When I’m not channeling angels, writing books, giving talks, or leading retreats, my passion is TRAVELING THE WORLD!

In the past two year, I have traveled to well over 150 cities across nearly 20 countries and five continents.

Most recently, I came back from a two week trip to Iceland where I drove the entire Ring Road (and more!) by myself for well over 2,000 km, and created a custom itinerary including some of the most stunning waterfalls, hikes, geothermal baths/lagoons, restaurants, excursions, and more.

From six-hour glacier hikes to ice caves to snowmobiling and relaxing at seven of Iceland’s finest thermal baths, I have crafted the most epic Iceland travel itinerary and want to share it with you!

A note that this itinerary is not for the faint of heart. It includes difficult hikes, long days, and many stops. That being said, it is one of the most complete Iceland itineraries you will find in a short amount of time (can be completed in as little as 7 days). You can also spread out the days or skip stops all together! I’ve included links for each place as well so you can get the full details.

Day 1 – Weds, Sept 11: SOUTH ICELAND

• Pick up rental car @ Lava Car Rental near KEF airport

• Stop @ Íslandsbanki to withdraw some cash (10 min)
• 9am: Pick up breakfast, food, & snacks @ the grocery store nearby
• 10am: Pick up Cold Gear @ IcelandCover Outdoor Clothing Rental, Laugavegur 51, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland (45 min drive)
• Seljalandsfoss Waterfall – 2hr drive
• Gljúfrabúi Waterfall – walking distance or 2 min drive
• 1:15pm: Drive from Seljalandsfoss to Skogafoss – 30 min drive
• 2:30pm – 5:30pm: Solheimajokull outlet glacier hike by Mountain Guides Iceland
• 5:30pm Depart Solheimajokull Glacier
• [Stop in Vik for snacks/food at Restaurant Suður-Vík]
• 6:30pm: Arrive Dyrhólaey Lighthouse Viewpoint at Reynisfjara – 45 min drive
• 7:30pm: Depart for Reynisfjara Beach (exit for Rt 215) (black sand beach) – 20 min drive
• 8:00pm: Depart for Hörgsland Guesthouse (70 min drive)

• Overnight: Hörgsland Guesthouse
• Day 1 driving distance: 300km

Day 2 – Thurs, Sept 12: EAST ICELAND

• Leave LATEST 7:45am
• 45 min Drive from Hörgsland Guesthouse to Icelandic Mountain Guides by Icelandia – Skaftafell Base Camp, 785, Iceland
• 9am-3pm: Ice Cave and Glacier Walk: Only the Brave – Vatnajökull Glacier

• 45 min drive to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach
• 4:30pm Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Boat Tour
  • Depart from Café
• 1 hour Drive to Hofn for DINNER @ Pakkhús Restaurant
• 2.5 hour Drive to Egilsstaðavegur, Egilsstaðir, Iceland
• Overnight: Cottage in Egilsstaðir (Airbnb)
• Day 2 driving distance: 380 km

Day 5 – Sun, Sept 15: NORTHWEST ICELAND

• 8:30am: Breakfast @ Hotel Kea
  
  • + Explore Akureyri in AM
  • Get lunch to-go
• 10am: Depart for Fosslaug waterfall and hot springs
  
  • (*tip: it is right next to the waterfall just hidden behind it. Park in the waterfall parking lot and keep walking) – 75 mins
• 12:30pm: Depart for Hvitserkur Viewpoint – 1.5 hrs
• 2:30pm: Depart for Hótel Flókalundur in Vatnsfirði – 4 hrs
• Overnight: Hótel Flókalundur w/ breakfast
• Day 5 driving distance: 497 km // total: 1,659 km

Day 6 – Mon, Sept 16: WESTFJORDS ICELAND

• 6:00am: morning hike on Helluvatn Trail (3.6mi/2hrs/hard)
• 8:00am: Breakfast at Hotel Fokalundur (included)
• 9:00am: Depart for Dynjandi bílastæði waterfall – 35 mins
  
  • Dynjandi Fjallfoss Trail Hike (1mi/45 min/easy)
• 11:00am: Depart for Húsið in Ísafjörður – 1hr
• 12:00pm: Coffee and snacks at Húsið & explore Ísafjörður
  
  • 1:30pm: Drive to Valagil Falls Trailhead
    
    • Húsið, Hrannargata 2 400, 400 Ísafjörður, Iceland
• 2:00pm: Start Valagil Falls Hike (4.7mi/2hrs/moderate)
  
