Experience true Nordic winter with these Iceland and Canada tours!

About Tour

This multi-day sightseeing and activity tour offers the best opportunity to see and experience Iceland within four days. The absolute highlight of this trip will be the recently erupted volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula!

Highlights

  • The Golden Circle - Gullfoss, Geysir & Thingvellir
  • Hike to the recently erupted volcano
  • Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls
  • Skaftafell nature reserve
  • Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon
  • Diamond Beach
  • Natural ice caves
  • Glacier hike
  • The Black sand beach of Reynisfjara
  • Northern Lights sightings (weather permitting, Sept-April)
  • Small group experience
  • Vatnajokull National Park

Included

  • Pick-up from & drop off in Reykjavík
  • Guided minibus tour
  • Guided hike to the recently erupted volcano
  • Guided ice cave tour
  • Guided Northern Lights tour (Sept-April)
  • English-speaking tour guide
  • All required safety equipment
  • Hotel room with a private bathroom for 3 nights
  • Hotel breakfasts on days 2, 3 & 4
  • Free WiFi on your bus

What to bring

  • Warm clothes
  • Waterproof jacket and pants
  • Sturdy hiking boots* (essential to fit the crampons)
  • *Hiking boots can be rented beforehand or on location for the glacier hike part of the tour

Tour Snapshot

Availability All year
Duration 4 day
Departs From Reykjavik
Minimum age 12 years
Difficulty Easy Suitable for most people in fair condition.
Ratio 1:18 Guide to client ratio
Accommodation Included
Meet on Location No
Pick Up Yes

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  • Operated by Arctic Adventures

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Itinerary

This four-day Iceland trip takes you on a thrilling ride through the country's top spots. You'll hit the Golden Circle’s must-sees like Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, and Gullfoss, then head to the stunning South Coast to see Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, and the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. 

Walk on a glacier, explore an ice cave, and take in the jaw-dropping views at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach. Plus, there’s a chance to spot the Northern Lights and visit a fresh volcanic site! It’s an epic adventure led by experts with a small group of like-minded travelers.

gullfoss waterfall in winter at sunset

Your trip begins with a pick-up in Reykjavik, where your guide will meet you at a convenient location in a comfortable minibus. On our first day, we'll explore the famous Golden Circle, which includes three iconic sites often regarded as Iceland's top attractions.

We’ll begin our tour at Thingvellir National Park, a phenomenal UNESCO World Heritage site where Iceland’s first parliament was founded in 930 AD. Although this parliament has moved to Reykjavik, it still exists, making it the oldest still existing parliament in the world. Thingvellir is located in a geologically unique area between the tectonic plates drifting apart. Here, you can walk between them while your local guide tells all the fascinating stories about this place.

Our next stop will be at the Geysir Geothermal Area, full of bubbling pods in the ground. You’ll see the famous Geysir, which is dormant nowadays. You’ll also see its little brother, Strokkur, shooting the boiling water up to 30 meters in the sky every 5-10 minutes.

After that, the famous Gullfoss waterfall awaits us. Gullfoss, or “The Golden Falls,” is a beautiful water cascade in two stages. During the summer, a rainbow over the waterfall is an amazing sight to see.

After visiting the Golden Circle, we’ll head south to see one of the most impressive waterfalls in Iceland – Seljalandsfoss. On a clear day, you can even get views of the Hekla volcano from here!

We’ll spend the night in a cozy countryside hotel. From September to April, with a bit of luck and clear skies, the enchanting colors of the Northern Lights will light up the night—a bucket-list moment.

Day Highlights
  • Þingvellir National Park (Thingvellir)
  • Geysir Hot Spring area
  • Gullfoss Waterfall
  • Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
  • Hekla Volcano Views (weather permitting)
Included
  • Guided Minibus Tour
  • The Golden Circle
  • Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
  • Northern Lights Hunt (if conditions are right)
  • One-night hotel accommodation
Accommodation
Adventure Hotel Geirland
or similar hotel.
sunset at diamond beach in jokulsarlon

After beginning our day with a hearty breakfast, we’ll head towards the famous Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and the Diamond Beach nearby. We will also see moss-covered lava fields and incredible rock formations from the ancient volcanic eruptions.

The Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is famous for its glittering icebergs slowly floating across the lagoon. Most of these icebergs make their way into the ocean, but some are washed out on the black-sanded Diamond Beach.

After that, we’ll head to Skaftafell Nature Reserve for our next adventure. From October to April, you’ll tour Vatnajokull Glacier, which is not only the biggest glacier in Iceland but also in Europe. We’ll go on a glacier hike to reach a natural ice cave! Here, you’ll get to snap some photos and enjoy the blue surrounding you. Each ice cave is one-of-a-kind and typically only lasts for a year, so we can't predict exactly what you'll encounter. However, these caves are typically stunning, with intricate patterns sculpted by meltwater into the ice.

