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

This is a seven-day campervan road trip built around Iceland’s biggest sights, with enough structure to keep you moving and enough freedom to stop when a waterfall, black beach, or empty lava field catches your eye. You drive yourself, sleep at included campsites, and use a tablet instead of wrestling with paper maps.

I like the excellent mix of famous sights and less-common stops, from the geometric basalt columns at Gerðuberg to the quiet island beacon at Stykkishólmur. I also like that the costly, specialized parts, including the Vatnajökull ice cave trip, Krauma, Fontana, and the Lava Show, are arranged in advance.

The catch is that this is still a busy driving holiday. You cover a lot of ground, pay fuel and parking costs yourself, and need to be comfortable driving in changing Icelandic weather. The northern lights are part of the adventure’s theme, but no dedicated sighting or guarantee is included.

What makes this Iceland road trip different

• A planned route with room to explore: You get a day-by-day plan without being tied to a coach schedule.
• Campsite fees are included: This removes one recurring cost and makes overnight planning easier.
• The Easy Guide tablet comes with the van: It provides directions and trip information while you drive.
• A real blue ice cave is included: A super jeep takes you toward Vatnajökull before the walk to the cave.
• Several geothermal stops are built in: Krauma and Laugarvatn Fontana give you time to slow down between long drives.
• Airport pickup and return are covered: The shuttle from Keflavík Airport or Keflavík accommodation is a useful money saver.

The van pickup in Keflavík and first taste of Reykjavík

Your trip begins at CampEasy’s office at Selvík 5 in Keflavík, about five minutes from the airport. A complimentary shuttle collects you from Keflavík International Airport or a hotel in Keflavík town. At the end, the same general arrangement can return you to the airport or a Keflavík hotel.

The campervan comes with what you need for a week on the road: cooking equipment, bedding, a small gas stove, fridge, sink, Wi-Fi, and other listed extras. The supplied package also includes zero-risk coverage and the Easy Guide tablet. Fuel is not included, so budget for that separately.

The first day is gentle. In Reykjavík, you see the Sun Voyager sculpture by the water, the angular Harpa concert hall, and Hallgrímskirkja near Rainbow Street. Harpa can be entered without an admission charge, though parking costs extra. Hallgrímskirkja is free to enter, but the tower has a separate fee of about $9.20 for adults and $2 for children aged 7 to 16.

If you arrive early, FlyOver Iceland is suggested as an optional add-on. It takes about 90 minutes including the drive from Hallgrímskirkja, and you arrange and pay for it yourself.

Snæfellsnes packs a lot into one day

Day two takes you around the southern and western parts of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. At Gerðuberg, tall basalt columns form an unusually neat wall. Their geometric shape makes this a worthwhile first stop, especially if you enjoy geology and photography.

Búðir church is one of Iceland’s black churches. It is a small stop, but the dark building against the open surroundings gives it a strong sense of place. From there, continue to Arnarstapi, where the sea has cut the Gatklettur arch into the cliffs.

The most hands-on stop is Vatnshellir lava cave. You descend 32 meters below ground using spiral stairs, with a helmet and headlamp provided. The cave is about 8,000 years old, and the visit lasts roughly an hour. You need moderate physical fitness for activities like this, and some included experiences have a minimum age of eight or a minimum height of 102 centimeters.

Djúpalónssandur is a black pebble beach with a rough old connection to Icelandic fishing life. The lifting stones once tested the strength of sailors. You can also see pieces of a rusty shipwreck, but the beach is not a place for casual swimming or wandering close to the surf.

Saxhóll crater gives you an easier walk, with wooden steps leading toward the rim of a roughly 100-meter-deep volcanic crater. Finish at Kirkjufellsfoss, one of Iceland’s most photographed waterfalls, with Kirkjufell mountain behind it. This is a classic view, but it is also one of the day’s busiest and most familiar scenes.

