6 Days Self -Drive Tour with Pick Up – Hot Springs Iceland – 4×4 Campervan

Iceland’s best sights are spread far beyond Reykjavík, and this six-day trip gives you a practical way to reach them without building a route from scratch. You drive a 4×4 campervan, sleep at booked campsites, and use the Easy Guide tablet for navigation, daily timing, vehicle information, and activity details. The route packs in hot springs, waterfalls, lava caves, black beaches, and two major geothermal spas.

I especially like the mix of wild scenery and booked experiences. Horse riding near Hveragerði, the Secret Lagoon, Víðgelmir lava cave, and Vatnshellir give the trip more character than a simple drive around the Ring Road. I also like the friendly handover and airport shuttle, which several customers found clear and well organized, with staff members such as Dawid and Nicole helping with arrival and departure.

The main caution is the pace. Six days is a short time for this much ground, and several days include long drives plus fixed activity times. Fuel, parking, food, and optional admissions are extra, so the $1,451.81 per-person price is useful but not your final trip budget.

What makes this campervan trip different

• Two lava caves: Explore Vatnshellir, an 8,000-year-old lava tube, and Víðgelmir, Iceland’s largest lava cave.
• Booked hot-spring time: The Secret Lagoon, Krauma, and Sky Lagoon are included, giving you regular chances to warm up.
• A real self-drive holiday: You control the vehicle and daily stops, while the tablet keeps the route and bookings in one place.
• Horse riding on Day 2: The Heritage Tour at Eldhestar is suitable for riders and lasts about two hours and 15 minutes.
• Campsite fees are included: This removes one common campervan hassle, though campsite electricity and other services cost extra.
• A strong Snæfellsnes day: Kirkjufell, black beaches, lava cliffs, lighthouses, basalt columns, and Vatnshellir all appear on one packed route.

Picking up near Keflavík and seeing Reykjanes

The trip begins at CampEasy’s office at Selvík 5 in Keflavík, about five minutes from Keflavík International Airport. A complimentary shuttle can collect you at the airport or from a hotel in Keflavík town. That is a useful start after a flight, especially if you do not want to work out a separate transfer.

After the vehicle handover, you can visit Viking World Museum. Its main display is a full-size Viking ship built in 2000, created to mark Leifur Eiríksson’s voyage to North America. Admission is not included, and the visit takes about an hour and a half including the drive from the office.

The rest of Day 1 explores the Reykjanes Peninsula. At the Bridge Between Continents, you can walk across a symbolic bridge between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. It is a short stop, but it makes Iceland’s geology easy to grasp.

Gunnuhver is more dramatic. Steam vents, hot mud pools, mineral-colored ground, and the Reykjanes lighthouse create one of the trip’s first strong geothermal scenes. Keep to marked areas around the hot ground. Iceland’s steam can look harmless, but the heat is not.

Kleifarvatn is a quieter finish to the day. The lake is nearly 100 meters deep and bordered by old moss-covered lava. Allow about an hour and 10 minutes here. The simple setting is a welcome change after the more active geothermal stops.

Riding Icelandic horses and following the Golden Circle

Day 2 begins early at Hótel Eldhestar. The Heritage Tour starts at 9:00 AM and lasts about two hours and 15 minutes. It is designed for riders of different experience levels and offers a close look at Icelandic horses in the countryside.

This is one of the trip’s most personal activities. You are not simply stopping at a viewpoint and taking a photograph. You spend time with the horses, learn their rhythm, and see the countryside at a slower pace. The minimum age for some activities is seven, while the driver must be at least 20.

Kerið crater is about a 20-minute drive away. The reddish crater walls and inner lake change with the season, and the site is especially striking when frost catches the light. There is a small admission charge to walk around the crater, and it is not included.

Urriðafoss gives you a short stop beside the powerful Þjórsá River, Iceland’s longest river. If you want to add a food stop, Friðheimar is suggested as an optional visit. The farm is known for geothermal tomato growing, horse breeding, and tomato-based dishes. Its admission and food costs are extra, and the added stop takes about an hour including driving.

