Unforgettable 5-Day Sightseeing Winter Tour of the West and South with Ice Caving and Glacier Hiking

Today the tour brings you to Iceland’s iconic Golden Circle and its three highlights: Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss.

The first stop is Thingvellir National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a historic location where Iceland’s first Parliament, Althingi (Alþingi) was founded in 930 CE. 

Thingvellir is also unique in its geology. A rift valley stretches between two tectonic plates, the Eurasian and North American. The plates slowly drift apart from each other, making Thingvellir ever-growing! 

The next stop is Geysir Geothermal Area. Once an active geyser, Geysir now lays dormant. However, its neighbor Strokkur puts on a show like no other! Watch Strokkur explode with a tower of water up to 25 meters high! You won’t have to wait long to witness the natural spectacle, as Strokkur bursts out every 10 minutes or so.

The third stop is Gullfoss (the Golden Falls), Iceland’s most popular waterfall. The powerful white water Hvita River roars down in two stages before the water plunges down into the rugged canyon. The falling water creates a golden mist, and rainbows are a frequent sight right by the falls.

After visiting the Golden Circle, we make our way toward the South Coast. If the weather allows, enjoy the views of Mount Hekla on the way to Seljalandsfoss. We’ll visit this unusual waterfall that you can walk behind!

Your hotel for the night is close to Kirkjubæjarklaustur, a charming town in the South. Away from light pollution, we have good chances to see the Northern Lights. With a little luck and the right weather conditions, we can enjoy the auroras dancing in the sky!

After breakfast at the hotel, We make our way towards the East, through lava fields, desert sands, and past glaciers resting on the horizon. One of them is Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in the country.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and the nearby Diamond Beach are up next on our 5-day tour. The lagoon is dotted with floating icebergs of all shapes and sizes. Many of these sit on the black sand at Diamond Beach. Blue icebergs look like diamonds on the black canvas! See if you can spot playful seals resting on the beach.

From Jokulsarlon, we’ll head to Skaftafell for a new adventure. During the winter months (October-April), we’ll step on the Vatnajokull glacier, accompanied by a certified glacier guide. We’ll also have an opportunity to visit a natural ice cave during the tour. During the summer, we’ll go to Katla Ice Cave near Vik instead of a glacier hike. 

Our hotel tonight is in the Kirkjubæjarklaustur area again. Before heading for a well-deserved rest, we’ll go on the Northern Light hunting adventure! Snowy peaks and glaciers make up a perfect background for watching auroras play in the sky.

Day 4 is dedicated to the South Coast and its attractions. If the roads are clear, we’ll make a small detour to Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, also known as “Bieber’s Canyon.” 

After that, we’ll get a chance to visit the iconic Eldhraun lava field and your knowledgeable guide will tell you what makes it so special. Then, we will head to Reynisfjara's black sand beach. This black sand beach has been rated as one of the most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world. Reynisdrangar basalt sea stacks tower right by the shore. Together with the powerful waves of the Atlantic Ocean, they create dramatic views.

Skógafoss is our next stop. The water plunges down from 60 meters height, and if you’re up for a challenge, 527 steps lead to the top of the waterfall! If the visibility is good, you can even see the famous volcano, Eyjafjallajökull, lurking above the waterfall!

In the evening, we'll return to Reykjavik and stay in a city hotel. On our way back, we'll stop for the Northern Lights if there is an opportunity.

Today is all about exploring Reykjavik! You have an entire day for yourself and this is your chance to get to know the city and get closer to the local culture. 

There’s a lot to do in the city. Start with visiting local boutiques, cozy coffee shops, and museums. Some of them even offer the Northern Lights experience so you can see auroras in Reykjavik!

If you prefer to stay in the fresh air, walk along the old harbor, or the shoreline by the Atlantic Ocean. 

Those who want the full Icelandic experience should bring their swimsuits! Relax in any of the many spas and swimming pools across the city. 

Last but not least, don’t miss a chance to try traditional Icelandic food and wash it down with local drinks!