Excellent 2 Day West Coast Tour of Snaefellsnes Peninsula with Lava Caving in Vidgelmir

Stalagmites in the Víðgelmir lava cave, shining in the dim touch light.
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Description

Summary

Tour starts
Reykjavík
Starting time
at 08:30
Duration
2 days
Ending place
Reykjavík
Languages
English
Difficulty
Easy
Available
All year
Minimum age
8 years old

Description

Explore the unique landscapes of Snaefellsnes Peninsula on this two-day adventure and get acquainted with the incredible nature of West Iceland. If you'd like to get to know the culture of Iceland and witness a vast array of its natural wonders, this tour is made for you.

The beautiful Snaefellsnes peninsula is often dubbed 'Iceland in miniature', due to the myriad different landscapes located there. Prepare yourself for stunning coastal cliffs bombarded by the merciless waves of the Atlantic Ocean, rugged fields of lava rocks, cascading waterfalls, black beaches, majestic mountains, rural fishing villages and a magnificent glacier, just to name a few.

Your tour begins with a pickup from Reykjavik City, after which you will head up west along Route One to the town of Borgarnes. After a quick stop in this friendly municipality, the journey continues to Snæfellsnes peninsula, located less than three hours from the capital.

You'll take in many of the fantastic sights of the peninsula on your first day, such as the black pearl beach Djupalonssandur, the sea stacks Londrangar, and the historic fishing villages Arnarstapi and Hellnar.

All the while, the grand glacier Snaefellsjokull looms within sight, watching over the peninsula. You will also have a chance to admire the beautiful and photogenic mountain of Kirkjufell. Your first day ends at the accommodation in the western part of Iceland. If you embark on this trip during the winter season, and luck and conditions allow, the northern lights might always grace the night sky before the day ends.

This accommodation promises to be warm and comfortable, with private bathrooms, and breakfast is included.

The exploration continues on the second day, when you will get to explore the area of Borgarfjordur to see the waterfalls Hraunfossar and Barnafoss, as well as Deildartunguhver, the hot spring with the highest flow in all of Europe. One of the many highlights of the tour is a caving expedition in the Vidgelmir Lava Cave with admission fee included. Then you'll head to Husafell and Reykholt archeological site. 

You can bring one piece of hand luggage on this tour and store extra luggage in Reykjavik for a small fee.

Don't hesitate to book your Snaefellsnes Peninsula adventure now to enjoy all West Iceland offers in two adventure-packed days. Check availability by choosing a date.

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Included

Pick up and drop off within Reykjavik
Accommodation in a double or a twin room with private bathroom
Minibus (maximum 19 passengers)
Breakfast
Admission fee to the lave cave with all safety equipment provided
Free Wi-Fi on bus
Professional English speaking guide
Space for one piece of hand luggage

Activities

Caving
Sightseeing
Hot Spring Bathing
Cultural Activity
Bird watching

Daily itinerary

Day 1
The coastline at the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in Iceland boast some stunning rock formations.

Day 1 - The Magic of Snaefellsjokull National Park

Today, your West Iceland adventure begins. After getting picked up from Reykjavik City, you will get to know your expert and friendly tour guide and head along the west coast to the town of Borgarnes.

You'll stop here to get refreshments and to admire the beautiful coastal views. From there, you'll head onto the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, an area so diverse it has been named "Iceland in Miniature."

You'll start this region at the beach at Ytri Tunga, where you'll find a famous seal colony. These adorable and curious creatures lounge on rocks just offshore and play in the surrounding waters throughout the year.

You'll then enter Snaefellsjokull National Park, where you'll see the incredible Snaefellsjokull glacier. This feature has two dramatic peaks and dominates the scenery.

Next up are the ancient fishing hamlets Arnarstapi and Hellnar, where you'll embark on a scenic hike boasting breathtaking views of the seaside. The rock arch of Gatklettur is particularly beautiful.

