The Extravelgance Team is Driving Iceland's Ring Road
Join Us On The Adventure!
Dates:
September 25-October 4, 2025
Cost:
$3,999 per person based on double occupancy. Single supplements are $1,500. If you have traveled with us on a previous Extravelgance trip, you and 1 travel companion qualify for a discounted price of $3,800 if you sign up by January 1, 2025, and space is still available.
If you wish to arrive on September 24, a hotel pre-night can be booked on a space available basis for $280.00 double occupancy.
To register, complete this registration form.
Details:
Imagine a place where waterfalls cascade down volcanic cliffs, glaciers stretch to the horizon, and geothermal springs bubble up from the earth. Iceland’s Ring Road, or Route 1, offers an unparalleled road trip that circles this magical island, revealing its breath-taking natural wonders. The route promises an ever-changing landscape of rugged coastlines, picturesque villages, and the untamed beauty of the Arctic North.
Join us on this exciting journey around Iceland to experience majestic glaciers, active volcanoes, hot thermal pools, stunning waterfalls, breathtaking geysers, and a host of other “wow” moments. You will see many of the sites highlighted in our 10 Amazing Days Traveling the Ring Road in Iceland post.
This small-group tour will include the best Iceland sites and activities. We will drive the Golden Circle, explore the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, discover the capital city of Reykjavik, view the dramatic landscapes of both the Southern and Northern coasts, and enjoy the charms of the Eastfjords. Along the way, we’ll see quaint villages, wild animals such as reindeer and whales, majestic waterfalls, and maybe even the Northern Lights!
This tour is coordinated by Amanda Drum & Deidra Stephens and is intended to be for friends, family and readers of our blog. All money collected will be spent on trip expenses.
What's Included:
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9 nights lodging (double occupancy)
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Breakfast at hotel each morning
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Welcome dinner
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Closing lunch at Friðheimar Greenhouse, a tomato farm
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Tour Transportation in 16-person mini-bus to all locations mentioned in itinerary
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Myvatn Nature Bath admission
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Gratuities for tour guide
What's Not Included:
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Flights to and from Iceland
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Airport transfers (see FAQs below for transfers you can book directly)
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Special transfers outside of tour parameters
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Meals & beverages outside of tour parameters
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Travel Insurance; we strongly advise you purchase travel insurance (see FAQs below for insurance you can book directly)
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Optional Whale Watching Tour ($125)
Itinerary:
Thursday, September 25 - Arrive Reykjavik
Our Ring Road adventure begins upon arrival as you make your way to the capital city of Reykjavik. Most flights from the US arrive in the early morning hours. Upon arrival, you will make your way to our hotel where you can store your luggage until check-in. Then you can grab a Danish at one of the many wonderful bakeries, and start exploring!
There are tons of things to keep you occupied all day long in Reykjavik. Check out one of the many museums, take a food tour, see the Lava Show, or simply walk around the city and admire the interesting architecture and cool Icelandic vibe.
This evening we will gather for a welcome dinner to launch our epic exploration of Iceland!
Overnight: Miðgarður by Center Hotels (or similar)
Check out our post The Best Ways to Spend a Day in Reykjavik and our curated list of great things to do and tours to take in Reykjavik.
Friday, September 26 - The Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Today we explore the incredibly diverse peninsula of Snæfellsnes. Along the way, you will see impressive basalt columns forming geometric patterns in the cliffs and if we are lucky, we will visit a secret place where not many tourists go (weather permitting).
For lunch we stop in at a cute local restaurant (not included). Then it is a short drive to the famous Kirkjufell Mountain, likely the most photographed mountain in Iceland. The journey continues along the way passing through the fishing towns of Hellissandur and Rif before arriving in Snæfellsnes National Park. The national park has many great locations to explore including Svörtuloft Lighthouse, a yellow beach, and dramatic ocean cliffs.
Next we head to one of Iceland’s most beautiful beaches, Djupalonssandur, a black pebble beach. The Lóndrangar basalt cliffs, uniquely formed remnants of basalt volcanic dikes, are not far away and well worth the stop. Here we walk up a hill to get the best possible picture of the strange formation.
We stop at Arnarstapi where we see Gatklettur “Arch Rock.” This is a huge rock the waves have eroded and formed. If weather allows, we can drive up to Snæfellsjökull Glacier and enjoy the great view over the peninsula. Snæfellsjökull was featured in one of the great works of classic sci-fi literature: Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne.
Overnight: Hotel Hamar (or similar)
Check out our post Things to See Along the Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Saturday, September 27 - Travel to North Iceland
Today we travel towards North Iceland. Our first stop of the day is Kolugljúfur canyon. The home of Kola, a big troll in the canyon that steals Atlantic Salmon from the river. While photographing the canyon make sure you don’t wake her up as it might be the last thing you do in Iceland!
