The standard Ring Road shows you Iceland’s coastline. This 10-day Iceland tour takes you beyond the pavement and into the interior, where the island reveals landscapes that most visitors never see. The Highlands are Iceland’s best-kept open secret: vast geothermal valleys, volcanic calderas, and colorful rhyolite mountains accessible only by F-roads that require a super jeep and an experienced driver.
Kerlingarfjoll’s steaming Hveradalir valley, the lunar wasteland surrounding Askja caldera, the endless crater rows of Laki — these are places that simply cannot be reached on a standard tour or a rental car trip. F-roads are unpaved highland tracks that cross unbridged rivers and traverse terrain where GPS signal disappears and the nearest help may be hours away. This is why private tours are the best way to explore the Icelandic Highlands: you get a guide who knows these roads intimately, a vehicle built for the terrain, and the freedom to stop wherever the landscape demands attention.
What the Highlands add to the Ring Road is not just scenery but perspective. Standing at the rim of Askja’s caldera, where NASA once trained astronauts because the terrain resembled the moon, you understand the volcanic forces that built this island. Hiking through Kerlingarfjoll on a 14-kilometer trek to Hveradalir, you encounter geothermal features as spectacular as anything on the main tourist routes, with no crowds in sight. Exploring the Laki fissure, you walk through the aftermath of an eruption that changed global climate in the 18th century.
This Ring Road Highlands tour is seasonal, running from mid-June through late September when highland roads are open. The itinerary involves moderate to challenging hiking, though the pace and difficulty are adjusted based on your fitness and preferences. Accommodation ranges from premium countryside hotels to remote highland lodges, and a camping option is available for those who want the full wilderness experience.
Group size is limited to four passengers due to the nature of highland travel. The super jeep used on this expedition is built for river crossings, rocky terrain, and conditions that would stop a standard vehicle. Your guide handles all driving, navigation, and logistics, which matters greatly in areas where road conditions change daily and weather can shift within the hour.
Pack sturdy hiking boots, layers for variable weather, and a sense of adventure. The South Coast portions of the trip are accessible and familiar. The highland days are where the real expedition begins. If you have visited Iceland before and want to go deeper, or if you are a first-time visitor who wants the complete picture from coast to interior, this is the trip that delivers it all in a single, carefully planned journey.
Why does this tour require 10 days? The extra days allow for highland expeditions to Kerlingarfjöll, Askja, and Laki that cannot be done on a standard Ring Road tour. These remote areas require full-day detours on F-roads.
What makes the highlands different from the Ring Road? Highland roads are unpaved, cross unbridged rivers, and pass through areas with no services or phone signal. A super jeep and experienced guide are essential for safe access.
When can this tour operate? This tour runs only from mid-June through late September when highland roads are open. Exact dates depend on snow conditions and road accessibility each year.
Is camping available instead of hotels? Yes, a camping option is available for those who want full wilderness immersion. Both camping and hotel options are carefully arranged for comfort and recovery between hiking days.
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