5 Days Self-Drive Tour with Pick Up – Northern Lights Adventure Camper´ Break

Iceland’s south coast is made for a road trip, and this five-day camper tour gives you a ready-made route without putting you in a bus with strangers. You’ll cross the Reykjanes Peninsula, circle the Golden Circle, ride a super jeep to Katla Ice Cave, and wake up near some of Iceland’s most dramatic sights. The camper adds privacy and lets you stop when a waterfall, black beach, or sudden rainbow catches your eye.

I like the included airport shuttle and campsites, which remove two annoying pieces of trip planning. I also like the practical support: Wi-Fi, an Easy Guide tablet, camping equipment, bedding, heating, and a prepared route. The main drawback is the pace. You cover a lot of ground in five days, and driving, parking fees, fuel, weather, and campsite routines are still your responsibility.

Key points to know before booking

• Katla Ice Cave is the main paid adventure, with a four-hour super jeep outing from Vík.
• Airport pickup and drop-off are included between Keflavík and the CampEasy office.
• The camper has heating, kitchen gear, bedding, Wi-Fi, and support equipment, making it suitable for a first campervan trip.
• Parking and fuel are extra, even though campsite fees and several tour services are covered.
• The northern lights are not guaranteed, since sightings depend on darkness, weather, and solar activity.
• The route is private, but you must drive it yourself and keep close track of timing.

A private Iceland road trip with a useful safety net

This is not a fully guided tour. You collect a camper near Keflavík, follow an expert-planned route, and drive from one highlight to the next. That distinction matters. You get the comfort of a plan and booked activities, but you also get the freedom to linger at a waterfall, skip a suggested restaurant, or change the order of your stops when the weather shifts.

The price is listed at $1,125.85 per person for about five days. That is not a cheap rental, but it covers more than a basic vehicle. The package includes the camper, zero-risk coverage, Wi-Fi, the guide tablet, campsite fees, airport transfers, and booked activities. You still pay for fuel, parking, food, drinks, personal accident insurance, and optional stops such as the Blue Lagoon or Friðheimar Farm.

I see the value most clearly if you are splitting the cost with another person and want one organized package. You are paying for a vehicle, accommodation, route planning, and the Katla excursion in one booking. If you already know Iceland well and prefer to arrange every campsite and activity yourself, you may find the price less attractive.

Day 1: Reykjanes begins with tectonic plates and hot ground

Your trip starts with a free shuttle from Keflavík International Airport or a selected hotel in Keflavík. The CampEasy office at Selvík 5 is about five minutes from the airport, so the transfer is short and practical. Pickup and drop-off are offered between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., an important detail if your flight arrives outside those hours.

After collecting the camper, you head across the Reykjanes Peninsula. The first stop is the Bridge Between Continents, also called Leif the Lucky Bridge or Miðlína. It marks the meeting point of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. The bridge itself is a modest structure, but the idea is striking: you can walk between two continental plates in a place where the earth is still pulling apart.

At Gunnuhver, you get a more forceful introduction to Iceland’s geothermal activity. Steam vents hiss beside bubbling mud pools, and mineral colors stain the ground. The Reykjanes lighthouse provides a useful point in the distance, but stay alert near the hot ground and keep to marked paths.

Kleifarvatn Lake gives you a quieter stop. It is the largest lake on the peninsula and nearly 100 meters deep. Dark lava and old moss surround the water, creating a stark scene that feels very different from the steaming ground at Gunnuhver.

The first day is well judged in terms of distance, but vehicle pickup, grocery shopping, and learning the camper’s systems can take time. Do not treat the listed sightseeing hours as extra time in your pocket. If you arrive late, you may need to shorten the Reykjanes route or save one stop for another visit.

Day 2: The Golden Circle, geothermal bread, and two famous waterfalls

Þingvellir National Park is first. This is one of Iceland’s most important historic and geological sites. The park includes the Öxará waterfall and Silfra Fissure, and its shifting rock formations show the effects of continental movement. It also has major political importance in Icelandic history.

There is no admission fee for the park, but you must pay the parking charge. This is a recurring pattern in Iceland: the sight may be free, but the car park is not. Keep a small budget for these charges, since parking fees are not included in the tour price.

Next comes Laugarvatn Fontana, where the scheduled experience combines geothermal bathing with rye bread cooked in hot ground. The bread tour begins at 11:45 a.m., so this is one part of the route where timing matters. Afterward, you can soak in the warm baths with views toward the lake.

