Hamilton & Chase Tours
Iceland Ring Road — Private Package 10-day Scandinavia tour: The complete circumnavigation of Iceland — Golden Circle, South Coast, Eastfjords, Mývatn, and Snæfellsnes.

10-Day Private Package Journey

Iceland Ring Road

The complete circumnavigation of Iceland — Golden Circle, South Coast, Eastfjords, Mývatn, and Snæfellsnes.

Available as Private Semi-Private Self-Guided
From €4,890 per person 10 days / 9 nights
View Itinerary

Tour Overview

10 days across Scandinavia.

Route 1 — the Ring Road — circumnavigates Iceland in 1,332 kilometres, passing through every landscape type the island produces: the volcanic south, the glacier lagoons of the southeast, the dramatic fjord coast of the east, the geothermal fields and birch forests of the north, the lava fields and turf farmhouses of the west, and Snæfellsnes before the return to Reykjavík. Iceland is uniquely suited to a circumnavigation because the island is small enough to complete the circuit in ten days while stopping at every significant site — the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, the Eastfjords, Lake Mývatn (the geothermal lake of volcanic craters and boiling mud pools), the Goðafoss waterfall (the Waterfall of the Gods, named for the year 1000 AD when the Christian conversion was settled), Akureyri (Iceland's second city, the cultural capital of the north), and the Westfjords detour that most Ring Road tours skip but whose landscape is the most dramatic on the island. This ten-day private journey is the complete Icelandic experience — the full circuit with the time to stop and the private vehicle that makes every detour possible.

Detailed Itinerary

Your journey, day by day.

Every day is designed with breathing room. Sleep in, take a detour, linger at lunch — the itinerary flexes around you, not the other way around.

Day 1 — Arrival in Reykjavík
Day 1
1

Day 1

Arrival in Reykjavík

The geothermal capital at the start of the circuit.

Your private driver meets you at Keflavík Airport and transfers you to your hotel in Reykjavík. Hallgrímskirkja and Harpa Concert Hall in the afternoon — the two architectural landmarks of the city. The Kolaportið flea market on the harbour on weekends. Welcome dinner at one of the Laugavegur or Skólavörðustígur restaurants that represent the Reykjavík food culture — the Arctic char, the lamb, the skyr, and the Brennivín schnapps whose anise flavour and the nickname Black Death do not prevent it from being Iceland's national drink.

  • Private airport transfer to Reykjavík
  • Hallgrímskirkja and Harpa Concert Hall
  • Laugavegur street and the Reykjavík evening
  • Welcome dinner with Icelandic produce
4–5★ hotel, Reykjavík
Day 2 — The Golden Circle
Day 2
2

Day 2

The Golden Circle

Þingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss.

The three-site circuit that defines Iceland for most visitors, given the time it deserves. Þingvellir National Park: the tectonic rift where the North American and Eurasian plates separate, the UNESCO World Heritage Alþingi parliament site (930 AD), and the Öxará River canyon whose clarity of water reflects the volcanic geology above. The Snorkelling in Silfra fissure — the crack between the tectonic plates, filled with glacial meltwater of 2°C visibility: the clearest fresh water in the world (visibility exceeds 100 metres). Geysir: the Strokkur geyser erupting every 4–8 minutes, the geothermal field of boiling pools and steam vents. Gullfoss: the two-tiered glacial waterfall on the Hvítá River — the proposal to convert it to a hydro-electric station in the early 20th century was defeated by the landowner's daughter Sigríður Tómasdóttir, who threatened to throw herself into it.

  • Þingvellir — the tectonic plates separating and the 930 AD parliament
  • Silfra snorkelling — 2°C water with 100-metre visibility
  • Geysir — the original, erupting every 4–8 minutes
  • Gullfoss — the waterfall whose defender threatened to die for it
Meals: Breakfast 4★ hotel, South Iceland
Day 3 — South Coast — Waterfalls and the Glacier
Day 3
3

Day 3

South Coast — Waterfalls and the Glacier

Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, and the walk on Sólheimajökull.

