Winter Wonders of Iceland – Small Group Adventure - 6 Days

Small group tours (maximum 16 people) offer superior Northern Lights hunting experiences compared to large coach tours. Your guide can communicate more easily with the entire group about when to venture outside, everyone can find good viewing positions without crowds blocking views, the minibus can access some locations larger coaches cannot reach, boarding and disembarking happens faster so you spend more time viewing the aurora, your guide has time to help individuals with camera settings and photography, and the intimate atmosphere creates a shared experience that enhances the magic. Large groups often struggle with managing 30+ people in darkness, multiple camera setups, and varying viewing preferences. Small groups can also remain flexible about viewing duration, staying longer if the aurora intensifies or returning to warmth if conditions deteriorate.

Iceland's winter weather is famously unpredictable, but small group tours handle changing conditions better than large coaches. Your experienced guide monitors forecasts constantly and can adjust timing or routes for safety while still covering major highlights. Small groups board and disembark faster, spending less time exposed to wind and cold. The minibus can navigate some conditions that ground larger vehicles. If severe weather requires itinerary changes, your guide can communicate clearly with 16 people and make collaborative decisions. The intimate group atmosphere transforms weather challenges into shared adventures rather than frustrations. Most winter tour days proceed as planned, but flexibility is essential. Your guide prioritizes safety while maximizing your experience, and the small group format facilitates these adjustments smoothly.

Multi-day small group winter tours provide the best chances for Northern Lights viewing. This 6-day tour includes three countryside nights away from light pollution, significantly increasing your odds compared to single-night tours or staying only in Reykjavík. Your guide actively monitors aurora forecasts and weather conditions, taking your small group out when viewing prospects are favorable. However, Northern Lights require three conditions: dark skies (present throughout winter nights), clear weather (variable in Iceland), and solar activity (unpredictable). While sightings can never be guaranteed, having multiple opportunities over several nights means most travelers on multi-day winter tours successfully see the aurora. Your small group size means better viewing experiences without crowds, easier communication about when to venture out, and more flexibility to chase clear skies.

Winter offers unique advantages for small group tours. The Northern Lights are only visible September through April, with peak viewing November through March. Winter landscapes draped in snow and ice create fairytale scenery, frozen waterfalls display spectacular ice formations, ice caves are accessible only in winter months, and fewer tourists mean more intimate experiences at attractions. The small group format particularly shines in winter: your guide can adjust timing based on weather more easily, the intimate minibus environment feels warmer and more connected during cold days, Northern Lights hunting works better with smaller groups, and winter's challenges become shared adventures that build camaraderie. However, winter brings shorter daylight (4-10 hours depending on month), colder temperatures, and potential weather disruptions. Most travelers find winter's unique features worth these tradeoffs.

Essential winter packing for Iceland tours includes insulated waterproof winter coat rated for sub-zero temperatures, waterproof pants for wet snow conditions, warm base layers (wool or synthetic, never cotton), fleece or down mid-layers for warmth, insulated waterproof boots with excellent traction for icy conditions, warm hat covering ears, insulated gloves or mittens, wool socks, and hand/toe warmers for extremely cold days. Photography-specific items include camera with spare batteries (cold drains them quickly), tripod for Northern Lights photography, and lens cloth. Additional essentials include swimsuit for Blue Lagoon and hot springs, headlamp for short winter days, sunglasses for glacier glare, and moisturizer/lip balm for dry cold air. Your small group guide can offer personalized packing advice based on specific forecast during your trip.

Small group tours accommodate maximum 16 travelers in a comfortable minibus, while standard coach tours carry 30-36 people in full-sized buses. This roughly 50% reduction in group size creates dramatically different experiences. With 16 people, everyone can hear your guide without microphones, boarding happens in minutes rather than 10+ minutes, stops feel less crowded, your guide knows everyone's names and interests, and the atmosphere feels more like traveling with friends. In winter specifically, the smaller group means faster boarding in cold weather, easier Northern Lights viewing without crowds, more flexibility adjusting to weather, and stronger group camaraderie during shared winter adventures. The minibus feels cozier and more intimate than a large coach, particularly appreciated during long winter days.

For winter tours specifically, most travelers find the small group premium (typically 20-40% more than coach tours) absolutely worthwhile. Winter presents unique challenges and opportunities that small groups handle better: Northern Lights hunting works more effectively with fewer people, weather flexibility becomes crucial in changeable conditions, winter photography requires time and space that large groups cannot provide, cold weather makes fast boarding and disembarking more important, and the intimate atmosphere enhances magical winter experiences like aurora viewing. If seeing the Northern Lights is a priority, the small group investment pays dividends through better viewing opportunities and more flexible aurora chasing. Budget-conscious travelers may prefer coach tours, which still provide excellent winter experiences, but those valuing quality interactions and optimal Northern Lights opportunities find small groups well worth the additional cost.

Small group winter tours (maximum 16 travelers) offer significant advantages over standard coach tours in winter conditions. The intimate minibus environment allows your guide to adjust timing based on weather conditions more easily, provides better visibility for Northern Lights hunting without crowd management, creates faster boarding and disembarking at stops in cold weather, facilitates easier photography opportunities at frozen waterfalls and ice formations, and builds a connected atmosphere ideal for sharing the magic of winter experiences. Your guide can provide more personalized attention about winter photography, Northern Lights science, and ice safety. The smaller group also means you're more likely to witness the aurora borealis together, creating shared memories. Winter weather can change rapidly, and small groups can adapt more quickly to take advantage of clear skies or adjust routes when necessary.

The best small group winter tour depends on your priorities and available time. This 6-day winter tour focusing on the Golden Circle, south coast, and Northern Lights hunting offers an excellent balance of Iceland's most spectacular winter destinations without feeling rushed. The small group size (maximum 16 people) provides personalized attention while remaining affordable compared to private tours. Key advantages include multiple nights in the countryside maximizing Northern Lights viewing opportunities, comprehensive Golden Circle exploration, dramatic south coast glaciers and waterfalls, Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon in winter, and Blue Lagoon relaxation. For travelers with more time, 8-day Ring Road winter tours add north Iceland and more remote regions. For shorter trips, 3-4 day Golden Circle and south coast tours cover highlights efficiently.

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 are as follows:

• 1 suitcase or large bag per person for clothes and overnight items
• 1 day bag for essential items, like a camera, extra clothes, and valuables

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!

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.

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

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.

Yes, small group tours are one of the most sustainable ways to experience Iceland. By traveling together in a single vehicle with up to 20 guests, small group tours significantly reduce per-person carbon emissions compared to individual car rentals or private tours. This shared travel approach means fewer vehicles on Iceland's roads, less fuel consumption per traveler, and a lighter environmental footprint overall. When you choose a small group tour, you're not only getting expert guidance and a social travel experience, you're also making a more responsible choice for Iceland's pristine landscapes.