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3-Day South Coast Tour | Golden Circle, Jokulsarlon & Ice Cave Excursion
Hop aboard this amazing 3-day winter tour exploring the many highlights of South Iceland. This area includes the famous Golden Circle sightseeing route, the gorgeous South Coast, Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and the Skaftafell Nature Reserve. On top of that, you will also embark on hunts to see the dazzling Northern Lights.
You will start this multi-day adventure with the famed Golden Circle sightseeing route, which includes the UNESCO World Heritage site, Þingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall.
After the Golden Circle segment of the tour is over, you will head to the sublime South Coast of Iceland. Starting with the natural gems, Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, you will end your first day at Reynisfjara black sand beach. In the evening, given the weather is clear, you will have the opportunity to spot the Northern Lights dancing overhead.
The next day, you will make your way east along Road 1, with a short stop at the coastal village of Vík. In the afternoon, you'll meet your glacier guides in Skaftafell and get ready for both hiking up a glacier and entering a natural ice cave, exploring the glistening blue wonderland within.
After the glacier adventure, you will check in at your hotel in the heart of Skaftafell, surrounded by majestic ice caps. In the evening, you will be presented with your second chance to seek out the elusive Northern Lights.
On your final day, you'll check out the famous Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and the black sands of Diamond Beach, both dotted with incredible icebergs. After that, you will slowly start making your way back to Reykjavík City. We will make sure to visit to Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon along the way back.
Don't miss your chance to join this exciting three-day trip exploring the many wonders of Iceland's South and participating in frozen adventures. Check availability by choosing a date.
Quick facts
- Available: Oct. - Apr.
- Duration: 3 days
- Activities: Glacier Hiking, Hiking, Sightseeing, Northern lights hunting, Ice Caving
- Difficulty: Easy
- Minimum age: 10 years.
- Languages: English
- Highlights: Golden Circle,
The Golden Circle is a 300 km route to the 3 most popular natural attractions in Iceland. The Golden Circle consists of Geysir, Gullfoss and Thingvellir.
See this for Golden circle tours.
Geysir area
Geysir is a geyser that gives its name to hot springs all over the world. But although Geysir itself is not active anymore the area features spectacular hot springs such as the powerful Strokkur (spouting a vast amount of water every 10 minutes, regularly about 15-20 meters into the air), Smidur and Litli-Strokkur.
Gullfoss waterfall
The 'Golden Waterfall', is the second part of the Golden Circle, and one of the most beautiful and powerful waterfalls in Iceland, plummeting 32 meters into the river gorge of the popular rafting river Hvita. It is Iocated about 10 km from Geysir.
Thingvellir national park
The largest attraction of the Golden Circle is Thingvellir National Park. The Icelandic parliament was founded there in 930 and remained until the year 1798.
Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important places to visit in Iceland, not just for its historical and cultural values, but for also its magnificent landscape.
Thingvellir is surrounded by a beautiful mountain and volcano range and is the site of a rift valley, where the tectonic plates meet, marking the crest of the Mid-Atlantic ridge.
Of particular note at Thingvellir are the magnificent Almannagja gorge, and the beautiful lake Thingvallavatn, the largest lake in Iceland. The popular Gjabakkahellir lava cave is also in the area.
The fissure Silfra is located by Thingvallavatn, Iceland's largest lake, and is famous for its clear waters and popular for diving and snorkeling, as you can literally swim between continents.
South Shore,From Reykjanesta and the next 100 km onwards, the south shore is characterized by lava formations constantly battered by the wild ocean waves (‘brim’ in Icelandic). For the next 300 km after that the shore consists of sands with hardly any harbours.
South Shore
Along with the powerful brakers, there is rich birdlife in the lava shore area. As for the sand shores, despite the lack of harbours, people would set off for fishing there anyway, at tremendous risk and this would indeed often result in great losses of life.
Among excellent places for a hypnotizing view of the massive white brakers, that may reach tens of meters into the air, are Reykjanesta, Grindavik, Strandakirkja, Eyrarbakki and Stokkseyri.
South Iceland,South Iceland is the most popular part of the country and contains some of the most beautiful natural attractions in Iceland, among them the Golden Circle, some of Iceland's most famous active volcanoes as well as the beautiful Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.
Geography
South Iceland is usually divided into the fertile South Icelandic lowlands between Hellisheidi and Eyjafjallajokull volcano on the one hand - and on the other hand the eastern part with the big volcanic glaciers Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull (home of Katla) and flattened sands stretching towards the sea.
The South Icelandic lowlands
The South Icelandic Lowlands stretch nearly 100 km from Hellisheidi in the west towards Eyjafjallajokull in the east as a very flat and fertile farming land. From the shore the lowland stretches about km towards the inland. This is the best agriculture area in Iceland. The whole area is geologically very young, mainly of tuff type, formed during the Ice Age by the lava flows of the numerous volcanoes of the area. The area is indeed surrounded by volcanically active mountains on all sides. The glacier rivers of the area have helped filling the lavas with sand and clay, leaving it more and less smooth and fertile. Very strong earthquakes are found in this area as well.
The most active volcanoes of the area are Hekla and Eyjafjallajokull. No less active and not far off, but on the east side, is Katla, which we’ll adress in the eastern part-section. South of the mainland are the volcanic Westman Islands, famous for the 1973 eruption as well as the eruption in 1963, when Surtsey island was formed. Closely linked to the volcanic activity in the south is the geothermal heat found in many places, the best known being the Geysir area, which forms a part of the famed Golden Circle, which also consists of Gullfoss waterfall , Iceland's most famous waterfall as well as one of its most beautiful, located in the popular rafting river Hvita and Thingvellir National Park, comprising three of Iceland's most beloved natural attractions.
The earthquakes of the area bear witness to the fact that Iceland is still in shape. This is further evidenced by the endless number of fissures in the lavas, fractures in the mountains and certain pieces of lands sinking. The area of Thingvellir is the best known example of this, showcasing the continental drift. Thingvellir is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the location of the old parliament, Althingi, (now situated in Reykjavik) and one of Iceland's most important sites.
Another of Iceland's most popular attractions is the beautiful Thorsmork valley, situated between Myrdalsjokull and Eyjafjallajokull.
Natural harbour-sites are hardly any on the South shore, due to sand produced by the glacier rivers. A few towns are found in the area, Selfoss being the biggest one, Hveragerdi is another, then there are Hella and Hvolsvollur, all conveniently located by the ring road. By the shore are three fishing villages; Thorlakshofn, Eyrarbakki and Stokkseyri. Thorlakshofn the only one of those that can accommodate modern ships and ferrys. The ferry to the Westman Islands sails from there. A new harbour has been built on the sandy coast opposite the Westman Islands. The whole south shoreline offers some of the most gigantic braker waves that you are likely to see.
Culturewise, in addition to Thingvellir, we reccomend the ancient bishop seat of Skalholt (weekends at Skalholt further offer rich music life). Also, Iceland's most famous saga, Njal's saga takes place in the South lowlands. We further recommend the large reconstructed turfhouse near Stong and the ancient excavated ruins.
For sports, horse riding is popular in the area as well as catching salmon or trout, hiking, and river rafting in Hvita.
The east part of South Iceland.
This is the area south and east of Myrdalsjokull. The volcanic glaciers Eyjafjallajokull (near the border of the eastern and western part) and Myrdalsjokull, dominate the view. The landscape has been shaped by volcanic eruptions and vast sands stretch to the sea. Some agriculture is found here, however, with the farms in a row alongside the mountains. A few large glacial rivers fall down in this area which also has striking waterfalls, such as Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss.
Eyjafjallajokull is already well known for its 2010 eruption, disturbing air communication all over Europe for many days. Much more serious,however, would be an eruption from Katla, a volcano in the eastern part og Myrdalsjokull.
Katla’s last eruption was in the year 1918, when an enormous flood of water exploded from the glacier in a matter of minutes, threatening the local farmers of the area. Large amounts of ash and muddy material were brought to sea to form a new land of sand, Kotlutangi, later washed away by the sea. No people were killed in this eruption. Eruptions in Katla throughout the ages have further created the vast sand area Myrdalssandur. Sixteen eruptions have been recorded for Katla since 930 at intervals of 13-95 years and the volcano is being closely monitored, as time may draw near to its next eruption.
In the same volcanic system as Katla (geologically speaking), are the Lakagigar craters, northeast of Myrdalsjokull. Those erupted in the years 1783-84; producing the largest amount of lava known in historic times. The ashes hindered the sunlight from reaching down to the surface of Earth, resulting in cold climate over northern Europe.
In this area – what we call the eastern part of South Iceland -, there are many places worth visiting: Solheimajokull is a beautiful glacier in a walking distance (an outlet of Myrdalsjokull); Skogar has a very interesting museum of older time traditions and Skogafoss is only a few km away from there. One of Iceland’s most famous hiking routes, Fimmvorduhals, starts from Skogar. Southwest of the village Vik is one of Iceland’s most spectacular beaches, Reynisfjara. Together with the promontory Dyrholaey, which is the southernmost tip of the mainland of Iceland, it offers a breathtaking view with amazing rock formations, a black pebble beach, an abundance of birds and the powerful waves of the North Atlantic Ocean crashing on the beach.
Further east stretches the world's most vast sand plain, Skeidararsandur. North of the sand is the fascinating Skaftafell preservation area. At its east end, south of Hvannadalshnukur, Iceland's highest peak, is Ingolfshofdi cape, with its rich birdlife, old fishermen's shacks and its lighthouse. Following the shore further east is the incredibly beautiful and ice-filled Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. Not far off is the region of Sudursveit, featuring the culture center and heritage museum Thorbergssetur, erected in the memory of Icelandic author Thorbergur Thordarson.
Jökulsárlón,Jökulsárlón is Iceland’s most famous glacier lagoon. Conveniently located in the southeast by Route 1, about halfway between the Skaftafell Nature Reserve and Höfn, it is a popular stop for those travelling along the South Coast or around the circular ring road of the country.
Geography
As a glacier lagoon, Jökulsárlón is a lake that is filled with the meltwater from an outlet glacier. In this case, it is Breiðamerkurjökull, a tongue of Europe’s largest ice cap, Vatnajökull.
It stands out, however, due to the fact that it also fills with icebergs breaking from the glacier, some of which tower several stories high.
These icebergs, other than their scale, are notable for their colouration. Although they are, as expected, largely white, most are also dyed electric blue in part, with black streaks of ash from eruptions centuries past.
When the icebergs finally make it across the lagoon, they either drift out to sea or wash up on the nearby shore. Because of the way they glisten against the black sands of Breiðamerkursandur, this area has been nicknamed ‘the Diamond Beach’.
In spite of being a rather recent formation, Jökulsárlón is the deepest lake in the country, with depths reaching 248 metres. With a surface area of 18 square kilometres, it is also growing to be one of the largest.
History
Jökulsárlón has not been around since Iceland’s settlement; it only formed around 1935. This was due to rapidly rising temperatures in the country from the turn of the twentieth century; since 1920, Breiðamerkurjökull has been shrinking at a dramatic rate, and the lagoon has begun to fill its space.
Today, the expansion of Jökulsárlón is accelerating. As recently as 1975, it was just 8 square kilometres, and now that size has more than doubled.
In the relatively near future, it is expected that the lagoon will continue to grow until it becomes a large, deep fjord.
Though a dark omen for Iceland’s glaciers and ice caps in general, the retreat of Breiðamerkurjökull has resulted in an incredibly beautiful, if temporary, site. This has not been overlooked by Hollywood.
