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Our van on the Ring Road in south Iceland
Iceland

Iceland Ring Road by Van: Live It

Golden Circle · South coast · Jokulsarlon · Myvatn · Akureyri · Snaefellsnes
Iceland →
5.0313 Google reviews 9 days Group of 16

Overview

Nine days. A full loop of Iceland. A van, waterfalls, black beaches, glaciers, the north and plenty of hours on the road to turn strangers into a crew.

We have done more than 100 roadtrips here. We know which stop is worth it when the weather turns, where the waterfall that flies under the radar is, and where you want to sleep when the forecast shows a clear sky.

This is the Altervan organised roadtrip in Iceland: Ring Road, Golden Circle, the south coast, Jokulsarlon, the north and Snaefellsnes. We travel nine people to a van and in the evenings we cook together. It will rain, for sure, and we will dance in the rain. And with nights falling early, we keep looking up: if the sky allows it, we will scream under the northern lights. Are you in?

Coming solo? Most people do. By day two you are a crew.
At a glance
DestinationIceland
Dates21 Mar 2027 – 29 Mar 2027
Duration9 days
Group sizeup to 16 people
Price€2,190 / person
Deposit€750

Included

Return flights Athens → Keflavik → Athens with LOT Airlines
Airport taxes
Transport by 9-seat van for the whole route
Fuel and tolls
Local taxes
Accommodation in twin rooms
4 breakfasts
Golden Circle
Entry to all sights in the programme
Altervan trip leader and driver for the whole trip
Civil liability insurance

Not included

Personal expenses
Optional activities: Blue Lagoon, whale watching in Husavik, GeoSea

The honest version

Most people come soloBy day two, that has changed.
Twin roomsComing solo? You share with someone of the same gender. We sort out the pairing.
We will cover a lot of roadIt is a roadtrip. That is the whole point.
In Iceland the weather decidesWe don't play tough with it. If needed, we reshuffle the stops.
Cabin bag, not a huge suitcaseThe van has space. Not infinite space.
The days are fullThis is not all-inclusive lounging.

It is for you if…

  • you love the road and hours in the van with music and good chat
  • you do not mind the plan changing when the weather has other ideas
  • you want to meet people and come home with friends
  • you would rather have real moments than a minute by minute schedule

It is probably not for you if…

  • you want hours of lounging every day
  • you cannot stand a lot of moving around
  • you need fixed times for everything
  • you are expecting a classic guided coach tour

Moments

1,524 moments from 114 previous departures
Altervan trip leaderSecure your seat with a depositEasy cancellation

Itinerary · day by day

Snowy Skolavordustigur with Hallgrimskirkja at the end, Reykjavik01

Arrival in Reykjavik

Snowy Skolavordustigur with Hallgrimskirkja at the end, Reykjavik

Πετάμε μεσημέρι από την Αθήνα, αλλάζουμε αεροπλάνο στη Βαρσοβία και προσγειωνόμαστε Ισλανδία αργά το βράδυ. Από το αεροδρόμιο πάμε καρφί στο ξενοδοχείο μας στο Ρέικιαβικ, αφήνουμε τις βαλίτσες και πέφτουμε για ύπνο. Την επόμενη ξεκινάμε νωρίς, οπότε θέλεις να έχεις κοιμηθεί καλά.

Gullfoss on the Golden Circle, snow along the canyon02

Golden Circle: Thingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss

Gullfoss on the Golden Circle, snow along the canyon

Πρώτη μέρα roadtrip και πάμε κατευθείαν προς Golden Circle. Στο Thingvellir περπατάμε ανάμεσα στις δύο τεκτονικές πλάκες, της Βόρειας Αμερικής και της Ευρασίας όπου ανάμεσά τους πέφτει ο καταρράκτης Oxararfoss. Εδώ δημιουργήθηκε το 930 μ.Χ. το Althingi, το πρώτο κοινοβούλιο του κόσμου. Μετά ο Bruarfoss, με νερά τόσο γαλαζοπράσινα που μοιάζει σαν να έχεις βάλει φίλτρο στο κινητό σου. Στο Geysir στήνουμε καρτέρι στον Strokkur, που όταν σκάσει πετάει νερό έως και 30 μέτρα ψηλά, και κλείνουμε με τον Gullfoss, τον «Χρυσό Καταρράκτη», που τον ακούς πολύ πριν τον δεις. Το βράδυ κοιμόμαστε σε ξύλινα σπιτάκια δίπλα σε ποτάμι. Μοιράζουμε δουλειές στην κουζίνα και μαγειρεύουμε όλοι μαζί, και μέχρι να στρωθεί το τραπέζι ξέρεις τα ονόματα όλων.

