3 Day Blue Ice Cave, South Coast, Golden Circle & Northern Lights
Come on a 3-day excursion with us to explore the most famous locations in the Golden Circle and the South Coast. See our stunning glacier lagoon Jökulsárlón, Europe's largest glacier and an ice cave in it, and if nature allows, even the magnificent Northern Lights.
Duration
3 Days
Highlights
✓ Thingvellir National Park ✓ Gullfoss waterfall ✓ Geysir geothermal area ✓ Efstidalur II Farm ✓ Kerið volcanic crater ✓ Skógafoss waterfall ✓ Seljalandsfoss waterfall ✓ Skaftafell in Vatnajokull National Park ✓ Glacier Hike✓ Super Jeep Blue Ice Cave Tour ✓ Jökulsárlón, the Glacier Lagoon ✓ Diamond Beach ✓ Reynisfjara, the Black Sand Beach
Included
✓ Wi-Fi and Icelandic music on board, ✓ Accommodation with breakfast, ✓ Small Group Experience, ✓ Glacier & Ice Cave Equipment And more…
Overview
Hop on a comfortable minibus with a friendly and experienced guide and a small group on a 3-day excursion with us to explore the most famous locations in the Golden Circle and the South Coast.
In this tour, you’ll get the chance to see the famous Geysir and the geothermal area, Gullfoss the powerful waterfall, Thingvellir National Park in the Golden Circle. You’ll also be taken to with our local favorites to see the impressive Kerið crater and visit a traditional diary farm where you’ll try ice cream, free of charge.
On the second and third day, you’ll be taken to the famous South Coast. Along the shore, you’ll get to see the famous black sand beach, Reynisfjara, our stunning glacier lagoon Jökulsárlón in Vatnajökull National Park, where you’ll also get the change to explore Europe’s largest glacier and enter a blue ice cave in it. If nature allows, even the magnificent Northern Lights.
Daily itinerary
Day 1
You will be picked up from Reykjavík, and from there, set out to see Iceland’s most famous route: The Golden Circle. You’ll get the chance to experience everything that the area has to offer, including geothermal areas, waterfalls, and our favorite locals.
Geysir Geothermal Area
The Geysir geothermal area hosts hundreds of colorful hot springs and two geysers, erupting hot springs. One is called “Geysir” and name giving for all the geysers in the world. Today, however, it erupts very seldom. The other geyser is called “Strokkur” and erupts every 5 minutes up to 40 meters.
Kerid Volcanic Crater
A stunning volcanic crater with a lake in the middle which formed in an eruption 3,000 years ago. Some believe that it was formed in a vast explosion. The more likely theory is that the volcanic cone collapsed into its own magma chamber after the eruption finished. Kerið is the perfect location to learn more about Icelandic geological history and observe a mind-blowing natural wonder
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 Instagram blockbuster waiting to happen!
Traditional Dairy Farm and Free Ice Cream
We visit Efstidalur farm owned by the same family since 1850. This Icelandic family-run business sticks to traditional Icelandic farming culture and focuses on cows and cattle breeding. You will be able to enjoy their tasty farm-to-table dairy products, see the stunning mountain view and pet the friendly animals. Tröll Expeditions will invite you to taste the ice cream yourself and meanwhile watch the animals relaxing in the stable.
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. At Thingvellir Icelanders founded their parliament in 930 a.d. where the chieftains had their annual meeting every summer. The name “Thingvellir” translates to “Parliament Plains”.
After you had seen all these magical places, you’ll get back on the bus and we’ll take you to the hotel to rest and get ready for the third day of your tour.
Day 2
Seljalandsfoss waterfall
The adventure begins with he 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 Instagram 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 meter 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. See if you can count your steps on your way up.
Glacier Hike in Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park
We will hike an outlet glacier spawning from the one of the largest glaciers in the country, Vatnajökull. After meeting our highly trained glacier guides and strapping on our safety and glacier equipment, including helmets, harnesses, crampons and ice axes we hike on the ice for an hour and a half. A spectacular experience and opportunity to learn more about this breathtaking and increasingly rare natural phenomena. Skaftafell area has been used as a filming location for many famous TV shows and films, such as Game of Thrones, Interstellar, James Bond, and others… Follow the steps of your favorite characters into the glacier!
Northern Lights Discovery
Arriving at our hotel in the Southeast, you will move into your room, have dinner and then meet your guide for further information about the Northern Lights. If the sky is clear and the forecast is good your guide will walk out with you in the vicinity of your hotel a good spot to hunt the famous Aurora Borealis
Day 3
Jökulsárlón, the Glacier Lagoon
Then comes Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, a 200m deep glacial lagoon fed by Breiðamerkurjökull, an outlet glacier of Europe’s largest glacier. Enormous icebergs come from Breiðamerkurjökull all year round so the lagoon is usually filled with ice that floats south. Try walking alongside the glacier lagoon enjoying the magnificent views and dead silence of Icelandic nature.
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 rocks 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, guaranteed to make your Instagram account pop!
Blue Ice Cave
The journey continues with a super jeep ride to explore the ice cave. We recommend wearing waterproof hiking boots that cover your ankles and have hard sole. Iceland’s nature is dominated by glaciers and it is only possible to explore them with a certified guide and safety equipment. 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
Later, we visit the black sand beach of Reynisfjara where the Atlantic coastline presents massive waves hitting the unique basalt columns in the cliffs above the sand. Rock pillars in the water and the cliffs of Dýrhólaey are seen in the distance. This area of the south is also a paradise for bird lovers, as puffins and dozens of other unique species nest on top of these cliffs in the summertime from June to August.