Waterfalls, hot springs, and a proper soak on day three

The next morning begins in Stykkishólmur, a fishing village with a harbor road leading to Súgandisey Island. Walk up toward the beacon for broad views over the water before setting off again.

Hraunfossar is different from the usual Icelandic waterfall. Water trickles through the lava and vegetation across a wide stretch of riverbank rather than dropping in one single curtain. The suggested stop is long at roughly two and a half hours, which gives you time to walk the paths and take in both Hraunfossar and nearby Barnafoss.

Deildartunguhver is a powerful hot spring with water reaching about 97 degrees Celsius. Stay at a safe distance. You will see bubbles and steam and feel the heat, but this is not a bathing site.

That comes later at Krauma, next to the spring. Four pools use a steady flow of geothermal water, and the visit lasts about two hours. This is one of the smartest features of the route because it breaks up several days of sightseeing with a calm, warm stop. Bring a towel and swimwear if they are not supplied with your van or activity booking.

The Golden Circle with two geothermal baths

Day four covers Þingvellir, Laugarvatn Fontana, Geysir, Gullfoss, Kerið, Seljalandsfoss, and Skógafoss. It is a full day, so start on time.

Þingvellir is important for both geology and Icelandic history. The park sits where the earth’s crust is pulling apart, and the area includes the Silfra Fissure and Öxará waterfall. Entry is free, but parking has a fee.

At 11:30 a.m., you soak at Laugarvatn Fontana. The baths look over the lake and provide another warm pause before the afternoon’s major sights. The two included geothermal visits are a real advantage of this package. They add comfort to a route that otherwise asks you to walk, drive, and stand outdoors for much of the day.

At Geysir, the active Strokkur geyser sends water up to about 15 meters. Nearby fumaroles, mud pots, and steaming openings make this more than a single photo stop. Gullfoss follows, with water plunging 32 meters into a narrow gorge. Expect spray, noise, and rainbows when the light is right.

Kerið crater is about 3,000 years old and has a colorful volcanic rim around its lake. Entry costs about $3. Fridheimar tomato farm is another optional stop, but you must arrange it yourself in advance. The farm uses geothermal energy and biological pest control, and its restaurant serves tomato-based dishes.

The day ends with Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. At Seljalandsfoss, you can walk behind the 60-meter waterfall, though waterproof clothing and care on wet paths are essential. Skógafoss is wider and more forceful, with plenty of spray at its base.

The south coast delivers the trip’s biggest drama

Day five moves farther east to Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, Diamond Beach, and the Vatnajökull ice cave experience. Fjaðrárgljúfur has a curved gorge with a river below and a walk of about two hours. It gained extra attention after appearing in a Justin Bieber music video, but the canyon itself is the reason to stop.

Diamond Beach is one of Iceland’s most striking coastal scenes. Ice blocks wash out from the glacier lagoon and scatter across black sand. They range from small chunks to large pieces, and sunlight can make them look like glass or polished stone.

The included ice cave outing is the trip’s major paid adventure. A super jeep carries you into the glacial valley, followed by a hike to a naturally formed blue ice cave in Vatnajökull. The cave changes as summer melting reshapes it, so the exact appearance is never fixed.

The activity lasts about three hours and 40 minutes. Arrive at the meeting point 20 minutes early, wear proper outdoor clothing, and remember that this is an active outing rather than a quick roadside stop. The minimum age and height rules apply to some activities, so check that everyone in your party qualifies.

Sea cliffs, dangerous surf, and hot lava near Vík

Day six turns west again. Dyrhólaey is a 120-meter rock formation with a large opening through it. It is also a bird area, so the stop offers more than a viewpoint.

Reynisfjara is famous for its black sand, basalt columns, and offshore rock formations. The site is beautiful, but the Atlantic surf can be dangerous. Keep well back from the water and do not treat the beach like a normal swimming shore.

At 1:30 p.m., the Icelandic Lava Show in Vík gives you something different: real hot lava flowing safely in an indoor demonstration of a volcanic eruption. After so many outdoor stops, this provides a useful change of pace and a direct look at Iceland’s volcanic character.

