Taste of South Iceland with Golden Circle - Small Group Adventure

5 days / 4 nights
The Strokkur geyser erupting on a sunny day
Lupines in front of the Skógafoss waterfall in springtime
The Tjörnin pond in Reykjavík in summer
A group of people standing behind Seljalandsfoss
Autumn landscape in Þingvellir National Park
Glaciers and rock formations at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
Autumn landscape in Þingvellir National Park
Glaciers and rock formations at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
The Strokkur geyser erupting on a sunny day
Lupines in front of the Skógafoss waterfall in springtime
The Tjörnin pond in Reykjavík in summer

Soak up the jaw-dropping sights around Iceland's south coast

Get a taste of the Land of Fire and Ice on this 5-day small group tour of South Iceland. Hop on a minibus with other like-minded travelers, and an expert local guide will take you to the region’s top natural wonders.

This short break is the perfect introduction to some of the country’s most iconic attractions.

Start your trip in the buzzing capital of Reykjavík, where you can experience the city’s culture and thriving foodie scene. Your guide will then whisk you away to explore dazzling glacier lagoons, bubbling hot springs, and stunning black sand beaches along the south coast.

Plus, you’ll tour Iceland’s famous Golden Circle, with its spouting geysers, tumbling waterfalls, and historic Þingvellir National Park.

This tour is operated by a partner of Iceland Tours.

Travel styleGuided Small group
Trip length5 days / 4 nights
VibeSocial
SeasonSummer
(24 Apr-11 Sep)
TransportMini-bus
Starts fromReykjavík
Minimum age12 years
Tour codeGT09

On this tour you will...

  • Tour iconic attractions on the unmissable Golden Circle route

  • Soak up the local culture in Iceland’s trendy capital, Reykjavík

  • Sail between huge icebergs at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon

  • See rugged mountain peaks and spot wildlife at Skaftafell

  • Check out jaw-dropping waterfalls like Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, and Gullfoss

  • Walk the Diamond Beach and see sparkling icebergs dotting the shores

Top attractions

The Tjörnin pond in Reykjavík in summer

Downtown Reykjavík

The Seljalandsfoss waterfall covered in icicles

Seljalandsfoss

A rainbow over the Skógafoss waterfall on a sunny day

Skógafoss

Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon at sunrise with a pink sky

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Skaftafellsjökull glacier in Vatnajökull National Park

Skaftafell

The edge of the Vatnajökull glacier

Vatnajökull Glacier & National Park

Strokkur erupting on a sunny summer day

Golden Circle

The Gullfoss waterfall in summertime

Gullfoss

The Strokkur geyser erupting in winter against a sunset

Geysir and Strokkur

Þingvellir National Park, Iceland, in autumn colors

Þingvellir National Park

Why book a guided group trip with Iceland Tours?

  • Pick from wide range of departure dates

  • Expert local guidance in English

  • Small and big group options available

  • 24/7 emergency helpline in Iceland

  • Secure your booking with just a 5% deposit

  • Handpicked local accommodation options

Your 5-day guided group itinerary

Your 5-day guided group itinerary
Staying inReykjavík
Driving distance50 km (31 mi)

Transfer from Keflavík International Airport to your hotel in Reykjavík (included).

Touch down at Keflavík Airport and meet your driver, who will take you to your accommodation in Reykjavík. If you arrive early, you could add a stop to the Blue Lagoon (optional, not included). Soaking in the geothermal spa’s mineral-rich waters is a great way to unwind after your flight.

Once you’ve checked in, take some time to explore Iceland’s lively capital city. Laugavegur, the main street, is dotted with restaurants, shops, bars, and cozy cafés. Come evening, tuck into local cuisine or international dishes at the many restaurants and trendy food halls in town.

Highlights

The Tjörnin pond in Reykjavík in summer

Downtown Reykjavík

Extra activities

Riders on FlyOver Iceland above a virtual waterfallExtra

FlyOver Iceland

whale breaching in front of orange and yellow sunsetExtra

Classic Whale Watching from Reykjavík with Transfer

The Sky Lagoon at sunsetExtra

Sky Lagoon Saman Pass with Transfer

Group on a horse riding tourExtra

Horse Riding from Reykjavík with Transfer

Inside the Raufarholshellir lava tunnelExtra

Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel with Transfer

Staying inKirkjubæjarklaustur area
Driving distance260 km (162 mi)

Today, your guide will take you to Hveragerði, where you’ll see Iceland’s geothermal energy in action. Here, you can boil eggs in a hot spring and taste rye bread baked overnight in geothermal steam.

