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Iceland Ring Road Drive - Itinerary question?

Iceland Ring Road Drive - Itinerary question?

Old Mar 9th, 2007, 06:10 PM
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Iceland Ring Road Drive - Itinerary question?

We have made airline reservations for 11 days in Iceland in late August. We plan to book one of the self-drive (probably 2 wheel drive) tours of the Ring Road. Our flights limit us to one of the ten day/nine night options. One itinerary I've seen on several websites, circles clockwise, with stops in Rejkyavik, near Borgarfjodur, Akureyri, Myvatn (2 nights), Egilsstadir, Hofn, Kirkjubaejarklaustur, and back to Rejkyavik. Here, at long last, is my question. The tour operator says we can book an add-on day, since we have an extra day to play with. So I'm wondering: would we be better off spending the extra day in Rejkyavik (to see more of the city, or take a day trip)? Or should we spend an extra night en route? We are interested in taking the boat tour of the glacial lagoon, hiking on the glacier, and maybe booking a snowmobile ride. Are the two nights we already have in the southeast (Hofn, Kirkjubaejarklaustur) enough? If we booked an extra night in the southeast, would you suggest Skaftafell Park or Kirkjubaejarklaustur (maybe bus tour to Laki craters?) Or would you recommend another overnight in a completely different region? Thanks!
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Old Mar 10th, 2007, 03:41 PM
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jcnyc,

It is virtually impossible to answer that question sensibly without knowing what interests you. I can pass a few opinions based on a recent visit with our own car from UK where we spent a couple of weeks going slowly in the eastern half of the country. So looking at the route between Akureyri and Kirkjbæjarklaustur the following comments spring to mind.

We found Myvatn a little disappointing, although the Krafla area is fascinating. You don't say if you are going to Jökulsárgljúfur National Park in the NE where you will find Dettifoss - worth a visit as well as the gorge.

Egilsstadir, though not very interesting in itself, has very good country round it. The roads over the mountains to Bakkagerdi (Borgafjödur Eystri on some maps) and Vopnafjördur are well worth the effort. Highway 910 is now paved and accessible to 2WD and this gives very easy access into the interior (despite the disgraceful construction project up there). The coast road round the fjords to the south towards Höfn is beautiful.

We weren't as impressed by the glacial lagoon at Jökulsárlón as we thought we might be. We found Skaftafell superb, but then we like walking, and can highly recommend the simple but superbly located Bölti Farm Guest House there.

There are a number of museums, churches etc tucked away but well worth exploring if you like that sort of thing.

This may be of interest: http://homepage.mac.com/wasleys/faroe_iceland_mw/

Michael
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Old Mar 10th, 2007, 06:04 PM
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Dear Michael,
Thank you for your reply, and the link to your trip site. I'm enjoying your photographs, and the journal of your itinerary.
Glaciers are one thing we don't see closer to home, so I'm thinking of adding our extra night at Skaftafell, so we can go on some of the hikes you describe.
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Old Mar 19th, 2007, 12:02 PM
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We drove around Iceland on our own last July, camping and staying in hotels a few nights. I agree with what Michael wrote, and would especially second Skaftafell. We camped and hiked in Skaftafell and it was one of our most memorable hikes. The scenary is just beautiful and the hike breathtaking.

Have fun!
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Old Mar 27th, 2007, 06:57 AM
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I'm doing a similar trip in late May, 10 days. Do people usually go one way or the other (clockwise/counter?)

Also we're camping most nights, any recommendations for don't-miss spots?

And we are also doing 2-wheel drive. Is there ANY way to get close to Landmannalaugar? Is it worth it to try?

Will things be green in May?
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Old Mar 27th, 2007, 07:41 AM
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I think most people go clockwise. I did see a reason once but have forgotten it! Certainly the road atlas we had was organised for clockwise - going the other way (we only did halfway so went both ways) meant finding pages was unituitive.

I think greenery in May depends on where you are, what time in May, and what the weather's been like (2006 saw a vicious snowstorm in the northwest during late May). In early June last year some places were quite green, others still wintery.

Michael
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