The Skógar Museum is an optional alternative or addition. Its collection includes 15,000 artifacts spread across three museums and six buildings. Admission is extra, and the suggested visit takes about 90 minutes including driving from the Lava Show.

Reykjanes closes the loop

Your final day takes you around the Reykjanes Peninsula before returning the van. Kleifarvatn is a deep lake surrounded by old moss-covered lava. It is a quiet opening to the day, with a simpler mood than the big waterfalls and beaches.

Gunnuhver brings you back to geothermal activity, with steam vents, hot mud pools, and mineral colors near the Reykjanes lighthouse. The Bridge Between Continents gives you a clear, symbolic stop between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

The Blue Lagoon is suggested if your flight schedule allows. It is not included, and you must book it yourself. The trip from Kleifarvatn and the time at the lagoon take about two and a half hours, so do not add it unless your departure timing is comfortably loose.

At CampEasy, you can have a warm drink, return the vehicle, and request the airport or hotel shuttle. The schedule shows about 40 minutes for this final stop.

What the $1,511.93 price really covers

At $1,511.93 per person, this is not a budget van rental. Its value comes from bundling the camper, campsite fees, transfers, the guide tablet, route planning, and several paid activities.

The ice cave tour alone is a specialized half-day outing requiring a super jeep and local operators. Add Krauma, Fontana, Vatnshellir, and the Lava Show, and the package saves you from arranging several separate reservations.

You still need money for fuel, meals, parking, electricity or other campsite services, flights, personal accident insurance, and optional stops. Parking fees appear at several popular sites, including Harpa, Þingvellir, Seljalandsfoss, and possibly other paid areas. Traffic fines are also your responsibility.

The package makes the strongest financial sense for two or more people sharing a campervan and using the included kitchen. It is less attractive if you prefer hotels, dislike driving, or plan to skip the booked activities.

Who should book this self-drive adventure?

I would choose this for an independent couple, a small group of friends, or a family that wants a clear route without joining a bus. The self-service system is useful for late arrivals, and the tablet keeps instructions in one place. CampEasy’s support team, including contacts named Natalia, Íris, Nicole, and Kamila, is repeatedly presented as responsive during booking and the trip.

You should be ready for early starts, long driving days, shared campervan space, and quick changes if conditions affect the road. A standard campervan is enough for the listed route, and one customer specifically noted that a four-wheel-drive vehicle is unnecessary if you are not crossing rivers. Do not take that as permission to drive restricted roads or off-road.

The northern lights may appear during a seven-day stay, but the route does not include a guaranteed hunt. Think of them as a possible bonus after dark, not the main product.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want freedom with a safety net. You get the independence of driving yourself, but much of the planning, campsite work, airport transport, and activity booking is already handled.

Skip it if you want slow mornings, hotel comfort, or a trip focused only on the northern lights. For an active first visit to Iceland, though, the balance is strong: dramatic south-coast scenery, the quieter west, good geothermal stops, and one memorable ice cave day.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at CampEasy, Selvík 5, 230 Keflavík, Iceland. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, with shuttle service available to Keflavík Airport or a Keflavík hotel if requested.

Is airport pickup included?

Yes. A complimentary shuttle is offered from Keflavík International Airport or accommodation in Keflavík town to the CampEasy office, about five minutes from the airport.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel is excluded, along with flights, food, beverages, parking fees, traffic fines, and personal accident insurance.

Are campsite fees included?

Yes. Campsite overnight fees are included. Electricity and other campsite services are not included.

What activities are included?

Included activities are the Vatnshellir lava cave, Krauma geothermal spa, Laugarvatn Fontana, the Vatnajökull ice cave tour, and the Icelandic Lava Show in Vík. Optional activities such as the Blue Lagoon, FlyOver Iceland, Fridheimar, and Skógar Museum cost extra.

How old must the driver be?

The minimum age for the driver participant is 20 years. Some activities also have minimum age or height requirements.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.