Iceland is open for travel: Volcanic eruption in Iceland 2024
On this 2-day adventure tour, you’ll dig deep into the lava tunnel, go whale watching, visit the highlights of the South Coast, and take up a glacier hike!
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To bring deliver the ultimate sightseeing holiday in Iceland we have combined our fabulous Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel, Rib Boat Whale Watching, and South Coast, Waterfalls & Glacier Hike tours to bring you the greatest jewels. Each morning we pick you up and take you off to see the most amazing sights.
The day will begin with meeting your lava cave expert guide. You will be provided with all the necessary safety equipment (helmet with a head torch, walking stick, and crampons in winter). When everyone's ready, we will head into the lava tube.
The lights illuminate the most spectacular parts of the cave, revealing its magic. The cave walls are rainbow-colored with emerald, ruby, turquoise, and lilac shades from the mineral deposits. The knowledgeable and friendly guide will tell you how the volcanic activity shaped this cave and how it gained its tubular structure.
The environment of Raufarholshellir closely depends on the season. You may see the glimmering ice shards hanging from the ceiling and ice stalagmites growing from the floor in winter, creating a beautiful visual effect. The cave stays equally beautiful for the rest of the year, with multi-colored minerals decorating the walls.
Raufarholshellir's ceilings can reach up to 10 meters high, and visitors can experience its grandiosity. If you thought about lava caving, there's no better way to get to know the underground world, living beneath our feet.
In terms of difficulty, the walk is easy. There are either developed footbridges or natural paths. People of all ages and abilities can participate in this tour, as long as they are comfortable walking through uneven terrain.
Our day is not finished yet. After returning to Reykjavik, you will go to Old Harbor for yet another adventure. Whale watching is another beloved activity in Iceland. You will board one of our custom-made RIB boats, and then the exploration continues.
We’ll make the first stop at the charming Akurey Island, known as the nesting place for adorable puffins. They like this place so much that it was nicknamed “Puffin Island”.You might be lucky enough to see them if you come during late spring or early summer!
We will continue to Kollafjordur bay through the white-crested waves of the Atlantic. Since whale watching cannot be scientifically calculated, you never know what will happen or what you'll see during the trip. However, our experienced captains know well their way around the sea. Using the local knowledge and the latest research will give you the best chance to see something.
Iceland is home to over twenty whale species, which concentration varies depending on the time of the year. The most common species here are Minke Whales, Harbour Porpoises, and White-beaked Dolphins, with Orcas and Sperm Whales visiting regularly. On occasion, the gigantic Blue Whale can also be seen, offering us the exquisite chance of seeing the largest creature to have ever existed!
At the end of the tour, we will head back to Reykjavik, taking the scenic route through the coastline. We may even encounter more nesting birds and playful seals on the way. A perfect way to end the perfect day!
Our day begins with a stop at one of Iceland’s most fantastic attractions, the magnificent Seljalandsfoss waterfall. You’ll even have an opportunity to walk behind the waterfall and see it from another viewpoint! Just a short walk away, there is a “hidden waterfall” called Gljúfrabúi. But first, you’ll have to cross the ice-cold river to see it!
On our journey, we’ll be able to view two grand volcanoes - Eyjafjallajökull and Hekla. Eyjafjallajökull is an infamous volcano whose eruption caused a significant disruption in European air space in 2010.
Next on our journey is a glacier hike through wonderful Solheimajokull. You’ll get to know ancient ice formations, and your certified glacier guide will some of the history and facts on the glaciers.
After an exciting and thrilling hike on a glacier, we’ll take our adventure onto another marvel of the South Coast. Reynisfjara black sand beach is known for its dark sand and the phenomenon called “sneaker waves.” It’s also famous for basalt columns and caverns. Reynisdrangar cliffs and basalt rock stacks, sticking from the sea, embodies trolls from the Icelandic legend who were turned into rock by the sunlight.
The last but no less impressive stop of the day will be the Skogafoss waterfall. This impressive 60-meter water cascade falls with incredible force. You can also walk up the 527 stairs to get an amazing view of the waterfalls from above.
The pickup times and duration for tours are:
Available pick-up points: Arctic Adventures’s pick-up list.
