2 Day Ice Cave Tour | South Coast Waterfalls & Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

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Description

Summary

Tour starts

Reykjavík

Duration:

2 days

Difficulty:

Easy

Languages:

English

Available:

All year

Minimum age:

8 years old

Description

Make the most of a short winter vacation on this small-group 2-day guided tour of Iceland’s magnificent South Coast, with round-trip transportation from Reykjavík!

This itinerary will take you to the best locations along the South Coast, where stunning waterfalls and black sand beaches reign supreme. You’ll travel from the capital of Iceland to Vatnajökull National Park in the east, passing spectacular scenery along the way. Immerse yourself in the mountains, volcanoes, waterfalls and glaciers that makes this region of Iceland so profound. To top it all off, you’ll have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore a crystal blue ice cave deep within Europe’s largest ice cap.

Across two magical days, you’ll witness some of the most impressive natural features to be found in the Land of Fire and Ice. Discover the charm of Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where a cavern takes you behind the flowing cascade for a truly breathtaking display. Get up close and personal with the thundering power of its neighbour, Skógafoss, a waterfall that plummets 60 metres over the edge of a cliff face. If the horizon is clear, then you may be able to catch a glimpse of the famed Eyjafjallajökull volcano in the distance, from where these two waterfalls originate. Nearby is Reynisfjara, where the raging waves of the Atlantic Ocean pummel the shoreline, shaping the unique basaltic columns that line the black sand beach.

Your journey will culminate in the heart of the Vatnajökull National Park, where you’ll have the chance to contemplate the serene beauty of the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Its glorious icebergs drift with the tide into the open ocean, where they are swept back ashore onto what is known as the ‘Diamond Beach’. Weave your way between the jewels and extraordinary sculptures resting upon the sand. It is from here where you will embark upon the highlight of your journey as you step foot onto Vatnajökull glacier for a wild and memorable experience inside a crystal blue ice cave.

Winter is a wonderful time to travel in Iceland. This is when snow blankets the landscape in a pristine layer of white, making for truly enchanting scenes. You’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into an icy reverie as you unearth the many treasures to be found along Iceland’s spectacular South Coast. If the skies are clear, then you’ll have a very good chance of viewing the Northern Lights in the evenings, set upon a backdrop of splendid winter landscapes. Your accommodation and transport will be organised for you throughout this tour, so all you’ll have to do is to bring along your sense of adventure and be ready to have fun.

Discover the most popular sights of Iceland and explore an ice cave during this two-day winter tour for a truly unforgettable experience! Check availability by choosing a date.

Included

Professional driver and guide

Minibus transfer

One night of accommodation in the South of Iceland (breakfast included)

Ice cave tour

Map

Attractions

Iceland

Activities

Sight Seeing

Northern Lights

Daily itinerary

Day 1

Day 1 - The South Coast

The adventure begins when you are picked up from your accommodation in Reykjavík. You’ll then head out into the winter wonderland as you make your way towards the east, taking in the astonishing sight of Eyjafjallajökull volcano with its ice cap glistening upon the horizon. Its reputation is almighty, having disrupted much of Europe’s air traffic during its eruption in 2010. Your first stop will be at the glorious Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where a narrow pathway takes you into a cavern that goes all around the column of water tumbling from the cliff edge above. From behind, the view is unimaginably beautiful and even more so during winter, when snow and ice encrust the stony walls. Nearby is one of Iceland’s hidden gems, the mysterious Gljúfrabúi waterfall which is partially obscured by rocks. Make sure to wear waterproof boots, otherwise you may get your feet wet in your bid to catch a glimpse of this enchanting cascade. A little further along your journey, you’ll encounter the majestic Skógafoss waterfall, which plummets from 60 metres over a cliff towards what once used to be Iceland’s coastline. These days, the black gravelly rocks at its base make it possible for you to get up close with this waterfall – so much so that you might even be able to touch it! From there, you’ll head onwards to the world-famous Reynisfjara black sand beach near the small and quaint village of Vík. It is here that you’ll witness the extraordinary force of the Atlantic Ocean as the waves crash along the shore, making for an awe-inspiring sight. Lining the beach is a cliff-face of tall, basalt columns that resemble organ pipes. If the tide is low, then you can wander closer to the Reynisdrangar sea stacks that rise from the waters just offshore. Otherwise, keep your distance from the powerful waves and marvel at the Dyrhólaey rock arch surrounded by ocean spray. Following a brief rest stop in Vík, you’ll continue the drive along Iceland’s South Coast towards the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, arriving just in time for the sunset. The icebergs are extremely captivating as they drift slowly through the tidal waters, bathed in ethereal winter light. A short walk from the lagoon will take you to the spectacular black sands of the Diamond Beach, where the icebergs are deposited back ashore after being washed out into the ocean. This evening, if the skies are clear, you’ll be perfectly placed to witness the Northern Lights. After a long day of exploring, you’ll retire for the night to accommodation around the Jökulsárlón area.

