7-Day Self-Drive Private Tour Northern Lights Adventure – Iceland South & West

Iceland’s biggest sights are only part of this trip. The real pleasure is having your own campervan and a ready-made route that links Snæfellsnes, the Golden Circle, and the South Coast without forcing you into a large coach group. You get waterfalls, black beaches, hot springs, an ice cave, and plenty of room to pause when the weather or scenery changes your plans.

I like the included campsite fees, which make budgeting easier, and the Easy Guide tablet, which replaces a pile of maps and printed instructions. I also like that several paid highlights are already arranged, including the Vatnshellir lava cave, Krauma baths, the Vatnajökull ice cave outing, and the Lava Show in Vík.

The trade-off is that you drive, cook, organize your own days, and handle Iceland’s changeable roads yourself. The listed price is $1,511.93 per person, but fuel, food, parking, flights, and optional stops still cost extra. The route also promises northern-lights potential, not a guaranteed display.

Key points before you book

• A self-drive route with structure: You get the freedom of a private trip, but a detailed seven-day plan keeps you from spending weeks building an itinerary.
• A useful camper setup: The vans are supplied with bedding, cookware, a small gas stove, fridge, sink, heating, Wi-Fi, and other practical extras, according to the supplied details.
• Several strong paid activities included: Your package covers the Vatnshellir lava cave, Krauma, Fontana, the Vatnajökull ice cave tour, and the Icelandic Lava Show.
• Airport pickup and return: A complimentary shuttle runs between Keflavík Airport or Keflavík accommodation and the CampEasy office, about five minutes away.
• Plenty of freedom, with real responsibility: You control the pace, but you also pay fuel, parking, food, and any traffic fines.
• Best for active, independent couples, families, or friends: Some activities require a minimum age of eight and a minimum height of 102 centimeters, while drivers must be at least 20.

Why this campervan plan works

This is not a conventional guided tour. You collect the vehicle, follow the route on the supplied tablet, and make the country your own for a week. The company has done the time-consuming work of placing sights in a sensible order, booking selected activities, and including campsite fees.

That arrangement is valuable in Iceland, where a short drive can become a full afternoon after a waterfall stop, a photo break, or a sudden weather change. You can still make your own choices, but you begin with a usable framework rather than a blank map.

The private format also matters. Only your group takes part, so you are not waiting for a bus full of people at every viewpoint. If you want ten extra minutes at Kirkjufell, need a slower morning after an ice cave outing, or prefer to cook instead of search for a restaurant, you have that control.

The route covers a lot in seven days. It does not include every corner of Iceland, and the driving days can feel full, but it gives you an excellent first look at the west, southwest, and southern coast.

Day 1: Keflavík, Reykjavík, and a gentle start

Your trip begins with a shuttle from Keflavík International Airport or accommodation in Keflavík town to the CampEasy office. The drive takes about five minutes. This is a practical start, especially after a flight, and the airport transfer saves you from arranging an expensive taxi.

After collecting the campervan and getting oriented, you head toward Reykjavík. The Sun Voyager sculpture makes an easy first stop beside the sea, with mountains behind it and a message centered on hope and freedom. Harpa Concert Hall follows, where you can enter the building without an admission fee, though parking is extra.

Hallgrímskirkja is close to downtown and Rainbow Street. The church itself is free to enter, while the tower has a separate fee, listed at about $9.20 for adults and $2 for children ages 7 to 16. The tower is worth considering if you want a broad view over Reykjavík, but do not assume every optional stop is included in the package.

If you arrive with time and energy, FlyOver Iceland is suggested as an extra. It takes about an hour and a half including the drive from Hallgrímskirkja, and you book and pay for it yourself. I would treat this as optional. After a flight and vehicle pickup, a simple city walk may be the better choice.

Day 2: Snæfellsnes brings lava, cliffs, and Kirkjufell

The second day moves into the Snæfellsnes area, where the sights change quickly. At Gerðuberg, tall basalt columns form a striking wall of geometric shapes. The columns reach about 14 meters, and the stop gives you a good first look at the volcanic forces that shaped western Iceland.

Búðir church is one of Iceland’s small black churches and an easy place to pause with a camera. Nearby Búðir may also offer a chance to spot seals along the coast, though wildlife sightings are never certain.

At Arnarstapi, erosion has cut an arch called Gatklettur into the stone. The coast is more interesting on foot than from the van window, so allow time for a short walk. The route then goes underground at Vatnshellir, an 8,000-year-old lava tube reached by spiral stairs. You descend about 32 meters with a helmet and headlamp. This is one of the day’s booked activities, and the stairs and enclosed setting mean it may not suit everyone.

Djúpalónssandur is a black pebble beach with old strength-testing stones once used by sailors. The rusty remains of a shipwreck add to the stark setting. Treat the shore with care and keep clear of the sea, since this is an exposed Atlantic beach.

