A tablet steers you across Iceland. This 7-day private campervan self-drive from Reykjavik to the south and west feels interesting because you’re not locked into a bus schedule, yet you still follow an organized route with the Easy Guide tablet and pre-booked highlights like lava caves and geothermal soaks. I also like that campsite overnight fees are included, so you can focus on the drive and the sights instead of scrambling to book sleep every day.

One thing to consider is that the trip is not truly all-in. Parking fees, a few optional paid entrances (like the Hallgrímskirkja tower and Kerið crater walk-up), and fuel are listed as not included, so your final budget can creep up a bit if you stop for everything you see.

Key things that make this Iceland campervan tour work

• Easy Guide tablet instead of paper maps, with an expert-made route that takes planning stress off your shoulders
• Campsite fees included, which helps keep the overnight routine simple even when weather changes plans
• Geothermal time built in, with multiple thermal stops like Krauma Spa and Laugarvatn Fontana
• A proper Vatnajökull ice cave day, reached by super jeep and then hiking to naturally changing ice
• Wild coasts plus big nature days, from Diamond Beach to Reynisfjara black sand and basalt cliffs
• Private format, so your group has the road and stops to itself

Is a private self-drive the best way to see Iceland south and west?

If you want Iceland to feel like it’s yours, this kind of tour makes sense. You’re doing a classic south and west sweep, but the self-drive setup keeps your pace from getting swallowed by group logistics. That matters in Iceland because daylight and weather can change fast. With your own campervan, you can slow down for photos, linger near a waterfall, or skip a stop if your energy is running low.

This itinerary also hits a good mix of “Iceland wow” and “Iceland learn.” You get geological highlights like basalt columns and tectonic viewpoints, plus iconic scenery such as Kirkjufellsfoss and the south coast waterfalls. Then you add geothermal soaking, which is one of the best low-effort ways to get a big reward after hours on the road.

Another practical upside is how much is already organized for you. Several activities are booked ahead, so you’re not trying to line up tickets while you’re already tired and hungry and dealing with icy parking lots. You still bring your own snacks and meals, but the backbone of the trip is set.

And yes, the tour is marketed as a Northern Lights adventure. While the schedule you’re given is about the south and west, the flexibility of staying at campsites and driving on your own route helps you try for aurora when skies allow. In the feedback I’ve seen, people even caught the lights multiple times during their week.

Campervan basics, Easy Guide tablet, and what’s actually included

The tour centers on a quality camper van plus the key planning tool, the Easy Guide tablet. That tablet is not just a nice extra. It’s how you navigate the day, follow the order of stops, and keep timing realistic. If you’re the type who hates paper maps, you’ll appreciate this right away.

The price includes extras such as Wi-Fi and gas for the van setup, plus zero-risk coverage and an expert-made itinerary. It also includes an airport transfer and campsites fees, which is a huge deal in Iceland because campground logistics can be surprisingly time-consuming when you’re arriving after a long flight.

What’s not included matters, so plan for it:

• Fuel for driving is listed as not included.
• Parking fees are not included.
• Electricity at campsites is excluded, so if you need to charge devices, plan for battery life or bring power banks.
• Some paid sights have extra fees, such as the Hallgrímskirkja tower option and Kerið crater walk-up.

One more detail that affects your comfort: you should have moderate physical fitness. Some days include walking on paths and steps, and the lava cave day includes descending underground. It’s not extreme hiking, but it’s not a sit-on-the-bus kind of trip either.

Day 1: Keflavík and Reykjavik, art, sea air, and a church view

You start with help getting moving. There’s a complimentary shuttle from Keflavík International Airport or from Keflavík town hotel accommodation to the office near the airport. That office is just a five-minute drive from the airport area, which helps a lot if your arrival timing is weird.

Once you’re in Reykjavik mode, the stops are low-stress and efficient, perfect for an arrival day:

• Sun Voyager by the sea gives you that classic Reykjavik shoreline moment with mountains in the background.
• Harpa Concert Hall is free to visit if you just want to see the building, but you’ll need to factor in a small parking fee if you drive there.
• Hallgrímskirkja is next. The church entry itself is free, and if you want the best city views, you can pay for the tower walk-up separately.

If you have time after these, there’s also an optional bird’s-eye view recommendation, FlyOver Iceland. It’s not included, but it’s a simple way to get acquainted with Iceland’s geography without committing to another full tour.

Day 2: Snæfellsnes basalt coast, Vatnshellir helmets, and Kirkjufellsfoss

This is your west coast storytelling day, the one with lots of “how is this real?” scenery. It starts with Gerðuberg basalt columns. The columns are symmetric and make a strong first impression, especially on a clear day when the ocean light is punchy.

