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

Iceland packs a lot into this five-day camper route: hot springs, tectonic plates, waterfalls, black beaches, a glacier lagoon, and a four-hour Katla Ice Cave trip. You get the freedom of your own vehicle without having to build every reservation and route from scratch.

I like the included airport shuttle and campsite fees, which remove two annoying arrival tasks. I also like the private format and the Easy Guide tablet, since you can stop for a photo or shorten a day without following a bus timetable.

The main caution is pace. Days two and three are full, and the advertised Northern Lights adventure does not promise a sighting or list a dedicated northern-lights outing. Weather, road conditions, daylight, and your own energy will shape the trip.

Five useful facts before you book

• The route covers roughly the country’s southern highlights: Reykjanes, Þingvellir, the Golden Circle, Vík, Skaftafell, Jökulsárlón, and Reykjavik.
• Airport pickup and drop-off are included: The CampEasy office is about five minutes from Keflavík International Airport.
• The camper comes with practical extras: Wi-Fi, gas, campsite fees, bedding, kitchen equipment, and zero-risk coverage are included, though fuel is not.
• A real paid activity is built in: The four-hour Katla Ice Cave trip begins in Vík at 9:30 in the morning.
• You are driving yourself: The driver must be at least 20 and must show a valid international driving license valid for the vehicle and for at least 12 months at pickup.
• The route is private, but not effortless: You control the vehicle, meals, stops, fuel, and much of the timing.

What $1,125.85 buys you in five days

At $1,125.85 per person, this is not a cheap way to see Iceland. It can still be a fair deal if you value privacy and want the major planning work handled for you.

Your package includes a quality camper van, zero-risk coverage, Wi-Fi, gas, an Easy Guide tablet, a prepared route, booked activities, airport transfer, and campsite fees. The value is strongest for two or more people sharing the vehicle and using its kitchen and sleeping setup. Solo travelers pay more per person for the same van and equipment.

You still pay for fuel, parking, food, personal accident insurance, electricity and other campsite services, traffic fines, and any optional activity. Parking charges appear at Þingvellir, Seljalandsfoss, Skaftafell, and Harpa, and the tower at Hallgrímskirkja costs extra. The Blue Lagoon and Friðheimar are suggestions, not included bookings.

That matters because the advertised price is not your final trip budget. Icelandic food and fuel can add up quickly. On the other hand, campsite fees and airport transfers are already covered, and the included kitchen equipment gives you a way to control meal costs.

The zero-risk coverage is useful, but read the rental terms carefully. It does not replace personal accident insurance for the driver or passengers. You also remain responsible for parking and speeding fines.

Day one: Reykjanes starts with fire and moving plates

Your first practical task is collecting the camper. CampEasy offers a free shuttle from Keflavík International Airport or one of 12 selected hotels in the Keflavík area. Pickup operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., so check your arrival time before counting on same-day collection.

After the short transfer to the office, you head for the Reykjanes Peninsula. The Bridge Between Continents gives you an easy first stop. You can stand above the gap between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, with about 45 minutes allowed for the visit.

Next comes Gunnuhver, a geothermal area with steam vents, hot mud pools, and mineral-colored ground. The Reykjanes lighthouse appears in the background, adding a useful sense of place to the steaming terrain. Stay on marked paths and keep your attention on the signs, since geothermal ground can be dangerous.

Kleifarvatn is the longest stop of the day, at about an hour and 10 minutes. This deep lake sits among old moss-covered lava and has a quiet, stripped-down beauty. It is a good contrast to Gunnuhver, and the drive helps you settle into the camper routine.

This first day is sensible for a morning arrival, but it can feel rushed if your flight lands late. You need time for the shuttle, vehicle handover, supplies, and a safety briefing before setting off. The itinerary gives you places to visit, but it does not remove the need to check weather and road conditions.

Day two: the Golden Circle, hot bread, and south-coast waterfalls

Þingvellir National Park is your first major stop. It combines geological drama with Icelandic political history, and you can see Öxarárfoss and the area around Silfra. The visit allows about 80 minutes, but parking is extra.