Day 2

Day 2 - Ice Caving

Day two of your adventure in Iceland will have you getting up bright and early to enter the heart of Vatnajökull National Park, where you’ll have the chance to explore an ice cave! Make sure to wear good, waterproof hiking shoes, as there is the possibility that you may get your feet wet when hiking both on and within the glacier. The thrill of descending into one of nature’s most inspiring creations is on the bucket lists of many. An ice cave is a rare, natural phenomenon that can change drastically over time as meltwater carves out holes and cavities within the glacier’s interior. Iceland is one of the only places on the planet where you can see an ice cave, making this experience all the more intriguing. Safety is of the utmost importance when exploring an ice cave. Upon arrival, your guide will equip you with a helmet and crampons to make it easier for you to walk across the slippery, icy surface. In addition, they’ll share their vast amount of knowledge on the history and science behind Iceland’s ice caves so that you’ll have a rounded, educational and entertaining encounter with the shimmering, crystal blue walls that surround you. You’ll have up to 45 minutes to enjoy the ice cave at your leisure, taking in the many ripples, frozen formations as well as fascinating nooks and crannies to be found within. Following this exhilarating experience, you’ll commence the return journey towards Reykjavík, heading back along the South Coast to the west. The drive will take several hours, though there will be plenty of places to stop and stretch your legs along the way. Your guide will also point out any sights that you may have missed during the first day of the tour. Eventually, you’ll arrive back to Reykjavík just in time for a late dinner in the evening. Be sure to take in the vibrant nightlife of the city, or go for a stroll through the colourful streets and enjoy the atmosphere. If you turn your eyes towards the sky, then you may just be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.

What to bring

Warm clothes

Winter hiking shoes

Camera

Good to know

Customers travelling on their own will receive a single room. Reservations for 2 people will be allocated a double room. For bookings of 3 or more, triple rooms will automatically be allocated. For example, a group of 8 will receive 2 triple rooms and 1 double. If these arrangements do not meet your requirements, please contact the provider.

The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and therefore cannot be guaranteed, but this itinerary is designed to maximise your chances to see them if weather allows. Please be advised that there is no specific Northern Lights hunt on this tour, but your guide will notify you if the conditions are favourable and advise you on how to best spot them.

It can happen, in the case of extreme weather, that an activity is cancelled. If your chosen activity is cancelled, we will assist you with rearranging or booking other activities when possible, and any potential price difference will be refunded to you.

Please note that only pick up and drop-off from designated pick up locations in the greater capital area is available, not from Keflavík International Airport. Therefore, we do not recommend attempting to start this tour on your arrival day in Iceland. Arrival time back to Reykjavík at the end of your tour can vary depending on weather and traffic. It is highly recommended that you do not book your flight home the same night as bad weather or delays could affect your journey. Please be sure to arrange accommodation for this evening and an airport transfer the next day to take you to Keflavík International Airport for your departure.

For your convenience, it is recommended that you pack lightly for this tour, in a small bag or backpack. If you have large luggage with you, please check with your accommodation if they offer luggage storage for your time on this tour. If that is not a possibility, you can store your luggage at our office for a small fee.

Note that Icelandic roads and pavements can be slippery in the wintertime. We recommend you bring shoes with slip-resistant soles or ice-grip shoe covers. The covers can be purchased in most supermarkets and gas stations around the country.

Cancellation Insurance

This insurance guarantees that you can cancel tour and package bookings and receive a full refund, minus the insurance cost of 5,000 ISK per person.

The cancellation must be made more than 48 hours before the listed starting time on your voucher. To cancel your booking and claim your refund, simply contact info@guidetoiceland.is and declare full cancellation.

Please note that this insurance covers the cancellation of the whole tour or package. Individual services cannot be cancelled and refunded separately, but are all covered and refunded in case of a full cancellation.

Accommodation

Due to increased demand for travel services in Iceland and low availability, travel companies in Iceland can not guarantee specific accommodations. However, we can always provide you with the best available accommodation at the time of your booking. Below you can see our preferred partners for accommodation, Hótel Vatnajökull and Hótel Höfn. In the case of these hotels not being an option, an alternative of the same standard will be arranged.