From April to September, we’ll instead head to Katla Ice Cave, the only natural formation accessible all year round. This glacial cave is under a volcano, so you can see black and blue layers, a result of volcanic ash mixing with the ice.

In the evening, we’ll head to Adventure Hotel Geirland, where we will spend the night. Look out for the Aurora in the sky from September to April!

Day Highlights
  • Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
  • The Diamond Beach
  • Natural Ice Cave
  • Glacier Hike (winter only)
  • Vatnajokull Glacier
  • Skaftafell Nature Reserve
  • Svartifoss Waterfall
Included
  • Hotel breakfast
  • Guided Minibus Tour
  • Diamond Beach
  • Guided Glacier Hike and Ice Cave Tour
  • Northern Lights sightings (depending on conditions)
  • One-night hotel accommodation
Accommodation
Adventure Hotel Geirland
or similar hotel.
a man inside crystal ice cave

Day three is dedicated to the South Coast of Iceland and its treasures. If the weather allows it, we’ll make a small detour to Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, also known as the “Bieber Canyon,” at the beginning of the day.

Later, we’ll continue our tour by visiting the unique Eldhraun lava field, where your guide will share an interesting story about how this eruption might have impacted the emergence of democracy in Europe.

After that, the famous Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach awaits us. Here, you can feel the power of the Atlantic Ocean and see the Reynisdrangar basalt pillars rising from the sea.

Next, there’s the impressive Skogafoss Waterfall. A path next to the waterfalls leads to magnificent panoramic views over the area. If the visibility is good, we can even catch a glimpse of Eyjafjallajökull.

In the evening, we’ll return to the Reykjavik area for the night.

Day Highlights
  • Fjaðrargljúfur Canyon
  • Eldhraun lava field
  • Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
  • Reynisdrangar basalt pillars
  • Skogafoss waterfall
  • Views of Eyjafjallajökull
Included
  • Hotel breakfast
  • Guided minibus tour
  • One-night hotel accommodation in Reykjavík
Accommodation
Hotel Island
or similar

After a nice breakfast at your hotel, you will join our volcano hike tour. On this tour, you will explore a recently erupted volcano, learn about this fascinating geological form, and see the newly formed land for yourself!

Volcanic eruptions are fascinating natural events, and Iceland experienced many in recent years. Whether small or large, fissure cracks open due to lava bursting out and other pyroclastic effects. Every eruption brings a rare, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to observe the sheer power. Since eruptions are naturally unpredictable, we can’t guarantee fresh lava sightings. However, even if the main crater is dormant during our visit, you’ll still be able to experience the striking landscape created by the lava fields.

hikers taking pictures of a volcano

After the volcano experience, during the winter months (September - April), we’ll set out on a quest to find the magical Northern Lights. The adventure begins as soon as your guide picks you up, and we’ll journey into the stunning beauty of the night sky.

Since the forecast changes daily, we can’t predict exactly where we’ll go to chase the aurora borealis. However, we promise to take you far from the city lights! We might head to a remote spot in South Iceland to avoid light pollution. With our minibus, we can explore hidden locations that larger buses can’t access.

If you’re looking to see something supernatural and cross the Northern Lights off your bucket list, then this is the tour for you!

happy friends watching northern lights in iceland at winter
Day Highlights
  • Recently erupted volcano site
  • Northern lights from September to April
Included
  • Hotel breakfast
  • Guided volcano hike tour
  • Guided Northern Lights tour (Sept-April)
  • Drop-off in Reykjavik

Pick-up information: Pick-up is at 9:00 a.m. from your selected meeting point in Reykjavík. Everyone's pick-up can take up to 30 minutes, so your patience is much appreciated. Available pick-up points

Return time: We will be back in Reykjavík between 12:00 a.m. and 1:00 a.m.

  • The Northern Lights hunt is available only during the winter season, from September to April. Since the spectacle of the Northern Lights is very weather-dependent, if no aurora is seen, you’ll have unlimited re-tries, valid for up to 3 years. That’s right, you’ll be able to re-join the chase of Northern Lights until it’s a successful one! What to do in this case? Our Customer Care is ready to help you and book your next re-try. Please remember that refunds are not issued when a tour takes place but no Northern Lights are seen. During a re-try, the tour is operated on a minibus.

  • Volcanoes are natural phenomena, and the level of volcanic activity at the site varies daily. Even if the volcano does not erupt during your visit, the area is still a fascinating experience.

  • If you’re traveling with a party of 2 or more, be sure to book everyone under a single reservation. Otherwise, we can’t guarantee you will all be on the same tour activity.