  • The parking lot is 7 km south of Sudavik on Hwy 61.  It is about 28 km east of Isafjordur.  There are numerous small stream crossings that you can just step over, or use stepping stones and easily stay dry.  There is a bit of an uphill scramble as you near the end, but the waterfall reward is definitely worth it!
• 3:30pm: Depart Valagil Falls for Krauma – 4 hours
  
  • Optional Point of Interest: Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft
  • Podcast episode on the Witches of Iceland here

• 7:30pm: Reservation @ Krauma
• Overnight: Fosshotel Reykholt w/ breakfast
• Day 6 driving distance: 476 km  // total: 2,135 km

Day 7 – Tues, Sept 17: WEST ICELAND

• 9:00am: Depart for Hraunfossar – Barnafoss Waterfall Hike (.5 mi/20 min/easy)+10mins pics —> 15 min (total 45 min)
• 10am: Drive to Silfra – 1.5 hrs
• 12pm: Reservation @  Silfra Snorkeling between North America and Europe Tectonic Plates:
  
  • Meet here: Troll Expeditions Silfra, Vallarvegur, 801 Thingvellir, Iceland
  • Parking P5 Thingvellier
  • https://www.viator.com/tours/Reykjavik/Snorkel-With-The-Trolls-Day-Tour-to-Silfra-Glacial-Fissure/d905-50287P18
• 3pm: drive to Laugarvatn Fontana (30 min)
• 4pm: Reservation @ Laugarvatn Fontana
  
  • Try the Rye Bread
• 6pm: Drive to ION Adventure Hotel (40 min)
• 7:30pm: Dinner @ Silfra Restaurant
• Overnight: ION Adventure Hotel

Day 8 – Weds, Sep 18: REYKJAVIK CAPITAL REGION

• 12pm: Late check-out
• Drive to Reykjavik – 45 mins
• 1pm: Reservation @ Sky Lagoon w/ 7-step Ritual
• Laundry 🧺
• Overnight: Hotel Holt – The ART Hotel

Day 9 – Thurs, Sep 19: SOUTHERN PENINSULA & 15 mile Volcano Hike

• 7am: Drive to Fagradalsfjall Volcano (1 hr) – P2
• 8am – 2pm: HIKING TO THE FAGRADALSFJALL VOLCANO
  
  • FROM REYKJAVÍK. Take road 41 towards Keflavík, turn to road 43 towards Grindavík, and follow road 427 until you see the marked parking lots.
    
    • Note that parking along road 427 is forbidden. The parking fee of 1,000 ISK (8 USD) can be paid electronically at Parka.is.
  • Path E – Meradalir (blue) or path A new eruption. to the new eruption site (July 2023) by Mt. Litli-Hrútur. The path is about 18–20 km. The first part of the hike is on a gravel path. The last 2 km over mossy lava rocks. It can take 6 hours in total to hike (not including a stop for viewing). It can be challenging. There are nice viewing spots on the way and remember that walking on the lava is dangerous.
    
    • Are you up for it? Then check out Safetravel.is for current information on weather and possible hazards and this article with general safety rules at the eruption site.
• 6pm: Dinner Reservation @ Monkeys
• Overnight: Hotel Holt – The ART Hotel

Day 10 – Fri, Sep 20: GOLDEN CIRCLE

• 9am: Arranged for a full day Golden Circle and snowmobiling tour
• Overnight: Hotel Holt – The ART Hotel

Day 11 – Sat, Sep 21: REYKJAVIK CAPITAL REGION

• Explore Reykjavik at leisure
• Blue lagoon thermal baths

Day 12 – Sun, Sep 22: HIGHLANDS

• Full-day tour (Inland to the uninhabited highlands with fantastic waterfalls, canyons, 360 views and beautiful oasis in the middle of the volcanic zone)
• Hjálparfoss waterfall
• Gjáin oasis
• Háifoss waterfall
• Sigöldufoss
• Sigöldugljfur

An important note is that many of the “touristy” waterfalls and sightseeing locations have parking that you need to pay for – budget ~$7-10 per parking lot for this if you intend on going to some of them.

All in all, this itinerary only scratches the surface of all I experienced and more… 

For the record, these are my top thermal baths I went to ranked in order of favorites:

1. Mývatn Nature Baths
2. Krauma
3. Sky Lagoon
4. Forest Lagoon
5. Geosea
6. Blue Lagoon
7. Laugarvatn Fontana

I hope this is an inspiration to plan your own epic trip to Iceland!