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Golden Circle & South Coast Tour: 4-Day Adventure in Iceland
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Accommodation options

Price is based on twin-share rooms. Choose how many members of your group would like to stay in single occupancy rooms during the trip.

Equipment rental

Equipment rental is available at an additional cost. Price is per person, for the whole trip.

October through April only

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Things come up, and sometimes plans need to be changed. Check out our flexible cancellation options. Booking fees are non-refundable after 48hours in all cases.
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When booking a trip, you can either pay for it in full or reserve your spot with a 30% deposit. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

Cancellations

After 48 hours, booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. You can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

Basic
  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 90 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 89 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48 hours grace period.
Flexible
  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 90 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled 60-89 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after 48 hours grace period.
Super Flexible
  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 59 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after 48 hours grace period.
Summary
Golden Circle & South Coast Tour: 4-Day Adventure in Iceland
Itinerary
Golden Circle & South Coast Tour: 4-Day Adventure in Iceland
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  • Golden Circle & South Coast Tour: 4-Day Adventure in Iceland - 1
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  • This 4-day, 3-night guided tour circles South Iceland in a small group by minibus, starting and finishing in Reykjavík. Day one covers the Golden Circle before heading down the South Coast; day two visits Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach, and a guided glacier hike into a natural ice cave; day three continues along the coast to Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach and Skógafoss; and the final day takes in a recently active volcanic site with a chance to hunt the Northern Lights on the way back. Three nights are spent at countryside hotels chosen for their dark skies, with breakfast included each morning.

    • We start with a morning pickup in Reykjavik, then head out on the golden circle route. First stop is Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO site where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are pulling apart, and the birthplace of Iceland’s parliament in 930 AD. Next is the Geysir geothermal area, where Strokkur erupts every few minutes, followed by Gullfoss, a two-tier waterfall that turns gold in the light. We continue south to Seljalandsfoss, with views of Hekla volcano on clear days, then settle into a countryside hotel that also happens to be a solid spot for the northern lights in winter.

      Accommodation: Adventure Hotel Geirland or similar

      Gullfoss waterfall Golden Circle

    • After breakfast, we drive toward Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach, passing lava fields and volcanic desert, with Breiðamerkurjökull—a tongue of the mighty Vatnajökull—coming into view. Icebergs drift across the lagoon and wash up on the black sand nearby, glittering like diamonds. From there, we head to Skaftafell Nature Reserve for a glacier hike into a natural ice cave. October through April, that’s Vatnajökull glacier; April through September, we visit Katla ice cave instead, the only one open year-round. The day’s conditions decide the exact cave. We spend the night at a countryside hotel.

      Meals: Breakfast
      Accommodation: Adventure Hotel Geirland or similar

      Glacier lagoon and diamong beach

    • Breakfast comes first, then we follow the south coast, with a possible detour to Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon if conditions allow. We stop at the Eldhraun lava field before reaching Reynisfjara black sand beach, where basalt columns rise from the cliffs and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks stand offshore—said in folklore to be trolls turned to stone. From there, it’s on to Skógafoss, a 196 ft (60 m) waterfall with a trail alongside it for sweeping views, with Eyjafjallajökull visible above on clear days. We return to Reykjavik in the evening.

      Meals: Breakfast
      Accommodation: Hotel Island, Reykjavik or similar

      Black sands in Iceland

    • On the last day, we hike near the site of a recently erupted volcano—a rare and fascinating sight, since no two eruptions look alike, with some sending ash into the sky and others releasing rivers of molten rock from fissures. Eruptions are unpredictable by nature, so we can’t promise a view of fresh lava, but even with a quiet crater, the dramatic, lava-shaped landscape makes for a memorable hike. Our guide leads us through the most striking and safe areas to explore. In the evening, September through April, we set off to chase the northern lights, driving away from Reykjavik’s city lights toward dark-sky spots like Hvalfjörður, Þingvellir, or Reykjanes—the exact destination depends on where the skies are clearest that night. We return to Reykjavik between 12 am and 1 am.

