Iceland: Land Rover Defender Convoy on the Ring Road

September 4th - 11th, 2027

Picture this: A convoy of rugged, iconic Land Rover Defenders—sourced straight from Iceland's premier outfitter of luxury Land Rover Defender off road vehicles traveling together across lava fields, past glaciers, and along black-sand coasts.

No tour buses for our group.

Just our tight-knit group of 14-18 adventurers, led by Kent and Allison, chasing Iceland's raw, otherworldly beauty on the ultimate Ring Road self-drive adventure.

Driving the Defenders – Your Own Wheels, Your Own Pace These capable Land Rover Defenders come with smooth automatic transmissions, making them easy and enjoyable to drive for everyone in the group—no manual shifting required, even on Iceland’s winding roads and occasional gravel sections. We’ll drive as a convoy, staying connected and safe together while enjoying the freedom that comes with having your own vehicle.

Our local partners in Iceland will curate every route in advance, blending the classic Ring Road highlights with hand-picked stops that maximize adventure and minimize hassle. Each Defender will be fully equipped with safety gear (including emergency kits, recovery equipment, and all-weather essentials) so you can focus on the thrill of the drive.

We’ll have a private guide in his own Land Rover for the entire week

For the entire week, our group will enjoy the services of our very own dedicated private Icelandic guide — a true local legend with decades of hands-on experience exploring every wild corner of Iceland.

Born and raised on this rugged island, your guide has mastered the roads, tracks, and hidden gems that few outsiders ever discover. Whether it’s the iconic Ring Road, exhilarating F-road adventures, adrenaline-filled river crossings, remote highlands, or windswept black-sand beaches, he knows them intimately.

This is luxury adventure at its finest: a fully private, white-glove experience where our group receives undivided attention from a lifelong local expert. No large tour groups. No compromises. Just you, your own Land Rover Defender, and world-class Icelandic guidance tailored entirely to our group.

What our private Icelandic guide brings to the journey:

  • Expert navigation & real-time route planning — Making smart, on-the-spot decisions based on weather, road conditions, and our group’s mood so every day feels perfectly paced and spectacular

  • Vehicle support & convoy leadership — Driving his own highly capable Land Rover alongside ours, ready with immediate mechanical assistance, recovery support, and expert guidance through challenging river crossings

  • Professional communications — Crystal-clear handheld radios keeping our convoy seamlessly connected, so you never feel alone yet still enjoy complete freedom in your own vehicle

  • Insider access to the best hikes & hidden experiences — Curated stops at secret waterfalls, volcanic craters, private glacier viewpoints, and off-the-beaten-path locations that deliver jaw-dropping moments with zero crowds

  • Safety-first expertise with Icelandic soul — Decades of knowledge about Iceland’s unpredictable conditions, geology, wildlife, and rich culture — shared with warm storytelling that turns every drive and hike into an unforgettable adventure

  • 24/7 personal dedication — From detailed morning briefings to evening debriefs over dinner, your guide is fully committed to our group’s success and enjoyment from sunrise to Northern Lights

This private guide service is the ultimate luxury upgrade. It transforms an already epic Iceland road trip into a completely personalized, high-end expedition — the kind of experience that simply isn’t available on standard tours. With our guide’s unparalleled local knowledge and full-time support, our group will explore deeper, safer, and more comfortably than anyone else on the road.

Vehicle Sharing & Group Flexibility Vehicles will be shared comfortably: a couple can have their own Defender, a couple plus a single friend can team up, or up to four people (such as family or close friends traveling together) can ride in one vehicle. This setup keeps things intimate and fun while giving everyone space for gear and personal comfort.

The Big Benefits of Having Your Own Vehicle There’s nothing quite like the freedom of your own wheels on a trip like this. You control the music, the temperature, and the pace. Want to pull over for an epic photo of a cascading waterfall or a dramatic basalt column? Stop whenever the moment strikes—no waiting for a big bus schedule.

Bring your own photography equipment (tripods, drones if permitted, extra lenses) and store it safely without worrying about shared tour vans. Pack a picnic basket with local snacks, fresh Icelandic skyr, or goodies from a morning market, and enjoy an impromptu lunch with million-dollar views of a glacier lagoon or black-sand beach. The Defenders offer plenty of cargo space for jackets, boots, binoculars, and all the layers you’ll need for Iceland’s ever-changing weather.

