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

The best thing about this six-day Iceland tour is the freedom to wake up close to the next day’s sights rather than return to Reykjavík every night. You drive a prepared 4×4 campervan through waterfalls, black-sand beaches, lava fields, geothermal areas, and the Golden Circle, with campsite fees and several major activities already arranged.

I like the useful mix of wild scenery and warm-water stops, especially Krauma, Laugarvatn Fontana, and Sky Lagoon. I also like the Easy Guide tablet, which puts navigation, the daily plan, camper information, and practical advice in one place. The main catch is that this is a busy six-day schedule, and fuel, food, parking, and some entrance fees come out of your pocket.

Key points to know before booking

• A genuine self-drive route: You control the day in a private vehicle, but the planned stops prevent the usual Iceland road-trip guesswork.
• Three worthwhile bathing experiences: Krauma, Fontana, and Sky Lagoon give you warm breaks after long stretches outdoors.
• Snæfellsnes gets serious attention: Ytri Tunga, Búðakirkja, Gatklettur, Vatnshellir Cave, Djúpalónssandur, Kirkjufell, and more fill the first half.
• The 4×4 camper is the heart of the trip: The supplied vehicles include bedding, cooking equipment, Wi-Fi, gas, and other practical extras.
• Booked activities keep the schedule moving: The Rye Bread tour, Vatnshellir Cave, Lava Show, and Sky Lagoon are included.
• Extra costs still matter: Fuel, meals, parking, electricity at campsites, and optional stops are not covered.

Why this campervan route works

At $1,331.02 per person, this is not simply a vehicle rental. The price includes a quality campervan, zero-risk coverage, campsite overnight fees, airport transportation, the Easy Guide tablet, sports equipment and other toys, plus selected admissions and activities.

That package can be good value if you want a ready-made road trip. You do not need to arrange each campsite or build a route from scratch, and the included activities would otherwise add to your spending. Still, you should compare the price with a basic camper rental before booking. You pay separately for fuel, food, parking, personal accident insurance, and any optional activity.

The route is private, so only your own group participates. That gives you more control than a large coach tour, but you are also responsible for driving, keeping time, cooking if you choose to, and dealing with Icelandic weather. The minimum driver age is 20. Some activities require participants to be at least five years old.

The free shuttle from Keflavík International Airport or a Keflavík hotel to the CampEasy office takes about five minutes. At the end, you return the van and receive a shuttle back to the airport or a Keflavík hotel. This is a sensible setup for an arriving or departing flight, though you should leave enough time around the vehicle handover.

Day 1: Reykholt, Hraunfossar, and a soak at Krauma

Your first day heads into west Iceland. Reykholt provides a gentle introduction, with its medieval connections and place in Icelandic Saga history. You spend about 50 minutes here, enough for a short look rather than a full historical study.

The day’s real visual reward comes at Hraunfossar and nearby Barnafoss. Hraunfossar is made of countless rivulets slipping through vegetation across the riverbank. A short distance away, Barnafoss pushes through a lava opening with much greater force. They are close enough to visit together, but the contrast is worth noticing: one is delicate and spread out, the other compact and powerful.

Deildartunguhver adds a different kind of drama. At about 97 degrees Celsius, the thermal spring is not a place for a casual dip. Keep to the safe viewing area, watch the bubbling water, and feel the heat on your face. It is a quick stop, but it makes Iceland’s geothermal power plain.

You finish at Krauma, next to the spring. The spa has four pools supplied by a constant flow of geothermal water, and the visit lasts about two hours. This is one of the smartest inclusions in the package. After airport pickup, driving, and several outdoor stops, warm water gives you a proper reset before the campsite.

Krauma does not use chemicals to maintain the water quality, according to the supplied details. You should still bring a relaxed attitude about changing conditions, since the route’s first day includes a fair amount of driving and sightseeing before the bath.

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

Day two is packed. A short detour to Glanni Waterfall begins the morning, followed by Ytri Tunga Beach. Ytri Tunga is known as a place where seals sometimes come ashore, so allow the full 1 hour and 45 minutes rather than treating it as a quick photo stop. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but the quiet beach gives you a good reason to slow down.

Búðakirkja, one of Iceland’s black churches, takes only about 30 minutes. Its dark exterior and open setting make it a favorite subject for photographers. The stop is brief, but it adds a human and architectural note to a day otherwise shaped by coast and volcanic rock.

At Gatklettur, erosion has cut a hole through the cliff. The suggested visit takes about two hours and 20 minutes, including the walk. This is a place where sturdy shoes and attention to the conditions matter. The Atlantic coast is scenic, but it is not a place for careless wandering near the water.

The 2 PM visit to Vatnshellir Cave is one of the more structured parts of the trip. You descend 32 meters by spiral stairs into an 8,000-year-old lava tube, wearing a helmet and headlamp. The cave visit lasts an hour and is included, so arriving about 20 minutes early is wise.

