SOUTH COAST:
FIRE & ICE TOUR

FROM 26,990 ISK
(from approx. US$195 / €185 / £160)

Our South Coast: Fire & Ice tour is an exciting day that allows you to experience the best parts of the south coast of Iceland, all the way to the picturesque town of Vík. Throughout the day we will witness massive glaciers, powerful waterfalls, volcanic black sand beaches, infamous volcanoes and even see re-melted lava indoors at the Icelandic Lava Show. All in one spectacular day.

Take a walk to the front of the mighty Sólheimajökull glacier for an incredible view with your guide, learning all about the glaciers changes over the years (this tour does not include a glacier hike). Feel the mist and spray from the thunderous Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls. Be in awe of the powerful waves crashing onto the volcanic black sand shores of Reynisfjara Beach with its unique rock formations. Have lunch in the picturesque town of Vík. Learn all about volcanoes and geology at the unique Icelandic LAVA Show, where they literally re-melt lava rocks from the 1918 Katla Volcanic eruption in front of your very eyes. All of this led by one of Hidden Iceland’s wonderful guides who will ensure you do not miss a thing.

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Step By Step Itinerary

The South Coast: Fire and Ice tour starts with pickup in Reykjavik from 8:30 am. We head out along the south coast, driving through the beautiful Icelandic landscape to the town of Hvolsvöllur where we will have a quick snack stop before getting into the exciting parts of the south coast. During the darkest winter months (Nov – Jan) it will be good to load up on snacks and food to have on the go today, allowing us to use more of the daylight hours at the wonderful sights.

Skógafoss Waterfall

Our first stop, is at the famous Skógafoss waterfall. This 200ft fast flowing vertical waterfall can be enjoyed from afar or up close. Just remember to wear your waterproofs if you go to the very front. You can hire some Hidden Iceland waterproofs if you want to get really close. On sunny days you might be treated to a rainbow appearing in the mist of the waterfall. The majesty of this waterfall is not lost on popular culture either with Game of Thrones, Vikings and even Eurovision using this location for filming.

Skógafoss waterfall in winter by Brendan Bannister

Skógafoss Waterfall | Hidden Iceland. Skogafoss.

Skógafoss Waterfall | Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon 2 Day Tour | Hidden Iceland | Photo by Norris Niman. Skogafoss.

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

Next up, we head to Reynisfjara to see the amazing rock formations at this spectacular black sand beach. The angular basalt columns with their hexagonal shapes are the perfect photo spot on calm days. In summer you might get to spot some very cute puffins nesting in the cliffs overhead. In winter you are often treated to some intense crashing waves. One thing is for sure, you’ll get lost in thought as you wander along the volcanic black sand.

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. Hidden Iceland. Photo Norris Niman

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach in South Iceland by Norris Niman

Fire: Icelandic Lava Show & Vík í Mýrdal

No south coast trip is complete without a pit stop at the famous town of Vík í Mýrdal, though village might be a more accurate portrayal of this quaint coastal settlement. This is the southernmost town in Iceland and despite its small population of 750 people, it is an important base in the south of Iceland for many locals and travellers alike. This is where we’ll likely have lunch and where the Lava Show is hosted, in the shadow of the volcano, Katla. This is as far east as we go today.

While here, we make a stop at the newly added Icelandic Lava Show. This is a family friendly indoor show that pours real lava over blocks of ice mere metres from where you are sitting. The lava that turned to rock during the 1918 Katla Eruption is literally re-melted in a furnace to show you up close what it feels like to be this close to lava. This is not a simulation, trust us. You will feel the heat (from a safe distance) as your local guide delights in telling you all about his grandfathers narrow escape from this historic eruption. There will be plenty of learning to be had too with an informative video detailing Iceland’s turbulent volcanic past. You will even get a chance to take some of the newly cooled lava glass home with you.

The Soup Company is located in the same venue, and is the perfect lunch stop to keep you fuelled for the day, serving various sorts of delicious soups, panini’s, and other tasty dishes. During the darkest winter months we will need to order food to have on the go, so that we can use the precious short daylight hours at the wonderful South Coast sights. Lunch is not included in this tour.

Icelandic Lava Show in Vík. Pouring lava.

Icelandic Lava Show in Vík. Outside.