Next we’ll visit the capital of the north, Akureyri. We will eat lunch (not included) and have some time to shop before continuing on our journey. Then we continue on towards the Diamond Circle. This 155-mile scenic route will take you to some of Iceland’s most stunning sites, including Godafoss, the “Waterfall of the Gods.” This majestic horseshoe-shaped cascade plunges gracefully into the Skjálfandafljót River. Renowned for its historical significance and ethereal beauty, Godafoss is a mesmerizing sight.
Next up is Dimmuborgir a surreal lava field renowned for its dark and fantastical rock formations. Translating to “Dark Cities,” these unique structures result from ancient volcanic activity. The eerie landscape features towering lava pillars, arches, and caves. Dimmuborgir’s mystique is further heightened by Icelandic folklore, with tales of trolls and supernatural beings.
Overnight: Fosshotel Húsavík (or similar)
Check out our post on 6 Spectacular Reasons to Visit Northern Iceland
Sunday-Monday, September 28-29 - North Iceland Waterfalls, Legends, Whales & More!
We will spend these two days exploring the highlights of North Iceland! Here are a few things we might see:
- Ásbyrgi – the “Shelter of the Gods” – legend claims it was formed by the hoofprint of Odin’s eight-legged horse, Sleipnir.
- Námaskarð ( Hverir) –landscape of hissing fumaroles, hot sulfuric springs and bubbling mud pools is a photographer’s dream
- Grjótgjá – Game of Thrones fan will recognize this hot-spring cave as the setting where Jon Snow and the wildling Ygritte became better acquainted
- Víti crater – Hike through these still-warm lava fields
- Dettifoss – Europe’s most powerful waterfall
- Selfoss – If you have the time and the energy to add to your hike, also check-out Selfoss. While not terribly high, it showcases a graceful and elegant flow of water
- Studlagil columnar basalt rock formations and the blue-green water that runs through
- Lake Lagarfljót (the Lagarfljots Worm)
- Whale Watching Tour in Husavik, the whale watching capital of Europe (additional cost of $125 per person)
- Take a nice soak in the Myvatn Nature Baths, known as the Blue Lagoon of the North
Tuesday, September 30 - Discover the Eastfjords
We begin the day with a drive to the town of Seyðisfjordur. This charming town is embraced by majestic mountains and a tranquil fjord. Famous for its iconic Blue Church and vibrant architecture, Seyðisfjörður offers a picturesque setting.
Afterwards, we will embark on a scenic drive along the Eastfjords. Admire the stunning landscapes, waterfalls, fjords, and small fishing villages along the way. We’ll stop at Petra’s stone collection for a quirky break. Don’t forget to watch for reindeer!
The highlight of today is Vestrahorn mountain. Drive down to the coastline to view the mountain and the black sand coast for the perfect picture. If the weather is right, you can “walk” on water with the mountain in the background.
End your day with dinner in Höfn í Hornafjörður. The Packhouse is the best seafood place in the country. They don’t take reservations so you better be there right when they open!
Overnight: Fosshotel Vatnajokull (or similar)
Check out our post on 5 Fantastic Reasons to Visit Eastern Iceland
Wednesday, October 1 - Skaftafell National Park
From the hotel we drive to Skaftafell National Park. Our main stop of the day is Jokulsarlón, a glacier lagoon and one of Iceland’s best known and most beautiful natural wonders. The lagoon was created first about 70 years ago and then developed into a lake after the glacier started receding more and more. It is Iceland´s deepest lake about 250 meters (820 feet). Giant icebergs float on the lake and slowly make their way to the ocean, where the they are broken by the waves and spread around the black volcanic sand below the glacier lagoon.
This beach is also known as the Diamond Beach and is a must see! The diamond beach is a dream location for photographers and a magical place to see as the ice on the black volcanic sand looks like enormous diamonds.
Next, we drive through the Laki Lava Fields that erupted in 1784 killing 20% of the population and almost half of all livestock in Iceland. And we stop at Fjadrargljufur, a canyon shaped 9000 years ago as the Ice age glacier melted.
Overnight: Hótel Dyrhólaey (or similar)
Check out our post 5 Great Reasons to Visit Skaftafell in Iceland
Thursday, October 2 - South Coast Tour
Today we drive along the South Coast of Iceland, beside the dramatic landscape of Eyjafjoll Mountains. It was here that the famous Eyjafjallajokull Volcano erupted in 2010, spreading dramatic clouds of ash. The South Coast day tour is an indispensable part of your Iceland itinerary. It features beautiful waterfalls, black sand beaches, extraordinary vistas, majestic glaciers and the fishing village of Vik.
