Small-Group 4-Day Golden Circle, South Coast, & Jokulsarlon Tour with Volcano Hiking and Ice Caving

Day two begins with a delicious breakfast at your accommodation before traveling east to the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach. The drive features beautiful scenery, including moss-covered lava fields, volcanic deserts, and impressive rock formations.

As you get closer to Jokulsarlon, you’ll see the majestic Breidamerkurjokull glacier, an outlet of the mighty Vatnajokull ice cap. Giant icebergs break away from the glacier, which, together with its meltwater, creates the awe-inspiring environment you’ll witness at the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.

The setting at Jokulsarlon resembles something from a fairytale, so it’s no wonder it’s nicknamed the ‘Crown Jewel of Iceland.’ Ensure your camera is ready to capture the magnificent sight of the icebergs floating serenely on the lagoon’s waters.

You might expect all the icebergs to be white. However, they range in color from pristine white to bright blue. Some are streaked with black, highlighting their volcanic origins. Expect to stand in awe before a visual masterpiece, marveling at a scene you’ll remember for many years.

Next, you’ll visit the nearby Diamond Beach. Its name comes from the massive ice chunks that float there from Jokulsarlon. They drift into the ocean and then wash ashore, glistening like diamonds against the jet-black sand.

Afterward, prepare for an exhilarating adventure of glacier hiking and ice-caving in the Skaftafell nature reserve. A certified glacier guide will give you all the necessary equipment before leading you on a breathtaking hike on the Falljokull glacier.

During this excursion, you will enter a captivating blue ice cave. These caves melt each summer and reform for winter, creating unique formations and patterns each year. Enjoy taking photos of the mesmerizing colors and basking in your surreal surroundings.

After an unforgettable day, you’ll rest at your accommodation in the Southeast Iceland countryside. Its location offers an excellent opportunity to search for the aurora borealis if the conditions are right. Watch the sky light up in extraordinary colors for the perfect finish to your spectacular day.

On day three of your multi-day tour, you'll begin with a nourishing breakfast at your accommodation. Then, you'll start the drive back to Reykjavik, which is full of opportunities to visit many incredible attractions.

If road conditions allow, the day's first stop is the Fjadrargljufur canyon. This deep canyon has dramatic, steep sides and winds along a river. Marvel at the fantastic panoramic vistas from this ancient natural wonder and ensure your camera is ready to capture lasting memories.

Next, you'll visit the Eldhraun lava field, an otherworldly moss-covered landscape created in an 18th-century eruption, before heading to the world-famous Reynisfjara black sand beach.

Reynisfjara has several striking natural features. Basalt columns line the shore, and powerful waves crash against the beach's black sand. Meanwhile, the Reynisdrangar sea stacks stand proudly in the ocean. According to Icelandic folklore, they are trolls turned to stone in the daylight.

The tour's next stop is Skogafoss waterfall. It's one of the country's most impressive cascades, tumbling 197 feet (60 meters) from a sheer, rocky cliff. Skogafoss boasts a remarkable width of 82 feet (25 meters), making it an awe-inspiring sight.

If it's not icy, you could walk up the stairs beside the falls for a unique perspective. Otherwise, enjoy the views from its base, where you'll feel dwarfed by its magnificence. You can walk quite close to the falls because the terrain is flat, but only go as close as you dare without getting wet!

Your guide can highlight the two rocks believed to be petrified trolls. They will also tell you the legend of the treasure chest at the falls, an item reported to offer many riches for the person who finds it.

After another unbeatable day of sightseeing, your driver will drop you at your Reykjavik accommodation for the evening. Get a good night's sleep to prepare for another day of adventure tomorrow.

On the final day of your four-day trip, your guide will take you to the Reykjanes peninsula for an exciting volcano hike. You will visit a new eruption site in the Geldingadalur valley, which has been the center of much volcanic activity in recent years.

The Reykjanes peninsula boasts an otherworldly landscape of moss-covered lava fields, indicating centuries-old eruptions. Until 2021, Reykjanes had not seen an eruption in 800 years.

However, that all changed with the 2021 and 2022 ​​Fagradalsfjall eruptions, the 2023 eruptions at Litli-Hrutur and Sundhnukagigar, and those at Sundhnukagigar and Hagafell in 2024.

Your expert guide has up-to-date local knowledge about the constantly changing situation on the Reykjanes peninsula. They will only take you to safe areas and adjust the itinerary if necessary.

After an awe-inspiring hike, you will travel back to Reykjavik, where you’ll have free time to explore. Iceland’s vibrant capital city has many fascinating sights.

Don’t miss visiting the famous Hallgrimskirkja church, where you can climb its tall tower for panoramic views. The Harpa concert hall and conference center is a must-see attraction with its sparkling glass facade at the Reykjavik harbor, and the Sun Voyager sculpture offers an excellent photo opportunity a little further along the waterfront.

You could visit one of Reykjavik’s world-class museums, such as the National Museum of Iceland, the Settlement Exhibition, or the Icelandic Punk Museum. Or, check out one of the city’s many art galleries before relaxing next to the Tjornin pond.

Later in the evening, your guide will pick you up for a northern lights tour. You’ll be whisked away from the city lights to a countryside location where you can hunt for the aurora borealis.

Although the northern lights are natural and can’t be guaranteed, the tour only runs when the conditions appear ideal. Your guide will choose the best location based on the aurora forecast and their local knowledge.

Whether you end up at the Hvalfjordur fjord, Thingvellir National Park, or somewhere in rural South Iceland, basking in the aurora’s incredible, colorful display is the best way to finish your vacation in Iceland.

Your driver will drop you back in Reykjavik at about midnight, marking the end of an unforgettable multi-day tour.