Winter Wonders & Northern Lights

On this type of tour, you’ll travel around Iceland by bus with the same driver-guide for the length of your trip. Guided group tours are a great way to make like-minded friends, as you’ll spend time with the same travelers for your whole vacation.

You’ll get to stay in accommodation around the country, and some tours include a few evening meals too. After a day’s exploring, you’ll go back to your private room and meet your guide and group the next morning to continue your trip.

All of our guided group tours start and finish in Reykjavík.

There are 2 group sizes available:

• Small group: Up to 19 people
• Standard group: Up to 32 people

Small groups offer a more intimate travel experience, whereas standard groups are more wallet-friendly.

You’ll likely be with people from a whole mix of backgrounds, from different countries and of different ages. Your guide will entertain you with fun facts and jokes as you journey around Iceland. It’s almost guaranteed you’ll be laughing along with your group!

There will most probably be a mix of solo travelers, couples, and small groups of friends and family.

The luggage restrictions on this guided group tour operated by Nicetravel are as follows:

• 1 small carry-on luggage, bag size: 50 x 30 x 60 cm (19.9 x 11.8 x 23.6 inches)
  
• Need more space? You can add one medium suitcase (up to 24 inches / 20 kg) for 2,000 ISK per piece (subject to availability), please get in touch with your Travel consultant at Iceland Tours at the time of booking.
  
• Larger luggage cannot be accommodated

Each day your luggage will be loaded onto the bus. In the evening, you’ll take all your bags with you to your room.

Our guided group tours have fixed start dates and itineraries. While it’s not possible to customize the actual tour, you can tailor your trip with extra days and activities before or afterwards.

For example, you could add a couple more days in Reykjavík at the end of your trip. Fill these with day tours or exciting activities like ice caving and snowmobiling.

On a guided group tour, you’ll learn a lot about Icelandic history, nature, and culture from experienced tour guides. You’ll find their passion for the country infectious and gain a perspective on life in Iceland from these travel experts.

Guided group tours also mean you don’t need to worry about driving yourself on unfamiliar roads. They’re a fantastic way to explore Iceland if you want to meet like-minded travelers too.

That said, guided tours are by no means the only way to experience Iceland. If you’d prefer something more customizable, you could go for a multi-day tour by bus. Or if you want to set your own pace on a road trip, it’s hard to beat a self-drive tour.

Another option is a privately guided tour. This combines the experience of a locally guided tour with the intimacy of traveling in your own private group.

On an Iceland guided tour, you can expect to travel by bus in a small or large party. You can choose your preferred group size when you book.

Iceland small group tours are more intimate, whereas standard group tours are more wallet-friendly. The maximum number of people in a small group is 16, and 36 in a standard group.

Your driver-guide will lead the entire trip, which includes stays in the Icelandic countryside. Each day you’ll explore a new part of Iceland and enjoy commentary from your guide between stops.

As you’ll be with the same group of people throughout your trip, you’ll have the chance to socialize with fellow travelers and make friends (maybe even for life). There’s nothing like diving into Iceland’s epic nature for a bonding experience!

All of the guided Iceland vacation packages featured here include local transport, accommodation, breakfast, airport transfers, and activities. Some also include dinners in the countryside, so check the specific package for details.

You can customize your guided trip with extra days in Reykjavík at the start or end of your vacation. Use these to pack in day tours or an evening Northern Lights tour. You could even pay a relaxing visit to the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon.

In general, tipping is not as commonplace in Iceland as in some other countries. While tour guides would never expect to be tipped, they would receive them gratefully.

You can start planning your Iceland adventure right on this page. Browse the guided vacation packages above until you find the one for you.

Next, check departure dates on the tour page. Guided group tours have fixed dates and durations, although you can extend your trip with extra days in Reykjavík if you like. This would be your chance to add activities, like exploring an ice cave or bathing in hot springs.

After that, simply follow the checkout instructions to complete your booking. You’ll receive a confirmation email straight away, followed by your travel documents closer to your departure date.

You can check dates on the individual tour pages. Guided tours are available in a small or large group, with separate departure dates for each.

There are weekly or fortnightly departures throughout the popular summer and winter seasons. Make sure you book in advance as spaces can sell out quick.

Because guided group tours have fixed departure dates, it’s a good idea to book your vacation package before your flights. Once you’ve received the confirmation from Iceland Tours, you’re clear to book with your preferred airline.

That said, you might want to do a rough check for flights before you book your package to get a feel for what’s available.

Iceland is well connected to Europe and North America with daily direct flights to lots of major cities.

When visiting Iceland, it pays to pack smart and be prepared. The weather is changeable and conditions are likely to be different to what you’re used to at home.

Here’s an Iceland packing list that’s good for all seasons:

• Warm, waterproof coat
• Toasty inner layers
• Hat, scarf, and gloves
• Sturdy hiking boots
• Sunglasses
• Moisturizer and lip balm

There’s plenty to enjoy on a guided tour of Iceland. The great thing about them is that you can access locations you never would have known about. And you can travel to seemingly out-of-reach regions, like the Icelandic highlands.

Here’s just some of what you could get up to on an Iceland group tour:

• Chase the Northern Lights in a remote countryside spot
• Tour the legendary Ring Road route
• See bubbling hot springs on the Golden Circle
• Explore ice cave country in Vatnajökull National Park
• Hop between stunning waterfalls on a south coast tour
• Follow in the footsteps of Vikings at Þingvellir National Park
• Watch an active geyser, Strokkur, erupt before you
• Admire freshly calved icebergs drift gently out to sea
• Roam the black sands of Reynisfjara beach
• Soak up culture and nightlife in downtown Reykjavík
• Dive into the country's food scene at Iceland's best restaurants.

