5 Days Self-Drive Tour with Pick Up – Northern Lights Adventure Camper´ Break

Iceland’s best road scenery arrives in a steady stream on this five-day camper break: steaming Reykjanes, the Golden Circle, black beaches, waterfalls, a Katla ice cave, and icebergs floating in Jökulsárlón. You get a planned route without surrendering your privacy, plus a camper van that lets you stop when the view wins the argument.

I like the included airport shuttle, which removes an awkward first step after landing, and I like the practical extras: Wi-Fi, campsite fees, a guide tablet, kitchen gear, bedding, and booked activities. The vans have also earned strong praise for clean interiors, reliable heating, safe handling on snow and ice, and smooth check-in with staff such as Lidia, Natalia, Florentina, Nicole, and Kamila.

The main caution is pace. Five days is short for this much of Iceland, and Day 2 and Day 3 are full. Parking charges, fuel, meals, and optional stops cost extra, while the northern lights are not guaranteed or presented as a dedicated evening hunt.

Key points to know before you book

• A private road trip with a ready-made plan: You drive your own camper van, but the route and major activities are arranged for you.
• Pickup begins near Keflavík: A free shuttle runs from Keflavík International Airport or one of 12 selected hotels in the Keflavík area.
• The Katla ice cave is the big-ticket adventure: A four-hour super-jeep outing from Vík is included on Day 3.
• CampEasy supplies matter in Iceland: Wi-Fi, a guide tablet, kitchen equipment, bedding, heating, campsite fees, gas, and zero-risk coverage are included.
• You pay separately for several everyday costs: Fuel, parking, food, electricity at campsites, personal accident insurance, and optional activities are not included.
• The route favors scenery over long city stays: You see a great deal of the south, but Reykjavik receives only a short final visit.

What this five-day camper trip is really like

This is not a conventional coach tour. You collect a camper van at CampEasy’s office at Selvík 5 in Keflavík, receive the equipment and route information, then set off with only your group inside the vehicle. You have the comfort of a prepared itinerary, but the freedom to manage your own stops and evenings.

That balance is the main reason to consider it. You do not need to research every waterfall, campsite, or paid excursion before arrival. At the same time, you are responsible for driving, timing, fuel, parking, and staying alert to Icelandic road and weather conditions.

The advertised price is $1,125.85 per person. That is not a cheap five-day holiday, but it covers a quality camper van, campsite fees, Wi-Fi, gas, zero-risk coverage, airport transfers, the guide tablet, the Fontana experience, and the Katla ice cave activity. Add up those items separately and the package has real value, especially for two people sharing the vehicle.

You should still budget for fuel, food, parking, electricity and other campsite services, personal accident insurance, and anything described as a recommendation rather than an included activity. Flights are also outside the price.

Day 1: Reykjanes gives you a strong first taste

Your arrival transfer is refreshingly simple. The free shuttle takes you from Keflavík International Airport, or from a selected Keflavík hotel, to the CampEasy office, about five minutes from the airport. Pickup operates between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., so check your arrival time before relying on the transfer.

Once you have the camper, the route begins on the Reykjanes Peninsula. The Bridge Between Continents, also called Leif the Lucky Bridge or Miðlína, gives you a memorable introduction to Iceland’s geology. You can stand at a marked crossing between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

It is a short visit, about 45 minutes, and admission is free. Do not expect a huge monument or a long hike. The appeal is the simple idea of standing between two great plates, with rough Icelandic scenery around you.

Next comes Gunnuhver, a geothermal area of steam vents and bubbling mud pools. The ground has strong mineral colors, and Reykjanes Lighthouse appears in the distance. Stay on marked paths and follow local signs, since hot ground is not a place for casual wandering.

The final stop is Kleifarvatn Lake, the largest lake on the peninsula and one of Iceland’s deepest, reaching nearly 100 meters. Its dark water, porous lava shore, and old moss-covered ground make a quiet contrast to Gunnuhver’s steam and noise.

This first day is a sensible introduction, but it also shows the self-drive nature of the trip. You must collect the van, understand its systems, shop for food if needed, and still reach the planned stops. Do not treat the route as a casual arrival afternoon if your flight lands late.

Day 2: The Golden Circle, warm water, and two major waterfalls

Day 2 packs a lot into one stretch. Þingvellir National Park is first, and it gives you both geology and Icelandic history. You can see the effects of continental drift, walk toward Öxarárfoss, and visit the area around Silfra Fissure.

The park itself has no admission charge, but parking is not included. Set aside money for this and for other car parks along the route. These small charges can add up when your trip includes many famous sights.

At Laugarvatn Fontana, you get two experiences in one stop. A rye bread tour takes place at 11:45 a.m., showing how dough is cooked in geothermal ground, followed by a tasting. You can then use the warm baths, which look toward Laugarvatn Lake.