The adventure ends when your guide drops you off Reykjavík at designated location and then you can go home to tell all tours friends about the wonders that Iceland has to offer.
So, what are you waiting for?
Come and join us to see the Golden Circle, blue caves in South and glacier hiking! This is the ultimate Icelandic experience on a minibus with a small group and friendly experienced guide guaranteed.
Book this tour by selecting a date
General Information
✓ Pickup time: 09:00
✓ Pickup might take 30 minutes. Please be ready at your selected location. Read carefully if you will be picked up at your hotel or at the nearest designated area (Bus Stop). For walking distance to bus stops, please check busstop.is
✓ Easy to Moderate
✓ No minimum age. However, 8 year old is the age limit for glacier hike and ice caving. 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
✓ Efstidalur farm also known as the “Ice cream farm”
✓ Kerið volcanic crater
✓ Skógafoss waterfall
✓ Seljalandsfoss waterfall
✓ Skaftafell Nature Reserve in Vatnajokull National Park – Glacier Hike Tour
✓ Super Jeep Blue Ice Cave Tour from November 1st
✓ Jökulsárlón, the Glacier Lagoon
✓ Diamond Beach
✓ Reynisfjara – The Black Sand Beach
✓ English speaking guide
✓ Certified Glacier Guide
✓ Small Group (21 persons max)
✓ Wi-Fi and Icelandic music on board
✓ Glacier equipment: helmet, harness, crampons, and ice axe
✓ Accommodation for 2 nights in a comfortable hotel with breakfast included and private bathroom
• Warm clothes (first layer)
• Waterproof 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.
• The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed by the operator. The hotels are in prime locations to maximize chances of seeing them.
• The limit is one 24″ suitcase per person. You can store your luggage in our office for 1,000 ISK. It can be added as an extra at the time of booking. If there is room on the bus, then we will bring the piece of luggage with us on the tour. The luggage fee however is non-refundable upon payment in all cases.
• We have to adjust timings to the short daylight and we always try to avoid big crowds.
• Pick up is from designated locations in Reykjavík. Pick up from Keflavík airport or outside of the greater capital area is not available.
• You will see the designated pick up locations in Reykjavík on a drop-down menu at the time of booking.
• You can bring some favorite snacks and beverages if you like.
• We recommend you bring hiking boots with slip-resistant soles if you are visiting in the winter. Hiking boots are available at the time of booking.
Photos
Map
FAQ
How does pick up work?
For tours that state that they pick up from Reykjavík, 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, we won’t be responsible if you miss your tour. We offer free pick-up from Reykjavik city center. Pick up starts at the scheduled departure time for the tour can take up to 30 minutes. We ask our passenger to be ready in their listed location so they can be easily found.
What are designated pick up locations?
Due to regulations of Reykjavik City, tour companies are allowed to stop at certain designated bus stop locations in the city centre to pick up passengers. It is stated on your voucher whether we will pick you up directly from your accommodation or from the bus stop.
How can I find the nearest designated pick up location?
Find the closest designated pick up location using the map below:
What is a multiday tour?
A multiday tour is a tour that includes a guided day tour 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. By booking a multiday tour you don’t have to worry about accommodation during the time of the tour. Staying overnight in the countryside gives you the opportunity to explore Iceland further and experience places that you would normally not be able to on a one day tour.
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 included in the multiday tour.
I’m a solo traveller, is there a single supplement?
Yes, single fee suplement is mandatory for all multiday tours. This is to ensure your single room in all hotels of 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. Most of the hotels offer a wake up call up on request if they northern lights are spotted. However, northern lights are a natural phenomenon that tour operators cannot guarantee.
How much luggage can I bring?
The limit is one 24″ suitcase per person. You can store your luggage in our office for 1,000 ISK. It can be added as an extra at the time of booking. If there is room on the bus, then we will bring the piece of luggage with us on the tour. The luggage fee however 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 jacket with a hoodie, hiking boots with ankle protection and hard sole, a hat and gloves are ideal. For tours during summer, bringing a light rain jacket or a soft shell with a hoodie 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 our trips as they become very heavy, cold and uncomfortable to wear when they get wet.
Do I need hiking boots?
We encourage bringing hiking boots for glacier tours. They have to hard on the sole and tight around the ankle. If you don’t have them, we have them for rent in all sizes in Skaftafell or Sólheimajökull. You can add them to your reservation at the time of booking or rent them on location pay with cash or card. The price is ISK 1,500 per pair. For ice climbing tours, boots are included in the price.
How difficult are glacier hikes?
We offer glacier hiking tours in Skaftafell and one in Sólheimajökull. Both locations either easy or moderate in difficulty. Our tours are considered to be safe for anyone in good physical condition. If you are fit to walk for about an hour on an uneven surface a glacier hike is for you. Longer tours will be more challenging in endurance and 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.
What if it’s raining?
It rains a lot in Iceland, but we do not let rain 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 clothing as the second layer. Of course, safety is our #1 priority. In case of extreme weather conditions, we will cancel our tours and do our best to reschedule. In these cases, you’ll receive a full refund.
Reykjavik
4 Days
21
Oct-Mar
