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Vatnajökull National Park Northern Lights

Our most recommended Vatnajökull National Park Northern Lights

South Coast Iceland: 2-Day Blue Ice Cave & Jokulsarlon Tour

1. South Coast Iceland: 2-Day Blue Ice Cave & Jokulsarlon Tour

You adventure begins with you being picked up in Reykjavík in a small and comfortable minibus before heading straight to the south. Your first stop will be the almighty Seljalandsfoss waterfall, bring a raincoat and you’ll be able to make the short hike behind the falls. Following this, you will progress onward to the Skógafoss waterfall. Tucked in a little gorge, the river Skógá tumbles down a 60-meter cliff before continuing down the landscape towards the Atlantic Ocean. You will then reach a blue ice cave, where you will have the opportunity to hike through this natural phenomenon Following the ice cave, you will hike an outlet glacier spawning from the one of the largest glaciers in the country. After meeting your highly trained glacier guides you will hike on the ice for 1.5 hours, a truly spectacular experience and opportunity to learn more about this breathtaking and increasingly rare natural phenomena. In the evening you will arrive at your hotel in the southeast, where you will have dinner before meeting your guide for further information about the Northern Lights. If the sky is clear and the forecast is good your guide will find a good spot to hunt the famous Aurora Borealis. You will then visit a black sand beach, home to many types of Iceland birds and other wildlife, before retiring back to your accommodation for the night. Day 2 will begin with a venture to the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, a 200m deep glacial lagoon fed by Breiðamerkurjökull, an outlet glacier of Europe’s largest glacier. You will be able to witness icebergs floating from this glacier lagoon out into the Atlantic Ocean where they are quickly thrown back to shore by the tide and winds. This black sand beach is full of smaller ice rocks in all shapes and sizes, sparkling like diamonds in the daylight. The ice itself comes in all shades of white and blue forming beautiful contrasts. Your day will conclude with your return to Reykjavík.

From Reykjavik: 3-Day South Coast Winter Tour with Ice Cave

2. From Reykjavik: 3-Day South Coast Winter Tour with Ice Cave

Explore the geothermal and frozen landscapes of the south coast of Iceland on a 3-day tour. Marvel at amazing waterfalls and explore an ice cave. Be wowed by black lava sand beaches, walk on the shores of Glacier Lagoon, and feel the thrill as you encounter spectacular geothermal features. Day 1: Golden Circle & Kerið Volcanic Crater On the first day you will visit all the best-known places in Iceland that make the Golden Circle Route: Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Golden Waterfall and Haukadalur Geothermal area that is home to Strokkur Geyser. Before heading to your lodging for the night you will also visit the volcanic crater lake of Kerið. When spending the night in a lovely village of Hveragerði you can walk around Geothermal Park or by Reykjafoss Waterfall searching for Northern Lights (if weather conditions are favorable). Day 2: South Coast of Iceland Second day will start with drive across the South Coast of Iceland to reach your first destination - Seljalandsfoss waterfall and nearby hidden waterfall of Gljufrabui. Continue to Skógafoss waterfall to watch the Skógá River fall 60 meters at the powerful cascades. After seeing three stunning waterfalls comes time to walk on the worlds-famous Black Sand Beach of Reynisfjara. Dark volcanic sands stretch as far as the eye can see, with mighty Atlantic waves crashing into the Reynisdrangar, fingers of volcanic rock that tower into the sky just offshore. Second night, this time spent in remote location in South-East Iceland, brings more chances to spot aurora. Day 3: Ice Caving Expedition and Glacier Lagoon This day takes you deep into the Vatnajokull National Park. Walk on shores of Glacier Lagoon and on ice scattered beach called Diamond. The highlight of the whole tour is an ice caving. Equipped with all the necessary safety equipment you will jump on the super jeep taking you to the stunning natural ice cave laying underneath the biggest glacier in Europe - Vatnajokull. The Blue Ice Cave really shows the tremendous forces of Icelandic nature, as they are formed naturally in glaciers when fresh water freezes in the plunging winter temperatures. New caves are created every year as the glaciers freeze and melt and refreeze into different shapes. On that day you will also stop by a traditional turf church and take another look at basalt columns when having a refreshment break in the village of Vik.

From Reykjavik 2-Day South Coast Tour with Blue Ice Cave

3. From Reykjavik 2-Day South Coast Tour with Blue Ice Cave

Explore the geothermal landscapes of the south coast of Iceland on a 2-day tour to some of the most amazing waterfalls, ice caves and black lava sand beaches. Day 1: South Coast - Waterfalls - Reynisfjara Depart Reykjavík and drive along Route 1 en route to Seljalandsfoss and the Gljufrabui (Hidden Falls) waterfalls beneath the Eyjafjallajokull volcano. Continue to Skógafoss waterfall to watch the Skógá River fall 60 meters at the powerful cascades. Walk on the world-famous black sand beach of Reynisfjara. Drive on to the East to spend the night at a hotel with private bathroom close to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. Search the sky for the Northern Lights if conditions are favorable. Day 2: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon - Blue Ice Cave Day 2 starts with visit at Vatnajokull National Park where views of the wilderness will take your breath away. See the icebergs of Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon as they crack off Breiðamerkurjökull glacier and float out to sea.   Drive by Super Jeep to one of the ice caves that form in the winter and get about 1 hour to explore the magical blue caves. Return to Jökulsárlón to take the bus back to Reykjavik. Make a quick stop in Vik for refreshments along the way. 