Then, head to the Lava Center, an interactive exhibition about the country’s volcanic activity and earthquakes. Next, visit Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, 2 of Iceland’s most breathtaking waterfalls. At Seljalandsfoss, you’ll get the chance to walk behind its powerful curtain of water.

Your tour will then take you past the mighty Eyjafjallajökull volcano before stopping off at Reynisfjara. This black sand beach is made up of ancient volcanic rocks that have eroded over time.

After a day of sightseeing, enjoy dinner back at your accommodation (dinner is included).

Staying inKirkjubæjarklaustur area
Driving distance390 km (242 mi)

This morning, you’ll make your way east, where some of the country’s most jaw-dropping sights await.

First up is the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Hop aboard an amphibian boat for a guided tour of the lake's turquoise waters and floating icebergs.

Next, you’ll discover the nearby Diamond Beach, where chunks of ice are sprinkled on the sandy shores like diamonds. Stop by the smaller Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon before grabbing lunch.

Later, head toward Skaftafell, inside the vast Vatnajökull National Park. Walk along one of the many hiking trails to see Iceland’s mind-blowing nature at its best.

Back at your accommodation, you and your group will be treated to a delicious dinner (dinner is included).

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

Staying inReykjavík
Driving distance370 km (230 mi)

Get ready to explore the Golden Circle, Iceland’s most famous touring route. But first, your guide will take you to a local farm, where you’ll learn about life on a typical Icelandic farm.

Next, it's time to see the top 3 natural attractions on the Golden Circle route: Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir geothermal area, and Þingvellir National Park. Stop to admire the powerful Gullfoss waterfall before visiting bubbling mud pools and the high-spouting Strokkur geyser.

Lastly, you’ll head to Þingvellir National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage site is where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart.

Staying inDeparture
Driving distance50 km (31 mi)

Transfer from Reykjavík to Keflavík International Airport (included).

After an unforgettable adventure around Iceland’s south coast, it’s time to say goodbye and return home.

What’s included?

Quality accommodation every night

Continental breakfast every day

2 dinners, either set menu or dinner buffet, with local ingredients

Airport transfer

Local transport with guidance in English

Visit to the Geothermal park in Hveragerði

Admission to Lava Center

Guided Amphibian Boat Tour on Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Visit to Vorsabær farm

24/7 emergency helpline when you’re in Iceland

VAT, taxes & service fees

Flights to Iceland

Food & drink, unless otherwise stated

Attraction entrance fees, unless otherwise stated

Personal travel insurance

Choose your accommodation level

More info

Stay in well-located hotels and guesthouses that are highly rated by visitors and handpicked by experts.

On this trip, you’ll stay at the following hotels or similar:

  • Day 1 – Centerhotel Miðgarður
  • Day 2 – Magma Hotel
  • Day 3 – Magma Hotel
  • Day 4 – Centerhotel Miðgarður 

Don’t take our word for it

See what hundreds of fellow travelers have to say about their trips with Iceland Tours.

Read customer reviews

FAQs about our guided group trips

On this type of tour, you’ll travel around Iceland by bus with the same driver-guide for the length of your trip. Guided group tours are a great way to make like-minded friends, as you’ll spend time with the same travelers for your whole vacation.

You’ll get to stay in accommodation around the country, and some tours include a few evening meals too. After a day’s exploring, you’ll go back to your private room and meet your guide and group the next morning to continue your trip.

All of our guided group tours start and finish in Reykjavík.

There are 2 group sizes available:

  • Small group: Up to 16 people
  • Big group: Up to 36 people

Small groups offer a more intimate travel experience, whereas big groups are more wallet-friendly.

You’ll likely be with people from a whole mix of backgrounds, from different countries and of different ages. Your guide will entertain you with fun facts and jokes as you journey around Iceland. It’s almost guaranteed you’ll be laughing along with your group!

