Enjoy five beautiful days exploring the most famous attractions in South and West Iceland.
Enjoy the beauty and diversity of south Iceland, including beautiful waterfalls, black sand beaches, vast volcanic regions, and jagged bird cliffs. Our journey from Reykjavik will take you to historical sites from the Icelandic sagas and famous natural attractions in western Iceland at the Snaefellsnes peninsula. Visit the geysers, waterfalls, and volcanic landscapes of the Golden Circle, and soak in the famous milky blue waters of the Blue Lagoon. Visit the Skaftafell National Park, the magnificent Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, and take a boat tour among icebergs. Daytime driving distances are moderate, making this 5-day tour suitable for families or active travelers.
Highlights
- The tour is an excellent introduction for your first visit to Iceland
- Visit the famous attractions from Snaefellsnes across the south coast to the glacier lagoon
- Explore Iceland’s attractions at your own pace with a private guide
| Travel Style | Private Tour |
| Availability | All Seasons, Daily |
| Group Size | Up to 5 people |
| Tour Duration | 5 Days |
Brief Itinerary | Day 1. Golden Circle. Hotel in Reykjavik (or Selfoss) Day 2. South Coast: Waterfalls, Beaches & Cliffs. Hotel at Glacier Lagoon Day 3. Glacier Lagoon and South Coast. Return to Reykjavik Day 4. Excursion (or free time) in Reykjavik & Blue Lagoon. Hotel in Reykjavik Day 5. Snaefellsnes Peninsula. West Iceland. Hotel in Reykjavik |
| Transportation | SUV or Minivan |
- Pickup and drop off in Reykjavik
- Driver/guide services during the trip
- Private transportation for your group
- Hotel accommodation for your group
- One night accommodation for driver-guide outside Reykjavik
- Food and drinks
Optional Extras (provided by local operators)
- Zodiac boat tour (May-Oct) at the Glacier Lagoon (1,5 hours, approx. 100 USD for adults)
- Ice Cave Tour (Oct.- April) from the Glacier Lagoon (3 hours, approx. 170 USD for adults)
The tour can be tailored according to your wishes. Please let us know if you would like to visit other places or change activities on your trip.
Tour Pricing
The price in the description is per person based on four adults on tour. Accommodation for the trip is to be reserved separately. We can book accommodation, or you can book hotels yourself at the locations indicated in the tour program. Please send us a tour request to clarify the price for your group.
Reserve Now & Pay LaterOur trip starts from Reykjavik, where we will head to the Nesjavellir geothermal area near the Hengill volcano. At Nesjavellir, we will have a short walk to the observation deck above the geothermal power plant to explore the breathtaking bird’s eye views.
Next, we will head to Thingvellir National Park and drive along the shores of Thingvallavatn lake, the largest in Iceland. Thingvellir served as the parliament base for centuries, from the early Viking settlers until the late 18th century. We will walk along the Almannagja fissure in the park, where the American and Eurasian tectonic plates diverge.
We will then travel to Haukadalur, the Valley of Geysers, where Strokkur, the largest active geyser in the country, spews a mixture of hot water and steam up to 20-30 m/65-100 ft every 5-10 minutes. At the same time, other hot springs in the area are calm but also colorful.
One of the main attractions of the route will be the Gullfoss waterfall, which consists of two cascades of 11 and 22 m/36 and 72 ft of water falling into a long and deep canyon.
From Gullfoss, we will drive to Fridheimar, the tomato greenhouse and an excellent example of Icelandic gardening. It is open to the public. Here, we can enjoy unique dishes in a restaurant surrounded by tomatoes.
To improve the experience, we will stop at the Secret Lagoon, the oldest swimming pool in Iceland. In the surrounding area, at the pool, you will find many rising streams, which makes this place more magical.
We shall head to the place for an overnight stay in Hella or nearby.
Duration: 9-10 hours. Driving distance 230 km/144 miles. Overnight stay in Hella.
On this day, we take a journey to the South Coast and shall drive through the lowlands toward the place of your first stop, the beautiful Seljalandsfoss waterfall.
Seljalandsfoss is one of the best-known waterfalls in Iceland. It is 63m/210ft tall and breathtakingly beautiful. Here we find another waterfall, called Gljufrabui, near the Seljalandsfoss. Gljufrabui is a 40m/130ft high waterfall falling into the gorge, with beautiful scenery inside.
Next, we drive east alongside farms located under the former sea cliffs of the Eyjafjoll area and arrive at the mighty Skogafoss waterfall, cascading down more than 60m/200ft with water running from the glacier of Eyjafjallajokull volcano. This majestic waterfall is one of the most visited places in Iceland, and for a good reason.
