Northern Lights & Ice Caves: A Premium 7-Day Winter Guided Tour

An intimate experience — max 16 travelers — Use promo code NEWPREMIUM for 15% discount

Duration

7 Days

Availability

Winter

Difficulty

Easy

Minimum Age

No Age Limit

Overview

Experience the raw elegance of an Icelandic winter on a journey that balances iconic landmarks with quiet, insider discoveries. From the vibrant culture of Reykjavík to the blue ice of Vatnajökull, this tour is designed for those who value space, story, and the freedom to explore at their own pace. With a professional guide to navigate the wild terrain and exclusive access to hidden springs and local farms, you’ll witness the island’s most dramatic season in total comfort.

Included

  • A small-group experience with no more than 16 people
  • 6 nights at hand-selected accommodation
  • Professional, English-speaking, local guide 
  • Transportation in a Luxury Sprinter Minivan (days 3 to 6)
  • Private airport transfers (arrival and departure) with a 2-hour stop in either the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon on arrival day.
  • Entry to the Blue Lagoon or the Sky Lagoon.
  • Four 3-course dinners: Includes a welcome dinner in Reykjavík, one dinner at Hótel Grímsborgir, and two dinners at Fosshótel Núpar.
  • 4 Hour Food & Culture Walking Tour on Day 2
  • Laugarvatn Bakery & Horse Farm Visit on Day 3
  • Skógar Museum with a museum guide on Day 4
  • Ice Cave Tour on Day 5
  • In-depth itinerary with local tips and insights into Iceland’s nature, history, and vibrant culture
  • Hands-on travel agent to oversee your itinerary
  • 24/7 on-call support during your travels
  • Breakfast each morning of your trip
  • Taxes

Not included

  • Flights to/from Iceland
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Meals, drinks, and entrance fees (unless otherwise stated)
  • Any services not listed as “Included”

Itinerary

Silhouette of two people looking at the northern lights.

Day 1: Arrival & Northern Lights

Upon landing at Keflavík Airport, a private transfer takes you across the Reykjanes Peninsula toward the capital. En route, you’ll stop for a soak in the geothermal waters of either the Blue Lagoon or the Sky Lagoon to unwind after your flight. In the evening, you’ll join the group and your guide for a welcome dinner in Reykjavík to discuss the week ahead. Afterward, you have the option to head out on a guided evening excursion into the countryside, where a specialist tracks clearer skies to find the best vantage point for the Northern Lights. You’ll spend the night at Hótel Reykjavík Saga.

Highlights:

  • Private airport transfer
  • Stop at either the Blue Lagoon or the Sky Lagoon
  • Welcome dinner with your guide and group
  • Northern Lights Tour
Rye bread and other traditional Icelandic food on a plate

Day 2: City Soul & Culinary Secrets

Today is about getting to know the world’s northernmost capital. You’ll join a local expert for a four-hour food and culture walk, navigating the colorful backstreets of Reykjavík to sample authentic flavors and hear the stories behind our landmarks. It’s an intimate way to connect with the city’s creative pulse and culinary heritage. The rest of the day is yours to wander at your own pace. Whether you choose to explore the boutique galleries of Laugavegur, browse the local design shops, or find a quiet corner in one of our celebrated coffee houses, the city’s sophisticated charm is yours to discover. 

Highlights:

  • Food & Culture Walking Tour
  • Hallgrímskirkja Church
  • Laugavegur Shopping Street
  • Harpa Concert Hall
  • The Sun Voyager
  • There are no optional activities for this day.
Gullfoss waterfall in the winter, covered in frost and snow

Day 3: The Golden Circle Unearthed

Your private guide will meet you early to head inland, beating the midday rush to arrive at Þingvellir National Park while the morning is still quiet. After walking the rift between the tectonic plates, you’ll stop at Laugarvatn to see how local rye bread is slow-baked in the steaming geothermal sands, then continue to the mist and thunder of Gullfoss. Following a lunch among the tomato vines at Friðheimar and a visit to the erupting pools of Geysir, the route takes a more personal turn with a visit to Thor Hestar. Here, you’ll meet Einar, a local breeder and friend of your guide, for a quiet look at the Icelandic horse on a private farm. Your day concludes at the vivid Kerið Crater before you settle into your hotel, Hotel Grimsborgir, for the evening. 

Highlights:

  • Þingvellir National Park
  • Geysir Geothermal Area
  • Gullfoss Waterfall
  • Horse Stable Visit
  • Kerið Crater Lake
  • There are no optional activities for this day.
A person standing in front of Skógafoss Waterfall in the Winter.