Stay Connected as a Group To keep the convoy smooth and the laughs flowing, every vehicle will be equipped with walkie-talkies. Kent and Allison (or our lead driver) will call out upcoming turns, point out wildlife or photo ops, and share fun facts in real time. It creates that wonderful group energy—cheering each other on through a scenic pass or coordinating a spontaneous stop—while still giving each car its own little bubble of adventure.

Tackling the Famous F-Roads – Pure Adventure Fun! Early September is prime time for dipping into Iceland’s legendary F-roads—the exciting unpaved mountain tracks that lead deep into the wild highlands. These roads are like secret passageways to some of the country’s most jaw-dropping, untouched scenery: colorful rhyolite mountains, steaming geothermal spots, vast black-sand deserts that feel like another planet, and hidden valleys bursting with autumn colors.

Our Defenders are built for exactly this kind of playful exploration, with their rugged 4x4 capability and high clearance making the bumpy gravel, gentle river fords (where the water sparkles under the sun), and sweeping highland vistas feel like an exhilarating game rather than work. Think of it as an off-road rollercoaster with million-dollar views—laughing over the walkie-talkies as the convoy bounces along, pulling over for group photos at epic lookouts, and soaking in that incredible sense of freedom. Our partners carefully select only the most rewarding and suitable F-road sections for our group, so it’s all about the joy of discovery in one of the most spectacular landscapes on Earth. (Conditions can change with the weather, but early September usually keeps the best routes open and full of golden light and vibrant tundra hues.)

September’s first week delivers 12-14 hours of daylight, crisp air, vibrant autumn hues on the tundra, and the first whispers of northern lights. This isn’t just transportation—it’s part of the adventure itself. The Defenders handle paved roads, gravel, and light off-road sections with confidence, turning the 1,300+ km Ring Road loop into a rolling celebration of friendship, discovery, and “did we really just drive there?” moments.

We’ll weave in short hikes to thundering waterfalls, glacier lagoon boat rides amid floating icebergs, geothermal soaks, and black-sand beach explorations where Atlantic waves crash like thunder. Local feasts of fresh seafood, lamb, and craft beer will fuel us, with plenty of evening stories swapped around hot pots or fires.

Adventures we’ll chase: Convoy driving with walkie-talkie banter, photography pulls, short guided hikes, optional super-jeep side trips, and that unbeatable feeling of exploring Iceland on your own terms—together. (Plus plenty of big smiles on those fun F-road detours!)

If this sounds like the adventure you’ve been dreaming of—rolling through Iceland’s wild landscapes with a small group of like-minded friends, creating memories that will last a lifetime—we’d love for you to join us. Kent and Allison would be thrilled to welcome you to the convoy. Drop us a note through the contact form below to learn more and secure your spot in this unforgettable journey!

Itinerary

VanArnam Adventures 9-Day / 8-Night Premium Iceland Ring Road Journey Early September 2027 – Small-Group Luxury in 6 Private Land Rover Defenders + Expert Local Guide

Discover one of the greatest travel experiences in the world — an unforgettable journey through Iceland’s raw, breathtaking nature on this meticulously planned clockwise Ring Road adventure.

Kent VanArnam has personally spent over a year crafting every detail of this trip and has partnered with the best Icelandic tour company to collaborate on a truly one-of-a-kind itinerary. We will drive in our convoy of 6 private Land Rover Defenders as we explore vast volcanic fields, powerful waterfalls, ancient glaciers, and rugged fjords. It is going to be so much fun traveling together in this adventurous convoy. Our dedicated local Icelandic guide — hand-selected through this premier partnership — will lead us along the legendary Ring Road and onto select F-roads, safely navigating rivers and streams while sharing deep insights into the land and its stories.

This exclusive small-group journey features relaxed daily drives, hotels with immediate access to stunning scenery right at our doorstep, rewarding short hikes, powerful geothermal areas, and dramatic off-road moments. In early September we’ll enjoy fewer crowds, beautiful autumn light, and one of the safest destinations on Earth — allowing us to fully immerse in Iceland’s untamed natural beauty without compromise.

