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Jökulsárlón ©nordicvisitor

Scenic South Iceland

Geysers, Volcanoes & Glacier Lagoon

(5 days / 4 nights)

4.9
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10% OFF IN 2024

Take a short break to top Icelandic Spots

Hop aboard a comfortable mini-bus to see the most fascinating and scenic highlights of South Iceland. You’ll enjoy the expertise of a professional local guide as you visit unique natural attractions including black sand beaches, hot springs, waterfalls, vast volcanic areas and jagged bird cliffs. This is a great way to see top spots on Iceland’s south coast and get a taste of the Land of Fire and Ice.

Would it suit you better to enjoy this trip as a private tour?

If you arrive on 17 or 31 July, you could extend your trip in Iceland by adding the Wonders of the Westfjords tour after Scenic South Iceland for even more adventures.

4.9
10% OFF IN 2024

5 days / 4 nights

Price p.p. from

The amount will be charged in ISK

Approx 284656 ISK

See special offers terms

— Why book this tour

  • More included options and no hidden fees
  • Free private transfer from airport on arrival
  • Handpicked hotels by local travel experts
  • Groups limited to 16 travellers
  • Experienced local guides
  • 100% guaranteed departures
  • Carbon offsetting included

— Book With Confidence

  • Optional cancellation insurance
  • Affordable deposits from 10%

Terms and conditions apply

Tour Highlights

  • Sail among the massive floating icebergs at the Glacier Lagoon
  • Walk the Diamond Beach, seeing the scattered, glistening ice
  • Explore the famous Golden Circle route
  • Tour the south coast, including the waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss
  • Learn about Iceland’s unique geology at the Lava Centre
  • Visit Skaftafell, Iceland’s largest national park and a place of immense natural beauty
  • Photograph the jagged basalt columns & sweeping black sand beaches
  • Walk the quaint streets of Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland
  • Taste Icelandic cuisine with local, fresh ingredients
  • Visit a geothermal park where we´ll boil eggs and taste rye bread baked in the ground near hot springs
  • Meet Icelandic farmers and get to meet animals like horses, sheep and goats
 

Travel style

Guided Small Groups i

Interest

Best Seller i, Classic i, Midnight sun i

Pace level

Level 2/3 (Classic) i

Activity level

Level 1/4 (Easy) i

Season

Apr - Sep

Max group size

16

Departure

Weekly

Driving distance

911/566 km/mi

Itinerary

A day-by-day plan to guide your journey.

  • Day 1: Arrival & Sightseeing in Reykjavík

    On arrival at Keflavík International Airport, a driver will welcome you and drive you to your accommodation in Reykjavík. After settling in, take the opportunity to explore the vibrant city centre at your own pace. The main street, Laugavegur, offers a variety of shops, galleries, restaurants, coffee houses and bars to suit all tastes. In the evening, you’ll have ample choice of gourmet restaurants to enjoy an Icelandic dinner.

    Spend the night at Centerhotel Grandi or similar.

    If you arrive early you have the option to upgrade your journey from the airport to include a visit to the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa before heading to Reykjavik. It’s the perfect way to start your Icelandic adventure!

    Included:
    • Private meet & greet airport transfer on arrival

    Average travel & exploration time: 50 minutes

    Attractions Accommodation details See Activities for this day
  • Day 2: Waterfalls & Black Sand Beaches

    Your group tour starts today when your guide picks you up from your accommodation. First stop is  the geothermal park in the town of Hveragerði. Here, you will get a chance to see geothermal energy in action as the group will boil eggs in a hot spring and taste fresh rye bread baked overnight in geothermal steam. Next you will have time to explore the Lava Centre, an interactive exhibition about Iceland’s unique geology.

    Today’s journey continues to the fairy tale-like Seljalandsfoss waterfall – the only one in Iceland where you can walk on a footpath behind the roaring cascade.  This will be followed by the magnificent 60-metre (197-feet), free-falling Skógafoss waterfall. Then your guide will continue south of the majestic Eyjafjöll mountain range, which includes the Eyjafjallajökull volcano. The last visit of the day is at Reynisfjara, known for its black volcanic sands, smooth pebbles, and unique rock formations. When you reach your accommodation for the night, you’ll enjoy a delicious dinner.

    Spend the next two nights at Magma Hotel or similar.

