Hidden Iceland’s Family Friendly 5+ Day Private Tour is designed for families who want a fun and enriching experience in Icelandic nature. This itinerary can be customised to match any age group, all the way from young kids into old age. This trip works year round, with some amendments for winter.
Throughout this tour, we will explore the south coast of Iceland, sneaking behind waterfalls and strolling across pristine black sand beaches. Our most adventurous day will include a glacier experience on Langjökull Glacier. We will get a chance to see Icelandic horses and get up close and personal with some charming goats. We’ll also venture through the popular Golden Circle with its erupting geysers, massive waterfalls and through the scarred Þingvellir National Park.
The proposed itinerary spans a total of 5 days of touring. However, days can be added or removed based on your timeframe and preferences. Arrival and departure days, will be meticulously planned by our Travel Experts to ensure a seamless experience.
Day 1 | The Golden Circle with Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse
Today marks the first day of our Family-Friendly Private tour. Your private guide picks you up from your accommodation in the morning to commence the tour. We will leave the city behind for the next few nights, and today we focus on exploring the golden circle areas. Firstly, we will come to Gullfoss waterfall, where you get to witness the sheer force of one of Iceland’s most powerful waterfalls. Afterward, we’ll drive to the nearby geothermal area of Geysir where Strokkur erupts like clockwork every few minutes. But even then, it always manages to catch us by a surprise!
Only a short drive away, we will have lunch at Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse. A unique lunch surrounded by busy bumblebees and the tomato plants. Here we’ll get the opportunity to taste their renowned tomato soup with their delicious homemade bread, homemade ravioli pasta, grilled tortilla pizza. Once all bellies are full, make sure to say hello to the Icelandic Horse before continuing on to your accommodation.
Where do we stay? There are plenty of options available that are perfectly suitable for families. Hótel Geysir is a great premium option, as is Hótel UMI. If looking to upgrade your accommodation, then Skálakot Manor Hotel, a boutique 13-room hotel, is a fantastic option. Alternatively, if looking for a more exclusive stay then Dalur Luxury Lodges offers exclusive private lodges, perfectly located in the golden circle where we will stay for two nights.
Day 2 | Exploring the South Coast
The second day is where all the action on our Family-Friendly Private Tour starts to unfold. We will visit the impressive 60 m Seljalandsfoss waterfall. During summer, it is possible to walk behind for the ultimate views. Right thereafter, we come to Skógafoss waterfall, which is rumoured to have a chest of gold from the Vikings hidden behind it!
A short drive away, we’ll come to Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. The black sand beach is not favoured for sunbathing, but for its unique hexagonal basalt columns. Not to mention that the Arctic puffins that reside here during summer. Once everyone has worked up an appetite, we’ll have a local lunch. By the afternoon, we’ll all get to experience the amazing Icelandic Lava Show (a favourite of the kids—and also our guides!). After all that, it’s time to make our way back to our accommodation for our second night.
Day 3 | Þingvellir National Park & Optional Activities
A stone’s throw away from our accommodation, we’ll head to Þingvellir National Park. The National Park is the site of the first known parliament of the world, where many important decisions were made. It also sits on the rift valley of the separating North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, which holds a geological significance. Here is the perfect place to stretch our legs, go for a nice nature walk and take in the views.
In the afternoon, we have a few options to explore before residing in our accommodation, but this depends on the ages of the family:
- Sturlureykir Stable Visit | All ages: We can get a glimpse of the farm life in Iceland and visit the horse stables to pet the friendly Icelandic horse. After, we’ll be given hot chocolate or coffee, with traditional Icelandic rye bread.
- Sturlureykir Horse Riding Tour | 8-10 year old age limit: Depending on the child’s experience with horses, a horse riding tour is only recommended for older kids. At Sturlureykir we can opt to gear up in the riding gear for a horse riding tour through the surrounding nature.
