Looking for the complete Icelandic experience? This five-day tour offers all the highlights you could ever want!
This amazing multi-day tour combines some of Iceland’s best-known attractions, with some of its more off-the-beaten-track ones – making it the perfect way to explore the land of fire and ice. You’ll see majestic waterfalls, bubbling hot springs, mighty glaciers, imposing volcanoes and much, much more.
See the Golden Circle, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Vatnajökull Glacier and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, among a host of other incredible sights. With the tantalizing prospect of the Northern Lights appearing at any moment. If you’re on the lookout for an unforgettable adventure in Iceland, then this is the perfect tour for you.
West Iceland in the Winter destination of 2019
Best tour of 2019 in Northern Lights category by TourRadar
Pickup information:
We’ll collect you from your Reykjavik accommodation at 9:00 on the first day. Please note that this process can last up to thirty minutes.
Practical information:
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Find out more details about the tour and its highlights.
We’ll kick off the adventure from Reykjavik with a drive past fjords and bays on our way up North. We pay our respects to Snaefellsnes Peninsula and Kirkjufell, the most photographed mountain in Iceland. Then it’s time to head back to the Golden Circle and neighbor waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. On the fourth day, we drive eastward to Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and go spelunking in an ice cave. The whirlwind expedition wraps up with a glacier hike with a certified glacier guide!
We’ll collect you from your Reykjavik accommodation at 9:00 am and make the picturesque drive to Iceland’s scenic West Coast. Our first stop of the day will be Deildartunguhver – the most powerful hot spring in Europe. It pumps a remarkable 47.5 gall...)
We’ll collect you from your Reykjavik accommodation at 9:00 am and make the picturesque drive to Iceland’s scenic West Coast.
Our first stop of the day will be Deildartunguhver – the most powerful hot spring in Europe. It pumps a remarkable 47.5 gallons of superheated water every second – creating vast plumes of steam and an impressive thundering roar.
This spring provides hot water to several towns in the surrounding area, along with the Krauma Geothermal Baths, which can be added as an optional extra to the tour. If you don’t fancy a relaxing dip in one of the hot springs, then we will head to nearby stables and pet some traditional Icelandic horses.
From there we’ll head to the historic Reykholt – once home to Snorri Sturluson, a renowned poet and politician who played a massive role in the writing of the Icelandic sagas. Snorri’s importance to the preservation of Norse culture cannot be underestimated and he is without doubt the ‘Icelandic Homer’. We’ll also see his famous bathing pool - Snorralaug, where he went to relax and be inspired amidst stunning natural scenery.
Hraunfossar and Barnafoss Waterfalls
From there we proceed on to Hraunfossar and Barnafoss Waterfalls. Hraunfossar (“the Lava Waterfalls”) is made up of a myriad of smaller cascades pouring through the cracks of a vast lava field. Whereas Barnafoss (the Children’s waterfall) is associated with a tragic urban legend, where two children unfortunately perished in its waters.
Both are set in a spectacular landscape, carrying waters that flow all the way from Langjokull Glacier. We’ll finish the day with a visit to Gerðuberg, a collection of basalt columns that were created by lava that was instantly cooled by seawater.
We’ll stay in a comfortable countryside hotel and venture out in search of the Northern Lights if the conditions are right.
Please note that the itinerary is subject to change – we may sometimes begin with a South Coast Iceland Tour and then the West Coast Tour etc.
We’ll eat a delicious Icelandic breakfast and then continue on towards the western part of Snæfellsnes. Along the way alpine scenery will unfold before your eyes and mountains, glaciers and volcanoes will dominate the horizon. The fishing village of ...)
We’ll eat a delicious Icelandic breakfast and then continue on towards the western part of Snæfellsnes. Along the way alpine scenery will unfold before your eyes and mountains, glaciers and volcanoes will dominate the horizon. The fishing village of Arnarstapi is nestled amongst this magnificent landscape – an ideal spot to hop out of the tour bus and explore the surrounding area.
Our journey will continue on to the Vatnshellir Cave – a majestic subterranean wonder that is made of lava that is around eight-millennia old. Your expert guide will tell you all about how this amazing cave was formed and show you the incredible minerals that color its walls.
Hellnar + Djúpalónssandur
We’ll stop at the charming village of Hellnar for a bite to eat and then visit the beautiful black pebble beach. The beach is framed by tall, craggy cliffs that gaze across the Atlantic Ocean. Be sure to take a photo of the white-tipped waves as they thunder against the coal black pebbles on the shore!
Keep an eye out for the wreck of the British trawler Epine that ran aground there in 1948. At the end of the beach, you’ll find the famous lifting stones, which were used to test the strength of potential fisherman in days gone by. Do you think you would be strong enough to lift them?
