Amazing 8 Day Northern Lights Self-Drive Tour & Glacier Expedition in Iceland with Ice Caving

Today you will see a magical part of western Iceland, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. This exceptional part of the nation is affectionately called 'Iceland in Miniature'. This is because of the wide variety of Iceland's natural landscapes that are found here.

A must-see is the glacier the peninsula is named after. Snaefellsjokull is a glacier-capped volcano that stands over the surrounding landscape like a giant guardian. This glacier inspired the science fiction writer Jules Verne and was the starting point in his epic novel 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth'.

If you would like some added adventure, you could choose to visit a lava cave. Vatnshellir is an 8000-year-old magma tunnel formed during a volcanic eruption. In this experience, you will descend into the depths and then follow the path created by magma all those years ago.

Another popular attraction on the peninsula is Kirkjufell Mountain. Kirkjufell stands at the height of 1519 ft (463m). Its conical shape seems to point up towards the sky. This mountain was also a star in the HBO series Game of Thrones, in which it stood in for 'The mountain shaped like an arrowhead.'

You may also want to check out the quaint and picturesque fishing villages of Hellnar and Arnarstapi. These small towns sit at the foot of mountains and overlook the sea. They are places rich in natural beauty as well as great snapshots of idyllic Icelandic life.

You will spend the night at your accommodation on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

Today is your chance to explore one of the most sought-after attractions in Iceland, the famous Golden Circle route. This group of three major natural attractions presents beauty, geothermal wonders, and incredible history.

The first stop most travelers take is at Thingvellir National Park. This breathtaking area sits on a rift between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. Thingvellir is a UNESCO World Heritage site and was the place where Iceland established its first parliament in the year 930.

It has an incredible historical and geological significance to Icelanders. Thingvellir is also home to the Silfra Fissure, a ridge between continents filled with crystal clear glacial water that has been filtered through lava rock for over a century. Visitors can choose to take a snorkeling tour of this natural marvel. Because of the filtration of the water, Silfra is a consistent 2 degrees Celcius all year round, meaning that snorkeling in a protective dry suit is incredibly comfortable and worth it.

Next, you can visit the Haukadalur geothermal valley, where the Geysir Geothermal Area lies, giving its name to the smaller geysers that bubble and burst up sky-high all around. The earth is truly alive under your feet in this beautiful location.

Then you will visit the Gullfoss waterfall in Glacier river Hvita, springing from the glacier Langjokull. This massive waterfall plummets in two enormous cascades into the canyon below, its roar echoing in the surrounding cliffs.

If you want to add some extra thrill, you can also choose to go on a snowmobiling excursion to an ice tunnel. In this experience, you will meet your guides at Gullfoss waterfall. You are taken in a modified super jeep to the second largest glacier in the country, Langjokull.

You will then zip off along the wintery expanse of the glacier towards your destination, an ice tunnel. You will then have plenty of time to take in the magical colors these frigid walls project before you head back along the glacier.

You will spend the night in the area nearby.

On the next day of your ultimate glacier adventure, you will make your way down Iceland’s South Coast.

This part of the country is known for some of the most breathtaking waterfalls Iceland has to offer. You will pass Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss.

Seljalandsfoss is known for dropping its cascade from a height of 60 metres over the opening of a cave.

Skogafoss is not far from Seljalandsfoss but has an entirely different look to it. Skogafoss is one of the biggest waterfalls in Iceland. It is 25 metres wide and drops a wall of water from a height of 60 metres. During winter, some parts of the falls can freeze, giving it a completely different aesthetic, becoming tranquil and peaceful.

As you continue your journey, you will pass the infamous Eyjafjallajokull glacier volcano, which erupted in 2010. Still, no need to worry, there’s no imminent eruption of this geological wonder happening any time soon.

You will also see the spectacular Myrdalsjokull glacier. Myrdalsjokull is the fourth largest ice cap in Iceland and sits on top of a giant volcano called Katla.

If you would like to get even closer to this natural wonder, you can opt to go on a glacier hike. In this experience, you will be fitted with all the necessary gear you need to traverse this ice giant. You will then ascend the glacier and take in the view from the top.

You can also take a snowmobiling excursion of Myrdalsjokull if you would like to pump a little more adrenaline into your day.

You will eventually reach the quaint Southern village of Vik. Vik sits on the shores of the south and is famous for being the closest town to Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. This beach has a shoreline of black, volcanic sand and looks out to the rough crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean. If there is snowfall, the black sands contrasting with the white snow create the most incredible snapshots of this unique landscape.