The South Coast circuit: Seljalandsfoss (walk behind the waterfall), Skógafoss (the 60-metre falls with the rainbow), and Sólheimajökull — the glacier outlet of Mýrdalsjökull that is retreating at 40–80 metres per year and whose ice walk gives direct contact with the crevassed glacier surface. Crampons and ice axes are provided; no experience required for the guided walk. Reynisfjara: the black sand beach of basalt columns and sneaker waves beneath the Reynisfjall cliffs, where puffins nest in the grassy cliff face from May to August. Vík for the overnight: Iceland's southernmost village in the shadow of the Katla volcano.

  • Seljalandsfoss — behind the curtain
  • Skógafoss — 60 metres wide and 25 metres high
  • Sólheimajökull glacier walk — crampons on a retreating glacier
  • Reynisfjara — black sand, basalt, and puffins
Meals: Breakfast 4★ hotel, Vík
Day 4 — Jökulsárlón and the Eastfjords
Day 4
4

Day 4

Jökulsárlón and the Eastfjords

The glacier lagoon and the fjord coast of the east.

Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon: the icebergs calving from Breiðamerkurjökull, the amphibious boat tour between the ice blocks, and Diamond Beach immediately east of the lagoon mouth. The drive east from Jökulsárlón enters the Eastfjords — a series of deep fjords cut into the basalt plateau of east Iceland that are the least-visited part of the Ring Road. The Eastfjords roads wind between the fjord walls at sea level, passing through fishing villages of 200–500 people whose survival on this coast for a thousand years represents a different kind of Icelandic achievement from the volcano tourists. Djúpivogur: the small fishing town on the Búlandsnes peninsula whose harbour has been receiving fishing boats since the 16th century, and whose Eggin í Gleðivík installation — 34 granite eggs on the harbour front representing 34 bird species that breed in the area — is one of Iceland's most distinctive pieces of public art.

  • Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon — icebergs and the amphibious boat
  • Diamond Beach — ice blocks on black volcanic sand
  • Eastfjords road — the fjord landscape of the east coast
  • Djúpivogur harbour and the granite egg installation
Meals: Breakfast 4★ hotel, Eastfjords
Day 5 — Eastfjords to North Iceland
Day 5
5

Day 5

Eastfjords to North Iceland

The eastern wilderness and the first geothermal fields of the north.

The drive north through the Eastfjords to the highland interior: the Hengifoss waterfall near Fljótsdalur — the second highest in Iceland at 128 metres, with the Litlanesfoss columnar basalt canyon in the approach — and the Hallormsstaður forest, the largest forest in Iceland (deliberately planted from 1903 in a country that was almost entirely deforested by the Norse settlers). The Egilsstaðir valley and the Lagarfljót lake: the glacial river lake whose monster, the Lagarfljótsormurinn, was first reported in 1345 and whose most recent claimed sighting generated a video in 2012 viewed 6 million times. The crossing of the highlands into north Iceland past the Dettifoss canyon — the most powerful waterfall in Europe at 193 cubic metres per second.

  • Hengifoss — Iceland's second-highest waterfall at 128 metres
  • Hallormsstaður — the largest forest in Iceland
  • Dettifoss — the most powerful waterfall in Europe
  • Highland crossing from east to north Iceland
Meals: Breakfast 4★ hotel, North Iceland
Day 6 — Lake Mývatn
Day 6
6

Day 6

Lake Mývatn

The volcanic lake of craters, lava caves, and boiling mud.

