Small-Group 3-Day Golden Circle & South Coast Tour with Glacier Hike Departing from Reykjavik
Description
Details
Description
Discover the magic of South Iceland with this exciting three-day tour to the Golden Circle, the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, black-sand beaches, waterfalls, and the Solheimajokull glacier. The tour is perfect for travelers who want to experience the highlights of the South Coast with an experienced guide in a small-group setting.
The three-day tour begins with pick-up from your accommodation in Reykjavik. You’ll meet an expert local guide and take your seat on the comfortable minibus. The bus has USB charging points available at every seat, and there’s free Wi-Fi onboard to keep you entertained at each stage of the journey.
The tour operates between May and October. If weather conditions are bad, the tour activities will still go ahead. Bring warm, waterproof clothes and sturdy hiking shoes with you.
You’ll visit some of Iceland’s most popular tourist attractions during the three days. You’ll start with a trip to the Golden Circle. This tourist route includes Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and the mighty Gullfoss waterfall.
You’ll also visit other beautiful waterfalls along Iceland’s South Coast, including Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls. You’ll even have the chance to hike on a glacier.
Glacier hiking is a must for travelers who want a bit of excitement during their Icelandic adventure. An experienced glacier guide will accompany you and provide you with all the equipment you need to enjoy your hike safely.
Another stop on this action-packed tour is the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. This beautiful lake is a popular destination, and you’ll quickly see why. The bright-blue water is full of icebergs that have broken off the glacier. It’s a fantastic sight and one that you’ll remember for years to come.
You’ll also have the opportunity to visit some of Iceland’s black-sand beaches. The Diamond Beach at the Jokulsarlon lagoon is dotted with icebergs that have washed up on the shore. The Reynisfjara beach is one of the most famous in the country — it’s even been used as a setting for films and TV shows like Game of Thrones.
The guide and driver will take you to each attraction in the minibus. Two nights of accommodation are included in the tour. You can stay in a twin or double room with a private bathroom if you’re traveling as part of a group. There’s a small supplement for single travelers, who will have a room to themselves.
This is a small-group tour, so there will be a maximum of 19 travelers in the group.
Don’t miss your chance to visit the Golden Circle and the best attractions of South Iceland with an expert guide on this fun-filled three-day tour. Check availability now by choosing a date.
Included
Activities
Daily itinerary
Day 1 - Golden Circle and Kerid Volcanic Crater
The first day of the tour includes visits to the sights of the Golden Circle and the Kerid volcanic crater. You'll visit Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, and the Geysir geothermal area.
The day begins with pick-up from your accommodation. The tour guide will take you to the first stop: Thingvellir National Park. You'll see incredible natural landscapes and breathtaking scenery, so bring your camera!
Thingvellir National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a fascinating history. It's where the world's first democratically elected parliament was put together in the year 930. Your guide will tell you about the park's historical importance, and you'll have the opportunity to explore the park.
Next, you'll visit the Haukadalur geothermal area. This site is home to Geysir, the geyser that gave all others their name. You'll also see Strokkur, one of the area's most active geysers. Water shoots out of the ground every five minutes — it's incredible to see.
The final attraction on the Golden Circle route is the Gullfoss waterfall. It's probably the most famous waterfall in Iceland, and it's easy to see why it's so popular. Water cascades down the Hvita river in two stages, falling 105 feet (around 32 meters).
After the main sights of the Golden Circle, your driver will take you to the final attraction of the day: the Kerid volcanic crater. It's a gorgeous crater with unusual red slopes and green mosses. You'll be able to get a close look at the crater's walls and its blue waters by walking down to the bottom.
The attractions you'll visit on this first day are some of the most popular in Iceland — they're must-see destinations during any visit. Your guide will tell you about each sight, so you'll clearly understand what you're seeing.
After a busy day of sightseeing, you'll travel to the town of Hveragerdi for a good night's rest.
Day 2 - Waterfalls and Solheimajokull Glacier Hike
Day two of the tour includes the real highlight of the trip: glacier hiking on the magnificent Solheimajokull glacier. You’ll also visit several South Iceland waterfalls, including Skogafoss, Seljalandsfoss, and Gljufrabui.
