Categories Escorted Tours Adventure & Eco Travel Summer Tours

Discover South Iceland: Volcanoes, Glaciers, Hot springs and Icebergs

Iceland is one of the most geologically young and volcanically active areas in the world.

Our popular Volcanoes and Glaciers tour gives you the perfect opportunity to discover the magic of these wonders, and the magnificent natural landscape that surrounds them. The tour covers the major attractions of the south including the infamous Eyjafjallajokull volcano, glaciers, geysers and waterfalls as well as the beautiful Westman islands.

Witness and discover the marvels of mother nature in its purest form!

All departures are guaranteed with minimum of 2 participants

Maximum group size: 36 people

Small group departures available on: May 19, June 16, July 21 and September 1. Max. 16 participants. Inquire about price.

Itinerary

Please note: If you have added extra nights in Reykjavík before your tour, the guide will meet you on the morning of Day 2 as per the standard “Volcanoes & Glaciers” itinerary. Please check the “Services“ section in your travel documents to see how to meet your guide at the start of the tour.

Arrival at the Keflavik airport. Transfers to Reykjavik are not included in the tour. We would be happy to arrange shared or private transfers for you, so let us know at booking time.

If you are arriving earlier in the day, you might consider adding a day tour. We’d be happy to make suggestions based on your interests. One of our favorite activities after a long flight is to visit one of the neighborhood geothermal pools. It is so refreshing to relax in the warm water, breathing in the fresh Icelandic air. It’s a great way to get to see Icelandic daily life and maybe meet a few locals. It’s also nice to take a stroll in the old city center, perhaps visiting one of the museums or relaxing with a cup of coffee in a cozy café.

Dinner this evening is at your leisure. Reykjavik offers a multitude of restaurants and/or coffee-houses, making dinner a great way to get better acquainted with Iceland's capital.

Please note that hotels in Iceland start check-in around 14:00 (2:00pm), and early check-in is not guaranteed. Most hotels will be happy to store your luggage if you are not able to check in early.

Optional: Airport Direct Economy with Hotel Connection |Private airport transfer |Airport transfer: Arrival or Departure via Blue Lagoon |Airport Direct Premium

Approximate distance: ca170km / 106miles

Amazing Waterfall – Lava Fields – Volcanic Aftermath – Magnificent Lava Fields

Breakfast at your hotel. Meet your guide in the hotel lobby and walk out to the area where your tour coach is waiting. Drive along the South Shore, one of Iceland’s most volcanic regions. Pass alongside farmlands built in the shadow of towering volcanic mountains. You’ll see many signs of how the volcanoes of the area have powerfully altered the landscape. If the skies are clear, you may even catch views of two of Iceland’s most famous volcanoes: Hekla (last eruption 2000) and Eyjafjallajokull (last eruption 2010).

In Hvollsvollur town, visit the LAVA Centre, an interactive, high-tech exhibition about volcanoes and earthquakes and how they have shaped Iceland. It’s a perfect introduction to the geological wonders you’ll see during your tour.

Next visit the impressive Seljalandsfoss waterfall. If you’re up for adventure and cool experiences you can take the trail that leads behind the waterfall.

Travel along the farmlands of the south coast to Landeyjahofn harbor. Hop onboard a local ferry for a 30-minute trip to the Westman Islands. Enjoy the ride and the view of volcanic islands and seabirds. Your destination is Heimaey Island, the largest of the Westman Island archipelago. Life here is quite a bit different from the “mainland” Iceland, and you’ll discover some of the unique culture and history on a drive around the area.

Visit windy Storhofdi Point with its fantastic views over the area. (During mid-May through the beginning of August you might also see puffins here.) Take a walk up to the crater of a volcano that erupted only three decades ago. The view from up here and over the sea and islands is simply stunning! (Make sure your camera is charged up and ready!)

Next, take a trip back in time and visit Eldheimar Museum. You’ll learn about the catastrophic 1973 eruption that poured lava over many houses on Heimaey and changed the residents’ lives forever. You’ll see where lava covered houses and where grass and moss now grow among the lava. The volcanic flows also created an amazing time capsule; wandering through Eldheimar gives you a peek into Icelandic daily life in the early 1970s.

The rest of the afternoon is open for you to explore the island on your own. Walk along the harbor and check out the 17th-century fortress built to protect the islands from pirate raids. Catch some interesting and timeless photos of a Viking-style stave church built in the year 2000. Take a swim in the public swimming pool, which uses geothermally warmed sea water. Soak in the vibes of the charming and lively fishing town, home to a micro-brewery and several restaurants known for great seafood.

Overnight in the Westman Islands. Dinner on your own.

Approximate distance: ca120km / 75miles

Amazing Waterfall – Unforgettable Glacier Experience – Black Sand Beaches

Breakfast at your hotel. Yesterday’s focus was on volcanoes. Today the focus is on glaciers! Take the morning ferry back from the Westman Islands and continue your exploration of the south coast. Start with a visit to photogenic Skogafoss waterfall, where legends say an ancient treasure is hidden. The waterfall also makes the perfect backdrop for a selfie.

