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South Coast & Snæfellsnes Tour: 5-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.

Vatnshellir Cave Tour

On Day 1 of the tour, you can visit the Vatnshellir Cave, offered as an optional stop (extra cost) as an alternative to the Malarrif visitor center.

Equipment rental

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

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Summary
South Coast & Snæfellsnes Tour: 5-Day Adventure in Iceland
Itinerary
South Coast & Snæfellsnes Tour: 5-Day Adventure in Iceland
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  • South Coast & Snæfellsnes Tour: 5-Day Adventure in Iceland - 1
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  • This 5-day tour links two of Iceland's most iconic regions: the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in the west and the Golden Circle and south coast to the east, with an English-speaking local guide and a comfortable minibus doing the driving. Starting and ending in Reykjavik, the route covers basalt cliffs, black sand beaches, thundering waterfalls, the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, and, seasonally, a hike inside a real glacier ice cave. Four nights are spent in comfortable hotels, with breakfast included each morning. From late September through early April, there's also a genuine chance to catch the northern lights on clear nights. It's an easy, well-paced way to see the best of west and south Iceland without renting a car.

    • We leave Reykjavik for the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, often called Iceland in miniature for packing so much scenery into one stretch of coast. We pass through Borgarnes, stop at the tall, dark Gerðuberg basalt columns, and walk the golden sands of Ytri Tunga, where seals often haul out on the rocks. Lunch is in the fishing hamlet of Arnarstapi, followed by either the Vatnshellir lava cave (optional, extra cost) or the Malarrif visitor center. We finish at Djúpalónssandur, a black sand beach scattered with the rusted remains of a 1948 shipwreck, and keep an eye out for the northern lights if it’s a clear winter night.

      Accommodation: Adventure Hotel Hellissandur or similar

      road through lavafield

    • After breakfast, we drive to Kirkjufell, one of Iceland’s most photographed mountains and a filming location for Game of Thrones, with a stop in the harbor town of Grundarfjörður along the way. We continue inland to Hraunfossar and Barnafoss, a pair of waterfalls spilling from beneath a lava field, then visit the historic site of Reykholt, home to the Snorralaug hot spring pool. At Sturlureykir horse farm, we get to meet, pet, and feed real Icelandic horses, before ending the day at Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring, flowing at a scalding 97°C (206°F). We arrive back in the Reykjavik area by early evening.

      Meals: Breakfast
      Accommodation: Hotel Island (Reykjavik area) or similar

      kirkjufell mountain summer

    • After breakfast, we drive the Golden Circle, Iceland’s classic trio of natural wonders. We start at Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart, then continue to Geysir, where Strokkur erupts roughly every few minutes, sending water up to 25 m (82 ft) into the air. From there, we visit Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s most powerful waterfalls, before heading south to Seljalandsfoss, a 60 m (196 ft) waterfall you can walk behind. Weather permitting, we catch views of Hekla, one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes, on the way to our hotel, and search for the northern lights if skies are clear.

      Meals: Breakfast
      Accommodation: Adventure Hotel Geirland, near Kirkjubæjarklaustur, or similar

      iceland man seljandsfoss

    • After breakfast, we drive to Jökulsárlón, Iceland’s iconic glacier lagoon, where icebergs calve from Breiðamerkurjökull and drift out to sea, then cross the road to Diamond Beach, where chunks of that ice wash up on black sand (keep an eye out for seals along the way). From October through April, we continue to Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier, for a guided hike with crampons into a natural ice cave; during summer months, we visit the Katla ice cave near Vík instead, a year-round alternative inside a different glacier. Along the way, we also stop at Skaftafell Nature Reserve for a look at Svartifoss, a waterfall framed by dark basalt columns.

