Northern Lights Ring Road - Small Group Adventure

8 days / 7 nights
Person with torch admiring the northern lights in Iceland
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon in Iceland
Reynisdrangar rock formation on a black sand beach in Iceland
Gullfoss in winter light
The Hraunfossar waterfall in winter covered in ice
Snowy Lake Mývatn and Skútustaðagígar
The Hraunfossar waterfall in winter covered in ice
Snowy Lake Mývatn and Skútustaðagígar
Person with torch admiring the northern lights in Iceland
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon in Iceland
Reynisdrangar rock formation on a black sand beach in Iceland

Explore jaw-dropping landscapes and learn about local culture from an expert guide

Join like-minded travelers on this wintry adventure around Iceland’s legendary Ring Road. Spend your days marveling at frosted waterfalls, gushing geysers, stunning black sand beaches and more.

At night, you’ll settle in at charming countryside hotels. Here you’ll have the chance to chase the Northern Lights away from the bright lights of the city. Just imagine them dancing above as you sip on a hot chocolate in your hotel.

On this trip, you’ll travel to almost every part of Iceland, including the lesser-visited north with its otherworldly geology. What’s more, you’ll see the stunning sights of the classic Golden Circle route and the magical Jökulsárlon glacier lagoon on the south coast. It’s hard to pack much more into a week-long winter trip to Iceland!

This tour is operated by a partner of Iceland Tours.

Travel styleGuided small group
Trip length8 days / 7 nights
VibeSocial
SeasonWinter
(13 Oct–4 Apr)
TransportBus
Starts fromReykjavík
Minimum age12 years
Tour codeGT06

On this tour you will...

  • Stay in idyllic countryside locations, with opportunities to spot the Northern Lights

  • Glimpse remote corners of Iceland, like the stunning Eastfjords and Lake Mývatn

  • Check out the mind-blowing sights on the world-famous Golden Circle route

  • Witness plunging waterfalls and towering sea cliffs on the beautiful south coast

  • Explore the charming town of Akureyri, known as the ‘capital of North Iceland’

  • Visit entertaining museums and immerse yourself in Reykjavík’s great foodie scene

Top attractions

The Tjörnin pond in Reykjavík in summer

Downtown Reykjavík

The Gullfoss waterfall in summertime

Gullfoss

Þingvellir National Park, Iceland, in autumn colors

Þingvellir National Park

The Strokkur geyser erupting in winter against a sunset

Geysir and Strokkur

A rainbow over the Skógafoss waterfall on a sunny day

Skógafoss

The Seljalandsfoss waterfall covered in icicles

Seljalandsfoss

Vik Church with Reynisdrangar sea stacks in the distance

Vík í Mýrdal

Skaftafellsjökull glacier in Vatnajökull National Park

Skaftafell

Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon at sunrise with a pink sky

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Lake Mývatn in its autumn colors

Lake Mývatn

The Goðafoss waterfall in summer

Goðafoss

The skyline of Akureyri, North Iceland

Akureyri

Water coming out of colorful rocks at Deildartunguhver hot spring

Deildartunguhver

The Hraunfossar waterfall in winter covered in ice

Hraunfossar and Barnafoss

A man floating in the Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon

Why book a guided group trip with Iceland Tours?

  • Pick from wide range of departure dates

  • Expert local guidance in English

  • Small and big group options available

  • 24/7 emergency helpline in Iceland

  • Secure your booking with just a 5% deposit

  • Handpicked local accommodation options

Your 8-day guided group itinerary

Your 8-day guided group itinerary
Staying inReykjavík
Driving distance50 km (31 mi)

Transfer from Keflavík International Airport to Reykjavík (included).

On arrival at Keflavík International Airport, you will be greeted by a driver who will transfer you to your hotel in the city center of Reykjavík. After settling in, the rest of the day is free for you to explore the vibrant capital city with its abundance of museums, restaurants, and bars to suit all tastes. 

