Our luxury Self Drive Tours
If you have been thinking about a self drive tour around Iceland but haven´t quite found what you were looking for
take a look at our special interest luxury self- drive tours.
We make up a personal itinerary for each and every client concentrating on his/her special preferences and wishes. Nights are spend in 4 Star hotels and our spacious 4x4 cars come with care free insurances!
Before we start, give the following some thought:
Are you inclined to cover as much as possible in a few days or is it slow travel you prefer?
Would you like to take a day off from driving to go horse back riding or hiking?
Is it hot springs, northern lights or a walk right into the glacier you fancy?
Is it geology, history or the incredible Icelandic Sagas that inspire your travels to Iceland?
Our team of local expert travel designers will work out YOUR PERFECT PERSONALIZED tour around Iceland.
take a look at our special interest luxury self- drive tours.
We make up a personal itinerary for each and every client concentrating on his/her special preferences and wishes. Nights are spend in 4 Star hotels and our spacious 4x4 cars come with care free insurances!
Before we start, give the following some thought:
Are you inclined to cover as much as possible in a few days or is it slow travel you prefer?
Would you like to take a day off from driving to go horse back riding or hiking?
Is it hot springs, northern lights or a walk right into the glacier you fancy?
Is it geology, history or the incredible Icelandic Sagas that inspire your travels to Iceland?
Our team of local expert travel designers will work out YOUR PERFECT PERSONALIZED tour around Iceland.
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Some feedback from our clients:
"You did a wonderful job and from my experience (we do travel quite a lot) Iceland has the most gracious and warm people of anywhere we have been. We loved it all, the accommodations were wonderful, your descriptions and recommendations very informative and all in all a truly wonderful experience. You can count us in as ambassadors for recommending Iceland and using Exploring Iceland as well! You did a wonderful job on our itinerary and we thank you!" L.Z., Canada
"And thank you again. I enjoyed working with you on the trip, and like I said what you put together for us was perfect.
Definitely will be back some day." J.R., USA
"I wanted to drop you a line saying how much we enjoyed our time in beautiful, dramatic Iceland. You did a wonderful job planning our itinerary! Every place we stayed was great and the people were friendly.If we hear of anyone planning to go to Iceland we will enthusiastically recommend you! Thanks again. " R.E., USA
"We have been on a week long self-drive tour, organized and planned by Meike Witt from Exploring Iceland. After some e-mails and a video call, checking our plans and expectations she designed a wonderful program for us. All the sightseeing spots, hikes and tours were great and like pearls on a string-wonderful planning. Great to arrive at a prearranged spot for the night – sometimes a small hotel , sometimes some luxury, sometimes a Mongolian yurt. Perfect array of accommodation. Sure it would have been possible to do all the planning and booking by yourself — but it was so nice and easy to let Meike do this for us, that we will enjoy this service again for sure for our next trip to Iceland….Plan and travel with Exploring Iceland and spoil yourself.Thank you also for the little secrets, special restaurants, riding tour to a waterfall, hidden hot spring in the middle of nowhere etc etc – it was a perfect week for us!" C.M. Germany
"You did a wonderful job and from my experience (we do travel quite a lot) Iceland has the most gracious and warm people of anywhere we have been. We loved it all, the accommodations were wonderful, your descriptions and recommendations very informative and all in all a truly wonderful experience. You can count us in as ambassadors for recommending Iceland and using Exploring Iceland as well! You did a wonderful job on our itinerary and we thank you!" L.Z., Canada
"And thank you again. I enjoyed working with you on the trip, and like I said what you put together for us was perfect.
Definitely will be back some day." J.R., USA
"I wanted to drop you a line saying how much we enjoyed our time in beautiful, dramatic Iceland. You did a wonderful job planning our itinerary! Every place we stayed was great and the people were friendly.If we hear of anyone planning to go to Iceland we will enthusiastically recommend you! Thanks again. " R.E., USA
"We have been on a week long self-drive tour, organized and planned by Meike Witt from Exploring Iceland. After some e-mails and a video call, checking our plans and expectations she designed a wonderful program for us. All the sightseeing spots, hikes and tours were great and like pearls on a string-wonderful planning. Great to arrive at a prearranged spot for the night – sometimes a small hotel , sometimes some luxury, sometimes a Mongolian yurt. Perfect array of accommodation. Sure it would have been possible to do all the planning and booking by yourself — but it was so nice and easy to let Meike do this for us, that we will enjoy this service again for sure for our next trip to Iceland….Plan and travel with Exploring Iceland and spoil yourself.Thank you also for the little secrets, special restaurants, riding tour to a waterfall, hidden hot spring in the middle of nowhere etc etc – it was a perfect week for us!" C.M. Germany
How does it work?