The South Coast is characterized by the Eyjafjoll mountains and the Myrdalsjokull Glacier, where the massive volcano Katla rests. Among highlights today are Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, and Kvernufoss waterfalls and Reynisfjara black sand beach
Overnight: Hotel Geysir (or similar)
Check out our post 7 Incredibly Interesting Things to See & Do in Vik
Friday, October 3 - The Golden Circle
Today we do the Golden Circle which includes:
- Thingvellir National Park where the oldest still active parliament in the world was established in the year 930. In Thingvellir the American and Eurasian tectonic plates are side by side.
- Kerid Volcanic Crater, an old volcano that erupted 5500 years ago. Today there is a big crater with a lake in the bottom.
- Geysir Geothermal Area, where you can see the original Geysir. He has been quiet for the past 10 years but his little brother Strokkur is very active and erupts every 5-8 minutes shooting water 30 – 40 meters into the air.
- Gullfoss Waterfall which plummets down 32 meters in two stages into a rugged canyon which walls reach up to 70 meters in height. On a sunny day, a shimmering rainbow can be seen over the falls.
Saturday, October 4 - Farewell
If you have time before your flight, soak up as much of Reykjavik as possible before you depart. You will have plenty of time to sleep on the plane!
Register:
To register for the trip, please complete this form. Immediately upon registration, you will pay a $500 per person deposit to reserve your spot on the trip. Additional payments are due on March 1, May 1 and July 1. We only have room for up to 14 participants, so reserve your space ASAP!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who is planning this trip?
This trip is being planned by Amanda Drum and Deidra Stephens. We are coordinating this as individuals, not as a business so we can travel with our friends, family and blog readers. We are working in conjunction with an Iceland-based tour provider called Iceland Go Tours.
Can I take my children on this trip?
This trip itinerary is designed for adults, so only ages 18 and up are allowed.
What is the group size?
The group size will be 16 travelers. We need a minimum of 14 people to sign up to go (in addition to Amanda and Deidra). If we do not have 14 people sign up by June 1, 2025, we will cancel the trip and return your deposit.
I’ve signed up for the trip, but now I can’t go. Now what?
How do I get from the airport to the hotel when I arrive in Iceland?
You can book one of the following airport transfers (Journeys by Amanda affiliate links):
Keflavik International Airport Private Transfer To/From Reykjavik (Note: This can be purchased one-way or round-trip for up to 8 passengers.
Airport Express Shared Arrival Transfer from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik Hotels (Note: This transfer can only be booked one-way. It takes you to the bus station where you then transfer to another vehicle for hotel drop off. Please note that most transfers drop you a block or two from your hotel due to local regulations.)
Airport Express Shared Departure Transfer from Reykjavik Hotels to Keflavik Airport (Note: This transfer can only be booked one-way. It takes you to the bus station where you then transfer to another vehicle for airport drop off. Please note that most transfers drop you a block or two from your hotel due to local regulations.
You suggest purchasing trip insurance. What type do you recommend?
We are definitely not insurance experts, but if there is anything we’ve learned over the past few years, travel insurance is super important! At minimum, purchase travel insurance that will cover the following:
- Medical expenses and emergency evacuation – most U.S. based health insurance does not provide coverage abroad and Medicare is not accepted. You should make sure your policy includes both medical expenses coverage as well as emergency evacuation coverage.
- Trip delay – with the travel industry being in such a turmoil lately, it’s smart to insure against travel delays. This insurance typically reimburses for food, lodging, rebooking flights, and other expenses as a result of weather, airline maintenance issues, civil unrest, and illness. Look for a policy that covers COVID-19.
- Trip interruption – sometimes you are delayed in departing for a planned trip, or you have to cut a trip short due to illness, injury, or a family emergency. Make sure your policy includes coverage for trip interruption in the amount you spent on the trip.
- Baggage loss – unfortunately, losing your luggage is a real problem these days. Make sure you have some sort of coverage in case you have to replace all of your clothes and toiletries if the airline loses your luggage. Yes, the airline will usually give you some money for this, but it’s a hassle to collect! And this coverage is in most insurance you will buy anyway.
- Trip cancellation – you want to make sure that you have a policy that will pay the costs of your trip if you cancel for a covered reason such as illness, injury, death of traveler or a close family member or traveling companion, military deployment, civil unrest, family emergencies, and jury duty. Read the fine print to make sure you understand what the policy covers and what it does not.
- Optional: Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) – this coverage will increase the price of your insurance substantially and will only reimburse you 50-75% of trip costs (depending on the policy). But if you want the luxury of being able to back out of the trip at any time for any reason (not just covered reasons as stated above), this coverage is ideal.
The itinerary is subject to change at any time before and during travel. We will not cut any included activities unless weather conditions prohibit them, but the order in which we visit things may change due to hotel availability, traffic conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances.
Continue checking back for more FAQ’s – we will add answers to any questions we receive over the coming months!