If you’re interested in checking out Icelandic design or experiencing the city’s thriving coffee culture, head to the main street, Laugavegur, and enjoy its various shops and cozy cafés. At 6 p.m., you will meet your group and guide for a welcome drink and a short introduction about the itinerary and some useful information about the coming days.

For those arriving early today, you have the option to upgrade your journey from the airport with a visit to the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa before heading to the city. It’s the perfect way to start your Iceland adventure!

Highlights

The Tjörnin pond in Reykjavík in summer

Downtown Reykjavík

Extra activities

Woman relaxing in the Blue LagoonUpgrade

Upgrade - Arrival via Blue Lagoon

Riders on FlyOver Iceland above a virtual waterfallExtra

FlyOver Iceland

Perlan on a sunny summer’s dayExtra

Perlan Museum Wonders of Iceland & Northern Lights Show

Staying inSelfoss area
Driving distance198 km (123 mi)

This morning your guide will pick you and your fellow travelers up at the hotel. The first leg of the journey takes you around the famous Golden Circle, a popular route containing some of the best-known natural sites in Iceland. Highlights include Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO heritage site; the Geysir geothermal hot spring area and the powerful Gullfoss waterfall. The tour will also visit the geothermally-heated greenhouses at the Friðheimar tomato farm, where we will get to taste the fresh tomato products.

Enjoy dinner at the Hotel with the group (dinner is included).

Staying inKirkjubæjarklaustur area
Driving distance227 km (141 mi)

Today you’ll explore majestic waterfalls, black sand beaches, and learn about the unique geology of Iceland. You will start with a visit to the Lava Center, a one of a kind interactive exhibition about Iceland’s volcanic activity, its frequent earthquakes, and how Iceland evolved over millions of years. Next up is the fairytale-like Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where you can walk behind the icy cascade on a footpath. Close by your guide will take you to Skógafoss, an impressive 60-meter high waterfall located at the foot of a mountain range, followed by a visit to the Skógar Folk Museum.

The last stop before continuing to your accommodation is at the black sand volcanic beach near the village of Vík í Mýrdal. Here, you will be able to see the spectacular rock arch and steep cliffs of along with the Reynisdrangar basalt columns just off the shore.

Next, you will travel to your carefully selected charming boutique hotel, situated far from the city lights to give you the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights. Enjoy dinner at Magma Hotel with the group (dinner is included).

Staying inDjúpivogur area
Driving distance318 km (198 mi)

Start the day bright and early as you have a full day of exciting icy highlights ahead of you. You will spend some time exploring Skaftafell, part of the immense Vatnajökull National Park, and a place of great natural beauty. The tour will then head to the spectacular Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, famous for its floating icebergs in shades of milky white and bright blue. 

On a clear day, you may even get a good view of Breiðamerkurjökull glacier behind the lake. Next to the glacier lagoon, we'll stop at Fellsfjara, aka Diamond Beach. Here you'll see large chunks of ice that have washed up on the shore after being shaped and polished in the surf of the glacier lagoon. It’s truly a beautiful sight and a great photo op!

After some time at the Diamond Beach, you will be driven to your accommodation for the night. A delicious local dinner will be served, and after, you can end the evening by putting on some warm clothes to gaze at the sky waiting for the Northern Lights to appear (dinner is included).

Staying inMývatn area
Driving distance393 km (244 mi)

Today you will get to experience a slice of Iceland that few travelers get to explore. Your group’s drive takes you along majestic East Iceland, with gorgeous scenery that includes tranquil fishing villages, narrow fjords, rugged tundra, and sweeping landscapes. If you are lucky, you might spot a reindeer or two as they come down from the mountains to stay close to the sea during the winter months.

