ICELAND - GOLDEN CIRCLE, SOUTH COAST, ICE CAVE & RECENTLY ERUPTED VOLCANO 4 Days

Reykjavik - Kirkjubæjarklaustur - Reykjavik

itinerary & prices

Day 1 Depart Reykjavik - The famous Golden Circle Route
Pick up will be at 9 am from the Reykjavík meeting point you have chosen. Please note that even though the pickup procedure up can The first day of our adventure will take us on the world-renowned Golden Circle route – a trio of legendary attractions that are widely considered to be the best in Iceland.

We’ll begin at Thingvellir National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its geological and historical importance. It’s the original location of Althingi – a dramatic glacial plain where a group of Viking nobles founded the first Icelandic Parliament in 930 AD. The modern parliament in Reykjavik retains its name – making it one of the oldest democratic institutions in the world. Thingvellir also hosts a seismic rift valley that marks the ever-expanding gap between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. A unique place that is the only land visible land border between two continents.

Our next stop will be the Geysir Geothermal area – famed for the bubbling geysers that have become synonymous with Iceland. We’ll see the now dormant Great Geysir – which was the first geyser to appear in the English language and gives them all their name. Alongside Strokkur – the most active geyser in the area – firing boiling torrents of water up to 30 meters into the air every few minutes or so. The powerful geothermal forces beneath Iceland’s surface have made it the country it is today, and the Geysir Geothermal area is the best way to see its incredible power in the flesh.   

The final stop on the Golden Circle route is Gullfoss (or “the Golden Falls”) – a stunningly beautiful two-stage waterfall that gets its name from the golden color its water takes as it cascades over the dark brown rock. Beneath it is an emerald valley, and rainbows regularly form above it – making for an awe-inspiring scene.

After visiting the Golden Circle, we’ll drive southwards and head for one of the most impressive waterfalls in the world, Seljalandsfoss. On a clear day, we can even get a view of Hekla Volcano on the way!

After all this adventure, we will head to our countryside hotel, which is a great place to see the flickering colors of the Northern Lights.

The accommodation for the night will be in Hotel Geirland.

Day 2 Jokulsarlon Glacier LAgoon & Ice Caving
Our day begins with a hearty Icelandic breakfast before we head on the road towards the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and the nearby Diamond Beach – passing moss-carpeted lava fields, volcanically scarred deserts, and some spectacular rock formations that stand as vivid reminders of volcanic eruptions over the years. By then, you'll be able to catch sight of the majestic Breidamerkurjokull Glacier, which unfurls like a tongue from Vatnajokull, the largest glacier in the whole of Europe.

The Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon lies in its shadow, famed for the glittering icebergs that float across its icy-blue surface. Many of them wash up on the nearby Diamond Beach, where they shine like beautiful diamonds against the black sands. Both places are breathtakingly beautiful and will leave you with memories you'll treasure forever.

After Jokulsarlon, we head to Skaftafell Nature Reserve for yet another adventure. Your certified glacier guide will meet you there and take you to mesmerizing Vatnajokull Glacier. After taking a breathtaking glacier hike, we'll go into the icy depths of the glacier by entering a natural ice cave. 

Iceland's ice caves usually form over the winter months. When the meltwaters from summer freeze, they create huge pockets and beautiful patterns within the sapphire-blue ice. During the glacier hike, your guide will explain exactly how these incredible ice formations came to be.

These kinds of tours are very weather-dependent, so the ice cave we'll visit will be chosen considering the day's conditions. Since ice cave temperatures are below freezing, don't forget to dress warmly.

Our accommodation for the night will be at Adventure Hotel Geirland.

Day 3 South Coast Sightseeing
After a nutritious breakfast, we’ll start our tour along the South Coast. If the road conditions allow us, we’ll make a small detour to Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, also known as the “Bieber Canyon”, after the famous singer shot his music video here. 

Next, we’ll visit the Eldhraun lava field before heading to the iconic Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. There we’ll take in the stark contrast of the white-crested waves of the Atlantic Ocean as they wash against its jet-black sands. From the cliffside rises a cluster of basalt sea stacks, reminiscent of the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland. We’ll also see the Reynisdrangar basalt pillars, which rise like jagged peaks from the sea. Folktales say they were once a trio of trolls turned to stone by the sun as they tried to drag a boat back to land.