Day 1: Arrival & Welcome in Reykjavík – Meeting at Hotel Borg

Welcome to Iceland! Our group meets at the iconic Hotel Borg in downtown Reykjavík, our comfortable base for the night. This historic hotel sits in the heart of the city, steps from charming streets, cafés, and waterfront paths.

Our local guide will join us for a relaxed welcome briefing covering the exciting journey ahead, convoy safety protocols, vehicle familiarization with our Land Rover Defenders, and any final questions. We use the rest of the day to settle in, explore Reykjavík at our own pace — perhaps a gentle walk around Tjörnin lake, Hallgrímskirkja church, or the harbor — and enjoy a welcome group dinner together as we prepare for the road ahead.

Stay: Hotel Borg, Reykjavík

Day 2: Reykjavík (Hotel Borg) → Hótel Blönduós – First Taste of Iceland’s Open Road

Drive: ~240–260 km, pure driving ~3–3.5 hours. Departure: 9:00 AM sharp from Hotel Borg in our private Defenders.

We leave Reykjavík and head north on the Ring Road, feeling the growing sense of adventure as the city gives way to Iceland’s vast, open countryside. This first real driving day carries that special thrill of leaving civilization behind and entering a land shaped by fire and ice. We stop at Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring, where steaming geothermal activity fills the air with raw natural power.

We continue to Hraunfossar and Barnafoss Waterfalls, where water emerges magically from lava fields and thunders through dramatic gorges — perfect spots for our first meaningful walks and photos.

We arrive at Hótel Blönduós in the mid-afternoon. This welcoming hotel sits beside the river in northern Iceland, offering an authentic sense of place. The rest of the day is ours to explore the dramatic Hvítserkur basalt sea stack rising from the sea (often with seals nearby) and the scenic Kolugljúfur Canyon waterfall hike. We relax in the hot tubs as vast northern skies stretch overhead and gather for a welcoming group dinner.

Stay: Hótel Blönduós

Day 3: Hótel Blönduós → Sigló Hotel, Siglufjörður – Tröllaskagi Peninsula Beauty

Drive: ~140–160 km + optional short detours, pure driving ~2.5–3.5 hours. Departure: ~9:00–9:30 AM.

We continue northward along fjord roads and onto the spectacular Tröllaskagi Peninsula, where mountains and sea create some of the most beautiful driving scenery in North Iceland. We stop at the excellent Glaumbær Turf House Museum for a fascinating look at traditional Icelandic life.

The route winds past dramatic coastal views, tunnels, and rugged headlands. Our guide may include a short moderate F-road or highland detour for remote valley scenery and possible small stream crossings.

We arrive in charming Siglufjörður by early afternoon. After lunch with harbor views, we explore the colorful streets, waterfront paths, and panoramic viewpoints on foot or with short drives.

Stay: Sigló Hotel — a harbor-front boutique property with hot tubs overlooking the fjord and mountains, capturing the authentic soul of a classic Icelandic fishing town.

Day 4: Siglufjörður → Fosshotel Mývatn – F-Road Adventure & Volcanic North

Drive: ~150–220 km + F-road detour, pure driving ~3–3.5 hours. Departure: ~9:00 AM.

We depart Siglufjörður and enjoy more stunning fjord scenery before our guide leads a moderate F-road segment (such as F839 or similar). This thrilling yet safe adventure takes us through remote highland valleys with mountain views and small-to-medium stream crossings — a true highlight for our Defenders and group.

We continue to the iconic Goðafoss Waterfall (“Waterfall of the Gods”) for lunch and short hikes to multiple viewpoints. In the afternoon we immerse ourselves in the volcanic wonders around Lake Mývatn, with easy-to-moderate hikes through the dramatic lava formations of Dimmuborgir, steaming geothermal fields at Hverir (boiling mud pots and fumaroles), and crater trails.

Stay: Fosshotel Mývatn — a comfortable lodge with direct lake and volcanic views, hot tubs, and excellent group dining, perfectly positioned in the heart of Iceland’s geothermal wonderland.

Day 5: Mývatn Area → Seyðisfjörður – Geothermal Power & East Fjords

Drive: ~200–250 km, pure driving ~3–3.5 hours. Departure: ~9:00 AM.

