnajökull. Travel through Vík í Mýrdal and visit the dramatic Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon before continuing towards the famous Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.

See icebergs floating in the lagoon before visiting nearby Diamond Beach, where pieces of glacial ice are often washed onto the black volcanic sand. Continue towards the Höfn region for your overnight stay.

Main stops: Vík í Mýrdal, Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach and the Höfn region.

Optional activity: A seasonal ice cave experience may be available for an additional fee. Availability depends on the season and current operating conditions.

Day 3 – East Iceland

Travel through the remote and scenic East Fjords, where steep mountains, winding roads and peaceful coastal villages create some of Iceland’s most spectacular landscapes.

Visit Djúpivogur before continuing towards Egilsstaðir and Borgarfjörður Eystri. During the warmer nesting season, the region may also provide opportunities to see puffins in their natural environment, although wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Main stops: Djúpivogur, the East Fjords, Egilsstaðir and Borgarfjörður Eystri.

Optional activity: Relax in the geothermal waters of Vök Baths near Egilsstaðir for an additional fee.

Day 4 – Diamond Circle & North Iceland

Explore the volcanic and geothermal landscapes of Northeast Iceland before continuing towards Akureyri. The day combines dramatic canyons, geothermal areas, lava formations and powerful waterfalls.

Visit Stuðlagil Canyon and, when road and weather conditions allow, Dettifoss. Continue through the Lake Mývatn region to experience the geothermal landscapes of Námaskarð, the unusual lava formations of Dimmuborgir and the volcanic craters of Skútustaðagígar.

The day concludes with a visit to Goðafoss Waterfall before arriving in Akureyri.

Main stops: Stuðlagil Canyon, Dettifoss when accessible, Námaskarð, Dimmuborgir, Skútustaðagígar, Goðafoss and Akureyri.

Some stops, particularly Dettifoss, depend on road accessibility, weather and local conditions.

Day 5 – Northwest Iceland

Begin the day in Akureyri before travelling through the peaceful countryside of Northwest Iceland. The route combines historic sites, traditional Icelandic landscapes, unusual coastal formations and dramatic canyon scenery.

Visit the Víðimýri Turf Church area before continuing towards the coast. When accessible, see the distinctive Hvítserkur Sea Stack before travelling onward to Kolugljúfur Canyon and the Laugarbakki area.

Main stops: Akureyri, Víðimýri Turf Church area, Hvítserkur when accessible, Kolugljúfur Canyon and Laugarbakki.

Optional activity: Whale watching may be available from North Iceland for an additional fee. Wildlife sightings are natural and cannot be guaranteed.

Day 6 – West Iceland

Continue through the volcanic and geothermal landscapes of West Iceland as you make your way back towards Reykjavík. The day features volcanic craters, waterfalls, geothermal activity and Icelandic countryside.

Walk around Grábrók Crater before visiting the beautiful Hraunfossar Waterfalls, where streams emerge through ancient lava formations. Continue to Sturlureykir Horse Farm and Deildartunguhver, one of Iceland’s most powerful hot springs, before returning to Reykjavík.

Main stops: Grábrók Crater, Hraunfossar Waterfalls, Sturlureykir Horse Farm, Deildartunguhver and Reykjavík.

Day 7 – Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Spend the day exploring the diverse Snæfellsnes Peninsula, a region that brings together many of Iceland’s characteristic landscapes in one spectacular area. Discover mountains, black-sand beaches, dramatic coastal cliffs, historic fishing villages and wildlife locations.

Visit the iconic Kirkjufell Mountain and Kirkjufellsfoss before continuing to Djúpalónssandur Black Sand Beach and the coastal village of Arnarstapi. The journey also includes Búðir and its famous black church, as well as Ytri Tunga, known for its coastal scenery and potential seal sightings.

Main stops: Kirkjufell Mountain, Kirkjufellsfoss, Djúpalónssandur, Arnarstapi, Búðir Black Church, Ytri Tunga and the Snæfellsnes coastal landscapes.

Return to Reykjavík for the night before the final highland adventure.