      Meals: Breakfast
      Accommodation: Adventure Hotel Geirland or similar

      lady posing jokulsarlon glacier lagoon

    • After breakfast, we make our way back toward Reykjavik along the south coast, stopping first, weather permitting, at Fjaðrárgljúfur, a steep, winding canyon carved by glacial rivers. We cross the Eldhraun lava field, one of the largest of its kind on Earth, then reach Reynisfjara, a black sand beach known for its basalt sea cave and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks just offshore. From there, we visit Skógafoss, a 60 m (197 ft) waterfall with 527 steps leading to a panoramic view at the top, and catch sight of Eyjafjallajökull, the volcano and glacier that famously disrupted European air travel in 2010, weather permitting. We arrive back in Reykjavik sometime between 4 pm and 7 pm.

      Meals: Breakfast

      tourist reynisfjara

    • Note that your chosen tour dates are not guaranteed until confirmed by your guide. If availability is limited, your guide may suggest alternative dates a day or two before or after—so just make sure not to make any travel arrangements until confirmed.

    • Included:

        • An experienced, English-speaking local guide with extensive knowledge of the region
        • 5-day South Coast and Snæfellsnes tour by guided minibus
        • Accommodation for 4 nights at country hotels/guesthouses (double occupancy)
        • Daily breakfast at the hotels
        • Ice cave hike with a certified glacier guide (October through April only)
        • Entries & visits to attractions along the route, as in the itinerary, except the optional Vatnshellir Cave
        • Round-trip pickup and drop-off from Reykjavik hotels
        • Minibus transfers during the tour
        • Free Wi-Fi onboard the bus

      Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):

        • Single occupancy room
        • Equipment rental
        • Vatnshellir Cave Tour

      Not included:

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

      Please note that this tour’s exact departure date may shift by a day or two from what you select due to guide’s schedule. We’ll confirm your final departure date within 48 hours of booking.

    • In order to join this South Coast and Snæfellsnes tour, basic fitness is required as well as willingness to walk short distances on natural trails. The most you’ll hike within a day is light walking and a guided glacier hike that is suitable for beginners—no technical climbing or prior glacier experience needed. This trip is designed for anyone comfortable walking for a couple of hours on easy to moderate terrain.

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

    • Yes, it’s possible—this is a year-round tour, so you’re not limited to a single summer window like some Iceland itineraries.

      Your best chance is booking a departure between late September and early April, when the nights are dark enough for the aurora to actually show up. Nothing in nature is ever guaranteed, but the hotels on this route are deliberately away from city lights, which maximizes your odds, and most offer a wake-up call if the lights appear overnight.

      Winter is also the quieter season for this tour—most travelers book summer for the long days and easier roads—so you’ll see smaller crowds at every stop, and it’s the only time of year the Day 4 glacier hike and natural ice cave are open.

    • Expect a good amount of time in the minibus on this tour—it’s the most efficient way to cover the ground between the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the Golden Circle, and the south coast. On average, you’ll cover around 300 km (186 mi) per day, spread across 4 to 5 hours of driving, with frequent stops for sightseeing, photos, and short walks along the way.

    • Gear:

        • Day pack (25–40L)
        • Reusable water bottle (2L recommended)
        • Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots or shoes
        • Optional: Hiking poles (recommended for glacier walk, but not mandatory)
        • Headlamp

      Clothing:

        • Waterproof rain jacket and pants
        • Warm, layered clothing (thermal base, fleece, insulated jacket)
        • Hat, gloves, scarf/buff
        • Wool socks
        • Sunglasses

      Other:

        • Toiletries (including sunscreen and hand sanitizer)
        • Medications
        • Camera or smartphone (recommended)

      Dress comfortably and for the weather in layers that keep you dry and warm. Avoid jeans. Snow gear is not required, but sturdy outdoor basics are key—winters can be cold and wet.

      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!

    • Group sizes and pricing:

        • For this South Coast and Snæfellsnes tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 18:1.
        • 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.

      South Coast and Snæfellsnes 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 above the age of 8 may be permitted to join the tour 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 starting point of your South Coast and Snæfellsnes tour 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 8 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.

    • The price for this South Coast and Snæfellsnes 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.

    • 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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