Iceland Winter Highlights & Northern Lights - Small Group Tour - 5 Days

Iceland is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights, particularly between September and March when nights are long and dark. This tour uses accommodation specifically chosen for its dark sky location, which significantly improves your chances. That said, the northern lights are a natural phenomenon and sightings depend on solar activity, cloud cover and weather conditions, so they cannot be guaranteed.

The most spectacular naturally formed ice caves are accessible between November and March, when temperatures are cold enough to keep them stable. Between September and October, an express version of the ice cave tour is available. Both experiences give you the chance to see the beautiful blue ice that makes Iceland's glaciers so special.

The glacier walk is suitable for most people who are comfortable walking on uneven terrain. You do not need any technical climbing experience. If you have concerns about your fitness or mobility, please get in touch before booking and we will be happy to advise.

The tour includes four nights accommodation with daily breakfast, dinners on Days 2 and 3, an airport shuttle transfer on arrival, an airport shuttle transfer on departure, a guided ice cave tour, and the services of a local expert guide throughout. Tours run with a maximum of 16 guests. Flights to and from Iceland are not included.

You can secure your place on this tour with a 20% deposit. The remaining balance is due closer to your departure date. We also offer a best price guarantee, so if you find the same tour at a lower price, we will match it.

This is a small group tour with a maximum of 16 passengers, so you will always have a more personal experience than a large coach tour. Your guide can spend real time with everyone in the group and it is much easier to feel the atmosphere of each location when you are not navigating a big crowd.

Yes, extra nights in Reykjavík can be added during the booking process. You can also ask us about combining this tour with other Iceland experiences or extending your adventure to other Nordic destinations.

Iceland in winter calls for warm, waterproof layers. Thermal base layers, a fleece or insulated mid-layer, a windproof and waterproof outer jacket, and sturdy waterproof hiking boots are all recommended. For the ice cave tour specifically, you should bring warm clothes, rain gear, hiking boots, water and energy bars. All technical glacier equipment is provided by your guide.

Flights to and from Iceland are not included in the tour price. We recommend flying into Keflavík International Airport and our team can advise on the best options when you enquire.

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.

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!

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.

Carbon offsetting is already included as standard with every Iceland Tours package. We have partnered with an environmental fund in Iceland to cover the carbon footprint of the tour itself, so there is nothing extra you need to do or pay.

Iceland Tours is Travelife-certified, meaning our operations are independently assessed against sustainability standards covering environmental, social, and supply chain criteria. This certification reflects a commitment to responsible travel that goes beyond carbon offsetting, including how we select local accommodation and activity partners.

Carbon offsetting for international flights to and from Iceland is not included in the tour package, but your airline may offer offset options at the time of booking, or you can arrange this through a local or national environmental fund. For more on how we approach sustainable travel, see our sustainability policy and our article on responsible and sustainable travel in Iceland.