Among other highlights, you will stop in the small villages of Stöðvarfjörður and Fáskrúðsfjörður, the latter known for its French heritage and a fascinating northern lights photo exhibition. The final destination of the day is the otherworldly Lake Mývatn area. Here, you have the option of either relaxing at the hotel after today’s drive or going to visit the warm alkaline geothermal lagoon and saunas at the Mývatn Nature Baths, with a view to mountains and lava fields (not included).

The Lake Mývatn area is known for being one of the best places in Iceland to view the Northern Lights due to the altitude and the lay of the land. We therefore highly recommend that you are on the lookout for the Aurora Borealis tonight!

Enjoy dinner at the Hotel with the group (dinner is included).

Staying inSkagafjörður area
Driving distance244 km (152 mi)

Start the day by exploring the unusual, moon-like landscapes of the Lake Mývatn area, including the Námaskarð pass and the Skútustaðagígar pseudocraters: sights that are even more surreal in wintertime. You will also have a chance to see Goðafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods, which is among the most beautiful falls in the country. While the waterfall is not very tall, the cascade is divided into two horseshoe-shaped falls, making it unique among Icelandic waterfalls. 

You’ll then have some free time in Akureyri to explore on your own. Akureyri is a charming town with museums, shops, cafés, and a picturesque harbor area, before heading to Skagafjörður, where your will dine and stay at Hofsstaðir (dinner is included).

Staying inReykjavík
Driving distance395 km (245 mi)

Before heading back to Reykjavík, you will get the chance to explore the incredible western part of Iceland along beautiful Borgarfjörður. Your guide will stop at Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in Europe, the beautiful and the spectacular twin waterfalls of Hraunfossar and Barnafoss. 

Hraunfossar is a thrilling series of waterfalls seemingly originating in a field without a river or lake. The water is actually streaming through rivulets in the Hallmundarhraun lava field. 

Meanwhile, Barnafoss is more like a series of rapids caused by the water of Hvitá entering a narrow passage. Next, you will be driven to the historical sites at Reykholt, which is rich in saga history. Reykholt was the home of 13th century writer, poet, and scholar Snorri Sturluson.

After being dropped off at your accommodation, you can spend the evening at your leisure in the city center of Reykjavík.

Driving distance50 km (31 mi)

Shared airport transfer to Keflavík Airport for your return flight (included).

When it’s time for your Iceland adventure to end, you will be picked up from your hotel by a shuttle bus about three hours before your flight. If you’re flying in the afternoon, you have the option to visit the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa to relax in the warm mineral waters before continuing to the airport (not included).

What’s included?

Quality accommodation every night

Continental breakfast every day

5 two-course dinners in the countryside featuring local cuisine (Days 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6)

Airport transfer

Local transport with guidance in English

Admission to Friðheimar greenhouse

Admission to Lava Center

Admission to Skógar Folk Museum

Admission to Northern Lights photo exhibition in Fáskrúðsfjörður

24/7 emergency helpline when you’re in Iceland

VAT, taxes & service fees

Flights to Iceland

Food & drink, unless otherwise stated

Attraction entrance fees, unless otherwise stated

Personal travel insurance

Your accommodation

More info

Stay in well-located hotels and guesthouses that are highly rated by visitors and handpicked by experts.

On this trip, you’ll stay at the following hotels or similar:

  • Day 1 – Center Hotels Laugavegur 
  • Day 2 – Hótel Selfoss 
  • Day 3 – Magma Hótel 
  • Day 4 – Hótel Framtíð 
  • Day 5 – Hótel Laxá 
  • Day 6 – Hofsstaðir Country Hotel 
  • Day 7 – Center Hotels Laugavegur 

Don’t take our word for it

See what hundreds of fellow travelers have to say about their trips with Iceland Tours.

Read customer reviews

FAQs about our guided group trips

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 16 people
  • Big group: Up to 36 people

Small groups offer a more intimate travel experience, whereas big 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.

Adults

Ages 12+

2

Children

Ages 2-11

0

Infants

Ages 0-1

0

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