Jökulsárlón has been featured in the James Bond films A View to Kill in 1985 and Die Another Day in 2002, 2001’s Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and 2005’s Batman Begins.
In 2017, Jökulsárlón was enveloped into the Vatnajökull National Park, thus it is now fully protected by Icelandic law.
Wildlife
Because of the wealth of herring and capelin that the tides bring into the lagoon, Jökulsárlón is somewhat of a hot-spot for Iceland’s wildlife.
In summer, it is a nesting site for Arctic Terns; stay well away from this area, as these birds are notorious for the fierceness with which they protect their eggs, dive-bombing the heads of any they see as a threat. Skuas also nest on the lake’s shores in this season.
Seals can be reliably spotted here throughout the year, swimming amongst or else hauling out on the icebergs. Jökulsárlón provides them with a safe haven to rest and socialise, especially considering the waters of southeast Iceland are renowned for their population of orcas.
Vatnajökull,Vatnajökull glacier is the largest ice cap in Iceland and the third largest glacier in Europe, covering 8% of the island's landmass. Vatnajökull National park can be found in the south west of Iceland and is a popular spot for activities like glacier hiking from Skaftafell, boat tours and ice caving tours from Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, both of which are part of Vatnajökull national park.
Facts about Vatnajökull
- Surface: 8,100 km2
- Average thickness: 400 - 600 m
- Maximum thickness: 1,000 m
- Height: 1,400 - 1,800 m
- Highest peak: 2,200 m (Hvannadalshnjúkur)
Information about Vatnajökull
Vatnajökull Glacier belongs to the greater Vatnajökull National Park, which encompasses the former national parks Skaftafell, in the southwest, and Jökulsárgljúfur, in the north. Vatnajökull's highest summit is Hvannadalshnjúkur which rests on top of a stratovolcano known as Öræfajökull.
Underneath the glacier rests some of the most active volcanoes in the country, the most notable being Grímsvötn, Öræfajökull and Bárðabunga. Volcanic activity in the region has occurred on and off throughout the centuries, and many geologists believe that such a period is overdue for immediate future. If their calculations are correct, it would mean significant volcanic activity for Vatnajökull over the scope of the next half century.
The glacier boasts of over 30 outlet glaciers, which are channels of ice that flow out of ice caps but remain constrained on the sides of the valley. The major outlet glaciers of Vatnajökull include Dyngjujökull in the north, Breiðamerkurjökull and Skeiðarárjökull to the south. To the west, one can find the outlet glaciers Síðujökull, Skaftárjökull and Tungnaárjökull.
Glaciers are in constant motion underneath their weight; as they form over the centuries, the accession of snow exceeds its melting, creating a constant "push" on the ice cap. Each year, due to the melting ice water, new ice caves form that disappear come spring.
- Click here for a selection of Ice Cave tours
Numerous rivers run out of Vatnajökull, making up some of the greatest glacial rivers in Iceland:
- Tungnaá (west)
- Köldukvísl (west)
- Þjórsá (west)
- Jökulsá á Fjöllum (north)
- Skjálfandafljót (north)
- Jökulsá á Brú (north east)
- Jökulsá í Fljótsdal (north east)
- Jökulsá í Lóni (south)
- Hornafjarðarfljót (south)
- Jökulsá á Breiðamerkursandi (south)
- Skeiðará (south)
- Núpsvötn (south)
- Hverfisfljót (south)
- Skaftá (south)
Vatnajökull National Park
Vatnajökull National Park, in its current state, was established in June 2008. The park now covers an area of 14.141 km2, making it the second largest national park in Europe. Vatnajökull National Park has 14% coverage over the whole island of Iceland.
Rivers divide the highland plateau to the north of the park; an area that sees massive glacial flows in the summertime. The volcanic table mountain Herðubreið towers over this particular region, along with volcanoes Askja, Snæfell and Kverkfjöll.
The canyon Jökulsárgljúfur was carved out by glacial floods centuries ago. At the upper end of the canyon, you'll find Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe. Further north, the horseshoe-shaped canyon Ásbyrgi is believed to have formed when Óðinn's horse, Sleipnir, stepped his foot down from the heavens.
East around Snæfell, one can find wetlands and ranges, home to roaming herds of wild reindeer and abundant birdlife. Steep mountain ridges make up the south side of Vatnajökull, where outlet glaciers crawl in between the ridges onto the lowlands. The sandy plains of Skeiðarársandur also lie to the south as they reach out to sea. The glacial river Skeiðará runs through this vast desert.
One of Iceland's most visited landmarks is the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, which sits at the head of outlet glacier Breiðamerkurjökull. There, large icebergs that have broken off the glacier gather to float in the lake before ending up in the Atlantic Ocean, or on the nearby Diamond Beach.
- Click here for a selection of Jökulsárlón tours
The Future of Vatnajökull
The volume of Vatnajökull reached its peak around 1930 but has since been in a steady process of decline. Because of rising levels of global temperature, approximately over the last 15 years, Vatnajökull has on average lost about a metre of its thickness annually.
If temperature levels continue to rise, the glacier could be all but gone nearing the end of the next century, leaving only small ice caps on top of the highest mountain summits.
Vatnajökull and Jökulsárlón in Popular Culture
- HBO's Game of Thrones (season 2, 2012)
- Batman Begins (2005)
- James Bond: Die Another Day (2002)
- James Bond: A View to a Kill (1985)
Skógafoss,Skógafoss is one of the country’s biggest and most beautiful waterfalls with an astounding width of 25 meters (82 ft) and a drop of 60 meters (197 ft). Due to the amount of spray the cascade produces, a rainbow is present any time the sun emerges from behind the clouds.
Located on the Skógá river, this mighty cascade is clearly visible from Route 1 and is an excellent place to stop and stretch the legs while travelling Iceland’s South Coast. The river below Skógafoss holds a large char and salmon population and is thus a favourite spot for fishermen in the summer.
The land underneath the waterfall is very flat, allowing visitors to walk right up to the wall of water. Keep in mind, however, that this will get you drenched. Skógafoss can also be viewed from the top as a steep staircase leads to an observational platform above the cascade.
Geography
Skógafoss is located near the small village of Skógar, south of the Eyjafjallajökull glacier volcano. There you’ll find the Skógasafn folk museum, an open-air museum with both old wooden houses and turf houses, as well as a regional museum with various artefacts from this area.A part of the Skógasafn Regional Museum is the Museum of Transportation, which showcases the history and evolution of transportation, communication and technologies in Iceland. There, you can see how this nation evolved from the age of the working horse to the digital communications of the 21st century.
The Skógasafn museum also includes a café and a museum shop, and in the village of Skógar, you will find both a hotel and a restaurant.
At the eastern side of Skógafoss, you will find one of Iceland’s most famed hiking routes; the Fimmvörðuháls pass. The 22 km (14 mi) trail takes you along Skógá river, between two glaciers, Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull, before ending in the beautiful Þórsmörk valley.
Folklore
A gold ring is on display at the Skógasafn museum. According to legend, the ring is from a chest that was owned by Þrasi Þórólfsson, one of the first Viking settlers in the area. Folklore states that before his death in 900 AD, Þrasi buried a chest filled with gold in a cave behind Skógafoss waterfall.
Many attempts were made to retrieve the chest after Þrasi’s death, and years later, locals managed to grasp a ring on the side of the chest. As they pulled, the ring broke off, and the treasure was lost forever. The ring was then given to the local church before it made its way to the museum.
Seljalandsfoss,Seljalandsfoss is a waterfall, situated on the South Coast of Iceland, with a drop of 60 metres (200 feet).
Due to the waterfall’s close proximity to the Ring Road and impressive natural features, it is one of the most famous and visited falls in the whole country. Majestic and picturesque, the waterfall is one of the most photographed features in the whole of Iceland.
Geology and Surroundings
Seljalandsfoss waterfall, part of the river Seljalandsá, has its origins underneath the glacier volcano Eyjafjallajökull. The cascade of the falls is relatively narrow. However, it used to be wider until a flood in 1976 altered the shape of the cliffs from which the waterfall tumbles. The rainfall during the day of the flood measured 101 millimetres (4 inches), which caused a significant rise in the water levels of rivers in the area. This event caused a new crack to form in the cliffs, that subsequently redirected the width of the falls.
The cliffs themselves are the remnants of a former coastline, which now separates the lowlands from the Highlands of Iceland. The same can be said of Seljalandsfoss’s equally famous neighbour, Skógafoss waterfall.
The most distinguished feature of Seljalandsfoss is a natural pathway that stretches all the way around it. The cliffs behind the falls, therefore, form an accessible cave. Visitors can easily walk this path, although they should be prepared to get dampened due to the perpetual mist of the falls, which also tends to make the rocks of the pathway slippery. During the winter season, it is highly advised not to walk around the falls since the icing makes the walk too hazardous.
However, floodlights have been set up on both sides of the waterfall, which impressively illuminate the scene during dark winter nights. The lights were installed in 2001 due to the growing popularity of the falls as a tourist destination.
After visiting Seljalandsfoss, it is common for visitors to continue north to the waterfall Gljúfrabúi, which is found partially hidden behind a rock face. Because of Seljalandsfoss extreme popularity, Gljúfrabúi is widely considered an additional hidden gem of the scene.
Visitor Centre Controversy
In 2017, it was announced that a visitor’s centre was to be constructed near the falls. The design of the building indicates that it would be 7 metres (23 feet) high and 2,000 square metres (21,500 square feet) in size. Landowners in the area opposed to the idea, proclaiming that the centre would greatly alter the natural appearance of the waterfall’s renowned scenery.
The project has neither been fully approved nor wholly cancelled, with ideas surfacing of either significantly reducing the size of the construction, or moving the visitor centre’s location further away, for instance to the nearby farmstead Brekkuhorn.
Seljalandsfoss in Popular Culture
Along with a multitude of South Iceland’s most famous natural attractions, Seljalandsfoss can be seen in Justin Bieber’s music video for his song ‘I’ll Show You’.
The waterfall was also a featured waypoint during the first leg of the sixth season of The Amazing Race, an American reality TV series.Geysir,Geysir is a dormant hot spring in the geothermal area, Haukadalur Valley, found in South Iceland. Making up just one of the attractions along the world famous Golden Circle sightseeing route, alongside Þingvellir National Park and the mighty Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir is most well-known for having lent its name to geysers around the world.
Geography
Though Geysir itself is rarely active these days, Haukadalur Valley boasts a plethora of hot springs, including the powerful Strokkur, Smiður and Litli-Strokkur. Strokkur is, arguably, the country’s most famous hot spring, shooting vast jets of boiling water from twenty metres (65 ft) up to forty metres (130 ft) high. Don’t worry about missing this incredible spectacle of nature as Strokkur erupts every five to ten minutes, just make sure to have your camera ready.
Geysir is much larger, but years can go by between eruptions at Geysir. When it does erupt, the water can shoot up in the air as high as 70 metres (230 ft)!
Just five minutes walk north of Geysir a wealth of fumaroles emanating steam and gas into the cool Icelandic air can be found. Aside from watching the hypnotic pillars of steam, you will also be able to observe the yellow sulphuric stains along the fumaroles themselves, a result of the steam crystallising around the rock bed.
At the southern part of the valley, Þykkuhverir, you‘ll find various bubbling mud pots. These spooky brown cauldrons are actually fumaroles that boil up through the loose ground; after a dry spell, these mud pools are likely to transform into a hardened fumarole.
Nearby Attractions
About 2 km from Geysir is a preserved natural pool called Kúalaug. It has room for 3-5 people at a time, but care should be taken, as the area around the pool is very delicate. The temperature is 39-43°C, depending on where you are positioned in the pool. The water is slightly muddy, as the pool is built on soil, and the bottom is slippery due to algae, so caution is advised when relaxing here.
Haukadalur has also seen a rise in re-forestation in recent times thanks to continued experiments and research in the area. Today, Haukadalsskógur is one of the largest forests in South Iceland, boasting accessible walking paths (also for wheelchair users), fascinating vegetation and The Tree Museum, built in the memory of forester Gunnar Freysteinsson.
