Updated 9 day itinerary - thoughts appreciated

Some of the items you have put down definitely require a 4 wheel drive and a lot of driving each day. The distance from Víti to Akureyri for example is almost 6 hours. Is there anything in particular that you are seeking in Akureyri? or would it be possible for you to spend more quality time in South Iceland and enjoy more of the amazing sights there?

If so, then something like this would work for you: https://tripcreator.com/share/plan/0bca4c96-c847-4c3b-b647-dc7e016c5abf

Or you could take a road trip on the Ring Road like here: https://tripcreator.com/share/plan/aa3c4ea9-ba54-4708-aab3-b4f869b16255

9 days is whistle stop for a ring road tour, and here you are trying to do it without moving on every day, and having (potentially) long interior detours on unpaved roads. People have done it, but as a driving driving driving type of holiday, depends what you want.

Maelifell, Landmannalaugar

If you are hiring, you need a 4wd to go to Landmannalaugar. Check with your hirer to be certain, but most 4wds will do for this, and don't drive into a ford unless you are certain you can cross it, just because you are allowed to drive that road doesn't mean the ford is passable today, they can be unusually deep from time to time because of weather, which may be weather somewhere else.

Maelifell is by a road (F210) that many hirers will not permit you to drive a hire car, even a 4wd, unless perhaps it is a more robust grade of 4wd. There are some hirers that are not so specific about where you can drive, though obviously it is your problem and expense if you get stuck or damage the vehicle due to lack of care in driving, so you might think twice about going there unless you have hired a more robust higher clearance kind, and h ad suitable driving experience.

Lake Viti

There are 2 Vitis. The one at Krafla, 15km from Myvatn, no problem to go there. The other person has commented on the assumption you mean Viti at Askja. If you are hiring, you need a (proper) 4wd to go to Askja (because there are some serious fords). Also, they usually don't let you drive in from the E, because taht's a terrible road after the paving runs out, you have to drive in along one of 2 roads that come in from the north, one near Grimstadir and the other one is the next road further E. It's 4 hours each way from the ring road to Askja, 'cos its a bad road, much worse than Landmannalaugar approaches, so you go quite slowly.

can you get to this lake without a four wheel drive?

The one at Krafla, in a 2wd, yes no problem. If you mean the one at Askja, tes, you can also do it a coach tour out of Myvatn (or Akureyri for extra time in the bus). It's a long day tour so you need to stay overnight where you leave from.

Jokulsarlon to Akureyri is practically half way around the ring road, just to let you know the magnitude of what you propose. The ring road is 1350km around, excluding getting to the airport and back.

Hi, stevesayskanpai!
Your itinerary seems to be a bit irregular: getting from Reykjavik to Vik in one day is one thing and from Skaftafell to Askja or from Askja to Akureyri and trying to see sights is a bit another. It is like you are going to rush the whole second part of your trip. Maybe you would prefer to explore more the southern part of Iceland, like going to Hofn and back? Here you can find some insights: http://www.iceland24blog.com/2013/10/south-iceland-complete-travel-guide.html
You'll need 4wd if you plan to go inside the island. You may check 4wds at www.reykjavikcars.com

Hi,

some more info about Viti (the one in Askja), with the current eruption going on, Holukraun, nobody knows if this area of Iceland will be open next Summer. The volcano is really close to Viti and the sulfure dioxyde due to the eruption is too dangerous and travel km from the volcano.

So it is good to have this in mind when you are preparing your planning ! :)

Ok so first of all, last year we went to Iceland and on our day 2 we also went to Thingvellir, Geysir and Gulfoss. But then we went straight to Landmannalaugar by the road F208 - it is the easiest road to get there cause you don't need to cross fords (there is a ford at the end of the road but you can just leave your car on the parking before it and walk to the campsite). So the next morning we hiked in the area, bathed in the hot springs and then left, following the same F208 road, and then headed south and spent the next night at Vik. I think it is the best way to organise the first part of your trip (and the easiest road to drive).

Secondly, you will need a 4WD to go to Landmannalaugar and to lake Viti near Askja. It's not really legal to go on the F-roads with a 2WD. If hiking in Landmannalaugar is a must for you, you will have to rent a 4WD.

And thirdly, according to your plan, you will have some serious driving every day (like maybe 3-4h min). So I wouldn't go all the way to Akureyri if I were you.

Secondly, you will need a 4WD to go to Landmannalaugar

Or you could go on the bus, if it is running.

It's not really legal to go on the F-roads with a 2WD.

It is a issue of contract between you and the hirer. If it was your own car, you could choose to risk it.

iviehoff, that's right, thank you for corrections

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