Glacier Lagoon: Aurora Ice Cave Experience

4. Glacier Lagoon: Aurora Ice Cave Experience

Explore one of the amazing, naturally formed Ice Cave, which are only accessible in the winter time, when the meltwater from the dynamic outlet glacier freezes over and leaves behind giant ice tunnels. Begin the tour from Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon. Meet your highly trained and certified glacier guide, who will provide the necessary glacier gear for this expedition — crampons, harness, and helmet. Step aboard the glacier bus, which will take you to the glacier terminal face. Listen to a safety briefing and learn how to use the necessary equipment. This spectacular Ice Cave with all the blue and green colors of the spectrum, from light to ocean blue with hints of crystal and green ice. The Ice Cave draws its name from the Northern Lights as the colors of it feel like the Northern Lights left a part of themselves inside the cave. Take in the beauty of the cave and capture the memory as a perfect photograph. Listen to how and why these ice caves are formed. After exploring the cave, return to surface and head back over the glacier to the bus before returning to Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon where your tour began.

From Reykjavik: Iceland 4-day South and West Coast Tour

5. From Reykjavik: Iceland 4-day South and West Coast Tour

Enjoy the experience of a lifetime on this unforgettable 4-day tour of the Land of Fire and Ice! Your adventure will start with a city pick-up, traveling in a small group (19 or less), and savoring the scenery en route to West Iceland. Day 1 - Silver Circle & Lava Caving After a stop in Borgarnes, you’ll see the most powerful hot spring in Europe at Deildartunguhver and two spectacular waterfalls at Hraunfossar and Barnafoss. Then we’ll take you deep underground to explore a lava tunnel at Víðgelmir, where you’ll see fascinating ice and lava formations! Day 1 will end in the Viking heartland of Húsafell and Reykholt before spending the night in Borgarnes. Day 2 | Snæfellsnes National Park The second day will take you to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, often called “Iceland in Miniature.” You’ll see the famous “Black Church” at Budakirkja and the thrilling rock formations at Arnarstapi, including Gatklettur and the towering pinnacles at Lóndrangar. Take a stroll on the picturesque black sand beach at Djúpalónssandur and enjoy the breathtaking sight of Kirkjufell, one of Iceland’s most photogenic peaks. We’ll then return to the city for the night. Day 3 | South Coast Waterfalls & Black Beach The third day takes you to Iceland’s stunning South Coast, where you’ll be amazed by a parade of astonishing waterfalls, including Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi, and Skógafoss. You’ll get close to a glittering glacier at Sólheimajökull, discover the dark rock arches of Dyrhólaey, and walk on the famous black sand beach at Reynisfjara. We’ll stay in the peaceful countryside overnight, always watching for the Northern Lights overhead, provided the weather conditions are suitable! Day 4 | Glacier Lagoon & Blue Ice Cave The final day brings you to the dream destination of the Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach at Jökulsárlón. Then we’ll take you deep into the Vatnajökull National Park with a Super Jeep journey for a Blue Ice Cave experience! On our return to Reykjavík, you’ll also see a traditional turf-roofed church at Hofskirkja.

From Reykjavik: 4-Day Blue Ice Cave and Northern Lights Tour

6. From Reykjavik: 4-Day Blue Ice Cave and Northern Lights Tour

After getting picked up from your hotel on the first day of your tour, head to the geothermal area and see the famous Geysir, Gullfoss waterfall, and Thingvellir National Park. While traveling along the Golden Circle, you will also visit a traditional farm in Hraðastaðir, where you will meet and pet local Icelandic animals such as rabbits, horses, goats, and sheep. On the second and third day, explore the famous South Coast. Along the shore, visit the famous black sand beach, Reynisfjara, and a stunning glacier lagoon, Jökulsárlón, in Vatnajökull National Park. Here, explore Europe’s largest glacier and enter the crystal caves, a true masterpiece of nature. If nature allows, you may even get to witness the magnificent Northern Lights. On the fourth day, travel through beautiful Western Iceland. Here, explore the hidden gem of the West, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, also known as “Iceland in a nutshell”. Visit several magnificent and picturesque sites here: glacier-carved mountains, endless black beaches, moss topped lava fields, volcanic craters, and coastal cliffs. At the end of your tour, get dropped off back at your hotel in Reykjavik.

Other Sightseeing Options in Vatnajökull National Park

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What people are saying about Vatnajökull National Park

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 25 reviews

Great experience to visit a large part of the southern and western part of Iceland in winter atmosphere in 4 days. We are glad that we let ourselves be driven and did not go out with a car ourselves. The wintry weather was not appealing to drive yourself and you meet a lot of other nationalities. Of course, the special nature in Iceland also helped a lot. Highly recommended.

Great two day tour, our guide Cristina went above and beyond to make sure we had a lot of fun and made the most of our time. The itinerary was just right so that we didn’t spend too long on the bus. Make sure to bring ponchos with you if raining as the petrol stations often sell out.

What a wonderful trip. Our driver Mike was a terrific guide and driver. He provided great information about each stop and the sites along the way. The glacial (blue) cave IS A MUST SEE if you are in Iceland in the winter. There was also a great glacial lagoon. This trip is a MUST

This was the best tour in Iceland, the guide was very welcoming, the scenery was beautiful and we saw the Aurora Borealis!

The stops were very good and the guides were excellent. We had a great time.