Flight to Keflavík. Transfer to the capital Reykjavík (depending on flight time, possibly by Flybus). We set up camp at a campsite near the city center. Overnight stay in tents.

In the morning, we'll take a walking tour of Reykjavík, discovering the main sights and soaking up the Nordic atmosphere of the Icelandic capital. Afterwards, we'll pack our vehicles with food, equipment, and tents – and then our adventure begins! Our first leg takes us to the birthplace of the first European parliament, the Almannagjá gorge of Þingvellir. A short 60-minute walk will allow us to explore the impressive landscape between the tectonic plates of Europe and America. Next, we'll visit the famous Geysir and the mighty Gullfoss waterfall, two of Iceland's most iconic landmarks. In the geothermal area, the geyser Strokkur regularly erupts, shooting jets of water up to 30 meters high. At Gullfoss, massive amounts of water thunder into the depths – a truly breathtaking natural spectacle. Depending on how the day progresses, we'll either camp right by the hot springs or continue on to the highlands towards Hveravellir. Overnight in tents.

Today, on the Kjölur piste, we experience firsthand just how captivating solitude and vastness can be. In good weather, the snow-capped mountains of Kerlingarfjöll and the Höfsjökull glacier beyond are clearly visible on the horizon. When the purple lupins bloom in July, the landscape becomes a true feast for the eyes. We pass Hvítrvatn, whose waters can shimmer from azure to deep black depending on the weather and light, and see the mighty glacier tongues of Langjökull. Here, we witness the impressive interplay of volcanoes, ice, and vast, scree-covered desert. Weather permitting, we'll spend two nights in Hveravellir, exploring the fascinating surroundings on hikes. Depending on the weather, we'll also take a side trip to Kerlingarfjöll with its impressive geothermal area. A dip in the natural hot springs of Hveravellir is a must – whatever the weather! Overnight stay in tents. Hike to Kerlingarfjöll: approx. 4 km, walking time 1–2 hours, 100 meters of elevation gain and loss.

On a longer drive north, our route first takes us past the idyllic turf church of Vídimyri and the historic Glaumbær farmstead museum. Those interested in learning more about the harsh conditions under which Icelanders once lived can visit both sites optionally. Afterwards, we continue to Akureyri, the vibrant "capital of the north," picturesquely situated on the Eyjafjörður fjord. We stroll through the charming streets, browse in small shops, or enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the city with a coffee. From the higher parts of town, there are breathtaking views across the fjord and of the striking table mountains in the surrounding area. Overnight stay in tents.

Today we leave Akureyri and continue towards Lake Mývatn. En route, we'll encounter Goðafoss, one of Iceland's most famous waterfalls. The water cascades in a wide arc over the dark rocks – an impressive start to our next few days in the volcanic region. Around midday, we reach Lake Mývatn and set up camp right on the lakeshore for two nights. The afternoon is entirely up to you: you can explore the surroundings, observe the diverse birdlife, restock your supplies, or simply relax by the lake and soak in the unique landscape. A visit to the swimming pool or a cozy moment with a good book are also expressly permitted today. Overnight in tents.

Numerous scenic highlights await us around Lake Mývatn. Pseudocraters, solidified lava formations, and steaming earth testify to the region's far from geologically stable state. We'll explore the bizarre lava labyrinth of Dimmuborgir, whose intricate rock formations would provide excellent hiding places for trolls and other Icelandic creatures. A hike will also take us up to the perfectly formed crater rim of the tuff mountain Hverfjall. From the top, a magnificent view opens up over the lake, the lava fields, and the surrounding volcanoes. A visit to the region's hot caves is also a must. Overnight stay in tents.

The morning begins in a relaxed manner at Lake Mývatn. In the late morning, we set off, gradually leaving the inhabited areas of northern Iceland behind. Soon, the highland track leads us into one of Iceland's most remote and pristine landscapes. Our vehicle makes its way across rugged lava fields and through the vast highland desert. Along the way, we also have to ford several rivers – after all, a little adventure is part of any journey through the highlands. Herdubreid, the "Broad-Shouldered One," rises ever more clearly before us. This mighty table volcano is considered one of Iceland's most beautiful mountains and accompanies us to our campsite for the night. In the middle of the black volcanic desert, Hersubreisarlindir lies like a small green oasis at the foot of the mountain – a wonderful spot for our night in the highlands. Overnight in a tent.

