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

Iceland’s most memorable moments often come between the headline stops: steam rising from a 97°C spring, black sand scattered with glacier ice, or a quiet walk to a lighthouse above a fishing harbor. This seven-day self-drive tour gives you that freedom while handling the route planning, campsite bookings, and major activity reservations.

I like the practical setup. The included Easy Guide tablet replaces paper maps with a ready-made route, and the airport shuttle saves you from paying for an expensive taxi after landing. I also like the mix of independent driving and fixed experiences, especially the Vatnajökull ice cave trip by super jeep and the two geothermal bathing stops.

The main catch is pace. You cover a lot of ground in one week, and several days are packed with stops. Fuel, parking, food, and optional attractions cost extra, while weather or road conditions can affect how much of the plan you complete.

Key points at a glance

• A campervan route with planning already done: You drive yourself, but the tablet and expert-prepared schedule show you where to go and when.
• Three standout paid activities included: Vatnshellir lava cave, Krauma geothermal spa, the Vatnajökull ice cave tour, and the Icelandic Lava Show are built into the price.
• Campsite fees are covered: You still pay for electricity and extra campsite services, but nightly campsite charges are included.
• The van comes ready for road life: Cooking equipment, bedding, a fridge, gas stove, sink, Wi-Fi, and heating are mentioned in the equipment details and customer feedback.
• A strong South and West Iceland route: You see Snæfellsnes, the Golden Circle, the south coast, Diamond Beach, and Reykjanes.
• Self-service pickup can help with late arrivals: CampEasy has arranged after-hours collection, and staff members such as Natalia, Íris, Nicole, and Kamila are named in customer support exchanges.

What the $1,511.93 price really covers

At $1,511.93 per person, this is not simply a campervan rental. The price combines the vehicle, route planning, campsite fees, airport transfer, booked activities, Wi-Fi, gas for the cooking setup, and zero-risk coverage.

That bundle can be useful in Iceland, where separate costs add up quickly. A taxi from Keflavík can be expensive, and arranging a van, campsites, cave tour, spa visits, and airport transport independently takes time. You are paying for convenience as much as transport.

Still, calculate the total for your group before booking. Fuel is not included, nor are flights, meals, parking fees, electricity at campsites, personal accident insurance, traffic fines, or optional activities. Hallgrímskirkja tower access costs about $9.20 for an adult, and Kerið Crater charges about $3. These are small costs, but the extras can become noticeable over a week.

The setup suits people who want to cook some meals and keep moving. It is less attractive if you prefer a hotel bed, restaurant meals, and a guide handling every turn. You also need a driver at least 20 years old, and a moderate level of physical fitness is expected.

Day one: Reykjavík sights after a Keflavík pickup

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 accommodation in Keflavík town, then brings you to the van pickup point.

After collecting the vehicle, you head into Reykjavík. The Sun Voyager sculpture sits beside the water with mountains behind it. Jón Gunnar Árnason designed it as a symbol of hope and freedom, and it makes an easy first stop because there is no admission charge.

Harpa Concert Hall gives you a first look at Icelandic design. You can enter the building for free, but parking costs extra. Hallgrímskirkja is close to central Reykjavík and Rainbow Street. The church itself is free to enter, while the tower requires a separate ticket.

The schedule allows time for FlyOver Iceland if you want an additional attraction. That visit takes about 90 minutes including the drive from Hallgrímskirkja, but you must arrange and pay for it yourself. With a late flight or a tiring pickup, I would treat it as optional rather than a must.

Day two: Snæfellsnes, lava, and Kirkjufell

Day two packs the western peninsula with geological and cultural stops. At Gerðuberg, tall basalt columns form striking geometric patterns. The columns reach about 14 meters, and the site gives you a clear look at the orderly shapes created by cooling lava.

Búðakirkja, one of Iceland’s black churches, is a short and photogenic stop. Nearby Búðir has a hotel, and seals are sometimes seen in the sea. The word sometimes matters here: wildlife sightings are never part of the guarantee.

At Arnarstapi, erosion has cut the Gatklettur arch into the rock. The stop is short, but the coastal rock formations make it worth stretching your legs. Later, at Vatnshellir, you put on a helmet and headlamp and descend 32 meters below ground into an 8,000-year-old lava tube. Spiral stairs lead to the cave’s lower chambers, making this one of the more active parts of the week.

