3 Day Winter Minibus Tour: South Coast, Blue Ice Cave, Golden Circle & Northern Lights
Come on a 3 days excursion to explore the most famous locations in the Golden Circle and the South Coast. See our stunning glacier lagoon Jökulsárlón, Europe's largest glacier within an ice cave, and if nature allows, even the magnificent Northern Lights.
Duration
3 Days
Highlights
✓ Thingvellir National Park ✓ Gullfoss ✓ Geysir ✓ Skógafoss ✓ Seljalandsfoss ✓ Skaftafell in Vatnajokull National Park ✓ Glacier Hike✓ Super Jeep Blue Ice Cave Tour ✓ Jökulsárlón ✓ Diamond Beach ✓ Reynisfjara
Included
✓ Wi-Fi and Icelandic music on board ✓ Accommodation with breakfast ✓ Small group experience ✓ Glacier & ice cave equipment,
Overview
In this tour, you’ll get the chance to see the famous geothermal erupting Geysir, the powerful waterfall Gullfoss and Thingvellir National Park in the Golden Circle.
You’ll also be taken to the famous South Coast. Along the shore, you’ll get to see the two waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, and the famous Black Sand Beach. You’ll also visit the stunning Glacier Lagoon Jökulsárlón in Vatnajökull National Park, where you’ll also get the chance to explore Europe’s largest glacier and enter a blue ice cave. And if nature allows, you’ll get a view of the magnificent Northern Lights at night.
Daily itinerary
Day 1
Geysir Geothermal Area
The Geysir geothermal area hosts many colorful hot springs. One called Strokkur is a geyser, which erupts every 5 minutes up to 35 meters. It was named after “Geysir” the original erupting hot spring, that gave all the geysers in the world their name, however extinct today.
Gullfoss Waterfall
The melting water from Iceland´s second biggest glacier, Langjökull, falls into a deep canyon forming the majestic “Golden Falls”. On a sunny day, you can see the glacier Langjökull in the distance and enjoy a rainbow in the mist of the waterfall, an photo blockbuster waiting to happen!
Thingvellir National Park
We visit the place where the two tectonic plates, the North American and the Eurasian plate, are moving away from each other. Few places in the world offer a better and clearer view of this massive geographic activity. The biggest natural lake in Iceland is also located at Thingvellir National Park and hosts a great variety of fish and bird life. Thingvellir is also an important place for Icelandic national history. as Icelanders founded here their parliament in 930 AD where the chieftains had their annual meeting every summer. The name “Thingvellir” translates to “Parliament Plains”.
r.
Day 2
Seljalandsfoss waterfall
Upon arrival you will enjoy the powerful theatrics of Seljalandsfoss. Bring a raincoat and you’ll be able to make the short hike behind the falls. The scene behind the fall and the trembling ground from the power of the falling water makes for an automatic photo blockbuster!
Skógafoss waterfall
Further east along the coast is Skógafoss waterfall. Skógafoss is an incredibly picturesque sight: tucked in a little gorge, the river Skógá tumbles down a 60 meters cliff before continuing down the landscape towards the Atlantic Ocean. Alongside the gorge, a staircase can take you to the shelf above the waterfall for stunning views.
Glacier Hike in Skaftafell
We will hike an outlet glacier spawning from the largest glacier in the country, Vatnajökull. A spectacular experience and opportunity to learn more about this breathtaking natural phenomenon. Skaftafell area has been used as a filming location for many famous TV shows and films, such as Game of Thrones.
Northern Lights Discovery
Arriving at our hotel in the Southeast, you will then meet your guide after dinner for further information about the Northern Lights, weather and Aurora forecast and a good spot to look at them. If the sky is clear and the forecast is good, we can hope for the magic to begin.
Day 3
Jökulsárlón, the Glacier Lagoon
Jökulsárlón is a 200m deep glacier water lagoon fed by the melting of Breiðamerkurjökull, an outlet glacier of Europe’s largest glacier Vatnajökull. Enormous icebergs also fall from Breiðamerkurjökull all year round so the lagoon is usually filled with ice blocks that floats South.
Diamond Beach
On the other side of the road, the icebergs from Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon float into the Atlantic Ocean where they are quickly thrown back to shore by the tide and winds. This black sand beach is full of smaller ice blocks in all shapes and sizes, sparkling like diamonds in the daylight. The ice itself comes in all shades of white and blue forming beautiful contrasts.
Blue Ice Cave
The journey continues with a Super Jeep ride to explore the ice cave. Your guide will share with you his expertise about the ice caves, allowing you to truly appreciate this amazing natural phenomenon – spoiler alert… it will be blue.
Reynisfjara, the Black Sand Beach
We visit the Black Sand Beach of Reynisfjara where the Atlantic coastline presents massive waves hitting the unique basalt pillars in the cliffs above the sand. The cliffs of Dýrhólaey are seen in the distance. This area of the south is also a paradise for bird lovers, as puffins, razorbills and dozens of other species nest on top of these cliffs in the summertime.
General Information
October to March
08:00 am
Easy to moderate
Minimum age is 8 years old for glacier hike. If children under those ages are on the tour, then an adult needs to stay with them while others do these activities.
✓ Thingvellir National Park
✓ Gullfoss waterfall
✓ Geysir geothermal area
✓ Skógafoss waterfall
✓ Seljalandsfoss waterfall
✓ Glacier Hike Tour in Vatnajökull National Park
✓ Super Jeep tour to a Blue Ice Cave
✓ Jökulsárlón, the Glacier Lagoon
✓ Diamond Beach
✓ Reynisfjara – The Black Sand Beach
✓ English speaking guide
✓ Certified glacier guide
✓ Small group
✓ Wi-Fi and Icelandic music on board
✓ Glacier equipment: helmet, harness, crampons, and ice axe
✓ Two nights accommodation in a hotel with breakfast and private bathroom
• Warm clothes (first layer)
• Waterproof outdoor clothing (second layer)
• Hiking boots (available for rent when booking)
• Joy and happiness!
