Incredible 3-Day Golden Circle and South Coast Tour with Ice Caving from Reykjavik

On the second day of your excursion exploring the wonders of Iceland in winter, you will marvel over the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach, Skaftafell Nature Reserve, and a rare and spectacular ice cave. Before setting out, you’ll enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

Jokulsarlon’s icebergs are breathtaking in their scale, vivid coloration, and sheer numbers. The lake is cluttered with them throughout the year as they slowly make their way towards the ocean. You’ll have plenty of time to stroll along the shore and will hopefully also spot some of the seals that call these waters home.

The black-sand Diamond Beach is just a short walk from here, where these icebergs finally come to rest after spending many months escaping the lagoon. The contrasts are stunning, with the blue ice shimmering against the dark shores and gleaming in the white foam of the gentle waves.

After making the most of these two unforgettable sites, your guide will drive you to Skaftafell, often called Iceland’s hiking paradise due to its abundance of trails and array of things to see. You’ll see the skeletons of birch trees nestled in the sheltered nooks of mountains, expanses of lava from past eruptions, beautiful rivers, and mighty surrounding glacier tongues, descending from Europe’s largest ice cap, Vatnajokull.

You will embark on your ice-caving adventure within one of these glacier tongues. Your guide will provide you with the necessary safety equipment before leading you up the white slopes to the entrance of your destination. As soon as you enter, you’ll see why such phenomena are at the top of the to-do list for many travelers. Vivid blues you can't imagine, magical rays of light bouncing off the ceiling, and winding corridors and open chambers make them fantastic places to explore and photograph.

With your thrilling adventure complete, you’ll return to your hotel. Hopefully, you’ll get a viewing of the northern lights as the cherry on top of your incredible day.

On the final day of your three-day adventure around the best sites of Iceland, you’ll enjoy breakfast and then traverse the South Coast back to Reykjavik. As you’ll be driving in the opposite direction of travelers from the capital, you’ll avoid the significant crowds and enjoy the sites more peacefully.

If conditions allow, you’ll start by heading to the canyon of Fjadrargljufur. Photographers will particularly enjoy this gorgeous spot with its sheer cliffs, beautiful rivers, and flourishing moss. Next, you’ll head to the incredible lava field of Eldhraun, created by the eruption of the volcano fissure Laki in the 18th century, one of the largest volcanic events ever recorded.

The results of this eruption were catastrophic for Iceland and Europe due to the ash cloud blocking ports, poisoning crops and livestock, and denying the continent a whole summer. However, the lava field that was created is as beautiful as it was destructive.

You’ll then continue to the haunting black sand beach of Reynisfjara. This place is well known for its powerful waves, which build up from Antarctica due to the lack of landmasses in the way. It is also renowned for its geology. The cliffs of Reynisfjall have stacks of hexagonal basalt columns, and out to sea, you will marvel over the towering sea stack of Reynisdrangar, which early Icelanders believed to be two frozen trolls.

After refreshments at the village of Vik, you will continue to Skogafoss waterfall, a 200 foot (61 meters) tall feature that cascades with enormous power. You can approach it right up to its blossoming spray, although you should be cautious not to get wet! Your guide can tell you about the folklore of lost treasure associated with this spectacular feature.

Finally, you’ll reach Seljalandsfoss, a waterfall of a similar height but more unusual formation. Its gentle stream falls before a vast cavern, allowing guests to enjoy some unique perspectives. If the conditions are favorable, Seljandsfoss can even be fully encircled.

Your guide will then drive you back to Reykjavik. If the sky is still light, look out for the Westman Islands out to sea and the glaciers of Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull inland. If it has turned dark, keep an eye out for another viewing of the aurora borealis.