    Included:
    • Entrance to the Geothermal Park in Hveragerði
    • Entrance to the Lava Centre
    • Continental breakfast buffet at your accommodation
    • Dinner at your accommodation

    Average travel & exploration time: 8-9 hours

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Accommodation details
  • Day 3: Skaftafell & the Glacier Lagoon

    Today you’ll get to see some of Iceland’s most photogenic attractions, starting with a visit to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Here you will enjoy a guided amphibian boat tour among the floating icebergs. Then you’ll be able to walk along Diamond Beach, where chunks of sparkling ice are dotting the shore like diamonds. Next, the group will also visit the smaller Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon. Then your guide will stop for lunch before continuing to the beautiful Skaftafell area of Vatnajökull National Park, named for Iceland’s largest glacier. When the group reaches tonight’s accommodation, you’ll enjoy dinner with your travel companions.

    Spend the night at Magma Hotel or similar

    *Please note that the glacier lagoon boat tour is not available in April. Instead, the group will enjoy lunch together in the area as part of the package.

    Included:
    • Guided boat tour on Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
    • Continental breakfast buffet at your accommodation
    • Dinner at your accommodation
     
    Average travel & exploration time: 8-9 hours

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Accommodation details
  • Day 4: Farm Visit & The Classic Golden Circle

    Your guide drives you back to Reykjavík today, passing by more incredible sights along the way. The first stop will be at a local farm, where you’ll learn about daily life at a typical Icelandic farm.

    Next the tour will take you around the Golden Circle, a popular route for viewing some of the best-known natural sites in South Iceland. You’ll see the picture-perfect, two-tiered Gullfoss waterfall and the Geysir area with its bubbling mud pots and spouting Strokkur geyser. The last sight of the day before your return to Reykjavík will be the magnificent Þingvellir National Park, an area of outstanding beauty.

    Spend the night at Centerhotel Grandi or similar.

    Included:
    • Farm visit
    • Continental breakfast buffet at your accommodation

    Average travel & exploration time: 8-9 hours

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Accommodation details
  • Day 5: Departure From Reykjavík

    When it’s time for your Iceland adventure to end, you will be picked up by shuttle bus for your airport transfer. If you’re flying in the afternoon, you have the option to add a visit to the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa on your way to the airport. This is ideal to end your trip in the most relaxing way (optional: not included).

    Or extend your trip in Iceland by discovering the stunning and remote Westfjords region. For arrival dates on 17 and 31 July, you could add the Wonders of the Westfjords tour after Scenic South Iceland for even more adventures.

    Included:
    • Continental breakfast buffet at your accommodation
    • Shuttle transfer to Keflavík International Airport on departure

    Average travel  time: 50 minutes

    See Activities for this day

Optional extras

Customise your adventure with these Optional Extras.

We recommend adding your extra activities to the tour now for the best booking experience and to secure your spot, as activities are likely to sell out.

Map

Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.

Essential information

Everything you need to know about this tour before you book

We recommend that you read carefully through the following information before booking this small guided group tour in Iceland. We’ve answered the most frequently asked questions here so you know what to expect. You’ll also find more practical advice and attraction recommendations in our online Iceland Travel Guide.

On a guided group tour, a local guide will lead you and fellow travellers on an adventure in Iceland. You’ll follow a set itinerary, going on walks, excursions and dining together as a group.

Your guide will act as a driver and you’ll benefit from their in-depth knowledge of Iceland along the way. We carefully select local guides with years of experience that come highly recommended. They’ll share with you their love of their country, stories and historical knowledge as well as recommendations.

Our guides always have a trick up their sleeves to surprise you and make your experience in Iceland extra special.

You’ll travel by minibus, which is equipped with Wi-Fi. The groups are capped at 16 people so you can enjoy a more personal experience. 

The driver-guide will also be there for you if you need anything during the tour. Plus, you’ll have access to our 24/7 helpline during your trip should you need to contact us. 

All your services will be pre-booked by your personal travel consultant at Nordic Visitor. This includes your airport transfers, accommodation in Iceland, minibus and activities, as specified in the itinerary.

Yes, when you book your Iceland tour with Nordic Visitor, you always get airport transfers to and from Keflavík Airport included. This will be a private, shared or bus transfer, depending on your itinerary. Please check the details of your tour to confirm.

If you add extra nights to your stay before or after the scheduled trip, we’ll rearrange your transfers to fit your new itinerary.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with your travel consultant if you have any specific requests about optional activities or services.

Due to the nature of this tour and activities included, it’s not recommended for families with young children. That said, it is suitable for well-travelled, active children of 12 years or older. If in doubt, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

To make sure you and your fellow travellers have a comfortable journey, we need to limit the size and amount of luggage in the bus. 

Each guest can bring one suitcase or large bag that can be stored in the back of the minibus and one smaller item (e.g., a backpack or daypack) to keep inside the van for daily essentials like camera, wallet, medications and so forth. Unfortunately carry-on suitcases (cabin bags) are too large to store in the van’s overhead racks. 

