5-Day Northern Lights Hunt & Glacier Lagoon Tour

Iceland packs a remarkable amount into five days here: erupting geysers, black beaches, roaring waterfalls, blue ice, and a glacier lagoon filled with floating icebergs. The long ride east to Jökulsárlón is the big payoff, while the overnight stops let you see more than a day trip from Reykjavík ever could.

I like the full-sized bus, which gives you more room than a cramped minibus, and I like that four nights of private-bathroom accommodation and breakfast are included. Friðheimar adds a welcome human touch, with geothermal greenhouses and Icelandic horses, while the main drawback is the amount of driving and the fact that Blue Lagoon admission costs extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach: The tour reaches Iceland’s famous glacier lagoon and the black beach scattered with shining ice.
• Four hotel nights included: You stay in Reykjavík and near Vík, with private bathrooms and breakfast.
• Northern Lights searches: Evening attempts are built into the route, but sightings depend on darkness, weather, and solar activity.
• Friðheimar visit: See geothermal tomato and cucumber growing, then visit the Icelandic horse stables.
• Maximum group of 25: This is smaller than a large coach tour, though it is still a group experience.
• Optional Blue Lagoon stop: You can soak near the end of Day 4, but admission is not included in the tour price.

Is $1,059.21 a fair price for five days?

At $1,059.21 per person, this is not a bargain-basement bus excursion. It is a packaged Iceland trip that combines transport, a guide, four nights of accommodation, breakfast, and several major sights in one booking.

The value depends heavily on what you would otherwise arrange yourself. You are covering much of Iceland’s south coast, traveling as far east as Jökulsárlón, and avoiding the work of planning hotels, winter driving, road conditions, and route changes. The operator has been running Iceland tours since 1945, and the experience is designed around drivers familiar with Icelandic conditions.

You still need to budget for lunch, dinner, and the Blue Lagoon. Meals other than hotel breakfast are not included, so food costs can add up quickly in Iceland. The Blue Lagoon is an optional extra, not part of the advertised package, and the price is not specified here.

The bus has no luggage allowance limit, which is useful if you are carrying winter clothing or more than a small suitcase. The group limit of 25 keeps the trip more manageable than a large coach departure, but you should not expect the freedom or quiet of a private tour.

Day 1: A gentle start in Reykjavík

Day 1 is simple. Make your own way to your Reykjavík hotel, with accommodation included. You have about two hours listed for this portion, but the useful point is that the first day is not packed with sightseeing.

That gives you time to arrive, settle in, and explore Reykjavík on your own. It also helps if your flight schedule is awkward. The tour does not collect you from the airport on this day, and you will need to arrange your own way to the hotel.

The main meeting point is Hotel Klettur at Mjölnisholt 12 to 14. The information gives both an 8:45 a.m. hotel-lobby meeting time and a 9:00 a.m. start, so confirm the exact pickup instruction before departure. That small timing difference matters when you are readying bags and breakfast.

Day 2: Þingvellir, Geysir, and Friðheimar

The Golden Circle begins at Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site with both geological and historical importance. You will have about three hours here, enough for more than a quick photograph from the bus.

Þingvellir is one of the places where Iceland’s natural setting and national story meet. The park gives the first clear sense that this is not simply a waterfall-and-geyser circuit. Wear shoes suited to uneven outdoor paths, since the experience is built around seeing the park rather than remaining indoors.

At the Geysir hot spring area, the star is Strokkur, which erupts every few minutes. The original Geysir gave its name to geysers around the world, but it is Strokkur that provides the regular action today.

You have about two hours here. That is generous enough to watch several eruptions, take photographs, and warm up in the visitor facilities if the weather turns rough. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole stop staring at a screen. The hiss, steam, and sudden burst are the point.

Friðheimar is one of the more distinctive stops. Geothermal energy allows tomatoes and cucumbers to grow year-round inside the greenhouses, even in Iceland’s cold climate. You will also visit the stables and see Icelandic horses, known for their unusual gaits.

This one-hour visit breaks up the natural sights with a look at everyday Icelandic ingenuity. The greenhouse is included, as is the visit to the stables. Meals are not generally included in the tour, so check what is available there if you hope to eat rather than simply look around.

Gullfoss closes the day’s main sightseeing. The waterfall drops through powerful cascades, and the spray can make the viewing paths wet and slippery. The name means Golden Falls, and the falls are most impressive when you can see the water’s force from several viewpoints.

You then continue toward the Vík area for your overnight stay. If conditions are suitable, the evening becomes your first Northern Lights search. Remember that this is an attempt, not a promise. Cloud cover, daylight, and aurora activity all have to cooperate.

Day 3: The long ride to Jökulsárlón

Day 3 is the most important day for many people booking this trip. You travel east along Iceland’s southern shore to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and nearby Diamond Beach, then return toward your hotel near Vík.

Jökulsárlón formed as Breiðamerkurjökull’s ice has calved and retreated. Icebergs float in the lagoon before moving toward the sea, and they can appear milky white or bright blue depending on ice crystals and light.

The three-hour stop gives you time to look across the lagoon, watch the ice shift, and take photographs without treating the place as a rushed roadside stop. Seals gather near the lagoon’s mouth during winter as they follow fish, so bring patience and keep your eyes on the water.

The lagoon can feel exposed and cold. You will want a proper waterproof outer layer, gloves, and a hat, even if Reykjavík feels mild when you leave. There is no need to invent a grand activity here. Simply being beside the floating ice is the experience.

Diamond Beach is nearby and gets about two hours. Pieces of ice from the lagoon wash onto black volcanic sand, where they can look like scattered glass or polished stones. The name makes sense once sunlight catches the ice.

