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Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

New Year's & Glacier Lagoon

South Coast & Northern Lights

(6 days / 5 nights)

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End the Year with a memorable Road Trip!

If you’ve ever wanted to start sentences at parties with, “That one time we spent New Year’s on a road trip in Iceland…”, then this is for you. Make it a year to remember with a drive along the beautiful South Coast, alongside frosty lava fields, ice-coated waterfalls and Europe’s largest glaciers. Ring in the New Year with the locals in a friendly small village and take advantage of optional activities like glacier hiking, snowmobiling and northern lights tours.

Contact us for availability

— Why book with Nordic Visitor

  • Hassle-free & seamless travel experience
  • Flexible & customisable tour options
  • Value for your money
  • Professional service from local experts 

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— Book With Confidence

  • Optional cancellation insurance
  • Affordable deposits from 10%
  • Covid test cover at your arrival destination

Terms and conditions apply

Tour Highlights

  • Watch the northern lights dance and flicker in the sky
  • Visit the massive floating icebergs at the Glacier Lagoon
  • Walk the Diamond Beach, seeing the scattered, glistening ice
  • Spend New Year’s Eve at an excellent hotel, with a traditional dinner, a visit to a bonfire and lots of fireworks
  • Explore the famous Golden Circle route
  • Feel the power of the thundering waterfall Gullfoss
  • Marvel at eruptions at the Geysir geothermal region
  • Enjoy the cascading waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss & Skógafoss

Season

December

Departure

28,29 Dec

Itinerary

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

  • Day 1: Arrival & Exploring Reykjavik

    On arrival to Keflavik International Airport, you will be greeted by a professional driver who will take you to your accommodation in Reykjavík. After settling in, the rest of the day is free for you to explore Reykjavik. You can stroll the charming capital city, visit museums, and explore landmarks. Downtown Reykjavík offers numerous excellent restaurants and cafés, as well as bars, for those who want to experience the renowned Reykjavík nightlife.

    Spend the night in Reykjavik.

    Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 2: Hot Springs of the Golden Circle

    Today, you will collect your rental car in the morning and start your adventure on the road. You will drive towards the picture-perfect golden circle, a route featuring some of Iceland’s most famous attractions. The first stop on this route in southwest Iceland is Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its natural beauty, unique geology and historical significance. Other attractions on your drive include the frequently bursting Strokkur geyser at the Geysir geothermal area, the Kerið implosion crater and the Gullfoss waterfall—an especially majestic sight in the wintertime. An ideal end to this day of sightseeing is an optional visit to the Secret Lagoon, a warm, natural pool that is soothing and so very relaxing.  

    Spend the night in Selfoss area.

    Driving distance: 170 km / 105 miles

    Please Note: For arrivals on the 29th of December, the Golden Circle will be moved to day 5 and you will drive directly to Kirkjubæjarklaustur

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 3: Frosty Waterfalls & South Coast

    Today you will travel along the scenic south coast of Iceland. At the beautiful Seljalandsfoss waterfall you can follow a footpath behind its frosty cascade, a unique experience in Iceland. The next waterfall you will see, Skógafoss, is just as impressive in its winter coat. For a truly unique Icelandic experience, you can also take part in a guided ice walk in crampons (Optional; not included) on the nearby Mýrdalsjökull glacier. Or you could choose a tour to ride a snowmobile on the glacier, or go on a 2-hour ATV tour to the old airplane wreck that has now become one of our top places to take a selfie in Iceland (optional, not included)!

    Next, you will drive to the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, where you will stay at the Magma Hotel, one of the highest rated hotels in Iceland. The hotel is located far from city lights so you will get an even better chance to try to spot the northern lights.

    Spend the next two nights at the Magma Hotel.

    *The northern lights are a natural phenomenon, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.

    Driving distance approx. 201 km / 123 miles

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 4: Glacial Wonders & New Year's Celebration

    Today, is up to you, whether you would like to relax before the New Year‘s Eve festivities with visits to sites like the Kirkjugolf basalt stones and the Dverghamrar cliffs. Or, if you‘re feeling more adventurous, you could get an early start to explore Skaftafell, part of Vatnajökull National Park, and the floating icebergs at the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Then head back to your accommodation in Kirkjubæjarklaustur to freshen up for the night.

    Tonight the New Year‘s Eve festivities kick off at Magma Hotel at 18:00, with an apertif followed by a traditional Icelandic New Year´s dinner buffet including both meat and vegetarian options. After dinner, hotel staff will light fireworks outside, and a bonfire will be lit, reachable by a short walk from the hotel. Close to midnight, we will toast with sparkling wine celebrating the new year!

    Spend another night at the Magma Hotel.

    Driving distance: 247 km/153 miles

    Please Note: The New Year´s Celebration at the Magma Hotel has a set date on the 31st of December.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions
  • Day 5: The splendid South Coast & Reykjavík.

