5 Days Self-Drive Tour with Pick Up – Northern Lights Adventure Camper´ Break

Iceland rewards drivers who leave room for weather. This five-day campervan route gives you a planned path through Reykjanes, the Golden Circle, the south coast, glacier country, and Reykjavik, while keeping your group private. I like the airport pickup and the included camper equipment, Wi-Fi, campsites, and booked activities. I also like having freedom to pause at waterfalls and viewpoints instead of following a bus schedule.

The main caution is pace. You cover a great deal in five days, and some days involve long drives, fixed activity times, or paid add-ons. Parking fees, fuel, food, and suggested activities are extra, so the advertised price is not your final trip cost.

Key points at a glance

• A private road trip with a ready-made plan: You get the independence of a campervan without having to build every stop yourself.
• Airport pickup and return included: CampEasy collects you from Keflavík International Airport or a selected Keflavík hotel and brings you back at the end.
• South Iceland gets the full treatment: Waterfalls, black beaches, Dyrhólaey, Fjaðrárgljúfur, Skaftafell, Diamond Beach, and Jökulsárlón all feature.
• Booked highlights reduce planning work: The Laugarvatn rye bread experience and Katla ice cave trip are built into the schedule.
• The campervan matters here: CampEasy supplies bedding, kitchen gear, Wi-Fi, heating, and zero-risk coverage.
• Extra costs need watching: Fuel, parking, food, personal accident insurance, and optional activities are not included.

What this five-day Iceland road trip is really like

This is not a leisurely camper holiday with long mornings and spare afternoons. It is a compact sightseeing circuit designed to show you a large portion of southern Iceland in five days.

That makes it a good fit if you want variety. In one trip, you can visit a tectonic-plate bridge, geothermal fields, the Golden Circle, an ice cave, black-sand beaches, glacier ice, waterfalls, and central Reykjavik. You also avoid sharing the whole experience with a large tour group.

The campervan gives you privacy and a practical base for the route. CampEasy supplies a quality vehicle, kitchen equipment, bedding, Wi-Fi, an Easy Guide tablet, campsite fees, gas, and zero-risk coverage. Fuel is excluded, and electricity or other campsite services cost extra, so keep a little room in your budget.

The strongest theme from the company’s customer feedback is reliability. People specifically praised clean, comfortable vans, effective heating, long-lasting batteries, and smooth handover procedures. One first-time campervan user was especially pleased that the heating worked through a cold night, while another praised the vehicle’s performance on snow and ice. Those details matter in Iceland, where a warm, dependable camper is far more important than a fancy interior.

CampEasy staff named in the feedback include Lidia, Natalia, Florentina, Nicole, and Kamila. Their assistance was praised for friendly handovers and prompt replies. Communication has not been perfect for everyone, so I would still ask important questions before arrival rather than assume every message will receive a quick answer.

Day one: Reykjanes gives you a strong opening

Your trip begins with a free shuttle from Keflavík International Airport or a selected hotel in Keflavík. The CampEasy office is about five minutes from the airport, which keeps the arrival process simple. Pickup is offered between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

After collecting the campervan, you head onto the Reykjanes Peninsula. The first stop is the Bridge Between Continents, also called the Leif the Lucky Bridge or Miðlína. It is a modest site, but the idea is memorable: you can stand between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

Allow about 45 minutes here. Do not expect a grand monument or a long hike. The appeal is the setting and the chance to begin your Iceland trip with one of the country’s clearest geology lessons.

Next comes Gunnuhver, a geothermal area filled with steam vents and hot mud pools. Mineral deposits color the ground around the steaming surfaces, with the Reykjanes lighthouse visible in the wider setting. Allow about 40 minutes, and keep to marked paths around the hot ground.

The final major stop is Kleifarvatn Lake, the largest lake on the Reykjanes Peninsula and one of Iceland’s deepest, reaching almost 100 meters. The lake is surrounded by porous lava terrain and old moss-covered ground. You have about 70 minutes here, enough for a quiet change of pace after the busy geothermal area.

Day one is well judged in terms of sights, but remember that collecting the vehicle, learning its systems, and shopping for provisions also take time. You may not want to pack the arrival day with extra plans beyond this route.

Day two: the Golden Circle, rye bread, and two famous waterfalls

Þingvellir National Park begins the second day with geology and national history. Continental movement helped form the park’s fissures, including Silfra, while the area also carries major political importance for Iceland.

