4 Day Tour of Northern Lights, Snaefellsnes & Glacier Lagoon
Set out on a captivating 4-day journey from west to east, discovering Iceland’s untamed rural landscapes with lava deserts and ancient moraine. Experience the thrill of hiking on a glacier and witnessing Europe’s largest hot spring.
Explore the wonders of West Iceland, honored with the prestigious Winter Destination of the Year award by Luxury Travel Guide.
Details
Highlights
- Natural Ice Cave
- Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
- Reynisfjara black sand beach
- Hraunfossar Waterfall
- Barnafoss Waterfall
- Mt. Kirkjufell
- Snæfellsnes Peninsula
- Northern Lights
- Vatnshellir Lava Cave (optional)
- Krauma Geothermal Baths (optional)
Included
- Pick-up & drop off from Reykjavík
- Guided Minibus Tour
- English Speaking Tour Guide
- Accommodation with Private Bathroom - 3 Nights
- Breakfast Each Morning at Your Hotel
- Free WiFi on Board Your Bus
Pickup will be at 9 am from the Reykjavík meeting point you selected. Please keep in mind that while the pickup process may take up to 30 minutes, it’s important to be ready and waiting at 9 am.
Get ready for a tour that will leave a lasting impression long after your time in Iceland. Our first destination is Borgarfjörður, home to Europe’s largest hot spring, Deildartunguhver. This impressive hot spring produces approximately 33 ounces (180 liters) of hot water per second at a temperature of about 100°C, providing heating and hot water to the surrounding areas.
On this day, you’ll have the option to visit the Krauma geothermal baths. For those who decide not to visit Krauma, we’ll head to a nearby horse farm to meet and pet some charming Icelandic horses!
Next, we’ll make our way to Reykholt, a small yet culturally significant town in Iceland, once home to the renowned medieval poet and politician Snorri Sturluson. Here, you’ll also find a historic hot spring pool believed to have been used by Snorri himself.
Near Reykholt, we’ll visit two extraordinary waterfalls, Hraunfossar and Barnafoss, each uniquely captivating. If the weather permits, we’ll end the evening with a chance to witness the Northern Lights.
As the day concludes, we’ll travel to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, setting the stage for the next day’s adventures. Overnight accommodation will be at Hotel Borgarnes.
Day Highlights
- Deildartunguhver hot spring
- Hraunfossar and Barnafoss Waterfalls
- Snæfellsnes Peninsula
- Northern Lights Hunt (in the right conditions)
Included
- Pick up from Reykjavik
- Guided minibus tour to all highlights
- One night at a hotel
After a restful night and a hearty breakfast, we’ll make our way to Djúpalónssandur Beach. Along the journey, you’ll take in the stunning alpine and coastal scenery of western Snæfellsnes.
Djúpalónssandur was once a thriving fishing village, home to around 60 fishing boats. On the shoreline, you’ll see several large stones that fishermen once used to test their strength in friendly competitions. Here, we’ll take a short hike along the coast, where silver-tipped Atlantic waves crash over the glossy black pebbles of the beach. You can also spot the remnants of a British trawler that shipwrecked in 1948, still visible from the shore.
At the top of the beach, we’ll be treated to a stunning view of Kirkjufell, Iceland’s most photogenic mountain. Snæfellsnes is renowned for its diverse and dramatic landscapes, earning it the nickname "Iceland in a nutshell."
We’ll conclude the day with breathtaking views of Snæfellsjökull, the iconic glacier made famous by Jules Verne’s
Journey to the Center of the Earth. After a day filled with unforgettable experiences, we’ll drive you back to Reykjavík for the night.
Day Highlights
- Arnarstapi Fishing Village
- Snæefellsnes National Park
- Vatnshellir Cave (optional extra)
- Djúpalónssandur Beach
- Mount Kirkjufell
Included
- Hotel breakfast
- Guided minibus tour to all highlights
- All necessary caving equipment
- Qualified Caving Guide (optional activity)
- One night at a hotel in the Reykjavík area
The second half of your trip will take you through the southern and eastern regions of Iceland. Throughout the day, you’ll witness stunning landscapes, including vast moss-covered lava fields, majestic waterfalls, volcanic black sands, and towering glacier tongues.
After a hearty breakfast in Reykjavik, we’ll begin our journey along the South Coast, passing through farmlands, towns, and villages, towards the iconic Seljalandsfoss waterfall. This awe-inspiring waterfall is worth getting a little wet for as you can hike behind the waterfall and enjoy a unique view through the water curtain. Our next stop is the nearby Skógafoss, located at the base of the famous Eyjafjallajökull volcano. Hike to the top of this waterfall for sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding lowlands, and on clear days, Mýrdalsjökull glacier can also be seen.
Next, we’ll visit Reynisfjara, a striking black sand beach known for its wind-carved basalt cliffs and sea stacks. On our way to the hotel in Hof, we’ll pass through the quaint town of Vík. After checking into the hotel, we’ll enjoy a relaxing evening, and if the conditions are favorable, we’ll set out to hunt for the Northern Lights once again.
Day Highlights
- Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss Waterfalls
- Coastal village of Vik
- Reynisfjara Black Beach
- Northern Lights Hunt (if conditions are right)
Included
- Hotel breakfast
- Pick up from your hotel
- Guided minibus tour to all highlights
- One night at a hotel
After a restful night, we’ll begin our final day by visiting the world-famous Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and the nearby Diamond Beach. We encourage you to explore the sparkling, otherworldly ice lagoon and embark on the ultimate hike in the Vatnajokull ice cave.
Many of the natural ice sculptures are washed ashore and shattered into countless pieces, decorating the black sand like sparkling diamonds. This is how the site got its name, "Diamond Beach." Be sure to look for floating icebergs, separated from the glacier tongue, along the beach. You might even spot a seal or two.
Next, we’ll venture into the heart of a glacier and explore a stunning ice cave, with a qualified guide leading the way. Ice caves are mesmerizing natural formations that change year after year due to the glacier’s melt-and-freeze cycle. New caves emerge each winter, only to fill with ice and disappear over time.
Inside the glacier, you’ll find ice in a stunning jewel-blue hue. This color is a result of both the compression of ice under its weight and the way light is perceived by our eyes. For photographers, a visit to an ice cave provides a perfect opportunity to capture the shimmering blue light filtering through the glacial ice.
On our way back to Reykjavik, we’ll make a stop at Vatnajökull National Park for a brief visit. Skaftafell Nature Reserve, a lush area surrounded by rugged mountains and snow-capped peaks, offers breathtaking scenery that will undoubtedly be the highlight of the day. As night approaches, we’ll set out on another hunt for the Northern Lights.
Due to factors such as traffic, weather, and the potential appearance of the Northern Lights, we expect to return to Reykjavík between 9 pm and 11 pm.
Please note that, as ice caves are a constantly evolving natural phenomenon, it is not possible to guarantee the visit of any specific cave. The selection of the ice cave will always be based on the conditions and safety considerations at the time of the trip.
Day Highlights
- Vatnajokull Glacier
- Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
- The Crystal Beach (Diamond Beach)
- Natural Ice Cave
- Skaftafell Nature Reserve
Included
- Hotel breakfast
- Guided Ice cave tour
- Certified Glacier Guide
- All glacier and ice cave equipment
- Guided minibus tour to all highlights
- Drop off in Reykavík