    After a few days of taking in the frozen landscapes and glaciers of the south coast, you will head back west on a leisurely drive to the capital, Reykjavik. Worthwhile stops along the way include the hauntingly beautiful volcanic black sand beach south of Vík and the rock formations of Dyrhólaey. Today is ideal to join some optional activities (availability is limited due to holiday season) in the area such as glacier walking, snowmobiling or an ATV tour on the beach (optional, not included).

    Drop the car off in the afternoon/evening and spend your last night in Reykjavik.

    Spend the night in Reykjavik.

    Driving distance: 252 km/156 miles

    Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 6: Departure from Iceland

    When it’s time to depart, you will be picked up from your Reykjavík accommodation for your airport transfer. If you’re flying in the afternoon, you have the option of visiting the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa before continuing to Keflavík International Airport. Soaking in the warm, milky-blue water surrounded by snow-covered, black lava rocks is a wonderful last memory of Iceland.

    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.

Accommodation

Choose from the following accommodation options, all of which feature hotels and guesthouses that are highly rated by visitors.

Comfort

Rooms with private WC and shower (or bath) in a three-star hotel or well-appointed guesthouse. All provide breakfast (included in ..

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Quality

Rooms with private WC and shower (or bath) in a three- or four-star hotel or the best accommodation available in the area at the t..

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Rental car

Enjoy the journey in the rental car of your choice, with two authorised drivers and free in-car Wi-Fi.

Volkswagen Golf (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x2
  • A

Volkswagen Golf (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Compact
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 2
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Toyota Corolla Sedan (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x3
  • A

Toyota Corolla Sedan (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Intermediate
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 3
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Toyota Corolla Station (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x4
  • A

Toyota Corolla Station (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Intermediate Wagon
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 4
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Hyundai Tucson AWD (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x3
  • A

Hyundai Tucson AWD (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Intermediate SUV
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 3
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Toyota RAV4 4x4 (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x4
  • A

Toyota RAV4 4x4 (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Standard SUV, AWD
  • Passengers: 5
  • Suitcases: 4
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x5
  • A

Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Premium SUV, 4WD
  • Passengers: 5
  • Suitcases: 5
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Land Rover Discovery 4x4 (Automatic)
or similar
limited availability

  • x5
  • x5
  • x4
  • A

Land Rover Discovery 4x4 (Automatic)
or similar
limited availability

  • Description: 4x4
  • Passengers: 5
  • Suitcases: 4
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Tour Information

We recommend that all our travellers read through the following information about what the tour includes, what to pack for your holiday and useful information about the activities that are included during the tour.  

WINTER DRIVING IN ICELAND
For added safety and comfort, we highly recommend selecting a 4x4 vehicle for a winter trip.

Please note that driving during the winter in Iceland can be challenging as the weather can be unpredictable. If you do not have experience driving in winter conditions, with snow, icy roads and high winds, a self-drive tour during winter is not be recommended. However, we offer a number of guided small group tours as well as multi-day tours and privately-guided tours.

Learn more about winter driving in Iceland here.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE ITINERARY & ARRIVALS
Please note: The standard itinerary is based on arrivals for Friday, the 28th of December. If you are arriving on the 29th of December we will move the Golden Circle „day 2“ after your stay at the Magma Hotel, day 4. Please contact your travel consultant if you have any questions or concerns about the changes to the itinerary.

THE NORTHERN LIGHTS, DAYLIGHT HOURS & WEATHER CONDITIONS 
The best months to experience the northern lights are from September to March, with peak visibility from December through February. Please note that as the northern lights are a natural phenomenon, we cannot guarantee sightings, even if the tour is operated.

Please be advised that daylight is limited in Iceland during the winter months, with 4-5 hours of daylight from December to January. However, fresh snowfall often gives the appearance of more light, and it is common that houses, streets and businesses are lit up with Christmas lights, so don't fear that you will be travelling in complete darkness.

Although the winter climate in Iceland is generally mild compared to other northern European countries, the temperature can drop below freezing at times. Please bring windproof and waterproof outerwear and plenty of warm layers. Please note that the programme is dependent upon weather and road conditions, and may be altered if conditions are not favourable. For information on weather conditions and daylight hours we recommend visiting our extensive Online Travel Guide

CURRENCY RATE
All bookings are charged 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. Therefore, conversions from ISK to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.

AFTER BOOKING WITH NORDIC VISITOR
After booking your package with Nordic Visitor, you will be contacted within two working days by one of our travel consultants, who will serve as your dedicated contact person for all of your travel needs before, during and even after your holiday. Your travel consultant will provide you with details about your booking and your remaining payment (if not paid in full). You will also receive more information about what to expect during your holiday.

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