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Golden Circle & Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel Tour

Name: Golden Circle & Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel Tour
Brand: Iceland Travel Guide
SKU: 83497
Price: 25990 ISK
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5.0 (1 reviews)

10 hoursGroup: Larger group, by coachEasyCoach from ReykjavíkAge 6+All year

5.0(1 review)

Visitor below an opening in the lava tunnel roof

Red, purple and yellow lava on the tunnel wall

Path through the Almannagjá gorge at Þingvellir

This Golden Circle lava tunnel tour combines a walk through Raufarhólshellir, one of Iceland's longest lava tubes, with the three classic Golden Circle stops. You get a helmet and headlamp for the cave, then move on to Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss.

Raufarhólshellir lava tunnelGeysir geothermal areaGullfoss waterfallÞingvellir National Park

Walk with a helmet and headlamp through Raufarhólshellir, one of Iceland's longest lava tubes
See Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss, the three classic Golden Circle stops
Watch Strokkur send a plume of water high into the air every few minutes
Small-group tour with pick-up and drop-off in Reykjavík
Runs all year, so it works well when other ice caves are closed

Your day, stop by stop

Click a stop for photos and practical tips.

1Pick-up in ReykjavíkYour guide meets you at your pick-up point, from around 8am (7:45am in summer).

Raufarhólshellir lava tunnelA walk through one of Iceland's longest lava tubes.

Raufarhólshellir formed about 5,200 years ago in the Leitahraun eruption, when lava kept flowing under its own cooled crust and then drained away, leaving a long hollow tube. At 1,360 metres it is the fourth-longest lava tube in Iceland, and one of the roomiest, up to 30 metres wide and about 10 metres high, so the standard tour involves no crawling or squeezing. It can only be visited with a guide.

Walking · boardwalk and uneven lava rock, wear good shoesFacilities · helmet and headlamp providedTip · it stays cool underground all year, bring a layer

Read our Raufarhólshellir guide →

Two visitors on the walkway to the tunnel in winter

Lunch stopA break at a café or bakery on the way, not included in the price.

A short stop at a café or bakery on the way, to buy food and use the facilities before continuing into the Golden Circle. Lunch is not included in the price, so bring cash or a card.

Cost · food and drinks are not included

Geysir geothermal areaHot springs, with Strokkur erupting every few minutes.

Geysir gave every geyser in the world its name. The original Great Geysir now erupts only rarely, sometimes after earthquakes, so the show is Strokkur, a short walk away. It throws boiling water 15 to 20 metres into the air every 5 to 10 minutes, and sometimes a good deal higher, so you will see several eruptions while you are here. Keep to the paths between the pools and stay behind the ropes, as the water is very hot.

Walking · short, flat pathsFacilities · visitor centre, café and toiletsTip · stand upwind of Strokkur to stay dry

Read our Geysir guide →

Gullfoss waterfallThe great two-step waterfall in its canyon.

Gullfoss, the Golden Falls, drops about 32 metres in two steps into a narrow canyon roughly 70 metres deep and 2.5 kilometres long. The water comes from the Hvítá river, which is fed by the glacier Langjökull. Glacial water often turns golden-brown in sunlight, and rainbows hang in the spray on bright days. A path with stairs leads down to a lower level, closer to the water.

Walking · upper viewpoint is easy; lower path has stairsFacilities · café, shop and toilets

Read our Gullfoss guide →

Þingvellir National ParkWhere the tectonic plates meet and the Vikings held their parliament.

Þingvellir is where Iceland's parliament, the Alþingi, first met in 930, and it lies in a rift valley where the North American and Eurasian plates are pulling apart. Chieftains gathered here every summer, laws were recited from the Lögberg (Law Rock), and the plain below still shows where the assembly booths stood. The lake beside it, Þingvallavatn, is the largest natural lake in Iceland. The park is free to enter and open all year.

Walking · easy paths, about 1-2 kmFacilities · visitor centre and toilets

Read our Þingvellir National Park guide →

7Back to ReykjavíkDrop-off at your pick-up point, around 6pm.

About the Golden Circle lava tunnel tour

Raufarhólshellir is one of the longest lava tunnels in Iceland, formed around 5,200 years ago when a lava flow's outer layer cooled and hardened while the molten rock underneath kept moving and drained away. A walkway and boardwalk let you explore a stretch of it safely, past collapsed skylights and coloured mineral deposits on the rock.

The day starts with pick-up in Reykjavík and a short drive southeast to the lava tunnel, where your guide fits you with a helmet and headlamp before you go underground. From there the tour continues into the Golden Circle: Geysir, where Strokkur erupts every few minutes; Gullfoss, the wide two-step waterfall on the Hvítá river; and finally Þingvellir, where the North American and Eurasian plates pull apart.

It's a long day out, so pace yourself and bring something to eat or drink for the drive. Underground the temperature stays cool year round, while up top the weather at the Golden Circle stops can change quickly, especially in winter when daylight is short and paths can be icy.

Make it your own

Optional extras, at extra cost

Hiking boot rental
Waterproof jacket and trousers rental
Ice grips for your shoes, to buy (October to April)

Included

Pick-up and drop-off in Reykjavík
English-speaking guide
Helmet and headlamp for the lava tunnel
Free WiFi on the bus

Not included

Food and drinks
Optional extras

What to bring

Warm, waterproof jacket and trousers
Hat and gloves
Sturdy shoes with good grip (spikes help in winter)
Camera

Good to know

Duration is about 10 hours
Minimum age 6
Easy difficulty, suitable for most people in fair condition
Pick-up starts around 8am (7:45am from June to mid-September) and can take up to 30 minutes
Runs all year

Questions people ask

Is the lava tunnel walk difficult?

It's an easy walk on a boardwalk and natural lava rock. A helmet and headlamp are provided.

Can I do this tour in winter?

Yes, it runs all year. The lava tunnel stays cool underground whatever the season.

Is lunch included?

No. There's a stop where you can buy food, so bring some cash or a snack of your own if you prefer.

How long is the day?

About 10 hours from pick-up to drop-off in Reykjavík.

Reviews

Reviews from travellers who took this tour. A local reads every review before it is shown.

5.0Based on 1 review

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1 star0

Great day in Iceland!

This tour was the perfect combination of iconic sights and unique adventure! We got to see geysers, waterfalls, and finish with an unforgettable walk through the lava tunnel. Great guide and well-organized!

Nora · October 2024

From25,990 ISKPer person