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 taking 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 your first attraction of the day — Thingvellir National Park.

Thingvellir is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a fascinating history and geography. It's located between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. It's one of the best places in the world to see the plates, as they're usually below sea level. 

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 strolling through the park's walkways, 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. Instead, you'll see its neighbor, Strokkur, which erupts every few minutes.

Once you've marveled at the geothermal forces of the Haukadalur Valley, you'll continue to the day's final attraction, the Gullfoss waterfall. The word "Gullfoss" means "golden falls," and this is where the Golden Circle gets its name.

Water cascades down almost 100 feet (about 30 meters) tall across two tiers in a magnificent display. You'll quickly see why this is one of the most photographed natural attractions in the country. Your guide will give you plenty of time to enjoy the view before you go.

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.

Explore the beauty of Iceland's South Coast on day three of this 10-day vacation.

After breakfast at your accommodation, you'll board the bus and start your journey along this incredible stretch of coastline. The first major landmark you'll encounter 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 stop at another waterfall, Skogafoss. It's about the same height as Seljalandsfoss but much broader and more powerful. It thunders to the ground with impressive force, throwing great 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. The Dyrholaey headland provides a dramatic ocean view — look down at the volcanic sands below as you take in the coastal panorama.

You'll also visit Iceland's most famous beach, the Reynisfjara black-sand beach. The area is hauntingly 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. Remember to watch out for the aurora borealis if there's no cloud coverage.

Explore more of North Iceland and head out to sea on a whale-watching excursion on day seven of your winter vacation package.

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. The best time to participate in a whale-watching tour is the summer, but you still have a good chance of spotting some during winter in North Iceland.

You'll go out into the beautiful waters north of Akureyri. The trip is gorgeous, as you'll be surrounded by imposing mountains as you sail. 

With luck, you'll see some gentle giants swimming from your boat. The guide can tell you about the animals you see as you take photos.

Following your 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!

You'll end the day in the coastal settlement of Borgarnes in West Iceland. It's a fantastic place to stay up and watch the northern lights, so ensure you have enough energy to witness them after dinner if the aurora forecast is promising.

The accommodation in West Iceland will be your home for the next two nights, so you can take this opportunity to unpack your things and enjoy a comfortable night.

Discover Iceland in miniature with a trip around the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in West Iceland on day eight of your 10-day vacation package.

The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is often called "Iceland in miniature" due to the wealth of natural attractions here. It has all the features Iceland is known for, including waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes, black-sand beaches, and lava fields. There's something for everyone!

You'll drive out of Borgarnes and onto the peninsula, following its southern shore. You'll see geological marvels like the hexagonal basalt columns of the Berduberg cliffs and the striking beauty of the Raudfeldsgja gorge.

Your guide will also take you to the 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.

There are plenty of charming fishing villages around the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, and you'll have time to stretch your legs as you explore them. However, the highlight of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula is the Snaefellsjokull volcano and glacier.

The two peaks of Snaefellsjokull dominate much of the scenery in the area — on a clear day, it's visible 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 you arrive back in 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 be able to descend into the Vidgelmir lava cave and marvel at the underground world created by molten lava.

You'll end the day at the same accommodation in West Iceland for another good night's sleep. Watch out for the northern lights as you head back to the hotel.