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8 Day Iceland Winter Tour Around the Ring Road

8 days, 7 nightsGroup: Small group, up to 18 peopleEasy to moderateSmall-group minibus from ReykjavíkAge 8+October–April
5.0(14 reviews)

An 8 day Iceland winter tour that circles the whole island by small-group minibus. You hike on a glacier, visit a blue ice cave, go whale watching in the north and see the Golden Circle, East Fjords, Lake Mývatn and Snæfellsnes, with seven nights in hotels and breakfast included.

Golden CircleSouth Coast waterfallsJökulsárlón and ice caveEast FjordsLake Mývatn and GoðafossSnæfellsnes Peninsula
  • A full loop of Iceland in winter with one guide and a small group
  • Guided glacier hike and a blue ice cave inside Breiðamerkurjökull
  • Whale watching boat trip from Hauganes in the north
  • Lake Mývatn, Dimmuborgir, Námaskarð and Goðafoss
  • Kirkjufell and the black pebble beach at Djúpalónssandur
  • Seven nights in hotels with private bathrooms and breakfast

Your day, stop by stop

Click a stop for photos and practical tips.
1Pick-up in ReykjavíkPick-up from selected Reykjavík locations between 8:00 and 8:45.
2Gullfoss waterfall in snowDay 1: Golden CircleÞingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss.
Gullfoss waterfall in snowStrokkur geyser erupting in winterPath through the Almannagjá gorge at Þingvellir

Walk the rift valley at Þingvellir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, then see Strokkur erupt at Geysir and the two-step Gullfoss. You stay overnight in a hotel in the Golden Circle area.

Overnight · hotel in the Golden Circle area
3Skógafoss waterfall in snowDay 2: South Coast and glacier hikeSeljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara and a 3-hour glacier hike.
Skógafoss waterfall in snowGroup walking on a snow-covered glacierThe basalt cave at Reynisfjara black sand beach

Visit Seljalandsfoss and the 60 m Skógafoss, walk on the black sand and basalt columns at Reynisfjara, and put on crampons for a guided hike of about three hours on a glacier tongue.

Glacier hike · about 3 hours, equipment includedTip · stay well back from the waves at ReynisfjaraOvernight · South Iceland
4Icebergs on the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoonDay 3: Ice cave and JökulsárlónIce cave in Breiðamerkurjökull, the glacier lagoon and Skaftafell.
Icebergs on the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoonVisitor inside a blue ice caveJökulsárlón glacier lagoon under a blue sky

A tour of about three hours to a natural blue ice cave in Breiðamerkurjökull, minimum age 6, plus time at Jökulsárlón with its icebergs and at Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park. Ice caves need freezing weather, so the visit depends on conditions. You overnight in South Iceland.

Ice cave · about 3 hours, minimum age 6Season · ice caves need freezing weatherOvernight · South Iceland
Read our Jökulsárlón guide →
5Fishing boats in Djúpivogur harbourDay 4: East FjordsDjúpivogur and the Lagarfljót lake area.
Fishing boats in Djúpivogur harbourThe row of stone eggs on the harbour front in DjúpivogurLagarfljót lake near Egilsstaðir

The road winds along steep fjords in the East Fjords, past Hallormsstaðaskógur, Iceland's largest forest, and Lagarfljót lake, to the Egilsstaðir area. A horse ride is available as an option. You overnight in a town in the East Fjords.

Overnight · a town in the East FjordsOptional · horse riding
6Pseudo-craters at Lake Mývatn from the airDay 5: Lake Mývatn and AkureyriNámaskarð, Dimmuborgir and Goðafoss on the way to the north.
Pseudo-craters at Lake Mývatn from the airAkureyri town and its harbourBlue geothermal pool near Lake Mývatn

You see the steaming mud pots of Námaskarð, the lava formations of Dimmuborgir and Goðafoss, the waterfall of the gods, before crossing the Víkurskarð pass towards Akureyri. The short walks are often icy in winter. The Vök Baths are an optional extra.

Walking · short walks, often icy in winterOvernight · AkureyriOptional · Vök Baths
Read our Akureyri guide →
7Whale surfacing in a calm fjordDay 6: Whale watching at HauganesA boat trip in Eyjafjörður from a small fishing village, then Hvítserkur.
Whale surfacing in a calm fjordThe Hvítserkur sea stack at sunsetWhale watching boat beside two whales, from above

You head out from Hauganes on Eyjafjörður, a long fjord where humpback whales are often seen, even in winter, then continue to Hvítserkur. The boat is cold, so wear every layer you have. You overnight in Borgarnes.

Tip · the boat is cold, so wear every layer you haveOvernight · Borgarnes
8Kirkjufell mountain reflected in still waterDay 7: Snæfellsnes PeninsulaGerðuberg, Ytri-Tunga, Djúpalónssandur and Kirkjufell.
Kirkjufell mountain reflected in still waterTwo seals at Ytri Tunga beachThe black pebble cove at Djúpalónssandur from above

You see the basalt cliffs of Gerðuberg, seals at Ytri-Tunga beach when they are around, the black pebbles of Djúpalónssandur below Snæfellsjökull, and Kirkjufell mountain. The walks are short, on uneven ground. You overnight in Borgarnes.