Lake Mývatn is the fourth largest lake in Iceland, formed 2,300 years ago by a lava flow that dammed the Laxá River — and the most geologically active landscape on the Ring Road. The Námaskarð geothermal area: the fumaroles, boiling mud pools, and sulfur deposits that colour the landscape yellow and orange and produce the continuous bubbling and hissing that makes the landscape sound alive. The Dimmuborgir lava formation: the 'dark fortresses' of solidified lava towers and arches left when a lava lake drained through fissures 2,300 years ago — the landscape of Game of Thrones (used for the land beyond the Wall). The pseudocraters of Skútustaðir: the shallow explosion craters formed when lava flowed over the wet ground, creating the distinctive circular lakes within the lake's southern shore. The Mývatn Nature Baths: the geothermal lagoon whose mineral water is as therapeutic as the Blue Lagoon but whose visitors are a fraction of the number — the most relaxed geothermal bathing in Iceland.

  • Námaskarð — boiling mud pools and sulfur fumaroles
  • Dimmuborgir lava formations — the Game of Thrones landscape
  • Skútustaðir pseudocraters — explosion craters within the lake
  • Mývatn Nature Baths — the quieter, equally extraordinary alternative to the Blue Lagoon
Meals: Breakfast 4★ hotel, Lake Mývatn
Day 7 — Goðafoss and Akureyri
Day 7
7

Day 7

Goðafoss and Akureyri

The Waterfall of the Gods and Iceland's second city.

Goðafoss — the Waterfall of the Gods — on the Skjálfandafljót River: the 30-metre-wide horseshoe waterfall whose name derives from the year 1000 AD, when the Lawspeaker Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði, having decided at the Alþing that Iceland would adopt Christianity, threw his Norse idols into the waterfall on his way home. The most historically named waterfall in the world. Akureyri: Iceland's second city at the head of the Eyjafjörður — a city of 20,000 people that feels like a small European capital, with the Akureyrarkirkja (designed by the same architect as Hallgrímskirkja) on its hill above the town, the Botanical Garden (the northernmost botanic garden in the world, at 65°N), and the food scene that makes Akureyri the gastronomic base of the north. The Eyjafjörður: the longest fjord in Iceland at 60 kilometres, reaching into the interior of the island.

  • Goðafoss — the Waterfall of the Gods, named for the Christian conversion of 1000 AD
  • Akureyri — Iceland's second city on the Eyjafjörður
  • Akureyrarkirkja — the twin of Hallgrímskirkja in the north
  • Northernmost Botanical Garden in the world
Meals: Breakfast 4–5★ hotel, Akureyri
Day 8 — Akureyri to West Iceland
Day 8
8

Day 8

Akureyri to West Iceland

Whale watching in the fjord and the road across the Snæfellsnes approach.

Whale watching from Akureyri in the Eyjafjörður: the fjord's sheltered waters are home to humpback and minke whales from April to October — the whale watching industry here predates Reykjavík's and the guides are among the most experienced in Iceland. The drive south and west from Akureyri through the Dalvík valley and across the Holtamannaafrétt highland toward Borgarnes and the west Iceland plateau. Deildartunguhver at Borgarnes: the largest hot spring in Europe by flow rate, producing 180 litres of 100°C water per second — the spring that heats the towns of Borgarnes and Akranes via a 74-kilometre pipeline. The Reykholt medieval farm: the home of the Icelandic historian and politician Snorri Sturluson, who was assassinated here in 1241 and whose writings (the Prose Edda, the Heimskringla) are the primary sources for Norse mythology.

  • Whale watching in the Eyjafjörður — humpback and minke whales
  • Deildartunguhver — Europe's largest hot spring, 180 litres per second at 100°C
  • Reykholt — Snorri Sturluson's farm and the source of Norse mythology
  • West Iceland landscape and the Snæfellsnes approach
Meals: Breakfast 4★ hotel, Snæfellsnes or Borgarnes
Day 9 — Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Day 9
9

Day 9

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Jules Verne's glacier and the most diverse peninsula in Iceland.

