Perfect 10-Day Northern Lights Winter Vacation Package to Iceland with Glacier Ice Caving

Discover the most popular sights in Iceland with a guided tour of the Golden Circle, with stops at Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and the Gullfoss waterfall.

After breakfast in Reykjavik, you’ll meet the expert local guide who will take you around the country for the next eight days. After introductions, you’ll board the bus and will drive into nature to let you discover the first attraction of the day — Thingvellir National Park.

Thingvellir is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a fascinating history and geography. Situated between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, it’s one of the few places on Earth where the plates are visible above ground, making it an extraordinary location to visit.

You’ll have some time to explore the landscapes of this national park, seeing waterfalls, lakes, forests, and lava fields. Your guide will also tell you the area’s history — it’s where Iceland’s parliament was first formed in 930 A.D., meaning this is a place of immense cultural significance for Iceland.

After your visit to Thingvellir, you’ll continue to the Golden Circle’s second major attraction, the Geysir geothermal area. Geysir is the hot spring that gave all other geysers their names, but it rarely erupts today. However, its neighbor, Strokkur, erupts every few minutes, offering an impressive display of geothermal activity in the Haukadalur Valley.

The day’s final stop is the breathtaking Gullfoss waterfall. Known as the "Golden Falls," Gullfoss is where the Golden Circle gets its name. The waterfall plunges nearly 100 feet (30 meters) across two tiers, creating a dramatic and stunning scene that has made it one of Iceland's most photographed natural wonders. Your guide will allow plenty of time to take in the magnificent view.

When your day’s adventure is complete, your guide will take you to a comfortable hotel or guesthouse in a countryside village near the waterfall.

Don’t forget to watch out for the northern lights if the skies are clear.

On day three of your 10-day adventure, you’ll explore the stunning beauty of Iceland's South Coast.

After breakfast at your accommodation, you’ll board the bus and start your journey along this incredible stretch of coastline. 

Your first major stop is the stunning Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Though narrow and gentle, it’s still a breathtaking site. It falls from 197 feet (roughly 60 meters) and has a large cavern behind it, carved by Mother Nature.

Next, you’ll visit Skogafoss, another magnificent waterfall that’s nearly identical in height to Seljalandsfoss but much broader and more powerful. The water crashes down with incredible force, creating dramatic clouds of spray.

From here, you’ll have the chance to embark on a glacier hiking tour. You’ll travel to the Solheimajokull glacier (an outlet glacier of the larger Myrdalsjokull ice cap). After receiving the necessary safety gear, you’ll start your adventure on the ice.

Glacier hiking is a fantastic way to marvel over the phenomenon of the ice caps. Glaciers cover over ten percent of Iceland’s surface. The crevasses, formations, vivid colors, and ice walls are spectacular to admire up close, and if the weather is clear, you’ll also enjoy some marvelous ocean views.

Following this unforgettable experience, you’ll continue along the Ring Road until you reach more magnificent coastal attractions. Dyrholaey, a dramatic headland, offers sweeping ocean views where you can look down on the volcanic sands below as you take in the breathtaking panorama.

You’ll also visit Iceland’s most famous beach, the Reynisfjara black-sand beach. The area is stunningly beautiful, especially in winter when the ice and snow contrast with the dark sands. Walk along the beach and enjoy the view of the Reynisdrangar sea stacks.

When you’ve finished exploring the beach, you’ll head up to Vik, the southernmost settlement in mainland Iceland. 

You’ll spend the evening in a picturesque fishing village in South Iceland. If the skies are clear, be sure to keep an eye out for the aurora borealis, as this area offers a prime opportunity to witness the northern lights.

On the fourth day of your winter vacation, get ready to visit the "crown jewel of Iceland" with a trip to the stunning Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.

After a delicious breakfast at your accommodation, you’ll travel east across lava plains and enjoy views of the Vatnajokull glacier, one of Europe’s most giant ice caps. This picturesque drive along the South Coast will take you to Vatnajokull National Park and the glacier lagoon, offering breathtaking views along the way.

The Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon is Iceland’s deepest lake — but its true magic lies in the hundreds of icebergs that float in its waters, some towering meters above the surface in dazzling white and vibrant blue hues. The winter season adds an extra layer of beauty, as seals often swim and play in the lagoon's chilly waters, providing a captivating sight.

You’ll have time to explore the area and take in the incredible views, including a visit to Diamond Beach. Here, black volcanic sands are scattered with icebergs that have washed up from the lagoon. The gleaming ice against the dark sand, combined with the crashing waves, creates a breathtaking contrast you’ll remember for years to come.

