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

The best thing about this five-day Iceland camper tour is the freedom it gives you. You follow a carefully planned route from Keflavík to the south coast and back toward Reykjavík, but you do it in your own small vehicle, with only your group along for the ride. The route packs in lava fields, waterfalls, black beaches, an ice cave, glacier ice, and the Golden Circle.

I like the airport shuttle and ready-made route, which remove two common Iceland headaches. I also like the practical extras: Wi-Fi, campsite fees, a guide tablet, zero-risk coverage, and booked activities. The main drawback is the pace. Five days is short for this much ground, and the long drives, fixed activity times, parking charges, fuel, meals, and optional add-ons can push the real cost above the advertised $1,125.85 per person.

Key points before you book

• A private camper route: You drive with your own group rather than joining a large coach.
• A strong south coast focus: Reynisfjara, Skaftafell, Diamond Beach, Jökulsárlón, and the Katla Ice Cave form the trip’s main attractions.
• Booked highlights included: Laugarvatn Fontana and the four-hour Katla Ice Cave outing are included in the package.
• Useful camper extras: Wi-Fi, camping fees, gas-related extras, a guide tablet, and zero-risk coverage are provided.
• Free Keflavík transfers: Pickup and return shuttle service is available from the airport or selected Keflavík hotels.
• Northern Lights caution: The route is suitable for aurora watching, but no dedicated Northern Lights hunt or sighting guarantee is listed.

What $1,125.85 buys you on the road

At $1,125.85 per person, this is not simply a camper rental. You are paying for a vehicle, an organized five-day plan, campsite fees, airport transfers, Wi-Fi, a tablet with trip information, zero-risk coverage, and selected activities.

That package can offer solid value if you want structure without giving up privacy. You do not need to build the entire route yourself, and you avoid booking every campsite and major excursion separately. The camper also gives you a base for the trip, which can be especially useful in a country where accommodation prices are often high.

Still, read the inclusions carefully. Fuel is not included, and neither are food, drinks, parking fees, traffic fines, electricity, or extra campsite services. The Blue Lagoon, Friðheimar farm, the Hallgrímskirkja tower, and other optional activities also cost extra.

The included campsite fees help, but the tour is not all-inclusive. I would set aside additional money for petrol, groceries or restaurant meals, parking at Þingvellir, Seljalandsfoss, and Skaftafell, and any activity you add along the way.

Keflavík pickup and the first Reykjanes stops

Your trip begins at CampEasy’s office at Selvík 5 in Keflavík. The company offers a complimentary shuttle from Keflavík International Airport or from one of 12 selected hotels in the Keflavík area. The office is about five minutes from the airport, and pickup service operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Allow time for the vehicle handover. You need to be at least 20 years old to drive, and you must show an international driving licence valid for the vehicle and held for at least 12 months at pickup. That rule matters, since an ordinary licence that does not meet the company’s requirements could delay the start of your trip.

The first sightseeing day covers the Reykjanes Peninsula. At the Bridge Between Continents, you can walk across a small bridge marking the meeting area of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. It is a quick, symbolic stop rather than a major scenic hike, but it gives the first day a clear Icelandic theme.

Gunnuhver is more dramatic. Steam vents and hot mud pools spread across mineral-stained ground, with the Reykjanes lighthouse visible in the distance. Stay on marked paths and respect barriers around the geothermal features. This is a place where the earth feels active, not simply pretty.

Kleifarvatn Lake closes the day’s sightseeing. It is one of Iceland’s deepest lakes, nearly 100 meters deep, surrounded by porous lava and old moss-covered ground. The stop is quiet and spacious, a good contrast to the hissing geothermal area. The listed visit lasts about an hour and 10 minutes.

The Golden Circle, from Þingvellir to Gullfoss

Day two begins at Þingvellir National Park, one of Iceland’s essential stops. Here, you get both geology and history: the park lies in a zone shaped by continental movement, and it also carries major political importance for Iceland.

The Öxará waterfall and Silfra fissure are among the main features. You will not need an admission ticket for the park, but parking is charged separately. This is a recurring theme on the route: many natural sights are free to visit, but parking fees still apply.

At Laugarvatn Fontana, the schedule combines a rye bread experience with a soak in the geothermal baths. The bread dough is cooked in the hot ground, and you get to taste it during the tour. Then you can relax in warm water with views toward the lake.