Icebergs in the Jokulsarlon lagoon with the glacier far behind03

South coast: Seljalandsfoss, Reynisfjara and Jokulsarlon

Icebergs in the Jokulsarlon lagoon with the glacier far behind
Today we drive the south coast, the one you have seen in films and in countless reels. At Seljalandsfoss you walk behind the waterfall, and a little further on you squeeze into a narrow gorge to find the hidden Gljufrabui. You will get wet, don't overthink it. Skogafoss is wide and powerful, and if you climb the steps beside it you see the whole valley from above. Then the Solheimajokull glacier, its ice mixed with volcanic ash, the rock arch of Dyrholaey and the black beach of Reynisfjara with its basalt columns. The waves there come in without warning, so we keep our distance from the water. Last stop is the Jokulsarlon lagoon and Diamond Beach, where chunks of glacier wash up on the black sand. We sleep just outside Hofn, far from the lights, and before bed we all look up. If the sky is in the mood, tonight it might turn green.
The basalt columns of Studlagil canyon04

Studlagil, Dettifoss and Myvatn

The basalt columns of Studlagil canyon

Αφήνουμε τον νότο και ανεβαίνουμε ανατολικά και βόρεια, εκεί που η Ισλανδία αγριεύει. Πρώτα ο Folaldafoss, ένας μικρός καταρράκτης, και μετά το φαράγγι Studlagil, με βασαλτικές πέτρες και ένα ποτάμι που αλλάζει χρώμα ανάλογα με το φως. Ο Dettifoss είναι ο πιο ισχυρός καταρράκτης της Ευρώπης, και όταν σταθείς από πάνω του δεν σου βγαίνει μιλιά. Στο Hverir η γη βγάζει ατμούς, μυρίζει θειάφι και το χώμα είναι κόκκινο, σαν να προσγειωθήκαμε σε άλλο πλανήτη. Περνάμε δίπλα από τη λίμνη Myvatn με τα ηφαιστειακά νησάκια της και σταματάμε στον Godafoss, τον «καταρράκτη των θεών». Λένε ότι εκεί πέταξαν τα είδωλα των παλιών θεών όταν οι Ισλανδοί έγιναν χριστιανοί. Το βράδυ φτάνουμε στο Akureyri, όπου ακόμα και τα κόκκινα φανάρια έχουν σχήμα καρδιάς.

A whale in the bay at Husavik05

Husavik: whales and GeoSea

A whale in the bay at Husavik
No packing today. We stay a second night in Akureyri and drive up to Husavik, a fishing village on a northern bay. Whoever wants goes out on a boat for whale watching, to see whales up close. Then we jump into GeoSea, sea baths with warm water and an infinity pool looking out over the Arctic. We head back to Akureyri in the afternoon, no rush.
Kirkjufell and its waterfall on Snaefellsnes06

Snaefellsnes and Kirkjufell

Kirkjufell and its waterfall on Snaefellsnes
Locals call the Snaefellsnes peninsula "Iceland in miniature", and in one day you see why. We stop at Kirkjufell, the most photographed mountain in the country, with the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall in front of it. Then Budakirkja, a black church standing alone in the lava, and Ytri Tunga beach, where seals lie on the rocks and look at you with the same curiosity you look at them. We pass through Arnarstapi, with its basalt formations and sea caves. We sleep in wooden rooms with grass roofs, right by the sea, and all we hear is the waves.
Hallgrimskirkja in Reykjavik under a heavy sky07

