5-Day Winter Private Guided Tour of Iceland | Golden Circle, Black Sand Beach & Glacier Lagoon

You’ll arrive at Keflavík International Airport, which is located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, about 40 minute’s drive from Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík. After you’ve collected your bags, you will meet a private driver in the arrival halls who will take you to the city.

If you arrive in the morning or early afternoon, you can begin your adventures in Iceland right away by taking a dip in the Blue Lagoon. This famous spa, located in the middle of a lava field, has soothing, mineral-rich water and will provide you with a nourishing silica mask — a sure way to cure you of any jet lag.

Once in Reykjavík, you’ll check into your hotel. There, your local, private guide will meet you to go over the itinerary with you and answer any questions you might have. You will then have free time to spend in the city where you can explore the downtown area’s colourful houses and quirky cafés.

Highlights Today:

• Reykjanes Peninsula
• Reykjavík City

Optional Activities:

• Visiting the Blue Lagoon

Your guide will pick you up after breakfast in a powerful but comfortable truck which is specially equipped to handle Iceland’s snowy roads. You’ll be taken out of the city and into the wintry countryside.

Your first stop will be at the historical Þingvellir National Park. A thousand years ago, Viking settlers would gather here to settle disputes and lay the laws of the land. The area is also geographically interesting: it is situated between two tectonic plates. The unique location provides you with an unparalleled view of lava fields, gorges, and Iceland’s largest lake, Þingvallavatn.

On the northern side of the lake is a fissure called Silfra. It is filled with meltwater from the nearby Langjökull glacier, which makes the water incredibly pure and crystal-clear. Here, you can go on a once-in-a-lifetime snorkelling tour where you’ll actually be swimming between the North American and European continents. Just make a reservation during the booking process, and you’ll be off on an adventure of a lifetime.

From Þingvellir you’ll visit Geysir Geothermal Area where you’ll find bubbling mud pools, hot springs, and erupting geysers. The most active one is Strokkur, which erupts every 5-10 minutes, reaching heights of over 15-20 metres. It is quite the spectacle, so make sure to keep your camera ready for when it goes off.

Last on the Golden Circle route is Gullfoss waterfall. Born in the river Hvítá, this majestic cascade with its raw energy and power will surely leave you breathless. Here you can opt for a snowmobiling tour on Langjökull, the glacier which feeds the Hvítá river. Whizzing through the white plain on a snowmobile is a surefire way to get your blood pumping.

If you’d like a more slower-paced tour which is equally exciting, you could, instead, opt for a horseback riding excursion. The Icelandic horse is a small breed but also very friendly and intelligent, making it the perfect companion for both expert and novice riders alike.

You will end the day at a countryside hotel in the area. Your guide will let you know if conditions are favourable for Northern Lights spotting in the evening.

Highlights Today:

• Þingvellir National Park
• Lake Þingvallavatn
• Geysir Geothermal Area
• Strokkur Geyser
• Gullfoss Waterfall

Optional Activities:

• Snorkelling in Silfra Fissure
• Snowmobiling on Langjökull Glacier
• Horseback riding

Today, you’ll explore the diverse attractions on South Iceland’s coast. First off is a stunning waterfall called Seljalandsfoss. The cascade is narrow but very high. In the low winter light, it is illuminated with spotlights, giving it a majestic glow.

The next stop is at another waterfall, Skógafoss, a much wider and powerful cascade than its neighbour. The land underneath Skógafoss is very flat, which allows visitors to walk right up to the falling spring water for some unique photographs.

You’ll be in the shadow of two majestic glaciers today, the infamous Eyjafjallajökull and the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap. If you wish to spice up your journey today with an icy adventure, you’ll have three choices:

First up is the Katla ice cave tour. On this tour, you’ll visit an authentic ice cave on Mýrdalsjökull, a glacier which covers the volcano Katla. It really doesn’t get any more Icelandic than this. The cave is sometimes bright blue but sometimes translucent and streaked with ash from past volcanic eruptions. 

Alternatively, you can go glacier hiking on Sólheimajökull, an outlet glacier of the larger Mýrdalsjökull. Accompanied by a professional glacier guide, you’ll trek up the ice cap and see strange ice formations and deep crevasses.

Your last option is a snowmobiling tour on Sólheimajökull. An excellent choice if you missed your chance on Langjökull glacier yesterday. Racing across a glacier, adrenaline surging through your veins, is an experience you will soon not forget. 

You’ll then make a stop at the black sand beach of Reynisfjara. Here, you’ll see the grey, geometric cliffs, jet-black sand, and white waves of the N-Atlantic ocean. After taking a few photos here, you’ll hop back into the car, and the driver will take you to your accommodations near Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. If you still have daylight, you might make a stop there. However, there will be plenty of time tomorrow to explore this beautiful lagoon.

Highlights Today:

• Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
• Skógafoss Waterfall
• Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

Optional Activities:

• Katla ice cave tour in Mýrdalsjökull Glacier
• Glacier hiking on Sólheimajökull Glacier
• Snowmobiling on Sólheimajökull Glacier

You’ll start today with a visit to the beautiful Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, a calm body of water filled with enormous icebergs. You can sometimes see seals swimming between the bergs and the lagoon is surrounded by mountains and glaciers. You can easily lose all track of time looking at this mesmerising landscape. 

The icebergs from the lagoon make their way towards the ocean but sometimes wash up on a nearby black sand beach where they glisten in the sunlight. The official name of the beach is Breiðamerkursandur. However, due to the ice, the beach has earned a more easily ponuncable nickname: Diamond Beach.  

You can opt for an ice cave tour on Vatnajökull glacier today. At Jökulsárlón, you’ll hop aboard another large vehicle and head up the glacier where you’ll find the majestic Blue Ice Cave. The shimmering ice and intense blue colours of the cave is bound to take your breath away.

Alternatively, you can opt for a glacier hike today as you travel back towards the capital. Skaftafell is a stunning nature reserve known for its many hiking tracks and paths. You can walk around some of them on your own but if you want to hike up a glacier, you’ll need a glacier guide. On a trip up the ice cap, you’ll get a fantastic view of south and east Iceland and the country’s highest peaks.

You’ll then travel the south coast towards Reykjavík. If you wish to explore some of the places further you saw in the previous days, just let your private guide know. Alternatively, you can ask him for recommendations of something new. The local guide is sure to know of some great spots away from all the crowds. 

Once in Reykjavík, you’ll be dropped off by your hotel where you can bid farewell to your guide. You will then have the evening free to explore the city or unwind at your hotel room. 

Highlights Today:

• Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
• Diamond Beach
• Skaftafell Nature Reserve

Optional Activities:

• Ice cave tour in Vatnajökull Glacier
• Glacier hiking in Skaftafell Nature Reserve

Now it is time to pack your bags and say ‘goodbye’ to Iceland. If your flight leaves in the afternoon or evening, you can store your bags at the hotel and explore downtown Reykjavík.

We highly recommend that you take a walk down Laugavegur shopping street and explore the colourful houses and street art. We also recommend a walk up to Hallgrímskirkja Church, the iconic landmark building of Iceland, and to the architectural wonder of Harpa Concert Hall. 

When it is time to head to the airport, a personal driver will pick you up and take you across the lava fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula to the airport. If you didn’t have time on your arrival day, you could add a trip to the Blue Lagoon on this day. You’d arrive at the airport relaxed and rested after a dip in the spa’s geothermal water. 

We hope you had a fantastic time and come back soon!

Highlights Today:

• Hallgrímskirkja Church
• Harpa Concert Hall
• Reykjanes Peninsula

Optional Activities:

• Visiting the Blue Lagoon