Snæfellsnes is 90 kilometres of peninsula in the Atlantic — the most concentrated variety of Icelandic landscape on a single stretch of road. Snæfellsjökull glacier and national park at the tip: the ice cap over the 1,446-metre volcano that Jules Verne used as the entry to the centre of the Earth. The glacier is accessible on foot with crampons or by snowcat. Arnarstapi sea cliffs and the natural arch at Gatklettur. Djúpalónssandur black sand beach with the Viking lifting stones. Búðir black church in the lava field. Kirkjufell: the 463-metre isolated mountain above Grundarfjörður that appeared in Game of Thrones as the mountain with the arrow pointing north — the most photographed mountain in Iceland and the most symmetrical volcanic plug in the country.

  • Snæfellsjökull glacier — Jules Verne's volcano and the ice cap
  • Arnarstapi sea cliffs and the Gatklettur natural arch
  • Búðir black church in the lava field
  • Kirkjufell — the Game of Thrones mountain above Grundarfjörður
Meals: Breakfast 4–5★ hotel, Reykjavík
Day 10 — Departure from Reykjavík
Day 10
10

Day 10

Departure from Reykjavík

The full circuit — 1,332 kilometres of Iceland.

Reykjavík for the final morning: the Settlement Exhibition beneath the city, the National Gallery of Iceland on Fríkirkjuvegur, or simply the harbour walk from Harpa to the old Reykjavík boat yard. The Blue Lagoon can be incorporated on the way to Keflavík Airport — it lies directly on the airport road and Hamilton & Chase pre-books the timing to allow both the lagoon and the flight. Your private driver transfers you to Keflavík International Airport at the agreed time. The Ring Road circuit is complete: every major landscape type of Iceland, ten days, and no compromise.

  • Final Reykjavík morning — Settlement Exhibition or harbour walk
  • Optional Blue Lagoon on route to the airport
  • Private transfer to Keflavík International Airport
Meals: Breakfast

Where You'll Stay

Hand-picked hotels, every night.

We choose properties for character, location, and the kind of service that makes you feel looked after — not just checked in. Every hotel can be swapped for an alternative if you prefer.

4–5★ hotel, Reykjavík

Reykjavík

1 night

4–5★ hotel

City centre

One night on arrival — the city programme is concentrated on Day 1

4★ hotel, South Iceland

South Iceland

2 nights

4★ hotel

South Coast / Vík

Two nights allows the Golden Circle day and the South Coast/glacier day

4★ hotel or guesthouse, Eastfjords

Eastfjords

1 night

4★ hotel or guesthouse

Djúpivogur or Höfn

The Eastfjords have limited large hotels — the guesthouses are excellent and the location justifies the remoteness

4★ hotel, North Iceland (Mývatn area)

North Iceland (Mývatn area)

2 nights

4★ hotel

Lake Mývatn or Húsavík

Two nights allows the full Mývatn programme and the Goðafoss/Akureyri day

4–5★ hotel, Akureyri

Akureyri

1 night

4–5★ hotel

City centre

The best hotel choice in north Iceland — directly on the Eyjafjörður

4★ hotel, Snæfellsnes / Borgarnes

Snæfellsnes / Borgarnes

1 night

4★ hotel

Peninsula

Overnight on the peninsula or in Borgarnes for the Snæfellsnes day

4–5★ hotel, Reykjavík

Reykjavík

1 night

4–5★ hotel

City centre

Return night for departure from Keflavík

Hotels shown are indicative of the standard we book. Upon request, we will provide a detailed itinerary with specific hotel options tailored to your preferences and budget.