We leave the small green oasis below Herdubreid and continue deeper into the fascinating volcanic desert. Although only a few kilometers lie ahead, we make slow progress on the rough highland track. The route leads across black sand plains, lava, and basalt, and repeatedly fords small rivers. The closer we get to Askja, the more surreal the landscape becomes. We set up camp at the Drekagil Gorge. From here, we begin our hike into the enormous Askja caldera. Through black volcanic ash and past bizarre rock formations, we climb up to the deep blue Öskjuvatn lake and the Viti explosion crater. In early summer, large snowfields can still linger here, while in other places the volcanic heat remains palpable beneath the surface. A landscape like something from another planet – only considerably harder to pronounce. Overnight in tents.

After a night in the remote highlands, we leave Askja and head back north. Once again, the track leads us through the vast expanses of black lava and sand at the foot of Herdubreid. Several rivers must be forded, and depending on the water level, the drive can be quite exciting. After the barren landscapes of the highlands, the green surroundings of Lake Mývatn seem almost lush. In the afternoon, we reach our familiar campsite by the lake. Here there's still time to reflect on the experiences of the past few days, restock supplies, or enjoy the comforts of civilization – although this term is quite relative at Mývatn. Distance traveled approx. 130 km / Travel time approx. 4–5 hours.

We bid farewell to Lake Mývatn and drive first through the verdant Bardardalur valley before the landscape becomes increasingly desolate and barren, and we turn onto the Sprengisandur track. The F26 highland route leads us through one of Iceland's most remote regions. Between the mighty glaciers Hofsjökull and Vatnajökull stretches a seemingly endless landscape of black sand, scree, rivers, and bare mountains. There are no settlements here, but plenty of vast open spaces and fantastic photo opportunities. We also have to ford several rivers – so our progress depends not only on the distance traveled, but primarily on the terrain of the highlands. Our destination for the day is Nyídalur at the foot of the Tungnafellsjökull glacier. We set up camp in the heart of the rugged highland desert and experience Iceland once again in its most pristine form. Overnight in tents. Shorter walks: approximately 1–1.5 hours in total. Distance traveled approx. 180 km / Travel time approx. 5–6 hours

The adventure continues through the southern highlands. The legendary F26 takes us across vast plateaus, past intensely blue glacial lakes and rivers, and between the mighty glaciers Hofsjökull and Vatnajökull. Numerous river crossings and stops make the drive a true highland experience. With a view of Hekla, one of Iceland's most active volcanoes, we finally turn towards Landmannalaugar. In the afternoon, we reach our rustic camp in Landmannahellir. Depending on our arrival time, there may be time for a short walk (approx. 45-60 minutes). Overnight in tents.

From Landmannahellir, we travel to Landmannalaugar and explore a breathtaking landscape of colorful mountains, rushing streams, rugged peaks, and verdant valleys on foot. Depending on the weather and your fitness level, several hikes are available. One option is to climb Blafjall, whose summit offers a magnificent panoramic view of the captivating landscape. The day concludes with a truly special nature experience: a soak in the warm river of Landmannalaugar – wellness in the heart of the Icelandic wilderness. Overnight stay in tents.

From Landmannalaugar, we leave the highlands via the spectacular highland route through Eldgjá, the "Fire Gorge." This enormous volcanic fissure is one of Iceland's most impressive landscapes. We'll explore this fascinating gorge on a short hike. On the south coast near Vík, after the black lava and scree landscapes, lush greenery awaits us once again. With a bit of luck, we can observe puffins at the picturesque bird cliffs of Dyrhólaey. The rather formidable skuas often circle above the coast – a truly unique experience. And looking at the striking rock formations off the coast, it's easy to understand why numerous legends surround this landscape: According to legend, petrified trolls stand here in the sea. Overnight stay in a tent. Short walks: Eldgja and Dyrholaey, together approx. 1.5 hours.

The return journey to Reykjavík along the south coast is particularly scenic. Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss impress us with their immense power, even after all the waterfalls we saw along the way. We reach Reykjavík in the afternoon, driving along the black glacier tongue of Mýrdalsjökull and through the vast floodplains. Overnight stay in a tent.

Transfer to Keflavik and return flight. For later departures, there is the option of a convenient Flybus ride to the airport.