Djúpalónssandur adds a human story to the volcanic scenery. Sailors once tested their strength by lifting stones weighing from 23 to 155 kilograms. Rusted shipwreck remains still sit along the black pebble beach.

You finish at Saxhóll Crater, reached by wooden steps. The crater is about 100 meters deep, with views over lava fields and the sea. The final stop, Kirkjufellsfoss, pairs a waterfall with the distinctive Kirkjufell mountain. The site is heavily photographed, so the appeal is obvious, but the schedule gives you only a set amount of time rather than a leisurely afternoon.

Day three: fishing villages, waterfalls, and Krauma

Stykkishólmur begins day three with a harbor walk to Súgandisey Island and its lighthouse. The island connects to the harbor by road, and climbing the low hill gives you a broad view over the water and village. This is one of the route’s calmer stops.

Hraunfossar is unlike a single-drop waterfall. Water trickles through the vegetation across a wide stretch of the riverbed. The schedule allows about two and a half hours here, which is generous compared with many of the shorter viewpoints.

Nearby Barnafoss is more forceful. Water pushes through a lava opening, creating a sharp contrast with the quieter rivulets at Hraunfossar. The pair works well together because you see two very different forms of water shaped by lava.

At Deildartunguhver, Europe’s largest hot spring, you view bubbling water reaching about 97°C from a safe distance. The heat is easy to feel, but this is not a bathing stop. Bathing comes afterward at Krauma, where four pools are fed by natural geothermal water from the nearby spring.

Krauma is included and gives you two hours to slow down. This is an important rhythm change after several driving and walking stops. I would keep the time rather than rushing through it.

Day four: the Golden Circle with two thermal baths

Þingvellir National Park combines geology and Icelandic political history. Continental movement created features such as the Silfra Fissure, and the park is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Entrance is free, but parking is not included.

The schedule then takes you to Laugarvatn Fontana at 11:30 a.m. The geothermal baths overlook the lake and provide another long warm-water break. With Krauma on day three, you get two different spa settings instead of relying only on the more famous Blue Lagoon.

Geysir’s geothermal area is a classic Iceland stop. Strokkur can send a column of hot water up to 15 meters, while nearby fumaroles, mud pots, and steaming openings show the area’s wider activity. Gullfoss follows with a powerful 32-meter drop into a deep gorge. Spray and rainbows depend on conditions, but the waterfall’s scale does not.

Fríðheimar is an optional farm and restaurant stop. The tomato operation uses geothermal energy and biological pest control, and you can book a meal or visit separately. It adds a food-focused experience, but it is not included, so reserve it directly if you want it.

Kerið is a roughly 3,000-year-old volcanic crater with a vivid interior and lake. A small entry fee applies. Seljalandsfoss lets you walk behind the 60-meter waterfall, so waterproof clothing is sensible. Skógafoss closes the day with a broad, powerful curtain of water fed by glacier melt.

This is one of the busiest days. You get many famous sights, but not much spare time. Keep an eye on the clock if you want to reach every stop.

Day five: the south coast and a blue ice cave

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon curves through the southern countryside, with a cold river below and grassy slopes above. The walk takes about two hours, giving you a chance to leave the van and enjoy a slower viewpoint.

Diamond Beach is a visual highlight. Ice blocks from the glacier rest on black sand in many shapes and sizes, sometimes glittering in sunlight. The beach sits near the glacial lagoon area, and two hours gives you time to walk along the shore rather than snap one photograph and leave.

The major booked activity is a half-day ice cave tour with Local Guide of Vatnajökull. A super jeep carries you into a glacial valley, followed by a hike to a naturally formed blue ice cave. The cave changes as summer melting reshapes it, so the exact form is not fixed.

This activity has physical demands and a minimum age of eight for some activities on the tour. Some experiences also require a minimum height of 102 centimeters. You should arrive at paid activity meeting points 20 minutes early.

The ice cave is the trip’s most specialized experience, and it is a strong reason to choose this package over a basic self-drive rental. You get a local operator, a suitable vehicle for the glacial approach, and a reserved place in an activity that would otherwise require extra research.

Day six: cliffs, surf, and real flowing lava

Dyrhólaey is a 120-meter rock formation with a large opening through which ships once passed. It is also home to many bird species. The coastal views are broad, but stay alert near the edges and follow local signs.

