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Lace up your hiking boots and join us on this two-day trip for close encounters with the wonders of Icelandic nature. Explore the South Coast with its iconic waterfalls and black sand beaches, and be the first to step into a blue ice cave of Europe’s largest ice cap. To top it all off, we’ll have ample moments to chase the magical, ever-elusive Northern Lights!
Have you seen those otherworldly waterfalls that pour over towering cliffs, shrouded in mist and rainbows? That’s Iceland’s South Coast. In two unforgettable days, you’ll explore black sand beaches, glacier-carved lagoons, and shimmering blue ice caves. With an expert guide, stand beneath thundering falls, wander through surreal landscapes, and—if the skies cooperate—end the day under the shimmering auroras.
We start bright and early at 9:00 a.m., setting off on a two-day adventure that dives deep into Iceland’s most awe-inspiring landscapes. Our first stop is the iconic Seljalandsfoss waterfall, a rare place where you can walk behind the cascade, feeling the spray as water tumbles down in front of you—a thrilling way to experience the raw power of Icelandic nature.
From there, we head to Skógafoss, a waterfall known for its thundering drop and stunning rainbows that appear when sunlight hits the mist. Situated near the famed Eyjafjallajökull volcano, Skógafoss offers an unforgettable blend of beauty and drama. And if the skies are clear, Mýrdalsjökull glacier looms impressively in the distance.
As we continue, we reach Reynisfjara, Iceland’s famous black sand beach. Here, powerful Atlantic waves crash against towering basalt columns, and the eerie Reynisdrangar sea stacks rise hauntingly from the sea. It’s a place that feels otherworldly, both beautiful and wild, with an atmosphere all its own.
The day unfolds through vast lava fields, glacier tongues, and windswept shores, each landscape more mesmerizing than the last. We’ll stop in the quaint village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur before reaching our accommodation near Skaftafell, where you’ll settle in for a peaceful night in the heart of Iceland’s natural beauty.
If conditions are right, your guide will direct you to a prime viewing spot to chase the Northern Lights. There’s no guarantee, but with Vatnajökull Glacier towering nearby and the clear, dark skies, it’s the perfect setting to witness nature’s light show. With any luck, swirling ribbons of color will dance across the sky, adding a magical touch to an unforgettable day.
After breakfast, we set off for Vatnajökull National Park, Europe’s largest glacier and one of Iceland’s crown jewels.
Our first stop is the mesmerizing Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, with an atmosphere like nowhere else on Earth. Its setting is so surreal it’s starred in many Hollywood films. Here, towering icebergs, freshly carved from Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, drift across the lagoon in soft blues and whites. As they edge toward the ocean, some land on nearby Diamond Beach, where they glisten like jewels against the black sand—a view that’s pure magic for the eyes.
The highlight of our day is entering a natural ice cave. In winter, we explore the renowned Crystal Ice Cave, while in summer, we go to the unique Katla Ice Cave. Each year, new caves are carved by the glacier’s melt-and-freeze cycle, so each visit is unique. Inside, you’ll be surrounded by intense blue shades, a result of the compressed glacial ice and natural light filtering through. It’s a breathtaking, otherworldly environment, ideal for capturing incredible photos.
We'll make a stop in the enchanting village of Vík, nestled along the coast with striking views of the Atlantic and surrounded by cliffs and black sand beaches. With its iconic red-roofed church set against rugged mountains, Vík is one of those rare places that feels like it’s straight out of a movie.
Afterward, we make our way back to Reykjavík while keeping an eye on the skies for the Northern Lights. If conditions are right, we’ll witness nature’s ultimate light show before arriving in the city around 9:00 pm.
Pick-up is at 9:00 am from your hotel or a nearby meeting point in Reykjavík. Picking everyone up can take up to 30 minutes, so your patience is much appreciated.
Pick-up times from the meeting points outside Reykjavik:
Available pick-up points in Reykjavik: Arctic Adventures’s pick-up list.
This tour is offered year-round, but note that the itinerary may change slightly due to the weather conditions. In the winter, we may have to shorten our time at some stops due to the shorter daylight hours. Also, the Northern Lights are usually only visible during the winter months.
If you’re traveling solo or with an odd number in your group, and you don’t choose the single supplement, you will be paired in a twin room with another participant of the same gender.
