9–10 Days Around Iceland in Winter
A slower private Ring Road journey — with more time for glaciers, winter experiences, geothermal bathing, the Northern Lights and the places that deserve more than a quick stop.
Land in Iceland. From there, I take care of the journey.
The longer winter journey follows the same circle around Iceland but creates more space for the glacier region, winter activities, weather flexibility and the smaller places that are often lost when the Ring Road is compressed into a shorter schedule.
Winter makes Iceland more dramatic — and less predictable. The route is planned carefully, but exact roads, stops and overnight choices remain flexible around weather, road conditions and daylight. We follow Iceland rather than fight it.
More time. Less rushing. A stronger winter journey.
The 10-day framework below shows the fullest version. A 9-day journey follows the same circle but combines parts of the final western section according to flights, conditions and priorities.
Golden Circle
Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss and smaller stops along the way. With more time than the shorter Ring Road journey, the day can move at a more relaxed pace and leave room for additional experiences when they fit naturally.
South Coast → Vík
Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, black beaches and the dramatic southern coastline. Depending on daylight and conditions, we can add smaller stops or an Icelandic horse experience without turning the day into a race.
Vík → Glacier Country
Fjaðrárgljúfur, the vast lava fields east of Vík and the landscapes beneath Vatnajökull. This is where the slower itinerary begins to create room for glacier activities rather than squeezing everything into one day.
Glacier Experience, Jökulsárlón & Höfn
A dedicated day for the glacier region. Depending on season, conditions and availability, this can include a glacier hike or natural ice-cave experience, together with Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach and Fjallsárlón before continuing toward Höfn.
Höfn → Egilsstaðir — the East Fjords
Vestrahorn, the East Fjords, fishing villages, remote winter roads and the possibility of seeing reindeer. More time means we do not need to treat the east simply as a transfer day.
East Iceland → Mývatn
We travel into the volcanic northeast. Stuðlagil and Dettifoss are included when winter access is appropriate, before entering the unusual geothermal and volcanic landscapes around Mývatn.
Mývatn → North Iceland
Explore Mývatn before continuing west via Goðafoss and Akureyri. A geothermal bath can be built into this part of the journey when it fits the day.
North Iceland → West
Travel through Tröllaskagi, Siglufjörður or the northwestern countryside according to the route and conditions. This is a good day for smaller stops, photography and spontaneous discoveries.
West Iceland
Use the extra day to explore West Iceland more properly rather than simply driving through it. Depending on the route, this can include Borgarfjörður, Snæfellsnes or another western area that fits the weather and your interests.
Reykjavík, geothermal stop & departure
The final day is shaped around your flight time. Depending on timing, it can include Reykjavík, a geothermal bathing experience such as the Blue Lagoon or another final stop before the private transfer to Keflavík Airport. On a 9-day version, this final section is combined with the previous day.
A winter journey with room for experiences, not just mileage.
The longer journey is designed for travellers who want the full circle but do not want every day dominated by getting to the next hotel.
Ice cave or glacier hike
The slower 9–10 day structure gives us room to make a serious glacier experience part of the journey rather than an afterthought.
Northern Lights flexibility
More nights around Iceland mean more opportunities to react when cloud cover, aurora activity and local conditions line up.
Geothermal bathing
Build in a geothermal bath in the north, west or near the end of the journey without sacrificing the main route.
Icelandic horses
A riding experience can be added where it fits naturally, or we stop along the road when Iceland gives us the opportunity.
Wild Iceland
East Iceland can bring reindeer, remote winter coastlines and quieter landscapes that reward taking more time.
Human pace
Extra time means less rushing, more flexibility and more room for photography, weather, meals and the stops that are impossible to schedule months in advance.
A fixed destination. A flexible route.
Winter can give us clear roads, deep snow, wind, calm sunshine, storms and changing conditions in the same journey. The aim is to complete the circle around Iceland, but I adapt the route whenever weather or road conditions make another choice better.
The advantage of travelling privately is that we can make those decisions intelligently as the journey unfolds rather than forcing Iceland into a fixed timetable.
Iceland with someone who knows the road.
I’m Bijo, an Icelandic licensed guide and the founder of Iceland by Guide. I have spent the last 15 years travelling Iceland with guests from around the world.
On a private multi-day journey, my job is not simply to drive you from attraction to attraction. I plan the route, read the conditions, tell you the stories behind the landscape, find the smaller stops, help with photography and adapt each day to what is actually happening around us.
For these eight days, Iceland is our itinerary — not a bus timetable.
Private from arrival to departure.
- Private Icelandic guide throughout the touring journey
- Private vehicle for the two of you
- Airport pickup and return when included in the final route
- Fuel, standard parking and route planning
- Comfortable accommodation selected as part of the final quotation
- Breakfast where included by the hotel
- Daily route adapted to weather, roads and your interests
- Planning and booking coordination for agreed activities
9–10 days around Iceland · Private Winter Journey
International flights to and from Iceland are not included.
9–10 Days Around Iceland in Winter — built privately around the two of you.
Once your flights are selected, I use the arrival and departure times to finalize the overnight stops, hotels, activities and exact day-by-day journey. The 9-day version compresses parts of the final western section; the 10-day version gives us the fullest amount of flexibility.
Continue with this journey →