6 Days Self -Drive Tour with Pick Up – Golden Circle & Waterfalls -4×4 Campervan

Iceland rewards the curious driver. This six-day 4×4 campervan tour gives you a ready-made route through waterfalls, volcanoes, black-sand beaches, geothermal pools, and the Golden Circle without forcing you into a large coach group. I like the included campsite fees and booked activities, especially the Lava Show, Krauma, and the geothermal rye-bread tour. The main drawback is the pace: several days are full, and fuel, food, parking, and some small entrance fees still come from your wallet.

You get airport pickup, a quality campervan, zero-risk coverage, Wi-Fi, gas for the camper equipment, sports gear, and an Easy Guide tablet with maps, timing, vehicle information, and directions. I also like the private format, since only your own group takes part. Still, you need a driver at least 20 years old, and you must be comfortable driving and camping in changing Icelandic weather.

Key points to know before booking

• A 4×4 campervan opens up a flexible road trip: You drive yourself between major sights while keeping your sleeping space close at hand.
• The route covers four distinct areas: Western Iceland, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the Golden Circle, and the South Coast.
• Three memorable activities are included: Krauma geothermal baths, the Icelandic Lava Show, and geothermal rye bread at Laugarvatn Fontana.
• The Easy Guide tablet is more than a map: It holds the route, activity information, camper details, and useful trip tools.
• The schedule is ambitious: Long driving days and fixed activity times require you to leave on time.
• Extra costs are easy to overlook: Fuel, parking, food, personal accident insurance, and optional activities are not included.

Why this campervan route works for Iceland

At $1,331.02 per person, this is not a cheap rental. But it is more than a van hire. The price bundles the vehicle, zero-risk coverage, campsites, airport transfers, a prepared route, selected activities, Wi-Fi, and equipment for camping and cooking.

That bundled approach can be useful if you want to see a lot without researching every campsite and attraction yourself. You still drive independently, but the major planning work has already been done. I see this as a good middle ground between a guided bus tour and a completely improvised road trip.

The private setup matters. You are not waiting for a coach group at every waterfall, and you can make your own decisions within the planned timing. The tradeoff is that the driver carries the responsibility for navigation, road conditions, parking, and keeping appointments.

The campervans receive strong praise for warmth, comfort, equipment, and condition. One detailed account describes comfortable bedding, enough room, and the ability to cook through bad weather. Other positive comments point to vans that felt new, well equipped, and easy to use. CampEasy staff members named in the feedback include Iris, Alicia, Natalia, Dominik, Edoardo, Joachim, and Maxime, with Iris receiving special praise for a friendly, helpful welcome.

Day 1: Reykholt, lava waterfalls, and Krauma

Your trip begins with a free shuttle from Keflavík International Airport, or from a hotel in Keflavík town, to the CampEasy office at Selvík 5. The drive takes about five minutes. Allow roughly 30 minutes for this first transfer and the handover process.

The first sightseeing stop is Reykholt, an important medieval site connected with Icelandic Sagas. The visit lasts about 50 minutes and gives the day some cultural depth before the waterfalls begin. This is not simply a scenic drive. Reykholt helps you place Iceland’s dramatic scenery within its older literary and political story.

Next come Hraunfossar and Barnafoss. They are only a few minutes apart, but they have very different personalities. Hraunfossar appears as countless small streams filtering through the lava and vegetation along the riverbank. Nearby Barnafoss pushes through a narrow lava opening with much more force.

You have about 30 minutes at Hraunfossar and another 20 minutes at Barnafoss. That is enough for the main viewpoints, though you should keep an eye on the clock if weather slows your walking.

Deildartunguhver is your next stop, home to water reaching about 97 degrees Celsius. You view the bubbling spring from a safe distance and feel the heat rising from the ground. It is a quick visit, but it explains the source of the region’s geothermal energy.

The day ends at Krauma, directly beside the hot spring. You spend about two hours in four geothermal pools supplied by a constant natural flow. The facility does not use chemicals to maintain water quality, according to the supplied details, which adds to the appeal of this stop.

Krauma is a smart first-day finish. After airport pickup, vehicle orientation, and several short walks, a warm soak gives you time to slow down before your first campsite night.

Day 2: Snæfellsnes brings seals, caves, and black beaches

Day two heads toward the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, one of the most varied parts of the route. A possible first detour is Glanni Waterfall, a small cascade contrasting white water with dark lava rock. The visit takes about 35 minutes.

Ytri Tunga Beach offers a quieter coastal stop and a chance to look for seals resting near the shore. You have about one hour and 45 minutes here, so this is one of the better places to pause rather than rush through with a quick photograph. Seal sightings are not guaranteed, but the area is known for them.

Búðakirkja, the small black church at Búðir, takes about 30 minutes. Its dark exterior against the open surroundings makes it a favorite subject for photographers. A nearby hotel provides another possible place to look toward the sea for seals.