Soon you will be in the area of Myrdalsjokull Glacier. Visit Solheimajokull, a glacier outlet flowing from Mydralsjokull glacier. Solheimajokull gives you a fantastic opportunity to discover glaciers up close. You can choose one of two unforgettable glacier experiences (Both activities are great for beginners; no previous experience is needed).

Glacier Hike- Strap on crampons, pick up an ice axe and follow an expert glacier guide onto Solheimajokull glacier. You’ll explore the glacier’s surface, discovering amazing ice formations and learn interesting facts about how glaciers form. | Duration: 2 – 2,5 hours, 1 – 1,5 hours on the ice) | Included: Guided hike and all necessary safety equipment (crampons, ice axe, and safety harness) | Notes: Minimum age for tour is 8 years old and a minimum shoe size of European 34 (U.S. 25) • Hiking boots are essential for this tour

Glacier View Kayaking - Enjoy Solheimajokull from a different angle on an easy kayak tour. Paddle a special sit-on-top kayak in a natural lagoon that flows out from Solheimajokull glacier. Enjoy views of the glacier you can only see from the water. |Included: Guided kayak trio and all necessary safety equipment | Duration: 2,5 hours, 1 – 1,5 hours in kayak) | Note: minimum age for kayaking is 12 years old

Afterwards, you’ll head to the magical black sands of Reynisfjara beach. You’ll witness powerful waves and amazing basalt column structures carved by the power of the sea. Walking along the beach and hearing the thundering waves is a reminder of nature’s power.

Head to the village of Vik for your overnight. Vik has become a base for a variety of activity tours. This evening you might like to try a Zip Line adventure or a horseback ride along the black sand beach. We’re happy to book these tours for you; simply let us know at booking time.

Overnight stay in Vik. Dinner is on your own.

Note: May & September departures - The kayaking tour is not available in May and September, so all participants take the glacier hike tour instead

Approximate distance: ca400km / 249miles

Volcano and Glacier Oasis – Europe’s Largest Glacier – Glacial Lagoon with Icebergs

Breakfast at your hotel. Today you’ll be visiting the southern area of Vatnajokull National Park, named after Europe’s largest glacier. Vatnajokull National Park covers 14% of Iceland’s surface, making it the largest national park in Western Europe. Throughout the day you’ll also have views of massive Vatnajokull glacier.

Start the day by crossing Eldhraun, the largest single flow of lava ever to flow on the face of the Earth. The cataclysmic eruption happened in 1783-1784 AD and affected the climate across mainland Europe. Your tour vehicle then crosses a landscape of black sand plains and braided rivers created when glacier capped volcanoes erupted.

Visit Skaftafell, a beautiful glacier-ringed valley in Vatnajokull National Park. The contrast of black volcanoes, silvery glaciers and small green forests is strikingly beautiful. Continue to the stunning Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon to see floating icebergs and maybe a curious seal or two. Spend a few moments here taking in this unforgettable site. Nearby is the Diamond Beach, a black sand area where broken bits of ice bergs come to rest before they eventually drift to sea. Now it’s time to enjoy the beauty of ice and water even more with a boat trip! Head to the Iceberg Lagoon, another (and more tranquil) glacier lagoon in the area. Take a Zodiac boat tour amid the floating ice bergs, viewing the different shapes and shades of blue. You’ll also surely enjoy the guide’s interesting insights about the glacier and the area’s history and nature.

Return to Vik for your overnight. Dinner and overnight stay in Vik.

Approximate distance: ca295km / 183miles

Lively Geysers – Golden Falls – National Park with Geological Wonders

Breakfast at your hotel. We’ve reserved today for you to explore the Golden Circle region, perhaps Iceland’s most famous natural wonders. It’s also a fascinating place to discover more about Iceland’s volcanic and glacial powers, with a bit of Viking history on the side.

Start off by heading for the Geysir geothermal field. The very earth steams with volcanic heat. Underground hot springs shoot from the earth as geysers. The most famous spouting hot spring is Strokkur, which shoots high in the air every few minutes. But there are many other smaller yet very interesting geysers and bubbling mud pools (one of our personal favorites is the hard-working, tiny “Geysir Litli.”

Travel onwards to Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s most impressive waterfalls. Gullfoss is created by a glacial river, Hvita, that thunders over two ledges into a deep canyon. Several footpaths lead around the falls, each giving you a different view.

The final stop of this amazing day is Thingvellir National Park, where the Viking-age parliament met for centuries on the shores of Iceland’s largest lake. Thingvellir is where Iceland became a nation, and many important decisions and historical events happened here. Thingvellir is also a fascinating place geologically; the North American and European tectonic plates meet, allowing you to walk between continents.

After some time to explore the wonders of Thingvellir, head back to Reykjavik, where your guide bids you farewell.

Overnight stay in Reykjavik. Dinner is on your own.

Breakfast at your hotel. Please note that this might be a light breakfast if you are taking an early morning flight. Transfer on your own to the international airport for your departure flight. The airport transfer is not included, but we are happy to help you arrange shared or private transfers.

We recommend you depart your hotel no later than three hours before your departure flight. We wish you a pleasant trip back to your homeland and hope to see you in Iceland again!

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