We deepen our exploration of the Mývatn volcanic region with the Hverfjall Crater rim (optional rewarding hike) and the active Krafla area, including steaming fumaroles, colorful sulfur deposits, and the striking Víti Crater.

The day’s centerpiece is Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall, reached via short, easy-to-moderate hikes to the rim for an awe-inspiring experience (nearby Selfoss adds another beautiful cascade).

In the afternoon we transition into the remote and majestic East Fjords with nearly empty roads and mountains plunging into the sea.

Stay: Hotel Aldan (or Bankinn by Aldan) in colorful, artsy Seyðisfjörður — boutique charm right on the fjord with excellent dining and a genuine sense of discovery.

Day 6: Seyðisfjörður → Hotel Jökulsárlón – East Fjords to Glacier Country

Drive: ~250–300 km, pure driving ~3.5–4 hours. Departure: ~9:00 AM.

We immerse ourselves further in the serene East Fjords with morning walks on the Fossastígur riverside trail to small waterfalls and fjord overlooks. We continue along quiet fjord roads with constant dramatic scenery.

The landscape gradually transforms as we approach the southeast, revealing massive glacier vistas. We arrive mid-to-late afternoon at our welcoming glacier-area base.

Stay: Hotel Jökulsárlón (Glacier Lagoon Hotel) — a comfortable, modern property with outdoor geothermal hot tubs, mountain and glacier views, and a warm atmosphere close to the main attractions.

Day 7: Southeast Peak Scenery Day – Glaciers, Lagoons & Svartifoss

Drive: Shorter ~100–200 km of local explorations, pure driving ~2–3 hours.

A full, flexible day dedicated to Iceland’s icy wonders right from our doorstep. We explore the iconic Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon with walks along the shore and an optional boat tour among floating icebergs. We visit nearby Diamond Beach, where glittering ice chunks sparkle on black sand.

In the afternoon we head into Skaftafell National Park for the standout moderate hike to Svartifoss — the famous basalt-column waterfall surrounded by striking geology (1.5–2 hours round-trip through beautiful terrain). Additional short trails offer glacier overlooks and powerful ice-cap views.

We return to the hotel for relaxation in the geothermal hot tubs and a special group dinner.

Stay: Hotel Jökulsárlón (second night for continued immersion in the glacier area).

Day 8: South Coast Highlights – Black Sands, Waterfalls & Scenic Lodge Night

Drive: ~200–250 km, pure driving ~3–3.5 hours. Departure: ~9:00–9:30 AM.

We bid farewell to the glaciers in the morning light, then head west along the classic South Coast. We stop at dramatic Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach with its towering basalt columns and sea stacks (easy walks on marked paths).

We continue to the powerful Skógafoss (short but rewarding hike to the top viewpoint for sweeping panoramas) and Seljalandsfoss (easy, magical walk behind the cascading water — a true highlight). We enjoy additional scenic pullouts and coastal views.

We settle into a luxurious countryside lodge for our final night on the road.

Stay: Hotel Rangá (near Hella) — a beautiful riverside property with glacier and mountain views, geothermal hot tubs, observatory for Northern Lights, and outstanding group dining. The perfect peaceful finale surrounded by nature.

Day 9: South Coast Lodge → Reykjavík – Easy Final Morning

Drive: Less than 2 hours (~100–130 km).

We enjoy a relaxed breakfast with glacier views at our lodge before a short, scenic drive back to Reykjavík.

Pricing

All prices are land-only (no airfare included). Guests are responsible for their own flights to and from Iceland (Keflavík International Airport).

  • 2 people, double occupancy (one couple in one Defender): $6,900 USD per person

  • Either 3 or 4 people sharing one Land Rover (1 Defender total): $6,200 USD per person

This is a fully all-inclusive experience (except airfare and fuel for your Land Rover).

Package includes:

  • Dedicated private Icelandic guide with his own Land Rover for the full trip

  • 8 nights in hand-picked hotels (double occupancy)

  • Convoy-style guiding with radios and full vehicle support

  • All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

  • All entry fees and access charges along the way (including hot springs, national parks, and other attractions)

  • Detailed daily itinerary + 24/7 emergency assistance

Let us know if you want to get updates on this trip