Reykjavik: 3-Day Winter Minibus Tour | South Coast, Ice Cave & Golden Circle

Join us on an unforgettable three-day excursion along the Golden Circle and the Icelandic South Coast. You will be picked up from Reykjavík, between 8am and 8.30. When pick up is completed, off we go for our adventure as we head right away to Iceland’s most famous route.

The Golden Circle is an unforgettable expedition with a small group on the ultimate Golden Circle tour. You will visit the famous Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir and the surrounding geothermal area. 

The South Coast includes the breathtaking glacier lagoon, Jökulsárlón, where seals are swimming between the icebergs and the white of the ice mixes up with the blue of the sky. Your eyes will also meet with powerful waterfalls, volcanic sand beaches and the biggest glacier in Europe, Vatnajökull, where you will have the chance to explore while hiking. 

Day 1: The Golden Circle and Northern Lights

Start at 8 am in Reykjavík and head to the famous Golden Circle area.

• Explore the historic and scenic Thingvellir National Park

• Experience the power of Gullfoss waterfall and capture stunning photos

• Visit the Geysir geothermal area, see Strokkur geyser erupting, and experience the hot springs

Spend your night in a countryside hotel or guesthouse with private bathroom and breakfast included. Hotels offered vary based on availability, and are typically cozy and local 3-star hotels and guesthouses along the route.

Day 2: The South Coast incl. Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss and Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

The first stop is at Seljalandsfoss waterfall where you can walk behind the tumbling water flow and feel the vibrations of the water hitting the ground. Thirsty? Just open your mouth. Right next to it is the waterfall Gljúfrabúi which snugly tucked in a gorge hidden from most. Gljúfrabúi actually means Canyon Dweller in English. To reach the waterfall, you must first test your balance by bouncing on rocks lying in the river bed. A failure means instant foot wetness and a good laugh by your co-travellers.

Next, meet the pearl of the South Coast, Skógafoss waterfall. Majestically tucked in a wide gorge, the waterfall tumbles down 60 metres from up above a cliff into a small river, producing a cloud of mist and spray that rainbows like to dance in during sunshine. Try to warm up for the glacier by running up the 527 steps to the top... Your guide will be timing you!

Heading further east, we visit the black sand beach of Reynisfjara where the Atlantic coastline presents massive waves hitting the unique basalt columns in the cliffs above the sand. Rock pillars in the water and the cliffs of Dýrhólaey are seen in the distance.  Glacier Hike complete our perfect adventure we will hike an outlet glacier spawning from the one of the largest glaciers in the country. After meeting our highly trained glacier guides and strapping on our safety and glacier equipment, including helmets, harnesses, crampons and ice axes we hike on the ice for an hour and a half. A spectacular experience and opportunity to learn more about this breathtaking and increasingly rare natural phenomena.  

Spend your night in a countryside hotel or guesthouse with private bathroom and breakfast included. Hotels offered vary based on availability, and are typically cozy and local 3-star hotels and guesthouses along the route.

Day 3: The South Coast incl. Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach and Glacier Hiking and Ice Caving

Jökulsárlón, the Glacier Lagoon, is a 200m deep glacial lake fed by Breiðamerkurjökull, an outlet glacier of Europe’s largest glacier. Fed by enormous icebergs all year round, the lagoon is usually filled with ice that floats south.

We give you the opportunity to book a boat ride between the icebergs during summer time and get a closer look of the millenary ice. If boating is not your thing, then we walk alongside the glacier lagoon enjoying the magnificent views and dead silence of Icelandic nature.

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 rocks 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, guaranteed to make your Instagram account pop!  

And now the Ice cave tour, where you'll meet our guides, hop into our super jeep and take on an amazing journey up the glacier where the blue ice caves are. There you'll enter the unique phenomena which is the blue ice cave.

Head back to Reykjavík, arriving around 8 pm (subject to weather and road conditions).

Please note:

The price is based on two travelers sharing a double or twin room. For solo travelers, a supplement fee will be asked. It can be paid separately, after booking. This solo traveler fee is 175 EUR.

Gear can be rented for the tour. Please contact customer service at help@booknordics.com if you would like to add any of the following: hiking boots, waterproof pants, waterproof jacket, hat & gloves combo 

Age limit for the glacier hike is 8 years old.
Age limit for the ice cave is 6 years old.

Food:

We stop at locations like gas stations and small shops where you will be able to buy snacks/sandwiches and drinks. At lunchtime we will also stop at locations where you will find warm lunch options. For dinner, all hotels have restaurants, so you can choose if you’d like to have dinner there. Vegan or vegetarian options are offered almost everywhere. Toilet stops: You will have plenty of chances for bathroom breaks and to buy snacks on the way.