Fontana is a good example of why this package is more than a driving route. You are not simply looking at geothermal activity. You are using it in a local food tradition and then sitting in the warm water. The listed visit lasts about two and a half hours, so plan your morning carefully.

Friðheimar Farm is offered as an optional suggestion, not as an included activity. The farm is known for tomatoes grown with geothermal energy, biological pest controls, horse breeding, and horse shows. You arrange and pay for this separately, and advance booking is required by email or telephone. If you add it, allow about an hour including the drive from Fontana.

Geysir is a shorter stop, but it delivers one of Iceland’s most dependable displays. Strokkur sends hot water up to about 15 meters, and you may not wait long before seeing another eruption. The original Geysir gave the whole area its name, though Strokkur is the active star today.

At Gullfoss, a powerful river drops in two stages into a narrow gorge. The viewpoint is close enough to the spray to make waterproof clothing useful. The route then turns south toward Seljalandsfoss, the tall waterfall with a path behind the falling water. The walk can be slippery, and you should expect to get wet if you go behind it.

Skógafoss finishes the day with force. Meltwater from the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers pours over the cliff, creating spray and frequent rainbows in the right light. The sound is loud, the water is powerful, and the stop feels much bigger than its one-hour allocation.

Day 2 is packed. The Golden Circle sights are easy to connect, but Fontana and the south coast waterfalls turn this into a long driving day. The route works best if you begin on time and resist adding every optional stop.

Day 3: Vík, Katla ice, and the black beaches

Vík is your base for the day’s most unusual activity. The village sits beside the south coast, close to black sand and the large glaciers inland. You have about 45 minutes listed here, but the important appointment is the Katla Ice Cave tour, which begins at 9:30 a.m.

The four-hour excursion uses a super jeep to reach the Katla Volcano area. Here, volcanic material and glacial ice meet in the same setting. Ice caves change with the season and conditions, so the exact appearance is not something you can treat as fixed. Wear proper outdoor clothing and arrive at the meeting point at least 20 minutes early, as advised for paid activities.

This is the tour’s biggest advantage over a simple self-drive rental. You do not need to arrange the ice cave outing separately, compare operators, or build the day around a booking you might miss. The activity is already placed into the route. It also breaks up the driving with a guided outing in a vehicle designed for rougher conditions.

After returning to Vík, Reynisfjara gives you one of Iceland’s most famous black beaches. Basalt columns line the cliffs, and three rock formations rise offshore. The waves here are powerful, so keep well back from the water. The beach is beautiful, but it is not a place for casual swimming or careless photographs near the surf.

Dyrhólaey is a short drive away. This old sea formation has a large opening through the rock, and the high viewpoint gives you a broad view of the coast. It is also home to many bird species. The route description does not promise specific bird sightings, so treat wildlife as a possibility rather than the purpose of the stop.

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon adds a different shape to the day. The river winds through steep rock walls, and the short visit can feel wonderfully quiet after the popular coastal sites. The canyon also appeared in a Justin Bieber music video, a fact that may amuse you or simply explain why the place became so familiar online.

Near Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Systrafoss drops from Lake Systravatn above the town. A short hike gives you a view over the surrounding area. You can also drive five minutes farther to Stjórnarfoss. These smaller stops are useful reminders that Iceland’s south coast is not only about its famous names.

Skaftafell National Park offers walking paths, including the route to Svartifoss. The waterfall is framed by dark basalt columns, giving it a distinct architectural look. The park has no admission fee, but parking costs extra. Allow two hours if you want to walk rather than simply stop for a photograph.

Day 4: Icebergs at Jökulsárlón and a slower evening in Selfoss

Diamond Beach is one of the trip’s most memorable stops. Ice blocks from the nearby glacier lagoon wash onto black sand, where they glint in the light. The pieces range from small chunks to large clear forms, and their arrangement changes with the tide and weather.

Across the road, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon holds icebergs that have broken away from the Vatnajökull glacier. They float in the lagoon before moving toward the ocean. The lagoon is relatively young, having formed as the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier tongue began to retreat.

The schedule gives about 40 minutes at the lagoon and an hour and a half at Diamond Beach. That is enough for a look and photographs, but not for a long hike or a leisurely boat outing. No boat ride is included, so any extra activity would need to be arranged and paid for separately.

After these major sights, you drive toward Selfoss, where you spend the night. The listed stop time is four and a half hours, which functions more as a rest and evening block than a sightseeing visit. You can eat, recharge, and prepare the camper for the final day.

This quieter section is welcome. The earlier days involve many stops and a fair amount of road time. Still, you should remember that five days only gives you a taste of the south coast. You are seeing the headline sights, not exploring every trail or fjord.

