Why should I book a Guided Ring Road tour?
Exploring Iceland’s Ring Road is the most effective way to see the country's diverse regions, but planning the logistics can be complex. This professionally guided multi-day tour removes the stress of navigating rural roads, finding available summer accommodation, and scheduling activities. During the summer months, you will benefit from long daylight hours and milder weather, making it the ideal season to circumnavigate the island.
This guided Ring Road tour covers the best of Iceland’s summer landscapes in one seamless loop. Key highlights include the powerful waterfalls of the South Coast, the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, and the remote East Fjords. You will explore the volcanic landscapes of Lake Mývatn in the North and go whale watching in Akureyri. The summer itinerary also features a glacier hike, a visit to a natural ice cave, and walks along world-famous black sand beaches.
The journey begins with a pickup in Reykjavik. You will travel in a modern minibus, which allows for a small-group atmosphere and access to locations larger coaches cannot reach. We handle all lodging arrangements, booking hotels with private bathrooms and breakfast in key locations around the island. This ensures you have a comfortable place to rest after a day of exploration without the difficulty of searching for peak-season availability.
Our itinerary is designed to maximize your time. Instead of just driving, you will participate in iconic Icelandic experiences. This includes walking on a glacier, observing whales in their natural habitat, and visiting both the lush green landscapes of the South and the dramatic, lunar-like terrain of the North.
An experienced local guide handles the driving and provides factual context regarding Iceland's geology, history, and culture. They navigate the local road systems and weather patterns, ensuring your safety and comfort. This tour is a practical solution for travelers who want a comprehensive Icelandic experience without the risks of self-driving or the administrative burden of planning a cross-country trip.
SUMMER RING ROAD TOURS ON A MINIBUS
Embark on a comprehensive 6-day guided tour from Reykjavík to Akureyri, exploring Iceland's diverse natural wonders. This immersive trip includes all the iconic highlights of the Golden Circle, South Coast, and Mývatn Region. Your expert guide will lead you to breathtaking sights like Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and on thrilling adventures, including a Whale Watching boat trip and a unique Ice Cave tour. Book your stress-free journey to experience the very best of Iceland, from south to north.
Minibus tour: Pick up & Drop off included
Included: 5 Nights & Breakfast
Summer
6 DaysEmbark on the ultimate 8-day summer adventure around Iceland's iconic Ring Road and the mystical Snæfellsnes Peninsula. This comprehensive journey is your perfect opportunity to witness the country’s most beautiful and popular spots under the glow of the Midnight Sun. Discover breathtaking natural wonders, from the famous Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach and the unforgettable Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon to the thunderous power of Dettifoss Waterfall. This tour provides a complete and stress-free way to experience the very best of Iceland’s diverse landscapes in the magical summer light.
Minibus tour: Pick up & Drop off included Included: 7 Nights & Breakfast Summer 8 Days搭乘这趟独特的冰岛小巴之旅，从雷克雅未克出发，用整整六天时间周游冰岛最受欢迎的目的地，参观环岛公路周围颇负盛名的景点，其中包括黄金圈、南岸风光，以及冰岛北部隐藏的瑰宝。
From Reykjavík Minibus tour: Pick up & Drop off included Included: 5 Nights & BreakfastWINTER RING ROAD TOURS ON A MINIBUS
This fully guided, 6-day minibus tour offers a pragmatic and comprehensive exploration of Iceland, covering all major regions—the Golden Circle, South Coast, East Fjords, and North Iceland—in a single trip.
Minibus tour: Pick up & Drop off included Included: 5 Nights & Breakfast Winter 6 DaysThis 8-day guided tour is the perfect way to discover Iceland’s incredible variety of natural wonders. The comprehensive journey takes you from the capital of Reykjavík all the way to the ‘Capital of the North,’ Akureyri, and beyond. Your adventure begins on the famous Golden Circle, where you'll visit the stunning Gullfoss waterfall, the erupting Geysir geothermal area, and the historic Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Minibus tour: Pick up & Drop off included Included: 7 Nights & Breakfast Winter 8 Days搭乘这趟独特的冰岛小巴之旅，从雷克雅未克出发，用整整六天时间周游冰岛最受欢迎的目的地，参观环岛公路周围颇负盛名的景点，其中包括黄金圈、南岸风光，以及冰岛北部隐藏的瑰宝。
From Reykjavík Minibus tour: Pick up & Drop off included Included: 5 Nights & BreakfastRing Road - Car vs Tour
You can easily travel all the way around the Ring Road in about 6-8 days, although some people choose to take two weeks or more to explore all of the different tourist sites along the ring road. Of course, you could also take a longer tour of the ring road by car or by motorcycle if you prefer, but keep in mind that you'll need plenty of gas if you're planning on driving the entire route. The Ring road is about 1322 kilometers long in total (828 miles).
As it circles the island, you will be able to reach the different parts of Iceland (except the highlands and Westfjords).
You can find great accommodation all around Iceland, but we really recommend our Troll Villa in Hof which you can find here.
One of the best things about the ring road is that it gives you the chance to really experience all of the country's natural beauty. You'll pass through many beautiful small towns throughout the trip, and you'll even get the chance to see geothermal pools and hot rivers in action.
