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Highland Explorer - Private 4x4 Tour

(9 days / 8 nights)

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Experience a part of Iceland others only see in photos

Experience the best of the “land of fire and ice” with this exclusive 4x4 journey that we can tailor to your preferences. For the ultimate adventure and comfort, you‘ll be driven by your own private local guide in a super-jeep to many of the country’s top attractions along with some hidden gems often overlooked by guidebooks. You’ll have opportunities to take part in optional activities like glacier hikes, horse riding and more. All of our privately-guided travel packages are fully customisable to fit your specific interests and needs. Let us help you design the tour of your dreams!

Are you travelling in a group of 10 – 17 people? We can arrange this tour with transportation in a roomy mini-coach. Send us a request for details.

9 days / 8 nights

Price p.p. from

ISK

The amount will be charged in ISK

Approx 1390656 ISK

Book with confidence
Find your price
Request info

— Why book with Nordic Visitor

  • Hassle-free & seamless travel experience
  • Quality & value for your money
  • Local travel experts in Iceland & trusted private guides
  • Customisable & personal tour options

Read more

— Book With Confidence

  • Optional cancellation insurance
  • Affordable deposits from 10%

Terms and conditions apply

Tour Highlights

  • See the massive floating icebergs at the Glacier Lagoon
  • Walk the Diamond Beach, seeing the scattered, glistening ice
  • Enjoy the famous Golden Circle route
  • Explore the highlands with a private guide in a rugged 4x4 vehicle
  • Tour the vast landscapes of Landmannalaugar and Þjórsárdalur
  • Photograph jagged basalt columns & sweeping black sand beaches
  • Enjoy the surrounding beauty of the Mývatn region
  • See the spectacular waterfalls Dettifoss, Goðafoss, and Gullfoss

Travel style

Privately Guided i

Interest

4x4 Highland Route i, Active i, Midnight sun i

Season

Jul - Sep

Departure

Daily

Driving distance

1732/1076 km/mi

Itinerary

A day-by-day plan to guide your journey.

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  • Day 1: Arrival to Iceland and Reykjavik

    On arrival at Keflavik International Airport, you will be welcomed and driven to your accommodation in Reykjavík. After settling in, take the opportunity to explore the vibrant city centre at you own pace. The main downtown street, Laugavegur, offers a variety of shops, galleries, restaurants, coffee houses and bars to suit all tastes—all within an easy walk.  Spend the rest of the evening at your leisure.

    Spend the night in Reykjavík.

    Average Driving Distance: 49km / 30 mi.
    Average Travel & Exploring Duration: 50 Minutes

    Attractions See Activities for this day

  • Day 2: Hidden Hot Springs in the Highlands

    This is the day you've been waiting for – the first of many adventures to some of Iceland's most wild landscapes with your own expert guide at the wheel. Your guide will pick you up at your accommodation and you'll head along the south coast into the Þjórsárdalur Valley, once a prosperous farmland until it was devastated by a volcanic eruption in 1104. 

    Further inland at the secluded Landmannalaugar area you can stop to bathe in a natural hot spring surrounded by nature before driving to the Fjallabak nature reserve. This drive takes you through an area sculpted by volcanoes and geothermal activity, covered by sands, lava fields, lakes and rivers. Continuing back towards inhabited land, you'll pass such otherworldly sites as Lake Langisjór near Vatnajökull glacier, the Ófærufoss waterfall and Elgjá, one of the largest volcanic canyons in the world.

    Spend the night in the Kirkjubæjarklaustur area.

    Please note: Today's journey can take up to 12 - 14 hours depending on road conditions and optional stops.

    Average Driving Distance: 295 km / 183 mi.
    Average Travel & Exploring Duration: 12-14 hours

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions

  • Day 3: Europe's Largest Glacier & Icebergs

    Spend the day exploring around the southern edge of the vast Vatnajökull National Park, the huge swath of protected land surrounding Europe's largest glacier. Here, you will get to experience some of Iceland's most famous scenery – the deep blue ice and stark, jagged rock formations that often adorn postcards.

    The Skaftafell area of the park offers a great cross-section of Iceland's natural contrasts, and you can hike (4 km total) to the Svartifoss waterfall, with its cliffs of dark, hexagonal basalt columns. If the refreshing walk has you thinking about ice, you'll be delighted by the next stop on your journey, the famous Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Take your time to watch the blue icebergs floating in the mirror-like water, and if you’re lucky you might spot some curious seals.

    Spend the night in the Höfn area.