      Meals: Breakfast

      road through lavafield

    • Included:

        • An experienced, local guide with extensive knowledge of the area
        • 4-day adventure tour in Iceland (4 days of sightseeing and activities)
        • Accommodation for 3 nights at countryside hotels (double occupancy)
        • 3 breakfasts
        • Transport by comfortable minibus during the tour
        • Pick-up and drop-off in Reykjavik
        • South Coast highlights
        • Recently erupted volcano hike
        • Glacier hike (October through April) and ice cave visit (April to September)

      Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):

        • Single occupancy room
        • Equipment rental

      Not included:

        • Flights to Iceland
        • Lunches and dinners
        • Anything not mentioned in the ‘Included’ section above
        • Insurance — recommended, available at checkout
        • Guide gratuities — optional

    • In order to join this adventure tour, basic fitness is required and no technical experience is needed.

      Activities include short, easy hikes and guided cave/glacier walks, mainly on well-formed trails and glacier surfaces equipped for non-experts. Expect to be on your feet for several hours most days, with changing Icelandic weather and uneven ground adding to the challenge, but there are no long hikes or major elevation gains.

      This Golden Circle & South Coast tour is beginner-friendly, welcoming to all ages (minors above the age of 8 can join with an adult). If you have difficulties participating in any of the activities included in the tour, for example, a glacier activity, you are more than welcome to skip it. You can explore your surroundings in the meantime or wait elsewhere.

      Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more Iceland adventures here!

    • You can bring a small backpack and one piece of luggage weighing a maximum of 20 kg (44 lbs).

      Gear:

        • Day pack (25–40L)
        • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L total)
        • Sturdy hiking boots (waterproof)
        • Waterproof jacket and pants
        • Gloves and warm hat
        • Sunglasses and sunscreen
        • Personal toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, etc.)
        • Camera (optional but recommended)

      Clothing:

        • Base layers (thermal top and bottom)
        • Insulating mid-layers (fleece, sweater)
        • Extra socks and underwear
        • Warm jacket (down or synthetic)

      Other:

        • Headlamp or flashlight
        • Snacks for between meals (nuts, bars, etc.)
        • Prescription medication (if needed)

      Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. Layers are best—avoid jeans.

      Got everything you need? Grab your gear through Active Junky and earn cash back on top outdoor brands — plus a $10 bonus on your first $25+ purchase. Shop now at Active Junky!

    • The daily driving distance on this tour varies but generally ranges from about 2 to 5 hours on the bus per day, with sightseeing and activity stops along the way. Some days are longer due to activities and photo stops, but you’ll never be in the vehicle for extended straight stretches—the route is broken up with frequent visits to attractions and rest stops.

    • We can’t promise it—the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and their appearance depends on the weather and solar activity. What we can promise is that we’ve stacked the odds in your favor: our countryside hotels are chosen specifically for their dark, remote locations, well away from city lights, and the whole trip runs during the best viewing window, September through April. On a clear night, conditions here are about as good as they get.

    • Group sizes and pricing:

        • For this adventure tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 18:1.
        • It takes a minimum of 8 participants for this tour to run. The maximum group size is set at 18 participants.
        • Solo travelers can share a room with another same-gender solo traveler at no extra cost, or guarantee a private room by paying a single occupancy fee.

      This Golden Circle & South Coast tour can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

      Min. age requirements:

        • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
        • Minors older than 8 may be permitted to join the adventure on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

      If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

    • The price for this Golden Circle & South Coast tour is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout.

      Solo travelers are welcome—they can either share a room with another same-gender solo traveler at no extra cost, or guarantee a private room by paying a single occupancy fee.

    • The starting point of your Golden Circle and South Coast is Reykjavik. To get there, most people fly into Keflavík International Airport (KEF). From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach Reykjavik. You will meet your guide at 9 am in Reykjavik—pick-up locations are specified at checkout.

      It is recommended to arrive at least one day before the tour. If you’re flying in from the U.S. or will be landing early (4-6:30 am), you should be able to join the tour, but some risks would follow (i.e if the flight gets delayed) and could, therefore, miss out on the tour. This is, therefore, not recommended! Accommodation for the night prior to the tour is at your arrangement.

      The meeting location depends on the tour and which time you’re meeting with your guides. Options include the Reykjavik City Hall, Hallgrimskirkja, or the Reykjavik Campsite. Departure time is between 9 and 9:30 am.

    • We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

      Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

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