At Gatklettur, erosion has cut a hole through the cliff. The route description allows about two hours and 20 minutes, including the walk. This is a place where wind and sea conditions matter. The rock arch is attractive from several angles, but the coast deserves care, especially near the water.

At 2 PM, you enter Vatnshellir Cave. This is an 8,000-year-old lava tube located 32 meters below the surface. Helmets and headlamps are supplied, and spiral stairs lead down into the formation. The paid visit lasts about one hour. Because the time is fixed, you need to arrive 20 minutes early, as recommended for paid activities.

Djúpalónssandur is a black pebble beach with a strong connection to Iceland’s fishing past. Sailors once tested their strength by lifting rocks weighing from 23 to 155 kilograms and carrying or throwing them. The stones and pieces of driftwood remain, along with rusty parts of a shipwreck.

The beach visit is only about 30 minutes, but the story gives the place more weight than a standard coastal viewpoint. Finish at Saxhóll Crater, where wooden steps lead to the top of a roughly 100-meter-deep volcanic crater. The walk is easy, and the view reaches across lava fields and toward the sea. On a clear day, you may even see Reykjavík on the horizon.

Day 3: Kirkjufell and the road toward Þingvellir

The third day begins with Svodufoss, a waterfall reached within minutes of the parking area. If the sky is clear, Snæfellsnes glacier may rise behind the waterfall, giving the view extra drama.

Then comes Kirkjufell, probably the most recognizable mountain on this part of Iceland. Its layered shape formed over millions of years, and the nearby Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall creates the classic photograph. You have about 30 minutes, so the stop is brief but well chosen.

Stykkishólmur is a good place to stretch your legs and eat if you have arranged food for the day. This fishing village is known for fresh fish, and Súgandisey Island is connected to the harbor by road. A walk toward its lighthouse takes about an hour and 15 minutes, with broad views from the hill.

The next stop, Gerðuberg Cliffs, features basalt columns reaching about 14 meters high. Their geometric shapes show how volcanic rock can cool into regular forms. You have one hour here.

Eldborg Crater requires more effort. The walk takes about 45 to 50 minutes each way, and the total planned visit is about two hours and 45 minutes. From the top, you can see other craters nearby. This is the day’s most demanding walk, so consider your energy and daylight before committing to it.

Þingvellir National Park closes the day. It is both a geological site and an important political place, and it is part of the Golden Circle. Continental movement shaped the fissures here, including Silfra, while Öxarárfoss adds a waterfall to the setting.

The park itself is free, but parking is charged. That fee is not included. The planned two-and-a-half-hour visit gives you time to walk through the main areas, though the ground and weather may affect how much you cover.

Day 4: The Golden Circle, rye bread, and two famous waterfalls

Kerið Crater begins day four. The approximately 3,000-year-old crater has colorful ground around a lake, with a different mood in winter when frost and sunlight reach the water. A small admission charge applies, and it is not included.

At 11:45 AM, Laugarvatn Fontana combines a food tradition with bathing. The rye-bread tour shows you dough cooked in the ground by geothermal heat, followed by a taste of the finished bread. You then have time in the warm baths, with views toward the lake.

This is one of the most distinctive parts of the trip because it connects Icelandic cooking to the country’s geothermal power. The total stop lasts about two and a half hours, so it is not merely a quick sample.

Geysir follows. The original Geysir gave its name to geysers around the world, but Strokkur is the active star here, sending hot water up to about 15 meters. You have about 45 minutes.

Gullfoss completes the traditional Golden Circle. Water drops through a narrow gorge from a height of about 32 meters, and the spray can be intense. Bring waterproof layers, especially if the weather is unsettled.

You can optionally visit Friðheimar, a tomato farm and restaurant using geothermal energy and biological pest controls. It is not included, and you must arrange a booking yourself by email or phone. The suggested visit adds about 50 minutes, including driving from Gullfoss, so it may make an already full day tighter.

The route then heads south to Seljalandsfoss, where a path allows you to walk behind the 60-meter waterfall. Expect spray and slippery conditions. Parking costs extra, even though access to the waterfall area is free.

Skógafoss ends the sightseeing day with a much heavier curtain of water. Meltwater from Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers feeds the falls. You have about an hour to take in the noise, spray, and frequent rainbows.

Day 5: Black beaches, real lava, and Reykjavík contrasts

Dyrhólaey starts day five with a coastal rock formation shaped like a doorway. The 120-meter formation is also a bird site, and the opening once allowed ships to pass through. You have about 45 minutes.

At Reynisfjara, basalt columns line the cliff, and three dark rock formations rise from the Atlantic. Local legend says they are trolls caught in daylight. The beach is beautiful, but the sea is powerful, so keep a respectful distance from the water.

At 1:30 PM, the Icelandic Lava Show presents real hot lava flowing safely through a staged volcanic eruption. This one-hour paid activity gives you a closer look at volcanic heat than a normal crater viewpoint can provide.

