vestrahorn stokksnes east iceland
Drive Iceland from Reykjavik to Akureyri on a 6-day Ring Road Tour
glacier hike solheimajokull
northern lights reykjavik
rystal blue ice cave
whale watching min
seljalandsfoss
ring road hotel
ring road hotel
ring road hotel
ring road hotel
ring road hotel
1 / 12

Iceland Ring Road 6 Days Tour

Drive Iceland from Reykjavik to Akureyri on a 6-day Ring Road Tour

Reykjavík
6 days
English
Starts: From Reykjavík between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.
Ends: To Reykjavík at about 8:00 p.m.
Free cancellation!

Briefing

With the guided tour Iceland Ring Road 6 Days you will travel through the land of fire and ice between its capital Reykjavik and its "capital of the north" Akureyri, crossing the Golden Circle by the essential Ring Road.

The Gullfoss waterfall, the geothermal area of Geysir or Thingvellir National Park, are just some of the highlights that await you on this 6-day route. Depending on the season you travel, you will sail the glacial lagoon of Jökulsárlón or go in search of Northern Lights from the door of your hotel.

The tour includes 5 nights accommodation in hotel with breakfast, English speaking guide and all transfers. Also included are the activities described in the itinerary, and the possibility of adding extra activities such as horseback riding or thermal baths in Vök to make your 6 day Iceland Ring Road tour even more complete.

Tour details

Included

  • 5 nights accommodation in hotel with breakfast
  • English Guide
  • Pick-up & Drop-off in Reykjavík
  • Transportation
  • Wifi in the minibus

Not included

  • Lunch and dinner
  • Horseback riding (12.500 ISK)
  • Thermal baths in Vök (6,290 ISK)

Important information

🧳 The baggage allowance is one 61-centimeter (24-inch) suitcase per traveler.

📍 Don't forget to provide us with your hotel during the booking process. This tour includes pick-up from your hotel, but due to traffic restrictions in the city of Reykjavik, the minibus cannot stop anywhere. Therefore, if it is not possible to pick you up at the door of your hotel, a nearby bus stop will be provided.

🚢 The boat trip on the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon runs from May to September.

💧 The visit to the Ice Cave takes place from October to April.

✨ Northern Lights are visible from September to April. Keep in mind that they are random phenomena that cannot be predicted although hotels are specially selected to maximize the chances of seeing them.

Cancellation policy

Cancellation must be made 48 hours in advance and 85% of the total trip price will be refunded. Any request made less than 48 hours in advance will not be refundable.

In the event that due to extreme weather conditions, road conditions or other factors, the tour is cancelled, we will provide another date as an alternative or a full refund.

Tour itinerary

DAY 1 Golden Circle

🌝 Night at Gullfoss
⭐ Activity: Northern Lights (September-April)

Pick-up in Reykjavik

The minibus will pick you up between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. at the chosen point in the city of Reykjavik.

💬 Due to traffic restrictions in the city of Reykjavik, the minibus cannot stop anywhere. If it is not possible to pick you up at the door of your hotel, a nearby bus stop will be provided.

Reykjavik

Thingvellir National Park

The first stop on this 6-day trip following Iceland's Ring Road will be Thingvellir National Park.

A place of imposing beauty and historical importance located in the southwest of Iceland, do you know the Viking history behind these two tectonic plates that push each other creating a No Man's Land? If not, don't forget to stand close to the guide to hear it that day.

Thingvellir National Park

Haukadalur Geothermal Area

After visiting the park, you will arrive at the Haukadalur Geothermal Area, where you will find the Strokkur hot spring (which erupts every five to ten minutes) and the famous Great Geysir.

The geyser that has given its name to all the geysers in the world, yet has been inactive since the early 2000s.

Haukadalur Geothermal Area

Gullfoss

To finish touring the Golden Circle, you will travel to Gullfoss. One of the most emblematic waterfalls in Iceland. Located in the canyon of the Hvítá River to the southwest, Gullfoss is a spectacular double waterfall that falls into a deep canyon. It is 32 meters high and 20 meters wide.

At the end of the visit, you will head to the hotel, located near Gullfoss, where you will spend the first night.

Gullfoss

⭐ DAY 1 ACTIVITY ⭐ Northern Lights

If you travel from September to April and the weather permits, you will be able to see the northern lights! The hotel where you will be staying is located away from light pollution, which increases your chances of seeing them. If you don't see them that night, you still have 4 nights left to see them!

