Gems of the South West
Jan - May from £405
Sep - Dec from £-
This special offer is perfect for anyone who wants to visit Iceland in comfort and without breaking the bank. You will stay close to nature in a farmstead with Icelandic horses and you will have your own hire car to explore and discover the many gems of south west Iceland. This trip offers plenty of adventure and some fantastic horseback tours with comfortable accommodation at the cosy three-star Hotel Eldhestar – a real Mecca for equestrian enthusiasts. The hotel is located close to many of the country’s very best attractions. If you choose a four-night trip you will also have the chance to discover the Icelandic capital of Reykjavík.
Departures 2024/2025:
1st of Sep 2024 - 15th of May 2025; daily
We offer numerous direct and connecting flights. Please contact our sales team for inquiries.
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Day description
Welcome to Iceland!
Upon your arrival at Keflavík Airport, you will pick up your rental car, which is ready and waiting for you. Your adventure in Iceland begins with choosing between two options: visit the Sky Lagoon or head straight to the picturesque Hotel Eldhestar.
Sky Lagoon offers an oasis just a short drive from the airport for those seeking relaxation right after the flight. This geothermal spa stands out with its impressive 75-meter-long infinity pool, dramatically set among cliffs with fantastic views of the Atlantic. Here, you can rest your body and soul in 38°C warm, mineral-rich water while partaking in the relaxing 7-step ritual – an experience designed to maximize your well-being.
Alternatively, you can head straight to Hotel Eldhestar, where you will spend your first night in Iceland. The hotel is located in the village of Hveragerdi, just over an hour from the airport. Hveragerdi is known for its unique greenhouse cultivation, heated by the earth's internal power, providing a fascinating insight into how Icelandic innovation and nature go hand in hand.
Hotel Eldhestar is an eco-friendly hotel that offers guests a unique opportunity to experience the Icelandic landscape on horseback, with specialized tours for beginners and experienced riders
EXPLORE THE SOUTH COAST OR TAKE A HORSEBACK TOUR
Begin the day with a hearty, energising breakfast at the hotel. Today you have the choice between either exploring Iceland’s fantastic south coast by hire car or taking a horseback tour which is available as an add-on for this day. The various horseback tours you can choose from are listed further down this page. Or if you would prefer to explore the south coast then we suggest setting your sights on the town of Vík, which is located about 150 kilometres to the east.
Vík is the southernmost town of Iceland and well known for its striking surroundings and dramatic black lava beach – although perhaps the stops along the way make the trip a true highlight of any visit to Iceland. If you choose to visit Vík we recommend stopping at the beautiful Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls which are about 90 and 120 kilometres respectively from your cabin. Along the way you will also pass the Eyjafjallajökull Volcano and the Solheimajökull Glacier where you can take a guided tour over the tongue of the glacier which stretches down towards the coast. As you drive along you will have amazing views of black lava beaches and the wild ocean to your right and dramatic mountain peaks looming high above to your left.
Located just before Vík are the bird cliffs at Dyrhólaey. Here you can park your car and step out to enjoy an unbeatable view over the cliff formations, the black beach and the rough sea. The cliffs here are known for their rich bird life and many people come especially to see the puffins which nest in the area between May and August. If you choose to take a walk on the beach, take care not to go too close to the water. It is not uncommon for big sneaker waves to crash in and sweep away anybody who is standing too close. You will spend the night at Hotel Eldhestar.
DISCOVER THE GOLDEN CIRCLE OR HEAD OUT ON HORSEBACK
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you once more have the choice between taking a horseback tour or heading out in your hire car. The different horseback tours are listed further down the page. If you choose to explore Iceland on your own account then we recommend using today to take a trip around the world-famous Golden Circle. The Golden Circle consists of three classic stops: Thingvellir National Park, Geysir and Gullfoss.
Thingvellir National Park is an area of great historical significance. It is the site of the world’s first democratic parliament, the Althing, which was held by Icelanders all the way back in the year 900. The area is also of geological interest as it is right here that the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, resulting in a six-kilometre wide valley that is flanked by steep cliffs on either end.
Geysir is a world-famous geothermal area which is best known for its main attraction, Strokkur – a mighty geyser that erupts roughly every five to ten minutes. When Strokkur erupts it propels a 20 metre high cascade of water up into the air. Gullfoss is a majestic waterfall that is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful in all of Iceland. The fall begins where the River Hvítá plunges down into an almost 32-metre deep crevice. Today you will also have the option to add on a visit to the Secret Lagoon. This lagoon is a hot spring about 80 kilometres east of Reykjavík. It has showering facilities where you can freshen up and a bar where you can grab something to eat or drink. The water falls in two steps and visitors can get up close to the huge masses of water that come crashing down over its edge and into the ravine below.
Today you also have the option to visit the Secret Lagoon – a geothermally heated outdoor pool which is located 80 kilometres to the east of Reykjavík. When the day is over you will head back to Hotel Eldhestar for another night.
RETURN HOME (3N) OR DISCOVER REYKJAVÍK
Breakfast at the hotel. If you have chosen a three-night trip then today is the day you head home. Drive back to Keflavík Airport (drive time is around one hour) and leave off your hire car before catching your return flight to UK.
If you have opted for a four-night trip then today will be yours to explore Reykjavík at your own pace. It takes about one hour to drive to Reykjavík from your hotel and once there you will find a rainbow of possibilities. This package gives you the option to add on a whale watching tour that departs from Reykjavík. You will head out by boat and get to see and learn more about these mighty giants of the ocean.
Alternatively there is plenty to see and do in the city itself. The city is an old fishing town that has since exploded in colour and excitement on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. It is home to many first-class restaurants and brimming with culture, shopping and an incredible nightlife which surprises many with its abundance of energy. The city is practically built for exploring on foot with most things located within comfortable walking distance. But if you do end up wearing yourself out, the city offers no shortage of amazing spas where you can relax and recover from a day of adventure. In the evening you will drive back to Hotel Eldhestar for another night.
RETURN HOME (4N)
Breakfast at the hotel. Today is the day for those of you on a four-night trip to head home. Take the coastal route from Hveragerði to Keflavík Airport (drive time is around one hour) and leave off your hire car before catching your return flight to UK. Take care to make it back in good time. We hope the trip will have been everything you’ve dreamed of and that we’ll be seeing you again soon!
Rental cars
Hyundai i10
Toyota Yaris Sedan
Skoda Octavia Sedan
Skoda Octavia Station Wagon
Dacia Duster 4WD
Ford Galaxy
Toyota Land Cruiser GX 4WD
This hotel is soaked in rural charm and surrounded by dramatically vast expanses. The hotel’s name can be translated as Volcano Horses and so it will come as no surprise to find that equestrianism takes centre stage at this hotel. Beyond the fact that many guests come here specifically for the horses, which are kept right next to the hotel, even the walls are decorated with old pictures and texts that emphasise the important role that horses have played in Iceland over the centuries.
The interior has been inspired by colours and materials from Icelandic nature and culture. The hotel has also been built using environmentally friendly technologies, making it the first in Iceland to receive the prestigious 'Nordic Swan' eco-label. Its 44 rooms all have private entrances directly from the surrounding fields. Guests can enjoy top-quality beds and home comforts such as the TV and comfortable seating areas.
The hotel has a restaurant, a cosy bar and a common longue area with a roaring fireplace. Weather permitting, guests can even enjoy the fresh air on a terrace or in the hotel’s hot tub.
Optional riding tours
Here are some of the optional extras you can select for this particular trip. Take a closer look at the options you are most interested in and then add your selections when booking.