    Average Driving Distance: 203 km / 126 mi.
    Average Travel & Exploring Duration: 8 hours

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day

  • Day 4: Etheral East Fjords & Fishing Villages

    Today the scenery completely changes, and instead of glaciers and icebergs your views will be of dramatic coastlines, steep mountainsides and secluded fishing villages as you weave around the East Fjords. Notable sights on the way include the majestic Búlandstindur, the delightful village of Seyðisfjörður and the Lagarfljót River, said to be inhabited by an enormous worm, a la the Loch Ness Monster. And of course, the photo opportunities from the roadside viewpoints are a major highlight here.

    Spend the night in the Egilsstaðir area.

    Average Driving Distance:256 km / 159 mi.
    Average Travel & Exploring Duration: 8 hours

    Attractions Attractions

  • Day 5: Volcanic Highlands & Otherworldly Askja

    From Egilsstaðir it will be a long travel day, but you won’t regret getting up early for all the incredible sites. You’ll visit Askja, a deep (200 m) caldera-lake formed after the powerful volcanic eruption of 1875, and Víti, a smaller crater-lake formed the same year. Driving through this barren, unforgiving landscape -- where NASA once trained astronauts and where Icelandic outlaws hid in the Middle Ages -- is something you won’t soon forget. Before arriving at your next destination, the fascinating Lake Mývatn area where you will spend the night you will stop by Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe.

    Spend the night in the Lake Mývatn area.

    Average Driving Distance: 326 km / 202 mi.
    Average Travel & Exploring Duration: 10-12 hours

    Attractions Attractions Attractions

  • Day 6: Natural Wonders of the North

    Start the day by exploring the surrounding area of Lake Mývatn, a region rich in birdlife and fascinating geological formations. Here the earth comes alive with the geothermal and volcanic forces that lie beneath, as you can see first-hand at places such as the steamy Námaskarð Pass, the Skútustaðagígar pseudo-craters, the Dimmuborgir lava formations and the Krafla volcano.

    From here you will head to Skagafjörður, stopping on the way to admire the Goðafoss waterfall before reaching Akureyri, the “capital of the north”. You will have some time to walk around this small city -- the second largest in Iceland -- before arriving at your accommodation for the night.

    Spend the night in Skagafjörður.

    Average Driving Distance: 202 km / 125 mi.
    Average Travel & Exploring Duration: 9-10 hours

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day

  • Day 7: Highland Discovery - A Journey between two Glaciers

    Today's journey is a true wilderness adventure, as you travel from north to south through the rugged interior. Following the old Kjölur highland route — once notorious as a refuge for outlaws — you’ll come across some unique, primitive-looking landscapes, such as the smoking fumaroles and sky-blue boiling pools of Hveravellir, and travel between the Langjökull and Hofsjökull glaciers before reaching your accommodation for the night.

    Spend the night in the highland area - Kerlingarfjöll.

    Please Note: The Kerlingarfjöll lodge is a highland hotel and guesthouse and is only available in the comfort and budget categories. If Kerlingarfjöll happens to be sold out upon booking, we will book an alternative accommodation along the Golden Circle region.

    Average Driving Distance: 167 km / 103 mi.
    Average Travel & Exploring Duration: 8 hours

    Attractions Attractions Attractions

  • Day 8: The Golden Circle & Return to Reykjavik

    Today you’ll travel the famous Golden Circle route, one of the most popular areas in Iceland. If you aren’t already astounded by the natural diversity in Iceland, this trip will make you appreciate just how many different natural wonders can be seen within a small area. The first attraction on this route is the UNESCO-listed Þingvellir National Park, a geological marvel and location of the country’s first parliament over 1,000 years ago.

    Next you will see Iceland’s famous geothermal forces in action at the Haukadalur geothermal area, home of the great Geysir — from where we get the familiar English word geyser. But here it’s the Strokkur geyser that steals the show, spouting a column of boiling water several meters into the air roughly every 8 minutes. End the route with visit to the two-tiered Gullfoss waterfall, where you can follow a trail to get closer to the roaring, misty cascade.

    Spend the night in Reykjavik.

    Average Driving Distance: 185 km / 114 mi.
    Average Travel & Exploring Duration: 8 hours

    Attractions Attractions Attractions

  • Day 9: Departure Day

    When it’s time for your Iceland adventure to end, you will be picked up from the hotel for your airport transfer about three hours before your flight. If you’re flying in the afternoon, you have the option to visit the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa to relax in the warm mineral waters before continuing to the airport (optional: not included).