Need more inspiration? Check out this Iceland Travel Guide.

No worries! Iceland Tours is already offsetting the carbon footprint of your tour package. We've teamed up with an environmental fund in Iceland to cover the carbon offset for all our tours.

Carbon offsetting for international flights is not included, but we suggest checking with your airline or through a local environmental fund for options.

This 5-day Iceland winter tour includes 4 nights of comfort accommodation (3 nights in Reykjavík, 1 night near Höfn), daily continental breakfast, airport transfers, expert local guidance in English, Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon guided tour, South Coast tour with waterfalls and black sand beaches, Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon visit, three-hour blue ice cave expedition with super jeep transport, and a Northern Lights hunting tour on your first evening. You'll also receive 24/7 emergency helpline support and carbon offsetting. The comprehensive package combines Iceland's winter highlights in one seamless 5-day experience.

This Iceland winter tour runs from November 1st through March 31st, covering the entire Northern Lights season when nights are longest and darkest. December and January offer the darkest nights with up to 20 hours of darkness, though aurora activity can be strong throughout winter. The blue ice caves are only accessible during winter months when temperatures are consistently below freezing. Winter also transforms waterfalls and landscapes with ice and snow, creating magical scenes impossible to see in summer.

While Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and never guaranteed, this 5-day Iceland winter tour maximizes your chances. You'll hunt for aurora on your first evening, and if weather doesn't cooperate, you can join another Northern Lights tour for free during your trip. Iceland's location just below the Arctic Circle provides excellent aurora activity, especially from November through March. Your guides monitor weather forecasts and aurora predictions to take you to optimal viewing locations away from light pollution. Many travelers see Northern Lights on this tour, though patience and luck with weather are essential.

The blue ice cave expedition is a highlight of this Iceland winter tour. These natural caves form when fresh water freezes deep within glaciers during winter months. Your expert guides will lead you into spectacular crystalline formations where light filters through the ice, creating brilliant shades from deep sapphire blue to clear white. Each cave is unique and ephemeral, existing for only one season before the glacier's movement transforms or destroys it. You'll travel by super jeep to reach the caves, then spend about three hours exploring inside with your guides explaining the geological processes that create these natural wonders.

Absolutely! Winter is one of Iceland's most magical seasons. This 5-day winter tour showcases why Iceland winter tours are so popular. Winter offers the chance to see Northern Lights, explore natural ice caves, witness waterfalls framed by ice, and experience landscapes transformed by snow. While days are shorter (4-5 hours of daylight in December-January), this creates perfect conditions for aurora hunting. Winter temperatures in Iceland average around 0°C (32°F), milder than many expect. Roads are maintained, and all attractions on this tour remain accessible throughout winter. The lack of summer crowds means more intimate experiences at Iceland's top sights.

This 5-day Iceland winter itinerary maximizes your time by focusing on the Golden Circle, South Coast, and Jökulsárlón region while staying primarily in Reykjavík. Day 1 includes Northern Lights hunting, Day 2 covers the Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon, Day 3 explores the South Coast to Höfn, Day 4 features the ice cave expedition and glacier lagoon before returning to Reykjavík, and Day 5 is departure day. This pacing allows you to see Iceland's winter highlights without excessive driving, with expert guides handling logistics while you enjoy the experiences.

December is excellent for Iceland winter tours. You'll experience the darkest nights of the year (around 20 hours of darkness), perfect for Northern Lights hunting. The blue ice caves are fully formed and accessible. Christmas and New Year add festive atmosphere to Reykjavík. While daylight is limited (4-5 hours), this creates dramatic lighting for photography. Snow covers landscapes, and waterfalls often feature spectacular ice formations. December tours in Iceland offer magical winter experiences, though you should book early as this is a popular month, especially around holidays.

Iceland's winter weather averages around 0°C (32°F), milder than many northern destinations. However, conditions can change quickly, and wind makes temperatures feel colder. This variability is why proper clothing is essential. For Northern Lights viewing, you need clear skies, which Iceland's maritime climate provides regularly throughout winter despite some cloudy periods. Your guides monitor weather and aurora forecasts to choose the best viewing times. Dress in warm, waterproof layers for Northern Lights hunting and the ice cave expedition. The Blue Lagoon provides warm respite regardless of weather.

Absolutely! This guided tour is perfect for solo travelers. You'll join other adventurers from around the world, making it easy to connect with fellow travelers throughout the 5 days. You'll have your own private room each night while sharing incredible winter experiences like Northern Lights hunting and ice cave exploration during the day. Many solo travelers choose guided tours specifically for the social aspect, expert guidance, and convenience of having all logistics handled. The small group atmosphere creates opportunities to form friendships while exploring Iceland's winter magic together.

This 5-day Iceland winter tour offers unique experiences impossible in summer. Winter provides the only opportunity to see Northern Lights and explore natural blue ice caves. Waterfalls and landscapes are transformed by ice and snow, creating different photographic opportunities. Winter's dramatic lighting with low sun angles and long twilight periods creates magical atmospheres. The Blue Lagoon feels even more special surrounded by snow and ice. While summer offers longer days and green landscapes, winter delivers aurora hunting, ice caves, and a completely different perspective on Iceland's natural wonders. Both seasons are spectacular in different ways.