History
Haukadalur has been a church site since ancient times and has been inhabited since the Age of Settlement. Given its historic value, it should be noted that scholar, Ari “The Wise“ Thorgilsson, grew up there; it was also where the first pastoral school in Iceland was built. The current wooden church was last rebuilt in 1938 but its architectural style dates back to 1842, making it one of the oldest of its kind in Iceland.
For accommodation, Hotel Gullfoss is approximately 7 km from the Geysir area, and closer still is Hotel Geysir on the other side of the road from the attraction, where you will also find a restaurant, café and a souvenir shop.
Gullfoss,Gullfoss (translated to ‘Golden Falls’) is one of Iceland’s most iconic and beloved waterfalls, found on the Hvítá river canyon in south Iceland. The water in Hvítá river travels from the glacier Langjökull, finally cascading 32m down Gullfoss’ two stages in a dramatic display of nature’s raw power.
Because of the waterfall’s two stages, Gullfoss should actually be thought of as two separate waterfalls. The first, shorter stage of the waterfall is 11m, whilst the second stage is 21m. The canyon walls on both sides of the waterfall reach heights of up to 70m, descending into the 2.5km long Gullfossgjúfur canyon (geologists indicate that this canyon was formed by glacial outbursts at the beginning of the last age.)
In the summer, approximately 140 cubic metres of water surges down the waterfall every second, whilst in winter that number drops to around 109 cubic metres. With such energy, visitor’s should not be surprised to find themselves drenched by the waterfall’s mighty spray-off.
Gullfoss makes up a part of the highly popular Golden Circle tour, alongside Geysir geothermal area and Þingvellir National Park.
History
In the early days of the last century, Gullfoss was at the centre of much controversy regarding foreign investors and their desire to profit off Iceland’s nature. In the year 1907, an English businessman known only as Howells sought to utilise the waterfall’s energy and harboured ambitions to use its energy to fuel a hydroelectric plant.
At the time, Gullfoss was owned by a farmer named Tómas Tómasson. Tómas declined Howell’s offer to purchase the land, stating famously “I will not sell my friend!” He would, however, go on to lease Howells the land, inadvertently beginning the first chapter of Icelandic environmentalism.
It was Tómas’ daughter, Sigríður Tómasdóttir, who would lead the charge. Having grown up on her father’s sheep farm, she sought to get the lease contract nullified, hurriedly saving her own money to hire a lawyer. The ensuing legal battle was an uphill struggle; the case continued for years, forcing Sigríður to travel many times by foot to Reykjavík if only to keep the trial moving. Circumstances became so difficult that Sigríður threatened to throw herself into the waterfall if any construction began.
Thankfully, in 1929, the waterfall fell back into the hands of the Icelandic people. Today, Sigríður is recognised for her perseverance in protecting Gullfoss and is often hailed as Iceland’s first environmentalist. Her contribution is forever marked in stone; a plaque detailing her plight sits at the top of Gullfoss.
Restaurant / Cafe
Besides Gullfoss, visitors can enjoy the views from Gullfoss Cafe, a locally run delicatessen that serves a wide variety of refreshments and meals. The menu has options to tantalise everyone’s taste buds; hot soups, sandwiches, salads and cakes. There is also a shop on site where visitors’ can browse and purchase traditional Icelandic souvenirs.
Eyjafjallajökull,The glacier volcano of Eyjafjallajokull (1651 m) is located at the borders of the South Icelandic highlands. It featured prominently in world news in 2010 when ash from its eruption halted air traffic in Europe.
An ice cap of about 100 km with several outlet glaciers covers the caldera of Eyjafjallajökull that stands at the height of 1651 meters. The diamaeter of its highest crater is around 3-4 km2 wide and the rim has several peaks.
Eyjafjallajokull glacier volcano lies north of Skogar, and to the west of Myrdalsjokull glacier and the massive volcano there; Katla.
Eyjafjallajokull is thought to be related geologically to Katla in Myrdalsjokull and eruptions in the former have often been followed by eruptions in the latter.
The 2010 eruptions
The end of 2010 saw some small seismic activity that gradually increased and resulted in a small eruption in March of 2010, characterized by a flow of alkani-olivine basalt lava.
This first stage lasted until April 12th and created the volcanic craters Magni and Modi at the Fimmvorduhals trail. They are so far Iceland's newest vocanic craters, and still eminate steam with lava glowing under the surface.
However it was the second phase of the eruption that started on April 14th that created the huge ash cloud that rose about 9 km into the skies.
This eruption halted air traffic in Europe for days, and its estimated that as many as 107.000 flights may have been cancelled during the week it lasted.
The ejected tephra measured around 250 million cubic meters. This ash cloud lasted for six days and some more localized disruption continued into May. The eruption was officially declared to be over in October 2010, as the snow on the glacier had ceased to melt.
Future volcanic developments?
Eyjafjallajokull erupted in years 920, 1612 and again 1821-1823.
Its latest eruptions were the two that occurred in 2010.
Future volcanic developments remain unclear. The area is still highly active and can be quite unpredictable. It continues, however, to be closely monitored by The Icelandic Meterological Office.
Þingvellir,Þingvellir National Park is Iceland’s only UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the major stops on the world famous Golden Circle sightseeing tour, alongside Haukadalur Geothermal Valley (Geysir) and Gullfoss Waterfall. Just to the south, as well as a part of the park is Þingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest natural lake.
Geography
The first thing that visitors to the National Park notice is its sheer aesthetic beauty; dried magma fields, covered in Icelandic moss, sit carved by glacial springs and surrounded by a bowl of ancient mountain peaks.
Two of the greatest attractions in the park are the exposed North American and Eurasian tectonic plates; it is one of the only regions in the world where you can see geology such as this on land. Visitors are encouraged to walk along the North American tectonic plate, where they can read more about the area’s fascinating formation and history.
History
Þingvellir can be anglicised to “Fields of Parliament”, a nod to the area’s fascinating history and relevance to Icelandic culture. It is here, after all, that the world’s first democratically elected parliament that remains functioning, the Althing, was formed in 930 AD.
This saw the birth of the Old Icelandic Commonwealth, a time of independence and freedom for the Icelandic people before they became constituents of the Norwegian monarchy. Sessions would continue to be held at Þingvellir until 1798.
Another major reason as to why Þingvellir is considered so important to Icelanders is the fact that this is where the decision was made to abandon the belief of Paganism and the Norse Gods, instead adopting Christianity in 1000 AD. This turning point in history was left to the pagan lawspeaker, Thorgeir Thorkelsson, who rested on the choice for one day and one night before reappearing to share his decision.
Silfra Fissure
Þingvellir is one of the most widely visited attractions in Iceland, in large part due to the fact that it is home to the glacial spring, Silfra Fissure, one of the top 10 sites in the world for snorkellers and scuba divers.
Silfra (meaning “Silver”) is a submerged ravine within the park, boasting visibility of up to 100 metres and a temperature just above freezing. Participants in these tours will be attired at the Silfra carpark in neoprene hoodies and gloves, as well as an undersuit and drysuit for thermal protection.
Mýrdalsjökull,Mýrdalsjökull is a glacier in the south of the Icelandic highlands. It is the country's fourth largest ice cap, covering nearly 600 kilometres squared, and its highest peak is almost 1500 meters tall. It is most well-known for sitting atop the notorious and explosive volcano, Katla.Mýrdalsjökull is visible from Route 1 on the South Coast, sitting to the north of the village of Vík.
Eruptions beneath Mýrdalsjökull
Since 2010, the world has known of the volcano beneath Eyjafjallajökull; few, however, are aware of the much larger volcano right beside it. Mýdalsjökull conceals Katla, one of the country’s most active volcanoes, having erupted, on average, once every fifty years since 930 AD. Because of the glacier above it, these eruptions tend to cause enormous ash clouds.
The last major eruption beneath Katla was in 1918, in which such huge lahar floods occurred that the southern coastline was extended five kilometres outwards. This area is also very susceptible to glacial floods, or jökulhlaups, during eruptions, even when the lava does not break through the surface of the ice.
Historically, the area was little settled for this reason.
Katla is connected to the same volcanic system as Eyjafallajökull and usually erupts violently a few years after. As the ex-president, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson said in 2010:
‘The time for Katla to erupt is coming close… it is high time for European governments and airline authorities all over Europe and the world to start planning for the eventual Katla eruption’Katla is monitored heavily, and roads around it closed when seismic activity increases. All road closures around Iceland can be found on Road and Coastal Administration's website.
Tours on Mýrdalsjökull
While there are no eruptions immediately imminent, tours continue to run on Mýrdalsjökull, allowing visitors to enjoy the glacier. It is, for example, possible to snowmobile across its surface throughout the year and take ice caving tours beneath it from October to April, with departures from both Reykjavík and Vík.
Considering the ice caves under Vatnajökull glacier are usually only accessible from November to March, this provides a wider window of opportunity for travellers to Iceland outside of the depths of winter. It should be noted that the caves in Mýrdalsjökull do not have the same blue ice, however.
Tours around Mýrdalsjökull
Mýrdalsjökull can be seen on all South Coast tours that reach Vík and beyond in clear weather. It can also be seen from above on helicopter tours that depart from Reykjavík.
The best perspectives of the glacier, however, can be found on the popular Fimmvörðuháls hiking trail, which goes between Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. Part of this hike can be done in a day, or you can take the complete route from Þórsmörk to Skógar on a three-day trek.
Skaftafell,Photo from Tour to Skaftafell from Reykjavik.
Skaftafell Nature Preserve can be found in Öræfasveit, the western region of Austur-Skaftafellssýsla in Iceland. Skaftafell once used to be a national park in its own right but was merged with the far larger Vatnajökull National Park in 2008.
Skaftafell is notable for its rich flora, growing between sands and glaciers, and for its amazing and contrasting scenery. At Skaftafell, visitors will find a wealth of natural attractions, from cascading waterfalls to panoramic views over this picturesque region.
Like many areas along the South Coast of Iceland, Skaftafell Nature Preserve is known for its glorious hiking trails. You can take short and easy treks to the waterfalls Svartifoss and Hundafoss, as well as to the gorgeous Skaftafell glacier. A little further along, guests will stumble on the mountain, Kristinartindar, as well as the scenic Morsardalur Valley.
Skaftafell is also the perfect base camp for those seeking to climb Iceland’s highest peak, Hvannadalshnúkur, or for those wishing to spend a number of days exploring the region's attractions, including Vatnajökull glacier, Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon and the nearby Diamond Beach. It is also an excellent region to try your hand at a spot of either ice climbing or glacier hiking; both activities are two of the most authentically Icelandic experiences you can partake in whilst in the country.
Skaftafell Visitor Center
Skaftafell also boasts a Visitors Centre, acting as the main information and meeting point for tour operators and independent travellers. At the Skaftafell Visitor Centre, you will find answers to virtually any questions you might have about the greater Skaftafell area, including its history and geology. The Visitors Centre also contains information about nearby hiking trails, recreational options and accommodation.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach,Reynisfjara is a world-famous black-sand beach found on the South Coast of Iceland, just beside the small fishing village of Vík í Mýrdal.
With its enormous basalt stacks, roaring Atlantic waves and stunning panoramas, Reynisfjara is widely considered to be the most beautiful example of Iceland’s black sand beaches. In 1991, National Geographic voted Reynisfjara as one of the Top 10 non-tropical beaches to visit on the planet.
Reynisfjara is found around 180 km from Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavik, and is a popular stop-off for those taking a sightseeing tour along South Coast. Driving to the beach is particularly easy, taking an approximate two and a half hours from the capital.