The afternoon brings the Secret Lagoon at 2:00 PM. This historic bathing pool dates to 1891 and is fed by warm geothermal water near Litli Geysir. The water is the main attraction, but the nearby spouting activity adds a bit of theater. You get about two hours and 15 minutes here, so this is not a rushed photo stop.

The final two stops are the classic Golden Circle sights. Gullfoss drops 32 meters into a deep gorge, with spray often catching the light. At Geysir, Strokkur sends hot water into the air as often as every few minutes, sometimes reaching about 15 meters. You get one hour at Gullfoss and 30 minutes at Geysir, enough for the main paths but not for a leisurely exploration.

Thingvellir, Víðgelmir, and the hot water of Borgarfjörður

Day 3 starts at Thingvellir National Park, the final Golden Circle stop. It matters for two reasons: the ground shows the meeting of major tectonic plates, and the site has a central place in Iceland’s political history. Öxará waterfall and Silfra Fissure add geological interest.

The park itself is free, but parking carries a fee. That small extra cost is easy to miss, so keep some room in your budget for parking charges throughout the trip.

At midday, you head toward Borgarfjörður for Víðgelmir lava cave. The visit takes about three and a half hours, making it one of the day’s main events. The cave is about 1,100 years old and contains lava formations, stalactites, and stalagmites below the Hallmundarhraun lava field.

Víðgelmir suits you if you want more than an overlook. You walk into Iceland’s volcanic past and see how flowing lava shaped empty chambers beneath the surface. The time commitment is significant, so do not treat this as a quick add-on.

Hraunfossar and Barnafoss are close together. Hraunfossar appears as many small streams flowing through the lava, while Barnafoss pushes through a narrow opening with much more force. The contrast makes the pair worthwhile, even though the stops are short.

Reykholt adds a cultural pause. This medieval site is linked with Icelandic sagas and gives the day a human story after so much geology. At Deildartunguhver, you see Europe’s largest hot spring, with water reaching about 97°C. Keep your distance and respect the barriers.

The day ends at Krauma, a spa beside the hot spring. Its four pools use a steady flow of natural geothermal water. After the cave and waterfall stops, two hours in warm water is a sensible finish.

Snæfellsnes in one packed day

Day 4 covers the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and it is the busiest sightseeing day. Start in Stykkishólmur, a fishing village with a working harbor and a walk to Súgandisey Island Lighthouse. The path up the island takes about two hours at the planned pace and gives you broad sea views.

Grundarfoss is a quieter waterfall stop, followed by Kirkjufellsfoss. Kirkjufell mountain and the nearby falls are among Iceland’s most photographed combinations. You get only 20 minutes at Kirkjufellsfoss, so arrive ready to walk straight to the viewpoint.

At Svörtuloft, dark lava cliffs meet the Atlantic, with a bright orange lighthouse offering a sharp color contrast. The coastline is exposed, so allow time for wind and uneven walking. Djúpalónssandur adds a strong historical note. On this black pebble beach, old lifting stones show how sailors once tested their strength, while pieces of a shipwreck remain on the shore.

Vatnshellir is scheduled for 2:00 PM. You descend 32 meters by spiral stairs into an 8,000-year-old lava tube, wearing a helmet and headlamp. The cave visit lasts about an hour and is included. Some activities have a maximum weight limit of 120 kilograms, so check the rules before booking if that applies to you.

Arnarstapi is a short stop with sea arches and the notable Gatklettur opening in the cliffs. Búðakirkja, one of Iceland’s black churches, offers another quick photo stop. Seals are sometimes seen near the sea, though sightings are not guaranteed.

Finish at the Gerduberg basalt columns. Their regular geometric shapes are a good final geology lesson, but the day’s many stops can feel tiring. This route works best if you enjoy variety and do not mind moving on before every place has been fully explored.

Reykjavík sights, northern lights, and Sky Lagoon

Day 5 shifts from open country to the capital. Perlan sits above four water tanks and includes an Aurora Show explaining the northern lights. The scheduled visit lasts about two and a half hours, giving you time for the main exhibits rather than a quick look.