If you have any questions about luggage your Nordic Visitor travel consultant will be able to assist you.

On your guided group tour, you’ll stay in accommodation that’s been hand-picked by our local Iceland travel experts. We’ve partnered with local businesses and selected hotels and guesthouses based on excellent ratings, comfort and our personal experience. 

You can view the detailed list of hotels for this trip under the accommodation tab.

During the booking steps, you can choose a single or double room. Please note that in Iceland room types are based on European standard sizes, which means they are smaller than in North America. 

For example, a double room often consists of 2 single beds pushed together. Twin rooms are 2 separate single beds. Triple rooms are not available for this tour. If your group contains 3 or more people, please contact us for booking assistance.

This itinerary includes a few walks in nature. This means you must be prepared and able to walk between 3–5 kilometres (1.8–3 miles) daily. You also need to be able to carry your own luggage when boarding the minibus and at each hotel.

You’ll board an amphibian boat tour and sail between the massive icebergs bobbing on the picturesque Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. The excursion takes roughly 40 minutes and includes an English-speaking guide. They will tell you about the geology of the region and share interesting facts about the lagoon. 

Everyone on board will receive a life vest which they must wear during the cruise.

Please note that the glacier lagoon boat tour is not available in April. Instead, the group will enjoy a free lunch together in the area.

By booking with Nordic Visitor, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that there’s always someone there for you throughout your trip.

For support and advice during the day, you can ask your guide or call our office. And if anything unexpected happens outside working hours, you can reach us on our 24/7 helpline. 

The Reykjavík-based travel expert on call will handle any unforeseen situations for you, such as unusual weather or events.

Nordic Visitor continues to follow the rules of local authorities in each destination.

If you become unwell and test positive with Covid-19, you may be asked to leave the tour. This is to ensure all visitors on your group are kept safe, especially if there are people with underlying health conditions.

We highly recommend you purchase travel insurance as this may impact your travels in destination and incur extra costs.

If you’re arriving from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand, you won’t need a visa to visit Iceland. 

Visiting from another country? You can find the complete list of countries whose nationals require a visa to enter Iceland on the website of Iceland’s Directorate of Immigration. If you do require a visa, they maintain a list of local embassies that can assist you with the process. 

Your passport must also be valid for at least 3 months from your departure from Iceland. It’s good to check your passport expiry date early in case you need to renew it. 

Read more about visas, airports and airlines in the getting to Iceland section of our travel guide.

Only you can pick the best time to visit Iceland for your trip. It’ll depend on how much time you have to explore, what you want to see in Iceland and any events you might like to attend.

In summer, June to August, you’ll have milder temperatures and longer daylight hours, compared to the winter. This is ideal for outdoor excursions and sightseeing. 

If you’d like to experience the top attractions with fewer visitors around then you could book your summer trip in May or September. These shoulder season months have more tour and attraction availability.

The winter months are also popular, but generally quieter, apart from the Christmas holiday season. This is the ideal time to try to spot the northern lights.

Find out what annual Icelandic events and festivals are on in our travel guide. Or read more about the best time to visit Iceland on our blog.

Because of its northerly location close to the Arctic Circle, Iceland enjoys long days throughout the summer. 

Around the summer solstice, from early June until mid-July, you’ll experience almost 24 hours of daylight. This phenomenon, known as the midnight sun, occurs within the Arctic Circle and is when the sun doesn’t fully set below the horizon. 

These long daylight hours give you plenty of time to drive around and explore. That said, you may want to pack a sleeping mask if you are a light sleeper or tend to wake up at dawn. 

Find out what the daylight hours will be during the month of your visit in this guide to time and daylight in Iceland.

Summer in Iceland is mild and boasts the best weather and longest days of the year. You can expect temperatures of around 10–15°C (50–59°F), with potential lows of 5°C (41°F) and highs of 25°C (77°F). 

It’s good to know that weather conditions are changeable in Iceland, so you should come ready for sun, rain and wind. For more information on the local climate, read the page Iceland weather conditions

Please note that sightseeing is dependent on weather and road conditions. This means that your itinerary might need to be altered if these conditions are not favourable during your visit.

Even in summertime Iceland’s climate can feel cool. As you’ll probably spend a lot of time outdoors, you should be ready for a variety of weather conditions.

Here is a recommended summer packing list for your trip to Iceland:

  • Durable insulated jacket
  • Rain gear, including sturdy wind and waterproof layers, like a jacket and trousers
  • Robust walking shoes with a good grip
  • Mid-layers such as a fleece or woollen jumper
  • A few pairs of warm hiking socks
  • Hat, gloves and scarf
  • Swimwear for visiting geothermal pools or spas
  • Electronic equipment such as smartphone, external powerpack, and travel adapters
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Sunglasses, sunscreen and eye mask for the summer sun
  • And don’t forget your camera!
     

