From Reykjavík: Evening Lava Tunnel Tour and Northern Lights Tour

The best part of this evening tour is the contrast: you begin below ground in a 900-meter lava tunnel, then head into the dark countryside to search for the Northern Lights. It packs two very different Iceland experiences into about five hours without asking you to arrange a rental car or study aurora forecasts.

I like the small minibus format, which can reach places larger coaches cannot, and the thoughtful extras: hot cocoa, blankets, onboard Wi-Fi, and free photos with the aurora when conditions cooperate. The main drawback is simple but important: the Northern Lights are never guaranteed, and the tunnel includes uneven ground that may not suit everyone.

• Walk through Raufarhólshellir: Explore Iceland’s fourth-longest lava tube with a certified caving guide, helmet, and torch.
• Two kinds of darkness: Move from colorful volcanic rock underground to starry skies outside Reykjavík.
• Aurora search by minibus: The route can change with the forecast, possibly reaching Þingvellir, Reykjanes, or South Iceland.
• Warm touches included: Hot Icelandic cocoa, chocolate, blankets, and Wi-Fi make the long evening ride easier.
• A second chance: If the Northern Lights do not appear, you receive a free retry for the aurora portion.
• Pickup needs planning: You must use an authorized Reykjavík pickup point, not a private apartment or Keflavík Airport.

Two Iceland highlights in one five-hour evening

This Arctic Adventures outing begins at about 7:30 p.m. and combines a fixed attraction with a weather-dependent search. That is a smart pairing. The lava tunnel gives you a worthwhile experience even when clouds cover the sky, while the Northern Lights portion adds a thrilling but uncertain finish.

You pay $195.19 per person, which is not a small amount. The value depends on how you use it. You are paying for transport from Reykjavík, a guided cave visit, safety equipment, an English-speaking aurora guide, photos, hot drinks, and the chance to try the lights again at no extra charge. If you would otherwise hire a car, buy a separate cave visit, and book another aurora outing, the package can make financial sense.

The tour averages 39 days of advance booking, so I would not leave it until the last minute during a busy season. It is offered in English, and the vehicle holds a maximum of 28 people. That is not an intimate private tour, but it is more manageable than a large coach trip.

Pickup from Reykjavík requires a little homework

Pickup is offered from a long list of authorized points around Reykjavík. These include BSÍ Bus Terminal, Hallgrímskirkja Church, City Hall, Miðbakki, Skógarhlíð, several hotels, and other marked stops.

The company does not collect from private apartments, Airbnb apartments, or Keflavík Airport. If your lodging is not on the pickup list, choose the closest approved point before booking. This matters because the driver may take up to 30 minutes to reach your stop, and you need to be waiting there from the beginning of the pickup window.

I suggest arriving early, standing where the minibus can spot you, and keeping your phone available. Missing the vehicle because you waited inside your hotel would be an expensive mistake. The tour returns you to your selected Reykjavík drop-off location after the evening.

The minibus has Wi-Fi, a useful feature during a long evening ride. It lets you check messages, look at forecast updates, or simply stay connected while leaving the city lights behind.

Entering Raufarhólshellir with a helmet and torch

The first major stop is Raufarhólshellir, about 45 minutes from Reykjavík. It is Iceland’s fourth-longest lava tube, and the visit takes about an hour.

You meet a certified caving guide, receive a helmet and torch, and get a short safety briefing. The route includes built paths and footbridges, mixed with natural ground. Some parts are uneven, and one report describes sections as a little slippery, so sturdy shoes and careful footing are sensible.

This is not a technical caving expedition. You do not need ropes or specialist training. Still, you should be comfortable walking on uneven surfaces in dim conditions. The supplied helmet light helps, but this is not a smooth museum walkway from beginning to end.

The tunnel’s colors are one of its strongest features. Volcanic forces have left sections of the walls in emerald greens, fiery reds, turquoise, and soft lilac tones. The guide explains how the formations developed, giving the hour more substance than simply walking through a dark hole and taking photographs.

The night setting adds something too. You are not visiting a bright attraction in the middle of a busy sightseeing day. The darkness outside and inside makes the cave feel more unusual, while the helmet lights pick out details as you move.

There are toilets at the tunnel entrance, and you return to that same area after the walk. That practical detail is worth knowing before you set off into the cave.

From the cave to the Northern Lights hunt

After the lava tube, you return to the minibus and begin the aurora portion, which lasts about two and a half hours. There is no single guaranteed destination. The guide follows current conditions and may head toward Þingvellir, Reykjanes, or another clearer location in South Iceland.

That flexible routing is one of the tour’s real strengths. The Northern Lights depend on darkness, cloud cover, activity, and luck. A fixed itinerary would be less useful than a guide who can change direction when the forecast shifts.

The minibus also gives the group access to smaller roadside locations that large buses may not reach. That does not guarantee a better display, but getting away from Reykjavík’s lights improves your chance of seeing a faint aurora.

The experience can feel different from night to night. On a good evening, the guide may keep searching until the lights appear, then stop for photographs. One guide, Nicolas, received particular praise for helping the group get strong aurora pictures. Another guide, Gretta, was singled out for her friendly handling of the tour.

You should keep your expectations grounded. Clear skies do not guarantee aurora activity, and strong activity can still be hidden by cloud. One evening produced no Northern Lights despite attempts at several locations. That is not necessarily poor guiding. It is the basic risk of booking any aurora outing.