Saxhóll Crater provides a change of pace. Wooden steps lead up to the crater rim, where you can look over lava fields and the sea. On a clear day, Reykjavík may appear on the horizon.

The day ends at Kirkjufellsfoss, the waterfall associated with the distinctively shaped Kirkjufell mountain. This is one of Iceland’s most photographed views, so expect it to be popular. The stop earns its place on the route, but it is best appreciated as a short scenic visit rather than a long hike.

Day 3: Fishing villages, waterfalls, and Krauma

Stykkishólmur begins the third day with a harbor setting and a walk toward Súgandisey Island and its light beacon. The island connects to the harbor by road, and the climb up gives you a wide view across the water. It is a useful reminder that this trip includes small communities as well as famous sights.

Hraunfossar is unlike Iceland’s tall single-drop waterfalls. Water trickles through vegetation across a broad section of the riverbank, creating many small falls. Nearby Barnafoss is more forceful, with water rushing through a narrow opening in the lava.

Deildartunguhver offers a close look at geothermal power. The water reaches about 97 degrees Celsius, so you stay at a safe distance while watching the bubbling spring and feeling the heat. This is not a bathing stop. It is a quick, dramatic display of what lies beneath Iceland.

Krauma, next door, is the day’s reward. Its four pools use a constant flow of natural geothermal water, and the visit lasts about two hours. Since the admission is included, this is one of the better value points in the package. You get time to rest, rather than simply stepping out for a photograph and moving on.

This day is less intense than the South Coast section, but it still covers several stops. If you prefer quiet mornings, remember that the timetable is structured around the booked activities and the drive to the next campsite.

Day 4: The Golden Circle with two hot-water stops

Þingvellir National Park combines geology and Icelandic political history. The earth’s crust has split here in visible fissures, and the park includes the Oxará waterfall and Silfra area. Entry is free, but parking costs extra.

Fontana follows at 11:30 a.m. and gives you about two and a half hours in warm geothermal baths beside the lake. The timing makes this more than a quick dip. You have space to relax before continuing to Geysir.

At the Geysir geothermal area, Strokkur sends hot water up to about 15 meters. Fumaroles, mud pots, and steaming openings fill out the stop. Nearby Gullfoss is one of Iceland’s most powerful waterfall views, with water dropping into a deep cleft and spray often creating rainbows.

Fridheimar tomato farm is suggested as an optional addition. The farm uses geothermal energy and biological pest control, and its restaurant serves tomato-based dishes. You must arrange this visit yourself, and adding it takes about an hour and a half from Gullfoss, including driving time. It is a good food stop if you want to connect Iceland’s geothermal resources with everyday life, but fitting it in can make an already full day tighter.

Kerið Crater requires a small separate admission fee, listed at about $3. The colorful crater and lake are attractive in both summer and winter, though the walk is brief.

Seljalandsfoss is famous because you can walk behind the 60-meter waterfall. Waterproof clothing is sensible, since spray is part of the point. Parking is extra. Skógafoss finishes the day with a broad, powerful drop fed by meltwater from nearby glaciers. It is loud, wet, and very easy to enjoy.

Day 5: Canyon, ice, and a real glacier outing

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon takes about two hours and adds a winding river gorge to the route. The site appeared in a Justin Bieber music video, but the canyon itself is the reason to stop. Allow time for the paths and viewpoints rather than treating it as a roadside photograph.

Diamond Beach is one of the trip’s memorable visual stops. Pieces of glacial ice wash onto black sand, where they look like scattered glass or stones. The size and number of ice blocks change, so the scene will not look exactly the same on every visit.

The main event is the half-day Vatnajökull ice cave tour. A super jeep carries you into a glacial valley, then you hike to a naturally formed blue ice cave. The cave changes as it melts and reforms each summer, so this is not a fixed attraction with the same shape year after year.

The outing lasts about three hours and 40 minutes and is included. You need moderate physical fitness, and the tour has minimum age and height rules. This is also the day when the self-drive format matters most: arrive at the meeting point 20 minutes early, keep track of the schedule, and allow enough time to reach the activity without rushing.

Day 6: Sea cliffs, warning signs, and hot lava

Dyrhólaey is a 120-meter rock formation with a large opening cut through it. The area is also home to bird species, so it offers more than a dramatic ocean view. Reynisfjara then brings black sand, basalt columns, and offshore rock formations linked to old troll stories.

The sea here deserves respect. The itinerary gives you time to see the beach, but you should not treat the water as a backdrop for careless photos. Stay alert and keep a safe distance from the surf.

In Vík, the Icelandic Lava Show uses real hot lava in a controlled setting that recreates a volcanic eruption. The one-hour visit is included and gives you a close look at molten rock without going near an active eruption.

