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

Day two marks the start of your journey in Iceland beyond the capital. You'll head north to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, 85 miles (136 kilometers) from Reykjavik. Known as "Iceland in Miniature,” this region packs a variety of Iceland’s landscapes into one compact area.

This beautiful place stands halfway between reality and fiction, as its remarkable landscapes are shrouded in myth, lore, and legend. Towering over the region is the iconic Snaefellsjokull Glacier Volcano, which inspired Jules Verne’s "Journey to the Center of the Earth.”

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 Arnarstapi, 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.

On your way, stop by Budir Hamlet. It’s known for its black church, Budakirkja, set in the wild Icelandic wilderness. Nearby, Ytri Tunga Beach is home to playful seals lounging on the golden sands—a hidden gem among more famous black beaches.

Continuing north, you’ll be greeted by the iconic 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 a colorful fishing village.

As your day unfolds, you’ll have two unforgettable experiences to choose from. You can embark on a breathtaking whale-watching tour from Olafsvik. 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.

After a full day of exploration, settle in for the night on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. If the sky is clear, be sure to step out and scout for the northern lights.

On day three of this winter self-drive 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 pass through the Borgarfjordur area, known for its fascinating lava caves and tunnels. You can experience a fun-filled lava-caving adventure in Vidgelmir, one of Iceland’s largest lava caves.

A lava-caving tour introduces you to an underground world of stunning rock formations, frozen stalactites, and Iceland’s volcanic history. These optional tours are guided, so you'll be in the hands of local experts to ensure safety and enjoyment.

As you continue, your first Golden Circle stop is the Thingvellir National Park. This UNESCO-listed site sits within a rift valley, where Iceland’s parliament was founded in AD 930. The park also boasts the Silfra Fissure, Almannagja Canyon, and the Oxararfoss Waterfall.

For thrill-seekers, there’s an option to snorkel in Silfra, one of the clearest freshwater sites in the world. Participants need to be able to swim. Thermal suits are provided to keep you warm as you explore this fascinating underwater world.

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).

Your final stop along the Golden Circle is the Gullfoss Waterfall in the river Hvita, springing from Langjokull Glacier. This massive waterfall cascades in two enormous segments into the canyon below, creating a roar echoing in the surrounding cliffs.

A short detour will lead you to Kerid Crater, a stunning volcanic lake. This striking volcanic crater is filled with a bright blue lake, surrounded by red and black slopes, offering a lovely contrast against the winter landscape.

If you didn't go snorkeling in Silfra, you could go on a thrilling snowmobiling tour from Gullfoss Waterfall on the surface of Langjokull Glacier. Zoom across the vast, icy expanse, with sweeping views of snow-covered peaks and shimmering ice fields.

After an exciting day of sightseeing, you’ll rest at your accommodation near the Golden Circle. As night falls, take a moment to step outside, and you might catch the northern lights, the perfect finale of a day of exploration.

On day four of your winter self-drive tour, you'll head to the lowlands and onward to the South Coast. The South Coast, with its dramatic landscapes and proximity to the capital, is one of the most visited regions in Iceland.

Your South Coast adventure begins with back-to-back sightseeing of two magnificent waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. Both fall from over 200 feet (60 meters) high and transform into a magical sight in winter, surrounded by ice and snow.

Not far from these falls are more natural features of the region. You'll drive under the shadows of the Eyjafjallajokull Glacial Volcano and the massive Myrdalsjokull Glacier.

At Myrdalsjokull, you can embark on a thrilling glacier hike, exploring deep crevasses, snowy plains, and ice walls on Solheimajokull, Myrdalsjokull's outlet glacier. It's an up-close adventure with Iceland's icy terrain.

Your second option is to take a snowmobiling tour at the Myrdalsjokull Glacier for an adrenaline-filled race across the glacier. Operating a snowmobile is easy, so even first-timers can join in on this authentic Icelandic winter experience.

After any of these glacier adventures, you'll continue driving toward Vik. Vik i Myrdal is a small village famous for Reynisfjara, a black sand beach framed by basalt cliffs and sea stacks. The Atlantic waves crashing along the shore make it a stunning sight.

Before resting for the night, you can explore Vik 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.

After a day packed with thrilling adventures and stunning sights, retreat to your South Iceland accommodation for a well-deserved rest.

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

Before leaving Vik, you can add excitement to your day with a thrilling horse riding tour. This optional activity is perfect for travelers who want an unforgettable experience on Iceland's most famous black coast.

As you leave Vik behind, you’ll drive through Skeidararsandur’s surreal black sands. The drive will lead you to the Skaftafell Nature Reserve, surrounded by Vatnajokull Glacier.

If adventure calls, a guided glacier hike is the perfect way to explore the rugged landscape of Vatnajokull. With every step, you'll witness intricate ice formations and deep crevasses, immersing yourself in the glacier's sheer power. Skaftafell is famed for its many hiking trails suitable for all skill levels, perfect for glacier hiking adventures.

This winter season, two beautiful ice caves have been discovered in the Vatnajokull National Park: the Western Ice Cave and the Eastern Ice Cave. You can add this amazing adventure to your trip, by visiting the best ice cave accessible on the day based on the weather and visibility to ensure the ultimate ice-caving experience.

Depending on your preference, you can take this ice-caving tour in the afternoon or the following day. This allows you to tailor the adventure to suit your plans while making the most of the stunning natural wonder.

After your glacier adventure, you'll drive past Iceland's tallest peak, Hvannadalshnjukur, and reach the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. The massive floating icebergs drift toward the sea, where waves sculpt them before they're washed ashore.

For even more adventure, you can explore higher up the glacier with a unique ice-caving tour. Ice caves are rare wonders, found only in a few places on Earth, like Iceland. Venturing into an ice cave allows you to glimpse the glacier's heart, surrounded by dazzling blue ice formations. It's a magical, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

If you don't have time for ice caving today, no need to worry—you'll have plenty of time to experience it tomorrow.

After a fascinating day of exploration, settle into your comfortable Southeast Iceland accommodation to prepare for tomorrow's exciting adventure. If the skies are clear, you can hunt for the aurora borealis.