Then we drive to Dyrholaey, the rocky cape extending into the ocean at the southernmost part of the country. At Dyrholaey, we enjoy the diverse and fantastic landscapes of the Myrdalur valley, fresh green fields, and pastures. The roaring Atlantic ocean and its foamy waves wash the black sands at the foot of the rock.
Then, we continue our journey to the Reinisfjara beach near the Vik village and stop there for a walk along the shore. It is considered the most impressive black sand beach in Iceland, with a fantastic cliff of vertically shifted basalt columns resembling a stone step pyramid called Gardar. Going out to sea, you will see the stunning shape of Reinisdrangar basaltic stacks. However, beware of powerful waves and do not get too close to the water.
From the black sand beach, we drive to the Vik to complete exploring the area around the Reinisfjall mountain and go to Fjadrargljufur canyon near the Kirkjubaerklaustur town. Fjadrargljufur is a magnificent massive canyon, about 2 km long and up to 100m/300ft deep. It has a narrow and snaky shape and steep slopes. It is believed that Fjaðrargljufur formed around ten thousand years ago at the end of the last ice age. After approx. One-hour hike at the canyon, we go to Kirkjubaejarklaustur for an overnight stay there.
Duration 9-10 hours. Driving distance 205 km/125 miles. Overnight stay in Kirkjubaejarklaustur.
Today we will explore Iceland’s glaciers and head towards the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. Shortly before Jokulsarlon, we will find another glacial lagoon, Fjalsarlon. Here we can be much closer to the glacier than in Jokulsarlon, and you will have a better view of all cracks and faults.
Then we shall visit the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, part of the Vatnajokull National Park. The lagoon’s surface is constantly changing since blue, white, turquoise, and black icebergs peel off the Breidamerkurjokull glacier, slide down, fall into the water, and move in it, gradually melting and decreasing in size.
The lagoon is connected to the ocean and contains a mixture of salt and fresh water, giving it a unique blue-green color. From May to October, local operators offer boat trips around the lagoon. We recommend you take a “Zodiac” or “Amphibia” boat trip in the Jokulsarlon lagoon to get closer to the glacier and icebergs in the water. You will also have the opportunity to walk around the lagoon’s perimeter and visit Diamond Beach.
On the way back from the glacial lagoon, we will visit Skaftafell park, where we can take a short walk (1.5 hours) along the trail that leads to Svartifoss, the thin waterfall surrounded by vertical basalt columns. After Skaftafell park, we head to Reykjavik to spend the night there.
Additionally, on the day, you can join the ice cave (November-March) or a glacier hike tour (3-4 hours) from the glacier lagoon or Skaftafell park.
Duration: 10-12 hours. Range 505 km/345 miles. Overnight in Reykjavik.
We shall leave Reykjavik early in the morning and head northwest; we drive through a tunnel under the Hvalfjordur (Whale Fjord) and make a short stop in the village of Borgarnes, surrounded by reefs and mountains.
Here, we will take a short walk to the ocean’s coast, framed by black lava rocks and yellow volcanic sand. Then we head to the Bjarnarfoss waterfall, which falls off the cliff and flows down a steep slope into the valley. After a short walk to the waterfall, we will visit the nearby old black church in Budir. This church fits perfectly with the magnificent panoramic views around it.
The most iconic and enigmatic attraction of the Snafellsnes Peninsula is the Snafellsjokull glacier, with a mighty volcano under an ice cap. This volcano is one of the most famous places in Iceland. The mystics believe that the volcano has a unique energy field. Without a doubt, this place is stunning, and the local landscapes will surprise even seasoned travelers.
We then stop at Arnarstapi, a small fishing village, to find the small harbor and rocky arch of Gatklettur there. The entire rocky coastline in Artnarstapi is so beautiful that it is worth coming here even for that.
Next, we will go to the rocky cliffs of Londrangar, located at the southern foot of the Snafellsjokull volcano. Londrangar is a unique rock formation formed as a result of ancient eruptions. In summer, many seabirds nest on these rocks. Londrangar and Svaltuf hill are the remains of a crater washed out by the ocean. Local farmers never collected hay on the hill because, according to legend, it belonged to the elves.
And, of course, we will visit Djupalonsandur, a black pebble beach with the remains of a wrecked trawler and mysterious cliffs overlooking the ocean. Djupalonsandur is one of the few places on the peninsula without high cliffs. In the old days, the beach was a fishing station where rowing boats moored, and people processed the caught fish on the shore.
Then we drive to the northern part of the peninsula to the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall, located at the foot of the Kirkjufell mountain. The mountain is one of the arm’s most “photogenic” places, attracting many photographers regardless of the season.
Next, we will go through the Vatnaleid pass from the northern part of the peninsula to the south and return to Reykjavik.
Duration 10-11 hours. Driving distance 440 km/275 miles. Overnight stay in Reykjavik or Mosfellsbaer
Please note: The itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and road conditions.
