This Ice Cave, Northern Lights & Golden Circle 4 day tour was created to highlight the most sought after activities and sights in Iceland. We make sure your daytime activities fit into the limited daylight hours and give you ample time to search for the Northern Lights each night. This adventurous, yet leisurely itinerary is the perfect trip for travellers with limited time in Iceland.
This trip covers an ice cave visit, two of Iceland’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the ever popular Golden Circle region, an erupting geyser, the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach, geothermal hot springs, rural villages and plenty of optional activities to fill your time.
This 4 + day excursion really does provide you with all the winter highlights. If you are travelling in summer, this tour can be replaced with the UNESCO World Heritage Site 4 Day Private Tour which covers many of the same spots.
ICE CAVE, NORTHERN LIGHTS & GOLDEN CIRCLE 4 + DAY TOUR
Tour Summary
Day 1: Explore the entire south coast of Iceland with Northern Lights friendly accommodation
Day 2: Adventure day with blue ice cave tour, the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach with Northern Lights friendly accommodation
Day 3: South Coast half day with optional activities e.g. snowmobiling, ATV, horse riding or a real Lava Show
Day 4: Golden Circle with Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse Lunch and Blue Lagoon
Please note: arrival day, departure day and additional days are not part of the 4 days but will be planned by our Trip Planners for you in your first quote. We also recommend having at least one full day in Reykjavík before or after your tour.
Colourful northern lights by Marc Hoey.
Day 1 | Explore the South Coast Sights
Today is all about travelling along the entire south coast.
This is the longest day of driving but don’t worry, there’s plenty of incredible stops along the way. We start at the impressive Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls. Make sure to wear a rain coat if you want to get close. Afterwards, we travel onwards to the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach with its unique hexagonal basalt columns and ferocious crashing waves. Next, we continue our drive further east where we’ll soon start to see the spectacular glaciers and Iceland’s highest mountains.
As we come to our accommodation for the night at the Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon (or equivalent) we stay in their deluxe rooms (customisable). The dinner at the hotel showcases traditional Icelandic meals using local produce. The hotel is in a great location for seeing the northern lights on a clear winter’s night, with a wake up call list offered by the hotel if you haven’t spotted them before bed.
Where do we stay?
We stay at the Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon on our first night of the tour (or equivalent)
Seljalandsfoss waterfall in winter by Norris Niman
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach in winter with Hidden Iceland. By Simon Svensson Photography (31)-13
Skógafoss waterfall in winter by Brendan Bannister
Day 2 | The Vatnajökull National Park
Today is all about the glaciers!
After breakfast this morning we make our way to the nearby Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon where we’ll be spending most of the day. It’s here that we meet with our partners in the area for the true highlight of our trip, the Ice Cave & Super Jeep Adventure. Together, in their specialised super jeeps we travel over the rugged terrain to the more remote parts of the glacier. From here, it’s a tranquil walk over rocky but mainly flat ground, to witness the blues and textures of the inner workings of the glacier in one of the ice caves of the area located on the vast Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier.
Once we come back from the ice cave, we spend the rest of the daylight hours by the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and watch the giant icebergs float around and wash up on the black sand shores of Diamond Beach. Today is the most adventurous day but is also the most rewarding. Especially with the views of the surrounding area from the the glaciers.
Travelling in September, October or April? During these slightly warmer months, we may swap the ice cave tour for a glacier hike on top of the ice. Don’t worry, it’s just as incredible an experience.
Where do we stay?
We stay at the Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon on our second night of the tour (or equivalent)
Looking to customise this day?
Alternatively, this ice cave tour can be customised. From an easier 4 hour ice cave tour to a more adventurous ice cave discovery tour (6 + hours) which takes you to a more distant ice cave. Or if you want to go even further off the beaten path, we can arrange with our helicopter partners to fly us to a more remote ice cave in the area. Often referred to as the Blue Dragon Ice Cave. From the helicopter landing spot there is just a short walk to the cave entrance to the massive opening of the enormous Blue Dragon Ice Cave.
Blue Ice Cave with Hidden Iceland. Sapphire Ice Cave. By Simon Svensson Photography (81)-44
Kristi Winterfeldt at Jökulsárlón with Seals. Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.
Remnant glacier ice washed up on ‘Diamond Beach’ by Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon at sunrise. Photo by Scott Drummond, Hidden Iceland
Icebergs in Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon by Paul Fencaros.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon in the Vatnajökull National Park. Jokulsarlon. Hidden Iceland By Simon Svensson Photography (66)-37
Day 3 | South Coast Half Day with Optional activities
After the adventurous day on the ice yesterday, it’s best to take this day a little easier (or not, it’s up to you). As we start our journey back west, we’ll start with an easy hike along the feather like ridges of the canyon with the impossible to pronounce name; Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon. We stop by a few more south coast sights as daylight hours allow until we come to the picturesque town of Vík.
