Small-Group 3-Day Golden Circle and South Coast Tour with Glacier Hiking and Ice Caving

Day two of your small-group trip to Iceland will let you venture into the crown jewels of the Vatnajokull National Park, particularly the Jokulsarlon lagoon and the Diamond Beach. You will also have an ice-caving experience to cap off a wonderful day in and around the Vatnajokull glacier.

Before traveling to the largest ice cap in Europe, your group will enjoy a tasty breakfast from your hotel.

As you travel eastward, you’ll reach the Vatnajokull National Park, where you’ll spend most of the day.

Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon is one of the most stunning views you’ll see anywhere in the world. Thousands of floating icebergs scatter throughout the lagoon, with varying sizes, shapes, and colors. Jokulsarlon lagoon continuously expands yearly due to the meltwater from the nearby Breidamerkurjokull glacier.

While some of these ice chunks float into the Atlantic Ocean, most end up on the adjacent Diamond Beach. While in the area, don’t miss the opportunity to take photos of the contrasting image of ice crystals melting on the black sands.

After a mesmerizing experience, it is time for your adventure. During winter, you will head into the Skaftafell Nature Reserve for a glacier hike and visit a crystal blue ice cave. In summer, you'll visit an alternate ice cave on the glacier covering the Katla volcano.

Skaftafell was once its own national park before it became a major part of the Vatnajokull National Park. Sheltered by enormous ice caps and filled with diverse scenery, you'll love the views as you drive to the bottom of a glacier.

Here, your guide will dress you in all the gear needed for a safe and exciting ascent. Once you begin to walk up the slopes, you'll witness spectacular ice formations, otherworldly terrain, and beautiful views. Your guide will also tell you about these features and answer any questions you have.

At the end of your trail, you'll come to a magical crystal-blue ice cave. These can only be accessed in winter and provide you with a fairytale experience once you enter and explore the shimmering corridors and chambers.

If you are taking this tour in summer, you'll head to one of Iceland's most active volcanoes instead, Katla. This peak is covered by Myrdalsjokull glacier, which is also home to ice caves. Though less colorful than those seen in Skaftafell, they are still breathtaking and provide a fantastic glacier hiking and ice-caving experience.

The day ends at a hotel in southeast Iceland.

After breakfast at your hotel on day three, you'll make your way back to Reykjavik, exploring the many other sites of South Iceland as you travel.

Those taking this tour during summer will start at Fargljufur canyon. This breathtaking attraction has vivid blue rivers, beautiful greenery, and dramatic geology.

Otherwise, you'll head to Eldhraun, one of the world's lava fields created in an enormous eruption.

Next, you'll visit Reynisfjara beach, arguably the most popular black sand beach in Iceland. Thanks to its jet-black volcanic sands and surrounding basaltic cliffs, Reynisfjara draws thousands of tourists annually, even if you can't swim in the area due to the mighty waves of the Atlantic.

The final highlights today are the Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, equally towering at 200 feet (60 meters) but offering different viewing experiences. Skogafoss has a traditional shape but a powerful flow, and you can walk behind the unique Seljalandsfoss to see its gentle cascade from behind.

Of course, you'll make plenty of stops for refreshments and extra photos. As the sky grows dark towards the end of your journey (if traveling in winter), you and your guide can keep an eye out the windows should the northern lights bless you with an appearance.

Your guide will drop you off at your meeting point in Reykjavik at the end of the day.