Day 5: Reykjavík icons before returning the camper

The last morning brings you back to Reykjavík. At the Sun Voyager sculpture, a steel ship points toward the sea with mountains behind it. The work represents hope and freedom, and its waterfront setting makes it an easy first stop in the city.

Harpa Concert Hall is nearby. Its exterior takes inspiration from Icelandic natural forms, and entering the building is free if you are only looking around. Parking is extra. Give yourself time to enjoy the building rather than treating it as a quick photograph.

Hallgrímskirkja is the city’s best-known church. Entry to the church is free, but the tower requires an additional fee. If the tower is open during your visit, the 360-degree view gives you a useful sense of Reykjavík’s layout, especially after several days in the countryside.

The Blue Lagoon is suggested as an optional final stop. It is not included, and you must book admission yourself through the lagoon’s website. The added visit takes about two hours including driving from Hallgrímskirkja, so it only works if your flight schedule and camper return time allow it.

You then return the camper to CampEasy and use the free shuttle to Keflavík International Airport or your chosen Keflavík hotel. Build in a generous buffer. Returning a vehicle, loading luggage, and catching a shuttle are not the moments to run on Icelandic scenic-route time.

The camper setup and what the price really covers

The package includes a quality camper, zero-risk coverage, kitchen equipment, bedding, heating, Wi-Fi, and an Easy Guide tablet. This matters in Iceland, where a warm, dry sleeping space can make or break a trip. One particularly useful feature is the heating system, which has performed well for people driving in snow and ice and staying warm for long periods overnight.

The camper also includes campsite fees. Electricity and other campsite services are not included, so you may still pay for extras at individual campgrounds. Fuel is excluded, as are parking charges and traffic fines. Food and drinks are also yours to arrange.

The company’s support is another practical part of the package. Staff members including Lidia, Natalia, Florentina, Nicole, and Kamila are associated with pickup help and customer support. Lidia is specifically noted for explaining the camper and driving information during handover, while the support team has also provided weather and holiday updates.

The private format means only your group participates. That gives you control over conversation, meal stops, and photo breaks. It also means you cannot rely on a guide to handle navigation, weather decisions, or road conditions for you.

Who should book this five-day camper tour?

I would recommend it to a couple, family, or small group that wants independence but does not want to design an Iceland route from scratch. It is especially useful for a first campervan trip because the equipment, campsites, route, airport transfer, and Katla outing are assembled in one plan.

You should be comfortable driving in changing conditions and managing a compact living space. The minimum driver age is 20, and the driver must present a valid international driving license that is valid for the vehicle and has been held for at least 12 months at pickup. Some activities require participants to be at least eight years old.

This is not the best fit if you want slow mornings, luxury hotels, or a guide beside you throughout the day. It is also a demanding choice for anyone who dislikes driving in wind, snow, or darkness. The itinerary title mentions northern lights, but no sighting is guaranteed. You need suitable darkness, clear enough skies, and solar activity, all of which are outside the operator’s control.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want Iceland’s biggest south coast sights with privacy, a camper, and a prepared route. The strong points are the reliable vehicle setup, heated interior, useful equipment, included campsites, free airport shuttle, Wi-Fi, and the prearranged Katla Ice Cave excursion.

Think twice if you want a leisurely holiday. The route is ambitious, parking and fuel add to the cost, and several days demand an early start and careful timing. For an active five-day introduction to Iceland, the package offers solid convenience. For a longer, slower trip, use it as a model and add more nights.

FAQ

How long does the self-drive tour last?

The experience lasts approximately five days and ends when you return the camper to the CampEasy office near Keflavík.

Where do I collect the camper?

You collect it at CampEasy Iceland, Selvík 5, 230 Keflavík. A free shuttle is available from Keflavík International Airport or a selected hotel in the Keflavík area.

Is airport pickup included?

Yes. Free pickup is offered from Keflavík International Airport or one of the selected Keflavík hotels between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. A free shuttle is also offered after you return the camper.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel is not included. You must also pay parking fees, traffic fines, food, drinks, and optional activities not included in the package.

Is the Katla Ice Cave excursion included?

Yes. The four-hour Katla Ice Cave experience by super jeep is included and begins in Vík at 9:30 a.m.

What age must the driver be?

The driver must be at least 20 years old and must show a valid international driving license suitable for the vehicle. The license must be valid for at least 12 months at pickup.

Are the northern lights guaranteed?

No. The tour offers a northern lights adventure route, but sightings depend on conditions and are not guaranteed.