    Average Driving Distance: 49 km / 30 mi.
    Average Travel & Exploring Duration: 50 Minutes

    See Activities for this day
View full itinerary

Optional extras

Customise your adventure with these Optional Extras.

We recommend adding your extra activities to the tour now for the best booking experience and to secure your spot, as activities are likely to sell out.

Day One

Activity

Whale Watching from Reykjavik

Duration 3 hours
Price p.p. from

12490ISK

ISK

View
Activity

Reykjavik City Walk - Small Groups

Duration 3 hours
Price p.p. from

4980ISK

ISK

View
Activity

Helicopter Sightseeing - Reykjavik Summit

Duration 45 minutes
Price p.p. from

31900ISK

ISK

View
Activity

Puffin Watching from Reykjavík

Duration 60 minutes
Price p.p. from

6300ISK

ISK

View
Activity

The Tasty Reykjavík Food Walk

Duration 3 hours 30 minutes
Price p.p. from

15900ISK

ISK

View
Activity

Helicopter Sightseeing - Geothermal Tour

Duration 50 minutes
Price p.p. from

49900ISK

ISK

View
Activity

Inside the Volcano

Duration 6 hours
Price p.p. from

47000ISK

ISK

View
Upgrade

Blue Lagoon Entrance & Private Transport on Arrival

Duration 2 hours 30 minutes
Price p.p. from

30000ISK

ISK

View
Activity

ATV Bike Tour - Mountain Safari - 1 hour

Duration 2 hours 30 minutes
Price p.p. from

17990ISK

ISK

View
Activity

ATV Bike Evening Tour - Midnight Sun Safari

Duration 3 hours 30 minutes
Price p.p. from

28000ISK

ISK

View
Activity

Wonders of Iceland & Áróra Planetarium Show

Duration 3 hours
Price p.p. from

4690ISK

ISK

View
Activity

FlyOver Iceland

Duration 35 minutes
Price p.p. from

4990ISK

ISK

View
Activity

Horse Riding from Reykjavík

Duration 4 hours
Price p.p. from

18900ISK

ISK

View
Activity

Sky Lagoon Pure Pass with Transfer

Duration 2 hours 30 minutes
Price p.p. from

13598ISK

ISK

View
View all extras
Activity

Whale Watching from Reykjavik

Duration 3 hours
Price p.p. from

12490ISK

ISK

View
Activity

Reykjavik City Walk - Small Groups

Duration 3 hours
Price p.p. from

4980ISK

ISK

View
Activity

Helicopter Sightseeing - Reykjavik Summit

Duration 45 minutes
Price p.p. from

31900ISK

ISK

View
Activity

Puffin Watching from Reykjavík

Duration 60 minutes
Price p.p. from

6300ISK

ISK

View
View all extras

Map

Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.

What's included

Don’t worry, we’ve got this covered.

Included

Not included

Optional Extras

9 days / 8 nights

Price p.p. from

ISK

The amount will be charged in ISK

Approx 1390656 ISK

Book with confidence
Find your price
Request info

Essential information

Everything you need to know about this tour before you book

We recommend that you read carefully through the following information before booking this private tour in Iceland. We’ve answered the most frequently asked questions here so you know what to expect. You’ll also find more practical advice and attraction recommendations in our online Iceland Travel Guide.

On a private tour with Nordic Visitor, you'll enjoy a tried-and-tested itinerary while enjoying the service of a private, local driver-guide. Let us know what your interests are and we’ll do our best to match you with a guide who will add to your experience.

You'll usually begin the day with your guide at around 9:00 AM. But if you prefer you can also choose to set out later. Depending on the day’s itinerary, you can expect between 8–9 hours with your guide. Take advantage of their insider knowledge while relaxing and enjoying the ride.

If there are specific things you'd like to see and do, let your guide know and they'll do their best to adjust the day's itinerary. The time spent at each spot will also be based on your interests. That said, the guide will follow the original itinerary.

Upon your arrival, you’ll receive personalised information, including an itinerary, map, and our very own Iceland Travel Guide. Plus, you’ll have access to our 24/7 helpline during your trip should you need to contact us.

Yes, when you book your Iceland tour with Nordic Visitor, you always get airport transfers to and from Keflavík Airport included. This will be a private, shared or bus transfer, depending on your itinerary. Please check the details of your tour to confirm.

If you add extra nights to your stay before or after the scheduled trip, we’ll rearrange your transfers to fit your new itinerary.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with your travel consultant if you have any specific requests about optional activities or services.

During your private tour, you’ll stay in accommodation hand-picked by our local Iceland travel experts. We’ve partnered with local businesses and selected hotels and guesthouses based on excellent ratings, comfort and our personal experience. 
 
