4-Day Golden Circle, South Coast, Ice Cave, Volcano

Your adventure starts with a pickup in Reykjavik. Your guide will pick you up in a comfortable minibus at a convenient location. The first day of our adventure will take us on the world-renowned Golden Circle route – a trio of legendary attractions that are widely considered to be the best in Iceland.

We’ll begin at Thingvellir National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its geological and historical importance. It’s the original location of Althingi – Icelandic parliament founded in 930 AD. The modern parliament in Reykjavik retains its name – making it one of the oldest legislatures in the world. Thingvellir also hosts a seismic rift valley that marks the ever-expanding gap between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. A unique place that is the visible land border between two continents.

Our next stop will be the Geysir Geothermal area – famed for the bubbling geysers that have become synonymous with Iceland. We’ll see the now dormant Great Geysir – the first geyser to appear in the English language and give them all their names. Near it is Strokkur – the most active geyser in the area – firing boiling torrents of water up to 98 ft (30 m) into the air every few minutes. The powerful geothermal forces beneath Iceland’s surface have made it the country it is today, and the Geysir Geothermal area is the best way to see its incredible power in the flesh.

The final stop on the Golden Circle route is Gullfoss (or “the Golden Falls”) – a stunningly beautiful two-stage waterfall that gets its name from the golden color its water takes as it cascades over the dark brown rock. Beneath it is an emerald valley, and rainbows regularly form above it – making for an awe-inspiring scene.

After visiting the Golden Circle, we’ll drive southwards and head for one of the most impressive waterfalls in the world, Seljalandsfoss. On a clear day, we can even get a view of Hekla Volcano on the way!

After all this adventure, we will head to our countryside hotel, which is a great place to see the flickering colors of the Northern Lights during the winter season.

Our day begins with a hearty Icelandic breakfast before we head on the road towards the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and the nearby Diamond Beach – passing moss-carpeted lava fields, volcanically scarred deserts, and some spectacular rock formations that stand as vivid reminders of volcanic eruptions over the years. By then, you'll be able to catch sight of the majestic Breidamerkurjokull Glacier, which unfurls like a tongue from Vatnajokull, the largest glacier in the whole of Europe.

The Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon lies in its shadow, famed for the glittering icebergs that float across its icy-blue surface. Many of them wash up on the nearby Diamond Beach, where they shine like beautiful diamonds against the black sands. Both places are breathtakingly beautiful and will leave you with memories you'll treasure forever.

After Jokulsarlon, we head to Skaftafell Nature Reserve for yet another adventure. From October to April, your certified glacier guide will meet you there and take you to the mesmerizing Vatnajokull Glacier. On our breathtaking glacier hike, we'll go into the icy depths of the glacier by entering a natural ice cave. 

From April to September, we’ll change up the itinerary. We’ll visit Katla Ice Cave, a natural formation located right underneath a volcano. It is the only natural ice cave accessible all year round.

Iceland's ice caves usually form over the winter months. When the meltwaters from summer freeze, they create huge pockets and beautiful patterns within the sapphire-blue ice. During the glacier hike, your guide will explain exactly how these incredible ice formations came.

These kinds of tours are very weather-dependent, so the ice cave we'll visit will be chosen considering the day's conditions. Since ice cave temperatures are below freezing, don't forget to dress warmly.

After our adventure, we’ll make our way to a charming countryside hotel, perfect for a chance to see the shimmering Northern Lights from September to April.

After a nutritious breakfast, we’ll start our tour along the South Coast. If the road conditions allow us, we’ll make a small detour to Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, also known as the “Bieber Canyon,” after the famous singer shot his music video here. 

Next, we’ll visit the Eldhraun lava field before heading to the iconic Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. There, we’ll take in the stark contrast of the white-crested waves of the Atlantic Ocean as they wash against its jet-black sands. From the cliffside rises a cluster of basalt sea stacks, reminiscent of the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland. We’ll also see the Reynisdrangar basalt pillars, which rise like jagged peaks from the sea. Folktales say they were once a trio of trolls turned to stone by the sun as they tried to drag a boat back to land.

We’ll also stop at the equally impressive Skogafoss Waterfall – whose wider cascade tumbles down 196 ft (60 m) into a pool below. We’ll climb up the meandering path next to the falls – for a spectacular vista over the entire area. Skogafoss also plays a prominent role in Icelandic myth, and our guide will tell you interesting myths and legends related to this place.

The famous Eyjafjallajökull stands above the Skogafoss waterfall, and with good visibility, you can catch a glimpse of this magnificent mountain.

In the evening, we’ll return to Reykjavik for the night’s rest.

On the final day, you’ll embark on an extraordinary adventure to hike near the site of a recently erupted volcano!

Iceland experienced a few volcanic eruptions in recent years. They are rare and powerful natural events, making them incredibly fascinating. Each eruption is unique—some send ash soaring into the sky, while others release streams of molten rock from fissures. Because eruptions are unpredictable by nature, we can’t promise a view of fresh lava. However, even if the main crater is quiet during our visit, you’ll still witness the dramatic landscape shaped by the lava fields.

While the volcano may not be actively erupting, the experience is truly one-of-a-kind. Our expert guide will ensure we explore the most awe-inspiring and safe areas, making this an unforgettable journey.

We'll also hunt the magical Northern Lights during the winter months (September - April). Our tour starts off with the thrill of the pursuit. Once your guide picks you up, we’ll explore 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 guaranteed–we will take you far away from the city lights! We could go to Hvalfjörður, Þingvellir, Reykjanes, or some other rural area in South Iceland to escape light pollution. Traveling by minibus means we can get to offbeat locations that the big buses just can’t reach.

Pick-up information: Pick-up is at 9:00 a.m. from your hotel or a nearby meeting point in Reykjavík. Picking everyone up can take up to 30 minutes, your patience is much appreciated. Available pick-up points: Arctic Adventures’s pick-up list.

Return time: We will be back in Reykjavík between 12:00 a.m. and 1:00 a.m.