Laugarvatn Fontana is the day’s most unusual scheduled experience. At 11:45 a.m., you join a rye bread tour and taste bread cooked in geothermal ground. You then have time in the warm baths, with views toward the lake. The admission is included, which gives this stop more value than a simple photo break.

The timing here matters. You need to reach Fontana for the bread tour, so the self-drive freedom has a limit. Leave Þingvellir with enough room for traffic, parking, and finding the entrance.

Friðheimar is an optional stop, not part of the package. The farm is known for horse breeding, horse shows, and tomatoes grown with geothermal energy and biological pest control. You must arrange the visit and restaurant booking yourself, and the suggested detour takes about an hour including driving.

Geysir follows. Strokkur sends a column of hot water up to about 15 meters, so you will not need to wait long for the main event. Then Gullfoss provides a larger sense of scale, with water dropping 32 meters into a narrow gorge.

The route continues south to Seljalandsfoss, the waterfall famous for the path behind its curtain of water. Allow 2 hours and 15 minutes here, though that time likely includes driving and the parking process. The waterfall area itself is free, but parking is not.

Skógafoss closes a packed day. Meltwater from Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull feeds this powerful fall, where spray and rainbows can fill the air. One hour is allowed, but you may be tired by this point. This is a day for an early start, simple meals, and resisting the urge to add too many extra stops.

Day three: Katla, black sand, and the long south coast

Vík is your base for the morning’s main activity. The village sits near the black shoreline and glacier country, and it is a useful place to refuel, buy food, and prepare for the Katla trip.

The Katla Ice Cave outing begins at 9:30 a.m. and lasts four hours. You ride in a super jeep toward Katla Volcano, where volcanic rock and ice meet. This is the most structured and adventure-focused part of the trip, so arrive at the meeting point 20 minutes early.

The age rule matters here. Some activities on the route require participants to be at least eight years old, but the supplied information does not specify which activity has which age limit. Check the exact conditions for your group before booking.

Reynisfjara is a short but important stop. Basalt columns rise above the black beach, and three rock formations sit offshore. The Atlantic gives this place its drama, but you should treat the sea with respect and stay well back from the water.

Dyrhólaey adds a different view. This former island has a large opening through its rock and is home to many bird species. Access can vary with conditions, so follow local signs and respect any closures.

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon takes you farther east. Its winding form, river, grass, and occasional sheep make it a rewarding detour. The stop is listed at 1 hour and 45 minutes, which gives you time to walk rather than simply snap a roadside photo.

Near Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Systrafoss drops from Lake Systravatn above the town. A short climb gives you a wider view. You can also drive about five minutes farther to Stjórnarfoss, an optional waterfall stop.

Skaftafell National Park is the final major stop. Walking paths lead toward Svartifoss, named for the dark basalt columns around the falls. The park has no admission charge, but parking costs extra. Two hours is enough for a purposeful walk, though not for every trail.

This is another demanding day. The Katla activity fixes your morning, while the waterfalls and canyon require driving and walking afterward. If your group prefers a slower trip, you may need to drop Systrafoss or shorten the beach stops.

Day four: ice on the beach and a night in Selfoss

Diamond Beach is one of the route’s most memorable stops. Pieces of ice from the glacier lagoon wash onto black sand, where they catch the light. The ice changes constantly, so your experience depends on the tide, weather, and recent movement of the lagoon.

Jökulsárlón follows, with icebergs floating away from the Vatnajökull glacier before reaching the sea. The lagoon began forming when the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier tongue started to melt about 90 years ago. You get 40 minutes here, but it is worth allowing extra time if conditions and daylight permit.

The supplied schedule then gives you 4 hours and 30 minutes in Selfoss. That appears to be your overnight rest period rather than a sightseeing stop. Use it well. Pick up food, check the next day’s driving plan, and let everyone sleep.