Folklore
Upon visiting the beach, travellers will immediately observe rocky sea stacks sitting off the shoreline, known as Reynisdrangar. According to local Icelandic folklore, these large basalt columns were once trolls engaged in trying to pull ships from the ocean. However, as bad luck would have it, the dawn quickly arose, turning the trolls into solid stone.
Another legend tells of a husband whose wife was kidnapped and killed by two trolls. The man followed the trolls down to Reynisfjara where he froze them, ensuring that they would never kill again.
The sea stacks themselves are home to thousands of nesting seabirds. Species that can be found here include Puffins, Fulmars and Guillemots, making it a must-see location for all birdwatchers out there.
Potential Dangers
Visitors to Reynisfjara must be made well aware of the potential dangers present at the beach. First of all, the rolling, roaring waves of Reynisfjara are particularly violent, often pushing far further up the beach than many would expect.
Visitors are advised to never turn their back on the waves, don't go chasing after them and keep a safe distance of 20-30 metres.
Aside from these sudden and dramatic shifts in tide (known as “sneaker waves”), the currents off the shore are infamous for their strength and ability to drag helpless people out into the freezing cold open ocean. A number of fatal accidents have occurred at Reynisfjara, the last of which occurred in January 2017.
Vík í Mýrdal,Vik in Myrdalur valley is the southernmost village on the Icelandic mainland, located 186 km from the capital Reykjavik.
Vik is important as a service centre for the inhabitants and visitors of the marvellous Reynisfjara beach.
Reynisfjara is widely considered one of the most beautiful beaches on earth (see for example Islands Magazine). This black pebble beach boasts an amazing cliff of regular basalt columns called Gardar, which resembles a rocky step pyramid and out in the sea are the spectaculary shaped basalt sea stacks Reynisdrangar. The area has rich birdlife, including puffins, fulmars and guillemots.
Eldhraun,The vast Eldhraun lava field (“Fire Lava“), in the south of the Icelandic highlands was created in one of the greatest eruptions in recorded history and is of the largest of its kind in the world. The Lakagigar craters were also created during this eruption.
This eruption lasted from 1783 to 1784 and is known as the Skaftareldar (The skafta River Fires). This was a cataclysmic event for Iceland and beyond. In Iceland it lead to diease, crop failure and disasters.
The eruption affected Europe as well. In Great Britain, that summer known as the Sand-Summer in Great Britain due to the fallout of ash and it is believed that the airborne haze and blocking of sunlight may have contributed to the French Revolution.
Despite the abysmal effect the eruption had, this lava field of 565 km2 is today one of the most stunningly attractive ones in Iceland.
The area features one of the most magnificent lava tube systems in the country, located north of the Lake Laufbalavatn. More than 200 caves have been found there, extending for more than five kilometers and 14 cu. meters.
Fjaðrárgljúfur,Credit: Wikimedia, Creative Commons. Photo by ptj56.
Fjaðrárgljúfur is a beautiful, dramatic canyon in South Iceland, close to the historic town of Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
Though the valley was only formed at the end of the last ice age approximately 10,000 years ago, the bedrock here is much older, dating back two million years. The ravine was created by the runoff from a glacial lake, which wore away the soft stone and left only the more resistant rocks behind.
Geography of Fjaðrárglúgur
Fjaðrárglúgur is about 100 metres deep and two kilometres long, with sheer walls dotted with many waterfalls.
It is possible to walk along the ridges above, or in the valley itself. The site is popular amongst hikers and photographers for the contrasts between the dark rocks, foaming waters and verdant moss. If taking the former route, look up as well as down, as, in clear weather, you will attain great views of the South Coast, Highlands, and surrounding glaciers.
If taking the latter route, know that the river Fjaðrá runs through the canyon, and though its waters are often shallow, those exploring may have to wade through it. This tributary runs into the greater Skaftá river.
Fjaðrárglúgur’s Surroundings
The closest settlement to Fjaðrárglúgur is Kirkjubæjarklaustur, often nicknamed Klaustur by locals. This is a place with a long religious history, behind home to the country’s first convent. Many local sites are named after the nuns who once lived in the area, such as Systrastapi (Sister’s Rock) and Systrafoss (Sister’s Falls).
Fjaðrárglúgur is a great place to stop for those travelling the South Coast as they make their way from Reykjavík or Vík towards Skaftafell and the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. The South Coast itself is lined with other features to visit during your travel, such as the waterfalls Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, the beach Reynisfjara, and the Dyrhólaey cliffs and arch.
Kirkjubæjarklaustur,Kirkjubæjarklaustur (referred to locally as ‘Klaustur’) is a village of approximately 120 inhabitants in the Skaftárhreppur municipality of south of Iceland. Situated by the Ring Road, approx. 250 km east of Reykjavík, Klaustur is one of the few villages providing amenities—eg. fuel, post office, bank, supermarket— between Vík í Mýrdal and Höfn.
History
The history of Kirkjubæjarklaustur differs, in many respects, to the traditional Icelandic settlement. “Papar”, the Icelandic title for travelling Irish monks, were thought to have settled the area long before the Norsemen. In that tradition, it was claimed that pagans of no kind would set foot in Klaustur; this was a strictly Christian area.
Stories have permeated, with one telling of a pagan, Hildir Eysteinsson, who attempted to move there in the 10th Century. Upon setting foot across the border, he fell instantly dead and was buried on the neighbouring hill, Hildishaugur (“Hildir’s Mound.”)
Despite twisting the tongue, the full village name 'Kirkju-bæjar-klaustur' actually tells the story of the area well; 'Kirkju' means church, 'bæjar' means farm and 'klaustur' means convent. The word 'Klaustur' was added to the original name 'Kirkjubær' in 1186 AD when a convent of Benedictine nuns settled there.
In the 364 years leading to the Reformation in 1550 AD, Klaustur did much for the oral history of south Iceland. Systrastapi (Sister’s Rock), the Systrafoss waterfall and lake Systravatn all take their names from the nun’s settlement.
Folklore
The folklore relating to these sites are rich in tales of religious heresy, superstition and death. Sister’s Rock, for instance, has been said to be the burial site of two nuns executed for sinful behaviour. Selling their soul to the devil, removing communion bread from church, carnal knowledge with men, blasphemy toward the pope; these were just some of the accusations brought against them. Guilty or not, the nuns were swiftly burnt at the stake.
Following the Reformation, one of the nuns was vindicated for her actions, and it is said that flowers soon bloomed on top of her grave. The other’s grave has remained barren, a continuing reminder of the lady’s ethereal disapproval.
Nearby attractions
Despite its petite size, Klaustur is an important crossroads to the attractions nestled at the centre of the island, namely the Laki Craters in Vatnajokull National Park and the Landmannalaugar hiking trails in the scenic Fjallabak Nature Reserve. Only a few kilometres from the village itself lies the spectacular Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon.
A short walk east of Kirkjubæjarlaustur will take you to the fascinating Kirkjugólfið “Church Floor”, an 80 square metre flat of basalt columns, shaped and formed naturally by tide and glacial melts.
Reynisdrangar,Reynisdrangar are rock formations situated near the shore of Reynisfjara beach by the coastal village Vík í Mýrdalur on the South Coast of Iceland.
The formations are large and impending sea cliffs, made up of the rock type basalt, that serve as a vital part of the area’s allure as they shoot dramatically out of the ocean under the looming cliffs of Mt. Reynisfjall.
- Visit Reynisfjara and Reynisdrangar on these South Coast Tours
Dangerous Waves
The village of Vík only houses around 300 permanent inhabitants, but on a daily basis, travellers scouting the South Coast make their way there to visit what has been voted as one of the most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world. The beach of Reynisfjara, however, can be highly dangerous if proper caution is not taken. As is evident from how the waves of the Atlantic Ocean crash upon Reynisdrangar, the currents here are strong, and sneak waves can easily carry anyone that’s standing too close out to sea. The beach is not for wading, but for admiring, and especially the mighty surf bursting on the base of these rocky cliffs.
Folklore
There is an Icelandic folk tale that explains the origin of the pillars’ eerie appearance. According to legend, a couple of trolls were busy dragging a stranded three-masted ship to shore when the sunlight hit them and turned them into pillars of rock for all eternity. In fact, numerous rock formations in Iceland carry with them tales of trolls or elves, and one has only to look at them to fathom why.
Surroundings & Wildlife
An alternative view of the bewitching cliffs and their surrounding sea can be enjoyed by venturing up Mt. Reynisfjall, by a road to the west of the village. The mountain furthermore functions as a puffin colony every summer, from April to September, meaning guests can enjoy the view in good company. Other birds can be seen gliding around the cliffs such as Arctic terns, fulmars and seagulls.
- See also: Puffin Watching Tours
South CoastThe South Coast of Iceland is the country's most visited sightseeing route, along with the Golden Circle.
The famed South Coast shoreline stretches from the greater Reykjavík area and is dotted with natural wonders such as cascading waterfalls, volcanoes both active and dormant, black sand beaches and glacier lagoons.
Geography, Nature & Wildlife
Iceland is divided into eight geographical regions. Out of these, the Southern Region is the largest, as it spans over 24.000 square kilometres with its administrative centre in the municipality of Selfoss.
What is known as the South Coast embodies the shoreline of this particular region. The area consists of a lowland that is mostly composed of marshlands, bays and cultivated pastures that are met by a series of black beaches where the estuaries to the east and west of the district close off the coastal body.
Underneath the soil rests a vast lava field, known as Þjórsárhraun. Its edges reach several hundred metres offshore where the ocean waves crash upon them, thereby protecting the lowland from the invasion of the sea. This results in the South Coast being unusually lacking in the deep fjords that so distinctly characterise the rest of Iceland's shore line.
The region boasts vibrant bird life during all seasons. It is not only rich with both marshland birds and seabirds but also migrating birds such as the North Atlantic puffin. Some species stay throughout the harsh Icelandic winter, including the northern diver, the loom and various species of gulls and ducks.
Highlights of the South Coast
The South Coast offers an unprecedented array of natural wonders that draw thousands of visitors each day. When driving the route from Reykjavík City, the highlights in their correct order are:
- Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
- Vestmannaeyjar; The Westman Islands
- Eyjafjallajökull Glacier Volcano
- Skógafoss Waterfall
- Sólheimajökull Glacier
- Dyrhólaey Peninsula
- Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
- Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks
- Coastal Village Vík í Mýrdal
- Skeiðarársandur Glacial Sand Plain
- Vatnajökull National Park
- Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
These attractions count for but a fraction of what the South Coast has to offer. The vast sand plains of Sólheimasandur are home to a crashed DC-3 Plane Wreck, and close to Seljavellir by the Skógar Village there's Seljavallalaug, one of the oldest swimming pools in Iceland.
- Explore the many wonders of the area on these South Coast Tours
Pickup time : 08:00
Please be at your pickup location in time for your departure. Should your pickup location be at a bus stop and you need assistance finding it, seek guidance in your Hotel's reception or contact your tour provider directly. The pick up for this tour starts at 8:00am.
Reykjavík pick up & drop off service
Guided tour in a minibus
Accommodation for 2 nights with breakfast
Glacier hike with a certified glacier guide
Ice Cave
Food & drinks, except breakfast on day 2 & 3
What to bring:
Warm outdoor clothing
Waterproof jacket and pants
Headwear and gloves
Good hiking boots
Camera
Good to know:
It can happen that the ice cave tour is cancelled due to drastic weather and/or safety reasons. Other activities will then be added when possible and the price difference refunded.
Please note that if you do not choose the single supplement you will be paired in a twin room with another participant of the same gender.
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and can never be guaranteed to appear on any given night.
The right is reserved to change the order of the activities and sightseeing of the itinerary.
Daily itinerary
Day 1 - Golden Circle and South Coast