The Fontana visit is listed at two and a half hours, so it is one of the day’s longer stops. It also gives you a slower moment after the walking at Þingvellir. Some parts of the experience have minimum age rules, and paid activity meeting points should be reached 20 minutes early.

Friðheimar is offered as a recommendation, not an included stop. The farm is known for tomato growing powered by geothermal energy, biological pest control, horse breeding, and horse shows. If you choose to eat there, you must reserve directly by email or phone, and allow about an hour including driving from Fontana. It is an appealing extra, but the tight schedule means you should not add it casually.

Geysir follows. The active star is Strokkur, which sends hot water up to about 15 meters. Eruptions give the stop a natural rhythm, so you can watch for a while without needing a long walk.

At Gullfoss, a powerful river drops into a narrow gorge from a height of about 32 meters. The viewing paths put you close to the spray and sound, so waterproof layers are useful. The stop is short on paper, but you may want extra time if conditions are good.

The day continues south to Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Seljalandsfoss is famous because a path runs behind the 60-meter waterfall. That path can be wet and slippery, and the parking fee is not included. Skógafoss is broader and louder, with water fed by melting from Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. One hour here gives you enough time to enjoy the falls and the spray-filled air.

Vík, Katla, and Iceland’s black beaches

Day three starts around Vík, the small south coast village that makes a useful base for the region. The village sits near the sea, glaciers, rivers, and black sand beaches, so it is a natural meeting point for the Katla excursion.

The four-hour Katla Ice Cave trip is one of the strongest inclusions in the package. It begins in Vík at 9:30 a.m. and takes you by super jeep toward Katla Volcano. There, volcanic material and ice meet in a setting that changes with weather and seasonal conditions.

You should arrive at the paid activity meeting point 20 minutes early. The minimum age for some activities is eight, so check the age requirements carefully if you are traveling with children. This is a guided outing rather than a self-guided walk, and it breaks up the driving with something genuinely different.

Afterward, Reynisfjara provides one of Iceland’s most memorable coastal scenes. Basalt columns rise along the cliff wall, while three offshore rock formations sit in the Atlantic. The setting is striking, but the sea is powerful. Keep well back from the water and follow local warnings. A 30-minute stop is enough for a look, but do not trade safety for a closer photograph.

Dyrhólaey adds a higher viewpoint. The former island is now a 120-meter rock formation with a large opening through which ships once passed. It is also home to bird species, so access and viewing conditions can vary.

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon is another major south coast stop. Its winding shape, river, grassy edges, and occasional sheep make it feel different from the open beaches. The canyon became widely known after appearing in a Justin Bieber music video, but the scenery itself is the reason to go. The planned one hour and 45 minutes allows a proper walk rather than a quick roadside photograph.

Near Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Systrafoss falls from Lake Systravatn above the town. A short climb gives a wider view of the area. Stjórnarfoss is only about five minutes farther by car and makes a useful optional stop if you still have energy.

Skaftafell National Park finishes this demanding day. Walking paths lead through an area shaped by glaciers and volcanic activity, including the trail to Svartifoss, the black waterfall framed by basalt columns. The park itself has no admission fee, but you must pay for parking. Two hours is enough for a focused walk, though you should not expect to see every path.

Diamond Beach, Jökulsárlón, and the long return

Day four reaches the farthest point of the route. Diamond Beach is a black sand shore scattered with chunks of ice that have washed out from the nearby glacier lagoon. The ice comes in different sizes and shapes, and sunlight can make the pieces sparkle against the dark sand.

The spectacle changes constantly. You may find only a few pieces or many, depending on conditions. Do not climb on the ice or treat the shoreline as a swimming area. The beach is for looking, walking, and taking in the odd pairing of glacier ice and volcanic sand.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is close by. Icebergs break away from the Vatnajökull glacier and float in the lagoon before moving toward the sea. The lagoon began forming roughly 90 years ago as the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier tongue melted back.

The scheduled lagoon stop is 40 minutes, which is enough for the main viewpoint but not much more. You will need to accept a quick visit here because the route then turns west toward Selfoss, where you spend the night.

