Long Weekend in Reykjavík: Northern Lights, Ice Caves & Golden Circle Stopover
On this thrilling 4-day multi-day tour from Reykjavík, you'll check out some of Iceland's top winter gems while staying comfortably based in the capital. Experience epic waterfalls that may be adorned with ice formations during colder periods, witness a live erupting geyser shooting water skyward, and visit the spellbinding site of Iceland's ancient parliament where Vikings once gathered. This winter package combines natural wonders with genuine adventure.
If you're fortunate, you might even witness the Northern Lights dancing across the sky in brilliant greens and purples on your included aurora hunting excursion. To top it all off, you'll join a guided group expedition under a glacier into one of Iceland's famous ice caves, stepping inside a frozen world of blue and black ice. This is adventure travel at its finest, with expert guides ensuring your safety while maximizing your experience.
This multi-day tour format means staying at the same comfortable Reykjavík hotel for your entire visit, avoiding the hassle of packing and unpacking daily. Simply settle in and use the capital as your home base for exciting daily excursions. Relax knowing you don't have to drive in unfamiliar winter conditions. Instead, travel on comfortable buses with Wi-Fi while guides handle navigation and share fascinating insights about Iceland's geology, history, and culture.
Your package includes three major experiences: a Northern Lights hunting tour venturing into dark countryside, a comprehensive Golden Circle tour visiting geysers, waterfalls, and Þingvellir National Park with a stop at Friðheimar greenhouse, and an incredible ice cave expedition where you'll trek across a glacier and explore glowing blue ice caves beneath Katla volcano. Between these guided adventures, enjoy Reykjavík's vibrant culture, excellent restaurants, interesting museums, and welcoming atmosphere.
With airport transfers included and the flexibility to customize with additional activities, this 4-day winter escape delivers Iceland's highlights with maximum convenience and minimum stress.
Why book a multi-day trip with Iceland Tours?
Start your tour on the date that suits you
Stay at the same place in Reykjavík for your whole trip
Travel on comfortable buses with free Wi-Fi
Effortlessly customize your trip with extra activities
24/7 emergency helpline in Iceland
Secure your booking with just a 5% deposit
Your 4-day bus itinerary
Transfer from Keflavík International Airport to your hotel in Reykjavík is included, beginning your adventure completely hassle-free.
It's the first day of your adventure trip, and time to get acquainted with Reykjavík, Iceland's capital! Stroll around the center and photograph the charming streets lined with colorful houses creating picture-perfect scenes. Soak up some culture at one or more of the city's galleries and museums, discovering Icelandic art and history. Browse shops, grab a coffee at a cozy cafe, or simply wander and absorb the city's unique atmosphere. Depending on what time you arrive in Iceland, you may be able to fit in a stop at the Blue Lagoon on the way to Reykjavík (available at additional cost). What better way to relax and recharge after your flight than soaking in famous geothermal waters?
In the evening, an exciting adventure awaits! Spend the night on a magical Northern Lights hunt included with your package. Join a large group bus tour to a dark-skied location ideal for spotting the auroras. Your guide will take you away from city lights and share knowledge about this natural phenomenon. You also have the option to upgrade to a small group excursion, super jeep tour, or boat trip for a more intimate experience (upgrades available at additional cost).
Good to know: The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and sightings cannot be guaranteed, even with clear skies. The tour may be canceled if weather conditions are unfavorable, but you'll have the chance to join the same or a similar excursion for free later in your trip. Return to your hotel for the night.
Highlights
Downtown Reykjavík
Included experiences, upgrade options & extra activities
IncludedNorthern Lights Guided Bus Tour
UpgradeUpgrade - Northern Lights Small Group Tour
UpgradeUpgrade - Northern Lights Super Jeep Tour
UpgradeUpgrade - Northern Lights by Boat
UpgradeUpgrade - Arrival via Blue Lagoon
ExtraPerlan Museum Wonders of Iceland & Northern Lights Show
Wake up in Reykjavík and enjoy your included breakfast before getting stuck right into Icelandic nature on today's guided tour. You'll travel the Golden Circle, Iceland's most famous touring route, and for excellent reason. Witness Strokkur geyser blow an impressive column of steam and water 25 meters into the air every 4 to 8 minutes. The anticipation before each eruption builds excitement, and watching boiling water shoot skyward never gets old. Then continue to Gullfoss waterfall, where the glacial Hvítá river rolls over a sheer rock face approximately 32 meters high. At this time of year, parts of it may even be frozen, creating spectacular ice sculptures around the edges!
Next is Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was here that Viking-age settlers, Iceland's first inhabitants, would hold parliament meetings that continued for centuries. It's also the best place to see the dramatic gorge between the North American and Eurasian plates, which are slowly drifting apart at a measurable rate. Walk through the rift valley where continents separate. Included with this tour is a fascinating stop at Friðheimar greenhouse. Here you'll learn how Icelanders ingeniously use their country's abundant geothermal resources to grow tomatoes and cucumbers all year round despite the harsh climate.
