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2 Day South Coast Tour | Glacier Hike & Ice Cave

2 days, 1 nightGroup: Small groupEasySmall-group minibus from ReykjavíkAge 8+October–April
5.0(26 reviews)

A 2 day South Coast tour in a small-group minibus, with one night in a countryside hotel included. You see the big waterfalls, walk on a glacier or into a natural ice cave, and finish at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and Reynisfjara black sand beach, with a chance of the northern lights overnight.

SeljalandsfossSkógafossSkaftafell glacier hike or ice caveJökulsárlón & Diamond BeachReynisfjara black sand beach
  • A glacier hike on Vatnajökull with crampons, or a natural blue ice cave, included
  • Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls on the way
  • Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach
  • Reynisfjara black sand beach and its basalt columns
  • One night in a countryside hotel, away from city lights, with a chance of the northern lights

Your day, stop by stop

Click a stop for photos and practical tips.
1Pick-up in ReykjavíkMinibus pick-up between 8:00 and 8:45 from a central location.
2SeljalandsfossSeljalandsfossA waterfall you can walk behind.
SeljalandsfossSeljalandsfossSeljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss drops 60 metres from what was once the edge of the coastline, before sea levels fell after the last ice age. The Seljalandsá river is fed by meltwater from Eyjafjallajökull, the volcano that erupted in 2010 and grounded flights across Europe. It is one of the few waterfalls in Iceland with a path behind the falling water, so expect to get wet and bring a waterproof jacket.

Walking · short path, can be slippery
Read our Seljalandsfoss guide →
3SkógafossSkógafossA wide, 60-metre waterfall with a viewing platform above it.
SkógafossSkógafossSkógafoss

Skógafoss falls in one broad curtain about 60 metres high and 25 metres wide, right beside the village of Skógar. On sunny days the spray usually throws a rainbow, sometimes a double one, across the pool at its base. A staircase of 527 steps leads to a viewpoint at the top, where you can see the river before it drops.

Walking · steep steps if you go to the top
Read our Skógafoss guide →
4Visitor in a red jacket inside a blue ice caveGlacier hike or ice caveA guided walk on Vatnajökull, or into a natural ice cave, with all gear provided.
Visitor in a red jacket inside a blue ice caveGlacier tongue seen from the air

In winter you either walk on an outlet glacier with crampons or go into a natural blue ice cave with your guide, depending on conditions; Sólheimajökull is used as a backup glacier site.

Age · minimum 8, EU shoe size 34+Included · crampons, ice axe and helmet
5Northern Lights over the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoonOvernight near JökulsárlónCountryside hotel with breakfast and private bathroom.
Northern Lights over the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoonJökulsárlón glacier lagoon in winter with the glacier behindIcebergs on the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon

A countryside hotel or guesthouse chosen for its location away from town lights, giving a chance of seeing the Northern Lights if conditions allow. Breakfast and a private bathroom are included. The lights are never guaranteed.

Included · breakfast and private bathroomNote · northern lights are possible but never guaranteed
Read our Jökulsárlón guide →
6Visitor beside a block of ice on Diamond BeachJökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon & Diamond BeachIcebergs on the lagoon and washed up on the black sand.
Visitor beside a block of ice on Diamond BeachIcebergs on the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoonBlocks of ice on Diamond Beach at sunset

Icebergs break off Breiðamerkurjökull into the lagoon, drift towards the sea and wash up on the black sand of Diamond Beach across the road. You walk along flat paths at both, and it makes a quiet end to the trip. Parking at the lagoon covers Diamond Beach as well.

Walking · flat paths
Read our Jökulsárlón guide →
7The basalt cave at Reynisfjara black sand beachReynisfjara black sand beachBasalt columns and a black sand beach on the way back.
The basalt cave at Reynisfjara black sand beachThe basalt cave at Reynisfjara black sand beachBasalt columns at Reynisfjara

Reynisfjara is a black sand beach with the sea stacks of Reynisdrangar rising out of the water offshore. At the western end, a cliff of hexagonal basalt columns, stacked like organ pipes, stands beside the cave Hálsanefshellir. It is also one of the most dangerous beaches in Iceland, because of sudden, powerful waves that run far up the sand. Keep well back from the water and follow the warning signs.

Tip · stay well back from the waves
Read our Reynisfjara guide →
8Back to ReykjavíkDrop-off in the evening.

