7-Day Self-Drive Private Tour Northern Lights Adventure – Iceland South & West

Iceland’s South and West are made for a road trip, and this seven-day plan packs in black beaches, lava fields, steaming ground, huge waterfalls, and a blue ice cave. You drive your own campervan, sleep at campsites, and use an Easy Guide tablet instead of juggling paper maps.

I like the freedom of a private self-drive trip, and I like that the campsite fees, booked activities, airport transfer, Wi-Fi, gas, and camper equipment are included. CampEasy’s support is another strength, with customers praising staff members including Natalia, Íris, Nicole, Kamila, and Razvan for quick help before and during the trip.

The trade-off is a busy schedule. You cover a lot of Iceland in seven days, and fuel, food, parking, electricity, and optional stops cost extra. You also need to be comfortable driving and keeping an eye on timing.

Key points at a glance

• A campervan road trip with a ready-made route: You get the independence of driving yourself without spending weeks building a schedule.
• A real blue ice-cave outing: A super jeep carries you toward Vatnajökull, followed by a hike to a naturally formed cave.
• Three geothermal bathing stops: Krauma and Laugarvatn Fontana are included, while the Blue Lagoon is an optional extra.
• A useful Easy Guide tablet: Directions and trip information travel with you in the van, a welcome aid when roads and place names become hard to track.
• Campsite fees are covered: This removes one recurring expense, though electricity and other campsite services are not included.
• The northern lights are a possibility, not a scheduled event: The route gives you nights away from Reykjavík, but no sighting is guaranteed.

What this Iceland campervan trip really offers

At $1,511.93 per person, this is not simply a van rental. It combines a camper, a seven-day route, campsite fees, airport transport, several paid attractions, and a major glacier activity.

That package can be good value if you plan to use the included stops. A separate camper rental would still leave you arranging campsites, finding the best order for the sights, and booking the ice cave, Lava Show, and geothermal baths yourself.

You do not receive a private chauffeur or a personal guide. You drive, choose your own food, manage your daily pace, and make decisions when conditions change. In return, only your group participates, and you can stop for a view, a café, or a walk without waiting for a large coach.

The route is called a Northern Lights adventure, but the northern lights are not an activity with a fixed start time. They depend on natural conditions, so think of this as a strong Iceland road trip that gives you chances to look for them after dark.

Day 1: Keflavík pickup and an easy Reykjavík introduction

Your trip begins at CampEasy’s office at Selvík 5 in Keflavík, about five minutes from Keflavík International Airport. A complimentary shuttle can collect you at the airport or from accommodation in Keflavík town.

The airport transfer is genuinely useful. Taxis in Iceland can be expensive, and the shuttle keeps your first connection simple. Late arrivals can also use self-service pickup, though you should read the instructions carefully and allow enough time to inspect the vehicle and understand its equipment.

Once you reach Reykjavík, begin with the Sun Voyager, Jón Gunnar Árnason’s steel sculpture beside the sea. Its message of hope and freedom fits the open-road mood, and the mountains behind it give you a quick sense of Iceland’s scale.

Harpa Concert Hall is nearby. You can enter the building without paying an admission fee, but parking costs extra. The same applies to Hallgrímskirkja: the church itself is free, while the tower requires a separate ticket, listed at about $9.20 for adults and $2 for children aged 7 to 16.

If you arrive early, FlyOver Iceland is suggested as an optional activity. It takes about an hour and a half including driving from Hallgrímskirkja, and you book and pay for it yourself. I would treat it as a bonus, not a must, since the following days already contain plenty of scheduled stops.

Day 2: Snæfellsnes brings lava, cliffs, and a famous mountain

Day two heads around the Snæfellsnes peninsula. The route starts at Gerðuberg, where geometric basalt columns rise as high as 14 meters. Allow 90 minutes for a proper look, since the appeal is in the repeated shapes and the scale of the cliff rather than a single viewpoint.

Búðakirkja, the small black church at Búðir, makes a sharp contrast with the pale sky and surrounding lava country. It is a short, photogenic stop, and seals are sometimes seen in the sea near the Búðir hotel.

At Arnarstapi, walk toward the coastal rock formations and Gatklettur, the arch cut into the stone by erosion. The sea here can feel powerful even during a brief visit, so stay aware of the edge and changing conditions.

The day’s booked activity is a guided visit to Vatnshellir, an 8,000-year-old lava tube 32 meters below the surface. You wear a helmet and headlamp, then descend by spiral stairs into the cave. This is more active than simply looking at a waterfall, and the minimum age for some activities is eight.