Northern Lights

DAY 2 South Coast of Iceland

🌝 Night in Vík í Mýrdal
⭐ Activity: Sólheimajökull Glacier Trekking

Seljalandsfoss

On the second day of the Ring Road it is time to visit the south of Iceland: home of the glaciers.

You will start the day at Seljalandsfoss, an imposing waterfall and the only one where it is possible to walk behind it. Travelers: it's time to take the top photo of your trip.

Seljalandsfoss

Skógafoss

Continuing east, you will find Skógafoss. A powerful waterfall, with a width of 25 meters and a height of 60 meters, what makes it special is that it is the largest and most visited waterfall in the country.

Skógafoss

⭐ DAY 2 ACTIVITY ⭐ Trekking on the Sólheimajökull Glacier

You will meet a certified glacier guide who will give you all the safety equipment and take you to the top!

The weather in Iceland can be unpredictable, so it is important to dress appropriately in layers, and wear sturdy, grippy footwear.

💬 In case of not being able to do the trekking on day 2 due to lack of availability or weather alert, the activity will be done on day 3 on the Vatnajökull glacier.

Trekking on the Sólheimajökull Glacier

Reynisfjara

The day will continue in Reynisfjara: a characteristic black sand beach located on the south coast of Iceland.

The sand of Reynisfjara is black due to the volcanic activity in the area. It comes from the same lava that has cooled and hardened.

Reynisfjara

Vík í Mýrdal

The last stop of the day will be Vík í Mýrdal, a small town located on the south coast of Iceland and only 26 km from the Katla volcano. It is the southernmost town on the island and is famous for its black sand beaches and spectacular coastal cliffs.

You will spend the second night in the village of Vík.

Vík í Mýrdal

DAY 3 South Coast of Iceland

🌝 Night in Jökulsárlón
⭐ Activity: Ice Cave (September-April)
⭐ Activity: Jökulsárlón Boat Trip (May-August)

Vatnajökull - Skaftafell
📸 Photo stop

You will leave the hotel at 8 a.m. and head for eastern Iceland, where majestic glaciers, dramatic mountains and unforgettable views await you.

The first stop will be Skaftafell. A photo stop of Europe's largest glacier - Vatnajökull, next to the remains of the bridge that was washed away by a glacial flood in 1996.

Skaftafell

Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon

The next stop on the trip will be the glacial lagoon of Jökulsárlón, where large icebergs drifting into the ocean await you.

Diamond beach

Just 2 minutes from Jökulsárlón, you will find the famous diamond beach. Large chunks of blue ice are scattered along this black sand beach forming a unique landscape.

Diamond beach

⭐ DAY 3 ACTIVITY ⭐ Ice Cave / Jökulsárlón Boat Trip

If you travel between September and April, your day will end with a visit to the Crystal Blue Ice Cave, one of the largest and most popular ice caves in Iceland.

If, on the other hand, you are going to travel the Ring Road in summer (May to September), you will embark on a boat ride on the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon at this point.

You will spend the night in a hotel located in the surroundings of Jökulsárlón.

Ice Cave

DAY 4 East Icelandic Fjords

🌝 Night at VÖK
💥 Activity (optional): Horseback Riding
💥 Activity (optional): Thermal baths in VÖK

East Icelandic Fjords

You will spend the fourth day in the East Fjords of Iceland, where you can relax in hot springs, enjoying the beautiful Icelandic life.

Iceland's history is born in the quiet fishing villages along the way, and today you will visit some of them.

East Icelandic Fjords

Hallormsstaðaskógur Forest

At this point you will have realized that Iceland does not have many trees, so on your fourth day you will visit the Hallormsstaðaskógur forest, the largest on the island.

Hallormsstaðaskógur Forest

Lake Lagarfljót

Right next to the forest, you will pass by Lake Lagarfljót, which is the third largest lake in the country and one of Iceland's most popular tourist attractions.

This lake is believed to be home to a mythical creature known as Lagarfljótsormur, or Lagarfljóts worm. Will you be able to see it?

Lake Lagarfljót

⭐ DAY 4 ACTIVITIES ⭐ Horseback riding - Thermal baths in VÖK

On the fourth day of your trip you can take the opportunity to rest, or make your day unforgettable by adding one or two extra activities to your reservation.

Horseback riding in eastern Iceland

Saddle up, everyone! We're off on an adventure to explore the breathtaking landscapes of the Icelandic wilderness on our own horses!

