4-Day Golden Circle, South Coast, Ice Cave & Volcano

4 days, 3 nightsGroup: Small group, up to 18 guests per guideEasyMinibus, pick-up in ReykjavíkAge 12+September to mid-April

A winter tour with something for every day: the Golden Circle, an ice cave near Jökulsárlón, the black beaches and waterfalls of the south coast, and on the last day a hike at a recent eruption site followed by a Northern Lights hunt.

Golden Circle
Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach
Ice cave
Reynisfjara and Skógafoss
Volcano hike
Northern Lights hunt

Day by day

Click a day for photos and details.

Day 1: Golden Circle and SeljalandsfossPick-up at 9:00.

Pick-up at 9:00. Þingvellir, the Geysir area with Strokkur, and Gullfoss, then south to Seljalandsfoss with views of Hekla in clear weather. Night at Hotel Geirland or a similar country hotel.

Read our Gullfoss guide →

Day 2: Jökulsárlón, Diamond Beach and an ice caveThe icebergs of Jökulsárlón and the ice on Diamond Beach, then Skaftafell.

The icebergs of Jökulsárlón and the ice on Diamond Beach, then Skaftafell. From October to April you hike on Vatnajökull with a certified glacier guide to a natural ice cave. In September and April you visit the Katla ice cave instead; the guide decides on the day, depending on conditions. Second night at Hotel Geirland or similar.

Read our Jökulsárlón guide →

Day 3: Reynisfjara and SkógafossFjaðrárgljúfur canyon (weather permitting), the Eldhraun lava field, Reynisfjara black sand beach and Skógafoss, then back to Reykjavík.

Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon (weather permitting), the Eldhraun lava field, Reynisfjara black sand beach and Skógafoss, then back to Reykjavík. Night at Hótel Ísland or similar.

Read our Reynisfjara guide →

Day 4: Volcano hike and Northern LightsA guided hike in the volcanic area of the Reykjanes peninsula, where a series of eruptions has broken out in recent years.

A guided hike in the volcanic area of the Reykjanes peninsula, where a series of eruptions has broken out in recent years. You walk over new lava fields and past fresh craters while the guide explains what happened here. Eruptions start and stop without warning, so flowing lava can never be promised, but the hike is interesting with or without one. In the evening you go out with the guide to look for the Northern Lights at a dark spot such as Hvalfjörður, Þingvellir or Reykjanes, and are then dropped off in Reykjavík.

Read our Fagradalsfjall guide →

About the 4-day winter tour with ice cave and volcano

This tour packs the highlights of South Iceland in winter into four days, and adds two things most tours do not: a hike at a recent volcanic eruption site and a guided Northern Lights hunt.

The ice cave on day 2 depends on the season and the conditions: a natural ice cave in Vatnajökull from October to April, or the Katla ice cave in September and April. Ice caves change all the time and may look different from the photos.

You stay three nights in hotels with private bathrooms, two in the countryside and one in Reykjavík. Breakfast is included on days 2 to 4. If you do not see the Northern Lights, you can join a Northern Lights tour again for free for up to three years.

Make it your own

Optional extras, at extra cost

Hiking boots
Waterproof jacket
Waterproof trousers
Single room
Luggage storage in Reykjavík
Ice grips (October to April)

Included

Pick-up and drop-off in Reykjavík
Guided minibus tour with an English-speaking guide
Guided ice cave tour
Guided volcano hike on the Reykjanes peninsula
Guided Northern Lights tour
3 nights in hotels with private bathroom
Breakfast on days 2 to 4
Free Wi-Fi on the bus

Not included

Lunch, dinner and drinks
Single room (optional)
Hiking boots and waterproof clothing (available to rent)
Ice grips (can be bought when you book)

What to bring

Warm layers and thermal underwear, top and bottom
Waterproof jacket and trousers
Hat, scarf and gloves
Sturdy hiking boots

Good to know

Pick-up at 9:00 on day 1; drop-off in Reykjavík after the Northern Lights hunt on day 4
Rooms are twin as standard, with a private bathroom. A double or triple room can be requested at no extra cost.
A single room is available for an extra fee but is not required. Solo travellers who do not book one share a room with another traveller of the same gender.
Minimum age 12
Ice grips are recommended from mid-October to mid-April
Northern Lights can never be promised; if you do not see them you can retry for free for up to three years
Luggage: one small backpack plus one bag of up to 20 kg (44 lb); each bag no more than 158 cm (62 in) in length, width and height combined. Extra luggage can be stored in Reykjavík for a fee
About 300 km and 4 to 5 hours in the minibus on most days
The route, stops and hotels can change because of weather or road conditions
Book the tour to start at least one day after you land in Iceland, in case your flight is late
You can skip an activity if you find it too hard; the guide drops you at a nearby place with services
Pick-up from your hotel or a nearby bus stop in Reykjavík

Questions people ask

Will we see lava?

Only if an eruption happens to be going on. The hike goes through the Reykjanes volcano area, where the recent eruptions took place, over new lava fields and craters. Eruptions start and stop without warning, so flowing lava can never be promised.

Which ice cave do we visit?

A natural ice cave in Vatnajökull from October to April, or the Katla ice cave in September and April, depending on conditions.

Are meals included?

Breakfast on days 2 to 4. Lunch and dinner are not included; budget for them.

Can children join?

From age 12.

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From169,990 ISKPer person

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Our guides to places on this tour:Jökulsárlón Reynisfjara Seljalandsfoss Skógafoss Diamond Beach