Exciting 5-Day Tour of the Golden Circle, South & West Coast with Transfer from Reykjavik

The second day of the tour will see you visiting some of Iceland’s most well-known waterfalls on the South Coast. 

Today you’ll see three waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, and the lesser-known Glufrabui, which has more of an off-the-beaten-track feel. 

First up is Seljalandsfoss, a single cascade waterfall. It is beneath the Eyjafjallajokull volcano and stands at around 197 feet (60 meters). For a unique experience, take the path that circles around and underneath the cascade. Don’t forget to put on your waterproofs and good hiking shoes before you start walking.

Skogafoss waterfall is one of the biggest waterfalls in Iceland at around 82 feet (25 meters) wide and with a 197 feet (60 meters) drop. On sunny days, you may see one of the beautiful rainbows the drizzle from the waterfall produces.

After visiting the waterfalls, it’s time for a scenic drive. Before getting out for a glacier hike, you’ll drive under the Eyjafjallajokull glacier volcano and the Myrdalsjokull glacier cap. 

The glacier hike will take around an hour and a half, and you’ll get a closer look at the Solheimajokull glacier. Your guide is an expert in glacier hiking trails, so you’ll be in safe hands.

Next up is the must-see Reynisfjara beach. Reynisfjara is a beach with black sands and crashing waves, surrounded by hexagonal basalt columns and towering rock stacks. 

The village of Vik is the last stop of the day before heading back to tonight’s accommodation. Vik is the southernmost village on the Icelandic mainland, with just 300 inhabitants. Stunning natural landscapes and breathtaking views surround the village. 

Your overnight stay tonight is in a cozy countryside hotel just a few miles from the Glacier Lagoon. Have a well-deserved rest here after a full day of adventures.

On the third day of your Golden Circle, South, and West coast tour, you will discover spectacular glaciers, beautiful ice lagoons, and the mysterious Fjadrargljufur Canyon. 

First up today is a visit to the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. Jokulsarlon is the deepest lake in Iceland. Its deepest point is around 814 feet (248 meters) deep.

Here you will take a boat tour across the majestic lagoon. Vast chunks of ice here break off the Breidamerkurjokull glacier and float slowly out to sea.

You'll visit a nearby black sand beach called Diamond Beach. The beach gets its name from the icebergs which wash up on the shore and lie on the sand. They are said to resemble diamonds as they glisten in the sun. 

If you’re lucky, you may get to see a seal, as they frequent the beach and lagoon all year round.

After the boat tour, there is a short stop at Hofskirkja. This church is one of the traditional turf buildings. Layers of turf make up the roof, and moss-covered burial mounds surround the church. Hofskirkja dates back to the 19th century and is one of the last churches of this type to be built in Iceland. 

You’ll then head to the Fjadrargljufur river canyon. This winding green gorge is around 328 feet (100 meters) deep and almost 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) long. The canyon was formed during a glacial period thousands of years ago, and the area is now covered with mosses, giving it a magical woodland atmosphere.

You’ll stay overnight in Iceland’s capital city of Reykjavik in either a double or twin bedroom with a private bathroom. Rest up before you head to West Iceland in the morning to continue your adventure.

You'll discover the Silver Circle on the fourth day of your Iceland adventure. This small driving route is home to some fascinating natural attractions in West Iceland.

Your first stop of the day is Borgarfjordur, a fjord that covers the land between Reykjavik and the Snaefellsnes peninsula. Many think Borgarfjordur is the setting for several of the famous Icelandic sagas. 

Here you'll see Deildartunguhver, thought to be the most powerful hot spring in Europe. Deildartunguhver pumps out over 180 liters of boiling water every second.

Next up are the waterfalls at Hraunfossar. These impressive waterfalls are over half a mile (almost one kilometer) long and run over a rugged lava field, making for an awe-inspiring landscape. 

Nearby, you will see another waterfall called Barnafoss. Barnafoss waterfall makes for quite a contrast to the Hraunfossar falls. Barnafoss is a rapid waterfall that races down a narrow valley compared to the broad series of trickling waterfalls of Hraunfossar.

Barnafoss is also known for the folklore stories which surround it. Icelandic folklore says there was once a stone bridge here, and two children from a nearby farm drowned when they were trying to cross it. Their mother then had the bridge destroyed to save others from drowning.

Next, you will go underground to explore the lava cave system at Vidgelmir. The caves were created by lava over a thousand years ago and are home to stalactites, stalagmites, and magnificent ice formations. Vidgelmir is the largest lava tunnel in Iceland at around 5,200 feet (1,585 meters) long.

For lunch, you'll stop at Husafell, a charming village surrounded by birch tree forests and waterfalls. Here you'll find the legendary lifting stone, which locals used to test their strength.

The day's last stop is Reykholt, where you'll find Snorri's Pool. Snorri's Pool is a hot spring where locals have bathed for hundreds of years.

You'll stay overnight in Borgarnes in a double or a twin bedroom with a private bathroom. Borgarnes is a stunning location with views of the surrounding mountains.

On day five, the last day of your tour, you will explore the Snaefellsnes peninsula, home to charming villages, black sand beaches, and glacier-capped volcanoes. 

The Snaefellsnes peninsula is often called "Iceland in miniature" because it has all the natural features for which Iceland is most famous. Here you can see many kinds of geology packed into a small area. 

The Snaefellsnes peninsula made the list of Lonely Planet's Top 10 Regions in the World in 2015, and it's not difficult to see why. As you drive along the peninsula's shores, you will pass by some charming fishing villages where you can get a glimpse of traditional Icelandic life.

You'll see Snaefellsjokull, a glacier-capped volcano in a national park of the same name. Beneath it stands a stratovolcano that is 700,000 years old. The volcano itself stands at around 4,744 feet (1,446 meters) tall. 

You'll walk over the cliffs and have the opportunity to spot the seals resting on Ytri Tunga beach below. Unlike many of Iceland's beaches, Ytri Tunga doesn't have black sand. The sands on this beach are golden.

However, there is another black sand beach here for you to discover. Djupalonssandur beach is home to a wide variety of birdlife. Enjoy the sounds of them circling the cliffs and the waves crashing on the shore. 

Perhaps the most well-known attraction on the Snaefellsnes peninsula is Kirkjufell, or "church" mountain. This mountain is one of the most photographed in Iceland because of its distinctive shape and stunning location on the coast. Don't forget to bring your camera.

At the end of the tour, you will be dropped off in Reykjavik, ready to head to the airport or to continue your adventures in Iceland.