Destination

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Duration
5 Day
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Tour Type
Land Tours
Multiday Tours
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Group Size
18
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Minimum Age
8 years

5 Day Snæfellsnes Peninsula And South Iceland Tour

This five-day journey from West to East is an excellent way to see some of Iceland’s most beautiful and sought-after sights. The Snaefellsnes Peninsula, dubbed the ultimate winter destination by *Travel & Leisure*, provides a captivating experience through its distinct and remote rural landscapes. Meanwhile, the South Coast is a treasure trove of natural wonders, featuring breathtaking waterfalls, majestic glaciers, pristine national parks, and dramatic black volcanic beaches that will undoubtedly leave you in awe.

Details

Highlights

  •  Visit Golden Circle
  •  Hike on Vatnajökull Glacier
  •  Explore Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
  •  Walk the shores of Diamond Beach
  •  Visit Natural Ice Cave
  •  See Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
  •  See Mount Kirkjufell
  •  Enjoy Reynisfjara black sand beach
  •  Witness Hraunfossar and Barnafoss Waterfalls
  •  Explore highlights of Snæfellsnes Peninsula
  •  Northern Lights (during winter & under the right conditions)
  •  Soak in Krauma Nature Resort (optional)
  •  Get inside Vatnshellir Cave Tour (optional)

Included

  • Pick-up & drop off from Reykjavík
  • Guided tour in a minibus
  • Accommodation with private bathroom - 4 nights
  • Breakfast
  • English speaking tour guide
  • Free WiFi on board

