Hi - We are planning our first trip to Iceland at the end of August with our two teenage sons. I have been reading travel books and other people Itineraries and I think we are almost there! We don't mind moving around but I don't want to feel rushed. Also, we want to plan some adventure and activities for our teens. The two options I struggle with are if we should go north (do the ring road route) or take our time in south / southeast / southwest. Basically the main reason we'd head north is to do the whale watching in Husavik.....my kids would love to see a Humpback Whale!
So here's my sample plan with going north. Is it too ambitious? I have nine nights so where could I stay an extra night?Arrive around noon to Keflavik. Drive to Reykjavik….do some sightseeing, grab snacks.Night #1: Reykjavik area (could also drive down and spend night in Selfoss area instead but it may be looping back next day to do Golden Circle?)Next day do Pingvellier National Park, snorkel?, Stokkur hot springs, Geysir, Gullfoss, Fludir Night #2: Lake Laugarvadin / Fludir area
Next day do waterfalls in Seljalandsfoss & Skogafoss, see this plane crash site nearby, glacier hiking, east to cliff of Dyrholaey & black sands Reynistjara beach.
Night #3: stay in Vik area
Next day skaftafell national park, jokulsarlon, vatnajokull park…….maybe a glacier tour or boat tour in Jokulsarlon.
Night #4: stay in Hofn / Skaftafell area
Next day is a long drive to get north. Most tours have one more stop north east but not much of interest for us so thinking of driving all the way to Reykajahid area (just outside Myvatin area). It’s about a 5 hour drive so can stop for lunch and some views along way.
Night #5: Myvatin / Reykajahid area
Next day we can book whale watching out of Husavik area and also maybe check out geothermal springs at Myvatin. Now we’ll want to get back down to west but I think too long to drive all the way there so we’ll probably have to spend a night around Blonduos area.?
Night #6: Blonduos
Next day head down to Snafellsnes Penninsula. Horseback riding around this area, pools at Drangsnes, sightseeing in fishing villages
Night #7: Snafellsnes area (Arnarstapi?)
Next day I’d like to head over to Laugjokull glacier and do caving in Vidgelmir…..maybe these lava tube tour.
Night #8 & 9: Could spend another night in Snafellsnes area and final night in Reykjavik? Or perhaps another suggestion or where I could add a night along my route?

If we don’t do the north, I can’t quite figure out where to loop back around.

Night #1: Selfoss

Night #2: Fludir area

Night #3: Vik

Night #4: Hofn / Skatafell

Night #5 &6:……….this is the part where I don’t know how to loop back

Night #7 & 8: Snafellsnes area

Night #9: Reykajavik

Any help or suggestions to help me fill in the blanks would be greatly appreciated!! I know I am a bit late for planning a vacation in August so I have to start booking places soon!