ricecake

Sorry in advance if this confuses any of you.

Preface:
I am planning a group of friends trip to Iceland for September of next year.
Three out of 6 people are fully committed. Out of this three, we don't mind taking a bit more rushed vacation, which means we would like to do the Ring Road
The other 3 people cannot commit a year out but would like to go and are sincerely interested in going. However, out of the non-committed, the husband and wife couple prefer a more relaxed pace, and they also have less vacation days they can use, which means the Ring Road would be out.
All of us like to sight see, do some light hiking, and hopefully catch the Northern Lights.

As a result, I designed two different routes - one that includes the currently non-committed which focuses on the South and the West part of Iceland, and one, if they cannot join us, a longer trip around the Ring Road. We really would like everyone to join, hence the extra effort in designing two different itineraries.

Everywhere I have read, accommodations in Iceland can be very slim pickings, and I like to have everything planned well in advance. I want to make sure there are places for us to stay, regardless of which trip we end up going on, and if I need to modify them later, I can. Due to this limitation, it is the reason why I would love it if someone could help me out with these two itineraries so I can book accommodations or modify the ones I have already made.

Itinerary One (Shorter but More Leisurely Pace):

Day 1 - Arrive and stay at Reykjavik
Day 2 - Head to Borgarnes, explore the area and stay overnight
Day 3 - Head to Snaefellsus Peninsula, drive down to Hella, stay overnight
Day 4 - Overnight in Vik
Day 5 - Overnight in Vik
Day 6 - Explore the Skaftafell National Park, do a short hike, Overnight in Skaftafell
Day 7 - Explore the jokulsarlon Lagoon, stay in Fjall (or similar)
Day 8 - Drive to Reykjavik, explore the area
Day 9 - Fly out of Reykjavik

Quick Questions: Should we drive directly to Borgarnes? Is any part too rushed or not well paced?

Itinerary Two (Around the Ring Road):

Day 0: Leave from airport
Day 1: Arrive in Reykjavik, drive directly to Hvergerdi
Day 2: Explore Golden Circle, Stay in Vik
Day 3: Explore the area around Vik, Stay in Hof
Day 4: Explore Skaftafell area, drive to glacier lagoon, Stay in Hofn
Day 5: Stay in Myvatn
Day 6: Stay in Myvatn
Day 7: Stay in Akureyi (Any recommendations of where to stay?)
Day 8: Stay in Stykkisholmur
Day 9: Explore the Snaefellsnes peninsula, Stay in Hellnar
Day 10: Stay in Reykjavik
Day 11: Fly home

Q- Is the drive from Hellnar to Reykjavik too long? What about from Hvergerdi to Vik?

Many thanks in advance! I'm starting to lose my head

ricecake

Sorry, my question regarding Borgarnes meant to ask if I should drive directly to Borgarnes from the airport without staying in Reykjavik over night on the first day.

abram

We drove to Borgarnes our 1st day. It's an easy drive, less than 2 hours on good highway.
I recommend the 3 bedroom house we rented via AirBnB. It's called "Beautiful Home" and it really is. Fabulous views, private hot tub, nicely equipped.
We're in Iceland now for 24 days and ate renting houses or apartments in most places via AirBnB and booking.com.
Love having more space than a hotel room, as well as a kitchen and living room.

abram

Forgot to say that we toured the Snaefellnes Peninsula easily from Borgarnes.

ricecake

Ah, thank you so much for your responses abram!

lchin

We just completed a drive around the ring road similar to your second itinerary. My blog is www.talkingchin.blogspot.com
We rented a camper van for 2 weeks. We did not find much in Vik to see. The rest looks great the way you have it.

ricecake

Hi lchin - would you recommend not staying in Vik then, should I stay closer to the Golden Circle on Day 2 so I can explore there? Where would you suggest my time better spent on Day 2 and Day 3?

Thanks for your input and wow, I love the detailed pictures from your blog - like of the roads and the tunnels.

live42day

We stayed in Dyrholaey for two nights. The first night was just after a day of exploring Seljalandsfoss, Kerio crater and the beautiful scenery on the way. The next day we headed east to see the glacier but the weather was so bad we gave up just before there. We did stop at Nuppsstadur farm and church however which was amazing.
The next day we explored Dryholaey and the other beach. The weather changed to gorgeous. We did go through Vik but did not stop.
We were there last September.

My blog is
http://debbeanddougstravels.travellerspoint.com/38/