On the morning of your first day, you'll be picked up in Reykjavík and head along the famous Golden Circle sightseeing route. The first stop is Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, you can read all about the park's historical significance, as well as witnessing the exposed North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
Your next stops are the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall, the first of which is home to the hot springs Geysir and Strokkur, whilst the latter is one the most dramatic and celebrated natural marvels of the whole country.
After the Golden circle, you will head to the gorgeous South Coast. You will start by visiting Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls and end at Reynisfjara black sand beach. In the evening, you will take some time to try and spot the dazzling Northern Lights.
Day 2 - Ice cave & Glacier Hiking

At the beginning of your second day, you will make a short visit to the coastal village of Vik, a charming and quintessential example of an Icelandic coastal settlement.
By the time the afternoon comes around, you will be settled in the beautiful Skaftafell Nature Reserve, meeting your glacier guides and get ready to embark on a thrilling glacier hike and ice cave excursion.
When you are fully kitted out, you will take to Falljökull outlet glacier, exploring the shady blue ice caves and intricate ice sculptures that dot the frozen landscape. When your time at the glacier is over, you will retreat to your hotel in the heart of Skaftafell from where you can spend your second night looking out for the Northern Lights above.
Day 3 - Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

On your third and final day, you will reach the famous Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Known as "The Crown Jewel of Iceland", this lagoon is filled with icebergs, as is the nearby Diamond Beach. Both locations are within five minutes walk of each other and are a favourite amongst nature enthusiasts and photographers alike.
After having explored the glacier lagoon and the beach, you slowly start making your way back to Reykjavík City to arrive early in the evening.
Map
Video
Reviews