Pick-up Information: You’ll be picked up from your hotel or nearby selected meeting point in Reykjavik for every tour. Picking everyone up can take up to 30 minutes so your patience is greatly appreciated.
Accommodation and meals are not included. All tours commence from Reykjavík, so you will need to arrange accommodation in the city. Pick up and drop off are available from various points for each of the day tours.
If you're traveling with a party of 2 or more, be sure to book everyone under a single reservation. Otherwise, we can't guarantee you will all be on the same tour activity.
We provide you with a headlight and a helmet.
Like always in Iceland, it’s best to dress in layers. Warm layers closest to you preferably wool/thermal underwear, pants sweater and on top waterproof outdoor clothing. We also recommend that you wear good hiking boots and gloves. Jeans have proven to be a bad choice.
Iceland is known for its colorful weather. It can sometimes show you all 4 seasons in one day.
Dressing for this sort of weather can be a challenge so we always recommend dressing in layers. 3 or 4 upper layers are highly recommended such as a light t-shirt (preferably wool) next to the skin, then a fleece or heavy wool garment, topped off with a waterproof windbreaker.
Jeans are not recommended for our trips as they become very heavy, cold and uncomfortable to wear when they get wet.
Lightweight hiking pants, track pants or long cotton pants are best and then wind/waterproof pants over. We also recommend using sunglasses and sunscreen even if it is cloudy due to the high UV and sunlight reflecting off of the glacier.
You will need sturdy hiking boots with ankle support that fit crampons for the glacier hiking tours. If you do not own a pair then we rent out good hiking boots as well as a waterproof raincoat and trousers.
We recommend bringing your own backpack on our full day or 1/2 day tours. It’s great to carry a small lunch and some extra clothing.
You can bring your camera along, and you should definitely bring one since the setting on the tour is full of amazing, scenic views.
This is, of course, a personal choice, we have often had pregnant women on our trips. We recommend you take a close look at our trip description and difficulty rating, they will hopefully give you a better idea. It is also good to contact your physician, pregnant women’s health can be quite different. Feel free to contact us if you have further questions or concerns.
We do not provide lunch on any of our trips, so we recommend you bring your own lunch (for the longer trips), snacks and a bottle of water (you can refill it on the trip).
Yes, there is a specially trained and certified glacier guide on every glacier tour that we offer.
When glacier hiking you will be provided with an ice axe, crampons, harness and helmet. This will help you to complete the tour safely. The minimum shoe size to attach crampons is EU 35.
This guide to Glacier Hiking includes all the information you might need when preparing for a glacier hike.
This is a great question. We ask all participants to be ready from the start of the pickup time indicated. This is because you may well be the first pick up of the day. Please be at your assigned location at the start time that you chose when booking the tour.
Here you should wait for your guide.
Have your email and phone number listed with us so we can contact you if we run into any trouble finding you.
View our pick-up locations in Reykjavík.
Before and during activities on the multi-day tours consumption of alcohol is prohibited. If we suspect that a participant is intoxicated, we will prohibit them from joining the activity.
After the activities of the day are finished, you are welcome to have a drink and relax.
Your safety is our number one priority! Keeping this in mind, Arctic Adventures reserves the right to adjust the itinerary and/or take different routes depending on conditions. Please read more information about our cancellation policy.
No, for all your questions and concerns you would need to contact our customer service.
Our tours are split into four different categories that help participants to understand what to expect from the tour. The categories are Easy, Moderate, Challenging and Demanding. Each tour is rated making it easier to find tours that suit you.
For further information about the difficulty ratings and descriptions.
We’ve partnered with the Kolviður Fund in a new carbon offsetting program, which passengers can select to participate in at the time of booking.
The Kolviður Fund is the oldest, most respected carbon offsetting program in Iceland. With your support, one tree will be planted in special Kolviður forests in Iceland to carbon offset your tour with us.
Kolviður forests are strategically planted to absorb the maximum amount of CO2 and the forests are protected for a minimum of 60 years. During their lifetime the trees absorb carbon and store it in their root system, trunk, and branches. Trees also prevent soil erosion and maintain storage of carbon in the soil.