Accommodation is not included in the tour package. The cost of accommodation and the price of the tour depending on the chosen category (comfort or quality), as well as the time of year you visit Iceland (low/shoulder/high tourist season). The price per person specified in the tour description is calculated when four adults together accommodate in two double comfort rooms during the low tourist season or shoulder season if a tour is not provided during the low season. Please note that accommodation can be changed at your request to rooms of a higher category. If you plan to stay in Iceland longer than the duration of the tour, for example, to add a day before or after the tour, please notice that in the application form.
Reykjavik is a convenient place to stay during the trip, as it is the capital and a very lively and hospitable city. In the city center, there are many small hotels 3*-4* and guesthouses, which are conveniently located for evening walks and visiting local restaurants. For multi-day tours, we recommend staying at hotels fitted to the route. That allows to minimize road overlapping and extend traveling area outside of Reykjavik. It is less choice of lodging places in the countryside and most of the hotels are three-star. It is better to book accommodation in advance, especially for the summertime, otherwise, it will be difficult to find conveniently located hotels at an affordable price.
High season: June 1 – August 31; December 30 – January 2
Shoulder season: May 1 – May 31; September 1 – October 31
Low season: November 1 – December 29; January 3 – April 30
The high tourist season in Iceland is quite short, from June to the end of August. Most tourists visit the country in the summer months, and the maximum load for hotels, rental companies, tour operators reaches in July and August. Lodging and rental prices at this time are almost doubling compared to the low season, and availability may be limited. Therefore, we recommend booking a summer tour a few months before the trip.
Comfort: Standard rooms with separate bathroom and shower (or bath) in a three-star hotel or comfortable guesthouse. Breakfast is included.
Quality: High-quality rooms with separate bathroom and shower (or bath). A superior room in a three-star hotel or a standard room in a four-star hotel. Breakfast is included
In all tour package with a level of comfort or higher, you will have a separate bathroom in the booked rooms. Breakfast is always on.
Double rooms in most Icelandic hotels are rooms with two single beds. In most cases, two single beds can be put into a double bed. However, this can vary between hotels/guesthouses. Triple rooms are in most cases double rooms with an extra bed, so when you install an extra bed, space can be limited. You can choose a combination of rooms when booking.
Children under 2 years old get free accommodation if they live in the same room as their parents. Families with one child are advised to book 3 persons in a double room. This room can accommodate an extra bed or mattress if the available room is too small to accommodate an extra bed. Two adults and two children book two double rooms. Children living in a separate room pay the full cost. When one adult travels with one child, the full cost of a double room is charged.
Check-in time for accommodation in Iceland is usually from 14:00 to 16:00. Some hotels offer early check-in for a minimum fee. However, it depends on the hotel and room availability. The only way to ensure an early check-in is to also book the night before. However, if the room is ready, you can check-in sooner.
If you want to change the hotel, we will do everything possible to change your stay in the hotel. Please note that due to low availability and high demand in summer we cannot guarantee some hotels. If you want to book a particular hotel, we will naturally do our best to provide it to you, but keep in mind that there may be an additional charge.
Most hotels and guest houses in Iceland provide free access to wi-fi internet. Some hotels and guesthouses may charge a small fee for internet access.
Assuming that before ordering a tour or when you prepare for the trip, you may have questions that we want to answer in advance to provide you with complete information about the tour and make it comfortable as possible. If you have any other questions, please contact us.
In general – the sooner the better, considering the fact that most of our tours are privately guided, availability on certain dates might be limited.
We require a 15% deposit at the time of booking. Full payment is due 4 weeks before arrival.
Payments are collected online while booking. We accept major credit cards. If you have any problems with using a credit card, please contact us. If another way of payment is preferable, please contact us through e-mail at info@topicelandtours.com
Once you are confident about your trip selection proceed to press the Tour Request tab. Here you will fill in the required information and proceed through the tour request.
After agreeing on the details of the tour and price, we require a 15% deposit at the time of booking. Full payment is due 4 weeks before arrival date.
Once a booking is made an automatic e-mail is sent informing you that the order has been placed and is currently being processed by the Top Iceland team. You will then be contacted by one of our trusted travel agents with further details.
Several factors determine the tour price:
- Time of the year you plan on visiting (high, low, and shoulder seasons)
- Accommodation type (we offer comfort and quality grades, you can choose one or a mixture of both)
- Number of people traveling together (up to 15 people in a group)
- Type of vehicle for transportation (SUV, Minivan, or Minibus)
- Optional Activities (Various optional activities are available with each trip)
Pick-ups are included in the tour price and provided from Keflavik airport upon your flight arrival, your driver-guide will await you at the arrival hall holding a tag with the lead traveler name. Pick-up and drop off on other days will be from hotels reserved according to the tour itinerary.