Then you head through the Snæfellsnes peninsula vibe:

• Búðir and the black church area has that moody photographer energy, plus it’s close to a stretch where seals can appear.
• Arnarstapi gives you sea cliffs and an iconic eroded arch called Gatklettur or the Hole in the cliff.
• Vatnshellir lava cave is a real highlight and it’s included. You explore an 8,000-year-old lava tube 32 meters below ground. You get a helmet and headlight, and you descend via spiral stairs. It’s the kind of activity that breaks up the driving fatigue with something genuinely different.

After the cave, you get ocean history at Djúpalónssandur, a black pebble beach tied to old sailor selection and visible stones and records. Then there’s a crater walk at Saxhóll, where you climb down wooden steps to a 100 meter deep volcanic crater with sea and lava field views.

The day ends with Kirkjufellsfoss and the famous mountain Kirkjufell. If you’re chasing that classic Iceland photo composition, this is the stop that delivers.

Day 3: Waterfalls and the Krauma geothermal pools

Day 3 keeps the pace scenic, with waterfalls and geothermal that reward you even if you’ve been driving since morning.

You start at Súgandisey Island Light Beacon near Stykkishólmur. It’s a quick stop that adds charm, especially if you like coastal viewpoints.

Next are the western waterfalls:

• Hraunfossar trickling rivulets come through vegetation across a larger riverbed area, which makes it feel gentle rather than thunderous.
• Barnafoss is nearby and powers out of a lava opening, so it has a more volcanic feel.

Then you pivot into thermal country:

• Deildartunguhver is where you see Europe’s largest hot spring from a safe distance. You’ll notice the massive bubbling in water around 97°C and you can feel the heat from the steam.
• Krauma Spa finishes the day. This is included, and it’s set up with four pools fed by a steady geothermal flow. It’s described as not using chemicals to maintain water quality, which is a great selling point if you’re sensitive to strong odors in soaking pools.

This day is a nice balance. You get moving sights by day, then a real reset with the hot pools. If you’re trying to keep your energy for aurora nights later in the trip, this geothermal downtime helps.

Day 4: Golden Circle, then Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss

Today is all about famous Iceland names, but it’s paced so you’re not just collecting stamps.

You begin with Þingvellir National Park, the UNESCO World Heritage site where continental drift shaped the landscape. It’s not only a geology stop. It’s also an important historical and political location, which gives the scenery context.

Next comes Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths. This is included, and you soak with a panoramic view of the lake. It’s one of those spots where the setting does a lot of the work for you.

Then you hit classic geothermal:

• Geysir, with Strokkur shooting warm water up to around 15 meters. You also get fumaroles and mud pots nearby, so even without a perfectly timed eruption, the area stays interesting.

Gullfoss follows:

• Gullfoss waterfall is a deep chute waterfall, around 32 meters high, with spray and frequent rainbow chances when light and droplets line up.

There’s also a recommended add-on at Fridheimar Restaurant and Farm. It’s not included, but it’s described as geothermal powered and tomato focused. If you like farm visits, it can be a relaxing break in the middle of waterfall time.

Then come the south coast classics:

• Kerið crater has a small walk-up fee if you want to go up to the crater viewpoint, and that’s not included.
• Seljalandsfoss includes the pay-to-park note for the area, and you can walk behind the falls.
• Skógafoss closes the day strong, with loud spray, rainbow light, and the big impression of a robust waterfall fed by glacier melt.

Day 5: Fjaðrárgljúfur, Diamond Beach, and the Vatnajökull ice cave day

Day 5 is the day you stop thinking in terms of driving and start thinking in terms of wow.

You begin with Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, known for its curved shape and dramatic setting beside grazing grass. It’s also tied to pop culture trivia since it was used as a Justin Bieber music video location. Even if you don’t care about that, the canyon is visually strong on its own.

Then you reach Diamond Beach. This is one of the most unique textures Iceland offers. Black sand plus glacial ice chunks that sparkle in the right light gives you a surreal feeling, like the beach is scattered with broken crystals.

The big included activity here is a Glacier Hikes ice cave tour organized by Local Guide of Vatnajökull. The format is half-day. You drive to the glacial valley by super jeep, then hike to the mouth of a naturally occurring blue ice cave. The cave reforms as it melts every summer, so the experience can vary season to season. It’s also included, which saves you the headache of ticket juggling.

Practical tip: this is an active day. Even though it’s not described as a full marathon hike, plan to wear warm layers and treat it like a proper outdoor activity, not a quick stroll.

Day 6: Dyrhólaey, Reynisfjara, Icelandic Lava Show, and optional Skógar Museum

This day is about dramatic coastlines, then a safer, more playful volcanic experience.

Start with Dyrhólaey. It used to be an island, and you can see the rock promenade and a big hole in the middle where ships once sailed through. It’s also a top spot for birdlife, so if you like wildlife viewing, arrive with patience.