You will spend the night in Vik.

Today you will head even further through the glacial landscapes of the south towards the east.

You will eventually reach Skaftafell Nature Reserve, encompassed by the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajokull.

Skaftafell has many popular hiking trails suitable for people of all skill levels, and naturally, it's also known for glacier hiking. You can choose to join an excursion to venture on top of the largest glacier in Europe.

There are two glacial experiences you could take part in today. You could opt to go on a three-hour glacier hike in Skaftafell. You can choose to do this in the morning or the afternoon. In this excursion, you will meet your friendly guide at the base camp and then be taken to the foot of a mighty glacier. You will then ascend it and take in the truly unique view of the surrounding area.

Nothing compares to standing on top of centuries-old ice while taking in the incredible vistas of the almost untouched nature of the south coast of Iceland.

Another glacial excursion you could take today is a visit to the Katla Ice Cave. In this adventure, an experienced guide will drive you in a specially modified super jeep across the lava fields at the foot of Katla. You will then drive straight up onto the glacier towards your destination, the ice cave.

Ice caves form at the edge of glaciers. They are underground river tunnels that are formed during the regular melt-and-freeze cycles of the glacier. Each year, experienced and dedicated guides search for them and maintain them to ensure they are safe for visitors. Entering an ice cave is an incredibly unique experience. It transports you to another world that many people will only ever dream of visiting. No two ice caves are ever the same because they constantly evolve, making them as unique as fingerprints.

Once there, your guide will teach you everything you need to know about how ice caves are formed and why they are so incredibly unique. You will have plenty of time to take in the crystal-like caverns as they twist and turn. You will see almost glowing walls of blues and whites and marvel at this natural wonder before returning to base camp.

You will then travel further east, where you will spend the night in the fishing village of Hofn, where you will spend the night and prepare for tomorrow's adventure.

Today begins with visiting the crown jewel of Iceland, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.

Jokulsarlon is the deepest glacial lake in Iceland. It is fed from glacial water from Vatnajokull glacier.

What makes Jokulsarlon so impressive is that it is filled with gently floating icebergs. These giant pieces of ice break away from the glacial tongue and drift through the waters of the lagoon. As they move, they shift, change and melt, revealing shades of blues and whites that seem to make the pieces of ice glow.

The lagoon is also home to a number of seals who playfully swim in its waters or take a nap on an iceberg.

If you are here in September or October, you can choose to add a boat tour of the lagoon to your day. In this experience, you can hop onboard an amphibious boat and glide into the calm, icy waters to get a closer view of the giant icebergs.

For those who want to get even closer, you might like to opt for a zodiac boat tour. This smaller, more agile vessel allows you to get within meters of these icy blue wonders.

Next to Jokulsarlon is the Diamond Beach. This strip of shoreline gets its name from its jeweled-like appearance. Some icebergs from the glacier lagoon drift along this black sand beach as they head out to sea and rest on the shore like diamonds.

When you have soaked up all you can in this part of the country, it will be time to head back to Reykjavik. Along the way, you could stop at places you may have missed or even revisit your favorites one last time.

Reykjavik is a city unlike any other on the planet. Its heart beats with culture, cuisine, and history. The world's most northern capital city is filled with cozy cafes, fascinating architecture, and street art.

Reykjavik is also a hub of culinary experiences. The city is full of incredible restaurants just waiting to be discovered by you, and these are the perfect place to fuel up before you take in the city one last time.

There are also many museums and art galleries in Reykjavik. You could spend the day learning more about Iceland's Viking settlers and notable figures from Icelandic history.

Today you could go on a horse riding tour in the Icelandic countryside or even see the city from above on a geothermal helicopter tour.

If the weather conditions are good, you could go on a northern lights hunt in the evening, or even enjoy some drinks with the locals in a city famous for its nightlife.

Whatever you choose to do, the day is yours, so make the most of it.

All good things come to an end, and today marks the end of your journey.

For those who have a later flight and choose to visit the Blue Lagoon today, you will finish off your stay unwinding before you head to the airport. This is the perfect place to relax as you bathe in the warm, mineral-rich waters as you look back on the incredible adventure you have just taken in the land of fire and ice. If your flight is later, there are plenty of things to do in Reykjavik. If you have an early flight back home, we wish you a pleasant journey.

When it’s time to leave, you’ll drop off your car at the airport and head home—a little bit cooler than when you came, with loads of new and wonderful memories of Iceland.