Dear Fodorites

My husband and I (in our late 30s) are planning a 15 days trip to Iceland somewhere around 16th April 2019 on a self drive basis. Based on my research I have drawn the following itinerary. Please advise if this is doable or if I need to make any changes keeping in mind weather and road conditions.

I understand that the chances of sighting the Northern Lights are almost nil but is there any place that I include that could have even the slightest of chance of sighting the Lights?

Tentative itinerary

Day 1 : Land at Keflavik airport around evening
Night 1 - near Keflavik ariport


Day 2
> Pingvellir National Park
> Strokkur Geysir
Night 2 - Strokkur Geysir

Day 3-4
>Gulfoss falls
>Kerid
>Hveragrdi
>Seljalansfoss
>Glgufurarbui.
>Skogarfoss.
>Solheimajokull.
>Myrdalsjokull.
>Dyrholaey
>Reynisfjara beach
Night 3 & 4 - Reynisfjara Beach. Should I stay both nights at Reynisfjara beach and travel around from there or should I stay Night 3 somewhere in the middle?

Day 5
>Fjadrarglgufur
>Systrafoss/Systravatn.
>Svartifoss.
>Fjallsarlon
>Jokulsarlon
Amphibian boat tour @ 5:20 pm.
> Sudursveit
Night 5 - Sudursveit

Day 6 - Hofn
Night 6 - Egilsstadir

Day 7
>Seydisfjordur
>Borgarfjordur Estri
Night 7- Egilsstadir

Day 8
>Dettifoss
>Hverfjall
>Viti crater
>Hverarond
>Dimmuborgir
>Skútustaðir....
>Godafoss

Night 8 - Godafoss.

Day 9
Hauganes via Siglufjordur
Night 9 - Hauganes

Day 10
>Trollaskagi.
>Arctic Adventures Whale watching.
Night 10 - Hauganes

Day 11 - Varmahlid
Night 11 - Varmahlid

Day 12-13 Stykkisholmur
Night 12-13 Stykkisholmur
Please advise what all can be covered here

Day 14 - Keflavik
Night 14-15 - Keflavik

Day 15 - Blue Lagoon
Reykjanes peninsula

Day 16 - Fly back home

Would be interested in doing hikes and glacial activities. Please advise which places would be the best for these.

Would really appreciate your expert comments on the above. Also kindly advise decent accommodations around Eur 100 per night basis.

My apologies if I have misspelt any of the places.

Thanks in advance

Shveta

Hello! It looks like you haven't gotten much of a response but I think your overall plan is good. We did a very similar trip in September of 2017 in 14 days. Here's my two cents: I 100% recommend Seydisfjordur over Egilsstadir. We had 1 overnight in both and STRONGLY prefer Seydisfjordur. It is a beautiful drive between the two and S. is an amazing little town with a pretty harbor, waterfalls, ample hiking, and a decent restaurant or two. It is a walkable town so you can park your car and explore on foot for the most part. It was probably our favorite overnight stop of the whole trip. I also highly recommend the Myvatn Nature baths when you are in that area. We went in the evening after dinner and watched the sunset from the steaming water. It is one of my best travel experiences to date. A couple other things we liked - Stokknes peninsula in the Hofn area, the whole east fjords area, and stopping at just random, unmarked waterfalls on the side of the road. Some of these "surprise waterfalls" were better than the big ones we knew about. One last thing, I don't think I'd spend the night in Keflavik, I know you're probably doing it for ease and convenience in getting to the airport but I'd rather spend the night in Reykjavik and just drive to the Blue Lagoon the next day (or shuttle if you've returned your rental in Reykjavik). There's not a lot in Keflavik other than just a place to sleep. In Reykjavik, you can get a nice meal, stroll around the town, check out the big church if you haven't already, do any last minute souvenier shopping etc. You can still get to the airport or Blue Lagoon easily from there then the next morning.

Are you travelling by car or campervan? Campervan is really popular in Iceland and allows you not to book accomodation. If not, I would try to book my accommodation as soon as possible. I'm sure you are well aware of this but most things are pretty expensive in Iceland. Expect to pay 12-14 USD for a glass of beer or wine with dinner. But also be prepared for some of the best scenery you've ever seen!

I'm sorry for the double response but I just noticed you have two nights in Stykkisholmur. I would keep the first night there and then make the second night (night 13) on the other side of the Snaefellsnes. Consider Hellnar or Arnarstapi (Arnarstapi is tiny, tiny, tiny but so charming). This allows you to drive and sitesee around the peninsula on your way back toward Reykjavik/Keflavik. Otherwise, you'd probably have to backtrack after siteseeing to get back to Stykkisholmur.

Thanks db for your inputs. Would modify my itinerary to incorporate the changes you suggested.

Thanks again and a very happy new year!

No problem and happy new year to you too!! Let me know if you have any other questions, I love talking about Iceland!

Hi db! Would be really grateful if you could advise me on how best to spend the 2 days in the west peninsula i.e., day 12 and 13.

Thanks and regards