Next is Reynisfjara Beach, the black sand stretch under Reynisfjall cliffs. The basalt columns create that eerie, stacked look, and nearby are three distinctive basalt rock formations in the Atlantic. There’s also a classic Icelandic troll story attached to the rock shapes, which adds a bit of folklore flavor to the visit.

Then you go to Icelandic Lava Show in Vik. This is included, and it’s described as safe running hot lava flowing from a mimic volcanic eruption. It’s a nice change of pace after nature walking, and it keeps the lava theme going in a controlled setting.

If you want a cultural break after the show, there’s a recommendation for Skógar Museum, which is described as having a large collection and being part of Iceland’s cultural heritage. It’s not included, so you’d pay separately.

Day 7: Reykjanes tectonic plates, Gunnuhver steam, and final soak options

Your final day focuses on Reykjanes peninsula, where Iceland’s geology is on display in a more “industrial landscape” way than the river valleys and waterfalls you saw earlier.

First is Kleifarvatn Lake. It’s the largest lake on that peninsula and it’s described as almost 100 meters deep. The water feeds from porous lava ground, and the area has old moss over lava fields, plus fishing opportunities (especially for anglers).

Next you visit Gunnuhver Hot Springs. This geothermal area has steam vents and hot mud pools, plus mineral shaped landscapes and color changes. You also get the Reykjanes lighthouse in the background, so it’s a strong final geology set.

Then you stop at the Bridge Between Continents viewpoint, where you can stand between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.

Finally you return to CampEasy Iceland (CampEasy office area) for warm drinks and to check souvenirs. The tour includes a shuttle to Keflavík airport or your hotel if you request it.

If you have time before a flight, there’s also an optional suggestion to soak at Blue Lagoon. It’s not included, but it’s an easy “wrap the trip” option if your schedule allows.

Price and logistics, where the value really comes from

$1,511.93 per person is not pocket change. What makes it feel more reasonable is that the price includes the big-moving parts:

• A quality camper van
• The Easy Guide tablet and a planned route
• Booked activities (including several paid experiences across the week)
• Campsites fees overnight
• An airport transfer shuttle

You also get multiple geothermal and guided-style moments that are often the most time consuming to arrange yourself. The ice cave day is a good example, because it combines transportation by super jeep and an organized hike to a cave that changes.

Still, it’s smart to budget for the stuff that’s clearly listed as extra: parking fees, some paid entrances, and fuel. Electricity at campsites is excluded, so don’t plan on charging everything from campsite power. If you’re the type to eat out often, that’s also not included, since food and drinks are not part of the package.

If you want to keep this tour good value, decide your must-do paid entrances in advance. Choose whether you’ll pay for the Hallgrímskirkja tower and the Kerið crater walk-up. Then plan your driving budget for fuel and parking.

Should you book this 7-day Northern Lights style self-drive?

Book it if:

• You want freedom with a structured route, not a full-on itinerary puzzle.
• You like nature that ranges from iconic landmarks to geology you can actually understand a bit better.
• You want geothermal soaking built into the schedule, especially Krauma and the thermal bath day at Laugarvatn Fontana.
• You want at least one major activity that feels guided, like the Vatnajökull ice cave tour with a super jeep approach.

Skip or rethink it if:

• You’re looking for a totally all-in price with zero extras. Parking and a few entrances are not included, and fuel is not included.
• You get stressed when you have to manage your own timing. This is self-drive, so you are responsible for the pacing even if the tablet helps.

If your idea of Iceland is hot springs, black sand coasts, lava caves, and long views from a van you can park and enjoy, this is a strong match.

FAQ

Is this tour private?

Yes. It is listed as a private tour/activity, and only your group will participate.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at Selvík 5, 230 Keflavík, Iceland. It ends back at the same meeting point.

What is included in the price?

Included items are listed as quality camper van, zero-risk coverage, extras like gas and Wi-Fi, the Easy Guide tablet, an expert-made itinerary, booked activities, airport transfer, and campsite fees.

What is not included?

Not included items are listed as personal accident insurance unless driving or passenger, parking fees, traffic violation fines, electricity at the campsites, flights, fuel, food and beverages (except where a restaurant is included), and certain paid entrances such as the Hallgrímskirkja tower and Kerið crater.

How does airport pickup work?

There is a complimentary shuttle service from Keflavík International Airport or from hotel accommodation in Keflavík town to the office near the airport.

Are there age or height limits?

Yes. The minimum age for the driver participant(s) is 20. Some activities have a minimum age limit of 8 years. Some activities have a minimum height requirement of 102 cm (40″).

Do I need to be ready for paid parking and entrances?

Yes. Parking fees and some attractions’ entry fees are listed as not included. The itinerary also suggests optional activities that require you to book and pay separately.