Iceland in 10 Days

Summer 2011

We flew to Iceland and had rented a small 4WD to get around the island. If you want to go anywhere other than Ring Road 1, a proper off-road vehicle is absolutely essential — you need to ford several rivers along the way.

The first couple of days we explored Reykjavik and the surrounding areas reachable on day trips. Then we headed north along Ring Road 1. First overnight stop was the town of Akureyri — a good base for whale watching tours from the northern fjord.

From there we drove to Mývatn and then deep into the interior to the massive Askja volcano. The last nights were spent on the southwest side of the island near Hekla and Landmannalaugar, before heading back to Reykjavik.

Geysers

If you want to see the impressive geysers without 100 other tourists around, start early in the morning. The tour buses typically don't arrive until around midday. Iceland's geysers are spectacular, and you can get very close to them.

Reykjavik and Mývatn

Lake Mývatn is surrounded by extraordinary volcanic scenery — hot springs, lava fields, and an abundance of birdlife. The area is unique and just a couple of hours' drive from Akureyri.

Askja Volcano and Viti

Several nights camping at Askja at 1,200 metres altitude. Karin bathed in the small volcanic lake Viti — there was plenty of snow around the lake, yet the water was at least 30°C. If you touched the bottom, you could feel the heat from the volcano below.

The Icelandic Wilderness

To get around the island you need a 4WD vehicle — river crossings are unavoidable. Iceland is a stunningly beautiful island, and if you're willing to venture into the remote highlands, there are incredible experiences to be had in the wild landscape.

Icelandic Horses

We stopped many times to meet the Icelandic horses along the road. They are calm and curious, often approaching the car on their own initiative.

Hekla

Carl and Karin climbed the Hekla volcano — we didn't quite reach the summit, but the views were breathtaking. One of the most memorable campsites was Landmannalaugar, where you can bathe in a natural mix of glacial meltwater and geothermally heated water.