A walk around Reykjavik

Hallgrimskirkja in Reykjavik under a heavy sky
Today we walk around Reykjavik together, no list. We get lost in the streets with the colourful houses, walk up to Hallgrimskirkja and hunt for woollens and handmade things for the people waiting for us back home. Some will sit down for coffee and start a conversation that doesn't want to end, others will walk without saying a word.
Warm water and steam at the Blue Lagoon08

Reykjanes and Blue Lagoon

Warm water and steam at the Blue Lagoon
Last day. We leave Reykjavik and drive onto the Reykjanes peninsula, through fields of black lava. In the afternoon, whoever wants takes a dip in the warm milky water of the Blue Lagoon, and saying goodbye gets a little easier. A little after midnight we take off.
Iceland from the plane window on the way home09

Back to Athens

Iceland from the plane window on the way home
We change planes in Warsaw and land in Athens in the afternoon, with a phone full of photos and a Viber group that won't go quiet for days.

The route

Route map: Keflavik → Reykjavik → Gullfoss → Hella → Jokulsarlon → Hofn → Studlagil → Dettifoss → Myvatn → Akureyri → Husavik → SnaefellsnesKEFLAVIKREYKJAVIK1 + 1 NIGHTSGULLFOSSHELLA1 NIGHTJOKULSARLONHOFN1 NIGHTSTUDLAGILDETTIFOSSMYVATNAKUREYRI2 NIGHTSHUSAVIKSNAEFELLSNES1 NIGHT

Gallery · Iceland

23 photos
Strokkur erupting at GeysirAn iceberg in the water as the sun goes downThe black church of Budir among golden grassOur two vans outside the wooden cabinsA waterfall between dark cliffs in OctoberNorthern lights above ReykjavikA black sand beach with snow on Iceland's south coastWaves crashing on the rocks at ReynisfjaraThe black church of Budir in the snowNorthern lights over our cabins in ArnarstapiGreen aurora over the snowy mountain at ArnarstapiA snowy street in central ReykjavikGullfoss with snow on its banksNorthern lights above HofnThe sea arch at ArnarstapiA group selfie on Reykjavik's rainbow streetIn rain ponchos at Thingvellir, IcelandThe group in the warm water of the Blue LagoonThe group in front of Oxararfoss at ThingvellirThe group in Reykjavik on day oneA group selfie with an Icelandic horse leaning inThe group around the table in a wooden lodge with snow outsideIn rain ponchos inside the waterfall canyon

Answers to your questions

What luggage do I bring?

One carry-on bag up to 8 kg (55 x 40 x 23 cm) and a small backpack that fits under the seat in front of you. Your ticket also includes a 23 kg suitcase, but space in the van is tight and bigger bags don’t fit. If you like, pack your carry-on up to a few more kilos.

I'm coming on my own. Who will I share a room with?

Most Altervan travellers come on their own and get to know the group on the trip. Rooms are twin, so if you’re travelling solo you share with another member of the group of the same gender. We take care of the room allocation.

How do I book my spot?

With a deposit of €750 per person. You pay the rest in instalments, up to 30 days before departure.

What if I need to cancel?

Everything about cancellations is in our General Terms of Participation, section 5. If anything isn’t clear, ask us before you book.

What travel document do I need?

A new-type Greek ID card or a valid passport. Either one is fine.

Is there an age limit?

All ages are welcome. If you’re under 18, you travel with a companion.

What clothes should I bring?

Waterproof clothes, a windbreaker, thermal layers and waterproof hiking or sports shoes. The weather in Iceland changes during the day, and at some waterfalls you’ll get wet anyway. Closer to departure we send you gear details based on the forecast.

What isn't included in the price?

Your personal expenses and the optional activities: Blue Lagoon about €110, whale watching in Husavik about €120 and GeoSea about €50. We talk them through together in the group we set up on Viber, and you decide later.

Will we see the northern lights?

We don’t promise it, because you can’t book the northern lights. They show up when it gets properly dark and the sky is clear, so the darker the nights, the better the odds. In March the odds are on our side. In April the nights get shorter, but if it gets dark and the sky opens up, there is still a small chance. Wherever we sleep far from the lights, like just outside Hofn, we all look up before bed.

What travelers say · Iceland 5.0 · 313 Google reviews
€2,190/ person 21–29 MARCH 2027 Deposit €750 / person
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