- Húsafell Canyon Baths | All ages: They offer a serene escape in the heart of a canyon. Here, you can soak in geothermal waters surrounded by stunning canyon views.
- Hvammsvík Hot Spring | 10-year-old age limit: This is a true wonder in the Hvalfjörður bay! Offering you to have a relaxing soak right by the ocean where the water levels fluctuate with the ties. There are a few springs to choose from with varying temperatures, but the highlight for most is going for a swim in the ocean!
Where do we stay? Tonight, there are a few options to consider. There is the wonderful Hótel Hamar, or Hótel Húsafell to name a couple. We will stay here for the next two nights.
Day 4 | Langjökull Glacier Experience & Háafell Goat Farm Visit
After a hearty breakfast in our accommodation, we make our way inland towards Langjökull Glacier. It’s here that we join our partners in the area for a glacier experience. On the first leg of the journey, we’ll embark on a specialised super jeep, which takes us across the glacier to our destination. Should you be travelling with children over the age of 8, then we can upgrade this experience to snowmobile Into The Glacier! Here, we go Into the glacier to explore the world’s largest man-made glacier ice tunnel. While on the glacier and when the weather allows, you’ll have spectacular panoramic views in all directions.
Once we come down from the glacier, we’ll have lunch in the area before visiting Háafell Goat Farm. Here, we’ll spend some time enjoying the farm life with the animals that live there.
Day 5 | Lava Tunnel & Blue Lagoon
It’s true what they say that all good things must come to an end. And here there are no exceptions as today marks the last day of our Family-Friendly Private Tour. Together, we will spend the day exploring the Reykjavík Peninsula, The Lava Tunnel and other spectacular sights within the UNESCO Global Geopark.
Starting the day with a visit to Raufarhólshellir, more widely known as The Lava Tunnel. This is one of Iceland’s longest lava tubes with formations and colours inside this 5200-year-old lava cave leaving you breathless. Once we come back above ground, we’ll trace the picturesque shores of Lake Kleifarvatn, leading us to Krýsuvík’s Martian geothermal hot springs for a surreal walk.
Where do we stay? At the end of the day, you’ll bid farewell to your Hidden Iceland guide, and check in to your accommodation. You can look to heading back to Reykjavík for a final night in the city. Alternatively, your guide can take you to Silica Hotel by Blue Lagoon. The hotel offers you premium entry to the main Blue Lagoon as well as exclusive access to the Silica Lagoon. This lagoon is reserved only for the hotel guests. Kindly note that there is a 2-year-old minimum age limit for the lagoon.
For an even more extraordinary conclusion to your holiday, consider upgrading to The Retreat by Blue Lagoon. Here, you’ll enjoy complimentary access to the Retreat Lagoon, Retreat Spa, and Blue Lagoon Rituals in one of their suites. With a Michelin-starred restaurant, Moss, the experience at The Retreat is truly unparalleled. Kindly note that there is a 12-year-old minimum age limit for the lagoon.
Tour Highlights
|
OPERATES |
DURATION |
MINIMUM AGE |
| LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY This depends on the selected activities |
STARTING POINT Reykjavík this can be customised |
END POINT |
| Inclusions • Accommodation with breakfast all mornings • Activities as listed in the proposed itinerary • Private transportation with Wi-Fi • Led by one of our guides for the duration of the tour |
Exclusions • International flights • Meals unless otherwise specified |
Accommodation options
Premium: Primarily 4-star hotels, offering high-quality amenities and services, comfortable and stylish rooms, and excellent locations with easy access to attractions.
Luxury: Combination of 4-star and 5-star hotels and lodges, providing superior amenities and exceptional service, elegant and spacious rooms, and often feature on-site fine dining and wellness facilities.
Exclusive accommodation & private lodges: Exclusively 5-star hotels and private lodges, offering unmatched luxury and personalised service, luxurious suites and private accommodations, with top-tier amenities including private pools, spas, and gourmet dining options.
Ready to make this your dream trip?