You might think this must be the end of a fantastic day, but the fun is only just starting. You’ll now board a Super Jeep and drive up onto a glacier for a tour of a sapphire ice cave. Your guide will give you the necessary safety gear, and you’ll make your way over the ice to descend into a mesmerizing frozen cavern.

The crystal ice caves have vivid shades of blue and white, with twisted ice creating unique formations and textures. You’ll stand in awe as you admire the icy structure — it feels like something from a fantasy novel or a different planet.

You’ll have time to take photos and enjoy the views with your group. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you won’t want to miss.

For travelers visiting outside of midwinter, your day will begin with a visit to the ice caves under Katla, with the Jokulsarlon lagoon experience taking place later. Both options are highly rated and guarantee unforgettable memories of your Iceland adventure.

At the end of this thrilling day, you’ll head to your accommodation in Southeast Iceland, where you can relax and reflect on your incredible experiences.

On day seven of your winter vacation package, you'll continue your journey through North Iceland, heading out to sea on an exciting whale-watching excursion.

You’ll start your day in Akureyri with breakfast at your accommodation. You’ll now go to the harbor to venture out to sea for an exciting whale-watching excursion.

The waters around Iceland are rich in aquatic life, with white-beaked dolphins, orcas, harbor, porpoises, minke whales, and humpback whales swimming and living around the island. While summer is considered the peak season for whale watching, you still have a good chance of spotting these magnificent creatures during winter in North Iceland.

The whale-watching excursion will take you into the stunning waters north of Akureyri, where you’ll sail surrounded by towering mountains, adding to the beauty of the experience. With some luck, you may see the gentle giants swimming gracefully around your boat. Your guide will provide interesting facts about the animals you encounter, and you'll have plenty of time to snap photos.

After the tour, you’ll board the bus and continue your journey around the Ring Road. Your guide will take you through quaint villages and past dramatic landscapes. You’ll make several stops today, including at the Vatnsnes Peninsula — an area with beautiful geology and striking coastal views.

This underrated corner of Iceland is home to the massive natural fortress of Borgarvirki and the dramatic coastal monolith of Hvitserkur, which many compare to a drinking elephant. It’s also one of the best places in Iceland to find large seal colonies, so make sure your camera still has charge!

Your day will conclude in Borgarnes, a charming coastal settlement in West Iceland, where you’ll have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the northern lights if the aurora forecast is favorable. Borgarnes offers excellent views, so be sure to stay up after dinner for the chance to witness the magical display.

You’ll spend the next two nights in West Iceland, so take this time to unpack, unwind, and enjoy a comfortable evening at your accommodation.

On day eight of your 10-day vacation package, you’ll embark on a journey around the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in West Iceland, often referred to as "Iceland in miniature" because of its diverse and stunning natural attractions.

The peninsula is a microcosm of everything Iceland is known for — waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes, black-sand beaches, and lava fields — offering something for every nature lover.

After departing Borgarnes, you’ll head onto the peninsula and follow its southern shore. Along the way, you’ll encounter geological wonders like the Berduberg cliffs, known for their impressive hexagonal basalt columns, and the captivating Raudfeldsgja gorge, a place of natural beauty that invites exploration.

Your guide will also take you to Ytri-Tunga beach, a place with golden sands rather than the typical volcanic black sands Iceland is known for. The beach is a popular place for seal watching, as many call this stretch of beach home. You’ll also see the Londrangar basalt cliffs and the dramatic coastal views from their top.

Throughout the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, you’ll pass through picturesque fishing villages, giving you time to stretch your legs and take in the tranquil charm of the area. However, the true highlight of the day is Snaefellsjokull, a towering volcano and glacier that dominates much of the landscape.

The two peaks of Snaefellsjokull dominate much of the scenery in the area — on a clear day, it’s possible from Reykjavik. Its snowy peak has attracted artists and novelists for centuries, and it’s probably best known as the entrance to the underworld in the Jules Verne novel Journey to the Center of the Earth. You’ll have time to explore the Snaefellsjokull National Park before you travel along the peninsula’s northern coastline.

Before returning to Borgarnes, you’ll make a final stop at the Kirkjufell mountain. It’s one of the most photographed places in Iceland, with an unusual cone shape that makes it quite distinctive. You might even recognize it from Game of Thrones.

There’s also an optional tour available today, which is ideal for travelers who want to learn more about Iceland’s volcanic activity. You’ll have the chance to descend into the Vidgelmir lava cave, where you can marvel at the underground world shaped by molten lava.

After a day filled with natural wonders, you’ll return to your accommodation in West Iceland, where you can unwind and enjoy another restful night. Keep an eye out for the northern lights as you head back to your hotel — a perfect way to end the day!