• Order or availability of attractions may change due to road or weather conditions and we may have to adjust timings to the short daylight of winter days.
• The limit is one suitcase of 24 inches per person, but you can store your extra luggage in our office for 1,000 ISK. It can be added as an extra fee at the time of booking, and is non-refundable upon payment in all cases.
• Customers travelling on their own will receive a single room. Reservations for 2 people will be allocated a double room. For bookings of 3 or more, triple rooms will automatically be allocated. If these arrangements do not meet your requirements, please contact the provider.
• Pick up is from designated locations in Reykjavík on a drop-down menu at the time of booking. Pick up is not available from Keflavik airport or outside of the greater capital area.
• The Northern Lights are a natural random phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed by the operator. The hotels are in prime locations to maximize the chances of seeing them.
• Ice caves are a dynamic ever-changing natural phenomenon only accessible during winter time when temperatures drop below zero. Each year new unique caves are formed in different areas of the glacier. We visit a naturally formed ice cave during this tour. The photos on our website and social medias are from this winter season, but the ice cave we visit might have changed of appearance due to the dynamic nature of these formations.
• All multiday tours can be cancelled up to 48 hours from the departure time with 85% of the total price refunded by sending an email to [email protected] All cancellations requested less than 48 hours from the departure time are non refundable.
• In the case of cancellation of the tour by the operator because of extreme weather, road conditions or other factors, we will assist you with rebooking to another date or booking other activities when possible, or provide a full refund.
Photos
Map
FAQ
How does pick up work?
We offer pick-up only from Reykjavik city greater area from designated locations found on a drop-down menu at the time of booking. We ask all our customers to send their pick up location at least 24 hours prior to the departure of their tour. We cannot be responsible if you do not provide your pick up location or miss the departure of your tour. Pick up starts at the scheduled departure time of your voucher and can take up to 30 minutes. We ask our passenger to be ready at their listed location so they can be easily found.
What are designated pick up locations?
Due to the regulations of the city of Reykjavik, tour companies are only allowed to stop at certain designated bus stop locations in the city center to pick up passengers. It is stated on your voucher if we will pick you up directly from your hotel or from the designated bus stop locations. Find the closest designated pick up location using the map on www.busstop.is.
What is a multiday tour?
A multiday tour is a tour that includes guided sightseeing and activities for more than one day and accommodation.
Why should I book a multiday tour?
All our multiday tours are in a minibus and offer small group experience. You don’t have to worry about accommodation during the time of the tour. These tours also drive further into in the countryside and give you the opportunity to explore Iceland in-depth and experience places that you would normally not be able to on a one day tour from Reykjavik.
Will I have a private bathroom?
All our partner hotels have private bathrooms.
Is breakfast included?
Yes, breakfast is included after each night of accommodation spent during the multiday tour.
I’m a solo traveler, is there a single supplement?
Yes, single fee supplement is mandatory for solo travelers on all multiday tours to ensure your private room in our accommodation. There is no way to opt out of single fee supplement if you are a solo traveler.
Is it guaranteed that we will see the Northern Lights during the tour?
Most of our partner hotels are located in prime areas to spot the northern lights. If the forecast is favorable, chances are that you will be able to see the magical show of Aurora Borealis outside the hotel. However, the Northern Lights are a natural random phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed by the operator.
How much luggage can I bring?
The limit is one suitcase of 24 inches per person, but you can store your extra luggage in our office for 1,000 ISK. It can be added as an extra fee at the time of booking, and is non-refundable upon payment in all cases.
What should I wear for glacier tours?
Weather in Iceland is very unpredictable. For tours during winter: warm clothing as first layer, waterproof outdoor jacket and pants, hiking boots with high ankle protection, a hat and gloves are ideal. For tours during summer, bringing a light rain jacket and pants is in most cases enough protection. Icelanders often say, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait 5 minutes”. Jeans are not recommended for outdoor trips as they become very heavy and cold when they get wet.
Do I need hiking boots?
We encourage bringing hiking boots for glacier tours. They have to have hard on the sole and be tight around the ankle. If you don’t have them, we have them available for rent in all sizes while booking or at the glacier hike location for ISK 1,500 per pair with cash or card.
How difficult are glacier hikes?
Our tours are considered to be safe for anyone in good physical condition. You have to be able to walk for about an hour up and down on slopes and uneven surface. Longer tours will be more challenging in endurance for some areas of the glacier. We also recommend you remember that we offer all the safety equipment necessary and you will be hiking with a professional and certified glacier guide. If you have specific questions regarding one of our glacier tours, feel free to email us.
If I am pregnant, can I join a glacier hike?
This is a personal choice. We have had pregnant women on our glacier hikes and we always recommend you read the description of the activity to get a better idea. In any case, feel free to contact our Service Team for further questions and concerns.
How does weather affect my tour?
Wind and rain are common in Iceland, in addition to snow in the winter, but we do not let challenging weather stop us from going out and enjoy nature. All we need to do is choose our clothing wisely, which is why we recommend wearing waterproof jacket and pants as the second layer. Of course, safety is our #1 priority, in case of extreme weather or road conditions, we will cancel our tours and do our best to reschedule your booking at a further date or provide a full refund.
Contact Us
You might also like
4 Day Winter Minibus Tour: Blue Ice Cave, South Coast, Golden Circle, Snaefellsnes & Northern Lights
Location: Reykjavik
Duration: 4 Days
Group Size: 18
Available: October to March
Reykjavik
4 Days
18
October to March