Before you set off on your adventure, it's important to make a few preparations so you can have a safe and successful trip. The most important thing to remember is to bring proper gear if the weather gets bad. Always wear comfortable shoes and take warm clothes with you just in case. You should also plan your itinerary in advance so you don't end up wasting time on side trips that you don't need.
Once you've made the necessary preparations, it's time to explore the Ring Road! There are dozens of different sights to see along the way, so you'll want to make sure that you have enough time to see all of them. Even if you only have a week to spare, you'll still have plenty of things to see and do while on the Ring Road. There are plenty of great photo opportunities along the way, so you should also consider bringing your camera along to capture your favorite moments on the road.
If you're looking for a truly unique experience, then you should definitely consider taking a Troll tour through the Ring Road. These guided tours take you through some of the most spectacular landscapes in the country, and they'll provide you with plenty of opportunities to take pictures and learn all about local history and culture. They're a great way to learn more about the Icelandic people and the regions you're traveling through, and they're sure to be a lot of fun for the whole family. If you want to explore the country this way, check our website for Multi Day Tours. We have a wide range of different itineraries available to suit all budgets, and we're always happy to help if you have any questions or special requests.
The daily itinerary for a ring road adventure can be found below.
Difference between Ring Road's Summer Tours vs Winter Tours
Summer Tours:
- Daylight is never-ending; therefore, we have a lot of time to explore Iceland at a slower pace.
- An optional extra boat tour in Jökulsárlón to see gigantic icebergs is only open during the summer months
Winter Tours:
- The hours of daylight are short, but you have a very high chance of seeing northern lights
- Crystal Blue Ice Cave is open only during the winter months
Day 1: Golden Circle
Start the day off to see Thingvellir National Park, then go to Haukadalur Geothermal Area where you will see the famous Geysir, the original one that has named all other geysers in the World. Then go to Gullfoss, where water from the glacial river Hvítá rushes down two tiers of a 32-meter fall.
Day 2: The South Coast
Continue your journey heading to the South Coast towards magnificent Seljalandsfoss, with a 65-meter drop. If you have not had enough waterfalls, you can move on to another one, Skógafoss, one of Iceland's largest waterfalls. You could also go on the Katla Ice Cave tour with a Super Jeep ride starting in Vík. To end the day, you would visit the famous Black Sand Beach, Reynisfjara. One of the most famous Icelandic places to visit with truly unique nature all around you.
Day 3: The South - East
Start the day with a Glacier Hike on Sólheimajökull where you will be surrounded by one of the largest glaciers in Europe. After that you will go to Jökulsárlón, where you can take an unforgettable boat ride around Jölsárlón Glacier Lagoon (during summer), where you will get a chance to get close to floating icebergs. Next to the Glacier Lagoon, only a few minutes away, you have the Diamond Beach, where the icebergs strand on the sand and resemble crystals as they lie on the black satin beach.
Day 4: The East Fjords
Explore amazing and rare wildlife in the east of Iceland. This is the only place in Iceland where you might see wild Reindeer sometimes. With high mountain ridges and Icelandic history in peaceful fishing villages, you will experience Icelandic culture. This is a great place to try out the famous Icelandic horse by going on a horseback riding trip. You could also take a nice geothermal bath in VÖK Baths, which will allow you complete relaxation and a chance to experience the geothermal nature of Iceland up close.
Day 5: The Mývatn Area and Dettifoss
Lake Mývatn and its beautiful surroundings are next up. You will explore the geothermal region around the Lake. This day is packed with further amazing sightseeing locations: Námaskarð pass, a high-temperature geothermal area where the earth boils and gurgles; Dimmuborgir, a field of peculiar shaped lava pillars that rise from the earth; the majestic Dettifoss waterfall from the Prometheus movie opening scene, with a 100 meters wide and 44 meters high fall into the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon; the old forest Ásbyrgi situated in a horseshoe-shaped canyon, the phenomenal waterfall Goðafoss, important in Christian Icelandic history.
On the way to Akureyri, your next overnight stop, we’ll pass through the fishing village Húsavík, now famous for being The Hometown of the movie Fire Saga: Eurovision and some resourceful elves.
Day 6: North Iceland
North Iceland - Explore Akureyri, the largest town in the north of Iceland, and the nearby villages. Explore the beautiful small village, Hauganes, and go whale watching!
Day 7: Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Move on to the magnificent Snæfellsnes Peninsula, it welcomes you with its world of cliffs, mountain capes, unique wildlife and ancient fishing settlements. You will visit Gerðuberg, a hexagonal basalt column cluster - made of over 600 basalt columns. Next up is Ytri-Tunga where you will find both a black and white beach and a seal colony! After that you will go to Djúpalónssandur, one of the most beautiful beaches in Iceland. Víðgelmir Lava Cave is next to it where you can take an unforgettable journey into Iceland’s largest lava cave.
Day 8: West Iceland
West Iceland - Your first stop will be Deildartunguhver, which is the most powerful hot spring in Europe and you can see the hot steam and boiling water bubbling from the ground. The surface around the hot spring has turned red from the minerals and steam surrounding it.
Your next stop will be Reykholt, a location with a significant historical heritage as it was the home of Snorri Sturluson. After that, you will visit two different but equally special waterfalls - Hraunfossar and Barnafoss.
