2 Day Road Trip to Jokulsarlon with Ice Caving
Delve into the mysteries of Iceland on this fast, 2-day self-drive adventure along Iceland’s gorgeous south coast, from Reykjavik all the way to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. You’ll be able to see the beauty of Iceland wearing its winter dress for you, all swaths of white snow and lacy icicles hanging from windowsills.
You’ll make the journey in a 4x4 car that can handle the tough winter conditions and get you to your destination in comfort so that you can enjoy the fresh air and take in the natural environment.
This tour offers a chance to view two of the loveliest waterfalls in Iceland, Skógafoss, and Seljalandsfoss, along with the black beach of Reynisfjara. You’ll also visit an ice cave under Vatnajökull glacier, close to the famous Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.
Ice caves are quite rare in Iceland. Each year, specialists investigate the area around Vatnajökull glacier for caves which form naturally after meltwater has run under the ice cap. Each cave is chosen for its safe passage and unique beauty, so each tour is a one-of-a-kind experience possible for only a few months each year, where you'll get to see and touch the wonderful, crystal-blue ice in the glacier's depth.
You also have an opportunity to search the night skies for the Northern Lights - if you’re lucky, you’ll get to see them dancing over the glacier lagoon, reflected on the water and ice.
Because your tour is short, we want you to see the most popular sites while still leaving time to take care of yourself. We've included the best of Iceland in your tour, and hand-picked some of its best-kept secrets to give you time away from the crowds so that you can enjoy the beauty all around you without interruption.
Our custom itinerary provides a balance of places you've seen on postcards and those only locals know so you can revel in the natural world for as long as you like.
Don’t miss this exclusive chance to see some of the most beautiful landscapes in Iceland! Check availability by choosing a date.
Quick facts
- Available: Nov. - Mar.
- Duration: 2 days
- Activities: Sightseeing, Northern lights hunting, Ice Caving, Self drive
- Difficulty: Easy
- Minimum age: 8 years.
- Highlights: Reykjavík, Jökulsárlón, Vatnajökull, Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, Eyjafjallajökull, Dyrhólaey, Mýrdalsjökull, Skaftafell, Höfn, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, Vík í Mýrdal, Fjaðrárgljúfur, Reynisdrangar, South Coast
Departure time : Flexible.
Reykjavík
Accommodation for one night by Jökulsárlón, with breakfast
Toyota Rav4 4x4 or similar rental car for two days
Ice cave tour from Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
CDW and SCDW insurance along gravel protection for car rental
GPS system
Detailed Itinerary with fun and practical information on the nature, history and culture of Iceland
Hands-on travel agent to oversee your itinerary
Taxes
Fuel
Dinner
Lunch
What to bring:
Warm clothing and outerwear suited for rainy and chilly weather (Waterproof recommended)
Winter hiking shoes
Good to know:
Self-drive tours begin either in Reykjavík City or at Keflavik International Airport. A valid driver's license is required, along with a one-year long on-road experience. Please be aware that your itinerary may be rearranged to better fit with your arrival date and time.
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and therefore cannot be guaranteed, but this itinerary is designed to maximise your chances to see them if weather allows. Please be aware that your itinerary may have to be rearranged to fit your arrival date and time better.
It can happen, in the case of extreme weather, that an activity is cancelled. If your chosen activity is cancelled, we will assist you with rearranging or booking other activities when possible, and any potential price difference will be refunded to you.
Note that Icelandic roads and pavements can be slippery in the wintertime. We recommend you bring shoes with slip-resistant soles or ice-grip shoe covers. The covers can be purchased in most supermarkets and gas stations around the country.
Daily itinerary
Day 1 - South Coast to Jokulsarlon
Pick up your 4x4 car in Reykjavík and start your exciting winter journey of the south coast. After a couple of hours drive through some cute towns and past the lowland fields of the south, you'll come to Seljalandsfoss waterfall. You're able to walk around this waterfall, and there's no way you'll miss it as you can spot it from the Ring Road easily.
A little while later, you'll come to another stunning waterfall, Skógafoss, the last waterfall in a series of dozens of smaller ones coming down from the glacier of Mýrdalsjökull, that's right next to Eyjafjallajökull volcano.
Further along the south coast, you can visit Dyrhólaey, where you can take in breathtaking views of the glacier, the black sands and the Atlantic Ocean from its picturesque lighthouse. You'll also be able to go to the black sands of Reynisfjara beach.
Make sure that you have enough time to reach Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon at the end of the day, where you will spend the night. This is possibly the best location in the country to see the Northern Lights, as they can be reflected in the still water if they are strong enough!
Day 2 - The Blue Ice Cave
Your ice caving tour starts in the morning from Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. You'll meet up with your guide at the parking lot by the glacier lagoon and will then be driven on a specially modified car towards the ice cave.
You need to go with a guide because the ice caves can be dangerous and it's up to your guide to decide if it's safe to enter the cave, depending on weather and conditions. We put safety first.
If the conditions are right, you'll be able to enter a winter world like you've never seen it before, admiring stunning blue ice from inside the glacier, 1,000 years old!
After your ice cave tour, you can spend some time admiring the beauty of Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon in the daylight, before your drive back to Reykjavik.
If you leave around 14:00, you should be back in Reykjavik by 20:00, though it depends on how long you will want to enjoy the Lagoon and the driving conditions on the way back to the capital.
Car
Guide to Iceland has a wide selection of vehicles and seeks to provide you with the best available car from our preferred rental operators, who offer the highest quality vehicles and service to our guests. Our self-drive packages include a newer model, usually a maximum of 2 years old and equipped with a GPS and basic CDW insurance. See the categories of available vehicles below. We recommend a comfortable 4X4 as a minimal standard for winter traveling due to icy and challenging road conditions. In the booking process, you can also upgrade to an automatic model for free.
Comfort 4X4
A medium sized jeep or SUV with 4WD (4x4) fit for most travel, and good for snow and off-asphalt travel, such as Toyota Rav4 or similar. This vehicle has basic highland capabilities.
Cancellation Insurance
This insurance guarantees that you can cancel the booking of this package and receive a full refund, minus the insurance cost of 5,000 ISK per person. The cancellation must be made within a minimum of 48-hours before the listed starting time. To cancel your booking and claim your refund, simply contact our service desk by writing to info@guidetoiceland.is no later than 48-hours before departure and declare the cancellation. Please note that this insurance only covers the full cancellation of this entire package. It does not cover cancellations of individual activities and services within the package. The cost of the Cancellation Insurance is neither refundable nor transferable.
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