Fantastic 2-Day Self-Drive Tour to the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon with Ice Caving
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Day 1 – Southeast Iceland
- Southeast Iceland - Arrival day
- More
- Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
- Skogafoss waterfall
- Dyrholaey
- Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks
- Skaftafell Nature Reserve
- Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
- Diamond Beach
- More
Let the adventure begin with a road trip along Iceland's South Coast and a trip to the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.
You'll start your day by collecting your rental car in Reykjavik. You'll hire a four-wheel drive vehicle equipped to handle the icy conditions of Iceland's roads in winter.
Drive out of Reykjavik and follow the Ring Road along the South Coast, passing picturesque towns and lowland fields. Stop for your first break at the beautiful Seljalandsfoss waterfall.
This striking waterfall is one of the most loved in Iceland, thanks to the cave behind the cascade. The path behind the waterfall is closed during the height of winter, but if you're visiting during the coldest months, you'll love the waterfall's fairytale-like setting when surrounded by snow and ice.
Continue along the coast until you reach another stunning waterfall, Skogafoss. This waterfall is about the same height as Seljalandsfoss at approximately 200 feet (about 60 meters) but much broader and more powerful. Enjoy the view and take some photos before returning to the car.
Further along the South Coast, you'll arrive at the Dyrholaey Peninsula, where you can take in breathtaking views of a glacier, the Reynisfjara black-sand beach, and the Atlantic Ocean. You can also walk along the beach, but ensure you stand well back from the shore, as the sneaker waves can be hazardous.
You'll arrive at the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon at the end of the day. It's one of the most beautiful sights in Iceland and one of the best places to see the northern lights if the aurora forecast is good. Gaze up at the bright green, yellow, pink, and blue lights above you.
If the northern lights are strong enough, you can see them reflected in the water of the glacial lake. Wrap up warm and enjoy the view while waiting for this incomparable natural phenomenon to appear.
You'll spend the night in accommodation in Southeast Iceland.
Accommodation on day 1
Experiences on day 1
Day 2 – Southeast Iceland
- Southeast Iceland - Departure day
- More
- Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
- Skaftafell Nature Reserve
- Svartifoss
- More
Enjoy the unforgettable experience of ice caving in Iceland on the second day of this self-drive winter tour.
After a delicious breakfast at your accommodation, you'll go to the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. You can enjoy the view here while you wait for your ice-caving guide.
You'll meet your guide at the glacier lagoon parking lot and travel toward the ice cave in a specially modified car onto the Vatnajokull glacier. This once-in-a-lifetime experience will take you deep into the glacial ice to see gorgeous colors and caverns.
The ice caves disappear and reappear each year as the glacial ice melts and refreezes, so every trip to ice caves is different. The guides are experienced in choosing caves that are safe to visit and incredible to behold. They'll provide the necessary gear and give you instructions to keep you safe during the excursion.
The ice caves give visitors a glimpse into an otherworldly wonderland made of blue and white ice and snow over 1,000 years old. You'll see magnificent structures formed by the melting and refreezing ice and have plenty of time to take photos of the caves.
The ice-caving tour is dependent on weather conditions. If the guide decides it isn't safe to enter the caves, you won't be able to participate. You'll receive a refund for the ice-caving section of your self-drive tour, and you can spend the day enjoying the views at the glacier lagoon instead.
At the end of the ice cave tour, you can return to Jokulsarlon to see the glacier lagoon in daylight. Take more photos of the icebergs floating on the glacial waters and see if you can spot seals swimming in the lake.
When you're ready to leave, you'll start the return journey to Reykjavik. It's a long drive, but you can stop at your favorite sights from yesterday or catch up on any missed attractions.
If you leave around 14:00, you should be back in Reykjavik by 20:00, depending on how many stops you make. After returning your rental car, you can spend an evening in Reykjavik.
Experiences on day 2
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Self-drive tours begin either in Reykjavik City or at Keflavik International Airport. A valid driver's license is required, along with at least one year of on-road experience. Please be aware that your itinerary may be rearranged to better suit your arrival date and time.
The northern lights are a natural phenomenon and, therefore, cannot be guaranteed, but this itinerary is designed to maximize your chances of seeing them if weather conditions allow. In cases of extreme weather, certain activities can be canceled at short notice. If this happens, we'll assist you with rearranging or replacing the activity. Any potential price difference will be refunded to you.
Please note that this tour is available to book from September to May, but the ice caves are only accessible between November and March. Icelandic roads and pavements can be slippery in the winter. We recommend bringing shoes with slip-resistant soles or ice-grip shoe covers, which you can purchase in many supermarkets and gas stations around Iceland.
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