About the 2 day Iceland tour

This is a two day version of the classic South Coast route, built around either a guided glacier hike or a natural ice cave, depending on what conditions allow. The minibus leaves Reykjavík in the morning and works its way along the coast, stopping at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss before the main activity near Skaftafell.

You spend one night at a countryside hotel with a private bathroom and breakfast, in an area chosen partly for its dark skies. There is no guaranteed northern lights sighting, but the guide keeps an eye on the forecast and conditions are usually good away from Reykjavík's lights.

On the second day you continue to Jökulsárlón, where icebergs drift out to sea and wash up on the black sand at Diamond Beach, then Reynisfjara before heading back to Reykjavík. Since this is a winter tour, expect short daylight, icy roads at times and a route that can change if the weather or ice cave conditions are not safe.

Make it your own

Optional extras, at extra cost
  • Single room
  • Luggage storage
  • Hiking boot rental
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers rental
  • Hat and gloves to buy
  • Neck warmer to buy
  • Cap to buy

Included

  • Pick-up and drop-off in Reykjavík
  • English-speaking guide
  • Small-group minibus transport
  • WiFi on board
  • 1 night hotel accommodation with breakfast and private bathroom
  • Glacier hike or ice cave with all equipment

Not included

  • Lunch and dinner
  • Gear rental
  • Single room supplement
  • National park fee (small extra)

What to bring

  • Warm base layer
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers
  • Hat and gloves
  • Sturdy hiking boots

Good to know

  • 2 days, 1 night, starting and ending in Reykjavík
  • Minimum age 8, and EU shoe size 34+ for the glacier hike
  • Easy difficulty
  • Pick-up window 8:00–8:45 from a central Reykjavík location; not available from Keflavík airport
  • Luggage limit is one 24-inch suitcase per person
  • Northern lights are possible but never guaranteed
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure

Questions people ask

Do we do a glacier hike or an ice cave?

It depends on conditions at the time. In winter the guide chooses whichever is safe and open, and both include all the equipment you need.

Will we see the northern lights?

There's a good chance from the countryside hotel, away from city lights, but it depends on the weather and aurora activity and is never guaranteed.

What's included in the hotel night?

A private bathroom and breakfast. Lunch and dinner are on you.

Is there an age limit?

A minimum age of around 8 is suggested, and the glacier hike needs a minimum EU shoe size of 34.

Reviews

Reviews from travellers who took this tour. A local reads every review before it is shown.
5.0Based on 26 reviews
5 stars26
4 stars0
3 stars0
2 stars0
1 star0
Great time

We had the best time on this 2 day tour on south Iceland. great group guide and attractions. Ice cave was great!

John M. · November 2025
Chilly in January but totally worth it

Hands down one of the best experiences in Iceland. Very cold in the cave, slippery at times, but with the right gear and a great guide it felt adventurous, safe, and very rewarding. I’d do it again.

Sarah J.
Once in a Lifetime Experience

From Reykjavik until the end of day two, every stop amazed me. The waterfalls, the glacier hike, walking inside the ice cave, the glacier lagoon filled with icebergs, and finally seeing the Northern Lights in rural darkness. The guide was dedicated, kept morale high, took plenty of photos, and made the long drives interesting. Couldn’t ask for more.

Tomasz K.
Amazing Guide, Amazing Views

The guide, Anna, was exceptional. She knew where to get the best light, how to keep us safe on icy paths, and always had great stories. The blue ice cave was mind-blowing, as was the glacier lagoon. Nights crisp, skies clear. Very happy we booked.

Evan B.
Parfait pour les amateurs de nature

Ce tour de deux jours a été parfait pour moi. Glace bleu, glaciers, plages noires… tout ce que j’imaginais de l’Islande. Le guide était passionné, très présent et attentif. Le soir, ciel clair, auroras virevoltantes… un rêve éveillé.

Camille D.
simply amasing

Iceland’s landscapes are dramatic but this trip to south Iceland and Vatnajokull, the ice cave, Jokulsarlon, Diamond Beach pushed it to another level. The guide spotted seals, pointed out birdlife, explained how the glacier is changing. Nights were cold but watching the Northern Lights from the hotel was unforgettable. Hotel was nice and breakfast also - nothing too luxurious but well worth it! The guide was excellent.

Beatrice K.
From79,722 ISKPer person

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