Alternatively, you can upgrade to a different adventure on this day, such as snowmobiling or other activities (upgrades available at additional cost). All upgrade options include the Golden Circle tour, so you won't miss out on this classic route. Return to your Reykjavík hotel this evening.
Today you're in for a genuine adventure that will be a highlight of your entire trip! Step into a specially adapted super jeep designed for glacier travel, throw on your provided glacier gear including crampons and helmet, and brace yourself for your thrilling glacier expedition. Your experienced guide will drive you up onto Mýrdalsjökull glacier, Iceland's fourth largest ice cap. Once you're there, you'll set out on an exhilarating hike across the glacier's surface. As you walk over the thick ancient ice sheet, you'll pass by cavernous crevasses and mind-bending ice formations that demonstrate the glacier's power.
Then you'll arrive at Kötlujökull, where you'll step into a jaw-dropping ice cave glowing with blue and black colors. This glacier sits atop Katla, one of Iceland's powerful dormant volcanoes. Here you'll see how the volcano and ice have interacted over centuries, with layers of black volcanic ash creating dramatic stripes in the blue ice. The experience of standing inside a glacier is truly unforgettable. You'll also stop at Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where you can walk behind the falling water if conditions permit. If you're traveling between 1 February and 15 November, you'll also stop at its bigger companion Skógafoss just down the road, one of Iceland's most impressive waterfalls. Return to your Reykjavík hotel this evening, perhaps sharing your ice cave stories with fellow travelers.
Transfer from Reykjavík to Keflavík International Airport is included, ensuring smooth departure logistics.
If you didn't stop at the Blue Lagoon after arriving in Iceland, you might be able to fit it in before you leave, depending on when your flight departs (available at additional cost, pre-booking required). Relax in the spa's naturally heated waters, rich in nourishing silica, and prepare for your flight feeling rejuvenated. If you add this stop, you'll be picked up at your hotel and dropped off at the Blue Lagoon, where luggage storage facilities are available for a fee. After your spa experience, transfer continues to the airport.
Good to know: Most airlines require you to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before departure, so bear this in mind when booking. The drive to the airport takes around 20 minutes from the Blue Lagoon. If not adding the spa visit, enjoy your final morning in Reykjavík before your included transfer to the airport, carrying memories of Northern Lights hunts, walking inside glowing ice caves, and exploring Iceland's Golden Circle wonders.
What’s included?
Budget, Comfort, or Quality accommodation every night
Continental breakfast every day
Airport transfer
Northern Lights guided bus tour
Golden Circle & Friðheimar guided bus tour
Katla Ice Cave – Under the Volcano tour
24/7 emergency helpline when you’re in Iceland
Carbon offsetting of your tour
VAT, taxes & service fees
Flights to Iceland
Food & drink, unless otherwise stated
Attraction entrance fees, unless otherwise stated
Personal travel insurance
Customer reviews
Read what real customers had to say about Ice Caves, Golden Circle & Northern Lights Getaway - 4 Days.
FAQs about our multi-day trips
Throughout your multi-day trip with Iceland Tours, you’ll be based in the Icelandic capital of Reykjavík or Akureyri the capital of the North. From here, you can join guided tours into the surrounding countryside to soak up the mind-blowing scenery. Your package will include at least one day trip, and depending on the length of your tour package you can opt to add more.
It’s worth bearing in mind that you won’t have the same guide throughout your trip. In fact, on each escorted group day trip from Reykjavík or Akureyri, you’ll get to meet a new guide and new fellow travelers.
What’s more, spending each night in the same accommodation means you don’t need to worry about unpacking and repacking during your trip. It also gives you the chance to experience more of the city’s restaurants, food halls, and bars. And you’ll have time to browse the local shops and visiting the city’s attractions.
When you opt for a multi-day package, you won’t be traveling with the same guide and group throughout your trip. This means that number of fellow travelers you meet on your guided excursions will vary depending on the activity.
For instance, if you’re going on an ice cave tour, your group could include a just a handful people. Meanwhile, a tour of the Golden Circle by bus will often be a larger group as you’ll likely be traveling by coach. And you’ll find evening Northern Lights tours are usually by coach too, although you have the option to upgrade to a small group, super jeep, or boat tour.
Depending on the excursion, your bus could be either a minibus or coach. Most buses will have free onboard Wi-Fi and charging points for your phone. Larger buses also have overhead compartments for stowing your bag and jacket.
It’s good to know that although there’s no restroom on the bus, your guide will make sure to include regular breaks throughout the journey.
Yes, all of these multi-day trips include airport transfers by bus from Keflavík International Airport to Reykjavík on arrival and departure.