As you won’t be able to access your suitcase while sitting on the bus, we recommend packing a backpack for your daily essentials. For more information, check out this Iceland packing list.

With Nordic Visitor, breakfast is always included at your accommodations in Iceland. You’ll also have some dinners included throughout the guided portion of this tour, as stated in your itinerary. 

These will either be a set dinner menu or a buffet with a variety of fresh, local ingredients. You’ll be able to choose from meat, fish or vegetarian options by notifying your travel consultant in advance of any dietary restrictions.

Please note that drinks are not included with your dinners.

As for the other meals, your guide will stop along the way for you to pick up snacks, drinks and lunch.

The amount of spending money you’ll need will depend on the standard of restaurants you decide to go to. 

That said, we recommend budgeting between 2,000–3,000 ISK for lunch per person, each day. Dinners at casual restaurants might cost between 3,000–6,000 ISK. Meanwhile at upscale restaurants, you can expect to pay 7,000 ISK or more. This does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages.

As you’ll be travelling as part of a guided group tour, your itinerary for this portion of your trip is set. But you can still customise other parts of your package.

For instance, you could add extra nights in Reykjavík before or after the guided portion of your trip. This will give you more time to explore the Icelandic capital city at your own pace. You can add these additional days while booking your package online. 

You might also like to add optional excursions and day trips to your itinerary. On each tour page, you’ll see recommended optional activities such as whale watching, spas and food tours. 

Please get in touch with us if you have something specific in mind or have any questions about customising your guided group tour.

It’s best to book as soon as you can to secure your preferred travel dates. Once you have picked your tour, check the guaranteed departure calendar to see the availability. Then, select the date you want and complete your booking.

Nordic Visitor offers 10–20% deposits to reserve your tour. The remaining balance is due 30 days before you travel.

Many tours are also open for the following year if you like to plan well in advance. And if you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact us.

After booking your tour package online, you will be contacted within 2 business days by your own dedicated travel consultant. They will be your point of contact for all your travel needs before, during and even after your trip. 

At that time, they’ll confirm the availability of your tour. Then the booking process starts, which may take a few weeks. Once this is done, your travel consultant will provide you with all the details of your trip. You will also receive more information about what to expect during your trip.

No need! Nordic Visitor is already working on offsetting the estimated carbon footprint of your package. We’ve partnered with an environmental fund in Iceland to carbon offset all our tours.

Carbon offsetting your international flights is not included, but we highly recommend you look into possibilities with your airline or directly through a local environment fund. 

You can get in touch with our Iceland travel experts ahead of your trip if you have any questions. The live chat option is useful for getting a quick reply as someone answers live every day during office opening hours.

Once you’ve booked, we’ll provide you with a travel guide packed full of local tips and top attractions for your visit. You can also check out our online Iceland Travel Guide where we’ve compiled useful information about topics, including:

After you have booked your tour, it will only take a few days to confirm its availability. But it may take a few weeks to create your itinerary and book everything. Once your trip details are finalised, we’ll email you copies of your travel documents.

When you arrive in Iceland, you’ll receive a welcome bag with hard copies of your itinerary, attraction and tour vouchers, the Nordic Visitor Iceland Travel Guide and more.

So when do you check in? And what can you expect upon landing in Keflavík?

After picking up your luggage, you will be greeted by a driver holding a sign with your name in the arrivals hall. The driver will hand over your welcome package with hard copies of your travel documents. You’ll then be driven to your hotel in Reykjavík.

Check-in times vary between hotels and guesthouses, but it normally starts between 2 PM and 4 PM. 

You are welcome to request an early check-in for an additional fee. Although this isn’t always available, you’ll be able to store your luggage at the hotel so you can start exploring before check-in. Please contact your travel consultant well in advance of your arrival if you’d like an early check-in.

When you depart may depend on the time of your return flight. Check out early if you’re heading to the airport for a morning flight. On the other hand, if you’re flying home later in the day, you might like to enjoy a leisurely day or visit one more attraction.

You will need to check out from your room, but will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception. Simply return later to collect your bags before catching your transfer to the airport.

All bookings are billed in Icelandic Króna (ISK), the official currency of Iceland. 

Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate as issued by the Central Bank of Iceland. This means conversions from ISK to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.

Reviews

We don’t like to brag, so we’ll let our happy customers do it for us.

Amazing tour!