Fontana is one of the most useful included activities because it gives the day a slower middle section. After driving between major sights, a soak is welcome. Check the timing carefully, since missing the bread tour would change the value of this stop.

Fridheimar is suggested as an optional addition. The farm is known for horse breeding, horse shows, and tomatoes grown with geothermal energy and biological pest controls. The restaurant serves tomato-based specialties, but you must book it yourself by email or phone, and the cost is not included.

If you add Fridheimar, allow about an hour including the drive from Fontana. It is a good choice for food and farm interest, but the day is already busy. You may prefer the bath and the main Golden Circle sights instead.

Geysir comes next. The active Strokkur regularly sends hot water up to about 15 meters, making this a quick, lively stop. You can walk around the geothermal area and wait for the next eruption without paying an admission fee.

Gullfoss finishes the Golden Circle. Water drops into a narrow gorge from a height of about 32 meters, and the viewing paths give you several angles. Bring a waterproof layer if the weather is wet or windy. This is a brief 45-minute stop in the schedule, so keep an eye on the clock.

The route then turns south to Seljalandsfoss, the waterfall with a path behind the falling water. The area is free to enter, but parking costs extra. Expect spray and slippery ground if you take the rear path.

Skógafoss follows. Fed by meltwater from Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull, it is broad, forceful, and often framed by spray and rainbows. You have about an hour here, enough to appreciate the falls without rushing through the visit.

The weakness of Day 2 is not the sights. It is the amount of driving, walking, timing, and decision-making in one day. If you add Fridheimar, you may need to keep every stop efficient. I would follow the listed route first and treat the farm as optional, not essential.

Day 3: Vík, Katla ice, and the black south coast

Vík is your base for the day’s central adventure. It is a small south-coast village near black sand, glaciers, and the Atlantic. The included Katla ice cave trip begins at 9:30 a.m., so arrive at the meeting point at least 20 minutes early.

The four-hour excursion uses a super jeep to reach the Katla volcano area. There, black volcanic material and glacial ice combine in a setting that feels very different from a normal cave visit. This is the most structured activity of the trip and one of the clearest reasons to choose this package over a simple camper rental.

You need to respect the minimum age rules. Some activities on the overall tour require participants to be at least eight years old, and you should check the exact requirements before booking for children.

After the ice cave, Reynisfjara gives you the famous black beach, basalt columns, and three sea stacks offshore. The formations are linked to the familiar troll story, but the real reason to take care is the Atlantic surf. Stay well back from the water and do not turn your back on incoming waves.

Dyrhólaey is a short drive away. This former island is now a 120-meter rock formation with a large opening through the middle. It is also home to bird species, so the stop offers a quieter change from the powerful surf at Reynisfjara.

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon brings twisting rock walls and a cold river. The walk and viewpoints take about an hour and 45 minutes in the planned timing. The canyon became widely known after appearing in a Justin Bieber music video, but its appeal does not depend on pop culture.

At Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Systrafoss drops from Lake Systravatn above the town. A short hike upward gives you a broad view of the area. You can also drive about five minutes farther to Stjórnarfoss if time and energy allow.

Skaftafell National Park is the final major stop. Walking paths lead toward Svartifoss, or Black Waterfall, framed by dark basalt columns. The park has no admission fee, but parking is not included.

This is another demanding day. The Katla trip controls your morning, then the coastal stops continue for hours. You will enjoy it most if you are comfortable with changing weather, uneven paths, and a full driving schedule.

Day 4: Jökulsárlón icebergs and a long return drive

Diamond Beach is one of the trip’s most striking stops. Ice blocks from the nearby glacier lie scattered across black sand, some small and some large, catching the light like pieces of glass. The beach changes with weather, tides, and the supply of ice, so the exact scene will never be identical.

Across the water, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon holds icebergs that have broken away from the Vatnajökull glacier. The lagoon formed as the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier tongue began to retreat, and it now offers one of Iceland’s clearest views of ice in motion toward the sea.

The schedule gives you about 90 minutes at Diamond Beach and 40 minutes at the lagoon. That is enough for a focused visit, though you may wish you had more time at both. If you want a boat trip or another paid activity, it is not included and must be arranged separately.

After the ice coast, the itinerary lists Selfoss as the overnight town, with about four and a half hours assigned to the stop. In practical terms, this is the long return leg. Day 4 is less about adding new sights and more about positioning you for the final Reykjavik day.

Use the evening to rest, eat, and prepare for returning the camper. This is also a good time to check fuel, personal belongings, and the drop-off instructions.

