Nicetravel · Reykjavík, hotels and bus stops
Nicetravel splits the south coast over two days: waterfalls and a guided hike on Sólheimajökull on day one, a night on the coast, then Fjaðrárgjúfur and 90 minutes at Jökulsárlón on day two. Pick it if a 15-hour bus day sounds grim and you want to walk on a glacier too.
This is the trip that fixes the day tour's main problem. Instead of ten hours on a coach in one go, you drive a few hours each day, stop more, and get 1 hour 30 minutes at Jökulsárlón, the longest lagoon stop of any tour from Reykjavík on this site. The group is 19 at most, in a minibus with Wi-Fi and USB chargers, and pickup is at 9:00 am rather than 7:00.
Day one covers Seljalandsfoss and the hidden Gljúfrabúi falls next to it, Skógafoss, then a 90-minute guided blue-ice hike on Sólheimajökull with crampons and the rest of the safety gear supplied. You finish at Reynisfjara and sleep on the south coast in a double or twin room, at the standard you choose when booking. Day two runs through Vík, the Eldhraun lava field, 45 minutes at Fjaðrárgjúfur and the Hofskirkja turf church to the lagoon and Diamond Beach. The tour gets back to Reykjavík around 9:30 pm.
Read the options carefully. The boat ride on the lagoon is included only if you select that option, and the from-price of $639 is the base one. Breakfast is included, lunch and dinner are not: the guide stops where you can buy food. Bring only a backpack-sized bag, since there's no room for suitcases; Nicetravel stores luggage free at its office.
Hotel pickup in Reykjavík, then Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi and Skógafoss, 30 minutes each.
Crampons, helmet and harness on, then a guided walk on Sólheimajökull.
Thirty minutes on the black beach, then your hotel on the south coast.
Short stops in Vík and the lava field, then 45 minutes at the canyon and the turf church at Hof.
Time on the shore, and the boat ride if you booked that option.
Twenty minutes on Diamond Beach, then the long drive back to Reykjavík.
★★★★★This trip was the highlight of my time in Iceland. We had so many wonderful experiences and saw so many amazing things from lava fields to icebergs to waterfalls. The hike was challenging and fun. The overnight stay was comfy with good food. Highly recommend!
★★★★★Amazing experiences!! In two days you see beautiful scenery, walk on a glacier, ride a boat on a glacial lagoon, walk behind a waterfall, Iceland has it alll!
★★★★★The ice lagoon was superb - booking the boat tour is a must. This trip was an amazing way to see the country, and I’m very glad we decided on the 2 day trip instead of doing it all in 1.
★★★★★Everything was seamless, the accommodations were comfortable and top-notch, and our driver was fantastic [...] Highly recommended for anyone looking for a well-organized and enriching experience!
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Only if you select the boat option when you book. The base price does not include it. Our boat tour guide explains what the amphibian ride is like.
It lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes on Sólheimajökull with crampons, and children from 8 join. One guest called it "challenging and fun". Good hiking boots are a must.
On the south coast, in a double or twin room. You choose the standard of accommodation when booking, and breakfast is included.
For most people, yes: more time at the lagoon (90 minutes), a glacier hike and no 15-hour bus day. If you only have one day, the Reykjavik Excursions day trip is the best single-day option. See our day trip guide.
Ready to book
Ninety minutes at the lagoon, a guided glacier hike and a night on the south coast.
3-Day Golden Circle, Ice Cave & Glacier LagoonGolden Circle, a guided ice cave, the lagoon and Diamond Beach, two nights with breakfast. Small group of 16.★ 4.8 · 3 days · from $954
Small-Group Glacier Lagoon & FjaðrárgjúfurA minibus of 17 at most, with Fjaðrárgjúfur canyon, a turf church and an hour at the lagoon. Aurora stop Sep to Apr.★ 4.6 · 16 hours · from $242
Glacier Lagoon Day Trip with Boat TourThe only day trip from Reykjavík with the boat ride already included: about 30 minutes among the icebergs.★ 4.7 · 14.5 hours · from $328