We’ll pick you up at 9:00 A.M. from your hotel or a chosen pick-up point in Reykjavik. Please note that the entire pick-up process may take up to 30 minutes. Your first stop of the day will be Borgarnes, a village known for its rich Viking history. Before heading to the golden-sand beach at Ytri Tunga, we’ll also visit the impressive basalt columns of Gerðuberg. Next, we’ll continue to Búðir, a small hamlet with stunning views of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Our day will then take us to Arnarstapi, a charming fishing village, where we’ll stop for lunch. After lunch, you’ll have the option to explore Vatnshellir Cave (with an additional cost), located beneath Snæfellsnes National Park. This ancient lava tube tunnel is about 8,000 years old. A certified caving guide will take you through the cave, explaining its formation and the unique features hidden within. This experience offers a real-life connection to the story in Jules Verne’s A Journey to the Centre of the Earth. If you prefer a free alternative, you can visit the Malarrif visitor center and its lighthouse, which offers stunning views at no charge. The day will end with a visit to Djúpalónssandur, a black sand beach where you can see the remains of a shipwreck dating back to 1948. Afterward, we’ll head to the Hellissandur Adventure Hótel (or a similar hotel). If you're traveling between late September and early April, you’ll have a chance to search for the Northern Lights, conditions permitting.
Day Highlights
  • Borgarnes village
  • Gerðuberg basalt columns
  • Ytri Tunga beach
  • Deildartunguhver Hot Spring
  • Búðir
  • Arnarstapi fishing village
  • Vatnshellir cave (optional extra)
  • Djúpalónssandur beach
  • Northern Lights (during winter and if weather conditions allow it)
Included
  • Pick-up from Reykjavik
  • Guided tour in minibus
  • One night in a hotel room
After breakfast, your day will kick off with a visit to one of Iceland’s most photogenic landmarks – Mount Kirkjufell. Fans of Game of Thrones will recognize this iconic mountain, as it was featured in several scenes from the show. Next, we’ll make a brief stop at Grundarfjörður, a charming town in Iceland, where you can take a break and grab some snacks or essentials. Following that, we’ll head to Hraunfossar and Barnafoss Waterfalls. Hraunfossar, also known as "the Lava Waterfalls," is a stunning series of smaller waterfalls flowing through cracks in lava formations. Nearby, you’ll find Barnafoss, or "Children’s Waterfall," which is linked to a tragic folk legend about two children who drowned there long ago After Next, you’ll make your way to the historic site of Reykholt, home to Snorralaug, a hot spring pool once used by Iceland’s famous poet and politician, Snorri Sturluson. For those looking to unwind, you’ll have the option to relax at Krauma Geothermal Baths for an additional fee. If you’d rather keep exploring, we’ll take you to Sturlureykir horse farm, where you’ll meet the Icelandic horses and learn about the farm’s geothermal heating system. Afterwards, you’ll visit Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in Europe. This remarkable hot spring maintains a constant temperature of 206°F (97°C) and pumps out an impressive 47.5 gallons (180 liters) of water every second, providing heating and hot water to surrounding areas. Your day will wrap up with a return to the capital around 6 P.M.
Day Highlights
  • Mount Kirkjufell
  • Grundarfjörður
  • Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls
  • Historic site of Reykholt
  • Krauma geothermal baths (optional extra)
  • Sturlureykir horse farm (alternative to Krauma)
  • Deildartunguhver hot spring
Included
  • Breakfast in hotel
  • Guided tour in minibus
  • Drop off in Reykjavik
Our first stop today is the Golden Circle, beginning with Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its unique geological features and rich history. The park’s stunning rift valley has formed over time through the ongoing movement of two tectonic plates, the North American and the Eurasian plates. Thingvellir is also the site of the world’s oldest parliament, the Althingi, which was founded in 930 CE. While exploring, keep an eye out for Thingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest natural lake. After exploring the stunning rift valley, we’ll head southwest toward Haukadalur Valley and the famous geothermal area of Geysir. Here, we’ll witness Strokkur, an active geyser that erupts up to 25 meters high every few minutes, never missing a beat. Our next stop is the majestic Gullfoss, or Golden Waterfall. In the early 20th century, a group of Englishmen tried to acquire the waterfall to build a hydroelectric plant and harness the power of the Hvita River. Thankfully, their plans fell through due to a lack of funding, and today, Gullfoss remains untouched in all its natural glory. Seljalandsfoss As we continue along the Ring Road, the view of the infamous Hekla volcano comes into sight as we head toward our next stop, Seljalandsfoss Waterfall. A short path leads us behind the waterfall, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. On sunny days, a rainbow often forms around the falls. Seljalandsfoss drops about 196 feet (60 meters), so waterproof clothing is highly recommended. We’ll wrap up the day with a chance to witness the Northern Lights, if the forecast is favorable, before heading to our hotel near the small town of Kirkjubæjarklaustur for the night.
Day Highlights
  • Þingvellir National Park
  • Geysir Hot Springs
  • Gullfoss Waterfall
  • Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
  • Hekla - Volcano Views (weather permitting)
Included
  • Hotel Accommodation
  • Hotel Breakfast
  • Visit to all Highlights of Golden Circle
  • Visit to Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
  • Hotel Near Vík
We continue our journey through the serene rural landscapes, passing scattered farms as we head east. Along the way, we’ll pass through enchanting, moss-covered lava fields. Today’s adventure will take us to the majestic Vatnajökull Glacier, where we’ll explore a natural ice cave and the captivating Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Glacier adventures are weather-dependent, and local conditions can be unpredictable, so some flexibility is required. At Jökulsárlón, you’ll marvel at icebergs of various shapes and sizes floating in the lagoon or resting on the black sands of nearby Diamond Beach. As the late afternoon shadows deepen, you might even spot a seal lounging among the glistening black sand. Next, we’ll head to Skaftafell, where we’ll explore Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier. To ensure the best experience, your certified glacier guide will determine the ideal time for your glacier adventure. Remember, the temperature inside the ice cave is well below freezing, so make sure to bring warm clothing for the experience. Vatnajokull Glacier Hike and Ice Cave Visit   We put on our ice crampons and get ready for the incredible experience of stepping onto the glacier. Your expert guide will take you through this vibrant, dynamic, and living world of ice. You’ll witness mesmerizing crevasses that twist and wind their way through the glacier, constantly reshaping with the flow of nature. Marvel at the dramatic moulins, deep vertical shafts that cut through the ice, and the breathtaking naturally formed ice cave. Be sure to have your camera on hand, as there will be countless opportunities for awe-inspiring photos throughout your hike. We'll spend the night in Kirkjubæjarklaustur. If the forecast is favorable, we'll keep an eye out for the Aurora Borealis. Please note: The glacier hike is highly dependent on weather conditions, so if the accessibility or weather isn't suitable, we'll replace the hike with a similar activity.
Day Highlights
  • Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
  • The Diamond Beach
  • Natural Ice Cave
  • Glacier Hike (winter only)
  • Skaftafell Nature Reserve
  • Svartifoss Waterfall
Included
  • Breakfast at a Hotel in Vík
  • Guided Glacier Hike tour
  • Visit to a Natural Ice Cave
  • Certified Glacier guide
  • Specialized Glacier Hiking Gear
  • Hotel in Skaftafell
After a hearty breakfast, we'll begin our journey back to Reykjavik, stopping to explore the main highlights along Iceland's south shore. If road conditions permit, we'll make a brief detour to visit Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon. From there, we'll head to the iconic Elhraun lava field before reaching Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. At Reynisfjara, you'll witness the raw power of the Atlantic Ocean. You can also explore a black basalt cave and admire the Reynisdrangar basalt stacks rising from the sea. According to legend, these towering formations are trolls who were turned into rock by the rising sun. Next, our tour takes us to Skógafoss, an impressive 60-meter-tall waterfall cascading into the pool below. Legend has it that a Viking treasure lies hidden deep within the pool beneath the waterfall. For a spectacular view, you can climb the 527 steps leading to a panoramic lookout above the falls. After the South Coast tour, we’ll start our journey back to Reykjavík, with the opportunity to visit more sites along the way. We’ll arrive back in Reykjavík between 16:00 (4:00 p.m.) and 19:00 (7:00 p.m.).
Day Highlights
  • Eldhraun Lava Field
  • Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon (weather permitting)
  • Skógafoss Waterfall
  • Reynisfjara Black Beach
  • Eyjafjallajökull Volcano/Glacier Views (weather permitting)
Included
  • Breakfast at Hotel in Skaftafell
  • Guided Tour
  • South Coast Highlights
  • Drop off in Reykjavík

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