This day has fewer listed attractions, but the distance makes it important. Diamond Beach and Jökulsárlón are far from Reykjavik, and the return toward Selfoss takes time. Do not treat the route as a casual short drive.

Day five: Reykjavik landmarks before returning the camper

The final sightseeing begins at the Sun Voyager sculpture beside the sea. Its message centers on hope and freedom, and the setting gives you mountains, water, and open air in one compact stop.

Harpa Concert Hall is nearby. You can enter the building for free, but parking costs extra. Its design draws from Icelandic nature, making it worth a quick look even if you do not attend a performance.

Hallgrímskirkja is close to downtown and Rainbow Street. Entry to the church is free, while the tower viewpoint costs extra. The 360-degree view can be a good final look at Reykjavik, but leave enough time for the vehicle return and airport transfer.

The Blue Lagoon is suggested as an optional final bath. It is not included, and you must book directly through its website. The added visit takes about two hours including driving from Hallgrímskirkja, so only choose it if your flight schedule allows a comfortable margin.

You return the camper at CampEasy and take the free shuttle to Keflavík Airport or your selected Keflavík hotel. The final transfer is listed at about an hour, so do not plan a tight connection.

Camper comfort and support from CampEasy

The strongest practical theme in the available feedback is vehicle condition and support. Customers describe clean, comfortable campers, smooth handover, reliable heating, good kitchen equipment, and bedding that worked well for them.

One particularly useful detail concerns cold-weather use. A customer described heating that remained effective for about 14 hours, with batteries lasting through the night. Another reported driving comfortably on snow and ice. Those comments do not guarantee conditions for your rental, but they show why a proper briefing and weather checks matter.

Staff members named in the feedback include Lidia, Natalia, Florentina, Nicole, and Kamila. Lidia was praised for explaining the camper and driving information during pickup, while Nicole and Kamila handled supportive follow-up. You should still ask your own questions at handover, especially about heating, battery use, campsite electricity, and winter driving.

Wi-Fi is included, and the Easy Guide tablet gives you route support while on the road. You should not treat the prepared route as a substitute for checking current road closures. Icelandic weather can alter plans quickly.

Who should choose this private camper break?

I would choose this tour if you want major sights with your own space and are comfortable driving a camper in changing weather. It suits couples, friends, and small families who can share driving and sleeping arrangements.

It also suits first-time camper users who want help at pickup rather than a completely bare rental. Included campsite fees, Wi-Fi, airport transfers, and a prepared route reduce the number of decisions you must make.

I would hesitate if you want long hikes, slow mornings, or a relaxed five-day holiday. The route is ambitious, and the 9:30 a.m. Katla start plus the long south-coast drives leave little room for delays.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if privacy, flexibility, and a ready-made route matter more to you than a leisurely pace. The included Katla Ice Cave activity, camper supplies, campsite fees, and transfers give the package real practical value.

Skip it if you dislike driving, want guaranteed northern-lights viewing, or prefer to spend several nights in one place. Before paying, confirm the camper layout, fuel expectations, personal insurance, parking budget, and the exact age rules for your group. If those details fit, this is a strong way to see Iceland’s south coast without joining a bus.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

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

Is airport pickup included?

Yes. Free shuttle pickup is available from Keflavík International Airport or a previously selected hotel in the Keflavík area.

What are the pickup hours?

The included pickup shuttle operates between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Is drop-off at Keflavík Airport included?

Yes. After returning the camper, you can take the free shuttle to Keflavík International Airport or your chosen hotel in the Keflavík area.

How old must the driver be?

The driver must be at least 20 years old.

What driving license is required?

The driver must show a valid international driving license that is valid for the vehicle and has been valid for at least 12 months at pickup.

Is fuel included?

No. Fuel is not included in the tour price.

Are parking fees included?

No. Parking fees are separate. The itinerary specifically notes charges at Þingvellir, Seljalandsfoss, Skaftafell, and Harpa.

Is the Katla Ice Cave activity included?

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

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 before the start time are not refunded or accepted.