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Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon in South Iceland

South Iceland at Leisure - Private

(7 days / 6 nights)

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Enjoy the gems of south Iceland with a private guide

Visit the most fascinating and scenic highlights of South Iceland on this 7-day privately-guided tour. Enjoy the knowledge of a professional local guide as you visit unique natural attractions including black sand beaches near Vík, hot springs, waterfalls, vast volcanic areas and national parks. You will also have chances for optional activities like sailing among icebergs with a guided boat tour on the spectacular Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, learning about our volcanoes at the Lava Centre, or enjoying a glacier walk.

Are you travelling in a group of 10 – 17 people? We can arrange this tour with transportation in a roomy mini-coach. Send us a request for details.

7 days / 6 nights

Price p.p. from

The amount will be charged in ISK

Approx 1020098 ISK

— Why book with Nordic Visitor

  • Experienced private tour guide with extensive local knowledge
  • Travel in comfort with a private driver
  • Handpicked hotels & routes designed by our trusted local experts
  • Private airport transfer upon arrival & departure
  • Outstanding experience and personal service
  • Comprehensive itinerary, personalised map & travel guide
  • 24/7 helpline during your tour of Iceland
  • 5-star customer reviews
  • Carbon offsetting included

Read more

— Cancellation Protection

  • Rebook your tour on one occasion, or
  • Cancel for any reason and receive a partial refund and travel credit

Terms and conditions apply

Tour Highlights

  • See the massive floating icebergs at the Glacier Lagoon
  • Feel the power of the thundering waterfall Gullfoss
  • Marvel at eruptions at the Geysir geothermal region
  • Walk the quaint streets of the capital city, Reykjavik
  • Traverse Iceland‘s beautiful national parks – Vatnajökull, Þingvellir and Snæfellsnes
  • Enjoy the cascading waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss & Skógafoss
  • Photograph jagged basalt columns & sweeping black sand beaches
  • Discover the volcanic wonderland of the Reykjanes Peninsula
  • Walk the Diamond Beach, seeing the scattered, glistening ice

Travel style

Privately Guided i

Interest

Best Seller i, Classic i, Family i, Midnight sun i

Season

May - Sep

Departure

Daily

Interest

Best Seller i, Classic i, Family i, Midnight sun i

Driving distance

1175/730 km/mi

Itinerary

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

  • Day 1: Arrival to Iceland and Reykjavík

    On arrival at Keflavik International Airport, you will be welcomed and driven to your accommodation in Reykjavík. After settling in, take the opportunity to explore the vibrant city centre at you own pace. The main downtown street, Laugavegur, offers a variety of shops, galleries, restaurants, coffee houses and bars to suit all tastes—all within an easy walk.  Spend the rest of the evening at your leisure.

    Spend the night in Reykjavík.

    Average Driving Distance: 49km / 30 mi.
    Average Travel & Exploring Duration: 50 Minutes

    Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 2: South Coast & Majestic Waterfalls

    This morning, your guide will meet you at the hotel and you will head to some of the best-known attractions in the south of Iceland. The first leg of your journey is along the south coast, with a stop at the fairy tale-like Seljalandsfoss waterfall—the only one of its kind in Iceland where you can walk behind the cascade on a footpath! For those who are a bit more adventurous, we recommend visiting a hidden waterfall in the canyon, known as Gljúfrabúi, located near Seljalandsfoss. Further along you can visit the magnificent 60 metre free-falling Skógafoss waterfall in Skógar. From there, the journey takes you past the beautiful Eyjafjöll mountain range.

    Spend the night in the Kirkjubæjarklaustur area.

    Average Driving Distance: 261 km / 162 mi.
    Average Travel & Exploring Duration: 7-8 hours

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 3: Skaftafell & The Glacier Lagoon

    Today’s drive takes you to some of Iceland’s most photogenic attractions, starting with a visit to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, where you can choose to take an optional guided amphibian boat tour among the floating icebergs. Adjacent to the glacier lagoon, you will visit the Diamond Beach, where you will see chunks of sparkling ice dotting the shore like diamonds. Next, you will head to the smaller Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon, before continuing to the beautiful Skaftafell area of Vatnajökull National Park, named for Iceland’s largest glacier. On your way back to the hotel you will stop at Dverghamrar, a small but impressive canyon full of unusual hexagonal basalt columns.

    Spend the night again in Kirkjubæjarklaustur area.

    Driving distance approx. 247 km / 153 mi.
    Average Travel & Exploring Duration: 8-9 Hours

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 4: Black Sand Beaches & Geological Wonders

    Explore along the south coast today with your private guide and visit worthwhile stops along the way, including the Fjaðrarárgljúfur canyon. Then, check out the volcanic black sand beaches near the village of Vík í Mýrdal and the 120 metre-high promontory of Dyrhólaey* with its spectacular rock arch, jagged bird cliffs and awe-inspiring views along with the Reynisdrangar basalt columns jutting out of the ocean. It is ideal today to join some of the optional activities available in the area such as glacier walking, an ATV tour or to enjoy some of the museums along the way.

    Spend the night in the Selfoss area.

    Driving distance approx. 203 km / 126 mi.
    Average Travel & Exploring Duration: 7-8 Hours

    *The cliffs at Dyrhólaey are closed from mid-May until late June due to the puffin nesting season.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 5: Explore the Famous Golden Circle

    You have a full day to visit the Golden Circle region, a popular route for viewing some of the best-known natural sites in Iceland. Visit the great Geysir area and explore the bubbling mud pots and spouting Strokkur geyser before arriving at the picture perfect two-tiered Gullfoss waterfall. Your guide will complete the circle at Þingvellir National Park, which appears on UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list for being historically significant to the founding of Icelandic democracy and a place of immense natural beauty. On the way back to your accommodation you could choose to visit the explosion crater Kerið, which is partially filled with bright blue water.

