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

Discover the highlights of West Iceland with a trip to the stunning Snaefellsnes Peninsula. 

The second day of your self-drive tour will introduce you to a magical area known to locals as “Iceland in miniature,” the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. The peninsula has a wide variety of Iceland’s natural landscapes and is a fantastic introduction to the beauty of Iceland. 

You’ll drive north out of Reykjavik and onto the peninsula. Many travelers stop at the coastal town of Stykkisholmur for a snack or a rest. You can visit the striking Stykkisholmskirkja church or walk along the coast to enjoy the views. 

From here, a nearby attraction is the Kirkjufell mountain. This cone-shaped mountain has appeared in the HBO series Game of Thrones and has a unique peak that seems to point up toward the sky. With a height of 1,519 feet (about 463 meters), it’s one of the largest mountains on the peninsula and is well worth a visit. 

Other famous sights on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula include the picturesque fishing villages of Hellnar and Arnarstapi. These small towns sit at the foot of mountains and overlook the sea, so they’re rich in natural beauty. They also provide an excellent snapshot of idyllic Icelandic life. 

A must-see is the glacier volcano 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 Center of the Earth. 

You could visit a lava cave if you’d like some added adventure. Vatnshellir is an 8,000-year-old magma tunnel formed during a volcanic eruption. In this experience, you’ll descend into the tunnel’s depths and follow the path created by magma all those years ago.

After a busy day of sightseeing, you’ll check into accommodation on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula to get a good night’s sleep.

Explore the most sought-after attractions in Iceland with a day trip around the Golden Circle sightseeing route. 

The Golden Circle includes three major natural attractions, allowing visitors to witness spectacular beauty, geothermal wonders, and fascinating history. 

Most travelers stop at Thingvellir National Park first. This breathtaking area sits on a rift between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. Thingvellir is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was where Iceland’s first parliament was formed in 930 A.D. It’s a place of historical and cultural significance.

Thingvellir is also home to the Silfra fissure, a ridge between continental plates filled with crystal-clear glacial water filtered through lava rock for over a century. This filtration means the water is consistently at 35.6 F (2 C) all year. Snorkeling in a protective dry suit is comfortable and a fantastic way to witness the tectonic activity of Iceland. Snorkeling participants need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.

The next stop on the Golden Circle is the Haukadalur geothermal valley, home to the Geysir geothermal area and geyser. Geysir has given its name to all other geysers worldwide but is less active today. Luckily, the nearby Strokkur geyser erupts every few minutes, so you’ll surely see a memorable eruption during your visit. 

From here, you’ll continue your journey around the Golden Circle by going to the Gullfoss waterfall in the Hvita River, which springs from the Langjokull glacier. 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’ll meet your guides at Gullfoss waterfall and travel in a super jeep to Iceland’s second-largest glacier, Langjokull. You’ll then zip off along the winter expanse to an ice tunnel. 

You’ll have plenty of time to take in the magical colors these frigid walls project before you head back along the glacier to pick up your car.

You’ll spend the night in the Golden Circle area.

You will travel along Iceland's South Coast the next day of your ultimate glacier adventure.

This part of the country is known for some of the most breathtaking waterfalls Iceland offers, including the iconic Seljandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls.

The Seljalandsfoss waterfall is known for dropping its cascade from a height of 196 feet (about 60 meters) over the opening of a cave. You can visit the cave behind the waterfall for a unique view of this beautiful natural sight. Although the path is closed during the height of winter, you can still enjoy the fairytale-like setting.

The Skogafoss waterfall is close to Seljalandsfoss and is about the same height, but that's where the similarities end. Measuring 80 feet (about 25 meters) in width, it's one of the biggest waterfalls in Iceland. Some parts of this waterfall can freeze during winter, giving it a truly stunning aesthetic. 

As you continue your journey, you'll pass the infamous Eyjafjallajokull glacier volcano that erupted in 2010. Don't worry, though, there's no imminent warning of this geological wonder erupting soon.