Kirkjufell
We’ll top the day off by seeing one of the most photogenic mountains in the world – Kirkjufell rises like an emerald pyramid over the surrounding area, a truly majestic scene that you will never forget. Your friendly guide will show you the best spot to snap a photo of it and if we’re really lucky, the Northern Lights might flicker above it!
We’ll spend the evening in a cozy countryside hotel and head out on a Northern Lights tour if the conditions are good.
We’ll spend day three on the world-famous Golden Circle Route – the most popular tourist trail in Iceland. Thingvellir National Park: We’ll begin at Thingvellir National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site that combines geology, history and nature ...)
We’ll spend day three on the world-famous Golden Circle Route – the most popular tourist trail in Iceland.
Thingvellir National Park: We’ll begin at Thingvellir National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site that combines geology, history and nature into the perfect package. You’ll see Althingi – the founding site of the world’s first parliament in 930 c.e. The seismic rift valley, which marks the ever-expanding gap between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Be sure to check out Thingvallavatn – the largest natural lake in Iceland.
Geysir: We’ll continue on towards Haukadalur Valley – a geothermal wonderland filled with a host of hot springs and erupting geysers. We’ll see the famous Great Geysir that gives all geysers their names, along with Strokkur, which throws boiling water up to 25 meters into the air every few minutes. All of Geysir is truly incredible and the perfect place to see one of nature’s greatest shows.
Gullfoss: Our final stop will be the magnificent Gullfoss Waterfall (the Golden Falls), whose golden hued cascade originates at Langjokull Glacier and flows down the Hvita River all the way down to Gullfoss. It’s constantly rated as one of the best waterfalls in the world and a fabulous photo opportunity that you won’t want to miss!
Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss: We’ll continue along the Ring Road and pass the notorious Hekla Volcano on our way to Seljalandsfoss Waterfall. Famed for its breathtaking cylindrical cascade and the hidden cave that allows you to see it from a totally different angle. On a sunny day you might be able to snap a photo of one of the many magnificent rainbows that appear above it.
Another waterfall, Skogafoss, lies around thirty minutes up the road. It’s larger than Seljalandsfoss – dropping more than 60 meters down into a valley below. We’ll walk up the winding path that runs alongside it to see some fabulous views over the surrounding area. Keep an eye out for the hidden treasure that, Thrasi, one of the first Viking settlers is supposed to have been buried there.
Our final stop will be Reynisfjara – a magnificent black sand beach that is home to some of the most beautiful rock structures in Iceland. We’ll stroll along it and see the beauty of the deep blue waves of the Atlantic Ocean thunder on the coal-black sands; appreciate the series of basalt columns that rise up the cliff near the beach; and see the Reynisdrangar basalt peaks, which are supposedly trolls who were petrified by the sun.
We’ll spend the evening at the charming coastal town of Vik and go on a Northern Lights hunt if the conditions are right.
We’ll kick things off with a hearty breakfast and then drive eastwards through a series of beautiful lava fields. Our destination will be the Vatnajökull National Park – which sits in the shadow of Europe’s largest glacier and is home to a plethora o...)
We’ll kick things off with a hearty breakfast and then drive eastwards through a series of beautiful lava fields. Our destination will be the Vatnajökull National Park – which sits in the shadow of Europe’s largest glacier and is home to a plethora of glacially formed natural wonders.
Ice Cave: You’ll meet up with your friendly glacier guide, who’ll make sure that you are aware of any relevant safety information. Then we’ll head straight in to the ice cave for a memorable experience in the heart of an icy natural wonder. We’ll wander through the ice cave and see the incredible shades of blue and wonderful ice patterns. Your expert guide will tell you all about how these ever-changing beauties are formed and take you to the best places to snap some photos.
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon: Our final stop of the day will be the world-famous Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and nearby Diamond Beach. They sit in the shadow of Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier, which crafts their mesmeric landscape. Icebergs snap away from the main body of the glacier and glide across Jökulsárlón on their way to the open ocean.
The magnificent colours of the icebergs and the friendly seals bobbing in and out of them make for a truly stunning photo opportunity. Many of the icebergs wash ashore on the Diamond Beach – resting like glistening jewels amidst the coal-black sand. If we’re really lucky then the Northern Lights might dance above our heads – capping off an incredible day.
We’ll eat a hearty breakfast and head to Skaftafell or Solheimajokull (depending on the season) to meet our certified glacier guide. It's time for an unforgettable glacier hike! We can’t tell you exactly which glacier we will visit, because it depen...)