Djúpalónssandur gives you a stronger sense of Iceland’s working past. The black-pebble shore still has lifting stones once used to test sailors’ strength, along with driftwood and the remains of a rusty shipwreck. The setting is attractive, but the story is what gives the place its weight. Stay alert around the sea and follow local warnings.

Saxhóll Crater closes the day with an easy walk up wooden steps to a crater about 100 meters deep. From above, you can see the sea and lava fields, and on a clear day the horizon may reach toward Reykjavík. This is a pleasant final stop, but the long list of sites makes day two demanding.

Day 3: Kirkjufell, Stykkishólmur, and Þingvellir

Start with Svodufoss, a quick waterfall stop reached from a nearby parking area. In clear weather, you might see Snæfellsnes glacier rising behind the falls. The visit takes only about 15 minutes, so it works well as a morning stretch.

Kirkjufell is one of Iceland’s most photographed mountains, paired with Kirkjufellsfoss. Its layered shape formed millions of years ago, and the nearby falls provide the familiar composition seen in many photographs. You have about 30 minutes here, which is enough for the classic view but not a long walk.

Stykkishólmur brings a change of mood. This fishing village is known for fish dishes, and the harbor road leads toward Súgandisey Island and its lighthouse. Allow 1 hour and 15 minutes to walk up for the harbor view. If you want a sit-down meal, this is one of the more natural places in the route to consider it, though meals are not included.

Gerðuberg Cliffs feature tall, geometrically arranged basalt columns. The rock formations are the attraction, and the one-hour stop gives you time to inspect the shapes rather than simply point a camera at them.

Eldborg Crater is optional, and this is where you need to judge your energy. The walk takes about 45 to 50 minutes each way, with about 2 hours and 45 minutes allowed overall. From the top, you can see nearby craters. If the weather is poor or you are behind schedule, this is an easy stop to skip.

Þingvellir National Park is the first Golden Circle sight on the route. It matters for two reasons. Geologically, the park shows the effects of continental movement, with sites including Silfra Fissure and Öxarárfoss. Historically, it is an important political site and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The park itself has no admission fee, but parking does cost extra. That small charge is easy to overlook when calculating the trip budget. You have 2 hours and 30 minutes here, enough to appreciate more than one viewpoint.

Day 4: Rye bread, Geysir, Gullfoss, and the south coast

Kerid Crater begins the fourth day. Its colorful volcanic sides surround a lake, and the scene changes with the season. A small entry fee is not included, so keep a little cash or payment method ready. The visit takes about an hour.

At 11:45 AM, Laugarvatn Fontana combines a local food tradition with a bath. The Rye Bread tour shows how dough is cooked in the ground using geothermal heat, followed by a taste of the bread. You then have time in the warm pools overlooking the lake. The entire stop lasts about 2 hours and 30 minutes and is included.

This is more than a spa break. It connects the area’s geothermal power with a practical Icelandic cooking method, making the stop feel tied to its setting rather than simply added for comfort.

Geysir is next. The original Geysir gave its name to the word used around the world, while Strokkur regularly shoots hot water up to about 15 meters. You have 45 minutes, which should allow time to watch more than one eruption.

Gullfoss completes the Golden Circle. Water drops in two stages into a narrow gorge, with a total fall of about 32 meters. Spray and weather can make the viewpoints feel intense, so wear a waterproof layer and take care on wet paths.

Friðheimar Farm is an optional recommendation, not an included stop. Its greenhouse uses geothermal energy and biological pest controls, and the farm is also known for horse breeding, horse shows, and tomato-based dishes. If you want to visit, book directly in advance and allow about 50 minutes including driving from Gullfoss.

The day continues to Seljalandsfoss, where a path goes behind the 60-meter waterfall. That unusual angle makes the stop special, but you should expect spray and slippery conditions. Parking is extra, even though entry to the waterfall area is free.

Skógafoss finishes the day with a heavier punch. Fed by melting water from Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull, it sends a broad curtain down with noise, spray, and possible rainbows. One hour is allotted here, enough to enjoy the base and possibly climb for a different view if time and energy allow.

Day 5: Sea cliffs, hot lava, ice, and Sky Lagoon

Dyrhólaey begins the fifth day on the south coast. This former island is now a 120-meter rock formation with a large opening through it. It is also a bird site, so the stop offers coastal views and a chance to watch for birdlife.

Nearby Reynisfjara is famous for its basalt columns, black sand, and three rock formations offshore. Local folklore says the sea stacks are trolls caught by daylight. The story is fun, but the sea deserves more respect than the legend. Stay well back from the water and follow any warnings.