Djúpalónssandur is a black pebble beach tied to the working life of Icelandic sailors. The lifting stones once tested strength, and the rusty remains of a shipwreck add a stark reminder that this coast is not decorative scenery alone.

Saxhóll Crater finishes the volcanic part of the day. Wooden steps take you toward the top of the roughly 100-meter crater, with views over lava fields and the sea. Then comes Kirkjufellsfoss, paired with the distinctive Kirkjufell mountain. This is one of Iceland’s best-known views, but its fame also means you should expect a popular photo stop rather than a quiet secret.

Day 3: Waterfalls, hot springs, and Krauma

Stykkishólmur gives you a slower start. Walk out toward Súgandisey Island and its lighthouse for views over the harbor and coast. The village is known for fish dishes, though meals are not included in the tour price.

Next come Hraunfossar and Barnafoss. Hraunfossar is unusual because water appears in many small streams through the vegetation along the riverbed. Nearby Barnafoss is faster and more forceful, bursting through a lava opening. The suggested two and a half hours at Hraunfossar gives you time to see both without rushing.

Deildartunguhver is Europe’s largest hot spring. Its water reaches about 97 degrees Celsius, so you view it from a safe distance rather than treat it as a bath. The bubbles, steam, and heat make this a short but memorable stop.

Krauma, next to the spring, is one of the trip’s included bathing experiences. Its four pools use a constant flow of natural geothermal water, and the facility does not use chemicals to maintain the water quality. Two hours here helps balance the driving and walking, though you should bring what you need for changing and bathing.

Day 4: The Golden Circle with two geothermal baths

Þingvellir National Park brings together geology and Icelandic political history. The park sits where continental plates pull apart, and it includes the Silfra Fissure and Öxará waterfall. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Parking is not included, even though entry to the park is free. This is a small charge, but parking costs add up across a week, so keep a card or payment method ready.

At 11:30 a.m., you are scheduled for Laugarvatn Fontana. The warm pools overlook the lake, giving you another chance to rest before the day’s major sights. Since Krauma and Fontana are both included, the package has unusual value for anyone who wants geothermal bathing without adding several separate bookings.

Geysir’s geothermal area is an easy win. Strokkur sends hot water up to about 15 meters, while fumaroles, mud pots, and steaming openings show that the ground below is still active. Stay on marked paths and wait for the next eruption rather than trying to predict the exact moment.

Gullfoss is the day’s biggest waterfall, dropping 32 meters into a deep gorge. Spray can fill the air, and rainbows appear when sunlight catches the water. Sensible footwear matters here, especially when the ground is wet or icy.

Kerið Crater adds a red-toned volcanic bowl with a lake at its center. Entry costs about $3 and is not included. Fridheimar tomato farm and restaurant is another optional stop, using geothermal energy and biological pest control, but it requires advance booking and about 90 minutes including driving from Gullfoss.

The day ends with Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. At Seljalandsfoss, you can walk behind the 60-meter waterfall, although spray and slippery ground are part of the deal. Skógafoss is louder and broader, with frequent water spray and rainbows. This is a full day, so resist the urge to add too many optional detours.

Day 5: Canyon, ice, and a super-jeep cave trip

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon curves through the south coast with steep rock walls and a cold river below. Two hours allows time for the marked viewpoints and a walk. The canyon also appeared in a Justin Bieber music video, a small piece of modern pop culture attached to an otherwise ancient setting.

Diamond Beach is one of the trip’s most memorable stops. Ice blocks from the glacier wash onto the black sand, where they glint like scattered glass. The size and shape of the ice changes, so the beach is not the same from one visit to the next.

The main event is the half-day ice-cave tour organized by Local Guide of Vatnajökull. You ride a super jeep into the glacial valley, then hike to a naturally formed blue ice cave. Because the cave reforms as summer melting changes it, each season brings a different interior.

This activity makes the package more than a standard road trip. It does require a moderate level of fitness, and you should arrive at paid activity meeting points 20 minutes early. The minimum height for some activities is 102 centimeters, so check your group before booking.

Day 6: South-coast drama and hot lava in Vík

Dyrhólaey is a 120-meter rock formation with a large opening through it. Once an island, it now offers views over the coast and is home to many bird species. The site is exposed, so your visit may feel very different depending on wind and weather.

Reynisfjara is famous for its black sand, basalt columns, and three sea stacks offshore. Local stories describe the stacks as trolls caught by daylight. The beach is beautiful, but the Atlantic is powerful, and you should keep well back from the water.

In Vík, the Icelandic Lava Show lets you watch real hot lava flow safely in a controlled presentation that mimics a volcanic eruption. It is a smart addition to a route already filled with old lava fields and geothermal sites because it gives you a close look at volcanic heat rather than only a distant view.

