3 Day Golden Circle & South Coast

On this 3-day tour, you'll experience both the Golden Circle and the South Coast without having to choose between them. Discover it all!

Begin with the world-famous Golden Circle route, where you'll visit the Geysir geothermal area and witness Strokkur's regular eruptions of boiling water. At Thingvellir National Park, walk between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, and explore the historical site. Finally, see Gullfoss Waterfall, known for its impressive cascade of water through a canyon. The tour then shifts to the iconic South Coast, where you'll see Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, renowned for its walk-behind viewing experience. Visit Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, famous for its floating icebergs. Depending on the season, you'll either hike on a glacier or explore the Katla Ice Cave. The itinerary also includes Reynisfjara black sand beach and Skogafoss Waterfall. This well-rounded trip covers Iceland's key natural attractions and offers opportunities to see the Northern Lights in winter.

Pick-up Information: Pick up is at 9:00 from your hotel or a nearby meeting point in Reykjavík. Picking everyone up can take up to 30 minutes, your patience is much appreciated.

Your 3-Day Golden Circle and South Coast tour begins with the famous Golden Circle: Þingvellir (Thingvellir), Geysir and Gullfoss. Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the historic location of the Icelandic Parliament, the Alþingi. Established in 930 c.e., this is the oldest continuously operated Parliament in the world, situated in one of the most geologically fascinating places on the planet.

Thingvellir is home to a rift valley between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. Stand atop the Law Rock where the Law Speaker, the Parliament's orator, would make speeches. The cliffs look out over Þingvallavatn, a very beautiful lake set within this incredible landscape.

Next, you'll visit the geothermal wonder Geysir Geothermal Area. Geysir was once a magnificent geyser that lent its name to the English word geyser. Though now dormant, its neighbor Strokkur always delights. You won't have to wait more than a few minutes to see Strokkur burst forth scalding water skywards, jumping up to 25 meters high. Finally, we stop at Gullfoss (the Golden Falls), the most-visited waterfall in Iceland. Witness the powerful Hvita (“White”) River roar down the two-tiered cliffs into the rugged canyon below. The force of the falls and the beauty of the surrounding golden mist are a sight to behold. After the Golden Circle, we drive southward. On a clear day, we'll get great views of Mount Hekla on the way to Seljalandsfoss, one of the most unusual waterfalls in the world. You can walk behind these graceful falls to enjoy the view from both sides.

Your hotel for the night will be close to the small town of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, a fantastic base to catch the mesmerizing Northern Lights during September and April months if conditions are right. A little luck is very useful when it comes to auroras!

Day Highlights
Þingvellir National Park (Thingvellir)
Geysir hot spring area
Gullfoss Waterfall
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Hekla - Volcano Views (weather permitting)

Included
Guided Minibus Tour
The Golden Circle (Geysir, Gullfoss and Þingvellir)
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Northern Lights Hunting (During September-April in good conditions)
One night at a hotel

In the morning, we head east towards the magnificent Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and nearby Diamond Beach. The lagoon is filled with icebergs of all shapes and sizes, as they glide in a dreamlike procession towards the salty waves of the Atlantic. The multifaceted colors are caused by a combination of factors, including ice compression.

Many of them are washed ashore at the Diamond Beach, where they glitter like diamonds on the black sand. There's nothing quite like walking on the beach as sunlight illuminates the beach with bright blue tones of the icebergs. Ocean birds are abundant and, if you're lucky, you might spot a playful seal. Your hotel for the night will be in the Skaftafell area, another great base to test your Northern Lights luck if you are traveling during September - April months! From Jokulsarlon, we head to Skaftafell Nature Reserve for a new adventure. From October to April, we join our certified glacier guide and step into the mesmerizing world of the Vatnajokull Glacier. After taking a beautiful glacier hike, we'll enter a natural ice cave where you'll have some time to explore and take photos. Photographers will get the rare chance to capture mysterious blue light passing through glacial ice. During your adventure, an expert guide will explain the process of how these glacial ice formations came to be. From May to September, we go to the only natural ice cave you can visit all year - the Katla Ice Cave tour near Vik.

The ice cave we visit will be chosen based on current conditions. Including both ice cave and glacier hike exploration, we'll spend roughly 2 hours on the ice. This tour is suitable for people who are able to comfortably walk around 2 hours across easy outdoor terrain. Ice cave temperatures hover well below freezing, so don't forget to dress warmly.

Your accommodation for the night will be at the same hotel - Adventure Hotel Geirland.

Day Highlights
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
The Diamond Beach
Natural Ice Cave
Glacier Hike (winter only)
Vatnajokull Glacier
Skaftafell Nature Reserve
Svartifoss Waterfall

Included
Breakfast at the hotel
Guided Minibus Tour
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Guided ice cave and glacier hike tour
Hike to Svartifoss Waterfall (summer only)
Northern Lights Hunting (During September-April in good conditions)
One night in a hotel

After a nourishing breakfast, we’ll start our day slowly driving towards Reykjavik and making plenty of stops along the way. If the roads are clear, we’ll start the day off with a quick detour to Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon. Next, we’ll have the chance to visit the iconic Eldhraun lava field before heading to Reynisfjara black beach. The powerful waves of the Atlantic Ocean really show their force here. Watch as these roaring, white-tipped beauties crash onto the black beach. A word of warning - the waves here can be unpredictable! Always follow the advice of your tour guide. You should pop into the black basalt cave before you leave the beach. Reynisfjara is famous for its basalt columns just off the shore, called the Reynisdrangar. Gazing up at these dramatic black pillars, you’ll get a good idea of where the legends of Icelandic troll folklore sprang from! After Reynisfjara, our next stop will be a visit to Skógafoss, an impressive waterfall that drops 60 m into a tranquil pool below. There are 527 steps leading to the top, yet the steep climb is worth it for the panorama alone. The famous volcano, Eyjafjallajökull, lurks high above the waterfall, so if visibility is good you’ll get a glimpse of this magnificent mountain glacier.

After enjoying our final stop at Skógafoss, your 3-Day Iceland’s South Coast tour comes to an end. We’ll return to Reykjavík between 16:00 and 19:00, depending on the weather conditions.

Day Highlights
Eldhraun Lava Field
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon (weather permitting)
Skógafoss Waterfall
Reynisfjara Black Beach
Eyjafjallajökull Volcano/Glacier Views (weather permitting)

Included
Breakfast at the hotel
Guided Minibus Tour/Return to Reykjavík

Pick-up & drop off from Reykjavík
Guided Minibus Tour
Golden Circle (Gullfoss, Geysir & Þingvellir)
Highlights of the South Coast
Ice Cave Visit and Glacier Hiking
Certified Glacier Guide
English Speaking Tour Guide
All Necessary Glacier Equipment
All Required Safety Equipment
Hotel Room with Private Bathroom for 2 nights
Hotel Breakfasts on Days 2 & 3
Free WiFi on Board Your Bus

What to bring
Warm outdoor clothing including layers
Thermal underwear (top and bottom)
Waterproof jacket and pants
Headwear
Scarves
Gloves
Sturdy hiking boots are essential for glacier hiking