It is not necessary to have previous riding experience. The activity is not suitable for travelers who weigh more than 120 kg or are in poor physical condition.

Horseback riding in eastern Iceland

Thermal baths in VÖK

You will travel a little further north, where you will find the thermal baths of Vök. A luxury spa and a unique geothermal area located in the east of Iceland.

You will spend the night in a hotel located in the surroundings of Vök.

💬 Day 4 activities are not included in the tour price. In order to enjoy them you will need to add them to your reservation during the payment process.

Thermal baths in VÖK

DAY 5 Northeast Iceland

🌝 Night in Akureyri
⭐ Activity: Visit the city of Akureyri

Lake Mývatn

It's time to explore the Capital of the North: Akureyri. You will spend your 5th day exploring the wilderness of Iceland.

The first stop will be Lake Mývatn and its surroundings.

Námaskarð Pass

A short drive away, you will find the Námaskarð pass, a high-temperature geothermal area where the earth boils and gurgles.

Lake Mývatn

Dimmuborgir

Dimmuborgir will be the next stop, where you will find a field of peculiarly shaped lava pillars rising from the earth whose formations may remind you of trolls, elves and other mythical creatures.

Dimmuborgir

Goðafoss

The journey through the northeast of Iceland will continue in Goðafoss. One of the most spectacular and popular waterfalls in the country.

The name Goðafoss translates as "waterfall of the gods" and is believed to have received its name following Iceland's conversion to Christianity in the year 1000. The waterfall is approximately 12 meters high and 30 meters wide.

Goðafoss

⭐ ACTIVITY OF DAY 5 ⭐ Visit the Capital of the North: Akureyri

Akureyri, also known as the capital of the north, will be the last stop of the day. You will have the whole afternoon to explore this beautiful city surrounded by mountains, glaciers and fjords.

You will spend your last night in Akureyri.

Akureyri

DAY 6 North Iceland

⭐ Activity: Whale Watching

Whale watching

The ring route through Iceland is coming to an end. After breakfast, you will pack your bags and head straight to a small town called Hauganes. You will board a boat and head out into the North Atlantic Ocean to see humpback whales and other wonderful creatures swimming in the ocean.

💬 The guide will offer you extra warm clothes if you need them, but we still recommend you to travel with your warm clothes and raincoat to enjoy this excursion comfortably.

Whale watching

Return to Reykjavík

Start your return to Reykjavík by road. Time permitting, you will make a few extra stops to see the last secrets the Ring Road hides.

If you have any must-see must-sees, don't forget to tell your guide. You will arrive back in Reykjavik around 8:00 pm (depending on weather and road conditions).

If you want to explore western Iceland in-depth, book the 8 Day Iceland Ring Road Tour here. This tour includes the destinations that you will miss with the 6-day tour due to lack of time.

iceland ring road

What to bring to Iceland Ring Road 6 Days Tour

  • Warm clothing (first layer)
  • Waterproof outerwear (second layer)
  • Waterproof hiking boots (can be rented at time of booking)
  • Swimsuit and towel
  • Small backpack
  • Waterproof backpack cover

Questions & Answers

  • Do I have any baggage limitations?

    The limit is one 61 centimeter suitcase (one carry-on bag) per person. In case you want to store luggage at the Reykjavik office you can do so by selecting the extra for ISK 3,000 (non-refundable).
  • How are the rooms distributed?

    If you are traveling alone you will be assigned a single room. If you are two travelers you will be assigned a double room and if you are 3 travelers you will be automatically assigned a triple room. In case you are a group of 3 travelers and you want to have a single and a double room, you will have to pay the corresponding supplement.
  • What will my hotel room be like?

    The rooms are private and have en-suite bathrooms. All rooms include breakfast in the morning. Lunch and dinner are not included.
  • Is it certain that I will see the Northern Lights if I travel in winter?

    The northern lights are a natural phenomenon so you cannot guarantee to see them. The hotels are in prime locations to maximize the chances of seeing them and you will have 5 nights to go out in search of them.
  • What is the size of the group?

    The Iceland in 6 Days tour is done in small groups of maximum 18 travelers plus the guide.
  • Can I do the Iceland ring road in 6 days with children?

    Yes, it is possible to do the Iceland ring road in 6 days with children. Only children under 8 years old are not allowed to participate in the activities. If you travel to Iceland with children under 8 years old, at least one adult must stay with them during the activities.

Other tours that might interest you from Iceland

Other travelers also booked

from