At 1:30 PM, the Icelandic Lava Show in Vík presents real hot lava in a controlled setting that imitates a volcanic eruption. This is a strong inclusion because it lets you see volcanic heat directly without needing a remote hike or specialized gear. The activity takes one hour.

The schedule then asks you to drive back toward Reykjavík for Magic Ice at 6 PM. The ice museum and ice bar provide a sharp change from black beaches and hot lava. You have 2 hours and 45 minutes allotted for the drive and visit, so watch the clock carefully.

Hallgrímskirkja is close to central Reykjavík and Rainbow Street. The church is free to enter, but the tower costs extra if you want the 360-degree city view. The planned visit is only 20 minutes, so you may need to treat it as a quick exterior and interior stop.

At 7 PM, Sky Lagoon gives you two hours in geothermal water with the Sky Pass and its seven-step ritual. This is another major comfort stop, but the timing makes day five particularly full. If you linger on the south coast, you risk shortening the Reykjavík stops or arriving late at the lagoon.

Day 6: Reykjanes before the airport

Your final morning depends on your flight time. If you have room, Krýsuvík shows off Reykjanes’s geothermal colors, smells, and heat. Yellow, white, red, and green ground make this a worthwhile final look at Iceland’s volcanic character.

The Bridge Between Continents lets you stand above the gap between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. The stop takes about 45 minutes and works well as a short final outing.

Viking World Museum is optional and not included. It adds about 1 hour and 20 minutes including driving from the bridge, with a life-size Viking boat as its main feature. I would choose it only if your flight schedule leaves a generous margin.

You then return the campervan to CampEasy. The free shuttle takes you to Keflavík Airport or a Keflavík hotel. Because this is a self-drive trip, allow more time than the formal 20-minute drop-off estimate if you need to pack, refuel, or check the vehicle.

What the campervan setup adds

The strongest practical feature is that the vehicle is supplied as a small mobile base, not an empty rental shell. Included extras cover gas, Wi-Fi, bedding and cooking needs according to the equipment described by past customers, along with sports equipment and other toys.

Feedback about the camper itself is consistently positive. Specific experiences describe comfortable bedding, enough space, vehicles in good condition, and the ability to stay warm and dry during unpleasant weather. One driver praised an Easy Monster 4×4 for handling the roads with ease, while another found the Easy Ranger well appointed for six days and five nights.

CampEasy’s staff also receive repeated praise for personal help. Natalia gave useful route advice, Iris helped with pickup and check-in, and Alisja made an airport transfer quick. Dominik is noted for a friendly handover, while Edoardo, Joachim, and Maxime helped one customer during the trip. Nicole appears in several follow-ups from the company.

That support matters in Iceland. You are still driving yourself, but clear instructions and a tablet with the route can reduce stress when weather or road conditions change. The 4×4 is useful, but do not treat it as permission to ignore road restrictions or local guidance.

Who should book this six-day Iceland trip

I would recommend it to couples, families, or small private groups who want independence but do not want to plan every campsite, activity, and driving day themselves. It also suits first-time campervan users who value a prepared vehicle and access to staff support.

You should be comfortable with long driving days and basic campervan living. The schedule is not leisurely. Day two has many Snæfellsnes stops, day four links the Golden Circle to the south coast, and day five asks you to return to Reykjavík for evening activities.

It is less suitable if you want slow mornings, restaurant meals, or a flexible route built around one region. You also need to budget for fuel, groceries, parking, personal accident insurance, and optional admissions. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, which gives you some booking flexibility.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

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

Where does the tour end?

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

How old must the driver be?

The driver participant must be at least 20 years old.

Is this a shared group tour?

No. It is a private activity, so only your own group participates.

Are campsite fees included?

Yes. Campsite overnight fees are included, but electricity and other campsite services are not included.

Is fuel included?

No. Fuel is listed as an extra cost, along with food and beverages.

Which activities are included?

Included activities are Krauma, the Vatnshellir Cave visit, Laugarvatn Fontana and its Rye Bread tour, the Icelandic Lava Show, Magic Ice, and Sky Lagoon with the Sky Pass and seven-step ritual.

Are parking fees included?

No. Parking fees are extra at places such as Þingvellir, Seljalandsfoss, and other paid parking areas. Kerid Crater also has a small admission fee that is not included.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a well-supported Iceland road trip with a real campervan, a 4×4, booked highlights, and enough structure to keep six days from becoming a planning exercise. The combination of Snæfellsnes, the Golden Circle, the south coast, Reykjanes, three geothermal bathing stops, and the Lava Show gives you a lot of Iceland in one package.

Skip it if your idea of a holiday is taking each day as it comes. The route is full, several costs remain outside the package, and the driver must handle the road, weather, and clock. For an active first visit with a private group, though, the campervan format offers a practical way to see the country on your own terms.