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6 Day Iceland Ring Road Tour in Summer

6 days / 5 nightsGroup: Small group, up to 18 peopleEasy to moderateSmall-group minibusAge 8+May–September
5.0(11 reviews)

This 6-day Iceland Ring Road tour takes you all the way around the country in summer by minibus, with a glacier hike, the Katla ice cave and a whale watching trip included. Hotels with breakfast are booked for you, so all you do is enjoy the ride.

Golden CircleKatla ice caveSkaftafell glacier hikeJökulsárlónStuðlagil and DettifossWhale watching
  • Drive the full Ring Road with a guide, in a small group of up to 18
  • Katla ice cave and a 3-hour glacier hike in Skaftafell included
  • Whale watching from Hauganes in North Iceland included
  • Jökulsárlón, Stuðlagil canyon, Dettifoss and Goðafoss
  • 5 nights in countryside hotels with private bathroom and breakfast

Your day, stop by stop

Click a stop for photos and practical tips.
1Path through the Almannagjá gorge at ÞingvellirDay 1: The Golden CirclePick-up in Reykjavík in the morning and on to Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir area…
Path through the Almannagjá gorge at ÞingvellirStrokkur geyser erupting at sunriseGullfoss waterfall

Pick-up in Reykjavík in the morning and on to Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir area with Strokkur, and Gullfoss. In the afternoon you head for the South Coast, stopping at Seljalandsfoss before your first night in the countryside.

2Inside the Katla ice caveDay 2: South Coast and the Katla ice caveSkógafoss (you can climb the 527 steps to the top if you like) and Reynisfjara black…
Inside the Katla ice caveRainbow in the spray of Skógafoss waterfallSeljalandsfoss waterfall from the path behind it

Skógafoss (you can climb the 527 steps to the top if you like) and Reynisfjara black sand beach near Vík. In the afternoon you visit the Katla ice cave with a glacier guide and full safety gear.

Read our Katla guide →
3Icebergs on the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoonDay 3: Glacier hike and JökulsárlónA 3-hour guided glacier hike on Sólheimajökull or in Skaftafell, with all…
Icebergs on the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoonGlacier tongue of Vatnajökull from the airJökulsárlón glacier lagoon under a blue sky

A 3-hour guided glacier hike, either on Sólheimajökull or in Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park, with all equipment provided. Then on to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, with an optional boat ride among the icebergs.

Read our Jökulsárlón guide →
4Fishing boats in Djúpivogur harbourDay 4: The East FjordsA slower day along the winding coast of the East Fjords, passing Djúpivogur and…
Fishing boats in Djúpivogur harbourThe row of stone eggs on the harbour front in DjúpivogurCoastal plain and mountains near Djúpivogur

A slower day along the winding coast of the East Fjords, passing Djúpivogur and Lagarfljót lake. There is an optional horse ride or an evening at the Vök Baths near Egilsstaðir, both at extra cost. The roads follow the coast, so the day is spent mostly in the minibus with short stops.

5The basalt columns of Stuðlagil canyonDay 5: Stuðlagil, Dettifoss and MývatnA full day in the North East: Stuðlagil canyon with its basalt columns, Dettifoss, the…
The basalt columns of Stuðlagil canyonDettifoss waterfall and its canyonPseudo-craters at Lake Mývatn from the air

A full day in the North East: Stuðlagil canyon with its basalt columns, Dettifoss, the lava formations of Dimmuborgir, the steaming mud pools of Námaskarð and Goðafoss, ending near Akureyri. Dettifoss is a 44-metre waterfall on the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river.

Read our Dettifoss guide →
6Whale just below the surfaceDay 6: Whale watching and back to ReykjavíkA morning whale watching trip from the small village of Hauganes in Eyjafjörður, then…
Whale just below the surfaceHumpback whale breachingThe rainbow street leading up to Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavík

A morning whale watching trip from the small village of Hauganes in Eyjafjörður, then the long drive back south to Reykjavík, arriving in the evening. Dress warmly for the boat.

Read our Reykjavík guide →

About the 6-day Iceland Ring Road tour

Six days is short for the whole Ring Road, and this tour makes it work by letting the guide do the driving and planning. You cover the Golden Circle, the South Coast, the glaciers of Vatnajökull, the East Fjords and the Mývatn area before heading back to Reykjavík.

Three activities are included, which is unusual for a tour at this price: a visit to the Katla ice cave, a 3-hour glacier hike (on Sólheimajökull or in Skaftafell), and a whale watching trip from Hauganes in Eyjafjörður. On other days you can add horse riding, a boat ride on Jökulsárlón or a soak at the Vök Baths.