Please send us some information about your special interests. We will then give you a price quote. Upon payment you will receive from us:
Please send us some information about your special interests. We will then give you a price quote. Upon payment you will receive from us:
- Detailed personalized itinerary stating places of interest, good restaurants, museums, optional activities and most likely some places you might not find in guide books! In English or German.
- Set of vouchers for hotel, flybus, car rental, activities.
- Video call Meeting with our employee to talk you through your travel plan (English/German speaking)
Self drive tours in eco-friendly mode
If you ‘re looking for an eco-friendly self drive tour in Iceland, we are happy to assist! As owners of electrical cars ourselves we know from personal experience how you can travel comfortably with an EV in Iceland! All the electricity produced for your EV comes from renewable energy, largely from hydro- and geothermal power.
If you ‘re looking for an eco-friendly self drive tour in Iceland, we are happy to assist! As owners of electrical cars ourselves we know from personal experience how you can travel comfortably with an EV in Iceland! All the electricity produced for your EV comes from renewable energy, largely from hydro- and geothermal power.
Self Drive for Horse Lovers
Are you a horse lover but travelling with a partner who is not as keen on horses?
Or do you love horse back riding but feel not experienced enough for a multi- days- tour?
We put together a personalized tour where you will stay at or nearby accommodation offerering exciting short riding tours. How does riding to the Secret Lagoon or galloping along the beach with views of Snæfellsjökull glacier sound? Have you ever tried sealspotting from the saddle or ridden underneath the Midnight sun in the Wilderness of East Iceland? If going north you might want to visit Hólar, the Equine University of Iceland and at least one of the great horse shows and breeding farms in Iceland!
Or do you love horse back riding but feel not experienced enough for a multi- days- tour?
We put together a personalized tour where you will stay at or nearby accommodation offerering exciting short riding tours. How does riding to the Secret Lagoon or galloping along the beach with views of Snæfellsjökull glacier sound? Have you ever tried sealspotting from the saddle or ridden underneath the Midnight sun in the Wilderness of East Iceland? If going north you might want to visit Hólar, the Equine University of Iceland and at least one of the great horse shows and breeding farms in Iceland!
Hiker´s Paradise (with our without highland)
Have you always been a keen walker but not too crazy about joining an organized guided tour with lots of other people? Would you like to travel around Iceland but would love to incorporate individual walks to hot springs, along the surging glaciers of the South, in between the the colourful mountains of Landmannalaugar or in between the continents? You might be walking in the footsteps of the ancient settlers visiting the remains of a Viking farm from the 12 th century or actually walking behind a waterfall....
Please note that some of these places may require a 4x4 car.
Please note that some of these places may require a 4x4 car.
Romantic time out
We all know that at times we just about had enough of all the stress, the crowded places and god knows – the job! Sometimes we just need a time-out with a loved one – to get away from it all. Iceland is like „balsam for the soul“ – the space, the tranquitily, the emptiness of the highland and the lush green colours of the rolling hills against the clean white glaciers.
Take some time off and slow-travel around Iceland, staying at beautiful hand-picked hotels with SPA & massages, go for long solitary walks along the beach and sit on a mountain top just doing .... nothing!
Take some time off and slow-travel around Iceland, staying at beautiful hand-picked hotels with SPA & massages, go for long solitary walks along the beach and sit on a mountain top just doing .... nothing!
Quirky tour
Let´s admit – you are a bit different! The typical hotel and travel arrangement kind of bores you – and you definitely don´t want to go where the mass tourism goes! But how about staying at a Viking place, a fishermen´s hut or an old turfhouse? What about visiting the Icelandic Museum of Witchcraft and Sorcery to find out about the shocking „nábrók“ and taste the stinking fermented shark?