Then, get ready to discover the unique rock formations at Djupalonssandur, a beach of black pearls, and hike up to the towering rock pinnacles Londrangar. The scenery on hand will include the glacier Snaefellsjokull in all its glory, the backdrop for Jules Verne's novel "A Journey to the Center of the Earth."

At the end of the first day, you will visit the majestic Kirkjufell mountain, one of the most popular photo stops in Iceland. This mountain has been compared to a church, pyramid, and arrowhead, and famously featured on Game of Thrones.

There is also a pleasant waterfall next to the mountain, adding to the beautiful landscapes here.

After this visual feast, your day ends at the accommodation in Western Iceland. In winter, the northern lights are known to play their amazing symphony of lights in this area if the conditions are favorable.

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Day 2
Inside Viðgelmir Lava Cave you will find a lot of interesting lava and ice formations

Day 2 - Silver Circle & Lava Caving

Marvelous waterfalls, dramatic lava fields, spectacular lava caves, boiling hot springs, and medieval Icelandic heritage are all on your itinerary today.

After a refreshing rest and having breakfast at the hotel, you will travel East along the Silver Circle Route. Your day starts with a visit to the historic Borgarfjordur area. First on the itinerary is a visit to Deildartunguhver, famed as Europe's most powerful hot springs. It produces more than 180 liters of boiling water per second!

You can feel the fierce power of Mother Nature as you walk safely on boardwalks through billowing clouds of steam around the bubbling hot springs or just see them from the viewing platform.

The next stop is at great Hraunfossar (Lava Waterfalls), a series of waterfalls formed by rivulets streaming over a distance of about 900 m (almost 300 ft!) across the Hallmundarhraun lava field, which flow from an eruption of one of the volcanoes lying under the glacier Langjokull. The waterfalls pour into the Hvita River from ledges created by less porous rock in the lava.

A stone’s throw upstream from Hraunfossar, you will visit another waterfall called Barnafoss. Its name, “the waterfall of the children,” comes from an accident that happened here in a previous century. There was a natural stone bridge over the waterfall, and two children from a nearby farm fell to their deaths crossing the river on the bridge. Afterward, the grief-stricken mother had the bridge destroyed.

The tour's highlight is a visit to the colorful Vidgelmir Lava Cave. Just shy of 1600 meters, the cave features impressive colors and lava formations that lurk in the depths of the earth. During this 1.5-hour-long expedition, you will have a chance to see one of the largest lava caves in Iceland with its stunning lava stalactites and stalagmites. The area surrounding the entrance to the cave will allow you to realize how powerful volcanic eruptions can be.

After spending nearly two hours deep below the surface of the Earth, you will end the tour in the woodland oasis of Husafell. Husafell is a magical place to unwind after a day of wonder, with birch tree woodlands, waterfalls, rugged lava fields, crystal-clear water springs, medieval remains, and much more to see.

Finally, take in the sights at Reykholt. There you will see Snorralaug (Snorri's Pool) - a small hot spring where local people have bathed since the 12th century. This pool was first mentioned in the medieval writings of Snorri Sturluson, a famous Icelandic poet and chieftain, who used to live and bathe here too. Snorralaug is now a protected archaeological site, and Snorri's story is an essential part of Iceland's history.

There will be time to take pictures of the beautiful old timber church here, which dates back to the 19th century. You can take a look inside, where a viewing glass to a medieval smithy cistern can be seen.

Then, it is time to head back to Reykjavík City; you’ll arrive in due time to enjoy a night in the capital and reminisce about your unforgettable two-day adventure in Western Iceland. Don’t wait any longer to secure your spot on this trip of a lifetime.

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What to bring

Warm, wind & waterproof clothes
Good hiking shoes are recommended
Camera
Swimwear

Good to know

This tour typically returns to Reykjavik on Day 2 around 19:00 / 7:00 pm

If you are a single traveller, then a Single Room Supplement of 6.000 ISK is mandatory.

Only small carry-on luggage such as backpacks are possible. You may be able to store luggage for a small fee in Reykjavik.

To avoid any delays in departure luggage must be in storage before pick-up time.

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