Zebib K. Abraham
I had the experience of a lifetime on this tour. Just do it. Saw a dozen breathtaking beautiful natural sites along the south coast and golden circle, and had just enough time at each site. Everything was efficient and well organized. Our group fell in life with our tour guide Ragnar and really bonded with him (and each other). It was just so good. And our hotel accommodations were clean, classy, nestled in the middle of nowhere in south Iceland. Just lovely!

Nieves Rom
This tour was great, it is incredibly worth it. Out tour guide Arnar was just the best, incredibly attentive and fun!! If you're visiting Iceland I'd highly recommend you take this tour

ZHANG HUI
The guide is responsible and hard-working. We've been taken to most of the spots mentioned in the description. Accommodations are really good. But due to the poor weather there was no aurora tour and the blue ice cave was cancelled, which was a shame. We hope we can get refund for not seeing the blue ice cave.

Susanna
An amazing tour. Fit so much in, and our tour guide , Gummi, was so knowledgeable, personable, and kind. It's a great itinerary and we will never forget this trip!

Lee Rebecca
Extreme Iceland is very great company, 3 days tour is very great, althought we only saw the north light on the first night, but the views are very great and surpised for us, Skaftafell Glacier Hike is the best, before i think that blue ice caving is already the most beautiful, but the Hike you must need to join since it's very great, i am recommend to join this tour and you will get the best.