We’ll eat a hearty breakfast and head to Skaftafell or Solheimajokull (depending on the season) to meet our certified glacier guide. It's time for an unforgettable glacier hike!
We can’t tell you exactly which glacier we will visit, because it depends on the time and the season, but we guarantee that it will be an incredible experience. Your guide will provide all the equipment that you need and ensure your safety throughout. Hiking on a glacier is truly incredible and we guarantee that you’ll be impressed by its size and many wonderful features. Don’t miss out on the chance to enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience!
After our glacier hiking adventure, we’ll head back to Reykjavik and stop off at some more incredible attractions along the way. We’ll arrive back at Reykjavik between 20:00 and 23:00, depending on the weather conditions and mood of the group. We hope you enjoy your adventure in Iceland and can’t wait to be a part of the next one!
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and we cannot guarantee that you will see them during the tour. However, the tour takes place during the winter months, giving you an excellent chance of seeing them. We cannot tell you which glacier we w...)
Still got questions about the tour? Hopefully you will find the answer here.
We always 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 am) you should be able to join the tour, but some risks would follow (i.e if the flight gets delayed) and could, therefore, miss out on the tour.
Most of the hotels we use during our tours are remotely located and therefore ideal to spot the northern lights. If the forecast is in your favor then it is more than likely that you will be able to see the magical show put on by the dancing northern lights during your tour with us. Most of the hotels offer a Northern Lights wake up call upon request if they lights are spotted. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and therefore we can unfortunately never promise that they will be seen. Their appearance depends upon atmospheric and weather conditions. The best time to see them is between September and March when it’s dark and clear. The sky needs to be as dark as possible, so the best places to see them are well away from city lights (that’s where we are going!).
For more information on the Northern Lights, please have a look at our Northern Lights information.
For multi-day tours, each participant is allowed to bring a small backpack and 1 piece of luggage weighing a maximum of 20 kg (44 lbs).
* The combined dimensions of each bag must not exceed 158 cm (62 in).
* It’s possible to store your luggage with us in Reykjavík while you are on your tour, for a small fee. We highly recommend storing the luggage in Reykjavík to help us reduce our carbon footprint.
* Please note that luggage storage is not refundable.
When booking with Adventures.com, you are guaranteed accommodation at a nice country hotel and/or a guesthouse. The hotels we have partnered up with are all of the same standards and offer nice rooms with made-up beds. The rooms come with private or shared bathrooms, depending on your booking. The standard room is a twin room but it’s possible to request a double room or a triple room, with no extra charge.
If you are traveling solo, you will have to add the single room fee if you wish to have a single room.
All hotels have free Wi-Fi. Towels, a hairdryer, and a kettle are accessible at all of the hotels. Hotel breakfast is included!
If your tour includes accommodation, breakfast is always included during the tour at the hotel/guesthouse restaurant.
Meals and beverages are otherwise not included on your tour. (Unless it’s specifically stated in the description of the tour)
On our multiday tours, we will be making stops at restaurants and convenience stores where you will be able to purchase all necessities.
You should count on spending around 8,000 ISK (80$) on food each day per person. Cash is not necessary, as credit cards are almost always accepted. Having a small amount of cash doesn’t hurt though.
Breakfast is included at all the hotels we stay in during the tour. The breakfast will be a typical breakfast buffet, offering bread, toppings, cereal, yogurt, fruits, coffee, and tea etc.
Your guide will also find a good place for the group to eat lunch. We always try to choose places that have a wide selection of dishes on the menu, so there will be options available for everyone. The dinner is usually at the hotels we stay at for the night.
We do welcome participants of all ages older than the listed minimum age for each tour. We have people of ages ranging from 8-99 years joining our multi-day tours. Our average group usually consists of participants between the age 20-55 years. We do get a lot of solo travellers joining our tours, as well as families and friends.
If you have difficulties participating in any of the activities included in the tour, for example, a glacier activity, you are more than welcome to skip it. You can explore your surroundings in the meantime or wait elsewhere. Our guide should be able to drop you off at a nearby place where there are some services available.
A single supplement is available if you want to have your own room, but you are not required to pay a single supplement. If you are a single traveler and do not wish to book a single room, you’ll be roomed with another traveler of the same gender.
Don’t worry, you can always rent sturdy hiking boots, a waterproof jacket and pants in the booking process. We do not rent these items from the location, they must be ordered in advance.
We drive on average around 300 km (186 miles) per day on our multi-day tours. You will be spending approximately 4-5 hours in the car each day. We do of course stop on multiple locations throughout the tour for sightseeing, activities, bathroom breaks and lunch stops.