How about going on a Food Walk in Reykjavík and have a meal at home with the locals in one of the tiny places around Iceland?
Ever wanted to try to milk cows and spend a day at a local farm?
How about going on a Food Walk in Reykjavík and have a meal at home with the locals in one of the tiny places around Iceland?
Ever wanted to try to milk cows and spend a day at a local farm?
For the book-worm
Right – most people come to Iceland because of its incredible nature. But they do exist the wonderful people who love Iceland for its incredible medieval and modern literature. The visitors who have read the Icelandic Sagas and crave to visit the area where Guðríður Þórbjarnadóttir grew up who lived on the American continent long before Columbus was even born or to visit Eiríksstaðir, the home of Eric the Red famously known from the Greenlanders and Erik the Red Saga. The people who would love to sit in Halldór Laxness favorite place when he thought of Salka Valka and Iceland´s Bell...
Or those who always wanted to visit the exhibition of the old manuscripts?
Or those who always wanted to visit the exhibition of the old manuscripts?
Towards the Center of the Earth- for Geology lover
One of the most exciting things about Iceland is its geology. In few places in the world we can see such a diversity in geological phenomens while driving short distances. In one day you can actually „drive“ down into a volcano and a few hours later walk into an icetunnel and visit a huge lava tube the same evening. Black beaches, walks in between the continents, amazing basalt columns, Europe´s largest glacier, the most beautiful waterfalls and volcanoes at the bring of eruption... this is Iceland. Visit Teigarhorn, the most renowned zeolites’ finding place in the world and Stöðvarfjörður´s Petra´s stone collection with its of rare rocks and minerals. The colourful ryolite mountains of Landmannalaugar with its obsidian fields and hot geothermal springs will catch your attention just like bright yellow sulfur field of Námaskarð. Please note that some of these places may require a 4x4 car.
Northern Lights delight
„Where is the best place to see the Northern Lights?“ this one of the most frequent questions we get. Well – first of all – pick the right season to travel! The best season for Northern Lights is between September and beginning of April. The long nights between October and until mid March being the best time. Of course, Northern Lights are a natural phenomen and we do not control them. Unfortunately we cannot switch them on and off. In general most places out in the countryside far from any light pollution are best.
Just make sure that you don´t choose one of the many places with geothermally heated greenhouses causing immense light pollution..... that´s why it might be best to let us make up your itinerary so you want get any nasty surprises! Driving in winter in Iceland can be be difficult so we will make sure we find a safe route for you! Wintertyres guaranteed.
Just make sure that you don´t choose one of the many places with geothermally heated greenhouses causing immense light pollution..... that´s why it might be best to let us make up your itinerary so you want get any nasty surprises! Driving in winter in Iceland can be be difficult so we will make sure we find a safe route for you! Wintertyres guaranteed.
Highland Adventure (only 4x4) – only during summertime
So you have been to Iceland before and drove along the ring road but now you want to go for a special highland tour visiting Landmannalaugar, driving over the Kjölur or Sprengisandur routes across Iceland, visit the Askja caldera and drive the magic Fjallabakstrail north of Mýrdalsjökull glacier? We are happy to use our expertise to put together a thrilling adventure self-drive tour for you!
Please note that for a highland tour like this you will need a very good (and unfortunately expensive) 4x4 car. We also advise you to make use of the www.safetravel.is site and inform yourself about the ban on off-road driving. Icelanders are not kidding when they mention heavy fines and public shaming for off-road driving. Please note that the time frame for many highland routes is also very limited.
Best time: Second part of July until Mid of August.
Please note that for a highland tour like this you will need a very good (and unfortunately expensive) 4x4 car. We also advise you to make use of the www.safetravel.is site and inform yourself about the ban on off-road driving. Icelanders are not kidding when they mention heavy fines and public shaming for off-road driving. Please note that the time frame for many highland routes is also very limited.
Best time: Second part of July until Mid of August.
Crazy Activity lover
Skydiving, bungee jumping, volcano boarding and diving with sharks – you have done it all? Now you want to come to Iceland and do some crazy stuff? Well, we don´t know if Iceland is crazy enough for you but we sure have some thrilling things to offer like white water rafting, riverjetting on a glacial river, ocean kayaking, glacier walks and camps, snowscooter tours, dives in between the continental plates, ocean swimming in arctic waters, husky tours and horse back rides with a herd of loose running horses across the highland.