We’ll also stop at the equally impressive Skogafoss Waterfall – whose wider cascade tumbles down 60 meters into a pool below. We’ll climb up the meandering path next to the falls – for a spectacular vista over the entire area. Skogafoss also plays a prominent role in Icelandic myth, and our guide will point out the two strange rock formations that are believed to be trolls who were petrified by the dawn. Some locals also believe that a Viking settler hid a treasure chest somewhere beneath the falls – offering fabulous wealth to the person who finds it.

The famous Eyjafjallajökull stands above the Skogafoss waterfall, and with good visibility, you can catch a glimpse of this magnificent mountain.

In the evening, we’ll return to Reykjavik for the night’s rest at Fosshótel Barón Hotel.

Day 4 Recently Erupted Volcano Hike & Northern Lights
On this final day, you will Join us on a once-in-a-lifetime experience to hike up to Meradalir to see the recently erupted volcano site! This truly is an experience that you will never forget!

Eruptions are rare events, and they are very hostile in nature. This element of rarity, the sheer power, and the potentially destructive forces behind eruptions make them hypnotically fascinating. Not all eruptions are created the same, some spew ashes far up into the sky while others pump out molten magma.

For our final stop, if you are traveling during the winter months (September - March) we'll drive out to hunt the magical Northern Lights. Our tour of the Northern Lights starts off with the thrill of the pursuit. Once your guide picks you up, be prepared for the hunt. You’ll drive out into the unparalleled beauty of a starry night.

As the forecast changes daily, unfortunately, we can’t tell you in advance exactly where our quest for the aurora borealis will take us. But one thing is guaranteed–we will take you far away from the city lights! We could go to Hvalfjörður, Þingvellir, Reykjanes, or to some other rural area in South Iceland to escape light pollution. Traveling by minibus means we can get to offbeat locations that the big buses just can’t reach.

Please note: Nothern Lights chase is available only during the winter season from September to March.

Please keep in mind that volcanic eruption is a natural phenomenon and therefore is hard to predict. We cannot guarantee the sight of boiling lava, but while the main crater is dormant, you will still be able to see the fresh lava surrounding the area.

Return & Pick up time
Return time: We will return to Reykjavík between 00:00 – 01:00 am (12-1:00 a.m.)

Pick-up Information: Pick-up is at 09:00 am from your hotel or a nearby meeting point in Reykjavík. Picking everyone up can take up to 30 minutes, your patience is much appreciated.

Single room supplement is extra. Please contact us for Single travel alone and Single room supplement.

INCLUSIONS

• Pick-up & drop off from Reykjavik

• Guided Group Tour in a Minibus

• English Speaking Tour Guide

• Hotel Accommodation

• Private Bathroom

• Breakfast

• South Coast Highlights

• Guided Ice Cave Tour

• Recently Erupted Volcano Hike

• Northern Lights tour

• Free Wifi on Board Your Bus

EXCLUSIONS

• Lunch and inner

• International airfare

• Baggage porterage at airport/hotel

• Personal travel insurance (highly recommended)

• Swimsuit at the Blue Lagoon (rentals available)

• Round-trip transfers between airports and hotels

• Beverages, snacks, lunches, dinners unless otherwise noted in the itinerary

• Guaranteed early check-in (check-in time for most hotels in Iceland starts between 14:00 and 16:00 (2:00pm and 4:00pm)

• Guaranteed late check-out

• Any service not specifically listed under "Included

WHAT TO BRING

• Warm outdoor clothing including layers

• Thermal underwear (top and bottom)

• Waterproof jacket and pants

• Headwear

• Scarves

• Gloves

• Sturdy hiking boots

Highlights

• Meradalir Volcano Eruption Site

• Gullfoss Waterfall

• Geysir

• Thingvellir

• Seljalandsfoss

• Skogafoss

• Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

• Skaftafell Nature Reserve

• Vatnajokull National Park

• Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

• Diamond Beach

• Natural Ice Cave

• Glacier Hike

• Northern Lights

Important:

• If you do not choose the single supplement you will be paired in a twin room with another participant of the same gender.

• A minimum of 3 passengers is required to guarantee each departure

• Northern lights are dependent on weather conditions and sightings are not guaranteed

• We reserve the right to alter routes without prior notice, due to road conditions

• Please advise us at booking time if you have food allergies or dietary preferences

Minimum age:

6 years.  We do not recommend escorted tours for children 5 years old and younger.