What's in the Price

Included

  • 9 nights in 4–5★ hotels and character guesthouses
  • Daily breakfast at each property
  • Private airport transfer at Keflavík
  • Private vehicle and driver throughout the full Ring Road circuit
  • Reykjavík guided visits
  • Þingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss guided visits
  • South Coast circuit — Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Sólheimajökull glacier walk, Reynisfjara
  • Jökulsárlón amphibious boat tour
  • Diamond Beach visit
  • Dettifoss guided visit
  • Mývatn guided circuit — Námaskarð, Dimmuborgir, pseudocraters
  • Mývatn Nature Baths entry
  • Goðafoss guided visit
  • Akureyri city guided visit
  • Whale watching in the Eyjafjörður
  • Snæfellsnes Peninsula guided circuit
  • Blue Lagoon entry (pre-booked, on departure day)
  • All entrance fees for guided visits
  • 24/7 travel specialist support
  • Hamilton & Chase digital travel booklet

Not Included

  • International flights to/from Keflavík
  • Travel insurance (required — we can arrange on request)
  • Meals not listed
  • Personal expenses
  • Gratuities for guides and drivers
  • Accommodation tax

Good to Know

  • This tour operates May–October as described. A winter Ring Road variation is available November–April with modifications: some highland roads close, ice caves replace some glacier walks, Northern Lights replace Midnight Sun, and road conditions require adjustment. Hamilton & Chase advises on the winter variation.
  • The Ring Road is paved throughout; interior F-roads are not used on this tour. All driving is on sealed roads accessible to private vehicles.
  • The Eastfjords section has limited accommodation — Hamilton & Chase books the best available properties well in advance. Flexibility on exact stopover points is sometimes required.
  • Whale watching probability varies by season — June and July have the highest success rate in the Eyjafjörður.

Make It Yours

Optional add-ons & upgrades.

Every trip is different. These extras can be woven into your itinerary — just let your travel specialist know what catches your eye.

Westfjords detour

A two-day detour to the Westfjords — the most dramatically remote landscape in Iceland, whose fjords are deeper and more isolated than anywhere else on the island. The Látrabjarg cliffs (the westernmost point of Europe) and the Dynjandi waterfall. Requires two additional nights and careful weather monitoring.

From €295 pp

Silfra snorkelling

Snorkelling in the Silfra fissure between the tectonic plates at Þingvellir — the clearest fresh water in the world, 2°C, visibility over 100 metres. Dry suits provided.

From €125 pp

Northern Lights programme (winter)

A dedicated Northern Lights evening chase — available on the winter Ring Road variation (November–March), replacing some summer activities with aurora chasing and ice cave visits.

From €95 pp

Vatnajökull ice cave (winter)

A guided visit inside a natural ice cave in the Vatnajökull glacier — the blue ice cave season runs from November to March. The caves form differently each year and Hamilton & Chase works with the guides who access the most accessible and spectacular formations.

From €145 pp

"We had done Iceland before — three days in Reykjavík and the Golden Circle. This was a different country. The Eastfjords with the road at sea level and no other cars. Dettifoss at 6am with the spray and the silence. The Mývatn mud pools that sounded like something alive below the ground. Ten days and I felt I had seen what Iceland actually is, not just what it looks like from the tourist route. Hamilton & Chase chose every stop correctly."

Oliver & Kate B.

Geneva, Switzerland · Iceland Ring Road, August 2025

Common Questions

Questions about this trip.

How is this different from the Essence of Iceland tour?

The Essence of Iceland (8 days) covers Reykjavík, the Golden Circle, the South Coast, the glacier lagoon, Snæfellsnes, and the Blue Lagoon — the western and southern circuit. The Ring Road (10 days) adds the Eastfjords, Lake Mývatn, Goðafoss, Akureyri, and the north — the complete island. The Ring Road sees parts of Iceland that the majority of visitors never reach.

Is the Ring Road suitable in winter?

A modified winter Ring Road is possible from November to March — with Northern Lights, ice caves in Vatnajökull, and the dramatic winter landscape replacing summer activities. Some roads require scheduling adjustment. Hamilton & Chase has a dedicated winter Ring Road itinerary with appropriate modifications.

Private Package Journey

Iceland Ring Road

10 days / 9 nights

From €4,890

per person

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