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

I like the idea behind this trip: you get a route planned for you, then explore Iceland in your own campervan instead of following a tour bus schedule. The biggest draws are the freedom to make your own stops and the included Katla ice cave excursion, a four-hour super-jeep outing that adds a guided adventure to an otherwise independent trip.

I also like that the package includes airport transfers, Wi-Fi and campsite fees, which can take some friction out of a first campervan trip. The main caution is the pace: several days have a long list of stops, and the title’s northern lights promise should not be read as a guaranteed aurora outing. You drive yourself, and weather, daylight and road conditions can all change what is realistic.

At a glance

• A private road trip: Only your group takes part, and you control the driving and stops.
• A five-day south-coast route: The plan links Reykjanes, the Golden Circle, Vík, Skaftafell, Jökulsárlón and Reykjavík.
• Katla by super-jeep: A four-hour ice cave excursion is included, with a 9:30 a.m. start in Vík.
• Airport transfers included: A free shuttle connects Keflavík Airport or a selected Keflavík hotel with the camper office.
• Some costs remain yours: Fuel, parking, food, optional activities and campsite electricity or other services are excluded.
• Not an aurora guarantee: The route does not list a dedicated northern lights outing, and sightings are not promised.

Picking up your camper near Keflavík

The trip starts at CampEasy’s office in Keflavík, about five minutes by shuttle from the international airport. You can also arrange pickup from one of 12 selected hotels in the Keflavík area. The free shuttle runs between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., so check your arrival time before you book flights around the handover.

The opening day begins with the Reykjanes Peninsula, a useful way to ease into Iceland before heading farther east. You visit the Bridge Between Continents, where a short walk takes you between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, then continue to Gunnuhver’s steam vents and mud pools. Kleifarvatn, a deep lake edged by lava and moss, is a quieter contrast to the geothermal sites.

A private campervan gives you room to pause when a place catches your eye. But this is still a self-drive trip, not a chauffeured tour: you handle navigation, parking and the road. A tablet with a prepared guide and itinerary is included, along with Wi-Fi. At pickup, give yourself time to learn the vehicle’s equipment and heating system rather than treating the handover as a quick key exchange.

The minimum driver age is 20. Each driver must bring a valid international driving licence that is valid for the vehicle and has been held for at least 12 months at pickup. Some activities have a minimum age of eight.

Day 2: Þingvellir, geothermal bread and waterfalls

The second day packs in Þingvellir National Park, Laugarvatn Fontana, Geysir, Gullfoss and two south-coast waterfalls. Þingvellir matters for both geology and Icelandic history. Here, the shifting continental plates shape the ground around Silfra fissure and Öxarárfoss. The park visit is free, but parking is not included.

At Fontana, the plan includes an 11:45 a.m. rye-bread tour. The dough cooks in geothermal heat in the ground, and you get to taste the result. The stop also includes a soak in the warm baths, with views over the lake. This is a memorable pause in a day otherwise built around driving and sightseeing.

Fridheimar, a tomato farm and restaurant that uses geothermal energy, is offered as a suggestion rather than a booked activity. You need to arrange and pay for it yourself. The detour is estimated at about an hour, including driving, so adding it to an already full day may mean trimming another stop.

At Geysir, Strokkur sends hot water into the air, then Gullfoss delivers a much larger dose of Icelandic waterfall drama. The day continues to Seljalandsfoss, where a path goes behind the falling water, and Skógafoss, a powerful cascade fed by glacier melt. Both are popular, photogenic stops; Seljalandsfoss has a parking fee, while Skógafoss is listed without an admission charge.

Here’s the practical catch: the scheduled stops alone add up to many hours, before driving time. The route is ambitious, especially if you add Fridheimar or spend extra time at the falls. Use the plan as a guide, not a reason to push through when weather or daylight says otherwise.

Day 3: Katla ice cave and the south coast

The day starts in Vík, where you join a four-hour super-jeep trip to Katla Volcano and its ice cave. The meeting time is 9:30 a.m. The cave’s appeal lies in the meeting of ice and volcanic material, an unusual view into the forces that shape this part of Iceland. The tour is included, but you need to arrive at paid-activity meeting points 20 minutes early.

Afterward, the suggested route takes in Reynisfjara, Dyrhólaey, Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, Systrafoss and Skaftafell National Park. Reynisfjara’s black sand, basalt columns and offshore rock formations are striking, but the Atlantic is powerful here. Keep a cautious distance from the water and follow any local safety signs.

Dyrhólaey is a high rock formation with a large opening through it and is known as a place to see birdlife. Fjaðrárgljúfur offers a winding canyon and a river far below its edges. The itinerary gives it nearly two hours, a generous stop compared with the half-hour planned at Reynisfjara.

Systrafoss sits by Kirkjubæjarklaustur, with a short uphill walk for a view from above. Skaftafell then offers marked walking paths, including a route to Svartifoss, known for the dark basalt columns around the falls. The park has no entrance fee, but parking costs extra.

This is another demanding day. Four hours at Katla plus several scenic stops and the drive east make a long stretch behind the wheel. If the ice cave excursion runs late or the weather slows your progress, shorten the sightseeing list rather than trying to fit every stop in.

Day 4: Icebergs at Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach

Diamond Beach and Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon are the day’s main attractions. Ice from the lagoon drifts toward the sea and washes onto the black beach, where chunks catch the light against the dark sand. The shapes and sizes change, so this is a place to take your time and look carefully rather than expect a fixed display.

