Snaefellsnes, South Iceland & Northern Lights

We will pick you up at 9:00 am and drive along the beautiful West Coast, exploring the stunning countryside of Western Iceland.

The day's first stop will be Deildartunguhver, Europe's most robust hot spring. The hot spring stays at a constant 206 degrees Fahrenheit (97 degrees Celsius) and pumps out a vast 47.5 gallons (180 liters) of water every second. In addition, the hot spring is used to heat nearby areas and provide hot water.

We'll stop at the Krauma Geothermal Baths, where you can take a break and relax. The entrance ticket is an optional extra. If you don't want to go to Krauma, we'll stop at a horse farm nearby where you can pet Icelandic horses.
The next place we'll go is the old town of Reykholt, where we'll visit the hot spring pool known as Snorralaug.

Hraunfossar and Barnafoss Waterfalls will be our next stops. Hraunfossar, sometimes known as "the Lava Waterfalls," is a large group of lesser waterfalls that flow through lava formations. 

The falls cradle the waters from Langjokull Glacier, creating a stunning view. At the end of the day, we will visit Geruberg, a dramatic landscape of basalt columns. This beautiful natural wonder was made by flowing lava cooled by the sea.

If the northern lights and cloud forecasts are favorable an evening northern lights hunt will be on!

Overnight in Borgarnes area (breakfast)

• Breakfast
• Overnight in Borgarnes area

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, we'll continue our Iceland tour toward the western part of Snaefellsnes. You'll be amazed by the stunning marginal and Alpine scenery around you. Our first stop is at the small and charming fishing village of Arnarstapi, where we will take a short walk and explore the surrounding area.

Then, you'll have a chance to wander through Vatnshellir Cave, which lies under the ground in Snæfellsnes National Park. The cave is a lava tube tunnel around 8,000 years old. Your certified caving guide will explain its formation and the fascinating features that lie in hidden spots. This experience takes you about as close as possible to the story of Jules Verne's book A Journey to the Center of the Earth.

Our next stop will be at Hellnar, a picturesque village where we'll have lunch. Then we'll continue to the beautiful black pebble beach at Djúpalónssandur. The beach is landlocked by tall, rugged cliffs that look outward to the Atlantic Ocean. There, you'll notice inky, sleek pebbles and the roar of waves as they wash the shore.

When traversing the beach, be careful not to be drawn into the ocean, as the power of the water is truly majestic. Also, remember to keep an eye out for the remains of the antique British trawler Epine, which shipwrecked in 1948.

At the end of the beach, you will also find the famous lifting stones. Back in the day, men of a nearby fishing village were challenged to test their strength by lifting stones. Would you be able to lift them? After the strength contest, we'll head to the photogenic Kirkjufell Mountain and cap off our day with a stunning view of the mountain. 

Overnight in Reykjavik (breakfast)

• Breakfast
• Overnight in Reykjavik

Today we will travel the Golden Circle route. One of the world's most beautiful geological locations, Thingvellir, is to be found there. You'll visit the geothermal power plant, stand where two tectonic plates collide, and dip your toes in Thingvallavatn, Iceland's largest lake.

We'll also go to Gullfoss, a magnificent waterfall in the Hvita River Canyon. This majestic stream plunges 105 feet (32 meters) to the ground. Make sure you pack waterproof gear because the nearby hot spring, Strokkur, periodically shoots up spectacular jets of steam that will leave you slightly moist but enthralled.

We will then see Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, two nearby waterfalls with hidden gems, as we journey farther into the country's south. Finally, the day will end at Reynisfjara, a well-known black-sand beach. As we wave goodbye to the trolls turned into stones in the water, the sun sets, hinting that tonight might be a good time to get a glimpse of the Northern Lights.

We continue through rural landscapes, local farms, and moss-covered lava fields.
First, we will explore a natural ice cave in the Vatnajokull Glacier. Ice adventures are always a little different and depend significantly on the weather, which can be hard to predict. Once you get to the entrance of the natural ice cave, your guide will tell you how to stay safe and give you all the gear you need. The walk on the ice cave will take about 45 minutes. Your guide will point out some interesting facts and features, and you will learn how the cave was created and the reason for its brilliant blue color.
Throughout your hike, you will encounter genuinely inspiring photo opportunities, so make sure your camera is ready.

Next, we will drive to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and nearby Diamond Beach. Icebergs of all shapes and sizes can be seen floating in the lagoon waters or resting on the black sand beach in the fading late afternoon shadow. You might even see a seal bathing among the glistering grains of black sand.

We continue to Skaftafell and on to Europe's largest glacier, Vatnajokull. To ensure the best time at the glacier, a certified glacier guide will decide when it's best to embark on your adventure. Also, keep in mind that the temperature inside the ice cave is well below the freezing point, so please have warm clothes with you.

If the forecast is in our favor, we'll keep our eyes open for the Northern Lights.

Overnight in Kirkjubæjarklaustur area (breakfast)

• Breakfast
• Overnight in Kirkjubæjarklaustur area

In the morning, we will slowly drive back to Reykjavik while stopping to see the main highlights on the south shore of Iceland. If the road conditions allow it, we will make a short detour to Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon.

We will then continue and make a stop at the Elhraun lava field before heading to Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. Here at Reynisfjara, you will be amazed by the immense power of the Atlantic Ocean, Reynisdrangar basalt stacks rising from the sea, and a black basalt cave. According to legend, the rising sun transformed local trolls into rocks.

We continue on to Skógafoss, a 60-meter-tall waterfall that falls into a pool below, where, according to general belief, a Viking treasure is hidden. 527 steps willl take you to panoramic view above the falls.

After the South Coast tour, we’ll begin the journey back to Reykjavík. We’ll have a chance to visit more sites as we travel through the south and back to the city. We’ll return to Reykjavík between 16:00 (4:00 p.m.) and 19:00 (7:00 p.m.).

Overnight in Reykjavik (breakfast)

• Breakfast
• Overnight in Reykjavik

• Breakfast
• Flybus shuttle to the airport