This three-day small group Northern Lights tour Iceland blends classic highlights with real off-road access and dark-sky positioning. We cover the Golden Circle, Iceland’s dramatic South Coast, and hike on Sólheimajökull glacier with full safety gear before heading into Thórsmörk’s wild highlands in a 4x4 Supertruck. Two nights are spent in a quiet four-star countryside hotel, chosen specifically for its distance from city lights to maximize aurora chances. The itinerary balances iconic sights, light hiking, and flexible evening aurora hunts, keeping the group small and mobile.
We’ll pick you up in Reykjavík and we head straight into Iceland’s Golden Circle. We walk through Þingvellir National Park, stand between tectonic plates, watch Strokkur erupt at Geysir, and feel the power of Gullfoss crashing into its canyon. After lunch at a local farm, we’ll settle into our countryside hotel away from city lights. Once darkness falls, we head out to hunt for the Northern Lights.
Hiking: Easy sightseeing walks
Accommodation: Hótel Lóa
Today we explore Iceland’s South Coast: waterfalls, black sand beaches, and raw Atlantic energy. We strap on crampons for a guided glacier hike on Sólheimajökull, walking across ancient ice formations with safety gear provided. After visiting Reynisfjara’s basalt columns and the waterfalls Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, we return to the hotel. If skies cooperate, we head back out for another aurora chase.
Meals: Breakfast
Hiking: Easy to moderate glacier hike
Accommodation: Hótel Lóa
We trade paved roads for highland tracks and cross glacial rivers in a 4×4 Supertruck as we enter Thórsmörk, the Valley of Thor. Short guided hikes take us to panoramic viewpoints surrounded by glaciers and volcanoes. After a Viking-style BBQ lunch, we return to Reykjavík in the evening, closing out three days of Arctic landscapes and big skies.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Hiking: Easy & short highland hikes
Included:
Add-ons:
Not included:
This small group Northern Lights tour in Iceland is beginner-friendly, which means that practically anyone can participate in this tour.
If you can walk for four to six hours with little elevation gain, you are good to go!
Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more hiking tours in Iceland here!
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, which means they can never be 100% guaranteed. That said, this tour is specifically designed to maximize your chances.
Our guides continuously track weather patterns and solar activity to position us in the best possible viewing locations. While nature always has the final say, everything about this itinerary is built around giving you the strongest possible opportunity to witness the aurora.
While we do everything possible to track clear skies and strong solar activity, the Northern Lights are still a natural phenomenon. But this trip is far more than just a night-sky chase. You’ll hike on glaciers, stand beside thundering waterfalls, explore remote highland landscapes by 4×4, and experience Iceland’s wild terrain up close. The aurora is the crown jewel but the journey itself is packed with unforgettable moments.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Group sizes and pricing
A small group Northern Lights tour in Iceland can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The price for this small group Northern Lights tour in Iceland is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. You can leave a note at checkout if interested.
The starting point of your small group Northern Lights tour in Iceland is Reykjavík. 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 Reykjavík, where you will be picked up by the guide on Day 1.
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.