Jason Jemera
This trip was incredible. My guide Auni (not sure how to spell his name) was very knowledgeable and even took us to spots away from the tourists that he liked personally. The tour is very personable as you can pretty much decide how long you want to be in a location and let the guide know if there is anything else you are curious to see along the way (though I would recommend moving through the golden circle and spending more time at the less touristy areas). There were about 11 people on our tour bus (it's a small Mercedes Benz bus). On the last night, the weather was not good enough to see Northern Lights so we just grabbed a beer at the hotel with our a guide and enjoyed good company. Highly recommend this trip.

Leslee Howard Traurig
Our family of 4 did this tour. Our guide was terrific. Her name was tricky for us (Icelandic) so we called her Edith. We had a group of 20 which was larger than I had hoped for but it worked. Although I don't normally do tours, it was great to hear all the folk stories as well as the geological information about the areas we visited. Our biggest disappointment of the tour was the Ice Cave portion. There are a lot of tour companies all trying to fit into a small, confined space. We enjoyed the other stops and activities. We even got to see the Northern Lights on our last night and it was beautiful. The accommodations are basic but clean and spacious. The food /meals are expensive but that was expected. Iceland has such diverse, beautiful terrain. We are glad we went, but be forewarned- there are a lot of other visitors and tour buses. One piece of advice would be to pack waterPROOF clothing. Our water resistant clothes, including gloves, were soaked by the end of the day. Enjoy. And hopefully you will get to meet "Edith".

Girish Gunasekaran
Thoroughly enjoyed the 3 day tour between 26th - 28th Feb. Despite the snow blizzard the guide managed to pick us up late in the afternoon and we managed to see everything as part of original tour planned. Our stay the hotels (as part of the 3 day package) was great. Guide was really considerate, resourceful and shared his knowledge of iceland. Would highly recommend and thanks to the team for all their help.

Jake Ruston
Our tour guide Ash was very knowledgable about Iceland, kept us to a good schedule so that we could see everything with plenty of time and ensured that the whole atmosphere was very relaxing. He was easy to communicate with at all times and was just generally a very pleasant guy to be around and talk to. As a group we enjoyed spending time together and tried to help each other out. The weather made the Northern Lights a bit tricky but it doesn't matter, because the rest of Iceland was incredible. It was probably the best trip I've ever been on and I would not hesitate to recommended Extreme Iceland as well as Guide to Iceland.

ALVARO A CAICEDO C
Thanks for your services, we really enjoyed the 3 days tour (8th - 10th February ) we've taken with you operated by Arctic Excursions. We want to give you a special mention to our guide Lenas who was an excellent and very professional guide. We will come back to Iceland soon and we'll use your services.

Atsushi Kanetada
Exciting experience!! We had 8 years son in this tour. He was also excited to visiting glaciers etc. Unfortunately we could not see the northern light during the tour. However they did best effort including taking us to the seeing location on the 3rd night before returning to City center. One recommendation to improve is , it would be great if the tour could indicated the seat where each guest take. We participated in this tour with another 2 family members. Some other guest take 2 seats by putting their luggage etc. we could not have seats side by side on the 1st day.

Camila
My experience with this tours couldn't be better! Even though the weather was icelandic crazy, we went to all the places and had an amazing experience in all of them. Our tour Guide, Adolf, was the nicest - he shared cool facts about Iceland and told us some traditional stories. The hostels we stayed in were amazing and the van was comfortable and warm, which helps to handle those crazy rainy days, haha.

乌拉拉草
Fantastic tour!!! If you have limited time in Iceland, just choose this tour, it will bring you to every most beautiful scenery you should take a look in Iceland. This is the best part of our travel this time. The guide who always wear a Red hat is very helpful and humorous, thanks for him giving us a very memorable experience!

Judy
When my friends and I booked a 3 Day Golden Circle, Jokulsarlon & Ice Cave Trip with Arctic Adventures during our mid-January trip to Iceland, we weren’t sure what to expect but it turned out to be an amazing experience! We endured all kinds of crazy weather during the trip, but the tour was filled with so many genuine smiles and laughs nevertheless. We had our guide, Oliver D. to thank for everything! Oliver paced the trip wonderfully so that we didn’t encounter crowds of tourists while sightseeing (or in the background of our breathtaking pictures) or during our lunch stops. It truly felt like we did a lot in a short amount of time and all without feeling totally drained by the end of the day. Unlike other tour groups, Oliver also provided us with crampons to use for the whole trip. Those crampons came in very handy for my clumsy friends and me. We found it so easy and comfortable to walk across icy and wet steps and terrains. From the start, we could not help but admire Oliver and his efforts to make this whole journey unforgettable, enjoyable, and comfortable. Oliver alone drove and guided our tour group (of ten people). Despite the long days, he was always sociable, patient, and attentive. He made everyone feel safe during the drives especially when there was unexpected severe weather. He also helped everyone to get to know each other, which made our short time together as a tour group feel like a group of friends on a road trip rather than a group of strangers. He never rushed any of us from one spot to another and provided many photography opportunities. My group really wanted to see the Northern Lights, but the weather didn’t look too good during our time there so my group didn’t hold out much hope. Nevertheless, Oliver took the time to stop right outside of Reykjavik to try to catch some clear skies on our way back from the tour. Somehow, we were able to capture a sliver of the Northern Lights. More heartwarming and memorable than seeing the aurora borealis that night was how Oliver helped my friend with her camera settings to capture the scene and how he postponed getting home to his family and being done with this long job assignment all in order to meet everyone’s expectations of the tour. As for the tour itself, Iceland is gorgeous and it’s hard to go wrong trying to see any of its natural beauty. There are only a few hours of daylight in the winter and the weather at the time we were there (Mid-January) was mostly cloudy, but I was able to capture some truly unique and beautiful shots anyways. The only negative of the tour was that the ice cave was tiny and not as grand as I had expected, but the glacier hike and the sights outside the ice cave made up for that minor disappointment. Plus, we had some really great, knowledgeable, and entertaining guides (Marcin from Poland and Ryan from Scotland) from Glacier Guides. They really made sure every minute of our time on the glacier was filled with cool facts and tons of photo opportunities. We even experienced an icequake (possibly, according to Ryan) on our trek, which was really unique (though happened too quick for us to truly realize what was going on). Moreover, our guides weren’t at all offended if we were a bit inattentive to their informative talks because we couldn’t stop taking pictures of the beautiful sights. Due to the timing and changes of the weather, we were able to capture the stunning sunrise over the glacier, then a snowy winter wonderland, and of course, the brilliant blues of the glacial ice against the black and white of other areas of the glacier all during the hike. This whole experience was spectacular. I really appreciated everything this tour provided me. You should really go!

Selina Chou
My friends and I had a great time in Iceland with the 3 day 2 night tour package. Our tour guide was awesome with great sense of humor, he tried to accommodate everyone's needs at all times. We had approximately 18 people in our tour group, which is relatively larger compare to some of the smaller group, but our tour guide tried his best to manage the time we had since the day light in Iceland during winter last about only 5 hours. The sites we visited in the country side were just amazing and breathe taking, you would not regret visiting Iceland for the scenery you will get to see. Unfortunately we didn't have a chance to see the Ice Cave, and the northern light night trip on day 3 was also cancelled, both due to weather as it was raining on the second day and snowing on the third day. However, they made it clear that we would get a refund on Ice Cave and a reschedule of the northern light night trip in the future. Also, you will get a chance to grab food and snacks along the way, our tour guide made sure all of us knew when to get foods ahead of time if there would be no other options for dinner besides the hotel restaurant. If you are traveling in a group of 3, you will get a queen size bed and a twin size bed to get a night of good rest. Overall, my friends and I had a great time, if you are considering visiting Iceland in the near future and not sure about driving in the ever changing winter weather condition, I recommend this tour to everyone.

Markus Goetz
:)

Vishi Chopra
This tour was amazing and our guide was fantastic! The size of our tour group was about 12 people, which is one of the great aspects of this tour. Since the groups aren't too big, the tour feels personal and you tend to get the opportunity to meet and converse with some awesome people from other countries. During our trip, the weather wasn't the best. We had icy rain 2 of the 3 days but our guide was so well planned and made sure we got to see almost everything on the itinerary. We also, thankfully, were able to do ice caving and glacier hiking, both of which are incredible experiences. Honestly, this trip was such a wonderful balance of adventurous activities and sightseeing. The countryside we travelled along was so beautiful and our guide even stopped at times on the way when we asked at spots not in the itinerary so that we could take pictures. I HIGHLY recommend this tour to anyone considering!