The Selfoss drive is listed at four and a half hours. That is the day’s main weakness. After the excitement of Diamond Beach and Jökulsárlón, you face a long stretch behind the wheel. Weather, road conditions, stops, and daylight can affect how comfortable this feels, so the route suits confident drivers who are willing to keep a close eye on the clock.

Reykjavík sights and returning the camper

Day five shifts from natural wonders to Reykjavík landmarks. The Sun Voyager sculpture sits by the water, with mountains behind it. Its message is tied to hope and freedom, and the short visit works well as a final coastal pause.

Harpa Concert Hall follows. The building’s glass design takes inspiration from Icelandic natural forms, and entering the building to look around is free. Parking costs extra, so budget for it if you are driving into central Reykjavík.

Hallgrímskirkja is close to downtown and the famous Rainbow Street. The church interior is free to enter, while the tower requires a separate admission fee. The tower gives a 360-degree view across the city, but it is an optional purchase, not part of the package.

The Blue Lagoon is another optional addition. It is not included, and you must reserve directly through the Blue Lagoon website. The suggested visit takes about two hours including driving from Hallgrímskirkja, so only add it if your flight schedule leaves enough room.

You return the camper at CampEasy’s Keflavík office. A free shuttle then takes you to the international airport or to your selected Keflavík hotel. Since the trip ends at the same office where it begins, build in time for the drop-off and transfer rather than treating the vehicle return as a last-minute errand.

Camper comfort and support

The camper includes kitchen equipment, bedding, Wi-Fi, and a heating system. Several detailed customer comments praise the vehicles for being clean, comfortable, safe, and mechanically reliable. One person reported that the heating stayed effective for 14 hours, while another specifically noted comfortable driving on snow and ice.

Those details matter in Iceland. A camper is not just transport here. It is your sleeping space, kitchen, and shelter from changing weather. Reliable heating and working batteries can make the difference between a pleasant night and a miserable one.

CampEasy staff members including Lidia, Natalia, Florentina, Nicole, and Kamila are named in customer correspondence, with particular praise for the pickup explanation, communication, and support. You should still ask your own questions before arrival, especially about power use, campsite electricity, insurance details, and winter driving.

The package includes zero-risk coverage, but personal accident insurance for the driver or passengers is not included. Electricity and other paid campsite services are also extra. Read the coverage terms before collecting the vehicle, and remember that parking or speeding fines remain your responsibility.

Who should choose this route?

I would choose this tour if you want Iceland’s biggest south coast sights but dislike a bus group. It works best for couples, friends, or families who enjoy driving, can share a compact living space, and want a planned route with room for private time.

It is less suitable if you want long hikes, slow photography stops, or a relaxed five-day schedule. The itinerary is ambitious, and the Selfoss return on day four is particularly long. It also requires careful planning around activity times, weather, parking, and fuel.

The Northern Lights element needs a clear explanation. The camper gives you mobility and darkness away from Reykjavík, which can help if the aurora appears. But no Northern Lights outing or guarantee is included, so you should treat aurora watching as a possible bonus rather than the central product.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book it?

Book this camper tour if privacy, independence, and an efficient south coast route matter more to you than a leisurely pace. The included Katla Ice Cave trip, Fontana visit, campsites, Wi-Fi, airport transfers, and organized route give the price real substance.

Skip it if you want hotel comfort, minimal driving, or a trip built around a guaranteed Northern Lights search. Before paying, confirm the vehicle size, insurance terms, activity ages, pickup time, and your budget for fuel, food, parking, and optional stops. For a first Iceland visit with only five days, this is a practical way to cover a lot, provided you are comfortable living on the road.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

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

Is airport pickup included?

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

What is the minimum age for the driver?

The driver must be at least 20 years old. At pickup, the driver must show a valid international driving licence for the vehicle, held for at least 12 months.

Are campsites included in the price?

Yes, campsite fees are included. Electricity and the use of other paid campsite services are not included.

Is the Katla Ice Cave trip included?

Yes. The four-hour Katla Ice Cave excursion from Vík is included. It starts at 9:30 a.m., and you should arrive at the meeting point 20 minutes early.

Are fuel and parking included?

No. Fuel and parking fees are not included. Parking charges apply at places including Þingvellir, Seljalandsfoss, and Skaftafell.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not eligible for a refund.