At Jökulsárlón, icebergs break from the Vatnajökull glacier and float through the lagoon. It is a remarkable place to watch ice move at its own pace. The plan allows 40 minutes at the lagoon and 90 minutes at the beach, but you can adjust your stops according to conditions and how much time you have.

The route then heads to Selfoss for the night. The schedule sets aside four and a half hours there, including time to rest and find a meal. That’s a welcome breather after several busy days, and a reminder that the camper is not just transport: it gives you a place to settle between long drives.

Day 5: Reykjavík and the return to Keflavík

The final day brings you back through Reykjavík, with stops at the Sun Voyager sculpture, Harpa concert hall and Hallgrímskirkja. Harpa’s glass exterior takes cues from Icelandic nature, while Hallgrímskirkja’s tower offers a city panorama for an additional fee. The church itself is free to enter. Parking at Harpa costs extra.

The Blue Lagoon is suggested as an optional final stop, not included in the price. Allow about two hours including driving from Hallgrímskirkja, and book admission yourself through the Blue Lagoon. With a flight to catch, build in a sensible buffer rather than treating this as a guaranteed last-minute dip.

You return the camper at CampEasy and take the free shuttle to Keflavík Airport or a selected Keflavík hotel. The airport transfer is a practical plus, but the whole final day depends on your departure time. If your flight is early, check whether the sightseeing and return schedule fit.

What the price covers, and what it doesn’t

At $1,125.85 per person, this package combines the campervan, a planned route, campsite fees, Wi-Fi, airport transfers and booked activities, including the Katla excursion and the Fontana stop. That can be worthwhile if you want the freedom of a road trip without arranging every activity and overnight stop from scratch.

The value depends partly on how many people share the vehicle and how much you use the included items. The listed price is per person, and the available information does not specify a total vehicle price or sleeping capacity, so confirm the exact vehicle and group arrangement before booking.

Fuel is excluded, as are parking charges, food, drinks and optional activities. Electricity and other campsite services also cost extra. The package lists gas among the extras while separately excluding fuel, so clarify exactly what gas means for the vehicle you are booking. Several stops, including Þingvellir, Seljalandsfoss, Skaftafell and Harpa, have parking charges.

The camper itself is central to the value. CampEasy’s fleet has been praised for clean, comfortable vehicles, working heating, useful kitchen equipment and smooth pickup and return. One particularly useful detail: the heater and battery have been reported to hold up through a long, cold night. That is reassuring, though your actual experience depends on the specific van and conditions. Staff members named in customer feedback include Lidia, Natalia, Florentina, Nicole and Kamila, but who handles your pickup may vary.

The northern lights question

The name of this trip raises an obvious question: will you see the aurora? There is no northern lights excursion listed in the schedule, and no sighting can be promised. This is a self-drive route through major sights, not a guided aurora chase.

If seeing the lights is your main reason for booking, treat the aurora as a possible bonus, not the core product. The package makes more sense if you want to explore Iceland’s south coast and Golden Circle in a campervan, with the freedom to watch the sky when conditions allow.

Who should book this campervan trip?

I’d consider it if you are comfortable driving, want privacy and independence, and like having a route and some activities arranged in advance. It suits couples, friends or families who want to travel together, share the driving where eligible and make their own choices about how long to stay at each stop.

It is less suitable if you want a relaxed pace, prefer someone else to handle the driving, or need a guaranteed northern lights experience. The days are full, the weather can complicate plans, and some listed stops may need to be cut. Remember that the cancellation terms allow a full refund only if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want an independent Iceland road trip with useful scaffolding: a camper, airport transfers, campsite fees, Wi-Fi and a major ice cave excursion already in the mix. Before paying, confirm the camper’s exact setup, what gas is included, and how much driving you are willing to do each day. If you can accept a packed itinerary and leave room for weather, this is a practical way to reach some of Iceland’s most memorable sights on your own terms.

FAQ

Is this a guided group tour?

No. It is a private self-drive activity, and only your group takes part. You drive the campervan yourself; the Katla ice cave visit is a separate super-jeep excursion.

Where does the trip start?

The meeting point is Selvík 5, 230 Keflavík, Iceland. A free shuttle is offered from Keflavík International Airport or a selected hotel in the Keflavík area.

What are the shuttle hours?

Pickup shuttles operate between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. The free return shuttle goes to Keflavík Airport or a selected hotel in the Keflavík area.

How old must the driver be?

Drivers must be at least 20 years old. They must show a valid international driving licence that is valid for the vehicle and has been held for at least 12 months at pickup.

What is included in the price?

The package includes a campervan, zero-risk coverage, Wi-Fi and other listed extras, an Easy Guide tablet, a prepared itinerary, booked activities, airport transfers and campsite fees.

Are fuel and parking included?

No. Fuel and parking fees are excluded. Electricity and other campsite services are also extra.

Is the Katla ice cave tour included?

Yes. The four-hour super-jeep excursion is included. It starts in Vík at 9:30 a.m., and you should arrive at paid-activity meeting points 20 minutes early.

Is the Blue Lagoon included?

No. It is an optional suggestion, and you must book and pay for admission yourself through the Blue Lagoon website.

Are there age limits for activities?

Some activities have a minimum age of eight. The driver minimum age is 20.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours beforehand are not accepted for a refund.