Winter Wonders of Iceland – Guided Group Adventure - 6 Days

Guided winter tours are safe as experienced local drivers handle all navigation in specially equipped vehicles. Professional tour companies use buses designed for Icelandic winter conditions with proper tires and equipment. Your driver-guide has extensive experience with winter driving and monitors weather forecasts constantly, adjusting routes when necessary for safety. Main routes like the Golden Circle and south coast to Jökulsárlón remain accessible throughout winter as they're priority roads for maintenance and snow clearing. However, highland roads close entirely from approximately October through May. Tours may occasionally adjust itineraries due to severe weather, prioritizing passenger safety. The advantage of guided tours over self-driving in winter is the local expertise handling challenging conditions, allowing you to relax and enjoy scenery rather than worry about navigation and road conditions.

Iceland's winter temperatures are surprisingly mild compared to other locations at similar latitudes, averaging 0°C to -5°C (32°F to 23°F) in coastal areas from November through March. Reykjavík rarely drops below -10°C (14°F), while inland and highland areas can be significantly colder, reaching -15°C to -25°C (5°F to -13°F) during cold snaps. However, Iceland's winter challenge isn't extreme cold but rather wind, precipitation, and rapid weather changes. Strong winds create lower "feels like" temperatures, and combination of wind, rain, sleet, and snow requires proper layered clothing and waterproof gear. Coastal areas benefit from the warming Gulf Stream, keeping temperatures moderate but bringing frequent precipitation. Winter daylight varies from approximately 4-5 hours in December/January to 8-10 hours in March, with twilight extending viewing opportunities for winter landscapes and Northern Lights.

Winter Iceland tours typically include accommodation for all nights, daily breakfast, multiple dinners in countryside locations (usually 3-4 evenings), airport transfers on arrival and departure, transportation in comfortable heated bus, expert English-speaking driver-guide, major attraction admissions (Blue Lagoon, museums, activities), guided Northern Lights hunting expedition, onboard WiFi, and carbon offsetting. This specific 6-day tour includes Aurora Reykjavik Center admission, LAVA Center entrance, geothermal bakery visit with rye bread tasting, visit to a local horse farm with traditional Icelandic refreshments, and Blue Lagoon Comfort package (towel, mask, drink). Not included are flights to Iceland, some meals (typically lunches and 2-3 dinners allowing independent exploration), optional activities like ice cave tours or glacier walks, and personal travel insurance. Comprehensive inclusions allow accurate budgeting and stress-free travel.

The Blue Lagoon is particularly spectacular in winter, offering a magical experience of soaking in 37-39°C geothermal water while surrounded by snow-covered black lava fields and crisp cold air. The contrast between warm water and freezing air creates atmospheric steam rising from the milky-blue surface, enhancing the otherworldly ambiance. Winter visits are often less crowded than summer, providing a more relaxed experience. The mineral-rich water's therapeutic properties feel especially soothing after days exploring in cold weather. Your Comfort admission includes towel rental, silica mud mask, and one drink, allowing you to fully enjoy the facilities. Many visitors consider the Blue Lagoon a highlight of their Iceland trip, with winter adding an extra dimension to the experience. The location between Reykjavík and Keflavík Airport makes it convenient for tour itineraries.

Winter daylight in Iceland varies significantly by month. December and early January have the shortest days with approximately 4-5 hours of daylight (roughly 11am-3pm), though extended twilight adds viewing time. November and February offer about 6-7 hours of daylight. October and March provide 8-10 hours, creating easier conditions for sightseeing while still maintaining dark evenings for Northern Lights. By April, daylight extends to 12-15 hours. Winter solstice (December 21) marks the shortest day. While limited daylight might seem restrictive, it actually enhances the winter experience: snow-covered landscapes look magical in low-angle winter light, twilight creates stunning photography opportunities, and long dark evenings maximize Northern Lights viewing chances. Tour itineraries are designed to optimize limited daylight hours for major attractions.

The best time for Iceland winter tours runs from late September through early April, with peak winter season from November through March. This period offers the longest dark hours for Northern Lights viewing, snow-covered landscapes, and the chance to explore ice caves. December and January have the shortest days (4-5 hours of daylight) and most dramatic winter conditions, while September and late March/April offer transitional seasons with moderate weather and longer daylight. November through February provides the highest probability of Northern Lights sightings due to long dark nights. Each month offers unique advantages: early winter (October-November) has autumn colors with first snows, mid-winter (December-February) brings full winter landscapes and best aurora chances, and late winter (March-April) offers longer days with winter scenery still present.

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!

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.

Yes, winter is the best time to see Northern Lights in Iceland. The aurora borealis is visible from late August through mid-April, with peak viewing from September through March when nights are longest and darkest. Winter tours specifically include Northern Lights hunting expeditions to dark countryside locations away from light pollution. However, aurora viewing requires three conditions: dark skies (present throughout winter nights), clear weather (variable in Iceland), and solar activity (unpredictable). Your guide monitors weather forecasts and aurora predictions to take you to optimal viewing locations when conditions are favorable. While sightings can never be guaranteed due to weather dependency, most multi-day winter tours provide multiple opportunities over several nights, significantly increasing your chances of witnessing this spectacular natural phenomenon.

Essential winter tour packing includes warm, waterproof outer layers (Iceland's weather is cold and wet), insulated winter coat rated for sub-zero temperatures, waterproof pants for wet conditions, warm base layers (wool or synthetic, never cotton), fleece or down mid-layers, insulated waterproof boots with good traction for icy conditions, warm hat covering ears, insulated gloves or mittens, and wool socks. Additional recommendations include hand/toe warmers for extremely cold days, sunglasses for glacier glare, swimsuit for Blue Lagoon and hot springs, camera with extra batteries (cold drains them quickly), headlamp for short winter days, and moisturizer/lip balm for dry cold air. Dress in layers as indoor spaces are well-heated. Remember that Icelandic winter weather changes rapidly, so waterproof and windproof outer layers are crucial even on clear days.

Iceland winter tours offer dramatically different experiences from summer. Unique winter advantages include Northern Lights viewing (impossible in summer's midnight sun), ice caves accessible only in winter, snow-covered landscapes creating fairytale scenery, frozen waterfalls with spectacular ice formations, fewer tourists at major attractions, and magical blue hour lighting lasting hours rather than minutes. Winter storms create dramatic conditions showcasing Iceland's raw power. The contrast of steaming geothermal areas against snow and ice is visually stunning. Black sand beaches look particularly striking dusted with snow. However, winter brings challenges: shorter daylight (4-10 hours depending on month), colder temperatures requiring proper clothing, potential weather disruptions to itineraries, and some areas inaccessible. Most travelers find winter's unique features worth the tradeoffs, offering intimate glimpses of Iceland's dramatic character that summer visitors never experience.