There will most probably be a mix of solo travelers, couples, and small groups of friends and family.

The luggage restrictions on this guided group tour are as follows:

  • 1 suitcase or large bag per person for clothes and overnight items
  • 1 day bag for essential items, like a camera, extra clothes, and valuables

Each day your luggage will be loaded onto the bus. In the evening, you’ll take all your bags with you to your room.

Our guided group tours have fixed start dates and itineraries. While it’s not possible to customize the actual tour, you can tailor your trip with extra days and activities before or afterwards.

For example, you could add a couple more days in Reykjavík at the end of your trip. Fill these with day tours or exciting activities like ice caving and snowmobiling.

On a guided group tour, you’ll learn a lot about Icelandic history, nature, and culture from experienced tour guides. You’ll find their passion for the country infectious and gain a perspective on life in Iceland from these travel experts.

Guided group tours also mean you don’t need to worry about driving yourself on unfamiliar roads. They’re a fantastic way to explore Iceland if you want to meet like-minded travelers too.

That said, guided tours are by no means the only way to experience Iceland. If you’d prefer something more customizable, you could go for a multi-day tour by bus. Or if you want to set your own pace on a road trip, it’s hard to beat a self-drive tour.

Another option is a privately guided tour. This combines the experience of a locally guided tour with the intimacy of traveling in your own private group.

On an Iceland guided tour, you can expect to travel by bus in a small or large party. You can choose your preferred group size when you book.

Iceland small group tours are more intimate, whereas large group tours are more wallet-friendly. The maximum number of people in a small group is 16, and 36 in a large group.

Your driver-guide will lead the entire trip, which includes stays in the Icelandic countryside. Each day you’ll explore a new part of Iceland and enjoy commentary from your guide between stops.

As you’ll be with the same group of people throughout your trip, you’ll have the chance to socialize with fellow travelers and make friends (maybe even for life). There’s nothing like diving into Iceland’s epic nature for a bonding experience!

There’s plenty to enjoy on a guided tour of Iceland. The great thing about them is that you can access locations you never would have known about. And you can travel to seemingly out-of-reach regions, like the Icelandic highlands.

Here’s just some of what you could get up to on an Iceland group tour:

Need more inspiration? Check out this Iceland Travel Guide.

All of the guided Iceland vacation packages featured here include local transport, accommodation, breakfast, airport transfers, and activities. Some also include dinners in the countryside, so check the specific package for details.

You can customize your guided trip with extra days in Reykjavík at the start or end of your vacation. Use these to pack in day tours or an evening Northern Lights tour. You could even pay a relaxing visit to the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon.

In general, tipping is not as commonplace in Iceland as in some other countries. While tour guides would never expect to be tipped, they would receive them gratefully.

You can start planning your Iceland adventure right on this page. Browse the guided vacation packages above until you find the one for you.

Next, check departure dates on the tour page. Guided group tours have fixed dates and durations, although you can extend your trip with extra days in Reykjavík if you like. This would be your chance to add activities, like exploring an ice cave or bathing in hot springs.

After that, simply follow the checkout instructions to complete your booking. You’ll receive a confirmation email straight away, followed by your travel documents closer to your departure date.

You can check dates on the individual tour pages. Guided tours are available in a small or large group, with separate departure dates for each.

There are weekly or fortnightly departures throughout the popular summer and winter seasons. Make sure you book in advance as spaces can sell out quick.

Because guided group tours have fixed departure dates, it’s a good idea to book your vacation package before your flights. Once you’ve received the confirmation from Iceland Tours, you’re clear to book with your preferred airline.

That said, you might want to do a rough check for flights before you book your package to get a feel for what’s available.

Iceland is well connected to Europe and North America with daily direct flights to lots of major cities.

When visiting Iceland, it pays to pack smart and be prepared. The weather is changeable and conditions are likely to be different to what you’re used to at home.

Here’s an Iceland packing list that’s good for all seasons:

  • Warm, waterproof coat
  • Toasty inner layers
  • Hat, scarf, and gloves
  • Sturdy hiking boots
  • Sunglasses
  • Moisturizer and lip balm

Adults

Ages 12+

2

Children

Ages 2-11

0

Infants

Ages 0-1

0

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