Volcanoes & the Golden Circle

Reykjavik - Thingvellir National Park - Geysir - Gullfoss - Seljalandsfoss - Kirkjubaejarklaustur. Pick-up is at 09:00 am at the meeting point in Reykjavik (see the tour Trip Notes and your booking documentation for information about the pick up point). Our first stops are the three renowned attractions of the Golden Circle, the UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park holds a special place in the heart of every Icelander. Established in 930 AD, the Icelandic parliament is the oldest continuously operating parliament in the world. Here, you will see Thingvallavatn, which houses the Silfra fissure that lies between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. The cliff of the Rift Valley runs directly through the National Park the only land visible land border between two continents.

Next, our tour takes you to the geothermally active hot spring area of Geysir. Although the Great Geysir, which lent its name to all geysers, is now inactive, Strokkur, a nearby hot spring, erupts spectacularly every 5 to 10 minutes. The final Golden Circle stop is Gullfoss waterfall, where you can witness the powerful falls thundering through a rugged canyon, dropping 32 metres in two stages.

Following the Golden Circle, we embark on a scenic drive along the beautiful south coast, making a stop at Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Here, you have the unique opportunity to walk behind the elegantly cascading falls and truly feel the power of nature. Then we’ll head to our countryside hotel, an ideal spot to witness the flickering colours of the Northern Lights if travelling in winter (September - March).

Please note: This tour is modular, meaning it is made up of separate excursions and activities. You will have different guides and will be joined by different groups for each section of the itinerary. All of the tour inclusions remain the same.

Jokulsarlon - Skaftafell - Vatnajokull - Kirkjubaejarklaustur. Our day begins with a hearty Icelandic breakfast before we set off towards the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and the nearby Diamond Beach, passing through moss-covered lava fields and some spectacular rock formations that vividly remind us of past volcanic eruptions. By this point, we’ll catch sight of the majestic Breidamerkurjokull Glacier, which stretches like a tongue from Vatnajokull, the largest glacier in Europe.

In its shadow lies the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, famous for the glittering icebergs that drift across its icy-blue surface. Many of these icebergs wash up on the nearby Diamond Beach, where they gleam like beautiful diamonds against the black sands.

After Jokulsarlon, we head to Skaftafell Nature Reserve for yet another adventure. Here, we’ll meet our certified glacier guide, who will take us to the Vatnajokull Glacier. All safety equipment and crampons will be provided before we embark on an exhilarating glacier hike. During our glacier hike, our guide will explain how these incredible ice formations came to be. And the memorable experiences aren't over, as we then delve into the icy depths of the glacier by entering a natural ice cave.

Iceland’s ice caves typically form during the winter months when the summer melt waters freeze, creating vast pockets and stunning patterns within the sapphire-blue ice. These tours are highly weather-dependent, so the ice cave we visit will be chosen based on the day’s conditions. Since temperatures inside the ice cave are below freezing, don’t forget to dress warmly.

Kirkjubaejarklaustur - Skogafoss - Reykavik. After breakfast, we’ll begin our tour along the South Coast. If road conditions permit, we’ll take a slight detour to Fjadrargljufur Canyon, famously known as the "Bieber Canyon" after the singer filmed his music video here.

Next, we’ll visit the Eldhraun lava field before heading to the iconic Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. Here, we’ll witness the striking contrast of the white-crested waves of the Atlantic Ocean as they crash against the jet-black sands. Rising from the cliffside is a cluster of basalt sea stacks, reminiscent of the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland. We’ll also view the Reynisdrangar basalt pillars, which jut out from the sea like jagged peaks. According to folklore, these were once a trio of trolls turned to stone by the sun as they attempted to drag a boat back to shore.

We’ll also stop at the equally impressive Skogafoss Waterfall, where a wide cascade tumbles 60 metres into a pool below. We’ll climb the meandering path beside the falls for a spectacular view over the entire area. Skogafoss also features prominently in Icelandic mythology, and our guide will point out the two unusual rock formations believed to be trolls petrified by the dawn. Some locals believe a Viking settler hid a treasure chest somewhere beneath the falls, promising fabulous wealth to whoever finds it.

The famous Eyjafjallajokull stands above Skogafoss. With good visibility, we can catch a glimpse of this magnificent mountain before returning to Reykjavik for the night.

Reykjavik - Grindavik - Reykjavik. You probably saw on the news in early 2024 that a volcanic eruption took place near the town of Grindavik, forcing its evacuation. Although safe now, this area is still relatively active, and today you will join us for a once-in-a-lifetime experience to hike and visit the newly erupted volcano site!

Volcanic eruptions are rare and inherently hostile events. Their rarity, sheer power, and potentially destructive forces make them utterly fascinating. Not all eruptions are the same some spew ash high into the sky, while others release molten magma.

After our hike, and if you are travelling during the winter months (September - March), we’ll drive out to hunt for the magical Northern Lights. Our Northern Lights tour begins with the thrill of the chase. Once our guide picks us up from back in Reykjavik, we’ll embark on the hunt, driving into the unparalleled beauty of a starry night.

As the forecast changes daily, we can’t tell you in advance exactly where our quest for the Aurora Borealis will take us. But one thing is certain, we will take you far away from the city lights! We might head to Hvalfjordur, Thingvellir, Reykjanes, or another rural area in South Iceland to escape light pollution. Travelling by minibus allows us to reach offbeat locations that the big buses can’t access. After our Northern Lights tour, we return to Reykjavik and our tour ends at around midnight - 1:00. There is no accommodation included tonight, so you will need to book post-tour accommodation independently.

Please note: The Northern Lights chase is available only during the winter season, from September to March. If travelling during the summer months then our tour will end back in Reykjavik after the volcano hike, during the mid-afternoon.