You'll also see the spectacular Myrdalsjokull glacier. Myrdalsjokull is Iceland's fourth-largest ice cap and sits atop a giant volcano called Katla. Add a glacier hike expedition to your day if you'd like to get closer to this natural wonder. Your expert guide will give you all the gear you need to traverse this ice giant, and you'll ascend the glacier to admire the views from the top. 

Alternatively, you can book a snowmobiling excursion on Myrdalsjokull to pump more adrenaline into your day.

Your journey will continue from Myrdalsjokull to the quaint coastal village of Vik. This picturesque settlement sits on the shores and provides stunning views over the Atlantic Ocean and the nearby Reynisfjara black-sand beach. This beach is probably the most famous in Iceland and has appeared in several films and TV shows, including Game of Thrones and Star Wars: Rogue One.

Visiting the Reynisfjara beach in winter allows you to see the fantastic contrast of the jet-black volcanic sands with the pale white snow and ice surrounding the coast. Remember to bring your camera to capture this unmatched beauty. 

After a fantastic day of adventuring, you'll spend the night in South Iceland. 

Today, you’ll head further through the glacial landscapes of South Iceland as you make your way toward the Eastern region, visiting Skaftafell nature reserve and the fishing village of Hofn.

After breakfast, you’ll start the journey to the Skaftafell nature reserve, encompassed by one of Europe’s largest glaciers, Vatnajokull. 

Skaftafell is a popular destination for hikers, with beautiful walking trails suitable for people of all skill levels. Unsurprisingly, this is also a great place to come for glacier hiking. You can add one of two glacier excursions to your tour to make it really memorable. 

The first option is a three-hour glacier hike in Skaftafell, which you can do in the morning or afternoon. On this excursion, you’ll meet your friendly guide at the base camp before traveling to the foot of a mighty glacier outlet. You’ll ascend it and have time to take in the marvelous views surrounding you.

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.

Alternatively, you can visit an ice cave on the mighty Katla volcano. This glacial excursion lets you travel in a super jeep across the lava fields at the foot of Katla before heading up the volcano glacier to see the interior of a majestic ice cave.

Ice caves form at the edge of glaciers. They’re underground river tunnels formed during the regular melt-and-freeze cycles of the glacier. Each year, experienced and dedicated guides search for and maintain them to ensure they’re safe for visitors. 

Entering an ice cave is an unforgettable experience many people only dream of. No two caves are ever the same because they constantly evolve, making them as unique as fingerprints.

Once inside the ice cave, your guide will teach you everything you need to know about how these caves form and why they’re so special. You’ll have plenty of time to take in the crystal-like caverns as they twist and turn, and you’ll see the blue walls that almost seem to glow.

After your glacier excursion, you’ll continue driving east to your Southeast Iceland accommodation for the night.

Day six of your self-drive tour includes a trip to the crown jewel of Iceland, the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.

You'll leave your accommodation and journey westbound toward the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, Iceland's deepest glacial lake and one of its most beautiful natural sights.

The water in the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon comes from the Vatnajokull glacier. Icebergs that have broken off from the glacier's tongue float in the lagoon waters, shifting and melting constantly to reveal shades of blue and white that seem to make the ice glow. It's an unbelievable sight that you can't afford to miss. 

The lagoon is also home to several seals who playfully swim in its waters or nap on the icebergs. 

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

Those who want to get even closer should opt for a Zodiac boat tour. This smaller, more agile vessel lets you get within meters of these icy blue wonders.

Next to Jokulsarlon is the iconic Diamond Beach. This black-sand beach gets its name from its jewel-like appearance. When icebergs from the glacier lagoon drift onto land, they rest on the shore and look like large diamonds dotted around the beach.

Visiting the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon on a self-drive tour means you can spend as much time as you want admiring the views. Traveling here on an organized excursion or day trip from Reykjavik often leaves visitors wishing they had more time here, but you can take your time and soak it all in.

When you're ready to leave, it'll be time to start the drive back to Reykjavik. You'll follow the Ring Road along the South Coast and have time to stop at sights you might have missed on your journey east. 

Your accommodation for tonight is in downtown Reykjavik. Make the most of the city's nightlife with a delicious Icelandic dinner and a pub crawl, or get an early night before another busy day tomorrow.