The beach is visually dramatic, but it is also a place to respect the sea. Ice fragments and waves make the shoreline change constantly, and you should follow your guide’s safety advice. This stop is especially useful for photographers because the dark sand gives the ice a strong backdrop.

The return includes a stop at Skaftafell, within Vatnajökull National Park. The area has glaciers, waterfalls, plants, and hiking paths, with Svartifoss known for its dark basalt columns.

The listed three hours can feel short if you hope to hike far, so treat this as a scenic introduction rather than a full trekking day. The route is designed to show you several types of Icelandic scenery in one trip, not to give you a full day at every national park.

Day 4: Black sand, waterfalls, and a possible soak

Reynisfjara is one of Iceland’s most memorable beaches, with black sand, rock formations, and powerful waves. The warning here is serious: sneaker waves can reach farther up the shore than expected, so stay well back from the water.

The one-hour stop is enough to see the beach and formations, but not a reason to wander casually along the surf. Listen to the guide and avoid turning your back on the sea for photographs.

Skógafoss follows, dropping 60 meters across a broad 25-meter face. On a sunny day, spray can produce a rainbow, and local stories connect the waterfall with hidden treasure.

You get about an hour, which works well for viewing the falls and taking pictures. The mist can soak clothing, so keep a waterproof layer handy. It is another reminder that Iceland sightseeing is often wet even when the forecast looks acceptable.

At Seljalandsfoss, you can walk behind the waterfall. This is one of the trip’s more active viewing experiences, but expect spray and slippery ground. Dress for getting wet, and protect cameras and phones.

The tour then heads to the Blue Lagoon before returning to Reykjavík. The lagoon is known for mineral-rich water and silica mud, but admission is not included. You can decide if the additional cost fits your budget, rather than having the spa experience forced into the package price.

The timing gives you about three hours at the Blue Lagoon, including the stop itself. If you plan to enter, arrange the optional admission in advance and bring what you need for a swim. If you skip it, confirm how the transfer works, since the group’s final route continues to Reykjavík and hotel drop-off.

Northern Lights: a real attempt, not a guarantee

The tour is built to improve your chances by taking you beyond Reykjavík and including an evening near Vík. You also arrive in February on at least one departure example, a period with long, dark nights that can suit aurora hunting.

Still, no operator can guarantee the Northern Lights. Clear skies and aurora activity must line up, and the tour’s wording correctly treats the search as weather-dependent. I would choose this trip for the waterfalls, ice, and coast first, then regard the lights as a bonus.

The evening searches also make the included accommodation useful. You are not returning to Reykjavík after every long day, and the overnight route gives the guide a better chance to look for clearer conditions. Bring warm layers that you can put on quickly, since waiting outdoors is part of the process.

Hotels, guides, and the feel of the trip

Private bathrooms and breakfast are included for all four nights. The accommodation is described as clean and comfortable, and one stay near Vík, Hotel Katla, is away from town but noted for high food standards and a strong evening buffet.

That remote location can be a plus for a Northern Lights trip because it places you away from the capital. It can also feel limiting if you want to walk out for independent dining or evening entertainment. The included breakfast helps you start early, but lunch and dinner remain your responsibility.

The guide is a major part of a multi-day bus trip. The tour team has included people named Peter and Pétur, with Páll serving as driver on one departure. Their approach included explanations about the sights, Icelandic life, and humor, along with clear updates when city strikes forced last-minute changes.

Staffing can change, so do not book on the assumption that you will have one particular person. You can reasonably expect a professional local guide and a driver experienced with Icelandic roads, but the individual names are not guaranteed.

Who should book this five-day route?

I would choose this tour if you want Iceland’s headline sights without renting a car. It suits you if you prefer a planned route, included hotels, and one guide who helps connect the stops rather than leaving you to manage every detail.

It also works well for a first Iceland visit. In five days, you see the Golden Circle, south coast waterfalls, black beaches, glacier ice, a national park, a geothermal farm, and Reykjavík. The route gives you a broad first look rather than a specialist trip focused only on hiking, photography, or spa time.

You should think twice if you dislike long bus rides or want to set your own schedule. The itinerary covers a lot of ground, and the best sights are spread far apart. You should also budget carefully for meals and the Blue Lagoon, since only breakfast is included.

Most people can participate, and the maximum group size is 25. Pickup is offered, group discounts are available, and you receive confirmation at booking. Cancellation is generous only if you act early: a full refund requires cancellation at least six full days before the start, while later cancellations receive less or nothing.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your priority is seeing a wide slice of southern Iceland with transport and hotels handled for you. The strongest reasons are the eastward journey to Jökulsárlón, the well-chosen waterfall and beach stops, the included Friðheimar visit, and the chance to search for the Northern Lights from outside Reykjavík.

Skip it if you want a slow trip, guaranteed aurora viewing, or an all-inclusive price. For a first visit, though, the route offers strong value: you get the major sights, a practical overnight plan, and a guide-led experience without taking on Iceland’s roads yourself.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts approximately five days, from arrival in Reykjavík through departure for Keflavík Airport.

How many hotel nights are included?

Four nights of accommodation are included, with a private bathroom and breakfast.

Is airport transportation included?

No airport transfer is specified. On Day 1, you make your own way to the Reykjavík hotel, and on Day 5, you make your own way to Keflavík Airport.

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is Hotel Klettur, Mjölnisholt 12 to 14, Reykjavík 105, Iceland.

What time does the tour begin?

The information gives a hotel-lobby meeting time of 8:45 a.m. and a start time of 9:00 a.m. Confirm the exact pickup instruction before departure.

Is the Blue Lagoon included?

No. Blue Lagoon admission is optional and available at an additional price.

Are meals included?

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Meals other than breakfast are not included.

Is the Northern Lights sighting guaranteed?

No. The itinerary includes searches when weather permits, but sightings depend on conditions and aurora activity.