8-Day Northern Lights Winter Self-Drive Tour of West and South Iceland with Ice Caving

Welcome to your multi-day winter adventure in Iceland.

After arriving at the Keflavik International Airport, you'll pick up your car rental to begin the first day of your self-drive tour. Your destination for this day is Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, 31 miles (50 kilometers) away.

The ink-black lava fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula greet you the moment you are out of the airport. Otherworldly volcanic landscapes dot this Icelandic peninsula because of the area's active volcanism and geothermal fields.

An optional activity in the area is geothermal bathing in the Blue Lagoon. For an extra cost, you can purchase a comfort package or premium package, depending on your budget. Both entrance tickets entitle you to access the lagoon facilities, silica mud masks, and towel or bathrobe use.

The Blue Lagoon is a world-renowned spa known for its healing waters, vivid azure colors, and luxurious treatments. It's in the middle of a moss-covered lava field, giving it an otherworldly atmosphere.

If you add the Blue Lagoon, it will be arranged according to your flights. If there's no time to visit the lagoon today, it can be added to another day. Your travel consultant will be able to arrange this for you.

Then, it's time to head to the city and enjoy the twinkling lights in the dark of winter. You might see the northern lights before retiring for the night in your cozy accommodation. Iceland is one of the best places to see these polar lights, so take advantage of this opportunity.

If you're still up for an evening adventure, take a walk downtown to explore the vibrant streets of the Icelandic capital. Near your accommodation are restaurants and charming cafes where you get a cup of hot chocolate or local dishes like smoked lamb.

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.

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.

Start day six by visiting the Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon, famous for its thousands of icebergs. Glacier melts from one of Vatnajokull's outlet glaciers, constantly filling up the lagoon and making it as deep as 656 feet (200 meters).

You can take a boat tour amongst the icebergs to get an even more intimate experience with this beautiful place. These icebergs feature different sizes and colors, from as small as the palm of your hand to as big as buildings.

To the south of Jokulsarlon is a long stretch of beach where some ice chunks end up before melting into the sun. The pieces of ice shining like crystals against the black sand beach is how this attraction got its name, Diamond beach.

If you're here from October to March, you also have the chance to visit a magnificent blue ice cave, a naturally formed feature in the Vatnajikull glacier. You can join a super jeep tour and head high onto the glacier to the cave, hidden deep within the ice cap.

The ice caves are empty underground river tunnels that freeze, so they are only accessible in winter when the rivers of summer meltwater have run their course. Your guide knows the glacier like the back of their hand, so this will surely be an experience to remember. 

If you are here outside this time, there's still plenty of sightseeing at the glacier lagoon. Take your time admiring the lagoon and icebergs from different angles.

After a wonderful time in the Vatnajokull National Park, you'll drive back to Reykjavik. Time permitting, you can still visit some sites you might have missed on the South Coast before spending an evening in the Icelandic capital.

For example, you can make quick stops in Hveragerdi and Stokkseyri settlements to see their exciting museums.

In contrast to your previous days, your penultimate day in Iceland is more laid-back and requires less driving time. Instead, you'll find yourself in Reykjavik, exploring its vibrant streets and unique cultural attractions.

Filled with quirky cafes, funny and colorful houses of corrugated iron, street art, and fascinating culinary culture, Reykjavik has something to offer everyone. You now have the day to get to know it better.

Stroll downtown and hunt for the best coffee (locals take their coffee very seriously) to warm up for the day. This will help shield you against the cold winter season. Additionally, don't forget to visit Baejarins Beztu stand to sample one of the most delicious hot dogs in the world.

You can visit the city's various settlements and art museums to learn more about the country's rich Viking history. You can get discounts for these venues and even free admission to some galleries and pools with a Reykjavik City Card, which you can organize when booking.

You can also elect for admission to the Whales of Iceland exhibit and FlyOver Iceland experience. The former has life-sized models of all the whales, dolphins, and porpoises around the island with comprehensive information on these gentle giants of the sea.

Meanwhile, the latter is a simulated ride where you fly over a screen depicting Iceland's beautiful scenery, with special effects such as wind and scents.

You can also opt for a more adrenalin-pumping option like horseback riding through stunning countryside landscapes, whale-watching from the harbor, or a geothermal helicopter trip with a landing. You can also book a northern lights hunting cruise for the evening for a final show of the aurora borealis over the ocean.

Whatever activities you book for this day, you will have an excellent time in Reykjavik. Retire to your city center accommodation at the end of another fantastic day.

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

On day eight of your self-drive winter tour in Iceland, you'll head back to the Keflavik International Airport to return the car rental and catch your flight home. Fortunately, you can still pack your day with sightseeing and a few activities if you have a later flight.

With many hours before your departure, you can still fit some last-minute souvenir shopping into your itinerary. Laugavegur street in the downtown area is the best place to go for its many options of souvenir shops, boutiques, and food places. Depending on your budget, you can find cheap tokens and more expensive items in the area.

If you didn't visit the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa on your first day, you could do it on your last day. You'll finish off your stay unwinding before you head to the airport. The Blue Lagoon is the perfect place to relax as you bathe in its warm, mineral-rich waters. 

While geothermal bathing, you can reflect on the incredible adventure you have just taken in the land of fire and ice. Take some photos here as it's the most famous place in Iceland outside Reykjavik.

Besides the Blue Lagoon, there are more things to explore in the Reykjanes Peninsula or the town of Keflavik. For example, you can drive to Kleifarvatn lake to see its beautiful landscape and lava mountains and to Krysuvik to witness its bubbling mud pools and steam vents surrounded by snow.

When it's time to leave, you'll drop off your car at the airport and head home with loads of new and beautiful memories of Iceland. We wish you a pleasant journey home and hope to see you again soon.