The Skógar Museum is an optional stop for anyone interested in Icelandic daily life and material culture. Its collection includes about 15,000 objects spread through three museums and six buildings. Adding it takes about an hour and a half, including driving from the Lava Show, so decide in advance if it matters more to you than extra time on the coast.

Day 7: Reykjanes and the return to Keflavík

The final day turns toward the Reykjanes Peninsula. Kleifarvatn is nearly 100 meters deep and surrounded by porous lava ground covered in places with old moss. It is a quieter stop after the crowded highlights of the Golden Circle and South Coast.

Gunnuhver brings steaming ground, hot mud pools, mineral colors, and views toward the Reykjanes lighthouse. The Bridge Between Continents offers a simple photo stop connected to the meeting of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

The Blue Lagoon is suggested as an optional final bath. It is not included, and you must make your own reservation. The visit takes about two and a half hours including the drive from Kleifarvatn, so it only makes sense if your departure schedule allows it.

You return the campervan at the CampEasy office, where the shuttle can take you to the airport or Keflavík accommodation. The return setup is straightforward, but leave room for fuel, vehicle check-in, and the transfer itself.

What the $1,511.93 price really covers

The price is easiest to understand as a bundle of vehicle rental, campsite fees, planning, transfers, and several major activities. You receive a quality campervan, zero-risk coverage, the tablet guide, Wi-Fi and other extras, campsite fees, airport transportation, and the booked activities.

The included experiences alone would otherwise require separate planning and payment. Krauma, Fontana, Vatnshellir, the ice cave tour, and the Lava Show give the week a strong activity base.

Still, this is not an all-inclusive holiday. You pay for fuel, food, drinks, parking, electricity and other campsite services, flights, personal accident insurance, and optional attractions. Hallgrímskirkja Tower and Kerið are small extra costs, while the Blue Lagoon and Fridheimar can add more.

The package offers good value if you want a campervan trip and would otherwise pay for a rental, campsites, guided activities, and an itinerary service separately. It is less attractive if you dislike driving, cooking, or managing your own schedule.

Who should book this Iceland road trip?

Book it if you want independence without doing all the research yourself. Couples, families with suitable-age children, and groups of friends can share the driving and campsite setup while keeping the trip private.

The campervan is also a good fit for people who value simple comforts. The supplied setup includes cooking equipment, bedding, a gas stove, fridge, sink, heating, and Wi-Fi. You can prepare meals and avoid buying every meal on the road.

You should think twice if you want a fully guided holiday, long relaxed stays in each place, or guaranteed northern lights. A self-drive week demands attention to roads, timing, parking, weather, and activity meeting points.

The company allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted, so check the local cut-off time before booking.

Should you book it?

I would book this trip for an active first visit to Iceland, especially if you like the idea of waking near the next day’s sights and choosing your own pace. The included ice cave tour, geothermal baths, and lava cave give the route more substance than a simple scenic drive.

The strongest reason to choose it is the balance between freedom and planning. You are not tied to a large group, yet you do not need to build every driving day, campsite, and activity from scratch.

Before paying, price out fuel, food, parking, optional baths, and any extra insurance you want. If that total still fits your budget and every driver is comfortable with a campervan, this is a practical and memorable way to see southern and western Iceland in one focused week.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Selvík 5, 230 Keflavík, Iceland, at the CampEasy office. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is airport pickup included?

Yes. A complimentary shuttle is available from Keflavík International Airport or accommodation in Keflavík town to the CampEasy office, about five minutes from the airport. A return shuttle to the airport or Keflavík accommodation can also be requested.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates. You drive the campervan rather than joining a shared coach tour.

What is included in the package?

The package includes a quality campervan, zero-risk coverage, extras such as gas and Wi-Fi, an Easy Guide tablet, a prepared itinerary, booked activities, airport transfer, and campsite fees.

What costs extra?

Flights, fuel, food and drinks, parking, personal accident insurance, traffic fines, campsite electricity and other services, optional activities, and suggested attractions are not included. Hallgrímskirkja Tower and Kerið Crater also have separate admission fees.

Which activities are included?

Included activities are the Vatnshellir Lava Cave, Krauma geothermal spa, Laugarvatn Fontana baths, the Vatnajökull ice cave tour with Local Guide of Vatnajökull, and the Icelandic Lava Show in Vík.

Is the Blue Lagoon included?

No. The Blue Lagoon is only a suggested extra, and you must book and pay for admission yourself.

How old must the driver be?

The minimum age for driver participants is 20 years. Some individual activities also have a minimum age of eight and a minimum height requirement of 102 centimeters.

Do I need to be physically fit?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended. The route includes walks, stairs into Vatnshellir, coastal stops, and a hike to the ice cave after the super jeep ride. You should arrive at paid activity meeting points 20 minutes early.