For those choosing to take it easy today, we will have ample time to get some souvenirs, try the ‘best coffee in the south of Iceland’ at the Skool Beans converted school bus café. Our hotel for the night is just a short drive from here where you can spend the late afternoon relaxing and revisiting all the pictures taken for the past couple of days.
However, if you are wanting to keep the excitement up, then you can choose between 3 optional extras today.
Option 1
The Icelandic Lava Show in the town of Vík where the locals will share tales of past eruptions before pouring re-melted lava over ice just metres from your face. A great family friendly experience on a cold day.
Option 2
Take a horse ride on the famous Icelandic horse with its smooth 5th gait. These docile animals are as friendly as they are fast. This is a great way to see Iceland’s hidden landscape off the beaten path.
Option 3
Snowmobile on top of one of Iceland’s ice caps. To get there, you will jump in the back of a super jeep before swapping over to a snowmobile where you will zoom across this snowy landscape. This is only recommended between November and June. Outside of these dates, we swap this activity for an exhilarating ATV tour through rivers and remote wilderness.
Where do we stay?
We have plenty to choose from in this area from the quaint Hotel VOS guesthouse to the Skálakot Luxury Manor or the pristine Hotel UMI (or equivalent). All great options based on your budget and preference.
Fjaðrárgljúfur in Winter by Brendan Bannister
Horse Riding. Horseback. Snow. Glacier. Trail. Horseback. Farm. Hidden Iceland. Photo Skálakot
Horse Riding. Horseback. Snow. Black Beach. Trail. Eyjafjöll. Horseback. Farm. Hidden Iceland. Photo Skálakot
Reynisdrangar in Vík í Myrdal. By Tom Archer.
Lava Show Vík. Hidden Iceland.
Colourful northern lights by Marc Hoey.
Day 4 | Golden Circle
Ready for your last day of touring? Today we will visit the most popular area of Iceland, the Golden Circle!
After breakfast, we get to witness the force of Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s most powerful waterfalls. From there, we drive to the geothermal area of Geysir. The geyser Strokkur erupts every 5 to 10 minutes.
Afterwards, lunch will be served nearby inside the tomato greenhouse farm of Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse. Surrounded by busy bees and tomato plants. We will be able to try their famous tomato soup or any number of tomato inspired recipes. This is the most talked about culinary experience from any of our tours. Make sure to pop outside to say hi to the Icelandic horses before leaving too.
After all this, we drive to the famous Þingvellir National Park. Þingvellir is the site of the first known parliament in the world, where many of Iceland’s most important decisions were made. It also sits in the rift valley of the separating North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
To end the day, we either head past the city to the Blue Lagoon to end the trip with a bang or simply return to Reykjavík in the late afternoon for a chance to explore the city. The choice is yours.
Where do we stay?
Your guide will drop you off either at the luxurious Silica by Blue Lagoon or the 5 star Retreat by Blue Lagoon for a unique treat to wrap up your stay in Iceland. Both these hotels give you access to their own secluded pools as well as access to the Blue Lagoon itself. If you are on a budget you can always opt to stay at the nearby Northern Lights Inn once you’ve finished bathing in the lagoon. Alternatively, we can head back to Reykjavík.
Gullfoss in winter. Golden Circle: Platinum Tour. Hidden Iceland. Photo by Norris Niman. Feature
Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse Lunch by Kat Craats
Strokkur at Geysir Erupting in the Golden Circle by Guindo Amezcua
Friðheimar Tomato Soup. Golden Circle: Platinum Tour. Hidden Iceland. Photo by Vala Fanney
Icelandic Horse by Brendan Bannister
Þingvellir National Park by Dennis Stever. Thingvellir National Park.
General Information
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Inclusions
Depending on availability we will stay at a combination of Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon (or equivalent), luxurious Hotel UMI, unique Skálakot Luxury Manor or the more comfort level Hotel VOS. All hotel choices are modern, spacious and comfortable with private bathrooms, and include breakfast. Ice cave tour with all necessary safety equipment provided. Lunch at Friðheimar Tomato Greenhouse (all inclusive except from alcoholic drinks) and entrance to the Blue Lagoon geothermal pool. Private transportation in a modern and comfortable vehicle and one of our wonderful English speaking guides for the duration of the 4 days.
Exclusions
Flights to and from Iceland, meals unless otherwise specified. Reykjavík based activities and accommodation.
Extensions / Add-ons
We can include Reykjavík based accommodation and activities upon request
This trip can be extended to 5 or more days upon request
Additional or replacement activities can be requested (see form below)
Ready to make this your dream trip?
Please try to give us as much information as you can in the form below so that we can come up with the best private trip for you as quickly as possible. We will always do our best to respond to all messages within 3 business days, excluding weekends.