On each morning of your trip, you’ll get a tasty continental breakfast at your accommodation. In most places, this is served buffet-style in a communal dining room.
With most packages, lunch and dinner are not included so you’re free to choose from all of the options available. In Reykjavík and Akureyri, you’ll be spoiled for choice when deciding where to eat.
Some festive packages include special meals. Check the ‘What’s included?’ section for the individual package to find out exactly what you’ll get.
If your package features longer day tours, you’ll find that the guide will factor in lunch and restroom stops. But it’s still good to come prepared by packing a few snacks and plenty of water. And if you prefer, you could bring a picnic lunch rather than eat out.
Absolutely! You can customize your package by:
- Picking your level of accommodation (Budget, Comfort, or Quality)
- Extending your stay with extra nights in Reykjavík at the start or end of your trip
- Adding optional activities, such as a food tour or glacier hike
Enter your dates and the number of people in your group on the tour package page. Here you can also choose your accommodation level.
At checkout, you can customize your trip with extra days and activities. Afterwards, follow the steps to finalize your booking and you’ll get a confirmation from us via email.
There’s one more thing that’s great to know: all it takes is a 5% deposit to secure your booking today.
Because a multi-day trip is made up of different excursions every day, you won’t always be with the same group. That said, Iceland is small enough that you might just bump into someone from the day before!
If you’re looking for the kind of experience where you can hang with the same group and make new friends, we also offer guided group tours of Iceland. These are led by local experts who will take you and your travel buddies all over the country.
Once you’ve decided roughly when you want to visit Iceland, you can start searching for flights online. Iceland is well connected to major airports in Europe and across North America.
It makes the most sense to book your package with Iceland Tours first. Once your booking is confirmed, go ahead and purchase your flights. Then all you need to do is think about what to pack! In fact, you can read all about that below.
On all of our multi-day tours from Reykjavík, you’ll stay at the same hotel or guesthouse in the city for the length of your trip. This is great if you prefer to stay settled in one place and explore by day.
If you’d rather get to stay in different places in the countryside, you could go for an Iceland self-drive tour, where you can set your own pace. Another great option is a guided group tour, where you’ll travel with the same awesome fellow travelers for your whole trip.
On a multi-day package with Iceland Tours, you can choose from 3 levels of accommodation:
- Budget – Guesthouses and hotels, with shared bathrooms
- Comfort – Hotels or guesthouses of around 3 stars, with private bathrooms
- Quality – Hotels or guesthouses of around 4 stars, with private bathrooms
Each accommodation level offers different types of rooms. We’ve described them below to help you choose the best one for you. Just keep in mind that not every hotel has all these room types available.
- Single room: one single bed in a room, perfect for solo travelers.
- Double room: a full-sized double bed for 2 people.
- Twin room: a room with 2 single beds that fit 1 person each.
- Triple room: these vary in size and layout, but are designed to fit 3 adults. Triple rooms feature a combination of double, single or sofa beds, depending on the hotel.
No matter which accommodation level you pick, breakfast is included. Read more about the differences between the levels on this accommodation page.
In Iceland, the weather can change in a flash. The upshot is that if you don’t like the weather, you won’t need to wait long for it to pass.
With that in mind, you should pack smart so you’ll be comfortable no matter the conditions. Here’s a suggested Iceland packing list:
- Rugged hiking boots
- Wooly hat, scarf, and gloves
- Thick, waterproof winter coat
- Sweaters and fleeces for extra warmth
- Swimming gear (for hot springs and pools)
- Sunglasses
- Lip balm and moisturizer
If you’re planning a trip to Iceland in winter, sunglasses are essential because the sun is low in the sky for most of the day. You’ll also want to protect your skin from the dry air with moisturizer.
For more tips, see our Iceland packing list.
There’s an incredible amount you can do on a multi-day vacation from Iceland Tours. Here’s some ideas to spark inspiration:
- Roam the black sands of Reynisfjara beach on a south coast tour
- Venture under a glacier on a guided ice cave tour
- Complete the Golden Circle, including Gullfoss waterfall
- Explore ‘Iceland in Miniature’ on the Snæfellsnes peninsula
- Join a glacier hike across thousand-year-old pack ice
- Go whale watching from Reykjavík and spot the gentle giants
- Follow in the footsteps of Vikings at Þingvellir National Park
- Marvel at natural hot springs, like the Strokkur geyser
- Unwind in the soothing waters of the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon
- Hunt down the Northern Lights on a magical winter tour
Because you’ll be based in Reykjavík for your whole trip, most excursions will take you to the south or west of Iceland. Be sure to check out this guide to the best things to see and do near Reykjavík.
If you want to see North Iceland, East Iceland, or the Westfjords, you might want to consider a self-drive or guided group tour. These are also great options if the Ring Road is on your must-do list.
For even more inspo, explore these awesome things to do in Iceland.
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.