Yunqiao Xu
It was a wonderful trip. The driver was really nice and helpful. The scenery was amazing. Additionally, ice caving was really fun. It was worth trip.

Yi
Great experience!I still want to go again!

John Connaughton
We really enjoyed the 3 day/2 night Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Golden Circle, Ice Cave and Glacier Walk. We were picked up promptly from our hotel. After they completed all the pickups we transferred to a small bus and headed to the Golden Circle. We were in a group of 16 people. We got to see and do so much that I am sure many people who visit Iceland miss out on. Especially the adventurous parts like the Ice Cave Tour and the Glacier Walk. We had a great 3 day trip, and they give you 3 full days, as we did not get back to our hotel until 11pm. I would definitely recommend this tour.

Sky Smiler

Susan Sun
This is simply the best tour I've ever had and the Iceland in a nutshell (the best and the must-see in winter at least I think)! Highly recommend! The descriptions of the itinerary is very accurate, no exaggeration and no under-estimates and the tour was very well delivered by a super-experienced Guide Jon (sorry I only remembered part of his name), a very knowledgeable and responsible guide. He told us a lot about volcanoes and various Icelandic landscapes and even Icelandic traditional stories. You learn so much more from him about the country. The tour was very well designed and well organized. Ice cave and glacier hiking is super cool experience! Though we didn't get to see the northern lights but that's about the solar and weather condition and nothing to blame about the tour. Really enjoyed it and many thanks to Jon, our guide (I was in the tour Feb 27-29, 2016).

Tiffany Cheng
The tour was really good. Our tour guide Yung is really fun-loving and patient, and made the tour really enjoyable. This is a great tour to take if you want to cover major attractions of Southern Iceland. These people are professional and thoughtful, the first thing when we started our tour in Golden Circle, Yung handed out crampons - which from my understanding, other tours often don't offer crampons. It is so much easier to walk and avoid falling with crampons. The professional guides brought us to ice-caving and glacier hiking as well. Everything was well taken care of. Yung even drove us to Jokulsarlon for northern lights on he second night, which was really a great idea! We have also seen northern lights on the way back to Reykjavik on our third night. As I joined this tour in late February to March, the time of daylight has become longer and Yung has added a few extra stop points on top of the itinerary, which was great. Yung is also very accommodating when some of the guests want to stop on the road and take photos. The only drawback is that you only get short stops at each point, say like 45 mins to 1 hour. This is necessary as the road trip from Reykjavik to Jokulsarlon is quite long.

Xianwei Cao
Excellent tour!!! I met with a great tour guide name "Wolf" who has a good command of knowledge of iceland nature and made our out-door trip full of fun. Also the people in the package tour were kind and nice. This is a exploration-oriented tour which is quite focus on the experience of nature in person. We really had a memorable 3 day trip. I have already recommended to all my families and friends and they are quite attracted by my posting on social media. Hope we can visit Iceland again in Summer!!! Thank you for the team, cheers!!!

Saurabh Kushwaha
I attended this tour in Jan 2016. This tour is a great package if you want to cover South Iceland in a reasonable time, all major attractions are included in this trip. The tour was very well planned and covered. Our tour guide was amazing, he guided us extremely well, was friendly and told several good stories about the tour and Iceland. The only drawback of this tour was that you only get limited time at major attractions due to limited day-light.

Lui Weng Chee
Despite the unpredictable weather, we managed most, but unfortunately no all, of the sites mentioned in the itinerary. But the experience was still an excellent one. The guide was very professional and took very good care of the group. Highly recommended. Already considering a visit in the summer to see the different aspects of Iceland.

monica heseman
The entire trip was wonderful. Our guide "Day" did a great job, especially driving on snow packed roads. Our glacier guide "Gary" was excellent. Would highly recommend the 3 day/2night tour to anyone looking for an adventure. Accommodations and food good.

Min Chi Chuang
Even though there was a blizzard during my trip, all the schedule was well- arranged! I also learnt a lot of knowledge about Iceland ! If you would like to experience something different in Iceland,join this trip,it won't let you down .

Louis Daniel
Our 3 day tour had to be split into two parts due to heavy storms period during my stay in Iceland beginning December. I had two tour guides, one who led us to golden circle on 6 dec (I forgot his name), and another one, Thor, who led us to Jokulsarlon and glacier hiking on 8-9 dec. Both were very nice and professional, with a lot of knowledge about Iceland, the horses, folk tales, and weather. The lady who took care of the itinerary during these stormy period also did her best to re-schedule the initial plans for my and all other customers. Unfortunately, I was not informed about the possibility of 2 days tour to Jokulsarlon and ice caving, so I chose the jokulsarlon and glacier hiking instead since it was the only one available to my knowledge. Only then on the D-day I realised that the tour to Jokulsarlon and ice caving also proceeded. I was not informed about that option. I found this an enormous pity since the biggest attraction to me in Iceland is the ice caving.

Tina Chu
The tour guide is really nice. We said that we didn't see the aurora. He drive us to the field to see the northern lights. Even it is not included in our tour. The glacier is stunning. The hotel we lived is quite good. The whole tour is perfect!

tarcygirl
Although because high wind we didn't met ice hole and northernlight, but we saw the blue ice and lots of waterfalls. The tour put safety at first, that's great! So we got a comfortable journey!

Min Zhang
The 3 day trip was fantastic! Everything is well arranged. We were very lucky to see the sunrise, sunset and northern light during the trip. Will definitely recommend to our friends!

QianQian Zhou
Very nice experience which you won't forget! Definitely will recommend it to anyone who wanna go to Iceland:)

Suming
Beautiful scenery, lovely people, marvellous tour. The tour is very well organised and exciting. We have very limited time in Iceland. This tour enable us to see Iceland from a few different angels. In addition, we are extreme lucky to be the last group to do the Ice Caving for the year, extremely worth it!!!! Iceland is a truly beautiful country. Absolutely love it, definitely wish to go back and taking some other tours, as there are is still lots to do. Also sharing a short video (combine with photo montage, which taken from our iPhone) of our Iceland trip here: https://youtu.be/Ymel9ZT7Y_I Thank you so much, GP&S

Maciej Poths
My main reason for choosing this tour was ICE CAVES. What I’ve got was DISASTER – to cave I had to crawl on my knees for 25 meters to see small cave size 4 x 5 meters with over 30 people packed at the same time! I am 190 cm tall so had my hands wounded in blood. View had nothing to do with photos you produce in your advertising leaflet. This is absolutely misleading. I have absolute right to be informed honestly at first. Northern lights – ZERO, but in this case weather should be blamed to. Black Sand Beach – Reynisfjara – we DID’NOT see it. Hotels and logistics – OK acceptable.

Ruslana
Very well organised trip with friendly and knowledgable guides. Thank you:)

MIN

Shang Xinquan
This tour is amazing! Love the combination of waterfalls and ice cave - although the ice cave we went was a bit smaller than I expected. Also saw some wonderful northern lights on the 2nd night. Wish we had more time at the ice lagoon but weather did not permit it - had to rush back to RVK before road closed down.

ZHIPENG CHEN
this trip is great, and the ice caving is amazing!!

Haocheng Scofield Chi
it was a great experience. Very nice and warm guide. Thoughtful equipment for us. It's a very safe and cheap way to enjoy your trip in Iceland.

Candace Constable
Best tour I have ever done in my life. The ice cave is just incredible, and the guide Hawk was very knowledgeable about the area and told us some great stories on the way. If you can only see one place in Iceland this should be it. Don´t miss this tour, which also takes you to some incredible waterfalls in the south. Until next time, adios!

Erwin Hildebrand
We went on this guided tour to see the ice cave. It was the most beautiful place I have been to. 5 stars for this tour.

QianQian Zhou

Tim Tianpai Li
I used Guide to Iceland to book my 3 days tour to Southern Iceland and it went really well! I recommend everyone to use it while visiting Iceland. 我在Guide to Iceland网站上订了冰岛南部三日游,很流畅预订体验!极力推荐来冰岛的各位童鞋使用~