3 Day Summer Minibus Tour: South Coast, Glacier Hike, Golden Circle with Optional Ice Cave
Join us for a 3 days excursion to see the famous Golden Circle and the South Coast. Experience the beauty of our glacier lagoon Jökulsárlón, hike on Europe's largest glacier and powerful waterfalls.
Duration
3 Days
Highlights
✓ Thingvellir ✓ Gullfoss ✓ Geysir ✓ Diary Farm ✓ Skógafoss ✓ Seljalandsfoss ✓ Glacier Hike on Skaftafell ✓ Vatnajokull ✓ Jökulsárlón ✓ Diamond Beach ✓ Reynisfjara ✓ Optional Ice Cave ✓ Optional Boat Tour
Included
✓ Wi-Fi and Icelandic music on board ✓ Accommodation with breakfast ✓ Small group experience ✓ Glacier 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 can add as an extra the Snorkeling in Silfra fissure.
You’ll 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 get the chance to explore Europe’s largest glacier. If you’re up for more, add the mighty Dragon Glass Katla Ice Cave as an extra.
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”.
Optional: Snorkeling in Silfra
While snorkeling in Silfra you’ll find yourself between two tectonic plates, North American continent and European continent, floating in pure filtered glacier water and tick off your bucket list the ultimate tour in the world’s clearest waters. The best part? You’ll receive free GoPro photos after your tour.
Participants to snorkeling MUST have read and signed this Snorkeling Medical Statement before the tour – click here. We recommend that you also read the other requirements in the FAQ.
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.
Day 3
Optional: Boat Tour on Jökulsárlón
Try an exciting boat trip on an amphibian boat sailing among the huge icebergs in the picturesque scenery of Jökulsárlón. Taste the hundreds years old ice and if you are lucky you might even see some cute seals.
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.
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.
Optional: Dragon Glass Katla Ice Cave
You also have the option to add Dragon Glass Katla Ice Cave as an extra for this tour. In this off-the-beaten-path tour driven in a Super Jeep to a natural ice cave underneath Katla volcano, you’ll admire the lunar landscape, moss covered mountains and glaciers, and explore the mighty Dragon Glass Ice Cave.
General Information
April to September
09:00 am
Easy to moderate
18
Minimum age is 8 years old for glacier hike and 12 years old for snorkeling. 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
✓ Seljalandsfoss waterfall
✓ Skógafoss waterfall
✓ Reynisfjara, “the Black Sand Beach”
✓ Glacier Hike Tour in Vatnajökull National Park
✓ Jökulsárlón, “the Glacier Lagoon”
✓ Diamond 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.
• 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.
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.
What are the snorkeling requirements?
-Have read and signed this Snorkeling Medical Statement – click here. We recommend that you bring the form already printed out and signed, but you can sign the form at the meeting location if not.
-Be able to swim.
-Be able to communicate in English.
-Be physically fit.
-Not be pregnant.
-You must be ready to wear a drysuit tight at the neck to protect your body from the cold water.
-You must have a height and weight of minimum 150 cm and 45 kilos, and of maximum 200 cm and 120 kilos.
-The age limit is a minimum of 12 years old and a maximum of 69 years old at the time of the tour to participate. Also, if you will be 60 years old at the time of the tour, you need a medical waiver signed by a doctor, available on page 2 of this Snorkeling Medical Statement – click here.
-Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied in the water by a parent or adult guardian booked on the same tour.
Do I need to know how to swim?
Our drysuits are buoyant and float on the water, however, it is mandatory that all participants know how to swim and feel comfortable in water to join the tour. You don’t need to be a strong swimmer, just to be able to swim and feel comfortable in the water. Our tours are considered to be safe for anyone in good physical condition. We offer all the safety equipment necessary and you will be snorkeling with a professional and certified PADI Dive Master. If you have specific questions regarding our snorkeling tour, feel free to email us.
Are photos included in the price of the snorkeling tour?
Yes. GoPro underwater photos are included in the price of the snorkeling tour. Your guide will take photos through your tour, both outside the water and under the water and they will be sent to you via email after the tour.
What should I wear for snorkeling tour?
We recommend that you wear thermal layer top and pants, and an extra pair of warm socks that will keep you warm under our drysuit.
If I am pregnant, can I join a snorkeling tour?
Unfortunately, we do not recommend that pregnant women participate in the Silfra snorkeling tour due to the extreme conditions of snorkeling in a tight drysuit and cold glacier water. In any case, feel free to contact our Service Team for further questions and concerns.
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