Walking · short walks on uneven groundOvernight · Borgarnes
9Hraunfossar waterfalls flowing out of the lavaDay 8: Borgarfjörður and returnDeildartunguhver, Reykholt, Hraunfossar and Barnafoss.
Hraunfossar waterfalls flowing out of the lavaSteam rising from Deildartunguhver hot springThe old church at Reykholt

Deildartunguhver is the most powerful hot spring in Europe. You also see Reykholt, home of the saga writer Snorri Sturluson, and the Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls before driving back to Reykjavík in the evening. The Víðgelmir lava cave is an option.

Optional · Víðgelmir lava caveReturn · evening drop-off in Reykjavík
10Back to ReykjavíkDrop-off in Reykjavík in the evening.

About the 8 day Iceland winter tour

This tour goes all the way around Iceland in eight days, which is about as short as a winter Ring Road trip should be. A local guide drives a minibus with a small group, so you don't have to deal with icy roads, short days or changing forecasts yourself. The trip starts with the Golden Circle and South Coast, reaches the glacier lagoon on day three, crosses the East Fjords to the north, and comes back via Snæfellsnes and Borgarfjörður.

Three activities are included: a guided glacier hike with crampons, an ice cave tour inside Breiðamerkurjökull, and whale watching from the small village of Hauganes in Eyjafjörður. Evenings in the countryside give you good chances to look for the northern lights on clear nights, but they are never guaranteed.

Winter in Iceland means short days (only four to five hours of daylight in December), snow and ice on roads and paths, and storms that can close roads. Your guide adapts the plan to the conditions, and stops may change for safety. Dress in warm layers with a waterproof shell and bring good boots and ice spikes. The walking each day is short, apart from the glacier hike, so the tour suits most people in reasonable shape.

Make it your own

Optional extras, at extra cost
  • Horse riding tour
  • Glacier hike
  • Ice cave tour
  • Entry to Vök Baths
  • Víðgelmir lava cave tour
  • Combined ticket at a lower price: horse riding, Vök Baths and the lava cave
  • 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

  • Minibus transport with pick-up and drop-off in Reykjavík
  • English-speaking guide
  • 7 nights in hotels with private bathrooms
  • Breakfast daily
  • Guided glacier hike with equipment
  • Ice cave tour
  • Whale watching boat tour
  • Wi-Fi on board

Not included

  • Lunch and dinner
  • Optional activities
  • Gear rental
  • Luggage storage
  • Single room supplement
  • Flights and travel insurance

What to bring

  • Thermal base layers
  • Warm mid-layer
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers
  • Hiking boots
  • Ice spikes
  • Hat, gloves and neck warmer
  • Swimsuit and towel

Good to know

  • 8 days and 7 nights, starting and ending in Reykjavík
  • Minimum age 8; glacier hike needs at least EU shoe size 34; ice cave minimum age 6
  • Pick-up between 8:00 and 8:45 from selected Reykjavík locations; not from Keflavík Airport
  • Small group of up to 18 guests
  • One suitcase (up to 24 inches) per person; extra luggage can be stored in Reykjavík for a fee
  • Ice caves depend on freezing temperatures and change every year
  • Winter weather can change the order of stops or close roads
  • Northern lights are not guaranteed
  • Solo travellers pay a single supplement for their own room

Questions people ask

Is winter a good time to drive around Iceland?

It can be, with the right guide and vehicle. Days are short and roads can be icy, which is why a guided tour is easier than driving yourself.

Which activities are included?

A glacier hike, an ice cave tour and whale watching. Horse riding, Vök Baths and a lava cave are optional extras.

Which meals are included?

Breakfast every day. The group stops for lunch and dinner where you can buy food.

Will we see the northern lights?

On clear, dark nights there is a good chance in the countryside, but it is never guaranteed.

How much luggage can I bring?

One suitcase of up to 24 inches per person. Extra bags can be stored in Reykjavík for a fee.

Reviews

Reviews from travellers who took this tour. A local reads every review before it is shown.
5.0Based on 14 reviews
5 stars14
4 stars0
3 stars0
2 stars0
1 star0
Beautiful trip around Iceland

Every day of this tour was simply beautiful. Comfortable pace, nice vehicle and great guide, and of course stunning attractions and activities!

Anastasia · July 2026
Great northern lights experience

Our family had a fantastic time on this 8 day tour. Great guide who did everything for us to see the Northernn Lights. Sae them very well two evenings and a little bit one one evening. Recommend this tour if you are coming in winter and your main goal is to see the northern lights.

Fredeick · October 2025
Fantastic tour

Fantastic tour and our guide was exceptional

Anna J.
Beautiful nature

The winter tour showed us Iceland’s quieter side—the snow-blanketed highlands, frozen rivers, calm mornings with no crowds. The landscapes were otherworldly. I trusted the Iceland Travel Guide experts to recommend the right package for me, and they nailed it. Our guide was excellent with weather, always had hot drinks ready, explained geology, Icelandic history, and local tales which made the trip much more than just sightseeing.

Henrik L.
Magical Experience

Cold but beautiful. Ice, snow, lights, and amazing views. The Iceland Travel Guide team made it easy to choose the right winter trip, and the guide on tour was wonderful. Definitely worth going.

Elsa W.
Frío, Abrumador, Hermoso

Viajar en invierno tiene su magia especial. Las cascadas congeladas, las cuevas de hielo, la aurora boreal en cielos oscuros… todo esto fue simplemente espectacular. Antes de reservar hablé con un experto local de Iceland Travel Guide que me recomendó este paquete y me dio confianza. Nuestro guía fue muy consciente del clima, siempre nos mantenía seguros y cálidos, explicaba cada detalle. Vale la pena al 100%.

Juan M.
From325,848 ISKPer person

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