    Spend the night in the Selfoss area.

    Driving distance approx. 192 km / 119 mi.
    Average Travel & Exploring Duration: 8-9 Hours

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 6: Geothermal Area of Reykjanes Peninsula

    Head to the volcanic Reykjanes Peninsula. On a fissure zone created by separation of the mid-Atlantic ridge running across Iceland lies the large geothermal area of Krýsuvík. Within the same area is the stunning Seltún geothermal field, where volcanic fumeroles, mud pots and hot springs have formed over millennia. Not far from the geothermal areas of Krýsuvík and Seltún is Kleifarvatn, the third largest lake in southern Iceland. Next, you can visit the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa surrounded by interesting lava formations—an especially unique experience in the winter (pre-booking needed).

    Spend the night in Reykjavik.

    Driving distance approx. 174 km / 108 mi.
    Average Travel & Exploring Duration: 7-8 Hours

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 7: Departure Day

    When it’s time for your Iceland adventure to end, you will be picked up from the hotel for your airport transfer about three hours before your flight. If you’re flying in the afternoon, you have the option to visit the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa to relax in the warm mineral waters before continuing to the airport (optional: not included).

    Average Driving Distance: 49 km / 30 mi.
    Average Travel & Exploring Duration: 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.

Day One

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 private 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 private tour with Nordic Visitor, you'll enjoy a tried-and-tested itinerary while enjoying the service of a private, local driver-guide. Let us know what your interests are and we’ll do our best to match you with a guide who will add to your experience.

You'll usually begin the day with your guide at around 9:00 AM. But if you prefer you can also choose to set out later. Depending on the day’s itinerary, you can expect between 8–9 hours with your guide. Take advantage of their insider knowledge while relaxing and enjoying the ride.

If there are specific things you'd like to see and do, let your guide know and they'll do their best to adjust the day's itinerary. The time spent at each spot will also be based on your interests. That said, the guide will follow the original itinerary.

Upon your arrival, you’ll receive personalised information, including an itinerary, map, and our very own Iceland Travel Guide. Plus, you’ll have access to our 24/7 helpline during your trip should you need to contact us.

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.

During your private tour, you’ll stay in accommodation 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. 
 
On private tours, you can choose from single, double and triple rooms. 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 bed often consists of 2 single beds pushed together. Twin rooms are 2 separate single beds. Triple rooms include a double bed along with an extra bed, rollaway or sofa bed. And single rooms are often smaller than the standard double.
 
If you have something specific in mind, please contact us to discuss customising your accommodation options

Yes, you can customise this tour online. During the booking process, you can add extra nights to your itinerary as well as optional day trips, excursions and upgrades. 

If you have something specific in mind, get in touch with your travel consultant and they’ll create your dream trip.

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, your private guide will be there to advise you. But you can also call our office. And if anything unexpected happens outside working hours, you can reach us on our 24/7 helpline.

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.

Travelling with your kids? No problem! You'll be able to enter your children's ages during the booking process. This lets us know whether to arrange either a baby cot or roll-away bed for your trip.

If you'd like us to arrange for a car seat to be provided for your trip, please let us know ahead of time. It's also possible to book this directly with the car rental agency. This will incur a small, extra cost.

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
  • Backpack for daily adventures
  • 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!
     

For more information, check out this Iceland packing guide.

Breakfast at your Iceland accommodations is always included when you travel with Nordic Visitor.  For the rest of your meals, the amount of spending money you 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.

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

Nordic Visitor offers 10–20% deposits so you can reserve your trip as early as it’s convenient for you. 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 ahead. 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.

We had a great time

Had a great time. Our driver Simon was very good, taking all of our needs into play. We had 15 experienced travellers and it worked out great.

Excellent tour guide

Very well coordinated. Excellent tour guide. Would love to return with more friends and family in the future.

Stress-free experience

Worry-free and stress-free experience, from airport pick-up, to hotel stay, to tour, to dropping us off at the cruise terminal. All arrangements were on time and having locals with the insider knowledge and language made our time in Iceland that much more enjoyable.

Accommodation

Relax in top-quality hotels and guesthouses that are highly rated by visitors and handpicked by local travel experts.

Look forward to peaceful stays on your private tour. Each hotel or guesthouse featured on your bespoke itinerary will be conveniently located and have high service standards. Rest assured that you’ll stay in the best possible properties, which have all received excellent reviews from previous customers.

Comfort Plus

In this category, you’ll stay in standard rooms in good quality 3-star hotels. Or, you'll spend the night in similar rooms in rura..

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Superior

With Superior accommodation, you’ll enjoy standard rooms in 4-star hotels or boutique guesthouses. You might also stay in superior..

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Vehicle

Be comfortable and enjoy the journey as a passenger in the vehicle of your choosing.

Suburban/Land Cruiser Jeep
or similar

  • x3
  • x5
  • x4
  • A

Suburban/Land Cruiser Jeep
or similar

  • Type: L
  • Description: Full-Size SUV, four wheel drive.
  • Passengers: 1-3

Mercedes Benz Sprinter
or similar

  • x9
  • x4
  • x9
  • A

Mercedes Benz Sprinter
or similar

  • Type: P
  • Description: Comfortable, passenger van
  • Passengers: 1-9

Price per person from

The amount will be charged in ISK

Approx 1020098 ISK

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