  • The ice cave’s look cannot be guaranteed to match the photos, as these natural formations change with the seasons, time of day, lighting, and other environmental factors. Thank you for your understanding.

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4 Day Golden Circle, South Coast & Volcano Eruption Site

Frequently asked questions

Our multi-day tours will give you a small group experience as they are operated in a mini-bus and you get a better connection with the guide.

By booking a multi-day tour with us, you don’t need to have to worry about finding accommodation during the time of the tour as our multi-day tour includes accommodation which is often booked far in advance. You will get more opportunities to explore Iceland further and experience places that you would normally not be able to see on a one-day tour. 

All of our tours are English guided so you will have English speaking licensed guide throughout the tour that will tell you everything about what you see along the way and knows where the best locations to stop by at to get the absolute best experience.

When booking your tour you are guaranteed accommodations at a friendly country hotel and/or guesthouse. All of the hotels we work with are of the same standard and offer nice rooms with beds and linen. The standard room is a twin room but it is possible to request a double room or a triple room, with no extra charge. The rooms come with private or shared bathrooms, depending on your booking.

Free Wi-Fi, towels, a hairdryer, and a kettle are accessible at all of the hotels.

If you want to have your own room, then a single supplement is payable in order to secure a single room. If you do not wish to book a single room then you will be roomed with another traveler of the same gender.

Breakfast is included at the hotel/guesthouse restaurant during the tour. Meals and beverages are not included on your tour. However, we will make stops at restaurants and conveniences stores where you are able to purchase all necessities.

The average amount spent on food each day per person is 8,000 ISK (80$). Cash is not necessary, as credit cards are accepted at all restaurants and stores. A small amount of cash won't hurt though.

A typical breakfast buffet is included at all the hotels/guesthouses we stay at during the tour, allowing you to fuel up for the day on various slices of bread, toppings, cereal, fruits, and yogurt. Tea and coffee are also included, alongside a variety of additional tasty options.

Your guide will also find a good place for the group to eat lunch, where you can find a wide selection of dishes on the menu, so there will be options available for everyone. The dinner is usually at the hotels/guesthouses we stay at for the night. We will make stops at restaurants and convenience stores where you will be able to purchase all necessities.

The average amount spent on food each day per person is 8,000 ISK (80$). Cash is not necessary, as credit cards are accepted at all restaurants and stores. A small amount of cash won't hurt, though.

For multi-day tours, each participant is allowed to bring a small backpack and one piece of luggage weighing a maximum of 20 kg (44 lbs). If you are traveling with extra bags or heavier luggage, you will need to book suitable storage before you arrive; this will incur a small fee. There is the option to add luggage storage in Reykjavík during the booking process of your order in the extras section.

* The combined dimensions of each bag must not exceed 158 cm (62 in).

We welcome all participants of all ages older than the listed minimum age for each tour. Our average group usually consists of participants between the ages of 22 to 55 years. However, we have people of all ages, ranging from 8 to 99 years, joining our multi-day tours. We get a lot of solo travelers joining us, as well as families and friends.

If you find yourself having difficulties participating in any of the activities included in the tour, for example, a glacier activity, then you are more than welcome to skip it. Iceland is surrounded by beautiful scenery so you can explore your surroundings in the meantime r wait elsewhere while others do the activity. Our guide should be able to drop you off at a nearby place where there are some services available if requested.

The average is around 300 km (186 miles) per day on our multi-day tours. You’ll spend approximately 4-5 hours in the car each day. Stops are of course, made at multiple locations throughout the tour for sightseeing, activities, bathroom breaks, lunch stops, etc.

We do offer some necessary items for rent. For most of our multi-day tours, we rent out waterproof jackets and pants as well as hiking shoes. These items are available to book under the selection “Extras’’ in the booking widget when booking your tour on our website.

If you have already booked the tour and wish to add some rental gear to your booking, you can do that at least 24 hours before your tour starts, via our Customer Portal.

The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and therefore we can unfortunately never promise that they will be seen on your tour. Their appearance depends upon atmospheric and weather conditions. The best time to see the lights is between September - March when it’s a dark and clear sky. The sky needs to be as dark as possible, so the best places to see them are well away from the city lights.

Most of the hotels on our tours are remotely located and, therefore, ideal for spotting the northern lights. If the forecast is in our favor, then it is very likely that you will be able to see the northern lights. Most of the hotels offer a Northern Lights wake-up call upon request if lights are spotted, so it is more likely that you will see the lights on a multi-day tour!

We always highly recommend booking a multi-day tour starting at least one day after arriving in Iceland. If you’re flying in from the US or will be landing early (4-6:30) you should be able to join the tour, but be aware that some risks could follow such as flight gets delayed and could, therefore, miss out on the tour.

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