Iceland adventures! (help me plan it)

[Matt..]

I am going to Iceland in June, and need to finalise my plan.

The itinerary looks like this:

1. Arrive in Reykjavik (stay: Reykjavik)
2. Gullfoss/Thingvellir/Glymur/etc... Golden Circle (stay: Selfos)
3. Seljalandsfoss/Skogafoss/DC3 wreck (stay: Vik)
4. Landmannalaugar (stay: Vik)
5. Jokulsarlon/Svartifoss (stay: Hofn)
6. Skaftafell/Glacier hike (stay: Hofn)
7. Dettifoss (stay: Myvatn)
8. Godafoss (stay: Husavik)
9. ? (stay: Akureyri)
10. Drive to Snaefellsnes Peninsula (stay: Stykkisholmur)
11. Snaefellsnes Peninsula (stay: Stykkisholmur)
12. Reykjavik... fly out


I'm not sure whether to switch Landmannalaugar to another day, as i'm concerned on how to best get there in mid June. I'd also like to do a super jeep trip at some point - maybe this could be to Landmannalaugar? (other suggestions welcome, as well as ideas on which company is best). Also suggestions on who to use for a days exploring (inc glacier hike) around Skaftafell would be good. Other adventure ideas also welcome!

I'm in my 20s, so up for a little adventure. I will be on my own, and have a Suzuki Grand Vitara for the duration of the trip. The main purpose is photography, but i'm not averse to other stuff


Thanks

[RizzoTheRat]

We went in September and loved it, but only for a few days didn't cover as much ground as you plan to to, going off peak meant the weather wasn't brilliant but there were very few tourists around.
We hired a car and did the golden circle trip, staying near Gulfoss overnight. the circle is doable in a day but there's so much fantastic scenery on route you'll want to stop lots for photos. Main roads are tarmac, loads of cinder roads that were fine in a rented Polo, and roads not suitable for 2WD are clearly marked, personally though I'd not want to go on the trickier tracks without some local knowledge or a second vehicle.
Definitly do a super jeep trip, we did one out of Rejkavik up to Langjökull and he was a really knowledgable guide who told us loads about the area, look on facebook for Fjallasport.
Good choice not to bother staying in Rekjavik for too long, there's not a lot there.

Edited by RizzoTheRat on Wednesday 25th April 10:58

[Matt..]

I've slightly changed this now:


1. Arrive in Reykjavik (stay: Reykjavik)

2. Gullfoss/Thingvellir/Glymur/etc... Golden Circle (stay: Selfos)

3. Landmannalaugar (stay: Selfos)

4. Seljalandsfoss/Skogafoss/DC3 wreck (stay: Vik)

5. Jokulsarlon/Svartifoss (stay: Hofn - or somewhere closer)

6. Skaftafell/Glacier hike (stay: Hofn)

7. Dettifoss (stay: Husavik)

8. Godafoss (stay: Husavik)

9. ? (stay: Akureyri)

10. Drive to Snaefellsnes Peninsula (stay: Stykkisholmur)

11. Snaefellsnes Peninsula (stay: Stykkisholmur)

12. Reykjavik... fly out


Still trying to work out what to do about some adventures though! (eg. super jeep). Are there any recommended companies to use? (eg. ones that don't have big groups from bus tours?!!).

[Blown2CV]

awesome place and very jealous of your trip!

superjeep.is - don't miss out, get up some glaciers on ice walks and skidoos etc

[Matt..]

Blown2CV said:

awesome place and very jealous of your trip!

superjeep.is - don't miss out, get up some glaciers on ice walks and skidoos etc

I'm thinking of fitting this in: http://www.insidethevolcano.com/

[PugwasHDJ80]

pretty sure thats exactly what the wife and i did 5 years ago

does it include geysir? blue pool? 24 hours in rekjavik? jokulsarlon and thingvellir?

all pretty much on your route....

also will will try and find one of places we stayed in which we nicknamed breast valley....... an amazing place full of detritus from retreating glaciers iirc

what are you hiring vehicle wise? some of the fords can be deep at the end of day- getting the smalles jimny is NOT recommended

oh and go to the penis museum - i went with the mother in law!

[Matt..]

I only have a Grand Vitara, so not that capable. Any real 4x4 was ridiculously expensive for 12days, especially when it's just me travelling.

I have half a day to a day in Reykjavik, and don't see much need to change that. Geysir i will stop by, but by all accounts it will disappoint me! (i was in Yellowstone NP last year, and that does Geysirs properly!).

I'm trying to finalise this over the next few days so i can book accommodation. If anyone can recommend places to stay then please do

I will probably swap the last night to be in Reykjavik so i can do the volcano tour (i'm checking times with them to see if it's doable with my flight in the afternoon).

Does anyone know if i can book a zodiac boat trip at Jokulsarlon when i'm there? (not interested in bigger boats).

[Tyre Tread]

If you get chance eat at the Three Frenchman Restaurant just outside Reykyavik. I recommend the whale steak - No, really!

[PugwasHDJ80]

ref geysir- if the Geysir itself goes off then its teh daddy of them all- we saw a "mini" eruption (as they are quite rare nowadays) and it was at least if not more impressive than anything yellowstone has! we were there in 2003 (which is a bit longer than 5 eyars admittefdly) and it was still doing 70-80m! and you can get really close too....