Icelandic Lava Show in the South Coast of Iceland at Vík

Ice: Sólheimajökull Glacier Valley Walk

A short drive back west, through some awe inspiring scenery and we arrive at one of the true highlight of the trip. We get ready for a valley walk to a safe viewpoint near the front of the stunning Sólheimajökull glacier. This mighty glacier flows down from the enormous Mýrdalsjökull icecap. The ice cap sits directly on top of one of the most powerful and feared volcanoes in the country, Katla. Past volcanic eruptions and the moving glaciers create the stunning landscapes that are unique to this area.

The valley walk is considered easy, but there is some areas with uneven slopes that require full mobility of your ankles and knees. The walk takes around 20 minutes in each direction. Although this is an easy walk, we are entering a wilderness setting that inevitably comes with risk. One danger that needs to be considered is the potential rock fall along the edge of the glacier. On rainy, windy and/ or icy days this can become a safety concern. Therefore, we have made the decision to avoid this hazardous area as a standard part of the tour, and instead focus on reaching the fantastic view point allowing for full view of the ice. Two things are certain, you will be safe throughout and you will get stunning pictures to take home with you.

WE DO NOT WALK ON THE ICE ON THIS TOUR, WE TAKE A GUIDED WALK DOWN THE VALLEY TO A GREAT VIEWPOINT

Sólheimajökull Glacier. South Coast: Fire Tour. Hidden Iceland. Photo by Paul Fencaros

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

The action doesn’t stop there though. Our final stop of the day on the South Coast: Fire and Ice tour is at the Seljalandsfoss Waterfall. A similar height to Skógafoss but with one key difference; you can walk behind this one when it’s not icy. The waterfall is a result of melting glacial ice pouring down from the peak of Eyjafjallajökull volcano. The cave behind the waterfall is massive enough to walk all the way around for the ultimate view. In winter it is often not possible to walk behind due to ice. During these months you are then treated to the wintery scene of snow, icicles and a partially frozen waterfall. In the darkest days of winter the waterfall is lit up, and we will likely be reaching this stop at sunset or afterwards, so we may be seeing the often icy waterfall lit up in the dark.

Seljalandsfoss waterfall in winter by Norris Niman

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall. Hidden Iceland. Photo Danny Mcgee

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall by Tom Archer

South Coast Sights

The drive back to Reykjavik allows you to sit back in comfort and take in even more of the beauty of the south. It also gives you the chance to admire and share all your treasured photos from the day. On clear days the view from your comfortable Hidden Iceland vehicle adds so much to the tour. If you’re lucky you might see a few more volcanoes in the distance. Notably, the cone shaped Hekla volcano and the archipelago of the Westman Islands. We’ll get you back in time for a late dinner in the city.

Tour Highlights

Included: Interactive Show at the Icelandic Lava Show, Guided valley walk to the front of the Glacier. Pickup and drop-off in Reykjavik, transportation in modern mini bus with WiFi, and one of Hidden Iceland’s wonderful English speaking guides. Also included is Hiking Boots, Rain Jacket and Rain Pants if these are needed (these need to be chosen in the booking process, otherwise they cannot be guaranteed).
Excluded: Meals.

For choosing your PICKUP LOCATION please read this important information.

Good to know

We will stop in the south coast town of Hvolsvöllur to load up on snacks and drinks for the day and we also make sure there is ample time to have lunch at The Soup Company located within the Icelandic Lava Show premises. The soups are filling and delicious, as well as their panini and sandwiches. Check out their mouth-watering menu here. During the darkest winter months (Nov – Jan) we will need to order food to have on the go, so that we can use the precious short daylight hours at the wonderful South Coast sights. Lunch is not included in this tour.

The front of the glacier can sometimes be unsafe or inaccessible due to weather or rock fall conditions in the mountain by the glacier. This can often be as a result of high levels of rainfall, strong winds and frost-thaw conditions. Hidden Iceland consider safety to be our number one priority. Your guide will always only take you to the closest viewpoint of the glacier that is safe to access and where you will be able to get great views and photos of the glacier.

All tours are charged in Icelandic Krona (ISK). Other currencies shown on the website are only indicative and are subject to currency fluctuations.

We look forward to exploring with you on our South Coast: Fire and Ice tour soon.

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