Bardarbunga Be Damned, I’m Traveling To Iceland!

This post was last updated on 2024 April 21

By the time this post goes live, barring any volcanic eruption/disruption from Bardarbunga, I should be en route to JFK Airport to meet my roadtrip partners in crime. I almost hesitated to write about my plans for traveling to Iceland because it would be the saddest thing ever to have to say OH JUST KIDDING if I couldn’t go after all.

But I am too darn excited not to share, so I will!

My 2 weeks in Iceland slice up nicely into 3 segments: A 2-part roadtrip and a multi-day trek, sandwiched between a couple of days in Reykjavik. I will be rocking leggings and wool the entire time, as the temperature is unlikely to top 50F even at midday. We’ll be camping most nights in tents and sleeping bags (the most frugal option, naturally). The whole affair is quite literally the polar opposite of my day-to-day life in NYC and I am THRILLED about it.

As you might have guessed, I won’t be traveling to Iceland solo – it’ll be a group of 3-5 of us at any given time, which I’m feeling really good about. As long as I have ample opportunity to go a little photo-crazy without judgment, I’ll be content.

Photo credit: Photo Guide

So here it is: my upcoming 2 weeks of traveling in Iceland —

Roadtrip Part 1: Northern Iceland (30 Aug – 3 Sept)

Becca, Karolina, and I arrive in Reykjavik late Friday night, 8/29. We’ll pick up our 4WD rental car at the airport, head into Reykjavik, and crash for the night at a hostel. In the morning we’ll stock up on supplies and hit the road heading north, clockwise around the Ring Road.

Westfjords

Photo credit: Ren A on Flickr“Wildly scenic” is how most sources describe this region of Iceland, and after all I’ve read about it I’m apt to agree. From the pink sand beach at Raudasandur to dramatic views and hot pools in the cliffs of the Strandir Coast, I’m completely down to explore some fjords.

North Iceland

Photo credit: Ken Koskela PhotographyThe north of Iceland is riddled with volcanic landscapes, including the mud pots and steam vents by Myvatn and the craters at Krafla. It’s also said to be the best place in Iceland to go horse riding, so if I can get over the Italian Horse Riding Disaster of 2007, maybe this will happen.

East Iceland

Photo credit: Mike ReyfmanThe east is less renowned than most other regions of Iceland, but you know what it has the most of? PUFFINS. So, there’s that. It’s also got some cute little fishing villages that we might check out.

Roadtrip Part 2: Southern Iceland (4-7 Sept)

You might remember my newfound travel companion from our jaunt to Colombia earlier this year, yes? The night of 9/3, we’ll pick Nicki up at the bus stop in Hofn and become a foursome for the remainder of the roadtrip.

Southeast Iceland

Photo credit: Sarah Marino PhotographySkaftafell National Park dominates the southeast, and we plan on hiking, chasing waterfalls, and combing the iceberg-laden lagoon of Jokulsarlon nearby. We may also luck out and get to do a glacier hike or climb, providing the volcano isn’t erupting while we’re in the area.

South Iceland

Photo credit: Seattle’s TravelsOf all the bizarrely spectacular sights in Iceland, I think I might be most excited to frolic around the south coast. In my mind, I’m chasing an image of a black sand beach with mossy green cliffs and basalt columns. I also anticipate getting completely soaked by roaring waterfalls (hello, newly-purchased and/or borrowed rain gear!).

Southwest Iceland

Photo credit: Allt om ReykjavikNot that any of Iceland is heavily trafficked, but compared to everywhere else we’ll visit, the Golden Circle is bound to have the highest concentration of tourists due to the popular day trips from Reykjavik. But alas – we’ll hit up that waterfall and geysir and see what the fuss is about. Maybe even tour the inside of a volcano?

And we’d be remiss to skip the famous Blue Lagoon, wouldn’t we? I’m half-expecting it to be a total tourist trap (and hence a drag), but I know I’d regret not doing this so IT’S HAPPENING.

Reykjavik (7-8 Sept)

Photo credit: Over StuffedWe’ll briefly become a group of 5 once Johna joins us in Reykjavik on 9/7, before Karolina heads home on 9/8. We’ve rented an AirBnB in the center of town which has *6 beds* and a washer/dryer which we’ll undoubtedly take advantage of.

About all that’s on my to-do list in Reykjavik is hang out in coffee shops and check out the local street art. Which, let’s be real, is not much different from how I spend my weekends in Brooklyn.

Laugavegurinn Trek (9-12 Sept)

Every time I’ve gone to type the name of this trek I’ve had to consult google, without fail. I hope to conquer both the spelling and the 34 miles of this hike in due time!

Photo credit: nexttriptourism.comLaugavegurinn is the crown jewel of my Iceland trip – the thing I’ve built it around. As it’s only accessible from mid-July to mid-September, we had a very specific timeframe in which to plan our travels. Becca, Nicki, Johna, and I will be hiking for 4 days from Landmannalaugar to Thorsmork, staying at huts along the way that we booked months ago. I am slightly concerned at how I’ll fare carrying 4 days’ worth of food and gear in a mediocre backpack the whole time, not to mention having to ford deep streams with said pack and thousands of dollars’ worth of camera equipment.

But I’m sure I’ll push through the pain and stress once I have hot springs and volcanic highlands and canyons distracting me. I MEAN LOOK AT THIS NONSENSE.

Photo credit: Beautiful Places to Visit

Reykjavik (12-13 Sept)

We won’t even have a full 24 hours back in the city, but I’m super stoked to be staying at Kex Hostel this time around. It’ll be lovely to recover for a bit before heading home on our 5pm flight to NYC on Saturday, 9/13.

I can die happy if I witness the Northern Lights! Photo credit: Northern Lights Academy

Follow Along With Me!

To get an idea of where I’ll be heading, check out my Iceland Pinterest board. I’ll be posting updates from the road whenever possible, so be sure to follow along for your daily dose of Iceland envy!

You can find me on Facebook (@FrugalFrolicker), Twitter (@lindsaypunk), and Instagram (@frugalfrolicker).

Here’s to #hotpoolhopping and #puffinparties!