On private tours, you can choose from single, double and triple rooms. Please note that in Iceland room types are based on European standard sizes, which means they are smaller than in North America. 
 
For example, a double bed often consists of 2 single beds pushed together. Twin rooms are 2 separate single beds. Triple rooms include a double bed along with an extra bed, rollaway or sofa bed. And single rooms are often smaller than the standard double.
 
If you have something specific in mind, please contact us to discuss customising your accommodation options

Yes, you can customise this tour online. During the booking process, you can add extra nights to your itinerary as well as optional day trips, excursions and upgrades. 

If you have something specific in mind, get in touch with your travel consultant and they’ll create your dream trip.

By booking with Nordic Visitor, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that there’s always someone there for you throughout your trip.

For support and advice during the day, your private guide will be there to advise you. But you can also call our office. And if anything unexpected happens outside working hours, you can reach us on our 24/7 helpline.

If you’re arriving from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand, you won’t need a visa to visit Iceland. 

Visiting from another country? You can find the complete list of countries whose nationals require a visa to enter Iceland on the website of Iceland’s Directorate of Immigration. If you do require a visa, they maintain a list of local embassies that can assist you with the process. 

Your passport must also be valid for at least 3 months from your departure from Iceland. It’s good to check your passport expiry date early in case you need to renew it. 

Read more about visas, airports and airlines in the getting to Iceland section of our travel guide.

Travelling with your kids? No problem! You'll be able to enter your children's ages during the booking process. This lets us know whether to arrange either a baby cot or roll-away bed for your trip.

If you'd like us to arrange for a car seat to be provided for your trip, please let us know ahead of time. It's also possible to book this directly with the car rental agency. This will incur a small, extra cost.

Only you can pick the best time to visit Iceland for your trip. It’ll depend on how much time you have to explore, what you want to see in Iceland and any events you might like to attend.

In summer, June to August, you’ll have milder temperatures and longer daylight hours, compared to the winter. This is ideal for outdoor excursions and sightseeing. 

If you’d like to experience the top attractions with fewer visitors around then you could book your summer trip in May or September. These shoulder season months have more tour and attraction availability.

The winter months are also popular, but generally quieter, apart from the Christmas holiday season. This is the ideal time to try to spot the northern lights.

Find out what annual Icelandic events and festivals are on in our travel guide. Or read more about the best time to visit Iceland on our blog.

Because of its northerly location close to the Arctic Circle, Iceland enjoys long days throughout the summer. 

Around the summer solstice, from early June until mid-July, you’ll experience almost 24 hours of daylight. This phenomenon, known as the midnight sun, occurs within the Arctic Circle and is when the sun doesn’t fully set below the horizon. 

These long daylight hours give you plenty of time to drive around and explore. That said, you may want to pack a sleeping mask if you are a light sleeper or tend to wake up at dawn. 

Find out what the daylight hours will be during the month of your visit in this guide to time and daylight in Iceland.

Summer in Iceland is mild and boasts the best weather and longest days of the year. You can expect temperatures of around 10–15°C (50–59°F), with potential lows of 5°C (41°F) and highs of 25°C (77°F). 

It’s good to know that weather conditions are changeable in Iceland, so you should come ready for sun, rain and wind. For more information on the local climate, read the page Iceland weather conditions. 

Please note that sightseeing is dependent on weather and road conditions. This means that your itinerary might need to be altered if these conditions are not favourable during your visit.

Even in summertime Iceland’s climate can feel cool. As you’ll probably spend a lot of time outdoors, you should be ready for a variety of weather conditions.

Here is a recommended summer packing list for your trip to Iceland:

  • Durable insulated jacket
  • Rain gear, including sturdy wind and waterproof layers, like a jacket and trousers
  • Robust walking shoes with a good grip
  • Mid-layers such as a fleece or woollen jumper
  • A few pairs of warm hiking socks
  • Hat, gloves and scarf
  • Swimwear for visiting geothermal pools or spas
  • Backpack for daily adventures
  • Electronic equipment such as smartphone, external powerpack, and travel adapters
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Sunglasses, sunscreen and eye mask for the summer sun
  • And don’t forget your camera!
     

For more information, check out this Iceland packing guide.

There are limited laundry facilities along the Ring Road and in Iceland’s countryside. Some hotels do offer dry cleaning for an additional cost. 

If you would prefer not to use this service, we recommend bringing or buying a small pack of detergent. This way you can hand wash your items in your hotel bathroom.