Reynisfjara is famous for its black beach, basalt columns, cliff wall, and offshore rock formations. The troll story adds a bit of Icelandic folklore, but the real appeal is the meeting of volcanic rock and Atlantic surf. Treat the sea with respect and do not assume the shoreline is safe just because other people are nearby.

At the Icelandic Lava Show in Vík, you watch genuine hot lava flow safely as part of a simulated volcanic eruption. The activity is included and lasts about an hour. It offers a useful change from looking at old lava fields because you see the material in motion.

The Skógar Museum is an optional alternative or addition. Its 15,000 artifacts are arranged through three museums and six buildings, offering a look at Icelandic life and culture. Admission is extra, and the visit adds about 90 minutes including driving from the Lava Show.

Day seven: Reykjanes before the airport

The final day covers the Reykjanes Peninsula. Kleifarvatn is nearly 100 meters deep and surrounded by porous lava ground covered in old moss. It is a quiet place to begin the day, especially after the full south-coast schedule.

You can add the Blue Lagoon if you have time before your flight, but admission is not included and you must reserve it directly. The suggested visit takes about two and a half hours including driving from Kleifarvatn, so leave a safe margin for returning the van and reaching the airport.

Gunnuhver features steam vents, hot mud pools, mineral-colored ground, and views toward the Reykjanes lighthouse. At the Bridge Between Continents, you can stand between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. It is a simple stop, but a memorable way to finish a trip built around Iceland’s geology.

Return the campervan to CampEasy, where warm drinks and souvenirs are available before the shuttle takes you to the airport or Keflavík accommodation if requested.

Life in the campervan

The van is the heart of the experience. Equipment described for the campers includes pots and pans, a small gas stove, fridge, bedding, sink, and heating. Wi-Fi and the connected tablet are also included, which helps when you need directions or want to follow the next scheduled stop.

The tablet is more than a map. It gives you a prepared route and removes much of the work involved in building a seven-day plan. That helps first-time visitors, particularly when several attractions sit far apart and activity times matter.

The tradeoff is limited personal space and shared decision-making if you are traveling with friends. One customer described using a Ford Transit with five friends and advised against paying for a four-wheel-drive van unless you plan to cross rivers. That is useful guidance, but confirm vehicle choice and road permissions with CampEasy before booking.

The company also supports self-service pickup. Late arrivals have been handled through an organized after-hours process, and staff members including Natalia, Íris, Nicole, Kamila, and Razvan are named in support exchanges. The repeated praise centers on quick replies, clear instructions, clean newer vans, and help before and during the trip.

Who should book this Iceland road trip

I would choose this for an independent-minded first-time visitor who wants control over the day but does not want to plan every road, campsite, and ticket. It also suits couples or small groups comfortable sharing a campervan and preparing at least some meals.

You should be happy driving in changing conditions, walking on uneven ground, keeping to activity times, and adjusting plans if weather interferes. The schedule is ambitious, and the northern-lights theme does not mean a sighting is guaranteed.

If you prefer a private room each night, a slower pace, or a guide with you throughout the day, choose a conventional small-group or hotel-based tour instead. If you want freedom, included campsite fees, and major nature experiences already arranged, this package offers solid value.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin and end?

The tour begins at CampEasy, Selvík 5, 230 Keflavík, Iceland. It ends back at the same meeting point, with shuttle service available to the airport or Keflavík accommodation if requested.

Is airport pickup included?

Yes. A complimentary shuttle is available from Keflavík International Airport or hotel accommodation in Keflavík town to the CampEasy office.

What activities are included in the price?

The included activities are the Vatnshellir Lava Cave, Krauma Spa, Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths, the Vatnajökull ice cave tour, and the Icelandic Lava Show in Vík.

Are fuel and parking included?

No. Fuel and parking fees are excluded. Electricity and additional campsite services are also not included.

How old must the driver be?

The minimum age for the driver participant or participants is 20 years.

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 accepted for a refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want Iceland’s major natural sights, a real campervan experience, and a prepared route without giving up the freedom to stop along the way. The included ice cave trip, geothermal baths, campsite fees, tablet guide, and airport transfer give the $1,511.93 price practical weight.

Skip it if you dislike tight schedules, extra costs for fuel and parking, or sleeping in a vehicle. For the right kind of independent driver, though, this is a well-organized way to see South and West Iceland in one energetic week.