Day 4: The Dramatic South Coast

Today, you’ll head further east to witness the iconic cascades that define the Icelandic coastline. Your first stops are the elegant Seljalandsfoss and its hidden neighbor, Gljúfrabúi, tucked away inside a narrow canyon. After taking in the scale of Skógafoss, you’ll stop for a relaxed lunch at the bistro nearby before heading into the Skógar Museum. Here, a dedicated museum guide will share the history of Icelandic turf houses and the resilience of those who lived in them. The afternoon concludes on the world-famous black sands of Reynisfjara, where you can watch the Atlantic waves crash against the basalt columns. Your day ends at Fosshótel Núpar near Kirkjubæjarklaustur. This remote sanctuary is set in a wide lava field with an unobstructed sky, making it one of the best locations on the coast to watch for the Northern Lights directly from the hotel.

Highlights:

  • Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi & Skógafoss Waterfalls
  • Skógar Museum
  • Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
  • There are no optional activities for this day.
A man inside a blue ice cave in Vatnajokull National Park, Iceland.

Day 5: Glacier Lagoons & Ice Caves

Your morning begins with a stop at the historic Hofskirkja, one of the last turf churches in Iceland, nestled under the mountains. From there, you’ll head deep into Vatnajökull National Park for an ice cave tour, where you’ll walk through the translucent blue heart of a glacier. After working up an appetite, you’ll stop for lunch at the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, watching giant icebergs drift toward the sea before walking across the road to the Diamond Beach. Here, the stranded ice sculptures glisten against the black sand like raw jewels. You’ll return to the quiet comfort of Fosshótel Núpar for a second night, giving you another prime opportunity to catch the aurora over the vast Vatnajökull horizon.

Highlights:

  • Ice Cave Tour in Vatnajökull National Park
  • Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
  • Diamond Beach
  • There are no optional activities for this day.
Inside a cave behind South Iceland's Kvernufoss Waterfall in the winter.

Day 6: Hidden Valleys & The Return to the Capital

Your journey back toward the capital begins with a detour to the little-known Hamrafoss, a local secret where you can fill your water bottle directly from a fresh mountain spring. From there, you’ll witness the dramatic winding walls of Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon and the surreal, moss-covered expanse of the Eldhraun lava field. After a lunch stop in the coastal village of Vík, you’ll head up to the cliffs of Dyrhólaey for a panoramic view of the Atlantic, followed by a visit to the secluded Kvernufoss—a quiet waterfall often overlooked by the passing crowds. Upon arriving back in the city, you’ll bid farewell to your private guide at Hótel Reykjavík Saga, leaving you to enjoy a final evening of sophisticated urban comfort at your own pace. 

Highlights:

  • Hidden Waterfall
  • Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
  • Eldhraun LAva Field
  • Vík Village
  • There are no optional activities for this day.
Solfar, Sun Voyager sculpture in Reykjavik on a cloudy day.

Day 7: Farewell to the North

Your final day in Iceland is yours to enjoy at your own rhythm. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for a final stroll through the city’s design boutiques or a quiet morning in a neighborhood bakery. When the time comes, a private transfer will arrive at your hotel to take you back across the Reykjanes Peninsula to Keflavík International Airport. As you head toward the terminal, you’ll have one last look at the otherworldly landscapes that served as your backdrop for the week, leaving with the stories and stillness of the North well-stored for the journey home.

Highlights:

  • Flexible free time to explore Reykjavík (dependent on flight time)
  • Private airport transfer from your hotel
  • There are no optional activities for this day.

Accommodation

Stay at hand-picked 3 and 4-star boutique hotels chosen by local experts for a premium experience. Enjoy comfortable accommodations featuring private bathrooms, included breakfast, and a refined touch of luxury.

Hotel Reykjavik Saga

Experience Hótel Reykjavík Saga, a stylish boutique hotel in the city center. Enjoy modern rooms with private bathrooms, included breakfast, and easy access to the capital’s top restaurants and cultural spots.

Hotel Grímsborgir

Unwind at Hótel Grímsborgir, a premium Golden Circle retreat. Enjoy spacious rooms with private bathrooms, included breakfast, and outdoor geothermal hot tubs in a setting perfect for quiet Icelandic nights.

Fosshotel Nupar

Stay at Fosshótel Núpar, a premium South Coast retreat. Enjoy modern rooms with private bathrooms, included breakfast, and a panoramic lava field setting—perfect for relaxing after a day of exploring Iceland.

Map

Map of South Iceland to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.

Good to know

  • Please note that the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, so sightings cannot be guaranteed. However, outside of Reykjavík, you will be staying at rural hotels, which increases your chances of seeing them when the weather allows.
  • Note that the itinerary may need to be rearranged to better fit your arrival date and time.
  • The itinerary depends on road and weather conditions, so it may be altered if conditions are not favorable. This includes optional activities as well. If extreme weather affects your travel plans, you will be notified, and we will do our best to assist you in rearranging or booking alternative activities, when applicable.

What to bring

  • Warm and waterproof clothes
  • Good winter shoes that have soles with a good grip or crampons
  • Swimsuit and towel
  • Camera
  • More information on what to pack HERE

Minimum 30% deposit required at time of booking.

Available Dates:

  • 14th of January 2027
  • 11th of February 2027
  • 23rd of March 2027
  • 22nd of November 2027

Or contact us +354 497 0800 - info@traveo.is

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