One-Week Northern Lights Self-Drive Tour in Winter of South & West Iceland with Ice Caving

Day two marks the start of your journey in Iceland outside the capital city. You'll head north to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, 85 miles (136 kilometers) from Reykjavik. Due to its geological diversity, the peninsula is sometimes called 'Iceland in Miniature.'

This beautiful place stands halfway between reality and fiction, as its remarkable landscapes are shrouded in myth, lore, and legend. The mythological passage to the Earth's center in Jules Verne's book, Journey to the Center of the Earth, is said to be found in the Snaefellsjokull glacier volcano, which reigns over the entire peninsula.  

On the southern shores of Snaefellsnes, the beautiful black sands of Djupalonssandur and the Londrangar rock stacks will welcome you. The North Atlantic waves constantly hit these coastal locations, adding a haunting scene to their allure.

Nearby are Hellnar and Arnarstastapi, two coastal villages with rich fishing culture and history. You can quickly visit these settlements to explore their charming houses and cafes. This is also your chance to meet friendly locals and learn more about their culture.

As your journey progresses, you'll see the towering Kirkjufell mountain and the quaint town of Stykkisholmur. While Kirkjufell is one of the most photographed mountains in Iceland at 1519 feet (463 meters), Stykkisholmur is the peninsula's center of commerce and tourism.

You have two options if you want to partake in an activity today. Firstly, you can embark on a breathtaking whale-watching tour from Snaefellsnes. This adventure allows you to see dolphins, seabirds, and perhaps even some great whales, such as humpbacks and sperm whales.

Alternatively, you can rejuvenate at the Krauma Spa in West Iceland. This geothermal spa overlooks Deildartunghver, the highest-flowing hot spring in Europe.

You'll spend the night on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Be sure to step out tonight and scout for the northern lights.

On day three of this winter tour, you'll head southeast and explore the Golden Circle, a route that takes you to three of the most iconic locations in Iceland. 

Before reaching the Golden Circle, you'll traverse the Borgarfjordur area, known for its cavernous lava caves and tunnels. You'll even have the chance to visit one of them, Vidgelmir, if you opt for a lava-caving experience.

A lava-caving tour introduces you to the magical world under Iceland's landscapes. These optional tours are guided, so you'll be in the hands of local experts to ensure safety and enjoyment.

When you reach the Golden Circle, your first stop will be the Thingvellir National Park. This UNESCO world heritage site, sitting on a rift valley, is where Icelanders founded parliament in 930. It has tremendous historical and geological significance and is home to fantastic locations like the Silfra fissure, Almannagja canyon, and Oxararfoss waterfall.

Here, you can walk between the continents and snorkel in the clear waters of the Silfra fissure. Participants need to be comfortable in the water and be able to swim.

Next, you'll visit the Haukadalur geothermal valley, where the great Geysir lies, giving its name to the smaller geysers that bubble and burst sky-high year-round. Although Geysir is inactive these days, its neighbor, Strokkur geyser, shoots up boiling water every five to 10 minutes to as high as 66 feet (20 meters).

Lastly, you'll visit the Gullfoss waterfall in the 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 don't go snorkeling in Silfra, you could go on a thrilling snowmobiling tour from Gullfoss on the surface of Langjokull glacier. This exciting ride is perfect for adventure seekers.

You'll spend the night near the Golden Circle.

Continuing your journey on day four, you'll head to the lowlands and onward to the South Coast. The South Coast is one of the most visited regions in Iceland due to its wealth of natural attractions and proximity to the capital city.

A trip to the South Coast of Iceland opens with back-to-back sightseeing of two magnificent waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. These two attractions are famous for their breathtaking water cascading from cliffs of 200 feet (60 meters). They become more beautiful in winter, with ice and snow covering the surrounding landscape. 

Not far from these delights are more natural features of the region. You'll drive under the shadows of the Eyjafjallajokull glacial volcano and its big brother, Myrdalsjokull glacier.

In Myrdalsjokull, you can opt for a glacier hiking experience if you want an up-close and personal exploration of its otherworldly features. Atop Myrdalsjokull's outlet glacier, Solheimajokull, you'll conquer deep crevasses, ridges, snowy plains, ice walls, and more.

Your second option is to take a snowmobiling tour at the Myrdalsjokull glacier, whizzing over the white planes for a taste of ultimate freedom. Operating a snowmobile is easy, so even first-timers can join.

After any of these glacier adventures, you'll continue driving toward Vik. Vik i Myrdal is a small village famous for a nearby black sand beach called Reynisfjara. This long stretch of volcanic sand boasts picturesque sea stacks and basalt cliffs constantly pounded by massive Atlantic waves.

Before resting for the night, you can explore the village and walk up to the local church to get a panoramic view of the landscape. With the right weather and sky conditions, you can also have an excellent opportunity to spot the northern lights in this area.

When ready, you'll retire to your cozy South Iceland accommodation.

Day five of this winter road trip takes you deeper into the remote southeast areas of Iceland. Today, you'll begin exploring the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajokull.

Before leaving Vik village, you can take a thrilling buggy tour along the black sands of Reynisfjara beach. This optional activity is perfect for thrill-seekers who want an unforgettable experience on Iceland's most famous black coast.

From Vik, you'll journey through the black sands of Skeidararsandur to reach the Skaftafell nature reserve, which the great Vatnajokull embraces in all directions. 

Skaftafell is famed for its many hiking trails suitable for all skill levels, perfect for glacier hiking adventures. If it strikes your fancy, you can join a glacier hike with an experienced guide for a trip onto the rugged yet impressive glacier landscape. During this breathtaking expedition, you'll witness intricate ice formations and crevasses, immersing yourself in the glacier's sheer power and ancient history.

Otherwise, you can take a unique ice-caving tour higher up the glacier. Ice caves are rare, beautiful phenomena you can only explore in a few places on Earth, like Iceland. Venturing into an ice cave allows you to glimpse the glacier's heart. It offers a surreal and magical experience amidst dazzling blue ice formations, a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

This winter season, two beautiful ice caves have been discovered in the Vatnajokull National Park: the Western Ice Cave and the Eastern Ice Cave. Choose to add this amazing adventure to your trip and visit the best ice cave accessible on the day, taking into account the weather conditions and visibility to ensure the ultimate ice-caving experience.

Next, you'll drive past Iceland's tallest peak, Hvannadalshnjukur, and reach the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. The massive floating icebergs are impressive as they slowly drift from the glacier to the sea, where the waves polish them before being washed ashore.

Although you can start exploring the lagoon, you'll have more time to see the deep lake the next day. You can then continue driving a bit further to your Southeast Iceland accommodation to prepare for tomorrow's adventure.

If the skies are clear, you can hunt for the aurora borealis. The magical lights are even better to admire when they shine their reflection in the sea.