After breakfast at the hotel in Hveragerdi, you’ll board the bus and make your way to the first stop, the Seljalandsfoss waterfall. The journey here passes through beautiful coastal areas. You’ll be able to see pretty villages and might even get views of volcanoes like Hekla and Eyjafjallajokull.
Seljalandsfoss is a waterfall almost 200 feet (about 60 meters) high. It’s a spectacular sight made even more special because you can walk behind the falls. You’ll get some gorgeous photos from here, but be careful — it can be very slippery!
Just a short walk from the Seljalandsfoss waterfall is another, the Gljufrabui waterfall. It isn’t as well known as Seljalandsfoss because it’s tucked behind a large rock face. Your guide will show you how to get there, so you don’t miss this hidden gem.
After a short drive, you’ll arrive at another waterfall, Skogafoss. It’s about the same height as Seljalandsfoss, but it’s very different — it’s interesting to see two falls of the same size to compare them.
Skogafoss has appeared in many TV shows and films, including Thor and Game of Thrones, so you might recognize it. There’s a viewing platform high up where you can get some great photos or videos.
Next up comes the highlight of this three-day tour: glacier hiking. Your driver will take you to the Solheimajokull glacier, an outcrop of the larger Myrdalsjokull glacier. The experienced glacier guide will equip you with safety gear, and then you’ll start the hike.
You’ll see impressive crevasses and ice tunnels during the hike. It’s an unforgettable experience and a great way to witness Iceland’s spectacular glacial ice up close.
The final stop of the day is the Reynisfjara black-sand beach. The jet-black sands were formed by volcanic activity, and this beach is one of National Geographic’s best beaches in the world.
At the end of the day, you’ll head to your accommodation near Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon for a well-deserved night’s rest.
Day 3 - Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and Fjadrargljufur River Canyon
The final day of the tour includes visits to Vatnajokull National Park to see the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, Diamond Beach, and the Fjadrargljufur river canyon. You'll also visit a fascinating turf church and lava fields.
You'll start the day with breakfast at your accommodation. Next, you'll board the bus and travel into the Vatnajokull National Park (the largest in Iceland) to explore Diamond Beach.
The beach gets its name from the large jewel-like icebergs washed up on the shore from the nearby glacier. The waves of the Jokulsarlon lagoon and the wind shape each iceberg into incredible shapes. It's a stunning location, and you're sure to get some beautiful photos.
While you're in the area, you'll be able to see the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon up close. The water is full of icebergs that have broken off the Breidamerkurjokull glacier. The tides and winds mean the icebergs are constantly moving and changing, so no two photos will ever look the same.
If you want an even closer look, you can add an optional boat ride to the tour. You'll board an amphibious boat for a 45-minute ride around the lagoon. It's a brilliant way to see the icebergs and the glacier, and you might even be lucky enough to see a seal swimming around the lagoon.
You'll now start your journey back to Reykjavik in the minibus — but first, you'll stop for a quick look at the Hofskirkja church and surrounding lava fields. It's the most recent turf church built in Iceland, and it's still a functional church, so tourists aren't allowed inside. However, it's interesting to see, and the surroundings are very picturesque.
You'll also stop at the Fjadrargljufur river canyon for one hour. You'll get a chance to stretch your legs and enjoy a walk along the moss-covered gorge to take photos.
The tour's final stop will be Vik, the southernmost village in mainland Iceland. Vik is a charming fishing village that offers fantastic views of the Atlantic Ocean. You can also see the Reynisfjara black-sand beach and the Dyrholaey peninsula from here.
You'll arrive back in Reykjavik after a busy three days of sightseeing. The bus usually reaches the capital at around 9 p.m. You'll be dropped off at your accommodation with wonderful memories to treasure forever.
What to bring
Good to know
Pick-up from your accommodation in Reykjavik will take place on the first day between 8:30 and 9 a.m. Please ensure you’re at your pick-up location ready to leave by 8:30 a.m.
Drop-off at your accommodation in Reykjavik is also included in the tour. This usually takes place at around 9:30 p.m. on the third day of the tour.
Please note that the minibus only has space for a small piece of luggage for each traveler. Your operator can arrange storage for larger luggage for a small fee.
The weather in Iceland is subject to change dramatically at short notice. If weather conditions make it too dangerous for any optional activities to go ahead, the tour guide will provide an alternative activity and will refund you the difference in price between the activities.
