10 Days

Iceland Glacier and Lights

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Trip Overview

Visiting Iceland covered in winter snow is an adventure of its own – daunting yet filled with excitement. After a short stay in the vibrant capital of Reykjavik, we will drive north towards the Snaefellsness Peninsula, one of the more remote and less-visited parts of Iceland. Cascading waterfalls with icicles, endless lava fields, charming fishing villages, and wild orcas are few of the many things we will discover in this gorgeous region.

Next, continue driving south via the Icelandic Highlands and classic golden circle route to reach Southern Iceland. Here, we will enjoy activities available only in winter, from snowmobiling, to ice caving and northern light chasing. As the journey draws to a close, we will spend our final night pampering in the Blue Lagoon before leaving the land of fire and ice.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - 3

Reykjavik

Private transfer to Reykjavik's hotel

Guided tour in Reykjavik

Led by a native Icelandic Guide, take a leisure drive around Reykjavik to get a glimpse of both contemporary and traditional sides of this coastal capital. Learn a bit of history, discover hidden street arts, taste delicious Icelandic food and get to know the country’s dos and don’ts. Highlights of the tour include the city’s most prominent Hallgrimskirkja Church, the 360 degrees observatory deck at Perlan Museum, and the latest addition to the Icelandic cultural scene, the Harpa performance center.

Road transfer to Snaefellsness Peninsula

Circling the Snaefellsness Peninsula

Driving through the Snaefellsness Peninsula is like uncovering a mini Iceland – the region has all the spectacular features you can find on the island. After around two hours of driving, we will arrive at Ytri Tunga, a beach famous for seal colonies during summertime but also visible in winter, if you are lucky. From there, continue driving to visit two old fishing villages, Arnarstapi and Hellnar. The villages look incredibly stunning in winter, but so are the surrounding rock formations carved out by the ocean.

We will find more gems inside the national park, including Vatnshellir Lava Cave and Djúpalónssandur black sand beaches. Finally, there is the Kirkjufell, one of the most photographed mountains and waterfall in Iceland, most recognized as the “Arrow Head Mountain” in the movie Game of Thrones.

Orcas Watching

While most whales congregate around Icelandic waters in summer, the orcas – also called killer whales – gather around Snafellsness to hunt for herring in the wintertime. Set out from the harbor in Grundarfjörður wearing a warm suit, we will spend about three hours on the sea to find these incredible mammals. Other sightings uncommon in winter but possible are minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises.

Road transfer to Husafell

Day 5 - 6

Husafell

Beer tasting and Highland waterfalls

Along the drive from Snaefellsnes Peninsula to west Icelandic highlands, stop by the farm Stedji, a place of folklore and magic that is home to one of the most innovative family breweries in the world. Head into the tasting room and experience unique craft beers produced using pure spring water. Continue driving for another 30 minutes will take us to our final destination, Husafell. Here, discover two of the region’s most famous waterfalls, Hraunfossar and Barnafoss – both are exceptionally dreamy when covered in snow.

Giljaböð Canyon Baths

Before we call it a day, enjoy an authentic Icelandic soak in Giljaböð Canyon baths. Constructed from locally sourced, natural materials like flagstone from the canyon floor, the baths are hot-spring-fed pools designed to blend into the environment seamlessly in the form of Snorralaug, a heritage site pool dating back to the 10th century.

Classic Golden Circle drive

Considered the most popular sightseeing route in Iceland, The Golden Circle showcases some of the most impressive sights in the country. Here, you can find a geothermal valley with active hot springs that spouts boiling water into the air every few minutes and one of the most incredible curtains of water on earth – dropping water from 30 meters over two levels and 200 meters in width. And then there is the Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the Vikings established the world’s first parliament over 1,000 years ago. Today, sheer natural beauty covers the entire park, including dried magma field with Icelandic moss, waterfalls pouring from ancient cliffs, and some of the purest water that you can snorkel in.

Road transfer to Southwest Iceland

Day 6 - 9

Southwest Iceland

Glacier walk at Sólheimajökull

It’s time to put on your crampons and helmet as we set out for a 2 hours walk on the mighty Sólheimajökull glacier. It is a relatively easy hike with many opportunities to encounter unique ice formations, such as crevasses and ridges. From the top of the glacier, if the weather is nice, we will be able to see Iceland’s beautiful South Coast, fading away into the North Atlantic Ocean.

Snowmobiling on Mýrdalsjökull

Get your adrenaline pumping with a snowmobile adventure across frozen Icelandic landscapes. We will cruise over the majestic Mýrdalsjökull glacier, which sits on top of the active Katla volcano. There is a lot of laughter and excitement at first, but as we keep going, it suddenly turns into romantic silence – you will hear nothing else but your snowmobile breaking the crust of the snow blanket underneath. We will ride and enjoy the scenery for about one hour before returning to the base.

Katla Ice Cave

Led by an experienced guide, we will take a super jeep ride to Katla Ice Cave. Discover a magical, frozen kingdom of glistening ice caverns, crevasses, tunnels, and ridges located deep within the bowels of a glacier formed thousands of years ago. The shimmering palette of blues and white creates an air of mystery and excitement as you wander through its many passageways.

Southern Coast tour

The picturesque southern coast is perhaps one of the most visited areas in Iceland. It is the epicenter of the island’s vast volcanic terrain that has everything an adventurer could wish for: dramatic cliffs, black lava beaches, massive waterfalls, and vast glaciers. We will tailor your day depending on your interests, but it typically starts with a visit to Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls – both cascading at a whopping 60 meters. Then, you may visit a local stable for an exciting Icelandic horse ride or stop by the lava center for fascinating facts about Iceland’s volcanic activity and earthquakes over millions of years. We will end our day at the hauntingly beautiful Reynisfjara black sand beaches, watching the roaring Atlantic waves crash onto the basalt stacks.

Chasing the Northern Lights

During your stay in the countryside, your guide will take you out on a private northern light chase whenever the sky is clear. While sightings are not guaranteed, your guide will steer you as far away as possible from the light pollution to maximize the chance. Once we arrive at the spot, with warm beverages on hand, we will wait patiently, hoping to catch the hues of greens, blues, and violets dance across the night sky

Lava Tunnel Experience

Head to the Bláfjöll mountain area to visit the magnificent Raufarhólshellir, one of Iceland’s longest and best-known lava tubes. Inside, you can witness the inner workings of a volcanic eruption as you walk along a lava path from 5,200 years ago. Installed platforms make the tunnel easily accessible, and award-winning lighting illuminates the way forward while displaying the unique geological features.

Road transfer to Blue Lagoon

Day 9 - 10

Blue Lagoon

Pampering at Blue Lagoon

Dipping in the Blue Lagoon is a great way to end any trip to Iceland. The geothermally heated spa, which holds over six million liters of seawater, has become one of the most important icons of Iceland. The superheated water is rich in blue-green algae, mineral salts, and silica mud, which have a tremendously positive effect on your skin. Enjoy an exclusive spa package in a small secluded section of the lagoon that is inaccessible to most visitors.

Private transfer to Keflavik Airport

More Destinations

Tailor your Holidays

Combine this itinerary with other wonderful destinations in Iceland

Iceland dog sledding

Meet a pack of eager huskies in the remote countryside and let them pull you across the frozen Icelandic landscape across the southern coast

Journey to Langjokull Glacier

Climb Iceland’s second-largest Langjokull glacier using a specially modified truck and walk inside the artificial ice tunnel to reach its blue heart.

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