Ever tried raw Viking sushi or landed a huge cod while sea angling?
Ever tried raw Viking sushi or landed a huge cod while sea angling?
Please be aware of the fact that driving in Iceland can be potentially dangerous if important safety measures are ignored. Please make sure that you always check the following sites before departure:
www.safetravel.is
www.road.is
http://en.vedur.is/
Please read the information on this page carefully before coming to Iceland and note that all Off-road driving in Iceland is banned and heavily fined: http://www.icetra.is/road-traffic/how-to-drive-in-iceland/
www.safetravel.is
www.road.is
http://en.vedur.is/
Please read the information on this page carefully before coming to Iceland and note that all Off-road driving in Iceland is banned and heavily fined: http://www.icetra.is/road-traffic/how-to-drive-in-iceland/
Please read about car rental requirements:
Driver's License:
The driver must present a valid driver's licence held for a minimum of one year at the time of rental. An International Driving Permit (IDP) / International Driving License (IDL) is also required if your national driver's licence is not in Roman script. This is recommended for translation purposes and may only be used in conjunction with a national driving licence. For vehicles for 9 passenger or more, driving licence D is requested.
Additional Driver / Operator:
The person named on the reservation booking must be the main driver, present at time of rental and payer of any rental charges. Additional drivers are possible with a small fee per day for each additional driver.
Age Restrictions and Exceptions:
The minimum age for rentals in Iceland is 20 years for vehicle groups Economy, Compact, Compact Wagon, Intermediate 2 and 4 doors and Intermediate Wagon. For all other vehicle groups the minimum age is 23 years.
Methods of Payment:
A credit card in the main driver's name is required for booking and renting the vehicle, however you may opt to pay by other means at termination of rental, subject to specific terms and conditions being met.
Acceptable credit cards are: Mastercard, Visa.
At the time of rental, an authorization is obtained on your credit card based on the estimated rental charges. There must be sufficient credit on your card to cover all charges.
All online reservations will be charged as soon as the reservation is confirmed.
For further information please contact our Reservation Center.
Driving Restrictions:
2wd vehicles are not allowed to be driven on roads marked F on official maps and KJÖLUR, road nr. 35. and KALDIDALUR nr. 550.
Should these restrictions be ignored all waivers (Third Party Liability, CDW, TP, PAI), if accepted, shall be deemed null and void. The driver will be held fully responsible in case of accidents and will bear all consequences, including the cost of repairation of the damaged vehicle.
Driver's License:
The driver must present a valid driver's licence held for a minimum of one year at the time of rental. An International Driving Permit (IDP) / International Driving License (IDL) is also required if your national driver's licence is not in Roman script. This is recommended for translation purposes and may only be used in conjunction with a national driving licence. For vehicles for 9 passenger or more, driving licence D is requested.
Additional Driver / Operator:
The person named on the reservation booking must be the main driver, present at time of rental and payer of any rental charges. Additional drivers are possible with a small fee per day for each additional driver.
Age Restrictions and Exceptions:
The minimum age for rentals in Iceland is 20 years for vehicle groups Economy, Compact, Compact Wagon, Intermediate 2 and 4 doors and Intermediate Wagon. For all other vehicle groups the minimum age is 23 years.
Methods of Payment:
A credit card in the main driver's name is required for booking and renting the vehicle, however you may opt to pay by other means at termination of rental, subject to specific terms and conditions being met.
Acceptable credit cards are: Mastercard, Visa.
At the time of rental, an authorization is obtained on your credit card based on the estimated rental charges. There must be sufficient credit on your card to cover all charges.
All online reservations will be charged as soon as the reservation is confirmed.
For further information please contact our Reservation Center.
Driving Restrictions:
2wd vehicles are not allowed to be driven on roads marked F on official maps and KJÖLUR, road nr. 35. and KALDIDALUR nr. 550.
Should these restrictions be ignored all waivers (Third Party Liability, CDW, TP, PAI), if accepted, shall be deemed null and void. The driver will be held fully responsible in case of accidents and will bear all consequences, including the cost of repairation of the damaged vehicle.