Hallgrímskirkja is a short drive away. Its design takes inspiration from Iceland’s basalt formations, and the church entrance is free. The tower has a separate fee, but the view over Reykjavík can make it worthwhile if the weather is clear.

Harpa Concert Hall is another quick city stop. Its glass design draws on Icelandic natural forms, and you can enter without paying unless you attend a concert or another paid event. Parking is extra.

At 4:00 PM, Magic Ice offers a very different experience. The ice museum and bar are kept below freezing, with ice sculptures and drinks served in the cold room. The visit lasts about an hour and 10 minutes, so dress for the temperature even if the rest of the day feels mild.

Sky Lagoon begins at 6:00 PM. The spa sits beside the sea, and the package is included. Two hours and 15 minutes gives you time to enjoy the warm pool and coastal setting without cutting the visit too short.

A gentle final morning before the airport

Day 6 begins at the Sun Voyager sculpture beside the sea. Jón Gunnar Árnason created it as a symbol of hope and freedom, with mountains behind it. The planned visit takes about an hour and a half, including the drive.

You then head to Grótta Island Lighthouse. The shore, cool air, and mountain views make this a calm last stop. It is also close enough to Reykjavík that you can keep an eye on your departure schedule.

FlyOver Iceland is suggested if you have extra time, but you must book it yourself and pay separately. The same applies to the Blue Lagoon, which could work as a final two-and-a-half-hour stop from Grótta if your flight schedule allows. Do not add either option unless you have checked your airport transfer time carefully.

Return the campervan at the CampEasy office. Hot drinks, souvenirs, and the chance to share trip memories are available before the shuttle takes you to Keflavík Airport or a hotel in Keflavík town.

What the $1,451.81 price really covers

The price is strongest for people who want structure without joining a bus group. It includes the campervan, zero-risk coverage, Wi-Fi, gas and other listed extras, the Easy Guide tablet, campsite fees, airport transfer, and the booked activities.

Included activities cover horse riding, the Secret Lagoon, Víðgelmir, Krauma, Vatnshellir, Perlan’s Aurora Show, Magic Ice, and Sky Lagoon. That is a substantial list, and booking these pieces separately could take considerable planning.

You still need to pay for fuel, flights, meals, parking, campsite electricity and other campsite services, personal accident insurance, traffic fines, and optional stops. Kerið, the Hallgrímskirkja tower, FlyOver Iceland, the Blue Lagoon, Friðheimar, and the Viking World Museum are also outside the package.

The value depends on how much you use the included activities. If you would already pay for several spas and cave tours, the package is easier to justify. If you prefer free nature stops and a slower route, you may find the fixed schedule less attractive.

Is this the right Iceland trip for you?

Book this experience if you want to drive yourself but prefer a prepared route, booked campsite nights, and confirmed activity times. It suits couples, families, and small private groups who like independence but do not want to organize every reservation.

You should also be comfortable with early starts, changing weather, long driving days, and compact campervan living. The trip is not designed for a slow, stay-put holiday. Its strength is variety: you get horses, caves, waterfalls, hot water, coastlines, city sights, and several different kinds of Icelandic scenery in six days.

If you have more time, adding days would make the route easier. If six days is all you have, this package gives you a well-planned first taste of Iceland, with enough support to keep the self-drive part manageable.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at the CampEasy office at Selvík 5, 230 Keflavík, Iceland.

Is airport pickup included?

Yes. A complimentary shuttle is available from Keflavík International Airport or a hotel in Keflavík town to the CampEasy office.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in this self-drive activity.

How old must the driver be?

The driver must be at least 20 years old.

Are campsite fees included?

Yes, campsite fees are included. Electricity and other campsite services are not included.

Is fuel included?

Fuel is listed among the items not included, so you must pay for fuel separately.

Are meals included?

Food and beverages are not included, except where a restaurant is specifically included in the package. Friðheimar is an optional suggestion and is not included.

Are parking charges included?

No. Parking fees, including the fee at Thingvellir National Park, are not included.

Are the lava cave visits included?

Yes. The scheduled visits to Víðgelmir and Vatnshellir are included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded.