Iceland Sample Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Reykjavik
Upon arrival, pick up your car and drive to your farmhouse in Southern Iceland (right near Selfoss) for the week. You have an outstanding view of the mountains, including Hekla volcano. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner prepared by your hosts.
Day 2: Mount Hekla
Today, after breakfast, take your prepared picnic lunch to Mount Hekla, located less than one hour’s drive heading East. It is one of the most famous volcanoes in the world. It is still an active volcano and has been for centuries. The last eruption was in the year 2000. Old tales tell of the belief that the souls of the condemned traveled on their way to hell through Hekla’s crater. The whole mountain ridge of Hekla is about 40 km long and it is 1491 meters at its highest point. The fissure which splits the mountain ridge is about 5.5 km long. It is believed that Hekla has had at least 20 eruptions since the settlement of Iceland. The biggest eruption was in 1104 and it has erupted four times during the 20th century. Traces from the biggest eruptions have been found as far as Scandinavia.
Day 3: Thingvellir, Nesjavellir and Laugarvatn
Today, tour these three gems! Again, bring your picnic lunch prepared
by your hosts. Thingvellir is located at the junction
of the Eurasian and North American Tectonic Plates. It is 
a
huge rift valley with fissures torn open by the huge forces in
the earth’s crust. One can stand there with one foot on the American
plate and the other on the Eurasian Plate. The Öxará River
tumbles over the edge of Almannagjá ravine in the lovely Öxaráfoss
waterfall, to flow down to the Drowning Pool, where in the middle ages
adulterous women were executed by drowning. Second stop of today’s
tour is at Nesjavellir, located near the south shore of Thingvallavatn.
This is one of the largest geothermal power plants in Iceland, located
in a narrow valley in this beautiful mountainous area. This “Clean
Energy” plant also provides most of the hot water that the capital
city, Reykjavík, needs to heat up its buildings, swimming
pools, walkways, etc. The third stop of this day’s tour is at
Laugarvatn (Warm-water Lake). It is about a 45 minutes drive from Bitra
heading
North. It is just across the mountain from Thingvellir, and it owes
its name to the hot springs on the banks of the lake. The spring known
as “Vigdalaug” (Holy Spring) is said to have been used
to baptise converts when the Icelandic Parliament at Thingvellir adopted
the Christian Faith in the year 1000. At Laugarvatn you can hire boats
and sailboards on the lake, fish for trout, go riding, play golf, swim
in the open air pool and try the Sauna that is built over the
hot spring on the lake shore.
Day 4: Geysir, and Gullfoss
First suggested stop today is about 60 minutes drive north-east from
Bitra. Geysir, a unique natural phenomenon, is the geothermal spring
with
short fountainlike water
eruptions
at regular time intervals that has given its name to “Geysers” all
over the world. Geysir used to spout a column of water 40 to 60 meters
high. Nearby is “Strokkur” a geyser that erupts every few
minutes. The whole of the geysir area smells strongly of sulphur. It
is an area of about 5000 sq.mts which is dotted with hot pools and
bubbling mud springs, so watch your steps! Adjacent are the Haukadalur
woods with several pleasant walks along marked footpaths. Th second
stop of today’s tour is Gullfoss (Golden Falls), 10 minutes
drive north-east from Geysir. It is generally regarded as Iceland’s
most beautiful waterfall. The thundering Hvitá River cascades
32 meters in a double fall, turning at 90° into a 70-meter-deep
gorge. If you have a taste for adventure you can ride the Hvitá river
on an exciting white water rafting trip.
Day 5: Thjórsárdalur and The Blue Lagoon
Thjórsárdalur, about 40 minutes north-east from Bitra,
is famed for its natural beauty and special attractions. The best known
of which is “Stöng”, a 12th century turf farmhouse
laid waste in an eruption of Mt. Hekla in 1104. This strong eruption
covered the entire Thjórsárdalur valley with a thick
layer of volcanic dust, and all the farms there were abandone
d
and only remnants remain. The ruins of Stöng, excavated in 1939,
are open to the public and at nearby Burfell, there is a full size
replica of the farmhouse (Thjódveldisbaerinn), also open to
the public. In the Thjórsárdalur Valley, in the middle
of nowhere, is an open swimming pool with natural hot water from a
nearby spring, open to the public during the summer months. The area
has several spectacular waterfalls, such as the double cascade Hjálparfoss.
In the beautiful gorge above “Stöng” is the picturesque “Gjárfoss”,
and a little further up Fossá river is Háifoss, which
at 122 meters is one of Iceland’s highest waterfalls. After lunch,
head to the famous “Blue Lagoon” where you can swim in
a spectacular lagoon situated in a lava field and created at the edge
of a large geothermal powerplant. This plant not only produces electrical
power for the communities on the Reykjanes Peninsula, but also provides
hot water for heating all the houses in the area including 6 small
villages. While swimming at the Blue Lagoon the surrounding scenery
could transport you in your imagination to another world! The Blue
Lagoon has the character of a spa. The geothermal water is
rich in minerals that give the water a milky, shiny blue appearance.
It is an outstanding experience to feel the warm water and the fine
grained silicates on your skin and to relax in lava grottos. In the
shopping center at the lagoon, and all over the country, you can buy
wellness products
made with the milky fine silicate mud from the geothermal water.
Day 6: Vík, Skógar, and Skeljalandsfoss
Today, head to Vík, a small village approximately one hour
west of Kirkjubaejarklaustur that boasts of some of the most beautiful
scenery near the south coast of Iceland. There you find the black beaches
and “Dyrhólaey” a very unusual rock formation 
with
a large opening through the huge rock, through which you could fly
an airplane! From the top of Dyrhólaey you have views over
the black beaches towards both east and west along the coast. Dyrhólaey
is the home of many birds of great variety, among them the famous puffin.
You can also go to Skógar, which has one of the finest folk
museums in Iceland, with an outstanding collection of old farm implements,
household
articles, and, in a new exhibition building, turf-houses.
Skógafoss
waterfall, 60 meters high, is one of the most impressive in the country.
According to legend, the first settler at Skógar, Thrasi, hid
a chest of treasure in a cave behind the falling water. Also stop at
Seljalandsfoss. It is a narrow but high waterfall plunging over the
mountain side at West Eyjafjöll. A path lies at the bottom of
the cliff where it cascades down, offering a safe opportunity to walk
along behind the waterfall.
Day 7: Hvolsvöllur
Today, drive to Hvolsvöllur, approximately 40 minutes east from Bitra, a small village with the most famous Saga Centre. It has a visitor centre dedicated to the old Icelandic tradition of telling stories. Originally centered around the great Njáls Saga which was set in the immediate vicinity, the people at the Saga Centre now tell many other stories of interest to their guests. Njáls Saga was written around the year 1280 and is considered the pinnacle of Icelandic medieval literature. Folks can also go to Hveragerdi (Steam City), 30 minutes south west of Bitra, often called the Flower City and famous for its green houses where they grow all kinds of vegetables, flowers and fruits throughout the year including bananas and tomatoes. You'll find a very nice outdoors natural hot water swimming pool at Hveragerdi.
Day 8: Departure
Today return your rental car and depart for home or your next destination.