2-Day Ice Cave & South Coast Tour with a Trip to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
Description
Summary
Description
Experience the very best of Iceland with this 2-day guided tour of the most popular and unique sites of Iceland’s South Coast. You will get the rare opportunity to venture into an incredible blue ice cave under Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull. This tour is for those looking to make the most of their trip to Iceland by visiting the most astounding of attractions which have helped make Iceland one of the most famous travel destinations in the world.
You’ll be picked up at your accommodation in Reykjavik and driven down the picturesque rugged terrains of the South Coast on the famous Highway 1 which impressively encircles the entire country. Keep your eyes peeled as your journey takes you past mountains, volcanoes, glaciers and the most stunning of waterfalls.
Over the next two days, you’ll explore the very best of Iceland’s South Coast. The highlights include the spectacular waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, the famous Reynisfjara black sand beach, all the way to the crown jewel of Iceland, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. You will also have the chance overnight to spend your evening gazing up into the Icelandic skies to tick off the best natural wonder from your bucket list, witnessing the spectacular Northern Lights.
For the next big adventure, you’ll make your way to an incredible blue ice cave near Vatnajökull glacier which changes form each year creating a continuously unique experience for travellers. There is extremely limited availability to see these rare, naturally occurring structures, so book your place now to ensure that you will be able to see it.
Each winter season, as the weather cools, specialists begin to explore the area around the glacier, searching for ice caves large enough and safe enough to explore inside. Each one is unique, filled with fantastic ice structures in strange and fascinating shapes and sheets of transparent ice the colour of a tropical sea.
Throughout your adventure, you will stay at the best available accommodation which gives you added comfort at the end of each incredible day. This will help you feel rejuvenated for your next day exploring.
Don’t miss your chance to explore the heart of the glacier! Check availability by choosing a date and book your Iceland adventure now.
Included
Activities
Daily itinerary
Day 1 - The South Coast
After the lights of the city have faded behind you, you’ll zoom through the countryside, heading toward the famous volcano under a glacier, Eyjafjallajökull, which made headlines around the world when it last erupted in 2010. Seljalandsfoss waterfall is found at the foot of this glacier, and it cascades a vast 60-metres down from the interior. Next to Seljalandsfoss is another beautiful but less known waterfall, Glufrabui, which you will also visit up close.
Next, you’ll see Skógafoss waterfall, 18 stories high, plunging down from cliffs which used to mark the coastline of Iceland during the last Ice Age.
Continuing down the coast, you’ll see the awesome power of the Atlantic Ocean as it pummels the black sands at Reynisfjara Beach. Black basalt carves strange column shapes in the cliffs and forms sea stacks not far from the shore.
After stopping for some refreshments, you’ll continue through imposing sand plains and lava fields. The highlight of this day will be Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, a deep lake filled with huge chunks of glacial ice slowly drifting out to sea.
For your evening accommodation, you will stay at a cosy hotel in the South or SouthEast of Iceland, arriving around dinner time. During the night, you can have a look around for the Northern Lights if the Aurora forecast and cloud cover is right.
Day 2 - Ice Caving
Today's journey will be dominated by the excitement of ice cave exploration. Good hiking shoes are essential, as it will take a few minutes' to hike to the cave; they should cover your ankles to prevent your feet from getting wet if there is a little meltwater.
It is important when spending time in an ice cave to proceed with caution and heed the advice of your guide. Glaciers are truly spectacular, but it is not possible to visit without a specialized guide and the necessary equipment.
You'll have at least 45 minutes to explore, if not more. Be sure that your winter hat is not so bulky that it won't fit under your caving helmet. Safety first! Your guide will share with you his expertise and knowledge about the ice caves, allowing you to truly appreciate this amazing natural phenomenon.
During the drive back to Reykjavík, you will travel again through the beautiful stretch of coastline on Iceland's south shore. Your guide will point out anything that you missed the day before and if atmospheric conditions are right, you may have another opportunity to look for the Northern Lights.
You'll arrive in Reykjavík in the evening and it is recommended that you do not plan to fly from Keflavík International Airport on the same night in case of delays or bad weather. Go for a stroll and take in what the city has to offer.
What to bring
Good to know
Customers travelling on their own will receive a single room. Reservations for 2 people will be allocated a double room. For bookings of 3 or more, triple rooms will automatically be allocated. For example, a group of 8 will receive 2 triple rooms and 1 double. If these arrangements do not meet your requirements, please contact the provider.
Please note that you might need to repack to a smaller suitcase or backpack before your journey as only hand luggage is allowed on this tour. Storage for larger pieces is available in Reykjavik.
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and therefore cannot be guaranteed, but this itinerary is designed to maximise your chances to see them if weather allows. Please be advised that there is no specific Northern Lights hunt on this tour, but your guide will notify you if the conditions are favourable and advise you on how to best spot them.
It can happen, in the case of extreme weather, that an activity is cancelled. If your chosen activity is cancelled, we will assist you with rearranging or booking other activities when possible, and any potential price difference will be refunded to you.
Please note that only pick up and drop-off from designated pick up locations in the greater capital area is available, not from Keflavík International Airport. Therefore, we do not recommend attempting to start this tour on your arrival day in Iceland. Arrival time back to Reykjavík at the end of your tour can vary depending on weather and traffic. It is highly recommended that you do not book your flight home the same night as bad weather or delays could affect your journey. Please be sure to arrange accommodation for this evening and an airport transfer the next day to take you to Keflavík International Airport for your departure.
For your convenience, it is recommended that you pack lightly for this tour, in a small bag or backpack. If you have large luggage with you, please check with your accommodation if they offer luggage storage for your time on this tour. If that is not a possibility, you can store your luggage at our office for a small fee.
Note that Icelandic roads and pavements can be slippery in the wintertime. We recommend you bring shoes with slip-resistant soles or ice-grip shoe covers. The covers can be purchased in most supermarkets and gas stations around the country.
Accommodation
Due to increased demand for travel services in Iceland and low availability, travel companies in Iceland can not guarantee specific accommodations. However, we can always provide you with the best available accommodation at the time of your booking. Below you can see our preferred partners for accommodation, Gerði Guesthouse, and Hotel Smyrlabjörg. In the case of these hotels not being an option, an alternative of the same standard will be arranged.
Located near Höfn, Gerdi cottages make a perfect home base for day trips and sightseeing in Southeast Iceland. Visible from your Gerdi cottage and from all of Höfn is the spectacular Icelandic glacier Vatnajökull.
Hotel Smyrlabjorg is a 68 room hotel located almost halfway between the magical Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and the first sites of the Eastfjords, making it a perfect stop for those on a Ring Road adventure.
Video
Verified reviews
Similar tours
Download Iceland’s biggest travel marketplace to your phone to manage your entire trip in one place
Scan this QR code with your phone camera and press the link that appears to add Iceland’s biggest travel marketplace into your pocket. Enter your phone number or email address to receive an SMS or email with the download link.