Breakfast at your Iceland accommodations is always included when you travel with Nordic Visitor.  For the rest of your meals, the amount of spending money you need will depend on the standard of restaurants you decide to go to. 

That said, we recommend budgeting between 2,000–3,000 ISK for lunch per person, each day. Dinners at casual restaurants might cost between 3,000–6,000 ISK. Meanwhile, at upscale restaurants, you can expect to pay 7,000 ISK or more. This does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages.

It’s best to book as soon as you can to secure your preferred travel dates. Once you have picked your tour, check the availability calendar to see which months are open for booking. Then, select the date you want and complete your booking. 

Nordic Visitor offers 10–20% deposits so you can reserve your trip as early as it’s convenient for you. The remaining balance is due 30 days before you travel. 

Many tours are also open for the following year if you like to plan well ahead. And if you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact us. 

After booking your tour package online, you will be contacted within 2 business days by your own dedicated travel consultant. They will be your point of contact for all your travel needs before, during and even after your trip. 

At that time, they’ll confirm the availability of your tour. Then the booking process starts, which may take a few weeks. Once this is done, your travel consultant will provide you with all the details of your trip. You will also receive more information about what to expect during your trip.

You can get in touch with our Iceland travel experts ahead of your trip if you have any questions. The live chat option is useful for getting a quick reply as someone answers live every day during office opening hours.

Once you’ve booked, we’ll provide you with a travel guide packed full of local tips and top attractions for your visit. You can also check out our online Iceland Travel Guide where we’ve compiled useful information about topics, including:

After you have booked your tour, it will only take a few days to confirm its availability. But it may take a few weeks to create your itinerary and book everything. Once your trip details are finalised, we’ll email you copies of your travel documents.

When you arrive in Iceland, you’ll receive a welcome bag with hard copies of your itinerary, attraction and tour vouchers, the Nordic Visitor Iceland Travel Guide and more.

So when do you check in? And what can you expect upon landing in Keflavík?

After picking up your luggage, you will be greeted by a driver holding a sign with your name in the arrivals hall. The driver will hand over your welcome package with hard copies of your travel documents. You’ll then be driven to your hotel in Reykjavík.

Check-in times vary between hotels and guesthouses, but it normally starts between 2 PM and 4 PM. 

You are welcome to request an early check-in for an additional fee. Although this isn’t always available, you’ll be able to store your luggage at the hotel so you can start exploring before check-in. Please contact your travel consultant well in advance of your arrival if you’d like an early check-in.

When you depart may depend on the time of your return flight. Check out early if you’re heading to the airport for a morning flight. On the other hand, if you’re flying home later in the day, you might like to enjoy a leisurely day or visit one more attraction.

You will need to check out from your room, but will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception. Simply return later to collect your bags before catching your transfer to the airport.

All bookings are billed in Icelandic Króna (ISK), the official currency of Iceland. 

Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate as issued by the Central Bank of Iceland. This means conversions from ISK to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.

Accommodation

Relax in top-quality hotels and guesthouses that are highly rated by visitors and handpicked by local travel experts.

Look forward to peaceful stays on your private tour. Each hotel or guesthouse featured on your bespoke itinerary will be conveniently located and have high service standards. Rest assured that you’ll stay in the best possible properties, which have all received excellent reviews from previous customers.

Comfort Plus

Standard rooms in good quality and comfortable three-star hotels in combination with well-appointed guesthouses or country hotels.

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Superior

Standard rooms in four-star hotels in combination with Deluxe or Superior rooms in premium three-star hotels.

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Vehicle

Be comfortable and enjoy the journey as a passenger in the vehicle of your choosing.

Land Cruiser Super Jeep
or similar

  • x3
  • x5
  • x4
  • A
View Info

Land Cruiser Super Jeep
or similar

  • Type: M
  • Description: Modified Super Jeep
  • Passengers: 1-3
Close Info View

Ford Excursion Super Jeep
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x4
  • A
View Info

Ford Excursion Super Jeep
or similar

  • Type: N
  • Description: Modified Luxury Super Jeep
  • Passengers: 1-5
Close Info View

Ford Excursion XL Super Jeep
or similar

  • x9
  • x5
  • x4
  • A
View Info

Ford Excursion XL Super Jeep
or similar

  • Type: O
  • Description: Modified Luxury Super Jeep
  • Passengers: 1-9
Close Info View

Price per person from

ISK

The amount will be charged in ISK

Approx 1390656 ISK

Book with confidence
Request info

Monthly price comparison

Our best price per person when booking for two.

2023
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