Day 8 – Landmannalaugar Highlands

Finish your Iceland journey with an adventure into the colourful Landmannalaugar Highlands. This spectacular region is known for its multicoloured rhyolite mountains, extensive lava fields, crater lakes and natural geothermal waters.

Explore the dramatic highland scenery and enjoy opportunities for hiking and bathing in natural geothermal water. The day may also include visits to Hnausapollur, also known as Bláhylur, as well as the impressive Háifoss and Granni waterfalls and Hjálparfoss.

Main experiences: Landmannalaugar, colourful rhyolite mountains, lava fields, natural geothermal hot springs, Hnausapollur / Bláhylur crater lake, Háifoss and Granni, and Hjálparfoss.

An optional guided hike of approximately 1.5–2 hours may also be available, allowing you to explore more of the spectacular highland landscape on foot.

Because of the early departure required for the highland journey, breakfast is not provided by the hotel on Day 8. A convenience-store stop is planned so guests can purchase breakfast before continuing to Landmannalaugar.

After the highland experience, return to Reykjavík for your final drop-off.

Accommodation During the Tour

Seven nights of accommodation are included throughout the tour, allowing you to travel around Iceland without the need to arrange hotels independently in each region.

Accommodation generally includes a private ensuite bathroom, complimentary Wi-Fi and comfortable Icelandic hotels or guesthouses. Single, double/twin and triple room options are available, subject to availability at each property.

Six breakfasts are included during the tour. Room configuration depends on availability at the individual accommodation properties.

Solo Travellers & Room Options

Solo travellers can select the available accommodation arrangement when booking. Double and twin rooms are suitable for two travellers, while triple rooms may be available depending on the property.

Private single rooms are available with the applicable supplement, and private bathrooms are included with the accommodation.

If a particular room configuration is unavailable at one of the properties, an alternative suitable arrangement may be provided.

Meals During the Tour

Breakfast is included on six mornings of the tour. Lunches and dinners are not included, giving guests the flexibility to choose their preferred meals during the journey.

Regular stops are made throughout the tour where guests can purchase food and refreshments. Dinner is generally available near the overnight accommodation.

Included: Six hotel breakfasts.

Not included: Lunches, dinners, food and drinks purchased during sightseeing stops, and breakfast on Day 8.

On Day 8, an early departure means the hotel breakfast is not provided. Guests can purchase breakfast during the planned convenience-store stop.

Optional Experiences

Several optional experiences can be added to the journey for an additional fee, allowing you to personalise your Iceland adventure according to your interests.

Seasonal Ice Cave Tour

Experience one of Iceland’s natural ice caves during the South Coast portion of the tour. Ice cave access is seasonal and depends on weather, safety and operating conditions.

Because ice caves are constantly changing natural formations, the exact cave, appearance and access route can vary.

Optional activity – additional fee applies.

Vök Baths

Relax in geothermal water at Vök Baths near Egilsstaðir during the East Iceland portion of the journey.

Optional activity – additional fee applies.

Whale Watching

Join an optional whale-watching experience while travelling through North Iceland. This provides an opportunity to experience Iceland’s marine wildlife from the water.

Optional activity – additional fee applies.

Whale and other wildlife sightings are natural experiences and cannot be guaranteed.

Landmannalaugar Highland Experience

The Landmannalaugar adventure on Day 8 is what sets this itinerary apart from a standard Iceland Ring Road tour. Instead of ending the journey with a return to Reykjavík, you venture into Iceland’s dramatic interior highlands.

Landmannalaugar is famous for its colourful rhyolite mountains, black lava fields, geothermal areas and spectacular hiking landscapes. The region also offers opportunities to relax in natural geothermal water surrounded by the highlands.

The experience may include visits to crater lakes and some of Iceland’s most impressive waterfalls, including Hnausapollur / Bláhylur, Háifoss, Granni and Hjálparfoss.

An optional guided hike of approximately 1.5–2 hours provides an additional way to experience the unique highland scenery.

Landmannalaugar is reached via highland roads, so this portion of the tour operates during the summer access season. Road access and individual stops remain subject to weather, road conditions and local safety requirements.