Day 5: Reykjavik highlights before returning the van

The final day begins with the Sun Voyager, Jón Gunnar Árnason’s sea-facing sculpture. Its message concerns hope and freedom, and the setting includes views toward the mountains. It is an easy, brief stop and works well as a first look at central Reykjavik.

Harpa Concert Hall is next. Its building reflects Icelandic natural forms, and you can enter for a basic look without paying admission. Parking costs extra, and the planned visit lasts about 30 minutes.

Hallgrímskirkja is close to downtown and Rainbow Street. Entry to the church is free, but the tower requires a separate fee if you want a 360-degree view across Reykjavik. The tower is optional, so decide based on your time and budget.

A Blue Lagoon visit is suggested if you have enough time before your flight. The stop takes about two hours including driving from Hallgrímskirkja, but admission is not included and you must book it directly. Do not add it without checking your flight schedule and the camper return time.

You then return the van to CampEasy. The free shuttle takes you to Keflavík International Airport or one of the selected Keflavík hotels. This final transfer is useful, but remember that the pickup and drop-off service is tied to the airport and specified Keflavík-area hotels, not every Reykjavik address.

Camper comfort, equipment, and support

The included camper is meant to function as both transport and sleeping space. The package includes kitchen equipment, bedding, heating, Wi-Fi, a guide tablet, gas, and campsite fees. Electricity and other campsite services cost extra.

The most reassuring practical detail is the repeated praise for the vans’ condition and heating. One customer described using the heater for 14 hours without losing battery power, while another reported comfortable driving on snow and ice. Those are personal experiences, not a promise for every vehicle or weather condition, but they point to the issues that matter most in Iceland.

CampEasy staff have also been praised for smooth handovers and useful advice. Lidia is specifically noted for explaining the essentials of camper travel, and Nicole, Natalia, Florentina, and Kamila are named in positive comments about communication and assistance. Staff support is valuable when you are learning the van’s heating, kitchen, and power systems for the first time.

You should still inspect the vehicle during pickup and ask questions before leaving. The minimum driver age is 20, and the driver must show a valid international driving license that covers the vehicle and has been valid for at least 12 months at pickup.

Who gets the best value from this trip

I would choose this experience if you want Iceland’s major south-coast sights but do not want to build every reservation yourself. It suits couples, families meeting the activity age rules, and small private groups that value their own vehicle and flexible evenings.

It is also a strong choice for a first campervan trip. The route gives you structure, and the equipment reduces the amount of gear you need to arrange. The guide tablet and Wi-Fi can help with navigation and planning, though you remain responsible for the drive.

I would hesitate if you dislike early starts, long driving days, or compact accommodation. The itinerary is ambitious, and the route does not leave much spare time for weather delays. I would also hesitate if your main goal is a guaranteed northern lights hunt. This trip is called a Northern Lights Adventure, but the supplied schedule does not include a dedicated evening search or guarantee a sighting.

Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. A cancellation inside that window is not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a private, practical way to see the Golden Circle, south coast, Katla ice cave, and Jökulsárlón in only five days. The included camper equipment, airport shuttle, campsite fees, Fontana visit, and Katla excursion make the price easier to justify for two people sharing.

Skip it if you want a slow Iceland holiday, extensive Reykjavik time, or a trip built around the northern lights alone. The route is full, several costs remain outside the package, and you need to be comfortable driving a camper in changing conditions. For an energetic road trip with strong scenery and useful support, it is a solid fit.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at CampEasy Iceland, Selvík 5, 230 Keflavík. A free shuttle is available from Keflavík International Airport or a selected hotel in the Keflavík area.

Is airport pickup included?

Yes. Free pickup is available from Keflavík International Airport or one of 12 selectable Keflavík-area hotels between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Is airport drop-off included at the end?

Yes. CampEasy provides a free shuttle to Keflavík International Airport or your selected Keflavík-area hotel after you return the camper van.

What is the minimum age for the driver?

The driver must be at least 20 years old. The driver must also show a valid international driving license that covers the vehicle and has been valid for at least 12 months at pickup.

Is the camper van private?

Yes. This is a private activity, and only your own group participates.

Is the Katla ice cave trip included?

Yes. The four-hour Katla ice cave experience by super jeep is included and begins in Vík at 9:30 a.m. on Day 3.

Are campsites included in the price?

Yes. Campsite fees are included. Electricity and other campsite services are not included.

Is fuel included?

No. Fuel is not included, so you need to budget for it separately.

Are parking fees included?

No. Parking fees are excluded. Charges apply at places including Þingvellir, Seljalandsfoss, and Skaftafell, with other locations also potentially charging.

Is the Blue Lagoon included?

No. The Blue Lagoon is only a suggested optional stop. You must book and pay for admission yourself, and the visit takes about two hours including driving from Hallgrímskirkja.