You have about 80 minutes to walk around. The park itself does not charge admission, but parking costs extra. This is a recurring detail in Iceland: a natural site can be free while the parking area is not.

Laugarvatn Fontana is the day’s most distinctive stop. The experience includes a rye bread tour at 11:45 a.m., showing how dough is cooked in the ground using geothermal heat. You can taste the bread, then use the geothermal baths with views toward the lake.

The Fontana visit takes about two and a half hours and is included. Since the rye bread demonstration has a set time, you need to manage the morning carefully. The baths add a welcome rest after walking at Þingvellir.

Fridheimar tomato farm is offered as a suggestion rather than part of the included program. The farm uses geothermal energy and biological pest controls, and it also has horse breeding, horse shows, and a restaurant built around tomato dishes. You arrange and pay for this separately, with advance booking required by email or phone. The suggested visit takes about an hour, including driving from Fontana, so adding it may make this already full day tighter.

Geysir follows. The famous Strokkur geyser sends hot water up to about 15 meters, and you have 45 minutes at the site. It is one of those places where patience pays off, since the pleasure comes from watching the next eruption rather than simply taking a photograph and leaving.

Gullfoss completes the Golden Circle. The waterfall drops 32 meters into a narrow gorge, and 45 minutes gives you time to reach the main viewpoints. The scale and sound make this a stronger stop than its short visit time might suggest.

The route then continues to Seljalandsfoss, a 60-meter waterfall with a path behind the falling water. The area is free to enter, but parking costs extra. Allow more than two hours here, which gives you time for the waterfall and the surrounding area. Waterproof clothing is sensible, though the supplied information does not specify what equipment is provided.

Skógafoss is the final stop. Meltwater from Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull feeds this powerful fall, where spray and rainbows are common in suitable light. You have about an hour. The day contains a lot of driving and several major sights, so the camper’s comfort and heating are useful by the time you settle into camp.

Day three: an ice cave, black beaches, and canyon country

The third day begins around Vík, a small south-coast settlement near black sand and the Atlantic. The route gives you about 45 minutes here before the main booked activity.

The Katla ice cave trip is the most adventurous part of the entire experience. You travel by super jeep to Katla Volcano for a four-hour exploration, beginning at 9:30 a.m. The meeting time matters. You should aim to reach the activity point at least 20 minutes early, especially since you are managing a campervan and an unfamiliar road.

The cave experience focuses on the meeting of lava and the ice cap. It is included in the price, unlike several optional stops later in the program. The fixed departure means this is not a day for a slow breakfast or a spontaneous change of direction.

Afterward, Reynisfjara introduces Iceland’s dramatic black-beach scenery. Basalt columns line the cliff wall, and three rock formations rise from the Atlantic. The stop is scheduled for only 30 minutes, so you get a taste rather than a long beach walk. Stay aware of the sea and follow local safety instructions. The supplied details do not state specific beach restrictions, but the setting is powerful and exposed.

Dyrhólaey is next, a former island now shaped into a 120-meter rock formation with a large opening through the middle. The viewpoint is also known for birdlife. You have 45 minutes, enough to appreciate the rock arch and coastal views without turning the visit into a long hike.

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon takes about an hour and 45 minutes. Its winding form, river, grazing sheep, and steep sides make it one of the most memorable stops on the route. The site was also used for a Justin Bieber music video, a curious bit of modern pop culture in an otherwise wild setting.

Near Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Systrafoss offers a smaller, quieter stop. The waterfall drops from Lake Systravatn above, and a short uphill walk gives you wider views across the area. The visit takes about 40 minutes. You can also drive five minutes farther to Stjórnarfoss, though that addition makes a long day even longer.

Skaftafell National Park closes the day. You have about two hours for its walking paths, including the route toward Svartifoss, the Black Waterfall, framed by dark basalt columns. There is no park admission fee, but parking is extra. If you want to reach Svartifoss, keep track of your time and energy, since the route involves walking rather than simply stepping from the camper to a viewpoint.

Day four: glacier ice at Diamond Beach and Jökulsárlón

Diamond Beach is one of the visual high points of the trip. Ice blocks from the nearby glacier wash onto a black beach, where they can look like polished stones or pieces of glass. The ice varies in size and shape, so the scene changes with conditions.

The schedule allows 90 minutes, which is generous enough for photographs and a proper walk. You should treat the beach as a natural setting, not a display area. Keep your distance from the sea and never climb onto ice simply because it looks stable.

Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon follows, with about 40 minutes. Icebergs break away from the Vatnajökull glacier and float in the lagoon before moving toward the ocean. The lagoon formed as the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier tongue began to retreat roughly 90 years ago.

The order of Diamond Beach and Jökulsárlón makes geographic sense, but the short lagoon visit may feel brief if you want a boat trip or a long walk. No boat activity is included, and extra activities selected by you cost more.

After the glacier region, the route turns back toward Selfoss. The schedule gives you four and a half hours there for rest, food, and preparation for the final day. This pause is valuable because the earlier route is demanding. Selfoss is also a practical place to eat and reorganize the camper before returning it.

Day five: Reykjavik highlights and the camper return

The final morning shifts from open country to Reykjavik. At the Sun Voyager sculpture, you have 40 minutes to see Jón Gunnar Árnason’s sea-facing work, created around ideas of hope and freedom. The sculpture is easy to combine with a walk by the water, though the provided schedule does not promise extra free time.

Harpa Concert Hall follows for 30 minutes. Its glassy architecture draws on Icelandic natural forms, and you can enter the building without paying an admission fee. Parking is extra.

Hallgrimskirkja is close to central Reykjavik and Rainbow Street. The church itself is free to enter, while the tower requires a separate admission fee. The tower offers a 360-degree view of the city, so it is worth considering if you have enough time and the weather is clear.

The Blue Lagoon is suggested as an optional final stop. It is not included, and you book it yourself through the Blue Lagoon website. The suggested visit takes about two hours, including driving from Hallgrimskirkja. That timing makes it possible only if your flight and camper return schedule allow it.

You return the vehicle to CampEasy and use the free shuttle to Keflavík International Airport or a selected Keflavík hotel. The return transfer is a real convenience, especially if you have luggage and an early flight, but confirm the shuttle timing against your departure.

What the $1,125.85 price includes

At $1,125.85 per person, this is not a budget car rental. The value comes from bundling a campervan, campsite fees, airport transfer, equipment, Wi-Fi, an expert-planned route, the rye bread and Fontana visit, and the Katla ice cave activity.

You also get privacy. A conventional group tour may reduce driving stress, but it takes away the ability to pause at a waterfall or adjust your day. Here, you take on the driving while keeping a structured plan.

The price is less attractive if you already own camping equipment, prefer hotels, or want to choose every activity independently. Fuel is extra, and so are parking charges, food, drinks, electricity or other campsite services, personal accident insurance, and optional stops such as Fridheimar or the Blue Lagoon.

The zero-risk coverage is useful, but it does not replace personal accident insurance. The driver must be at least 20 and must show a valid international driving license suitable for the vehicle, held for at least 12 months at pickup.

Who should book this campervan adventure?

I would choose this experience if you want Iceland’s major southern sights but do not want to spend weeks planning the route. It suits couples, families, and small private groups who value their own space and can share driving duties.

It is also a strong choice for first-time campervan users. The equipment list is practical, and the positive feedback about heating, batteries, kitchen supplies, vehicle condition, and check-in gives useful reassurance. Staff support from people such as Lidia, Nicole, Natalia, Florentina, and Kamila adds confidence, though you should still arrive prepared to learn the vehicle’s systems.

I would hesitate if you dislike early starts, long driving days, fixed activity times, or changing weather. Five days is enough for a memorable sample of southern Iceland, but it does not leave much slack if roads or conditions slow you down.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at CampEasy Iceland, Selvík 5, 230 Keflavík. A free shuttle is available from Keflavík International Airport or one of 12 selected hotels in the Keflavík area.

Is airport pickup included?

Yes. CampEasy offers free pickup from Keflavík International Airport or a selected Keflavík hotel between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

What age must the driver be?

The driver must be at least 20 years old and must show a valid international driving license suitable for the vehicle. The license must have been valid for at least 12 months at pickup.

Are the Katla ice cave trip and Fontana visit included?

Yes. The four-hour Katla ice cave experience and the Laugarvatn Fontana visit, including the rye bread tour, are included.

Are fuel and parking included?

No. Fuel and parking fees are not included. Food, beverages, campsite electricity, personal accident insurance, traffic fines, and optional activities are also extra.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a private campervan, a firm five-day plan, and a concentrated look at Iceland’s most famous southern sights. The included ice cave trip, Fontana visit, airport transfers, campsite fees, Wi-Fi, and practical camper equipment give the price real substance.

Skip it if you want slow mornings, hotel comfort, or complete control over every stop. For the right driver, this is a smart way to see a huge amount of Iceland without giving up the freedom of the open road.