Amazing 2-Day Sightseeing Tour to South Coast and Jokulsarlon with Ice-Caving or Boat Tour
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on the ultimate South Coast adventure with a possible ice-caving or Jokulsarlon boating experience by booking this unbeatable two-day excursion. Travelers hoping to witness incredible, far-flung sites and fit in as many adventures as possible should grab their place on this small-group adventure.
On the morning of day one, your guide will pick you up in a comfortable, modern minibus and escort you along the spectacular natural parade of sites along the South Coast. On your journey, you’ll marvel over Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, the black sand beach of Reynisfjara, the dramatic sea stacks of Reynisdrangar, and the outlets of Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajokull.
You’ll spend the night in the Hofn area, and if traveling in winter, you'll have an excellent chance of spotting the northern lights en route or upon reaching your destination. Your guide will stop should they appear when you are on the road to allow you to enjoy the best display possible.
Your hotel will be warm and welcoming, with plentiful amenities and shared bathrooms. If you would like private facilities, you can specify so while booking.
Though day one promises to be incredible, you will experience some of Iceland’s most sought-after opportunities on day two. You’ll see the iceberg-filled glacier lagoon of Jokulsarlon, the breathtaking Diamond Beach, and the unforgettable Skaftafell Nature Reserve.
In summer, you’ll have the option to set out on a boat tour of Jokulsarlon, while in winter, you’ll explore a magnificent crystal blue ice cave. Ice caves are rare and boast a fairytale-like beauty, making this one of the country’s best experiences.
Guests can bring one small day bag and a larger bag up to 44 lbs (20 kg).
Discover the countless wonders of the South Coast of Iceland over two days with this incredible sightseeing excursion. Check availability by choosing a date.
Included
Activities
Daily itinerary
Day 1 - South Coast
The first day of your two-day adventure in Iceland starts when your friendly, local guide picks you up in a minibus. The size of this vehicle guarantees you a small group size, providing a personalized experience. You will then set out towards the South Coast, passing geothermal villages, sparkling glaciers, volcanic islands, and stunning shorelines.
The first destinations you will reach, Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, are dramatic waterfalls that fall from cliffs of around 197 feet (60 meters). Seljalandsfoss is more gentle but more unique due to the beautiful cavern behind it. Your guide can take you into this in clear conditions for some great photos.
Skogafoss is a testament to the power of Iceland’s nature. It is 82 feet (25 meters) wide and incredibly forceful. In sunny weather, you’ll often see a rainbow or two arching from its clouds of spray.
You’ll next reach Reynisfjara. This black sand beach is hauntingly beautiful, made ominous by the bleak colors that fill the scenery and the immense waves that crash on the shore. It also has fascinating geology, with sea stack and hexagonal basalt columns. According to local folklore, the former, named Reynisdrangar, are frozen trolls.
Along the remainder of the South Coast, you’ll pass unique lava fields, black sand deserts, and countless rivers. In summer, the sky will remain light enough for you to see some of the magnificent tongues of the magical Vatnajokull glacier towards the end of your trip. It may fall dark before you reach them in winter, but you’ll use this time to hunt for the aurora borealis before reaching your destination.
You’ll eventually get to your hotel in southeast Iceland in the area around the town of Hofn, where you can enjoy dinner before getting a well-deserved rest.
Day 2 - Vatnajokull National Park
On day two of your South Coast adventure, you’ll enjoy some of Iceland’s best sights. First up amongst these is the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, the country’s deepest lake and an unmistakable marvel due to the abundance of icebergs that clutter its waters. Breaking from a glacier tongue and slowly disintegrating as they make their months-long journey to the ocean, you could spend hours admiring this place from the shore.
Summer travelers will get the added bonus of a boat tour into these spectacular waters.
The icebergs wash up on the adjacent shoreline when they finally reach the sea. The way their blue ice shimmers against the black sand and white surf has given this area the nickname "the Diamond Beach." It is a fantastic place to walk and take photographs after admiring Jokulsarlon.
Animal lovers will be pleased to know that plenty of seals can be found at both the lagoon and beach.
After enjoying these sites in winter, you’ll be whisked to a hidden corner of the Vatnajokull glacier. Here, you’ll discover the opening to a crystal blue ice cave, where your next adventure awaits. Your guide will dress you in all the safety gear needed for such an excursion before leading you into its vibrant depths.
The vivid blues, spectacular lighting effects, smooth textures, and sheer scale of the corridors and chambers defy belief. Such a place feels more belonging in a fairytale than it does in this world. You’ll have plenty of time to explore and photograph this phenomenon, and your guide will be happy to tell you about how such rare and beautiful caves form.
Once you exit the cave, you’ll move on to your final major destination for the day, the Skaftafell Nature Reserve. Skaftafell is a magical place, surrounded by dramatic glaciers, towering peaks, and filled with abundant waterways, woodlands, and lava fields. It is a paradise for hikers and photographers due to its unmatched landscapes.
It was one of Iceland’s first national parks before being incorporated into the newer and much vaster Vatnajokull National Park.
Once your adventure here is complete, you’ll drive back to Reykjavik. Though long, this journey will allow you to marvel over the South Coast scenery from a new angle and give you another opportunity to seek out the northern lights in winter!
What to bring
Good to know
Each traveler is allocated a small backpack and one piece of luggage weighing up to 44 lbs (20 kgs). Extra baggage can be stored in the tour operator's Reykjavik office for a minimal fee.
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