Free photos and a warm cup under the stars

If the Northern Lights appear, your guide takes photos of you with the aurora. The images are shared digitally, and one account noted that the pictures arrived the following day. This is a valuable extra because aurora photography can be difficult with a phone, especially when you are also trying to enjoy the moment.

The guide may spend around 20 minutes focusing on photographs once the lights show. That gives you time to pose, look up, and enjoy the display instead of rushing back onto the bus.

Hot Icelandic cocoa, chocolate, and blankets are included. These are small touches, but they matter during a winter night when you may be standing outside waiting for the sky to change. You should still dress properly with warm layers, since a blanket is comfort rather than a substitute for winter clothing.

There is no dinner or snack service. Eat before pickup. The tour starts in the evening and can run for about five hours, so arriving after a proper meal will make the night more pleasant.

What happens if the aurora stays hidden

The tour includes a free retry for the Northern Lights portion if you do not see them. In practice, the lava tunnel still goes ahead, while the aurora search may be rescheduled for another night.

This guarantee has real value if you have enough time in Reykjavík to use it. It is less useful if you leave Iceland the next morning or have a tightly packed schedule. Check your itinerary before booking and ask how the retry is arranged if the first night fails.

One account describes disappointment when a second outing was not clearly offered at the time. That points to a useful practical step: if the lights do not appear, confirm the retry details with Arctic Adventures before leaving the drop-off point or as soon as possible afterward.

The activity can also be canceled for poor weather or if the minimum number of participants is not reached. In those cases, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund. For a normal cancellation, you need to cancel at least 24 hours before the start time to receive a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Is the cave suitable for you?

Most people can take part, but the uneven ground deserves attention. The route uses paths and bridges in places, yet natural surfaces remain part of the walk. You should be confident walking on uneven terrain and comfortable in a dark underground setting.

The excursion can suit families, older children, and solo visitors. A 15-year-old enjoyed it, and one solo participant appreciated that the guide kept an eye out so nobody was left behind. The activity is described as easy to moderate, not strenuous, but that does not mean it is suitable for anyone with mobility concerns.

The maximum group size is 28. If everyone arrives on time and follows the guide’s instructions, the format should be practical rather than chaotic. Still, do not book this expecting a private cave lesson or a silent wilderness trip.

How the price compares with the experience

At $195.19, this is a premium evening outing. The price is easiest to justify if you value convenience and have limited time. You get transport, two guides or guiding roles, safety equipment, a major geological attraction, a Northern Lights search, refreshments, Wi-Fi, photos, and a free retry.

The price feels less attractive if you only want to see the aurora and already have a car. It also may not suit a short Reykjavík stay where you cannot use the free retry. Since the Northern Lights may not appear, think of the lava tunnel as the reliable core of the evening and the aurora as the bonus.

That way, you are less likely to feel that the entire experience failed because the weather hid the sky. Raufarhólshellir provides a complete activity on its own, while the night search gives you a chance at Iceland’s most famous natural show.

Who should book this evening tour?

I would recommend it for you if you want two major Iceland experiences in one outing, prefer not to drive at night, and can keep another evening available for a retry. It is especially useful early in your Reykjavík stay, when you still have time to use the second chance.

You should also book it if you like guided experiences with practical support. The helmets, torches, pickup service, hot cocoa, blankets, Wi-Fi, and digital photos remove much of the usual hassle.

I would hesitate if you dislike uneven ground, need guaranteed access from a private apartment, or have only one night in Reykjavík. I would also avoid treating it as a guaranteed aurora ticket. Nature makes the final decision.

Final call: a strong pairing with one clear risk

This is a well-planned way to combine Iceland’s volcanic past with its night sky. The lava tunnel is the dependable centerpiece, while the flexible minibus search, free photographs, and retry policy give you a fair chance at the Northern Lights.

Book it when you want convenience, a certified caving guide, and a practical evening away from Reykjavík. Just eat dinner first, choose an approved pickup point, wear shoes suited to uneven ground, and leave room in your schedule for a second aurora attempt.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 7:30 p.m.

How long does the tour last?

The full experience lasts approximately five hours, including pickup, the lava tunnel visit, the Northern Lights search, and return to Reykjavík.

Where does the tour pick up passengers?

Pickup is available from authorized points around Reykjavík, including selected hotels, BSÍ Bus Terminal, Hallgrímskirkja Church, City Hall, Miðbakki, and other listed stops.

Can the tour pick me up from a private apartment or Airbnb?

No. Pickup is not offered from private apartments, Airbnb apartments, or Keflavík Airport. You need to use the closest authorized pickup point.

What is included for the lava tunnel visit?

You receive a guided visit with a certified caving guide, helmet, torch, and the required safety equipment.

How far is Raufarhólshellir from Reykjavík?

The lava tunnel is about 45 minutes from Reykjavík by minibus.

Is the lava tunnel difficult to walk through?

The route includes built paths, footbridges, and natural ground. Some sections are uneven, so you should be comfortable walking on uneven surfaces.

Is dinner included?

No. Dinner and snacks are not included. You should eat before joining the tour.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

You receive a free retry for the Northern Lights portion. The retry is most useful if you have another evening available in Iceland.

Are Northern Lights photos included?

Yes. If the aurora appears, the guide takes photos of you with the Northern Lights and shares them digitally.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You are offered a different date or a full refund if the activity is canceled because of poor weather. A different date, another experience, or a full refund may also be offered if the minimum number of participants is not reached.