The Skógar Museum is optional. Its collection includes 15,000 artifacts across three museums and six buildings, offering context about Icelandic life. It takes about 90 minutes including driving from the Lava Show, so include it only if your group wants culture as well as scenery.

Day 7: Reykjanes before the airport

The final day explores the Reykjanes peninsula. Kleifarvatn is the area’s largest lake and nearly 100 meters deep. Moss-covered lava surrounds parts of the water, and the simple setting gives you a quiet change from the more famous south-coast stops.

Gunnuhver brings you back to steam vents and hot mud pools. Minerals color the ground, with the Reykjanes lighthouse visible in the distance. Next, the Bridge Between Continents offers a symbolic crossing between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

The Blue Lagoon is suggested as an optional final bath. It is not included, and you must reserve it directly. The detour from Kleifarvatn takes about two and a half hours including driving, so only add it if your departure schedule allows plenty of room.

Return the campervan to CampEasy, where warm drinks and a final stop for souvenirs are available. The shuttle can then take you to Keflavík Airport or a hotel in Keflavík if requested.

Campervan comfort, equipment, and daily effort

The included vehicle is described as a quality campervan with bedding, cookware, a small gas stove, fridge, sink, heating, Wi-Fi, and other extras. This matters because you are not merely sleeping in a vehicle with an empty cargo area. You can prepare simple meals and keep the trip more flexible.

The campervan is also your transport, bedroom, kitchen, and storage space for a week. Space may feel tight for a larger group, and the route is demanding. One account describes five friends using a Ford Transit and suggests that a 4×4 is unnecessary if you are not crossing rivers. That is useful advice, but vehicle choice should still match the season, road conditions, and your own comfort behind the wheel.

The Easy Guide tablet is one of the most practical inclusions. It replaces paper maps with directions and trip information in the van, and self-service instructions are also provided through the tablet. CampEasy’s staff have been praised for answering questions quickly, with Natalia, Íris, Nicole, Kamila, and Razvan all singled out in customer communications.

Campsite fees are included, but fuel is not. You also pay for electricity and other campsite services, food, drinks, parking, flights, traffic fines, personal accident insurance, and optional activities. Those extras should be part of your real budget.

Who should book this seven-day adventure?

I would choose this trip if you want independence but do not want to plan every road, stop, campsite, and activity yourself. It suits couples, families who meet the age and height rules, and friend groups comfortable sharing a campervan.

It is less suitable if you want long, lazy mornings, luxury hotel rooms, or a fully guided experience. The schedule moves quickly, and you must drive, cook or organize meals, watch the clock for booked activities, and handle the normal work of a road trip.

The physical requirements are moderate. The lava cave, crater steps, coastal walks, and ice-cave outing all call for sensible shoes and steady movement. Drivers must be at least 20 years old.

Should you book it?

Book it if the included campervan setup, campsites, geothermal baths, Lava Show, Vatnshellir visit, and ice-cave trip add up to what you would otherwise arrange separately. The route covers a remarkable amount of Iceland without forcing you into a bus group, and the support system is a strong part of the value.

Think twice if your budget cannot absorb fuel, food, parking, and optional admissions, or if seven days of driving sounds tiring. For an active first visit, though, this is a well-packed way to see Iceland’s south and west while keeping control of your own day.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts at CampEasy, Selvík 5, 230 Keflavík, Iceland. It ends back at the same meeting point, with shuttle service available to Keflavík Airport or a Keflavík hotel if requested.

Is airport pickup included?

Yes. A complimentary shuttle is offered from Keflavík International Airport or accommodation in Keflavík town to the CampEasy office, about five minutes from the airport.

What is included in the price?

The package includes a quality campervan, zero-risk coverage, extras such as gas and Wi-Fi, an Easy Guide tablet, a prepared route, booked activities, airport transfer, and campsite fees.

Is fuel included?

No. Fuel is excluded, along with food and beverages, flights, parking fees, traffic fines, campsite electricity, and optional activities selected by you.

Are the geothermal baths included?

Krauma and Laugarvatn Fontana are included. The Blue Lagoon is only a recommendation and requires a separate booking and payment.

Is the ice-cave tour included?

Yes. The half-day Ice Cave Tour with Local Guide of Vatnajökull is included. It uses a super jeep to reach the glacial valley, followed by a hike to a naturally formed blue ice cave.

How old must the driver be?

The driver participant must be at least 20 years old. Some activities also have a minimum age of eight, and some have a minimum height requirement of 102 centimeters.

Can I cancel for a full 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.