South Iceland tour was amazing, our tour guide Asgier was wonderful. Loved the hotels and food. Our last night at the Center Grandi Hotel was ok, While the room was spacious not very nice. Our first night at Center Grandi was fine.

Excellent service

I am very happy I found Nordic Visitor and chose to go with them for my first trip to Iceland. This is based on the ease of booking, the value for your money, great itineraries and extra options, excellent tour guide and small, manageable size of tour groups, along with the hotel and food selections.

A trip of a lifetime

I took this tour with my four grown daughters while we still had the ability to arrange our schedules and be together at one time. We had never travelled outside the US together. It was a trip of a lifetime. I thoroughly enjoyed being driven to so many interesting spots in a comfortable vehicle and hearing all the unique stories our guide, Iceman, told us. The food we enjoyed was delicious, the accomodation were beyond our expectations. Iceman shared a lot of "inside" information about being an Icelander and helped us all feel connected and welcome. I would absolutely book another tour through Nordic Visitor in the future. Thank you for helping us create fabulous cherished memories.

Great guide!

Enjoyed the tour immensely! Reynir, our guide, was great! Learned so much about Iceland's culture and history, he put a nice personal touch to the tour. Very friendly and pleasant to deal with. 

5-star experience

Not only did we absolutely love every stop on the Scenic South Iceland tour, but prior to the tour we stayed for 4 days in Reykjavík. I appreciated Nordic Visitor's recommendations for things to do and places to eat there and felt highly supported by Marko, our travel consultant, in every regard to booking our flight and own hotel, day trips I was interested in, and taking public transport around. A definite 5-star experience!

Great overall experience

Our guide adjusted our itinerary to suit the weather and added little side stops for added interest. The overall experience was great.

Accommodation

Relax in spacious, characterful hotels that are highly rated by visitors and handpicked by local travel experts.

Look forward to staying in accommodation with plenty of charm. All the hotels on your tour are ideally located and feature high-quality amenities and restaurants. Rest assured that you’ll stay in the best possible properties, which have all received excellent reviews from previous customers.

Miðgarður by Center Hotels is a modern accommodation located in the heart of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík. You’ll find it at the end of the city’s main sho...

Magma Hotel is a small, intimate hotel with spacious and comfortable rooms, excellent amenities and a modern Nordic design aesthetic. The property has views of lava fields, a black sand ri...

Magma Hotel is a small, intimate hotel with spacious and comfortable rooms, excellent amenities and a modern Nordic design aesthetic. The property has views of lava fields, a black sand ri...

Miðgarður by Center Hotels is a modern accommodation located in the heart of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík. You’ll find it at the end of the city’s main sho...

The hotels mentioned are our first priority for this tour. Please note that although we have included specific accommodations in the tour, these are subject to change in rare cases. We reserve the right to substitute a named property in the same locality for one of a similar standard. We will send you the final list of hotels before you arrive for your tour.

Guaranteed departures

Group size: Maximum group size is 16 participants.

Price p.p. from

Approx 284656 ISK

The amount will be charged in ISK

  • Arrival
    Price
    Availability
  • Wednesday 24 April 2024
    284656 ISK
    1 space left
  • Wednesday 1 May 2024
    322224 ISK
    Available
  • Wednesday 8 May 2024
    Sold out
  • Wednesday 15 May 2024
    322224 ISK
    5 spaces left
  • Wednesday 22 May 2024
    322224 ISK
    2 spaces left
  • Wednesday 29 May 2024
    322224 ISK
    2 spaces left
  • Wednesday 5 June 2024
    331892 ISK
    Available
  • Wednesday 12 June 2024
    331892 ISK
    1 space left
  • Wednesday 19 June 2024
    331892 ISK 298703 ISK
    5 spaces left
  • Wednesday 26 June 2024
    331892 ISK
    6 spaces left
  • Wednesday 3 July 2024
    331892 ISK
    3 spaces left
  • Wednesday 10 July 2024
    331892 ISK
    4 spaces left
  • Wednesday 17 July 2024
    331892 ISK
    2 spaces left
  • Wednesday 24 July 2024
    331892 ISK
    7 spaces left
  • Wednesday 31 July 2024
    331892 ISK
    Available
  • Wednesday 7 August 2024
    Sold out
  • Wednesday 14 August 2024
    331892 ISK
    3 spaces left
  • Wednesday 21 August 2024
    331892 ISK
    4 spaces left
  • Wednesday 28 August 2024
    331892 ISK 298703 ISK
    Available
  • Wednesday 4 September 2024
    331892 ISK 298703 ISK
    Available
  • Wednesday 11 September 2024
    331892 ISK 298703 ISK
    Available

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