Your safety is our priority and sometimes weather or road conditions mean that access to certain ice caves is unavailable and/or unsafe. Our main ice cave in the winter is the Crystal Ice Cave. However, at times when it’s inaccessible, we’ll visit an alternative ice cave. During the summer months (from April to October), we’ll visit the Ice Cave Under the Volcano. If it’s inaccessible, we’ll do a glacier hike instead.
We cannot guarantee that the actual view during your visit will match the photographs since ice caves are a natural phenomenon that undergoes constant change. How they look may vary depending on the season, time of day, lighting, and other factors.
We always recommend booking a multi-day tour starting at least one day after arriving in Iceland. If you’re flying in from the US or will be landing early (4-6:30 am) you should be able to join the tour, but some risks would follow (i.e if the flight gets delayed) and could, therefore, miss out on the tour.
Most of the hotels we use during our tours are remotely located and therefore ideal for spotting the northern lights. If the forecast is in your favor, then it is more than likely that you will be able to see the magical show put on by the dancing northern lights during your tour with us. Most of the hotels offer a Northern Lights wake-up call-up on request if the lights are spotted.
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon; therefore, we can unfortunately never promise they will be seen. Their appearance depends upon atmospheric and weather conditions. The best time to see them is between September and March when it’s dark and clear. The sky needs to be as dark as possible, so the best places to see them are well away from city lights (that’s where we are going!).
For more information on the Northern Lights, please look at our blog about Northern Lights.
If you are not sure that you have suitable gear for your tour, we offer some necessary items for rent. For most of our multi-day tours, we rent out waterproof jackets and pants as well as hiking boots. You can book these items and more under the selection “Extras” in the booking widget when booking your tour on our website.
If you have already booked the tour and wish to add some rental gear to your booking, you can do so at least 24 hours prior to your tour starting by using our customer portal - My Adventures, or contacting our customer care.
We drive on average around 300 km (186 miles) per day on our multi-day tours. You will be spending approximately 4-5 hours in the car each day. We do of course stop on multiple locations throughout the tour for sightseeing, activities, bathroom breaks and lunch stops.
We do welcome participants of all ages older than the listed minimum age for each tour. We have people of ages ranging from 8-99 years joining our multi-day tours. Our average group usually consists of participants between the age 20-55 years. We do get a lot of solo travellers joining our tours, as well as families and friends.
If you have difficulties participating in any of the activities included in the tour, for example, a glacier activity, you are more than welcome to skip it. You can explore your surroundings in the meantime or wait elsewhere. Our guide should be able to drop you off at a nearby place where there are some services available.
For multi-day tours, each participant is allowed to bring a small backpack and 1 piece of luggage weighing a maximum of 20 kg (44 lbs). If you have more or heavier luggage with you, you will need to book storage for the surplus luggage before you arrive, there is a small fee for using this facility. Luggage storage in Reykjavík can be added during the booking process of your order in the extras section.
* The combined dimensions of each bag must not exceed 158 cm (62 in).
Breakfast is included at all the hotels we stay in during the tour. The breakfast will be a typical breakfast buffet, offering bread, toppings, cereal, yogurt, fruits, coffee, and tea etc.
Your guide will also find a good place for the group to eat lunch. We always try to choose places that have a wide selection of dishes on the menu, so there will be options available for everyone. The dinner is usually at the hotels we stay at for the night.
If your tour includes accommodation, breakfast is always included during the tour at the hotel/guesthouse restaurant.
Meals and beverages are otherwise not included on your tour. (Unless it’s specifically stated in the description of the tour)
On our multiday tours, we will be making stops at restaurants and convenience stores where you will be able to purchase all necessities. Cash is not necessary, as credit cards are almost always accepted. Having a small amount of cash doesn’t hurt though.
A single supplement is available if you want to have your own room, but you are not required to pay a single supplement. If you are a single traveler and do not wish to book a single room, you’ll be roomed with another traveler of the same gender.
When booking with Arctic Adventures, you are guaranteed an accommodation at a nice country hotel and/or a guesthouse. The hotels we have partnered up with are all of the same standard and offer nice rooms with made-up beds and private bathrooms. The standard room is a twin room but it’s possible to request a double room or a triple room, with no extra charge.
If you are traveling solo, you will have to add the single room fee if you wish to have a single room.
All hotels have free Wi-Fi. Towels, a hairdryer and a kettle are accessible at all of the hotels. Hotel breakfast is included!