You travel in a modern minibus with Wi-Fi and a maximum of 18 guests. Nights are spent in countryside hotels, in double rooms with a private bathroom and breakfast. Some days are long, especially the last day back to Reykjavík, but the stops are frequent and well spaced.

The tour runs from May to September, when the roads in the East and North are open and the days are long. Weather can still change quickly, so the guide may adjust the order of stops to get the best conditions.

Make it your own

Optional extras, at extra cost
  • Combined ticket at a lower price: horse riding, the Jökulsárlón boat tour and Vök Baths
  • Entry to Vök Baths
  • Horse riding tour
  • Amphibian boat tour on Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon (summer only)
  • Luggage storage
  • Single room
  • Hiking boot rental
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers rental
  • Hat and gloves to buy
  • Neck warmer to buy
  • Cap to buy

Included

  • 5 nights in countryside hotels with private bathroom
  • Breakfast every day
  • Transport by minibus with Wi-Fi
  • Certified English-speaking guide
  • Katla ice cave visit with equipment
  • 3-hour glacier hike on Sólheimajökull or in Skaftafell, with equipment
  • Whale watching boat tour from Hauganes
  • Pick-up in the Reykjavík capital area

Not included

  • Lunches and dinners
  • Jökulsárlón boat ride, horse riding and Vök Baths (optional add-ons)
  • Rental of hiking boots and waterproof clothing
  • Single room supplement for solo travellers

What to bring

  • Hiking boots with ankle support (for the glacier hike and ice cave)
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers
  • Warm layers, a hat and gloves
  • Swimsuit, if you plan to visit the Vök Baths
  • One suitcase per person, up to 24 inches

Good to know

  • Season: May–September
  • Group size: up to 18 guests
  • Pick-up between 8:00 and 8:30 from your chosen point in the Reykjavík capital area (not from Keflavík Airport)
  • Minimum age 8 for the glacier hike, with shoe size EU 34 or larger
  • Luggage: one suitcase of up to 24 inches per person; extra bags can be stored in Reykjavík for a fee
  • Solo travellers pay a single room supplement
  • The itinerary can change because of weather and road conditions
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start (a 3% fee is kept); no refund if you cancel less than 24 hours before

Questions people ask

Is 6 days enough for the Ring Road?

It is enough to see the main sights on a guided tour, because you do not lose time planning or driving yourself. Expect some long days, especially the last one back to Reykjavík.

Where do we stay?

In countryside hotels with private bathrooms and breakfast, such as Drangshlíð on the South Coast, or similar. Exact hotels depend on availability.

Can solo travellers join?

Yes. Solo travellers pay a single room supplement.

Is the glacier hike difficult?

It is a guided 3-hour walk with crampons at an easy to moderate pace. You need hiking boots with ankle support.

Can I be picked up at the airport?

No. Pick-up is in the Reykjavík capital area. Plan to arrive in Reykjavík at least the day before the tour.

Reviews

Reviews from travellers who took this tour. A local reads every review before it is shown.
5.0Based on 11 reviews
5 stars11
4 stars0
3 stars0
2 stars0
1 star0
Best trip to Iceland

Could not have asked for a better tour to explore Iceland on our first trip to Europe!
Stunning nature, beautiful countryside hotels and the best people.

Amanda · March 2026
Breve, pero espectacular

Solo avevamo sei giorni, ma abbiamo visto tutta l’Islanda in modo perfetto. Cascate, ghiacciai e villaggi pittoreschi. Organizzazione ottima e guida fantastica.

Luca B.
Family-friendly, hassle-free adventure

We joined this tour with our two teenagers, and it was the best choice. The drives were never too long, the stops were exciting, and there was always something for the kids to enjoy. The guide was patient and funny, which made the trip even better.

Sarah J.
A cultural and scenic journey

Iceland’s beauty is indescribable, but what made this tour special was the storytelling. Our guide shared folklore about trolls, elves, and volcanoes, turning each stop into a living history lesson. We visited waterfalls, lava fields, and even tiny fishing villages that weren’t crowded at all. The logistics were flawless, and I felt I could just relax and enjoy the adventure.

James, U.
Resumen increíble — ¡una semana perfecta!

El tour abarcó paisajes inolvidables: cascadas impresionantes, lagunas glaciares, fiordos y playas negras. El guía fue atento y profesional, siempre compartiendo anécdotas que enriquecieron la experiencia. El tamaño del grupo hizo todo muy personal y cómodo. ¡Una experiencia totalmente recomendable para descubrir Islandia en poco tiempo!

Claudia R.
Seamless, spectacular, and stress-free

The whole trip felt effortless. From pickup in Reykjavík to comfortable hotels, everything was smooth. Each day brought new surprises—the glacier lagoon was my favorite!

David M.
From277,119 ISKPer person

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