Check-in time for accommodation in Iceland is usually between 14:00-16:00. The only way to secure an early check-in is to book the night before as well. However, if a room is ready you should be able to check-in early.
Most hotels and guesthouses in Iceland provide free access to Wi-Fi Internet. Some hotels and guesthouses might charge a small fee for access to the internet.
Solid, warm & waterproof shoes, as well as warm rain & windproof outdoor clothing, is recommended for all the tours. (Please see the question below about weather and temperature).
Here below, a table with average temperatures, precipitation, and daylights by months in Iceland:
| Month | Avg. High | Avg. Low | Avg. Rainfall | Avg. Sunlight |
| January | 36°F (2°C) | 28°F (-2°C) | 4 inches | 5 hours |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 28°F (-2°C) | 4.3 inches | 8 hours |
| March | 38°F (3°C) | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.7 inches | 12 hours |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 34°F (1°C) | 2.9 inches | 16 hours |
| May | 48°F (9°C) | 40°F (4°C) | 2.3 inches | 18 hours |
| June | 54°F (12°C) | 46°F (8°C) | 2.1 inches | 21 hours |
| July | 57°F (14°C) | 49°F (9°C) | 2.7 inches | 19 hours |
| August | 55°F (13°C) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.5 inches | 16 hours |
| September | 50°F (10°C) | 42°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches | 13 hours |
| October | 44°F (7°C) | 36°F (2°C) | 4.5 inches | 9 hours |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 30°F (-1°C) | 4.2 inches | 6 hours |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 29°F (-2°C) | 4.1 inches | 4 hours |
Please remember, that weather in Iceland changes rapidly and you cannot count on long-term forecasts. Two most reliable sources of the weather forecast: https://www.vedur.is/ and https://www.yr.no/
Fortunately not, even on the shortest days of the year, there are several hours of daylight every day – between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM. If you wish to check a specific time of a year we recommend to use https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/iceland/reykjavik
Yes, it is requested by Icelandic law to have child seats/boosters. Some families are already traveling on their own, but if you would like us to provide child seats and/or boosters on the tour, please send us an e-mail at info@topicelandtours.com
We arrange refreshment stops at cafés or restaurants on every day tour, where you can purchase your lunch and snacks. Therefore, you do not need to bring your food for the tours, however, if you prefer to bring some snacks or drinks, that is accepted. Please note that food is not included in the price of the tour.
Nearly all restaurants in Iceland offer some vegetarian food. There is no problem with purchasing vegetarian meals on tours.
The bathrooms are available at visitor centers at many stops on popular routes such as Golden Circle and South Coast. Some bathroom stops are available on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula tour. Your driver-guide will inform you about available places for bathroom stops on the route.
Tipping in Iceland is not required but always appreciated.
Cancellation policy for multiday tours and accommodations:
All cancellations should be made in writing and be notified as soon as possible.
- For changes made 15 days or more before arrival date: 20% cancellation fee
- For changes made 14-8 days before arrival date: 50% cancellation fee
- For changes made 7-4 days before arrival date: 75% cancellation fee
- For changes made 3 days or less before arrival date: 100% cancellation fee
Please note: Activities (Optional Extras) are individual products provided by other local operators that can have different cancellation policies. For full information about cancellation policies please check the page Terms & Conditions.
Refunds of tours canceled before departure by Top Iceland Tours:
When the tour is prepaid, a full refund will be issued in case a customer does not wish an alternative date of the tour or an alternative tour. When a tour is purchased through a third party (tourist office/booking agency or a hotel), please take your voucher back to the third party and they will issue the full refund after reconfirming with Top Iceland Tours that the tour was canceled.
Refunds of delayed, altered, or shortened tours after the departure:
When a tour is delayed due to weather, unsafe travel conditions, or unforeseen circumstances, no refunds are provided if the tour still operates. When the tour is altered or shortened after the departure due to weather, any unsafe travel conditions, or unforeseen circumstances, a partial refund is provided. The percentage of the refund is calculated according to how much of the initial itinerary has been completed.
Cancellations or change of multiday tours and accommodations by customers:
All cancellations should be made in writing and be notified as soon as possible.
- For changes made 15 days or more before arrival date: 20% cancellation fee
- For changes made 14-8 days before arrival date: 50% cancellation fee
- For changes made 7-4 days before arrival date: 75% cancellation fee
- For changes made 3 days or less before arrival date: 100% cancellation fee
This cancellation policy may apply also when booked through a third party.
No Show
When passengers are not present at the pickup place at the appointed time, we try to contact the lead traveler through the hotel staff or by phone. If we can’t contact the lead traveler, and there are no passengers are shown during an hour, this is considered as “No Show” and no refund will be made.