The schedule then sends you back toward Reykjavík for Magic Ice at 6 PM. The ice museum and ice bar create a sharp contrast with the warm geothermal pools that follow. The included visit lasts about two hours and 45 minutes, including the drive back to the capital according to the planned timing.

You also have a short stop at Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavík’s landmark church, near the Rainbow Street area. Entry to the church is free, but the tower requires a separate fee. The scheduled visit is only 20 minutes, so the tower may not fit unless you move quickly.

At 7 PM, Sky Lagoon provides the final major activity. The included Sky Pass covers two hours in the geothermal water and the seven-step ritual. This is a costly activity if bought alone, so its inclusion helps support the package price.

Day five is the most tightly arranged. You need to leave the South Coast in time for the 1:30 PM Lava Show, then reach Reykjavík for the evening appointments. The timing works on paper, but it leaves little room for a long lunch or unexpected road delay.

Day 6: Reykjanes before the airport

Your final morning depends on your flight time. If you have enough time, drive across the Reykjanes Peninsula to Krýsuvík, a geothermal area filled with yellow, white, red, and green ground. Steam, heat, and mineral colors make this a fitting final look at Iceland’s volcanic character.

The Bridge Between Continents lets you stand above the zone between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. The visit takes about 45 minutes.

You can also consider Viking World Museum, but it is optional and not included. The suggested visit adds about one hour and 20 minutes, including the drive from the bridge. Do not add it unless your departure schedule allows plenty of spare time.

Return the van to CampEasy, then use the free shuttle to Keflavík International Airport or a hotel in Keflavík. The drop-off transfer takes about 20 minutes.

What the campervan package includes, and what it does not

The included equipment is designed to make self-drive camping easier. You receive the campervan, zero-risk coverage, an Easy Guide tablet, Wi-Fi, gas, camping gear, sports equipment, booked activities, campsite fees, and airport transfers.

The campervan feedback is especially encouraging on practical matters. You can expect bedding and cooking equipment, and the supplied accounts describe vans that remained warm and dry during poor weather. Staff support also appears to be a strong point, with quick pickup and smooth airport transfers praised by name.

You still need to budget for:

• Fuel
• Food and drinks
• Parking fees
• Electricity and other campsite services
• Personal accident insurance
• Traffic fines
• Optional activities
• Unlisted entrance fees, such as Kerið and the Hallgrímskirkja tower

The zero-risk coverage does not replace personal accident insurance for the driver or passengers. Read that distinction carefully before you leave.

Who should book this six-day Iceland trip?

I would choose this for a couple, family, or small private group that wants independence but does not want to plan every stop from scratch. It suits people who enjoy scenic drives, short walks, simple cooking, and the freedom of sleeping at campsites.

It is less suitable if you want long stays at each attraction or a relaxed holiday with plenty of free time. The route includes an extended walk at Eldborg, a fixed-time cave tour, a midday bread activity, and two evening Reykjavík bookings. You need to respect the schedule.

The minimum driver age is 20, and some activities require participants to be at least five. Most people can take part, but the route includes stairs, uneven paths, crater walks, and exposed coastal areas.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that period are not accepted or refunded.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a well-equipped 4×4 campervan, a private road trip, and a strong mix of nature, food, culture, and geothermal activities. The included campsite fees and paid attractions make the $1,331.02 price easier to justify, especially if you would otherwise spend time arranging each part separately.

Skip it if fuel and optional costs would stretch your budget, or if you prefer to linger rather than follow fixed appointment times. My practical advice is to confirm your flight schedule, estimate fuel and parking, and decide in advance which optional stops you can afford to leave out. For an active first visit to Iceland, this package offers a lot in six days, provided you treat the timetable as a guide to follow, not a suggestion to ignore.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at the CampEasy office at Selvík 5, 230 Keflavík, Iceland. A complimentary shuttle is available from Keflavík International Airport or a hotel in Keflavík town.

Where does the tour end?

You return the campervan to the CampEasy office. A free shuttle then takes you to Keflavík International Airport or a hotel in Keflavík.

Is the campervan included in the price?

Yes. The package includes a quality campervan, zero-risk coverage, an Easy Guide tablet, Wi-Fi, gas, toys and sports equipment, airport transfers, and campsite fees.

Are campsite fees included?

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

Is fuel included?

No. Fuel is not included in the tour price.

Are parking fees included?

No. Parking fees are excluded. This applies to places such as Þingvellir National Park and Seljalandsfoss, where parking charges apply.

What paid activities are included?

Krauma, Vatnshellir Cave, the Laugarvatn Fontana rye-bread tour and baths, the Icelandic Lava Show, Magic Ice, and Sky Lagoon with the Sky Pass are included.

How old must the driver be?

The minimum age for the driver participant is 20 years.

Can the tour be canceled for a full refund?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted or refunded.