Overview

Make the most of your Icelandic break with this small guided group tour along the scenic south coast. Marvel at the wondrous winter scenery, majestic northern lights, idyllic ice cave, glorious glacier lagoon and classic Golden Circle. Enjoy the company of fellow travellers as well as the knowledge and personal interaction with a local guide, all while visiting renowned natural attractions and hidden gems.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 |  Arrival & Sightseeing in Reykjavík

On arrival at Keflavík International Airport, you will be greeted by a driver who will take you to your hotel in the city centre of Reykjavík. After settling in, the rest of the day is free for you to explore the vibrant capital city with its abundance of museums, restaurants and bars to suit all tastes. If you're interested in checking out Icelandic design or experiencing the city's thriving coffee culture, head to the main street, Laugavegur, and enjoy its various shops and cosy cafes.

Spend the night at the Fosshótel Reykjavík or similar.

If you arrive early in the day, you have the option to upgrade your journey from the airport with a visit to the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa before heading to Reykjavík. It’s the perfect way to start your Iceland adventure!

Average travel & exploration time: 50 minutes

Day 2 | Waterfalls & Black Sand Beaches

Enjoy an early breakfast at your hotel before the guide picks you up to start the adventure. The first leg of the journey is along the south coast. You will visit iconic sights, including some magnificent waterfalls. Take the chance to walk behind the roaring cascade at Seljalandsfoss waterfall and to feel the mist of the 60-metre (197-feet), free-falling Skógafoss waterfall.

From here, you will travel past the beautiful Eyjafjöll mountain range, including Eyjafjallajökull, a volcano completely covered by an ice cap. The group will stop by the village of Vík í Mýrdal to visit Reynisfjara, one of the most famous beaches in Iceland. Don’t forget to take in the views of the unique Reynisdrangar basalt columns jutting out of the ocean.



If you are travelling in September or October, you’ll join an ice cave tour to experience the blue beauty under a real glacier. For trips between November and March, your ice cave tour will be on Day 3.

Later, you’ll arrive at your accommodation for the night and enjoy dinner with the group. The accommodation has been carefully selected for its charm and location far away from the city lights, giving you the best chance of seeing the northern lights*. 

Spend the night at Magma Hotel or similar.

Average travel & exploration time: 9-10 hours

*Please note that the northern lights are a natural phenomenon and sightings cannot be guaranteed. If weather conditions and visibility are not favourable, the guide will inform you.

Day 3 | The Glacier Lagoon & Northern Lights

You will start the day bright and early as there is a full day of exciting highlights ahead. If you’re travelling between November and March, the group will join an ice cave and glacier walking tour* to Vatnajökull glacier, the largest glacier in Europe!

Then you will head to the spectacular Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, famous for its floating icebergs in shades of milky white and bright blue. Nearby is Diamond Beach where big chunks of ice wash up on shore from the lagoon.

After all this exploration you will head back to your accommodation for the night. You’ll enjoy a local dinner before spending the evening at your leisure. If the weather allows, we recommend putting on some warm clothes to go gaze at the sky waiting for the northern lights to appear.

Spend another night at Magma Hotel or similar.

Average travel & exploration time: 9-10 hours

*The ice cave and glacier walking tour is suitable for everyone who can walk on uneven surfaces. 

Day 4 | The Classic Golden Circle

Today the group will explore the world-famous Golden Circle, a popular route including some of the best-known natural sites in Iceland. Your first stop is the picture-perfect, two-tiered Gullfoss waterfall, where you can see the water thrash and tumble into a canyon.

Next is the Geysir area where you can see bubbling mud pots and the spouting geyser Strokkur, which erupts steam and boiling water metres into the air every few minutes. The guide will be sharing stories of this beautiful sight and why it is a favourite among locals and travellers!

You will end the day with a visit to Þingvellir National Park before heading back to Reykjavik. Þingvellir was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for being historically significant to the founding of Icelandic democracy and a place of immense natural beauty. The park is also home to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where visitors can walk and even dive in the fissure between continental plates.

Spend the night at the Fosshótel Reykjavík or similar

Average travel & exploration time: 8-10 hours

Day 5 |  Departure from Iceland

It’s time for your Iceland adventure to come to an end. You will be picked up from your hotel by a shuttle bus for your airport transfer in time for your departure flight. If your flight is in the afternoon, why not add a visit to the Blue Lagoon on your way to the airport? This way you could relax in its geothermal waters before flying home (optional: not included).

You could also extend your stay to explore more of Reykjavík. Or enquire to combine this tour with a visit to one of our other Nordic destinations.

Average travel time: 50 minutes

Why we love it

City Break

Activities

Stunning Scenery

Aurora Viewing

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All images courtesy of © Nordic Visitor Iceland